Take a Hike IKE!

Well, here we are in our new "home" in Dallas...we are here, safe and with power, food, a/c, and good friends. We came here yesterday as the conditions in The Woodlands aren't horrible, just no power and a big mess...I guess it more a giant inconvience...especially with little ones. Anyways, we weathered IKE in our walk in closet all night Friday and into early Sat morning. It was freaky...wind like none other and lots of thuds felt through the ground of the house. Chad and I have decided that that we thought we were prepared...but not for more than 2 days. Our food all spoiled and the kids were crawling the walls. Needless to say...I was not being too nice either:) On our way to Dallas we heard on the radio that The Woodlands can plan on 2-4 weeks w/o power...the transmission towers have to be completely rebuilt and shipped in~YIKES! We really are'nt sure where we will go or what we will do after Friday...I may go to MN and stay until we get power back and food and gas are readily available. There is nothing right now as NO stores or gas stations are with power in our town...anyways, here are some pics of our entrance to Dallas and pre and post IKE pics of the house...We are also official FEMA evacuees...what a title!

Dallas...home sweet powered home!

Our house before the storm...a beautiful sunset disguises whats to come 8 hours later...

Some damage to the garage...these are our trees...missed Chad's car by 1 mm, literally! Our garage is leaking and obviously needs a little TLC, we're just thankful it's not our living space. My neighbor got one thru her roof.

The view is a little different now...We really are ok and feel blessed that nothing else happened to our family and friends...Hopefully we'll be home soon...

First Day of School!

Well, it's official, they're all in school for a few months anyways...Ryan was so excited to start "schoo" as he says. He did cry when we left, but you would never know it fromt the look before he left. Dad even came for the big day. Tyler was very excited as well,and in true fashion, nothing happened at school today...'It's a secret!" He won't give me anything to go on! Oh well...he says he had lots of fun, so back tomorrow we will go!




Yes, I am really getting that big... I went to the Doctor today for my 3 month check and everything looks, sounds great! I di have to say, this shirt is a little blousy...but probably not too much!
The boys in front of the school with their big boy backpacks. Notice Ryan's slick hair...he got into my pomade and did his hair for his new teachers...He smells like an Aveda salon.

Last week we had a little birthday party for Ryan's TX friends in our pool. He had a blast.

Some of my good "Woodlands" girlfriends

The Summer Olympics at the Brautigam Cube!

Tyler is quite the diver! We're hoping for the next Phelps! He can hold his breath the entire length of the pool! You never know:)
Children's Museum in Houston. Check out his native Banana Spider. Thank god it's not in my yard...the kids were amazed by this thing! It gave me the creeps personally!

Beach Bums!

So in the past week, we have been to the beach 2 times. Chad and I took the boys last Saturday, then last Thursday, as a last summer hurrah, a few of my girlfriends and I decided to take the kids for the day. We had a blast both times! I think that Ryan wins dirtyist kid of the week and Tyler wins "I've got sand in my eyes!!!!" crying award. All in all, after a couple showers at the shelter, he got over it and actually had lots of fun! The beach at Galveston was actually pretty nice and much cleaner than I had thought. It's been raining a lot here, so swimming has been limited this week, but Tyler is now diving into the pool and swimming like a fish again! YEAH! Next week we go to meet the boys' teachers for preschool-YEAH again! They are definately ready for school to start. Chad and I went to the Dave Matthews concert on Friday, and it was the best one yet...really! Saturday was my friend Erin's 30th b-day and we went to a fabulous surprise party for her. Very nice! Also, for those of you that haven't heard yet, the Brautigam clan is expanding once again! Yes, lucky number 3 is due in March. We're very excited! So here are the pics from the beach and let me not forget The Wiggles! Oh yes... they made a stop in Houston, so of course we had to go! Enjoy!

This was Tropical Storm Eduard day, when the world shut down for no reason at all. My kids don't quite understand the concept of painting...well Ryan doesn't at least! Notice, he's soaked from the head down...

We're Back!

So the summer has been a busy one. We traveled to MN and WI for 4 weeks in July. What a blast the kids had! We were so busy there going to zoos, partying, visiting old friends, and playing baseball. Tyler found a new love for the game of baseball thanks to his cousin Hayden. Literally that's all Tyler did everyday for 3 weeks was want to play ball like "Jerek Jeter." We all know it's Derek, try explaining that to Ty... I think we ate the country out of freeze pops, sorry if you can't find any anywhere...Ryan got tubes put in his ears right before we went up north, what a god send those things are! His arm is all healed up, except for the mishap of Tyler slamming Ry's hand in the car door yesterday.Yeah, real pleasant...he's fine and bendy, thank god! Ryan also turned 2 last month. HE is such a hilarious little guy...constantly talking, chasing Tyler around, but still needs his paci and silkie like food and water. He's going to be hard to break...Ryan also learned how to ride a big boy bike while in MN. He bikes and Tyler golfs in the front yard. Yes we still go out even though it's 100. I go crazy inside if we don't. Here are many pics of the past several weeks. Tyler is getting excited for school to start, Ryan is going to go too, 2 days a week. Hope all is well with everyone. We are all great and enjoying our little family...take care y'all!