When I was out of town last week, Tristan decided to rummage through the DVDs and pick one out for Jillian.
10.06.2009
9.29.2009
9.26.2009
crawling part 2
Less than a week after his initial movement, this is what he's doing now! He's ready to go!
crawling
We had some friends at the house Sunday night, and Tristan began to make his first efforts at crawling... forward.
9.15.2009
TO clapping & squealing
Tristan has become a very loud little man. This video shows him squealing some and clapping.
TO is getting bigger
Shot this a couple of weeks ago, but wanted to post it so everyone can see how big the little man is getting. Ava is now calling him Mr. T, and T Man...
8.17.2009
8.07.2009
7 years old
On Monday Jillian and I celebrated being seven years old together. It's hard to believe that it's been 7 years already. We have moved 3 times, have 2 kids, have had 4 pets, and continue to grow closer and learn more about each other. Here's to my beautiful bride. Enjoy the pictures below of when we first met!
just hanging out
at my fraternity's Presents @ Pepperdine
just hanging out 
at my fraternity's Presents @ Pepperdineheaded to Wyoming
After I got home Friday night from Myrtle Beach, the evening was spent doing laundry and re-packing to head up to Wyoming the next day. My in-laws live in Laramie, Wyoming and we have always enjoyed taking a bit of time up there in the summer because of the nice weather. So we packed up the fam again, and this time had a much better trip through the airport thanks to no delays! We arrived in Denver, CO where my mother in law picked us up. We made the drive into Laramie and when Ava got out of the car proclaimed “it’s a cold winter day!” (it was 70 degrees outside). We spent the week hanging out and enjoying getting to be outdoors. As tradition with our first child, Jillian’s dad was proud to introduce Tristan to ice-cream. He made a face at first, and then ate as much of it as mommy would let him! I spent the mornings taking my father in laws mountain bike out for rides (almost 7,500ft elevation hurts FYI) and Jillian continued running to prepare for her first 5k. We went down to the Cheyenne Frontier Days on Tuesday night to catch some Professional Bull Riding action which was more entertaining than we expected. Jillian’s mom had also secured tickets to a concert later in the week at Frontier Days to see Kenny Chesney; which was an incredible show! One day Jillian & her mom went shopping, so the father in law and me took the kids to see some snow in July up in the mountains. Ava absolutely loved it! After the week was over, I had to get back to Texas to train some more customers, but we decided it would be fun for Jillian & the kids to stay up there another week and a half since I would be busy anyway.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Mid July started a crazy month of traveling for the Collins family. In the spring I learned that I would have to take a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC to train customers for a week. Since Jillian has been locked down with work & kiddos, I made the proposition that I fly her out and she join me for part of the week while my parents got some ‘quality grandparent time’ in with the kiddos. So we got everything setup, went up to Denton to drop off the kids and were on our way to South Carolina. Fortunately the flying was fairly uneventful (Jillian’s not a big fan of planes), and we made it into Myrtle Beach. We spent Sunday morning on the beach for our own spiritual relaxation together, and then Jillian joined me while we setup our training lab on Sunday afternoon. During the day on Monday and Tuesday when I was training customers, Jillian spent her time at the beach, shopping and reading… all things that are done much easier sans kids. One of our friends who shall remain nameless turned Jillian onto the Twilight series and she finished 2 of the 4. We went out with one of my co-workers for dinner, played some miniature golf, and listened to some live music at Margaritaville. Jillian left on Wednesday to go pick up the kids and go home and I returned Friday night to join them. Although most of my time was spent working it was great to be able to get Jillian some alone time to relax… mommies need that more than daddies realize sometimes.
my beautiful bride
'self photography' at the beach
enjoying Myrtle Beach
my beautiful bride 
'self photography' at the beach
enjoying Myrtle Beachgoing to Cali
Okay, so the next few posts are WAY late, but as you’ll see it’s been a super busy summer for the Collins family. We kicked off the beginning of summer with a trip to California in June. The primary reason for the trip was I had to be in Bakersfield for work all week. It turned out that the weekend before my brother Chris would be getting his PhD from UCLA. So we decided to pack up the whole fam and fly out to California. The trip to Cali was exciting and stressful to say the least. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to board, etc. but our plane was stuck in a rain storm up in Dallas. Seven hours later we were finally on our way. Once in California with a bit of extra time, we decided to take Ava to Disneyland so she could meet the princesses. That was needless to say, amazing! She was so awe-struck by them it was adorable! We proceeded to my brothers commencement ceremonies and rejoiced as he was also awarded dissertation of the year.
We then packed up and drove up to Bakersfield for my company’s annual user conference. While I was working during the days Jillian took the kiddos to the pool, to the zoo and just had a good time hanging out with friends. We were fortunate enough that one of my co-workers lovely teenage daughters offered to babysit the kids a couple of nights so that Jillian could join me for the after-hours festivities. One night the whole group went to Buck Owen’s Crystal Palace, then on Friday night to a Melodrama. All in all it was a great trip and I was glad to have the family out with me for a while.
leaving, on a jet-plane
Ava on her way to meet the princesses
a view of inside the Pepperdine Chapel where we got married 7 years ago
the fam hanging out in Malibu
Ava outside my corporate office in Bakersfield, CA
We then packed up and drove up to Bakersfield for my company’s annual user conference. While I was working during the days Jillian took the kiddos to the pool, to the zoo and just had a good time hanging out with friends. We were fortunate enough that one of my co-workers lovely teenage daughters offered to babysit the kids a couple of nights so that Jillian could join me for the after-hours festivities. One night the whole group went to Buck Owen’s Crystal Palace, then on Friday night to a Melodrama. All in all it was a great trip and I was glad to have the family out with me for a while.
leaving, on a jet-plane 
Ava on her way to meet the princesses
a view of inside the Pepperdine Chapel where we got married 7 years ago
the fam hanging out in Malibu
Ava outside my corporate office in Bakersfield, CA6.03.2009
school update
Since a lot of you had gotten bits and pieces of the story, I thought I'd go ahead and make a post about it since it is indeed the last day of school!
About two months ago, Jillian's school had been reviewing several options to alleviate overcrowding at their campus (an elementary with over 1,300 kids!) None were spectacular, but the staff and parents decided to make the recommendation to the school board that the 5th grade class meet at the middle school for the next year or so. Everyone assumed all was good, until the school board meeting. They went against the recommendation and decide that two large neighborhoods would be sent to separate schools instead. While it was frustrating for some, it meant a different story for Jillian. The school would have to surplus a unknown number of teachers, and since Jillian was hired last summer- that she most likely would end up somewhere else. The surplus works by making a pool of internal teachers that principals have to hire from before going outside. Meaning she could end up at any school teaching any grade. Or the possibility existed that enough teachers would retire/transfer/etc that she would be able to stay.
After much prayer and advice from friends/family, Jillian had determined she wanted to do anything possible to have the opportunity to stay at that campus. As I mentioned in a previous post, she's melded well with the other staff and administration. She has had a wonderful class this year and made friends that will last (here's to you the Phillips family!) So this meant she would just have to wait it out and see. In the mean time, a neighboring school's principal observed Jillian and was very impressed and wanted her to come to her campus. She worked out an arrangement where if she was surplussed she would go to that campus, but if not, she could stay at her current school.
Finally last week news came that another teacher from her school was moving up to middle school, and that made enough room for Jillian to be able to stay at her school! She was overwhelmed with joy, and the realization that worrying doesn't really help situations! She found out officially that she will indeed be staying with her 2nd grade team as well. She still has to pack up her room and move downstairs to be with the rest of the team... but that's way better than having to adjust to a new school next year.
So on behalf of those who counseled and prayed for Jillian through this time of uncertainty, our family really appreciates it.
And here's to the end of school!!
About two months ago, Jillian's school had been reviewing several options to alleviate overcrowding at their campus (an elementary with over 1,300 kids!) None were spectacular, but the staff and parents decided to make the recommendation to the school board that the 5th grade class meet at the middle school for the next year or so. Everyone assumed all was good, until the school board meeting. They went against the recommendation and decide that two large neighborhoods would be sent to separate schools instead. While it was frustrating for some, it meant a different story for Jillian. The school would have to surplus a unknown number of teachers, and since Jillian was hired last summer- that she most likely would end up somewhere else. The surplus works by making a pool of internal teachers that principals have to hire from before going outside. Meaning she could end up at any school teaching any grade. Or the possibility existed that enough teachers would retire/transfer/etc that she would be able to stay.
After much prayer and advice from friends/family, Jillian had determined she wanted to do anything possible to have the opportunity to stay at that campus. As I mentioned in a previous post, she's melded well with the other staff and administration. She has had a wonderful class this year and made friends that will last (here's to you the Phillips family!) So this meant she would just have to wait it out and see. In the mean time, a neighboring school's principal observed Jillian and was very impressed and wanted her to come to her campus. She worked out an arrangement where if she was surplussed she would go to that campus, but if not, she could stay at her current school.
Finally last week news came that another teacher from her school was moving up to middle school, and that made enough room for Jillian to be able to stay at her school! She was overwhelmed with joy, and the realization that worrying doesn't really help situations! She found out officially that she will indeed be staying with her 2nd grade team as well. She still has to pack up her room and move downstairs to be with the rest of the team... but that's way better than having to adjust to a new school next year.
So on behalf of those who counseled and prayed for Jillian through this time of uncertainty, our family really appreciates it.
And here's to the end of school!!
5.28.2009
a year already?
So I really meant to post this about three weeks ago, but considering how it all played out originally anyway... I'm still good time-wise.
It all began when I received a new job offer and the desire for us to relocate to the Austin area. We prayerfully considered all of our options, and put our house on the market. Our entire married life (and a whole lot of my life in general) had been in Denton. We felt it was our time to move on, and to open some new chapters in our lives. Two days later we accepted an offer and began quickly looking for a new house. Then, on April 30th we closed on buying our house in Round Rock. I moved in shortly thereafter, and about a month later after finishing up the school year in Denton, Jillian & Ava joined me.
Moving is always an exhilarating/exciting/scary/annoying/bittersweet experience. From the minute our family got to the Austin area, we have felt welcomed, made some awesome friends, found an incredible church home, and feel that this is really where we're supposed to be. That's not to say there haven't been stressful moments or a couple of panic attacks, but it's been pretty awesome. We dearly miss our friends in Denton who we still keep in contact with (gotta love technology) and get to see on occasion. Jillian is days away from finishing a year at an amazing elementary campus where she is appreciated and feels part of the team. Ava has definitely hit her stride at a local Montessori school, and Tristan is beginning his experiences at a bilingual daycare. My job continues to go well and provides new experiences all the time. We are beginning to explore all the wonderful things that Austin and the Hill Country have to offer.
So from the bottom of our hearts to all who have made us feel welcome and that we've gotten to know... thank you! Here's to many more great years in the ATX!!
It all began when I received a new job offer and the desire for us to relocate to the Austin area. We prayerfully considered all of our options, and put our house on the market. Our entire married life (and a whole lot of my life in general) had been in Denton. We felt it was our time to move on, and to open some new chapters in our lives. Two days later we accepted an offer and began quickly looking for a new house. Then, on April 30th we closed on buying our house in Round Rock. I moved in shortly thereafter, and about a month later after finishing up the school year in Denton, Jillian & Ava joined me.
Moving is always an exhilarating/exciting/scary/annoying/bittersweet experience. From the minute our family got to the Austin area, we have felt welcomed, made some awesome friends, found an incredible church home, and feel that this is really where we're supposed to be. That's not to say there haven't been stressful moments or a couple of panic attacks, but it's been pretty awesome. We dearly miss our friends in Denton who we still keep in contact with (gotta love technology) and get to see on occasion. Jillian is days away from finishing a year at an amazing elementary campus where she is appreciated and feels part of the team. Ava has definitely hit her stride at a local Montessori school, and Tristan is beginning his experiences at a bilingual daycare. My job continues to go well and provides new experiences all the time. We are beginning to explore all the wonderful things that Austin and the Hill Country have to offer.
So from the bottom of our hearts to all who have made us feel welcome and that we've gotten to know... thank you! Here's to many more great years in the ATX!!
5.19.2009
Tristan is 6 months old!
So yup, time flies! Tristan is officially 6 months old. And we went and had our friend Tanya take more photos to commemorate the occasion! Enjoy!
http://cozyimpressionsphotography.com/Tristan6Months/
http://cozyimpressionsphotography.com/Tristan6Months/
4.28.2009
play dates?!
Ahh play dates... what a wonderful concept! Ava has gotten to spend a lot of time lately with her friend Cooper. The two play together amazingly well especially considering that their personality types are VERY similar, and on several occasions we've mentioned that they're the same person! Anyhow, there have been a couple of incidents lately where they were playing a game called "pants to pants." While I won't go into all the detail, let's just say it involves the removing of aforementioned article of clothing. So as I ponder putting pictures up of them playing and the title of the post... I wonder when we stop calling it "play dates?" Anyway, enjoy the pictures of these kiddos...
Ava & Cooper playing in the sand table
Enjoying a popcorn snack outside
Ava & Cooper checking out the neighbors through the fence!
McKenna, Ava & Cooper. Triple trouble!
Ava & Cooper playing in the sand table
Enjoying a popcorn snack outside
Ava & Cooper checking out the neighbors through the fence!
McKenna, Ava & Cooper. Triple trouble!4.23.2009
adopted bunny
Since we moved into the house last year, we've seen bunnies and other critters off and on perusing through our yard. Lately however there has been one particular bunny that has hung around a lot more, and after watching it I'm pretty sure has taken residence under our shed. This has caused some excitement because it's a fairly friendly little feller. Last night I told Ava we need to give our 'new' bunny a name. So, I'm presenting... Sally the bunny... Ava's adopted friend. Good thing there's plenty of grass, and daddy put out a water dish :)
easter pics & family updates
So yeah, I know easter was like two weeks ago, but I needed to post a couple of pics from it anyway. Life in the Collins house slowly gets busier and busier. I have been traveling way more than anticipated lately which has made things a little harder on the home front. The weather is getting nicer and nicer in Austin, and we're venturing outdoors more. I have taken it upon myself to get in a different shape than I currently am :) by riding my bicycle a lot more. It's working... slowly, but not near as fast as Jillian is loosing weight!
Anyhow, my parents came in for part of easter weekend and we had a great time shopping for some flowers, which Ava helped to plant, and just relaxing. Easter Sunday was a beautiful day, and Ava was very excited to see what the easter bunny left...
Ava checking her easter loot
my beautiful girls
the kiddos and I before going to worship
Anyhow, my parents came in for part of easter weekend and we had a great time shopping for some flowers, which Ava helped to plant, and just relaxing. Easter Sunday was a beautiful day, and Ava was very excited to see what the easter bunny left...
Ava checking her easter loot
my beautiful girls
the kiddos and I before going to worship3.23.2009
birthday celebrations
It turns out that my birthday is only a few days apart from one of our good friends Matt who we met at church. So we decided to have a little party at La Margarita! It was good times with our small care-group family all getting together for fun!
Don't let them fool you, this threesome is a mess! Coop, Ava & Kenna
Matt getting to wear the hat, while Luke laughs
I unfortunately got a turn too, but didn't want to mess up my hair :)
Don't let them fool you, this threesome is a mess! Coop, Ava & Kenna
Matt getting to wear the hat, while Luke laughs
I unfortunately got a turn too, but didn't want to mess up my hair :)more grandparents
I know I'm WAY behind on getting things posted to the blog, but it's coming! So a few weeks ago Jillian's parents came to visit for a long weekend to see the kiddos. We had a great time and here are a few of the pics...
playing outside, with a big bowl of 'cheese'
grandma Lori with her kiddos
Tristan with Lori
Tristan with papa
at the Salt Lick with grandma and papa
playing outside, with a big bowl of 'cheese'
grandma Lori with her kiddos
Tristan with Lori
Tristan with papa
at the Salt Lick with grandma and papa2.21.2009
working with dad / cleaning with mom
These were too cute not to post. One day Tristan decided to work with me a bit, and Ava was helping mommy clean house.
2.16.2009
Baby Dedication
Last Sunday was the annual baby dedication at our church. There were a total of 27 new babies this year! It was a wonderful morning and we're so blessed to have such a wonderful church family. We look forward to Tristan and Ava growing up in the children's ministry with such dedicated and God-loving leaders. My parents came in for the weekend which was a special treat. Jillian's long-time friend Deirdre was in town for a conference so she extended her stay and was with us through the weekend too! All in all, it was wonderful!
Tristan sporting his special hat, while Ava twirls her dress!
Adam Black introducing Tristan.
Tristan hanging out with Pappy.
Spending time with aunt Deirdre!
Sibling time!!
Tristan sporting his special hat, while Ava twirls her dress!
Adam Black introducing Tristan.
Tristan hanging out with Pappy.
Spending time with aunt Deirdre!
Sibling time!!2.07.2009
We are alive
So I know I haven't posted since December, but look below and you'll see some new pics & vids. And it will be back to normal updates every few days. Thanks... :)
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
One of Ava's new favorite books is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. It's pretty fun reading it with her. So we thought we'd post the video. Thanks uncle Chris for the book!
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