Clark's Birthday

Here's some pics from one of Clark's birthday parties. We had another one three days later in Nacogdoches. A sappy blog post from his dad will follow shortly.

Good job Mom!

Here's what transpired when we went to Luby's on Saturday for "kids eat free" day. We got situated and set everyone up to eat, when Audrey realized that I had not given her anything to drink.

In her best manners she said, "Mom may I please have my drink?"

"Oh sure, here you go," I handed it to her.

"Thanks, Mom. I like how you're being obedient."

It was all we could do not to crack up laughing.

catch up blogging

we never got around to posting some great pics from Christmas. The picture from the beach is from New Year's Eve at the beach with the Shannon clan, and here we are at Chick-fil-a with our friend Holli-Ann and her little cutie Ethan who just moved back to Texas from Moscow!

Easter

The kids spent Easter day with Gigi as Shannon and I tried to catch a flight home from DC. We couldn't stand to be away from them any longer so we cut our trip short. Poor Audrey thought it was going to snow again after last Easter when we did our Easter egg hunt in the snow.

Clark has decided that he wants to feed himself lately. As you can see this process normally involves a bath afterwards. I caught Audrey in this pose as she talked to "black hair Sarah (Bales)." She looks like a teenager to me in this picture.

getaway to dc...

pretty little princess

mark it down. Audrey put on this dress and crown and actually asked me to take a picture of her (as opposed to the trickery, bribery, or coercion that usually precedes a photo shoot).

Baylor vs Missouri

After the Bears beat Missouri today, Audrey got to meet her favorite player Tweety Carter (who had 17 pts). Clark got his picture with Aaron Bruce. Audrey has loved going to the Baylor basketball games and does all of the cheers.

Zoo

Despite Shannon's repeated concerns, I ventured back to the Houston zoo to face my old demons. (For those of you who don't know I was left here in 5th grade on a school field trip and my dad had to drive from Beaumont to pick me up) Sara, Isa, Diego and Gigi all met up with us too.

Present from Bebe and Pop

Here's Audrey showing off her birthday present from Bebe and Pop. Molly came over to show Audrey how to play it.

Overwhelmed

As I sit here at breakfast with my kids, I got kind of overwhelmed with what a blessing they are. Going to work daily and getting in a routine, I sometimes forget how special they both are. We were listening to David Crowder (who by the way was the secular music magazine Blender's Reason not to Hate Christian Music) this morning and something kind of struck me. These kids are such an extension of grace. There is nothing Shannon and I could ever do to deserve such a rich blessing. Another reminder of how awesome God is to extend grace to us as in we deserve death we all have the opportunity for abundant everlasting life. Just one of those different angles you pick up as a parent.

These are pics from Audrey's 3rd birthday party. By far the quickest three years of my life. I could go on all day about all the special things about her. Since it's Valentine's Day, I'll just say I couldn't have ever predicted how one tiny little girl could have a grown man completely wrapped around her finger.

Clark's accomplishments

Just a quick note to brag about all of the things Clark has started doing in the last couple of months. He doesn't seem to get much face time on here, poor guy!

-says "bye-bye" and waves
-picks up the remote and points it at the TV expectantly
-claps when we say "yay!"
-gives kisses
-cruising like crazy and occasionally stands
-has four top teeth (inciting Josh and Audrey to affectionately nickname him "GapTooth"
-dances (well it's his version of dancing, mainly just bobbing and bouncing to the music).

I'll upload a video later of him playing with his favorite Christmas toy.

Also we want to say a big "congratulations" and "we love you" to Grandma Audrey and Grandpa Morrison (Josh's grandparents) who celebrate 65 years of marriage today. 65!! Isn't that amazing? I read somewhere that less than .5% of the population will ever celebrate a 65th anniversary.

I have only known them for six years or so but I can't ever remember a single unkind word spoken by either of them. They are best friends-lovers-ubergrandparents and nothing makes them happier than their family. We're headed to Beaumont next weekend for a belated celebration with the clan.

Tire Swing

One of Audrey's birthday presents was a new tire swing that my dad helped me with. Every time we go to a park, that's what Audrey runs to. After swinging for about thirty minutes she said, "Look I'm flying like an angel."

Handsome Son pt2

Ever since I saw the movie "Big Daddy," I've looked forward to dressing my son up like this. He's a handsome little dude. Ladies watch out!

The Country

While in Beaumont, we were able to spend some time in Warren at Granny Williford's old house. Audrey loved being in the "woods." She really liked the tractor from a distance but did manage up enough courage to take a ride. There's no doubt in my mind that she has superb hearing as she routinely covers her ears during toilet flushes, Baylor basketball games, and tractor rides as shown here. Looks like she might be my fishing buddy even though we didn't catch anything this time.

Christmas Presents

Here are some pics of Clark and Audrey's favorite presents. They both fill their gender roles as Clark loves his race car and drum and Audrey loves being a princess.

Family Pics

Christmas Eve

To all of those who call me every week (you know who you are) about updates, I'd like to present fresh pics hot off the press. We went to our Christmas service at church tonight and then we had our good friends, the Cartwrights. over for dinner. The girls even sang happy birthday to Jesus.

Christmas Program

Audrey had her Christmas program at her school this past week. She sang "Jingle Bells," but quickly quit singing after she spotted us in the crowd.

With Dad

I look forward to the weekends starting on Monday morning. Don't misinterpret that as me not liking my job because I do love what I do and the Lord has graciously placed me in the perfect job, but I just look forward to spending time like this.

another clark update

Well Clark is cutting his third, fourth, and fifth teeth! He is quite the drooler these days. He is saying "Da-da-da-da" all day long, very loudly, and Audrey has also taught him to wave bye-bye.

Still only army-crawling but he is an expert at it! He is so efficient I guess he doesn't see the need to use his knees.

Thanksgiving

We were able to spend Thanksgiving with both of our families this year which worked out great. Clark now says "Da-da". He is getting around pretty well with his army crawl and has yet to figure out how to use his feet.

Audrey speaks

I'm trying to be better about capturing more every-day things with the kids, so I thought you might enjoy some Audrey-isms.

- "bree-zuh" for zebra
- "I help make-uh the bed."
- anytime Clark cries, it's for one of two reasons: "Oh, he's scared of lions." or, "Oh, Clarky wants his Pop (Shannon's dad)."
- "Oh, that clock!" This is from Cinderella and she says it to express frustration at anyone or anything.
- "Let's get some snugglin!" This is invariably the second thing out of her mouth when Josh gets home from work, following, "Welcome home!" She makes us all jump in the bed for some "snugglin'."
- "Can I please have a blue ah-bar?" This means a granola bar in a blue wrapper (as opposed to the ones in the green wrappers which do not contain chocolate chips).

cute haircut

Inflatable Funland

We had a great time when Gavin and Jeremiah came to meet us at Inflatable Funland. Actually, I think Jason is the one who had the most fun out of everyone.

Cinderella

Audrey is fascinated with Cinderella right now. Not only does she ask me to dance with her like the dance at the ball but she fulfills all the roles. Here's our little Cinderella washing dishes in her new kitchen.

homecoming 2007