San Francisco Trip

We went to San Francisco and the Bay area for a continuing education conference and vacation. Our good friends, the Carters, live in Palo Alto as Chris finishes up business school. Our trip started pretty rough as we forgot we barely made our flight and forgot Clark's pacifier. He squirmed all over the place for four hours straight. The one thing that saved us on the flight is Clark's love to throw things. He would throw the ball ( left handed-which is good for his future baseball career) and catch it over and over and over. I'm not exaggerating here it was probably like at least one hour per flight of doing this. Anyway, we stayed out in Berkeley our first four nights as I went to my lectures. Clark did trash his first hotel room (see pic). Friday, we went to Fairyland (I know it's San Francisco but it's not what you think) and Clark saw his second baseball game as we went to an A's game. We visited University of Cal-Berkeley where some of these pics where taken at sunset. Some students live in the trees adjacent to the football stadium in protest of the expansion of the stadium. On Monday, we made it into San Francisco and went to see Alcatraz. The one thing that really struck me was the size of the cells (5' wide x 7' high x 9' deep). I made Clark get behind bars to see what it'd feel like if he keeps acting as rowdy as he has lately. The Golden Gate park had an awesome playground with a concrete slide on a hill. You went down on a piece of cardboard. It entertained all of us for about 30 minutes straight. Our last night, we had a great visit with the Carters and got to see some of the Stanford campus. I'll speak for Shannon here. Even though we didn't get to do everything we wanted because of nap times, early bedtimes, and general rowdiness, our kids enrich our lives beyond measure and I'd bring them anywhere.

Clark's Birthday Take Two

Here's some pics from Clark's birthday party in Nacogdoches. We had a great weekend at the lake at Bebe and Pop's. Clark looks like he has a little Edgar blood in him as he reached out to touch the flame on the candle (FYI- my mom's side of the family really enjoys burning things, ask Jacob next time you see him for details).

Here goes sappy Dad post. Shannon and I are amazed that one year has already past with this special little guy. He's gone through so many phases but has constantly remained a sweet, calm, unassuming little boy (recent exceptions on trip to San Francisco but occur after year birthday details later). At first, I wasn't sure I could love another child as much as I did Audrey but he has definitely proved me wrong. Some highlights-waking up every 2 hours for six months, army crawl, his faux-hawk haircut, first ballgame at Fenway, his Johnny Jump-Up, and his little stature (you're welcome for those genes son.) I love coming home from work. The moment I walk in the door, Audrey yells, "Daddy's home!" comes running and gives me a hug. Clark's face lights up the second he sees me and immediately does his speed crawl to me. To top it off, I get a kiss from my beautiful bride. Anyway, we are in love with our little man and can't wait to see all the great things he'll do.

anniversary party

Finally got some pics of Grandma and Grandpa Morrison's 65th anniversary party.

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