Elijah's Christmas...!

Connor took Elijah Cristmas Caroling!

Elijah helped decorate the Christmas tree!

Elijah and Connor Open Presents

Elijah and Connor on a hayride...!

He's All Boy...!

Dear Elijah,

Here's a fun photo of you chasing a ball around the Thanksgiving holiday (2007). As I recall, you and your brother Connor were playing and having a great time. Your mom often remarks that you are 'All Boy'... Meaning that are only interested in the things of boys and boy activities like running, jumping, chasing balls, playing sports, going fishing, etc...

Sorry I haven't posted on your journal in few weeks but we have really enjoyed many fun experiences together lately. You come to the tennis center pretty much every day with me and I love that I can take you to work with me. Watching you catch your first fish a few weeks ago is a priceless memory that I will never forget.

I consider being yours and Connor's daddy as the most important 'work' I can do... Everything else will just have to find it's place and wait it's turn behind you guys...!

That's it for now. More later...

Love, Daddy

Elijah's First Fish...!

Elijah really fell in love with fishing back on October 19 during our first home school tennis golf art and fishing camp. We've gone fishing many times since then, but haven't caught any fish. Well, this past Wednesday Elijah, Connor and I were fishing on the lagoons back behind the tennis center near the hotel. Connor caught the first one, and then Elijah caught the second one.

Elijah was so excited and it was just a joy to watch. He wanted to pet the fish and take it home with us but I released it and returned it back to the water... I took some photos of the event using my camera phone but will need to research how to email it to myself from my phone...

Anyway, I am very delighted to report this fun milestone in Elijah's Life...! I don't know how old I was before I caught my first fish but I'm sure I was much older than two years and four months... -Way to go, Elijah!

Elijah's Apples

Elijah Loves Healthy Snacks Like Apple Slices...!

Last night, Elijah just would not go to sleep. Consequently Mommy and Daddy did not sleep much either... Oh well, that just comes with the territory of being a parent of a 2 year old...! Yesterday Elijah and I went to play golf for the first time... We putted on the practice green behind the tennis courts. He loved it. We also went fishing, but didn't catch anything. Elijah is getting very good at reeling in the line now...! ( I cast for him) We try to fish for at least a few minutes almost every day, unless the weather is really bad...

Elijah Thanksgiving 2007

We had a fun Thanksgiving hanging out, cooking and watching movies... Elijah is shown here holding a video case of one of his favorite movies... Here's a link to Monica's latest post about Elijah... It's precious....

Day at the Zoo...

Here's a photo of Elijah at the Hoston Zoo sitting on a big turtle statue. This was a trip he and Monica took with our Friends from FBC West Columbia. Obviously he had a good time...

Here's a link to some photos and commentary Monica posted on her blog of our Thanksgiving this year... I may publish some more pics later...

Daddy's Shoes

Boo Boo loves to put on Daddy's shoes, but this is a little crazy...

FAVORITE CARTOON

Dear Elijah...

I haven't posted in a couple of weeks but I'm back on track today... I have to report that we've really had some fun times lately... We bought you a finding Nemo Fishing Pole and have gone fishing pretty much every day since then... We haven't caught a fish yet but have had several 'bites' and have seriously scared several turtles... We've been fishing the lagoons around the tennis center... I really enjoy going fishing with you...

I posted the photo above because your other passion lately has been the cartoon Go, Diego, Go...! It's a good cartoon and daddy enoys watching it with you...!

Today, mommy is taking you to the Houston Zoo with friends from church...!

I know you will have an awesome day and mommy will take lots of pictures... Bye for now...

Love Always,

Daddy

Wiggly Baby

I love playing with the Boo Boo... But he can get very wiggly at times....!

Elijah's Big Adventures

We took Elijah to the zoo last month and he had a blast...! I'll be posting zoo photos for days to come... We enjoyed the zoo so much that we bought a zoo membership... Now that the weather's cooler I'm looking forward to visiting the zoo a lot this fall and winter...

Today Elijah and Mommy had a big day at the Park in Lake Jackson. Mommy posted a bunch of photos of Elijah and his friends on her blog today... Here's a link to an adventure in the pumpkin patch.

Close Up...

Dear Elijah...

Hey there sweet little boy...! I haven't written you a note in a while so I thought this morning would be a great time to tell you how much I love you...! And I do love you very, very, much. I was sad yesterday because I had to work late and when I got home you had already gone to bed... I missed my Boo Boo time.

Today will be different. My goal is to work hard this morning and then spend the whole afternoon with you...! Yea...! I can hardly wait...!

You're really growing up every day. I love just hanging out with you and talking. Your mommy was telling me how you used to awaken in the morning and say: Get Up, Mommy... Now you say, Mommy it's time to get up...! That may not seem like a big deal but you are starting to construct complex sentences... I thank that's awesome...!

You love to give hugs... And when you give us a hug it makes us feel so special... Thank You for being such a sweet boy...!

I really can't describe how much you are loved... But it's to the most of our ability...!

Well, I'd better close here... Bye for now. Love Always, Daddy...

Ball Collection Time

Elijah helped out with the ball collection during the recent home school camp!

Making Music

Dirty Face

Elijah hates to have his face wiped... If he'd just find his mouth a little better that wouldn't be an issue...!

Playing Rough...

Here's a fun photo of Elijah and Connor playing together. Elijah loves to chase Connor.

Got Cookie....?

MMMMmmm....! This photo is self explantory!

Some Recent Photos

Here's Elijah this past week. He was falling asleep in his new car seat....

This is Connor and Elijah after Church this past Wednesday night. Elijah is wearing his favorite Nemo Overalls and connor is wearing his favorite shorts with paint splatters on them.

Elijah, Puppy, and Bear

Here's a photo I took a few days ago of Elijah wearing his Giraffe hat while holding puppy and bear. Sigh... He's looking so much older now...!

Another Birthday Photo

Here's a classic: Elijah, Mommy, and The Cookie...!

This photo was taken on Elijah's second birthday, July 28. The cookie was sent from Aunt Becky... Mmmm... Elijah (and daddy) loved them....!

At The Houston Zoo Gift Shop...

Boy was this a great day for Elijah... And the rest of the family had a pretty good time, too.... We enjoy visiting the zoo so much that we bought a family membership to the zoo. Now we can go any time we want to...!

Playing the Drums

In this photo Connor is helping Elijah learn how to play the drums. I love how both our boys have an interest in music. And I love how well they play together. -Connor is a very good big brother and Elijah simply adores him...!

Maybe one day we'll form a family band... -And mom could be the lead singer...! :)

Aqua Man

Here's a fun backyard pool photo. I cropped myself out of the photo because daddy without his shirt on is not a pretty sight these days...!

Elijah is wearing his momma's work goggles. They were not water proof, but Elijah didn't care....

We bought this little pool at Wal Mart towards the end of the summer and Elijah has had a lot of fun with it...!

Today Elijah is staying at home with daddy because Mommy had to take Connor into Houston early this morning for a dentist appointment. We were out of milk for cereal but Daddy saved the day by melting a little vanilla ice cream to pour on the cheerios.

There were no complaints from Elijah....!

Elijah's Trip To The Zoo

Wow...! Daddy ad Elijah were very impressed with the Giraffes at the Houston Zoo earlier this summer...!


What an amazing creature...! God is an incredible, Master-Designer...!

Dear Elijah,

I remember our first trip to the zoo. You were in awe of the animals. -Especially the Giraffes... Daddy and Mommy thought they were pretty neat, too. But Elijah, I am most in awe of You.

YOU are a most amazing creature. You are a blessing from God. Mommy and daddy love You very, very much...!

I can't wait for our next fun and exciting experience together. Of course, every moment with you is precious, but fun things like seeing a Giraffe for the first time is something extra special that will be one of my favorite memories for life...!

I love You, Boo Boo...!

Your Daddy

Elijah, Bear, and Giraffe

Heading To Work With Daddy...

Elijah and Daddy wave bye bye to mommy as they prepare to leave for the tennis center.

It's about a half a mile walk to the tennis center from our house and Elijah and I walk it alot. Today Elijah wanted to drive his Big Red Car... We had a very fun day today...! Elijah helped me string a couple of racquets. He quality tested the chocolate bars in the tennis shop this afternoon. We walked along the lagoons around the tennis center looking for a 'big fish'. We played on the playground. And we looked for stray golf balls along the diving range. All in all it was some good daddy-boo boo time!

200th Post Today...!

This photo was taken of Elijah back on January 28th, 2007 and has been the wall paper on my computer screen ever since...!

Dear Elijah,

Today is a milestone for your journal. It's the 200th post I've made since you came into this world...! I did go through a few months where my life was just very crazy and I didn't take time to journal for you, but we haven't missed anything 'major' I assure you.

As far as what is really notable so far regarding your second year of life, I'd have to say that your vocabulary astounds me. I love talking to you. I love the sound of your sweet little voice. And you are still the sweetest, nicest, loving, and kind little baby I know. You definitely take after your mom in that regard.

You are always telling us that You love us. You are always wanting to share things... (Well, most of the time, any way...!)

These past few days, weeks, and months your mommy and I have really been facing some difficulties in life but You brighten our every day. We consider You a most precious blessing from God.

Thank You for being such a sweet little boy. Mommy and Daddy love you very much, Elijah...!

Bye for now my sweet little boo boo...

Love always,

Daddy

One of Elijah's Favorite Things To Do...

Elijah Loves Books. We try to read to him every day, sometimes multiple times throughout the day. He recently received a bunch of new books for his birthday from his Aunt Becky...!

I'm glad Elijah likes books. He also loves sports, music, and eating... He's a pretty well rounded little boy.

Oops....

Somehow, defying the laws of physics, Elijah had managed to get completely inside this basket and then as I was about to take his photo he fell down... Oh well.... He was too big for that basket, anyway! -Daddy

End of the Summer

I just found out that Labor Day is the symbolic end of the Summer Season... That doesn't really fit down here in Texas because the kids have already been back in school for a couple of weeks.

Here is a good photo symbolic of Elijah's summer. He had a blast going to the Columbia Lakes swimming pool to beat the heat. Connor enjoyed it, too...!

We probaly won't go to the pool today because there's a 70 percent chance of rain today. But I'm sure Elijah and Conor will find something fun to do inside the house....

Pretty Good Form for a Two Year Old...!

Here's another tennis photo of Elijah in honor of the US Open. He's wearing sandles to play. That's his mom's influence. She's from California, you know...

Not that there's anything wrong with being from California, these are just Elijah's favorite shoes...! Elijah looks like he's about to start a rally in this picture.

Loves His Tennis and Bar B Que...!

Elijah and I were watching the US Open on television last night. Several times during the evening he asked if we could go to the tennis center and play.

This weekend is traditionally a big tennis weekend. I have hosted a tennis social at my club for the past three years. It's also a tradition for me to cook something on the Bar B Que pit this weekend. Yesterday afternoon I started a brisket on the smoker and Elijah helped me with that, too.

I'm looking forward to getting Elijah on the court today and enjoying a delicious brisket sandwich for lunch!

How Elijah Spends His Spare Time..

Elijah still enjoys his Big Red Car. We've definitely got good use of this 2006 Christmas present from my sister. Becky...

His other past times include watching his new favorite television show: The Mickey Mouse Play House, playing on his laugh top computer, and reading a book with mommy, daddy, or brother.

He really likes chocolate, but we try to limit it's consumption.

Oh I completely forgot that he loves tennis. How could I forget to mention that...?

And one other notable mention is that sometimes Elijah likes to say our family prayer of thanks to God before our meals. -That is one of the most precious things I've ever seen....!

Another One of Elijah's Chairs

This rocking chair sits in the tennis shop. It was given to me by my Grandmother, Mimi. It was her mother's chair at on time in her life. That makes it Elijah's Great, Great Grandmother's chair...! I think this chair is over seventy five years old.

By the way, nice dinosaur pajamas Elijah...!

At The Tennis Center

Elijah loves coming to the tennis center with me. This photo was taken earlier this spring. He had just helped me pick up balls and was enjoying a ride in the ball cart when mom snapped the picture.

Sweet Little Boo Boo...

Here's a photo of my little boy Elijah taken way back in February, 2006 when he was eight months old and not even walking yet... My how time flies...! At 24 plus months now he's definitely moving around better...

More Random Photos of Elijah

Here's a cute photo of Elijah trying on Coonor's shoes...

Here's Elijah taking his ball and going out looking for a game!

This is Elijah with one of his favorite 'sitters', sitting...!

Pulling Rylee's tail is a no-no..!

Enjoying a snack...!

Elijah's Room

I always had to share a room with somebody else but Elijah has his own room...! You can see his changing table/dresser in the background. The height of his hair suggests that he has just awakend...! You can just barely see his 'big boy bed' in the bottom right hand corner.

Dance, Dance, Dance...!

Elijah loves to dance. When he hears any kind of music with a good beat he really gets down to business. He's got great natural timing and rhythm. Honestly, when I look at a photo like this I think of how great our God is and how we are created in His image. This is the look of Joy...!

Elijah is literally Dancing for Joy in this photo. That reminds me of a worship song we sing in church that has the lyrics:

'We're gonna dance, dance, dance in the freedom we know because the freedom we know is gonna last forever...!'

At 2 years old Elijah knows ONLY Freedom.


Personal Note to Elijah: -Way to go Elijah! -Thanks for showing Daddy what Joy and Freedom look like. You are such a precious gift from God. I love You very, very much...! -Daddy