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

The Chairs in Elijah's Life...

Here's Elijah in his stroller with Becca Adams looking on....

Of Course Elijah loves his Elmo Chair... Then daddy's lap makes for a comfortable chair any time...

Here's a photo of Elijah getting cozy on a big chair in our family room.

Not Pictured: Elijah's Red Plastic Chair. (Maybe next time...)

Elijah and Momma

These photos were taken at the super bowl party at FBC West Columbia earlier this year...

The dynamic duo of Mommy and Boo Boo...! -This is one of Daddy's favorite pictures...!

Oh How Time Flies...

Here's Elijah in a February 2007 Photo.

Here's Elijah about seven months earlier in August of 2006.

It's amazing how rapidly Elijah is growing up... It's a miracle of Life, actually. Praise the Lord...!

Elijah and Brittany

Brittany Brooks is one of my tennis students. She watches Elijah from time to time for us. Here's a photo of Elijah trying on hats in the tennis shop.

Here's a photo of Brittany, Elijah and Daddy during a summer tennis camp. Elijah is sampling our drinking water...!

Oh Elijah...

This photo was taken back in January 2007. I'm not sure exactly what day it was but it looks like Elijah has lost his comb and brush, that's for sure..!

Dear Elijah,

I had to work long hours yesterday and I missed you...! But we hung out together when I got home. After dinner we sat on the couch, watched Calliou and enjoyed a bowl of chocolate ice cream. Mmmm... Good Times!

This is just a quick little note to let you know how my favorite part of every day is just being able to come home to you, mommy, and Connor. You are a very good boy...!

I love you very much my sweet, precious Son...!

Love Always,

Daddy

Elijah and Riley

A boy and his dog...

Connor Comes Home Today...!

Elijah will be very, very happy to see his beloved Connor come home today! Connor has been traveling for nearly a month this summer. I am so glad Elijah has a big brother like Connor and they get along so well...!

Big Boy Bed

Elijah Loves his big boy bed, but he still prefers to sleep with mommy and daddy...!

Elijah at Connor's District Tennis Tournament April 26, 2007

Elijah and Daddy in between Connor's matches....

Elijah at the Restaurant with Connor after the tournament.

Elijah enjoying a fun moment with mom at the dinner table...

Still Enjoying The Big Red Car...!

These photos don'te really need any commentary, do they...? Elijah Loves his Big Red Car...!

Elijah's Tennis

Here's a photo of Elijah preparing to start a rally. He's using the new Babolat Aero Pro Drive. Elijah is not quite two years old in this picture but he sure looks like he knows what he's doing, doesn't he...? He's been watching daddy!

Elijah has had a keen interest in tennis since he was able to walk. He loves to hang out at the tennis center with his daddy. In this photo Elijah is taking a break and enjoying a snack after chasing down a few tennis balls.

Elijah at the Pool

As You can See, Elijah loves the swimming pool...!

Of Course the pool is even more fun when you have a big briother to play with! For more photos of Connor and Elijah go to Connor's Photo Blog

Missing Connor

Connor has been gone for a good portion of the month visiting his grand parents. Elijah has been missing him a bunch. (We all have...!) This photo was taken toward the end of May, 2007. Elijah and connor are hanging out in Connor's room watching tv and eating cereal in bed...

Elijah's Bike!

More bike photos coming soon...!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Elijah loves Elmo. This particular Elmo was a gift from Granpa Arno and Granma Judy. One evening we told Elijah to get ready for dinner and he got in his little chair and brought Elmo with him...!

Dear Elijah... You are such a sweet boy. Pictures like the one above are precious memories to your mommy and I. We love you very much...! -Daddy

Big Daddy-March 2007

Here's a photo of Elijah and Daddy back in March of 2007. I weighed about 242 pounds in that photo... A picture of poor health...! I'm happy to report that today my weight is down to about 215 pounds right now and I'm showing no signs of slowing down my weight loss...! I'm not stopping until I get below 200 lbs and that should be sometime around the end of this month or next month for sure... Actually, my ultimate target weight is 175 lbs. That was my weight when I achieved a number one doubles ranking in Texas Tennis back in 1997. YEA...!

I want my sweet baby to have a daddy in good shape who can run and play with him for years to come...!

Elijah, You've helped me in so many ways... Thanks for providing much of the stimulus for my motivation to get in shape....! I love you very much and want to be in the best condition possible so I can enjoy your growing up years with you to the fullest capacity....!

Love, Daddy!

Daddy and Boo Boo

This happy photo was taken at The 2007 USPTA Texas Conference Awards Banquet. Elijah is enjoying the Awards Banquet Dessert: Cheesecake...!

Yesterday was a long day at work for daddy. I didn't get to see you at all throughout the day and I missed you. Mommy reports that you were pretty good today. We went to dinner at Elmo's though, and you were pretty wiggly. After dinner you wanted to play tennis. I love how you love tennis. I hope you always enjoy it and it brings as much happiness into your life as it has mine...! -Daddy