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

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...)