Lego World

This photo was saved in my blackberry photo gallery from 2012 or 2013, I am not certain which. But this is just a small glimpse into Elijah's massive Lego collection that continues to grow each month.

Yes, Legos are a major source of enjoyment for Elijah.  In fact, at 8 and a half years old Elijah has decided he will be a Lego Master Builder when he grows up and he plans to design new Legos for kids to enjoy.  He's well on his way with the 'field research' he's conducting in this photo above.

I love that Elijah has passions like this.   It is such a joy watching him grow up.  It's very hard to believe he will be nine years old this summer...!   Oh how the years go by.

I sure Love you Elijah,

~Daddy

Knight Rider

Dear Elijah,

Just wanted to post some of your favorite tv shows...  We all enjoy to watch Night Rider on Netflix.   This was a popular television show in the 1980's.  There are lots of other old television shows we enjoy, too.  I will post more in the near future!  

Love, Dad

Elijah Oct 2011

Found this photo on my cell phone.  It was taken Oct 2011 in Nassau Bay.  Nice follow through for a 6 and a half year old...  Great memories. 

Fun Family Evening

We had a wonderful time last night enjoying to watch a Mens college tennis match between Rice University and the University of Texas.  Afterwards we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Katz's Restaurant.

Right as I was about to take a fun photo of Elijah and Monica she kissed him.  The look of surprise on his face is priceless.   ~ Good Memories...!

Camping with the Puppy

Elijah, Daddy, and Goliath enjoyed a fun camp night Saturday Night.  Daddy blogged about it in Coach Sam's Life.  Here are a few unpublished photos from the camp out evening activity:  In the photo above Elijah and Goliath are inside the tent watching an episode of Ultra Man.     It was Goliath's first camp out and he seemed right at home, very relaxed in the tent.

Most of the mom's are going to hate this photo but the bottle of milk was almost empty and I told Elijah that since it was just he and I and the dog, that I was fine with him drinking straight from the bottle.

My rationalization on this decision:  We are saving mom from having to wash a dirty glass. That means less water consumption to rinse and wash the dirty glass, and less soap to clean the glass.  We are doing mom and the environment a BIG favor, right?

Well my apologies if you disagree with my philosophy behind drinking straight from the bottle but I love my wife and care about our Eco-system, and that's why I do it.    I am just a patriotic, red blooded, God fearing, milk drinking American.  ~Daddy

Angry Pig

Yesterday was a particularly cold day so I bought Elijah a new warm cap for his ears.  It's an Angry Pig cap from the Angry Birds series.  This is a nice hat because it has ear flaps that can wrap around the face and neck .   They also have mittens at the very bottom of each ear flap so you can also keep your hands warm at the same time..   Nice design.   ~posted by dad

New Puppy

We added a new family member on New Year's Day.  Elijah named him Goliath.  He is a very sweet little puppy.  The entire family has enjoyed Goliath's presence, but we have made it clear that the bulk of caring fro Goliath will be Elijah's responsibility. 

After only 48 hours I can see a wonderful change in Elijah.  He is smiling all the time and has not spent anytime watching television or asking to play a video game.  He has been outside more and we are all enjoying to go on walks with Goliath.

Elijah picked out Goliath's name from the old 1960's cartoon Davy and Goliath, one of daddy's favorite childhood shows.

You will be seeing many more photos of Goliath in the days and weeks to come as we assimilate into our new lifestyle as 'dog owners'.   So far, so good...!  (except that all our cats are a little ticked off at us right now...)

~Daddy

Christmas 2010 Captain Rex

Looking back on some Christmas memories, I found this photo from December 25, 2010 on my blackberry.  Elijah's favorite theme was Star Wars and he received numerous Star Wars puzzles, Lego kits, videos, and his favorite: Captain Rex helmet.  Pillow Pets were kinda cool back then, too.  ~Dad

Texas A and M

Elijah, May 2012, Jasmine Park, Lake Jackson

At this point I would be very surprised if Elijah attended any college other than Texas A and M University when he grows up.  He sure loves that school.  His older brother attended ATM and Elijah wants to play tennis for the Aggies and major in engineering so he can become a Lego designer.   Sounds good to me...  What ever Elijah wants to do I will encourage and support him.

At eight years of age Elijah is also cultivating a love of music and is taking piano lessons so who knows what the future will bring?    I am delighted that Elijah loves tennis and music which were also two of my own passions as a young person.

~Proud Daddy

Christmas 2013

Elijah and Connor Christmas 2013

December 25, 2013

Today was an AMAZING day.  We celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior this morning with a reading of Luke 2, an Oswald Chambers devotional, and a gift exchange.   We had a lovely fire going in the background, and we were further blessed by being able to share the experience with my Sis, (Elijah's Aunt, Becky).

In this photo Elijah is holding an Archery set that was a present to he and Connor.  His Aggie shirt and camo pants were also a gift from his Aunt Becky.  Today was a wonderful milestone in our family's history.

CLICK HERE to view Mommy's Facebook photo album.

Love You, Elijah.

Connor, Mommy, and Daddy.

Practice Session

We try to have family tennis workouts whenever possible.  Elijah always plays his hardest when he is on the court with his brother Connor.

I sure love these guys...  Photo taken May 19, 2013 at the Columbia Lakes Tennis Center

Master Chef In Training

Monica and I have been teaching Elijah how to cook.  He is also learning from one of our dear friends, 'Miss Tami', who definitely knows her way around the kitchen...!  Here is a pic from March 2013 of Elijah helping to make rice crispie treats. Elijah has a true passion for cooking.  He especially likes to prepare desserts.

 Usually on the weekends Elijah helps daddy with 'taco night', and Sunday morning breakfast, too.   I want Elijah to know his way around the kitchen so he can be a blessing to his future wife and family.  Let me add that Elijah is an excellent student...!  The only thing we still need a little extra practice on is clean-up after the cooking...!   ~ Daddy

The Rocking Horse

Ride em, Cowboy,  Yee-Haaah...!

It has been suggested by more than one person that this is one of their favorite photos of Elijah.  I have to admit: I love this one myself.  I love the look of joy on Elijah's face.   

We all like to watch old tv westerns like 'The Virginian'.  And Elijah sometimes enjoys to dress up western style and ride his horse while we watch one of those vintage shows from the 1960's.   The horse in this photo is actually a cherished family heirloom. This VERY SPECIAL rocking horse was hand made by 'Grandpa Kieth', for Elijah's brother Connor when Connor was little.  It is very well made because it was built 'with love.  We hope to pass this horse on to Connor's children one day.

Elijah loves to play 'cowboy', just like I did when I was his age.  But I did not have access to a cool rocking horse like Elijah does.  And I am hoping to find a pic of Connor playing on the horse when he was a boy, too. 

Connor and Elijah November 2012

Here's a nice photo of Elijah and Connor from 2012.  They are proudly displaying a Lego Creation Elijah constructed.  Legos are definitely a passion of Elijah's   At eight years old: Elijah's ambition is to be a 'Lego Master Designer' and make a living developing new Lego concepts for the world to enjoy!  That sounds good to me.   

Art Camp 2011

Such a sweet boy.  And he loves his art.  Elijah is very creative.  He definitely takes after his mom in that regard.  ~dad

Dear Elijah, 

As I go through photographs and post them on your blog I want you to know that your mom and I treasure these precious memories of you so dearly.  I especially love when your mom hosts an art camp in our home and we can show hospitality to our friends and neighbors.  You are always a good host.  Thanks for being such a sweet young man.

I sure love you!

~ Daddy

USS Lexington July 2012

Here's a fond memory from 2012.  We took a family road trip to Corpus Christi so I could play in a tennis tournament.  After tennis we visited the USS Lexington.  It was a great tour but there was so much to see we barely saw half of the exhibits.   I hope we can take more trips like this one again soon...!  ~Daddy

Elijah Training

This is a great action photo of Elijah of Elijah in training during one of our family tennis workout sessions.  Elijah's brother Conner looks on in the background.    The is a 'classic' photo of Elijah.

Elijah is engaged in one of his favorite activities:  Tennis.

He is wearing his favorite workout attire:  Camo shorts and a Texas Aggie t shirt.

He is spending time with his Big Brother:  Another favorite past time.

By the way, I'd like to comment that Elijah sure is showing great focus on the ball in this photo.   His game is really blossoming at the tender age of eight years old,   Yesterday he participated in four different group practices for a total of five and a half hours of practice between my Nassau Bay and League City programs.   We don't train that hard at tennis every day, but Tuesdays definitely keep us busy.

I am very proud of both Connor and Elijah...!  

~ Dad

Oh how the years go by...

This photo was taken in April, 2006.  A lot can change in seven and a half years.   My precious little boy is growing up so quickly.  And much is changed with me in that time, too.  Wow.  I don't know where to start.

I will just say this:  PRAISE GOD...!   The Lord has done and continues to work miracles in my life and the life of the Chadwell family.    I thank and praise God every day for my precious sons.   The photo below of Connor and I striking a karate kid pose was taken in May, 2006.

It's truly amazing how seven years ago Elijah was a baby, I weighed in the 240's, and was taller than Connor.   Now Elijah is a big boy, I am a trim 165 lbs, and Connor has blossomed into a fine young man. 

This photo is from Oct 2013.  God is Good and has blessed us greatly.

The Best Father's Day Ever...!

This is one of my favorite photos of my two junior tennis stars.  It is a great blessing that Connor and Elijah both enjoy to play tennis so much.  One of my greatest joys as a dad is to just go out and hit tennis balls with my family.    Of course, coming from a dad's perspective there is an obvious 'bias', but I see no reason why both of these young men could not play on the men's professional tennis tour one day.

Connor is the most gifted athlete I have ever coached in my 20+ year coaching career.  And Elijah is EXTREMELY good for his age, too...!  Of course, they both enjoy winning.  But I love the fact that losing, makes them practice harder.   These boys don't back down, they rise to the occasion and meet the challenges set before them.   The most important thing is that they both understand the significance of giving 100% effort and they dedicate themselves to giving their personal best at all times.

We give our best effort first and foremost to honor our Lord and Savior who created us and gifted us with the abilities, skills, and passions we have.  To give any less than our best effort would be to dishonor our creator.  There is no disgrace in losing if one has given their all.  But there is every disgrace when one has  God given ability and talent and does not utilize their talents for God's Glory. 

As a coach, it is a very good feeling to know that those under your watch have learned and understand the importance of establishing standards and setting goals of personal excellence for themselves. As a daddy, there is no greater joy than to see your children love something and apply themselves to becoming the best they can be at that particular activity, and doing it all for God's glory.

June 16, 2013 will be my greatest Father's Day, ever.  I can see that my boys are really starting to 'get' it.

This morning I am praising God for all he has done for me and for the precious gifts of  my sweet precious sons.

Looking forward to a great church service, lunch, then good times on the tennis court with my precious boys and their Mommy...!

God is Good.

July 2012

Here is a photo of Elijah in July 2012 after a strenuous family tennis workout.  The weather is just now getting warmer and we are looking forward to some more family workouts.   This year, Elijah's mom Monica and older brother Connor are taking a serious interest in tennis.   Daddy is looking forward to the best family tennis season yet!