The last time my parents were in town we took a short trip down to Houston. We really had a great time! We went to the Downtown Aquarium and the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch and then we went to a baseball game. The Houston Astros (Chris' favorite team) played the St. Louis Cardinals (the Stater Family's favorite team) and of course we had a good time especially since the Cards won! Here are some pics from the Aquarium-

Marker Boy

One of my favorite children's authors is Robert Munsch. I have almost his whole collection of books. He writes very whimsical funny stories, all except I'll Love You Forever. I'm still not sure where that one came from but I love it too. One of the class favorites was Purple, Green and Yellow.

 It's about a little girl named Brigid and the coloring markers she begs her mom to buy her. Mom is against the idea as she "Knows what kids do with markers. They color on the floor and the walls and themselves." I won't spoil the story for you but it is a delightful tale and I highly recommend it but for children five and up as younger children would only get more mischievous ideas from the book.

That brings us to today. I got an email from Lavonna titled "Little Marker Boy." I wasn't sure what the reference was too. My first thought was Little Drummer Boy, but the Robert Munsch book was in the back of my mind. I clicked on the attachment and this is what I saw.

Bryson, Little Marker Boy!

I sure hope those markers are not like the ones in the book, "super, indelible, never wash off until you're dead and maybe longer coloring markers."

 Like the commercial says, "Where is your mother?!?!?"

Memorial Day Visit

Courtney, Chris and Bryson came up for a visit last weekend. Chris' little brother was graduating from High School and his sister was having a baby shower. They originally had planned on staying a week as Chris had to get back for his first youth group trip with their new church. Lavonna talked Courtney (with Bryson) into staying an extra week. We all went to breakfast the other morning, but we haven't gotten to spend much time with them as Courtney has lots of family and friends to squeeze in before they leave on Saturday. Yesterday, Memorial Day, Courtney called in the afternoon to visit. She asked me "What are ya'll doing tonight?" I told her, "Nothing." Then she asked if we cared if she and Bryson came over to visit. I told her "No that would be fine. Why don't you come for dinner?" I just fixed a convenient meal. Nothing fancy. Lavonna, Courtney and Bryson came over. Mallory is at church camp too. Not sure what Brice was up too. We had a great visit. Then after dinner me, Lavonna and Courtney were trying Zumba on the Wii. At first Bryson and Kevin were playing baseball in the kitchen. I told Kevin, "Why don't you go out in the front yard?" I didn't have to ask twice. Bryson made a bee-line for the front door. Mind you the bat and ball are made of foam. I decided to bail on the Zumba and go out and take some photos. Bryson was so cute I decided I needed to get out the video camera. You can tell he is used to watching sports with his daddy. He has all the moves down pat. He was spitting, grunting and strutting like a professional ball player. We had a blast! Here are some photos and the video follows them. It's so bittersweet to get to see them as we know they will be leaving too soon.

Hey Batter, Batter! Swing!

Tag! You're Out Uncle Kevin!

I'm ready, got my eye on the ball.

Okay, my turn to pitch. A little spit should do the trick.

Right here Uncle Kevin! Right across the plate! In the Strike Zone please!

If I hold my tongue just right I'll smack it out of the yard!

I'm ready. Give me another one.

He swings! He misses! Strike one!

For some reason Blogger won't accept the video. I'll keep working on it and try to come back and add it later.

He's quite the little athlete for a two year old. I call him a "switch" hitter since he changes from a left hand stance to a right hand stance, but mostly he prefers his left. He's pretty good at pitching too. Until next time.

Linda

(aka Leelee to Bryson)

Easter 2011

Easter this year was very different but it was wonderful! Normally Easter Sunday for us is very busy and filled with lots of family. So needless to say this year was a little quieter! On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we had Holy Week services with the youth. (check out Chris' blog for more about that) Friday afternoon we took a little trip to The Woodlands to do a some shopping and to see some of Chris' old friends. On Saturday we took Bryson to see Hop and then we went home and died eggs and had a practice egg hunt so he would be prepared for the real thing! Sunday morning our church had an Easter egg hunt for the kids and they had an Easter musical in the service! Bryson had so much fun at the egg hunt! He is a professional egg finder! After church we went to our pastor's house and had lunch with him and his family and after that we went home for naps! Even though we really miss our families and wish we could have spent Easter with them we really had a great weekend just us and our little family! The best part of our weekend though was getting to tell Bryson about why we really celebrate Easter! Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend as much as us! Here are some pictures of the past couple of days!

Bryson at his 1st movie!

ooops :)

Bryson with Jacee and Lexi! Look at that face!

and with the other kids from church

and with the pastor's kids and some new little friends

Our New Life!

I thought that it would be much easier to blog once we got all settled in to our new life here in Huntington but the truth is I find it very hard to come up with things to write about. Our life is pretty much the same except for the fact that we are here and everyone else is not. We couldn't have asked for a better place to move to! The church and all the people are great, the trees are great and best of all the lack of wind is great! If you want to come visit just give us a call! We've got plenty of room!

Chris, Bryson and I are all adjusting very well! Bryson started potty training last week! He picked it up pretty quickly but I'm sure it will take a few months for him to get it 100%. He has made some new friends, Lexi, Jacee, Slade and Wyatt! He loves playing in the backyard and riding his bike! He is talking like crazy! He says I miss you but he really means I love you?! I'm not sure how he got it confused? I have started walking at 5 am with some of the ladies at church! Next week we start running! I'll keep you updated on how that's going, if I never talk about it again then it probably didn't go anywhere! I also have made some new friends! And I am in the process of planning something for the girls in our youth ministry here. I am very excited to get things going with that! We had a girls night the other night and went to dinner and came back to my house to watch a movie! It was a lot of fun! Chris is really adjusting to the new church very well! He fits in good with the staff members and is starting to plan a lot of fun things for youth this summer! He goes and plays basketball with some guys every week in the gym at our church. Other than that he just reads a lot and hangs out with me and Bryson!

*We can't forget about Embry! He is doing very good too! He is having fun playing in the yard!*

Here are some pictures of our trip to the Lufkin Zoo! Bryson and I went with some new friends of ours for a play date!

This is Bryson's friend Slade!

Well that's all I've got for now! I will try very hard to keep the blog updated and to remember to take more pictures!

Courtney and Chris' New Home

Courtney and Chris are getting settled into their new home. They like it and like their new church home, but are missing everyone back in the Panhandle. Bryson is really loving playing outside in his big backyard and the weather is very nice. They live just around the corner from the church so Chris walks to work. Courtney told me they had about 40 youth come for last Wednesday night service.  They posted these photos on Facebook but since not everyone has Facebook I told them I would repost the photos on the blog. I know they would love to hear from everyone. Last week Darla, Lavonna and I all Skyped with them. It was fun and I recommend it. You should try it.  Enjoy the photos and leave a comment for them.
Linda


These photos are in random order. This is the backyard. There is another one in the group from Lavonna of Bryson and Mallory playing on his swing set. He loves that thing and wants to play outside all the time.

Bryson's bathroom. Courtney and Chris' looks similiar. A bathroom is a bathroom.

 The garage had been converted into a bonus room and that is now Bryson's playroom. Big enough for his trampoline.

 Bryson's bedroom. Look at that big boy bed.

 Courtney and Chris' room.

 The dining room or breakfast nook. Since I haven't been there I don't know. Maybe Courtney or Chris can clarify for us.

The front of the house. Definitely a ranch rambler.

Mallory and Bryson playing on his new swingset.

 View one of the kitchen.

View two of the kitchen.

View three of the kitchen.

 And the final view of the kitchen.

The living room.

Embry checking out the outdoors through the living room windows.

Let's all load up the cars and vans and go see them. Any takers?

A Bittersweet Day

Today was Chris, Courtney and Bryson's last day in Amarillo. I of course woke up with a headache and didn't get over to see them as soon as I had planned but we did make it over before they left. It's bittersweet because they are leaving, but also a good thing because they are going where God has directed them. They will be living about 8 and a half hours from here. The good news is they live really close to a nice large lake and Houston, Austin and Dallas. It will take some adjusting for all of us, but I know it will be a good thing. We will all miss them so much and will miss seeing Bryson growing and changing. I told Courtney she has to start blogging. So when you talk to her, remind her you are checking in and want to see photos of their new life. Here are some photos I took in the past month.


These first three are from a day in January when Courtney stopped by the house. Those are the days I will miss the most.

These are some I took at Bryson's 2nd Birthday Party.

 He had a blast and really thought he was one of the big kids. He definitely tried to keep up with them.

I took these next few with my camera phone as believe it or not I forgot my good camera. Thankfully Kevin was sweet enough to go back home and get it for me.

Then after the birthday party our family went out to dinner. Again, Bryson thought he was one of the big boys, so he had to sit at the booth with his cousins, Dam*n and Azari*h.

And finally we get to today. This is what we saw when we turned the corner and I knew for sure it was real . . . they were moving away.

Chris's dad and step-mom were there to say their goodbyes too.

Bryson seemed to be a little freaked out about the whole situation and was not letting Courtney and Chris out of his sight.

Jackie giving Courtney a goodbye hug. The tears started about this time.

Jackie and Chris saying "Goodbye."

Chris' dad Jerry saying "Goodbye" to Chris and Bryson.

After this Kevin and I gave them hugs and told them we loved them and would see them soon. I just hate changes, but I wish them the best of luck in their new home and new church. We love you Chris, Courtney and Bryson.