Between Here and There

We've been garage sale-ing and visiting some thrift stores recently. We picked up the old Fisher Price barn and animals last week. Most of us probably remember playing with this. The barn doors still moo when opened. At a thrift store this week I was busy looking for good finds when Lillian walks up to me holding this life-sized Elmo. She wouldn't let go the whole time, even tripping over him since he's so big. So, he came home with us and I quickly decided he should probably get dressed. I have a feeling she's going to be bored with him soon. In the meantime, they are sharing a bed.

How do these things work anyway?

This is the closest we could get. We miss you Rachel! We miss you Julianna and Jim!

This is Kyle and I back in Spring of 2004 (I think). We owned the small motorcycle for about a year I think. It's not ideal with all the rain in Vancouver. We did go on one trip though about 45 min south to White Rock for a day at the beach. It was our fourth anniversary celebration. It was not the most comfortable ride but it's fun to remember. A couple days later we had these people come to visit us. Fortunately the ones in bronze didn't need a place to stay.

How long does it take to become a Texan?

Well, this is a short view of Lillian at the beach. I was quite surprised how brave she was. She would crawl around and sometimes go on her tummy in the shallow water. A couple times she went under and came up with a surprised look on her face. I wanted to take better shots but I was too afraid of sand getting in the camera (since this has happened to us before). Also, I did take two swimsuits with us but due to the amount of sand that collects, I kept changing her. So a spiderman diaper was it at the moment.

Wrightsville Beach, NC Duke pool with grandparents We had a great 8 day visit in Durham. Lots of visits to the pool and one to the beach. It was good to see friends and spend lots of time with Mom and Dad and Grandma. Lillian is talking up a storm these days. I'll try to put a video on soon.

Oh you're so funny Grandma. No, you're so funny.

Some of you may have seen another video that I had posted for a day or two. Kyle was strongly opposed to having some random baby instead of our beautiful daughter on the site. So...we recently recorded this and hopefully it will bring a smile to your face, or maybe even a chuckle.

They were very picturesque. I think they look a lot like the early churches in the middle east.

We had a brief visit to San Antonio last December but it was definitely worth visiting again. Accompanied by Mom/Dad Welty, we made it to all the Mission sites, part of the National Park Service ( click for more details ). We also visited Market Square (the Mexican area of town - and enjoyed some delicious Mexican pastries), the Alamo and walked on the Riverwalk. Here are a couple of shots from the three-day trip. Although Lillian did rarely well considering all the walking and the heat, probably one of her favorite activities was jumping on the big hotel bed. This is her first thing in the morning. This shot is taken in the garden area behind the Alamo site. Kyle really likes cacti, I guess. Lillian with her grandparents standing along La Villita on the Riverwalk.

These are actually different bears but from the same Uncle Pete. Phillip (days ago) and Lillian (Aug 2006).

So no one has offered to put in a pool for the backyard, yet. After working outside the other morning for a bit Lillian and I were both dripping. We found a nice way for her to cool off. She just barely fits in the bucket when sitting. Well, she was content, I suppose that's good enough.

Alive and well here in Waco. Enjoying a somewhat mild summer with lots of rain. Kyle has been busy with classes but had time to construct a play/climbing structure for Lillian in the backyard. Lilly and Kyle have also enjoyed the Baylor pool giving me a chance to workout. She still is not closing her mouth before going under the water, but seems to have fun anyway. Next week Kyle's parents come for a visit and we'll head to Austin and San Antonio area to explore for a couple days. I just arranged to head to Durham with Lillian for 9 days starting August 17. So we'll have some nice family visits before the fall starts. Kyle starts classes on August 20 so he won't come to Durham unfortunately.

Phillip Scott Hawkins, born 18 July 2007 at 0948 HST, 7lbs 4oz and 20 inches in length. Here he is at home and loving life.

I'm not quite sure when this was taken, 96 or 97 maybe? Or earlier? We all look so young. Anyway, just missing the family trips to the beach. (We just got a printer/scanner so you may be seeing a bunch of oldies in the next few months.)

Lillian May, one day old