Between Here and There

The good news: as seen below in the pics. The bad news: we'll save for another day. Lillian jumping around a short trail in the Petrified Forest just after colliding with a chair and busting open her upper eyelid. (It's healing nicely and didn't need stitches. But only the first of many ouches to come.) A view during a hike in Sedona area. We wouldn't mind if a close family member would want to move there so we can visit you... And we made it to the Grand Canyon. Why Lillian was making a face, I don't know? Lilly and I taking in the view. I was very nervous with her there. The fences are few and not sufficient. I think I wouldn't mind waiting until she's 15+ years old for the next visit. Kyle at a stopping point on a hike down into the canyon with Kevin. Sunset at Desert View, Grand Canyon. Kevin at Sunrise. Uncle "Rorrville" was a huge help and fun to have along. He's now on a flight home and we'll continue on without him. Our iti...

Lilly and I had our last day with Elliott and Oliver on Thurday. We are really going to miss them. Maybe when we visit for playdates next fall she'll be able to pronounce their names better. She has the whole summer to work on her sharing too. We'll see.

Here are a couple shots of the day. Mom and Dad Welty were down for the event as well as Uncle Kevin (Lillian's godfather also). She was a bit shy during the ceremony.

Here we are at the Mayborn. The rain prevented us from the usual Zoo visit. But maybe next Tuesday since they don't return home until Wednesday. We are having a great visit so far, just a taste of all the fun coming this summer. Don't worry Jaja and Grandpa, I'll try to put up a video soon.

This video needs a little explanation. I started filming just because it was reading time before bed and this is Lillian's new favorite book. Kyle also does a bit of an English accent when he reads it for some reason. But of course as soon as I started Lillian lost interest in the book and was more interested in seeing herself on video. I flipped the viewer around at some point and that's when she says her name and starts to jump up and down. Meanwhile Kyle is trying to get her to say "Waco, Texas" and "Cookie Monster". She does manage both but you have to pay attention. She's talking a lot more but those are our favorite

I'm feeling the need to post lately with all the recent activity from friends and family putting up new posts. My problem is that we haven't been taking as many pictures lately. In fact, Grammy (Kyle's mom) was here for a nice visit after Easter and we didn't get any pictures to document. I'll have to ask her to send some. Lillian was overjoyed with the attention and wanted to share everything with her Grammy. I was constantly hearing "Grammy come" " Grammy sit down" "Grammy see" over and over again. The next weekend Kyle put up this swing in the front yard and the first day Lillian spent close to 1.5 hours swinging. We need extra hands for pushing if any of you can come this way. We also went to our first Baylor baseball game last Sunday. We could only stay until about the 4th inning in order to get home for Lillian's nap but fortunately the score was 11-1 when we left so we saw lots of action. It's a great park with ...

I just couldn't help myself posting this pic from 2 years ago and the update. Mrs. Bear is quite worn in and seems to be losing her nose.

As promised (see below), here are some more pictures from an excursion to a park. On Saturday we traveled to Colorado Bend State Park, which is a little over two hours from Waco. This time we went with our friends, David and Amanda (Mandy). You'll find them pictured above--they're both wearing Duke shirts. I'm not sure if they were aware of the loss to Clemson at that time. After a scenic drive, we enjoyed two short hikes in the park and a picnic lunch by the river. The first hike (pictured in the first shot) took us along the Colorado and then up a little canyon. We only had time to make it up a short ways, so there remains more to explore should we return. Our second hike was longer. It began on a gravel road and then proceeded down a trail to Gorman Falls. It was pretty hot on the open and exposed road, but this verdant oasis (see pic. #2) just above the river was an ample reward.

We finally made it out to a couple of state parks. On Friday we visited Meridian and Lake Whitney State Parks. We enjoyed a gentle but scenic hike around Lake Meridian, and Lillian and Kyle took advantage of the 90 degree heat by swimming in Lake Whitney. The water was too cold for one member of the family. Hopefully we'll have more posts of this 'nature' in the near future.

Not as much snow as Ohio has been receiving un/fortunately.

This photo was included in another birthday card I received and I just had to post it. Thanks Pete

Thanks Jaja for my new shades!

(Thanks to J and J for the card.)

The many faces of our two-year-old. As you may have guessed, these shots were taken after bath time with clean pajamas and freshly combed hair. Coincidentally, the pj's have hearts all over them so they are perfect for Valentine's Day. It seems as though I need to apologize again for becoming so delinquent with the blogging. I think I've lost the urge. Lillian is still as cute as ever but we are picking up the cameras less often these days. You'll have to come visit in order to see the really golden ones during a slide show - with real slides (not digital). We had a great Christmas break visiting tons of family and friends from here to Maryland. We are now back into the routine of life in Waco. Kyle is busy at school though finds time to cheer on the Baylor Bears (men's bball - although the women are even better). We've been to a couple games and are considering bringing Lillian sometime soon. Lilly and I still go every MWF to play with Elliott and Oli...

Christmas and New Years 07-08

Just a taste. As soon as I get in gear I'll post more including Lillian as a two year old.