Bowling Rocks!

One of the fun things about having kids is getting to take them to try new things and watching their enthusiasm and excitement. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure this was the first time we've taken the kids to go bowling. Here are Mackay and Beckett giving it a go! We figure Eme needs to learn to walk first...soon enough!

Field Day

Every year shortly before school is out, Mackay's school organizes a "Field Day" where they get to do all sorts of fun, physical activities. The older kids typically get to help run the events, with the parents and teachers there to help. Andrea went and got these great videos of Mackay in action! Our kindergartener is growing up!

Family Run

A good friend of ours organized this charity run not far from our house. It was a 5k, but there was a 1-mile option too. Mackay ran the whole way and Beckett joined him for part of the run. Eme just enjoyed the ride. Good times!

I love how they were totally focused before the race started. No camera was going to distract them.



But let's be honest, we don't do it for the glory...we do it for the bagels...

And (from one of Andrea's old races)...we race for the cool Texas-shaped medals they give us when we're done! :-)

The Winners (2008) from Marc Strong on Vimeo.

Note: I can't say we're big PC fans (Macs only in this household!), but I'm sure my brother-in-law who works for Microsoft will appreciate the boys' shirts (he should, he gave them to 'em!). :)

Giving Her Doll Some Love

Eme is our little cutie. Here she is with one of her baby dolls. You can tell she has quite the personality, even in this short clip.

Mackay Can Ride!

I've been working with Mackay for a little while trying to help him get the hang of riding a bike without training wheels (is it just me, or is it super tiring bending over holding onto your kid's seat while they're trying to learn to ride?). It appears that the training paid off, because something clicked and he's now got it figured out--funny how that works sometimes. I think this was the first time he's ridden solo and made a U-turn as well. Good times! Go Mackay!!!

Disney Rocks!

Back when Andrea and I went to Maui, we bought some points/option for a time share dealio. With those points we were able to stay at a sweet place in Disney World and another less-sweet place on the beach in Destin, Florida. We definitely would not recommend wasting one's money on the time share option like we did (lesson learned!), but we did enjoy a super fun time at Disney World. We went with some of our friends who have similar age kids. It was SUPER fun! Here are some pictures from our trip.

Day 1 - Animal Kingdom

They weren't really diggin' the Bug's Life 4D show. We left early after things started hitting them (I think it was just air!).

We rode this about four times because there was no line! Sweet!!!

At the end of a long and fun first day.

Day 2 - Magic Kingdom

Good times with friends.

What a cute family! ;-)
What a great big brother!

Faces of FUN!

This car ride always seems faster when you're young! But it's still fun at my age! We got to go around twice because I had two drivers.

Like mother like daughter...cute!

More cuteness.
Hanging around. Waiting in line.
Bros before...never forget it guys! ;-)
Mom with her cute kids.

We got to have dinner that night with my Grandma and Great Aunt. We had a fun dinner at the T-Rex Restaurant. It took a while to wait in line, however (love that Mackay is asleep in this).
UPDATE: Unfortunately, my Aunt is no longer with us. She is missed.

Day 3 - Hollywood Studios

What a cute family! (Is Eme crying?) ;-)
Be honest, what boy doesn't love Star Wars? Show me one and I'll show you a neglectful parent! :-)
A little rain came just as we were calling it a day.

Day 4 - Chillin'
I asked the kids if they wanted to go to the Disney parks for a fourth day, but I think three was good for them. They were happy to swim at our hotel and go shopping.

At least the hotel had a nice pool...even if it was overpriced!

We stopped at the Lego Store before leaving Disney and picked up a few things. Legos = a slice of heaven for these boys!

Day 5 - Beach

Eme loves the beach!
Eme doesn't love sitting on alligators!

Note that I'm planning to make a home movie combining all of our clips, but haven't gotten around to it. I will finish it! In the mean time, enjoy these clips of Mackay and Beckett on their first roller coaster rides.

Mackay's First Roller Coaster Ride from Be Strong on Vimeo.

Beckett's First Roller Coaster Ride from Be Strong on Vimeo.

UPDATE: Since uploading the roller coaster video of Beckett, a Disney representative contacted me to include it in a video montage they showed on the side of Cinderella's Caste for part of the month of February 2011. It was part of some promotional they were doing. I'm still trying to get a copy of their final video, but I doubt they'll send it.

A White Christmas

We had a great time visiting my family up in Dallas for Christmas. It's nice to be within driving distance (it definitely saves on the travel budget!). The kids are to the age now where they really appreciate getting to see and play with their cousins. And between my two sisters, there are plenty of cousins to play with! (Ok, maybe not that many, but six is a lot to me.)

And did I mention that it even snowed? Who says it doesn't get cold in Texas. What the schnikes?!



Our semi-serious time was when we dressed up and enacted Christ's birth.

Our cute little shepherds.


Our silly time was when Andrea and my mom and my sisters did a skit to "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" with my dad singing alternate lyrics with reference to JuicePlus and the like (for those of you who know my mom, she's a big fan of JuicePlus).



We don't have Wii at home, but Mackay loves playing it at his cousins' house. Here's a fun little video of the kids steering their cars, with a bit of commentary by Beckett.

Mackay the Runner

Mackay decided he wanted to do a running race, so we took him to this one promoted by his school district. He was one of only a few kids in his school who had the cajones to take the challenge. It was a 1k cross-country race down by Town Lake in downtown Austin. The conditions were a bit challenging because it had rained that morning and there was plenty of mud present. Nonetheless, the kids did great and Mackay was a trooper, running through the pain to finish in 4 minutes and 58 seconds--roughly an 8 min/mile pace.

I decide to make his race into a video: en-dur-ance. Enjoy!

en-dur-ance (2010) from Be Strong on Vimeo.

Eme Learns to Clap

This is a cute little video Andrea shot showing her and the boys teaching Eme to clap. We love our cute little girl! She's already getting so big! Now we just need her to sleep through the night.

Full of Imagination

One of the things I love about picking Mackay up from school is hearing how his day went. He'll often come home and sit and draw and make other art projects. Nearing home recently he said:

I need to draw. I have too much imagination and I need to get some out.

Hearing him say that brought the biggest smile to my face. I often tell Mackay that he has a great imagination and is so creative. I guess he has so much some times that he just has to get it out on paper! Ah the small joys of parenting...





















As an example of Mackay's imagination at work, he just went on a school field trip to a local farm and decided to draw the experience.



Here he is describing his drawing.



And here he is describing some of his other recent art...and how he loves art more than Legos...and even Star Wars (love how he flops around).
















Mackay used to spend hours building Lego ships and other cool creations (this picture is from back in June). Beckett of course helped too (he's becoming quite the Lego builder in his own right). Now Mackay spends hours doing "art."

Of course, Mackay still plays with Legos...even the big ones sometimes. Here he is building a Lego zoo back in September.

Mackay's First Day of School

Andrea and I were nervous to be sending our first born off to kindergarten. Mackay is such a sweet kid and I must confess that the thought of sending him off into the dark, cold world made me nervous to say the least. Nonetheless, I knew I couldn't keep him home forever. Hopefully we'll be able to counter the corrupting process as it goes along. Luckily it takes place slowly. :)

Anyway, back to his first day of school. Mackay didn't seem too nervous--at least if he did, he didn't show it. He was excited to finally be big enough to get to go to school. Andrea dropped him off and I picked him up. As you can see, he seems to be taking to school without a problem.
















Got to start with a healthy breakfast.





















Our cute little guy all ready to go!





















There's his classroom.





















Mackay seemed to really enjoy his first day of school. Nothing but big smiles!



Mackay explaining his first day in more detail...starting with the art project they made.

Kids First Circus!

We had a great time taking the kids to the circus with some friends of ours. I think it's safe to say they were thoroughly entertained. In retrospect, however, we probably should have brought more snacks--it was a long show.





















Our cute Beckett.





















Our cute Mackay.



My favorite part was the motorcycles in the spherical cage. Elephants just don't do it for me. Sorry elephants (and tigers and all the other animals).

Beckett Bug Party

Andrea did a bug-themed party for Beckett this year--at his request of course. As you will see from the pictures, there were a range of ages at the party. Beckett originally came up with just girls to invite. He seems to like older girls! Way to go buddy! :)





















Look Mom, bugs!





















A game of wrap the mummy.



I love Beckett's description of his party and his focus on his presents.
















A fun game of water tag.



Beckett blows out his candles.
















Bug cakes! Ummmm, good!





















Yes, the presents!

Water Fun

In mid-July we headed to my parents home for a little summer fun. The boys had a great time playing on the slip and slide, swimming in the hot tub, and riding on grandpa's boat. Nothing like a little water fun in the middle of summer to stay cool.



A little fun on the slip and slide.

A not-so-hot hot tub. Note Mackay's bruise on his hip from the water slide.


















Beckett loves his little sister!


















Mackay and Grandpa taking the helm.























Eme and Grandma enjoying the ride.























A fun trip.


















My great parents!