Chasing the Train

I made this movie of our trip today with Andrea's parents and her sister (and her boyfriend) and brother down to Kemah Boardwalk--the boys loved riding on the merry-go-round and the train. It's the first movie I've made with iMovie '08. Fun to make. Perhaps I missed my calling in life! :)

A Christmas Double-Hitter

After visiting Marc's sisters in North Texas for Christmas, we headed south to visit with Andrea's parents--it got a little warmer but still left us wishing for the 70s that we enjoyed just a week earlier. Andrea's sister, Julie, was visiting from out of state (which means that we don't see her as often as we'd like) as was her youngest brother, Adam. Julie's new found boyfriend also visited, which was an added bonus. It was great to see everyone, even if it was only for a short few days. Unfortunately Marc had to work on Monday (New Year's Eve) so we weren't able to stay for Andrea's parents' famous party with fireworks and good hometown country fun! Perhaps next year...

Beckett loves Cheetos...need any more proof than this?
Mackay and Beckett got to feed the longhorns...we're definitely in Texas!

A Cold TX Christmas

We visited my two sisters--Carin and Amy--in North Texas for Christmas this year and believe it or not it was actually really cold (30s and 40s). Ok, so we already have thin Texas blood unable to stand anything below 60 degrees, but we're not used to dressing in layers anymore! Despite the cold, we had a good time visiting with everyone. My parents came too, as did my grandma from Florida--it's rare to get her on a plane by herself, so it was great to see her.

One of the nice things about living in Texas is that we've been able to save on air flights when we want to visit family, which means that we're able to see everyone more often. Of course we still miss our many great friends back in sunny Virginia (ok, so it's not so sunny this time of year), but at least we have all of these great technologies that make it much easier to communicate and keep in touch.

Mackay had an especially good time with his cousin Hannah (Amy's daughter who is closest to his age and also enjoys playing "kitchen"). He fondly calls her his "buddy," a title he uses with only the most select of his friends and family--Beckett also enjoys the title.

Mackay and his buddy Hannah....

The whole clan...my sisters and their families...my parents...my grandma (on my dad's side)...and Amy's in-laws...and of course Andrea and me...and the boys.

Mackay Loves His "New" Bike

My parents came to visit before Thanksgiving and brought a bike we had left at their house back when we didn't have room to keep a bike--nor a place for Mackay to ride for that matter. It was a bike Andrea had scored from someone's throw away pile (my dad and I cleaned it up and fixed the training wheel so it's like new). Mackay loves to ride his "new" big bike instead of his big wheel. He even tried riding into a curb and falling off for fun (it worked well the first time he did it, but the second time he tried he got off course and fell down early, resulting in a few customary tears!). As you can see from the video, he also likes to practice standing up and riding. Perhaps he learned all of he sweet skills from the time we spend together watching the Tour de France. He even asked me if I wanted to watch the Tour de France with him, "Hey daddy, do you want to watch the Tour de France with me." What a proud moment for a father! No pressure for Mackay or Beckett to ever get into cycling of course, but if they ever wanted to ride with their old man, I'm sure I could make time...



Check out the focus on Mackay's face!

A Grande Family Thanksgiving

Now that we are living in the same state with my sisters and Andrea's parents, we decided to do a big Thanksgiving get together at Andrea's parents house (aka "The Property). My parents came to visit as well, so it was quite the shindig. Andrea's brother came down from college to visit. And if that wasn't enough, Amy's in-laws just moved into our great state and they came down with their youngest daughter to join in the festivities. Like I said, it was muy grande!

Unfortunately, a cold front came through right in time for Thanksgiving, so we weren't able to enjoy the warm weather like we usually do this far south, but it was fun nonetheless. We made campfires, roasted marsh mellows, road on the four-wheelers, pulled excess fish from the pond, played in the sandbox, road bikes, etc. It was great to see everyone and fun for the kids to get together. We definitely enjoy living closer to family. It saves us a lot on what we would pay for airfare!

No more city slickers in this household...Beckett's on the tractor and Mackay is picking up dead fish!

Happy Halloween

We had our first Halloween in Austin. Mackay was a test pilot and Beckett was a tiger. Mackay loved his outfit. He would wear his fake helmet ALL the time. It was fun to look back at him in his car seat just chillin with his helmet on. Beckett on the other hand wasn't a big fan of his costume and wouldn't stay in it for more than 10 minutes at a time; with his hood up, maybe 45 seconds max!

Breaking Beckett

Well, we've been breaking Beckett for two nights now. The first night was tough with a lot of him (and us) waking up, but last night he slept until about 4 and didn't wake up to nurse until about 5:30...and then he went back to sleep for another couple of hours. Not too bad compared to what it has been.

Our New (Temporary) Pad...

...in Austin. We decided to go ahead and get a short-term rental in Austin. Let's just say that Andrea and the boyz are loving it. Mackay even thinks it's big, even though it is just a two-bedroom place...shows you how much space he has had lately!

Of course no sooner than we decided to rent a place in Austin, Marc got a job offer in the Los Angeles area. Now the decision, "Should I stay or should I go?" (sing it if you know the song!). Vote for your option at the right...

Washing the Car

Mackay loves to help Marc wash the car. It's amazing how kids emulate their parents. Whatever we do, they want to do as well. Of course some day they probably won't think we parents are so cool, so we should enjoy it now while they are young and they still think we are cool!

There is nothing quite like the thrill of watching a child enjoy the newness of life in all its forms. Kids are tiring, but they sure are worth it, especially when they look up at you with that sweet smile that makes all of the "dirty diapers" worth it.

I'm not sure who got cleaner in this video, the car or Mackay!

Beckett First Haircut

Andrea finally gave Beckett his first haircut at 14 months. Let's just say he wasn't too into it. It's amazing the difference in the quantity of hair between Mackay and Beckett at the same age (Mackay was two and a half months old when he got his first trim!). I wonder if this trend will continue when they get older. Will Mackay be the kid with the locks while Beckett goes bald? Or with the Lord take away that from he who has and give it to he who has not...will the first be last and the last be first??