Halloween 2009

Kaitlyn got a real trick-or-treating experience this year. She helped design the jack-o'-lantern, and this was her first year to actually go door-to-door. Evan just took in all the scenery and as many snacks as we would allow.

Helping Daddy with the carving.

Family photo at FBC Weekday Education

Caesar and Cinderella

Cry havoc, and let slip the kids of candy!

First Time Camping

Though it turned out to be absolutely freezing (literally) for the middle of October, Kaitlyn had a great time camping on Goose Valley Ranch, particularly sitting around the campfire and enjoying s'mores.

Valiant Effort

Despite the effort of team Urbanek going all out in showing their support for our Rebels, the offense unfortunately didn't show up for the Alabama game. We were going to redshirt Evan next year, but it is looking like we may have to bring him up early. He's already benching 350 though, so we feel pretty confident he can have an impact. Uncle Tim made the drive over from Dallas as well, and we sat together through a windy, cold and wet game that turned out to be a lot of practice for Alabama's field goal kicker.

Mid South Fair

I had to work Ole Miss Day at the Mid South Fair this year, so Amanda brought the kids up later that afternoon. We didn't know what to expect out of Kaitlyn, as she is normally scared of new things or of doing anything by herself. Well, she took to all of it like a duck to water. From the Ferris wheel to the pony ride, she had a grand time.

Riding the merry-go-round. It was so fast that
I could hardly get a photo in focus. There was
some major g-force going on.

Of course we couldn't pass up "Dumbo".

This poor little guy didn't know what he was in
for when he climbed into the car with Kaitlyn.

I just knew Kaitlyn would be scared to death once
she got up high, but Amanda had to hold her because she
was leaning out so far to wave at Evan and me.

Another surprise. Last time she was around
horses, she wouldn't even pet one.

And one more time on the merry-go-round before
she would let us head back home.

Little Man Walking

Finally official. The day after my birthday Evan decided that walking was definitely the way to go. When I picked him up from daycare on Thursday afternoon (17th), he walked across the room to me and hasn't checked up since. Actually, that same evening he started climbing on furniture as well.

Little Man

Amanda took Kaitlyn with her this morning to get Evan up. After they got in the room, Amanda asked teasingly, "Kaitlyn, I smell poopie. Is that you?

Kaitlyn promptly responded, "No ma'am! That is little man."

Weekend Family Fun

Uncle Mike and Aunt Sharon invited our hoard out one nice weekend for supper. We took our own toys and everybody had to check out Uncle Mike's new jeep too. It got both Kaitlyn's and Evan's approval, who of course insisted he drive. Speaking of driving, Evan also is all about Kaitlyn's little 4-wheeler. Though he isn't even walking yet, he will climb on it and ride it all over the yard.

Smith Lake Birthday

We loaded up the kids and headed to Smith Lake in Alabama with a bunch of friends and all their kids. It also happened to be where we celebrated Evan's first birthday. With all her time in the water and at the pool and beach this summer, Kaitlyn was very comfortable in the lake. She wore herself and all of us out with her constant cycle of jumping out of the boat, swimming back to the ladder and going again. A good time was had by all though and as always, it is hard to leave that place.

Cupcakes! Happy Birthday Evan!

Icing! Even better.

The hardest thing about Evan in the water was
keeping him from diving out of his float.

A Day at the Park

The kids and I kicked off August by spending Saturday morning at the park. Taking Kaitlyn's big wheel proved to be a grand idea. She rode it all over creation. When she finally slowed down enough to take a break and climb the "big hills", Evan wanted to try it out. Though he is a ways from reaching the pedals, he tried his best to convince us that he was born to ride a chopper.

Wal-Mart Wedding

Kaitlyn recently has been interested in the concept of marriage and what it really means. At first she was going to marry me, but now she has moved on. The other day she told me that she and her friend Nicholas had gotten married.

Me: "You did?"
Kaitlyn: "We went to Wal-Mart and nobody came, and so we just got our stuff and got married at Wal-Mart."

Florida Sun and Sand

Yay beach!

Our makeshift pool for Evan.

Lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Evan makes his selection.

My girls

Yes, I have a fat roll. Want to make something of it?

Some kind of strange little person ritual that I was able to catch on camera. I truthfully don't know what was going on, but I absolutely love this picture.

Like a duck in water.

Kaitlyn relaxing on the sandbar with Dad

Priceless

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!

We had Kaitlyn's 3rd birthday party the last weekend in June... before her actual birthday since we were going to be at the beach for her birthday. The weather was great, and she and her friends made the most of the mini water park we had set up.

We had a little family get together at Nana and Papa's that afternoon with Gamma.

Kaitlyn was pretty excited about her Thomas the Train laptop.

Evan thought the new baby bed made a pretty good walker.

Starting Early

We may have to shorten the handle on the lawn mower, but Kaitlyn thinks she is ready to take over. Amanda actually had to come take her inside so I could finish the steep slope on the lower side of our yard.

The Need for Speed

It was a surprise to me, but we discovered on our most recent trip to Home Depot that Evan is now big enough to ride in the "car". And of course Kaitlyn was happy to give him driving lessons. Yep, life is good.

Beach Babes

Though Kaitlyn is now a 3-year veteran, Evan got to experience his first trip to the beach when my parents took all their kids and our families to Orange Beach, AL for four days in June. This is the first time our extended family has ever made a trip like this. As we expected, Evan gained a little weight from all the sand he ingested, but after the first day he fortunately didn't have as much of a taste for it and doesn't seem to be any worse for wear. The weather was great, and our condos were nice as well. Everybody left ready to do it again.

"Okay Dad, I think I have this sand castle stuff down. What's next?" Just in case you are getting an inferiority complex about your kids or yourself, Kaitlyn did not actually build this.

Evan finally had enough of the bossy big sister.

Condo, beach, pool, condo was our normal rotation.

"Just one more Mom. It has been a tough day."

Kaitlyn also did her part in helping walk Nana's dog, which was a good bit of exercise considering we were on the seventh floor.

Here we have Kaitlyn teaching her cousin Hayley some master builder skills.

Evan decides to build his own condo.

My big girl. Almost 3!

In Training

In preparation for our upcoming vacation, Amanda has been taking Kaitlyn to the pool a good bit to work on her swimming skills and just get her generally more comfortable with the water. I'm happy to report that it is working. She'll probably be training for the Olympics by next summer. Evan has been going too, but he doesn't need much encouragement. Fear is not in his emotional repertoire. It should be. He weighs as much as a sack of bricks and I'm sure would sink like one.

stylin' flotation gear...check

inconspicuous bodyguard... check