Happy Belated Valentine's

I know it is almost March, but I had to share these pics anyways. Happy Vanentine's!!!

Daycare made cookies and Katelin decorated her own. She loves "toochies" (cookies).

Katelin got a Green and "yeyyoww" frog that she loves to kiss and a cute puppy dog.

Happy Birthday Maddox!

Our good friends Chad and Catherine Conner had a birthday party for their son Maddox a couple of weekends ago. Maddox turned 1 on February 8th. Katelin had so much fun at the party. She gave away her first kisses to Maddox when we were leaving. Looks like Maddox is already has a way with women!

Mr. Mom

During Meg's last week in Austin, Katelin got to spend the week with "Daddy!!!" Meghan came down for the weekend to drop Katelin off. She had not been home since before Christmas. Thankfully I had gotten the Christmas decorations down by then (yes, albeit the night before Meg came home, but at least it was before February!!)

Here is Meg and Katelin (with her favorite "gasses") getting ready to go to the park by our house.

Katelin recently learned how to make the bed. She helps throw the pillows on the bed (she says "baBOOM" when they crash.) Then she likes to jump into the pillows.

Cuddly time with daddy before work and "school."

There is no way Katelin will miss her breakfast. When I take her to daycare, I don't get up early enough to get her there by 8, when they feed her...so we ejoy a nice morning making Cream-of-Wheat and cinamon toast. She is so cute. She will take a towel and set it in front of the TV and say "uh oh" (meaning I need to turn the TV on to "Emo" aka Elmo). This is the only time she will sit patiently enough...when there is breakfast in front of her and Elmo is on. Otherwise, she could care less if the TV is on. As you can tell by the pic, she can shovel it in. I think she ate more than me!!

Yes, Katlin loves glasses. She did this all on her own. She thought it was sooo funny. Poor Mr. Potato-Head. His parts will never be in the right spot.

It was a great week, but man...I don't know how single mother's do it. I am definitely more appreciative of Meg now. I don't think I made it to work before 9:30 all week. I don't know how Meg get's Katelin to daycare by 7:30!!

Bachelor Party!!!

With Meghan and Katelin gone, what's a man to do?? Bachelor Party!!! Just kidding, I decided to visit some friends in Arlington and Dallas.

Here are Steven, Brittany, and baby Preston Potter in the JPS cafeteria. Steven and Brittany became great frinds of ours when we moved back to Galveston from NC. They helped us re-start the Galveston Clear Creek Community Church Small Group. We spent many-a-time together carpooling to CCCC having conversation over Katelin screaming in the back seat. You know you have great friends when they knew that Katelin would scream most of the way there (and back), but were still willing to ride with us!! Our small group sure misses Steven and Brittany.

You can keep Brittany (and Steven) in your prayers. Brittany is a family medicine intern at JPS in Ft. Worth. She just went back to work from maternity leave to a trauma surgery rotation with Q4 call, then to MICU month with Q3 call. Such a hectic schedule, but the Potter's still have such a great outlook and attitude. Steven has grown to be Mr. Mom himself!!

Here is Bleu with his favorite drink "Starbucks" (I think he keeps them in business) pretending to play the guitar. Bleu is one of the most eligible bachelor's I know. Great guy if you know any perfect girls!! He is a general surgery resident at Baylor in Dallas wanting to go into Cardiothoracic surgery. He was one of my roomates through med school and has been a great source of spiritual wisdom and growth for me. Thanks for your friendship, buddy!!

And last but not least the Burton's: Luke, Shannon, Logan, Faith Anna, Beth, and baby Tag. Luke was one of my best friends through med school and best man in Meg's and my wedding. Luke is now a radiologist in Rockwall, Shannon is a PT (mom by trade). It has been awesome seeing their family grow from just Luke and Shan to the now party of 6 (7 including Deets). I love seeing Luke and Shan parent their kiddo's...they do not know what great examples they set for Meg and I in raising Katelin. Thanks guys!!

Two of my best buddies... I could not have made it through med school without them.

Gone Fishin'

After Christmas, Meghan spent the month in Austin on a Pediatric Ophthalmology rotation (which she loved). During that month, Katelin spent two weeks in Round Rock with Meghan and her folks, one week with my parents in La Grange, and one week with me, Mr. Mom.


Here are some pics when we dropped Katelin off with my parents. We got to fish a little (or got a little fish!!). Katelin loved the slimy little suckers.

As you can see, Katelin hates the sun in her eyes,

...so Meghan's mom got her some sunglasses ("gasses").

Christmas 6

Christmas day, my immediate family (mom, dad, Kari, Brian, Keslyn, Meg, K, and I) drove from Seagraves to Ruidoso, NM for a little taste of mountains and snow. The first day we just chilled and God blessed us with a little snowfall, even though it was a warm 50 degrees outside. Believe it or not some actually stuck to the ground.

Here are my mom and dad at Inn of the Mountain gods. (We didn't stay there, we just took pictures in the lobby to make it look like we stayed there... : )

Keslyn loved this HUGE gingerbread house. I think this one would have won the Burton's gingerbread house contest!!!

Since my mom's birthday was around the corner, we decided to "make" her a cake from Wal-Mart and celebrate in our real hotel room (LaQuinta, if you were curious). You can just see the Chocolate in Katelin's eyes!!

Brian and Keslyn have only seen snow a couple of times in their lives, so we decided to go where they could see some... that's right, where they have snow making machines!!! There is this place in Ruidoso where they are world renown for snow making. They have tubing and an "amusement park" for the little ones. Katelin loved the little train and carousel.

After Ruidoso, we drove back to Lubbock to visit with my mom's side. This is my cousin Branden, Aunt Renee, and John, David, and Misty (My cousin Brian in Iraq's family). We played Disney monopoly. Who won? My cousin's kid David, of course!!!

Christmas 5

Christmas number 5...Mema and Pa's house in Seagraves, a place you wouldn't visit except for the love of family. Mema is awesome!! She woke up early every morning to cook a HEARTy breakfast...bacon AND sausage, gravy, biscuits, gravy, eggs, and GRAVY. Can you tell I LOVE my Mema's gravy. You just can't find any better. Thanks Mema!!!

Here is Meg and Katelin cooking Chocolate Meringue pie. Can you say mmmmmm....

Mema and Pa love their great-grand kids. I think there are about 11-12 of them now, but quickly expanding.

Bumps (from right to left) on the log: Hannah (my cousin Julie and Dell's daughter), Keslyn (my niece), Ryan(Julie and Dell's son...they are expecting another boy the same time Meg and I are), Kayden (my cousin Jason's son), Cami and Chelsie (my cousin Chris and Charla's daughters), and of course KK (that's what they all her at daycare, so now she and everyone else calls her that).
As you can see Katelin was having a rough time, but soon got over it when the presents were ready to open. Katlin got another, but different "Little People" house. I guess Katelin was nice this year too!!
Baby boy Flemmons also got away with some presents. My family is trying to influence him already with the Tech garb!!

Christmas 4

My parents were gracious enough to let us ride with them in their van to Seagraves. On the way, we celebrated Christmas number 4 with our sweet friends, the Whites. Here are Chad, Jennifer, Caleb, Jackson, and Benjamin. I'm a little jealous that Meg got to hold little twins Luke and Lillie Kate.



The Whites were so nice to let us barge in and let Katelin run off some energy. The boys played so well with Katelin (including Chad, sacrificing his Sunday afternoon to pull the kids around the yard). I think she will fit in just well with a brother running around here pretty soon.

Here is Katelin enjoying one of Mammother's chocolate chip oatmeal cookies on the road. Meg gave it to her to eat and next thing we know it is melted all over her face. It's official, Katelin loves cookies!!

Christmas 3

We spent Christmas number 3 later on the 22nd in Round Rock with Meg's side of the family, the Boldings.

Cute cousins Valerie and Zane helped Katelin play "Santa" by passing out all of the presents. Luckily, Katelin only opened one by "mistake."

Katelin got tons of clothes, a "Little People" house and plane, a wooden train and track, and an Elmo chair.

Meg got a pink Nintendo DS.

I got two black Nintendo DS's.

(I guess I was a little nicer than Meg this year...or Meg was a little naughtier : )