Beth Morrow's Family and Kid Blog

End of Summer 2010

2010-08-06T00:29:00.002-05:00

YES, this is a huge ray that Charles is putting back in the water. Kids loved it.

Sightseeing on the trolley with me, good ole MOM!

I love this picture. A father and son looking out on the water in the evening.

Wow, what are you going to give to the world, child?

What to Build, What to Build

2010-04-09T23:31:00.003-05:00

Every day is a chance to make something new. At one point this afternoon, my son had a Pepsi 24-pack container on his head as a beautifully bright-colored shield/helmet. And tonight my sweet little sister-in-law delivered her new baby! Not quite the same, but the point is that each day something changes, and that is a welcome thought. In these pictures, Trip and Will are enjoying the spring weather and have decided to make a tank with this box. Video of how it turned out is on Facebook. Or should be if everything works out.

Will's Birthday Rising Out of the Long Cold Winter of 2010

2010-03-04T23:53:00.004-06:00

I cannot believe baby Will is six. I know Moms say that all the time and it is pretty boring to read, but too bad. This is my blog. Dear reader, can you tell I have been under some strain these recent months? Well, I rectified that! We got our new dog Beans to celebrate Will's #6 birthday. We took him to Kindergarten for cupcakes with the class. Basically, we all have really enjoyed Beans' total takeover of our lives the last few weeks. Well, strike that. Ha, ha - I have really enjoyed it, funny enough. Beans is a sweet little naughty French Bulldog and I am glad to be his new owner. He relieves stress and makes me smile.

Holiday Season Nonsense

2009-12-30T00:32:00.003-06:00

All of these photos are out of order. And due to major technical foul-ups over here they will be for my blog posts forthcoming about the holidays. But that is what makes life special. There is just no reason to get it perfect. The above picture is Cullen on Charles' Ruckus. Hilarious.

What is up! Final product - Thanksgiving turkey cooked by CULLEN!
Sillybandz up close. We have what seems like thousands of these.

Cullen and Charles discussing important topics of national interest while preparing turkey.

Cullen washing turkey that has been soaking (not the right term...) overnight. I like the picture on the side of the green bucket the turkey was in! These pictures are going backwards.

Summer is for Suckers (VIII)

2009-08-09T23:11:00.003-05:00

One week until school starts. Swimming is the best thing for all that pent up craziness. The bears get more brown as the summer wears on.....

Here's two folks that have a lot of pinazz.

Ohh! Get in that picture with those boys Anne Wes!

Summer is for Suckers (VII)

2009-08-09T23:02:00.003-05:00

There was a pipeline being replaced across the street and it was very interesting to watch. Especially for Will, and monkey.

Summer is for Suckers (VI)

2009-08-09T22:57:00.003-05:00

Every afternoon for a week, Trip, Grayson and Cortland played some driveway ball. The concrete field was complete with sidewalk chalk lines.

Summer is for Suckers (V)

2009-08-09T22:52:00.003-05:00

Will got to go to art camp at Watkins College this summer. What a neat week. The best part was getting to drive across town twice a day every day just the two of us. And he brought home some great pieces of art!

Summer is for Suckers (IV)

2009-08-09T22:48:00.002-05:00

The water gun fight - the kids love it.

Summer is for Suckers (III)

2009-08-09T22:42:00.003-05:00

This is what June starts out looking like for us. This is standing at the top of the field looking down. The kids are all about to start the water-gun fight. So Kevin is laying out the rules. No shooting above the shoulders.

My beautiful beautiful five-year-old.

Okay, super cheeseball. Here's dinner!!!!

Summer is for Suckers (II)

2009-08-09T22:35:00.003-05:00

These photos are out of order, but one can see that Trip was so excited about baseball camp (he has never played before, but has much love for the game) that he slept in his new ball pants and socks. He laughed at me when I asked him what the difference was between baseball and soccer camps. This is the first of many nuances in our mother-son relationship that changed over this summer. The little chuckles "at mom" have begun.

Summer is for Suckers (I)

2009-08-09T22:24:00.002-05:00

There should be more lemonade on sale shortly. This summer has been not quite as hot as usual TN summers. We had a lot of smokers stop by this day, which is funny. Lots of lemonade and cigarettes.

This headband was from Vacation Bible School. It's the Holy Spirit that you can wear on your head.

Charles and me at the expensive beach restaurant. My dish was extra spicy, and so good.

One of my favorite beach pictures - they are laughing because the water spouts are shooting them in the behind. They are obsessed with behinds!

Crying for Kindergarten

2009-05-22T22:52:00.003-05:00

May 22, 2009 is one that will go down in my books in a sweet way. I sat and cried some mom-tears today as I was reading the last letter for the year from Ms. Felts, Trip's Kindergarten teacher. I did not cry on the first day of Kindergarten. I did feel funny, and it was a completely new school and new neighborhood and lots of things to fret over. But I certainly cried today because it is over. I am so tired so I don't want to go into so many details - and yes - I have another little boy that will be in Kindergarten in the fall, so we'll do it all over again, likely with the same teacher. But this one is done. Don't think I haven't saved every scrap of paper that has come home. And every picture. And all the "homework" he worked on. I have relished every tiny milestone, every conversation, every teacher conference and every report card. And he wrote in his journal that "my mom is as pretty as a white bird on a tree". What? So cute. He and I laughed together today because there is no 'rest-time' in 1st grade. Praise the Lord. That little boy has stayed awake through hundreds of hours of dark naptimes in preschools, mother's day outs, day schools, at home with me and lastly Ms. Felts' class. Nobody, no-how, no-gettin-around-it - NO NAPPING EVER! So we've suffered through about five exhausting years and he'll not have to be that one that doesn't sleep anymore! Whew! I am so proud of him and what he can do. He's one to watch. And just wait until this time next year when Will's last Kindergarten letter comes home. Send me some Kleenex in advance.

Scenes From the Front Porch

2009-05-17T18:21:00.002-05:00

A plea for summer dollas......

And what remains of the Spring of 2009.

Lipscomb Graduation 2009 - More Important for Trip and Will Every Year

2009-05-17T18:08:00.002-05:00

It was time again to say goodbye to some of the kids that come in and out of our lives each year. This year we saw TJ graduate and that was so special - his smile has meant so much to me over the years. Trip and Will know right where he lives now - since they can point out TJ's home on the map - Trinidad.

This year they asked, at the end of the ceremony (when we usually show up...) "what does Magna mean, Mom? And Summa? And who is Laude? We hope that they can focus enough and are disciplined enough when they are 18-22 to choose to be the best at whatever they are doing. In the most Magna kind of way!

This is Miguel - he graduates soon. I hope my kids know as many different languages as Miguel does when they are older.

St. Bart's Soccer Academy Spring 09 Season

2009-05-17T18:02:00.002-05:00

It's been an incredibly rainy, but successful spring soccer season for the SBSA business. Thanks to KB and Charles, we've made strides toward more confidence and tons more fun in little kid league play in Green Hills!! The introduction of special patches this year has yielded pleasure and pain (especially to moms who have to use their flat-irons to get those little suckers onto the jerseys each week...)

Mother's Day

2009-05-17T17:56:00.003-05:00

I already posted a lot of the Mother's Day Picnic photos here. It was a great day. But we also had a weekend of pure joy by planting 144 begonias in our front flowerbed, by request from Trip and Will. We went to the AWESOME nursery to pick up a few flats of flowers and crossed two bridges and picked out colors that we like. Then we planted all weekend. We also cooked a big roast lunch and bought a special basket for G, who was headed to FL this week. We got out the china, had mimosas and everything:).

At My House

2009-05-17T17:45:00.001-05:00

Painted Eggs, Marshmallow Bunnies and The Masters: Easter 2009

2009-04-23T22:10:00.003-05:00

We have had so much sickness this winter - just coming off a round of pneumonia with Will, when, bamski...all of the sudden it was Easter! Blooming trees all over town and in our yard, chocolate and jelly beans and of course, dressing up for church and learning how to be reverent and learn again the story of Christ. Our family went over to the Knox family house in East Nashville and we re-lack-sed, painting eggs, loving on the dogs and eating good food. The pictures here are in a sequence of some sort.....of Easter Sunday.

2009-04-23T21:51:00.001-05:00

2009-04-23T21:32:00.003-05:00

Science, Technology, Math and Art

2009-04-05T22:04:00.003-05:00

Trip and Will are here taking apart and investigating our DVD/VCR that stopped working.

Trip took a picture of me and then I took one of him after he completed a couple of weeks' worth of collecting, counting and grouping little-bitty things in our house to make a total of 100.

Normal Sight in My Driveway

2009-04-05T22:01:00.002-05:00

Here is what the cool five- and six-year-olds do in my neighborhood. That is a ramp for the hotwheels. And I think Zach, our neighbor boy is sitting on a plant roller.

Look at the Beauty in My Front Yard!

2009-04-05T21:57:00.002-05:00

Love to have this nice tree to look at as I walk out the door to work/school/grocery store/wherever we need to be.....

William's Fifth Birthday

2009-03-16T23:48:00.002-05:00

Will has been talking about this party since we went to our friend Celia Trotter's party last spring and he saw her fly through the sky at Let It Shine gymnastics. He had a great time.

A Ben-10 birthday cake! It was awful - I thought I would do banana flavor with chocolate icing, and it was plain out nasty, nasty, nasty cake.

This is Will and Trip in Target on the birthday. Ages five and six - still not easy to go to the store with at all!

We are in Will's class here - Mrs. Sansom's Pre-K class at David Lipscomb Elementary School. I love the way it's decorated and the kids in Will's class are so sweet. The picture below is hilarious because my face looks crazy - I am reading the Dr. Suess book to his class after we ate a Happy Meal. It's fun because these times are fleeting, you might as well do the fun stuff, you know?

2009-03-16T23:42:00.002-05:00

I traveled to Washington DC with a group of students taking a course in the undergraduate program portion of my work (Institute for Law, Justice & Society) - the course was called Introduction to American Law. Okay, we passed this exhibit. So hilarious.

Spring Break 2009

2009-03-15T22:51:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I know that adults don't have a spring break, but since I have two children in the house that are on spring break this week, and that both my husband and I work at a University on spring break this week...well...you can't ignore the feeling! I am working on several things on my own, and the clouds are unfolding from a dark, dreary and long winter. Spring Break not only means a little trip to visit friends in NC this week, but it also is the start of something new for me. More confidence to take on the hard things, more courage to feel sure of the joy of the happy things. More air to breathe in - more creativity to pull out. More plans to make, more wonderful things to come. I am sure I will post recent pictures of my trip to DC with students, the birthday party for Will (birthday number five!!) and other fun pictures. But I didn't want to post more without this one space for thought. I have been down and will get back up. GET UP GET UP!!!

Lipscomb v Belmont Game - Family Night at Allen Arena

2009-02-18T23:11:00.001-06:00

2009-02-18T23:08:00.001-06:00

Trip and Will on a "very snowy day" in our town!!!

Future Voters

2009-02-18T23:01:00.001-06:00

The Very First Set of "Write-offs" In Our House

2009-02-18T22:55:00.000-06:00

2009-01-28T23:46:00.002-06:00

They really liked this balancing game - good gift, Aunt Kara!!

It was a treat to play the wii with Pa-Pa and the cousins.

The picture I never get tired of....

Tom Sawyer's Island

2009-01-28T23:38:00.000-06:00

The best thing ever is to see these real smiles.

2009-01-28T23:30:00.002-06:00

THIS should be on an ad for Disney Parks. He is so cute!

Whoo - Trip! That was quite a ride.

Okay, they are not babies, but this was the best and smartest way to get around. They just barely squeezed in there.

Look how much fun!

We needed that Florida sunshine!

2009-01-28T23:23:00.004-06:00

Outside of Mickey's Phiharmagic

Will and Trip at the pool

Running to the pool

Glad to be there - finally

2009-01-28T23:15:00.002-06:00

In front of the Christmas tree at Disney Village.
Aunt Kara in the background, and Will with Christmas afternoon sun on his face.

Dad and Sue on Christmas morning

Christmas morning breakfast - so happy!

2008-12-24T13:59:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year

Pre-Christmas Family Bowling Night

2008-12-24T13:53:00.000-06:00

Joe, Kara, Beth, Charles, Cullen, Trip and Will

Ice Skating Adventure

2008-12-24T13:46:00.000-06:00

It was a risky venture, but I was surprised at such ice skating determination by Will! Excellent effort and a fair amount of grace! Trip, well....he was very icy afterward.

December Graduation

2008-12-24T13:43:00.000-06:00

Congratulations Jake, KT and Scott (MEd)...

The Elf on the Shelf Lives

2008-12-16T22:44:00.001-06:00

This is the funniest thing. We have Ralph, our elf, that has come to see us for the holidays. You can see from these pictures, we are communicating with Santa through the elf. He has notified our kids that they must eat all their dinners so that they might get a little treat in their bed from Santa (thanks to some kid at church that said their elf did that...great, thanks). So Trip writes love letters to Santa to ensure that his message gets through. Isn't Ralph a cute little elf? We find him on lots of different shelves in the mornings throughout the house.

Holiday Time

2008-12-12T00:13:00.000-06:00

Beautiful leaves....beautiful friends

We have our tree up! It is a miracle for us, but we have enjoyed its brightness. Are those supposed to be outdoor lights?

This was so fun - we rode on a float in the Christmas parade. We froze our behinds off.

Time Flies!

2008-12-02T21:47:00.000-06:00

Halloween night - two Popeye's, Peter Pan and Jack Sparrow cavorted through a Green Hills neighborhood...

A special trip to a Georgia pumpkin patch with all the cousins and Mimi and Papa....

A visit to the Alabama Space & Rocket Center....

And a special wedding ceremony for G and Barry!!

St Bart's Soccer Academy - Giving the Soccer Mom Something to Cry About

2008-10-22T22:01:00.001-05:00

Soooooo there's really nothing to complain about here. Healthy people doing healthy things and having healthy fun. Extra income contributing to healthy family finances. Extra work for already plenty-healthy college players. Healthy community outreach and healthy new relationships or rekindling old relationships with healthy old church buddies. Or college buddies. Or work buddies. So many buddies. But can I say very frankly, I do not know what to do with so much soccer. I don't know, but most everyone has warned me that it will not stop. Cannot get out of it. Must develop my own healthy hobbies, because you'll not see me lacing up any pink cleets or any thing of that type.

Here is Kevin asking the children to give their parents 'evil toodles' for bringing them to practice. Don't ask, but it is very funny.

Trip, admiring Will's medal.

Trip, looking uncannily like he did five short years ago as a baby drinking a bottle.....

Fancy footwork.

Game day with cousins from GA! How lucky we were to have Grayson and Cortland up for the Belmont game as well as to cheer the boys on in rec soccer. Very cool and we will see them next summer at camp.

Fall Soccer Season 2008

2008-10-22T21:52:00.000-05:00

So - Lipscomb is 3-1-1 in conference play, which is pretty awesome at this point in the season (as of 10/22). Please keep up with Charles' team at www.lipscombsports.com/msoccer. I haven't posted lots of pictures yet this year, so I better catch a few this weekend, while there are home games left. Here we are at a couple of hot early Oct. games!

Oh woops, here's my favorite game companion this year, Isabella Burk, the youngest fan. Thanks Kevin and Laura, for bringing my friend into this world in August! She makes me so happy!

Yes and here is Kevin on daddy-patrol right after a game is over. That is big time.

And here is what they do at games after they are not babies anymore - surf down the grassy hill. Videos of this to come.

Will's Field Trip to the Apple Orchard

2008-10-22T21:43:00.001-05:00

I spent part of the day at an apple orchard in late Sept with Will and all of the other PreK classes at DLES. So many very little people out in that orchard! Here is a picture of Ms. Sansom's class (Will is blending in to the apples on the ground in the back row...)

He picked this one. Imagine how this area smelled - very strange, indeed.

Oh but wait a minute, I think I might want this one instead. Four-year-olds are awesome.

Trip is Six!

2008-10-22T21:27:00.000-05:00

All kinds of amazing things can happen in one year. But the incredible things that children do in the span of 12 months are as enjoyable to think and talk about as eating a fancy cupcake, like the ones in this picture. Expensive and so sugar-y; worth every single delectable bite.

Uncle Joe, helping Trip put together a special new racetrack from Phillips' Toy Store, a favorite place to go.

We also took a group to Chucky Cheese, per the six-year-old request.

Happy Birthday Pop-Pop!

2008-08-26T23:07:00.000-05:00

Fresh-caught catfish and a home-made birthday hat. Tennessee birthdays are the best.

First Tooth: Out

2008-08-26T23:04:00.000-05:00

You can't stop the growing up of a child. Note the awesome Tooth Fairy pillow - one of my favorite purchases of all time.

Up Up and Away: The End of the Preschool Years

2008-08-26T22:45:00.000-05:00

It has been an honor to do the hard work that I have done over the past six years to learn how to take care of Trip and Will. I have spent so much time with them on their terms and letting them be children at home as much as possible. We have had fun and also there has been a lot of sweat and tears. Now it is time for them to begin big school. I feel sad to say goodbye to this part of their lives, but am excited to support them in the next chapter. And as you can see from these pictures - it's TIME!

We went to the downtown library story time for our last 'stay-home day' together. Here they are looking at the mouse hole in the children's section - it's tiny and yellow, right there next to Phin.
Throwing pennies in the fountain after the picnic lunch.
At the candy&peanut shop downtown.

My biggest hope, aside from each of them developing a true bond to God, is that they will become really really good friends over their lifetime and share what they can to make each other's lives better. If that comes easy, it will be a no-brainer to make the community and the world a better place as they pursue interests, careers and relationships.

First Day of Kindergarten!!!

2008-08-26T22:34:00.000-05:00

A very special day for me and for Trip and Will... Amidst all the anxiety of a move - the boys also started at a new school - elementary school! Trip is in Kindergarten and is loving it and Will is in a pre-k class in the same school. They are getting used to the new routine every day: up early and breakfast, 'first joke telling' priveledge to the first to buckle up in the car, full days at the school, back home and settling down for early nights. It will take us a while.

Here are the guys again on the second 'first day'. Proud in their little uniforms.

Uh-oh, now looking a little scared walking in!

A Place to Call Home

2008-08-26T22:21:00.000-05:00

We have moved a lot of times. A LOT. This time is very special and I can't explain in the proper way for you the feeling that this move has brought to me. The most honest thing to say is that the house itself is a gift from God and we are so thankful for what it allows our family to do. As you can see, it is very welcoming from the street, so drive on over and come on in!!

Will looks small on the front porch, which is deceiving because he is so big now.

Bunkbeds from craigslist! The boys room is very 'alive' all the time.
Here are just a couple of pictures of the inside - again, so perfect for us and ready for visits, chats and cups of tea....

Peacock Reunion Late Summer 08

2008-08-26T21:52:00.000-05:00

The weekend after we moved into our NEW house, and celebrated our TENTH anniversary...we celebrated with most all of Charles' mom's side of the family - the Peacocks/Adkins/Wares/Morrows. It was very fun and all kids played hard. It is amazing to see so many boys and girls all related to each other and having fun. One of the highlights was going down to the neighborhood pool (we were in Eufala, AL) and watching Shane and Marc throw the older kids into the pool - look how high!

Susan and Sally Ann
Shane and Sooz as we celebrate her fabulous forty!
Charles and Will - headed out on the fancy bike.

Evaluating a pool throw.
Amanda and Taylor Beth.
Amanda and me.

2008 Soccer Camp - Week #2

2008-07-13T23:34:00.000-05:00

Tiny cleets, tiny sweaty uniform, enormous ball and big blue eyes - THAT'S MY WILL!
See how happy Trip is? Coming off the field, playing soccer? See the below next picture when he realizes I am there to pick him up and it's time to go home?

2008-07-13T23:30:00.000-05:00

Okay - I know this is a fuzzy picture but I have to tell its story. My kids like little treasures and weird things. This is a water-bottle cap with googly eyes and cotton ball for hair, colored with marker. Will calls him a wooby. There are several woobys here at the house.

Our Backyard Party

2008-07-13T23:27:00.000-05:00

We hosted a party for our friends Kevin and Laura because they are expecting their first baby and Kevin works with Charles. It was really fun to do the outdoor environment and they loved it - lanterns and tree lights and a firepit and mediterranean food. We had a good time - here is a picture of me and Charles.

Manly Kinds of Things

2008-07-13T23:08:00.000-05:00

Here we are watching some soccer on a very large screen along with constant highlights on various other sports, even some olympic trials.
Here we are at a woodstack, doing some stuff.

One of the things that is starting to become very obvious to me is that there are some things that the lady in the house just doesn't get. I don't get juiced up about the same stuff that the guys do and sometimes I forget that if there were any other girls in the house, I would not feel this way! It's okay, but believe me - I need some girl weekends....any takers?

Here are Trip and Will at the Hot Chicken Festival in Nashville July 4.

AHA - here is housework development for Trip and Will! I looked at another friend's blog to help form this idea and it has been great. Each little guy gets time with me and it helps the house run a lot more smoothly. Less naughtiness, and I like to call out sometimes - can you just make the dinner and do the laundry tonight, guys?

Summertime

2008-07-13T23:04:00.000-05:00

These cousins are just missing Taylor Beth Morrow!! From the left: Grayson Morrow (8), Trip Morrow (5), Will Morrow (4), and Cortland Morrow (5). They are all very glad when they see each other and love being cousins.
Aunt Amanda reading stories before church.
At the pool - this is what we do most Sundays after church - it is so great and we usually see friends there.

2008-07-01T21:37:00.001-05:00

Grayson, Will and Trip at Vacation Bible School - the final night. These guys were so pumped up about VBS, even after a long day at soccer camp each day. They loved the songs and the theatrics and the crafts (see Grayson's headgear from 'the battle') and the nutty buddies! They learned about the story of Gideon from the Bible.
Again, here is Will concentrating hard on decorating his ball for camp. Lots of colors, special markers......four year old jobs are tedious but always worth it with a completed project.

It Comes Around Every June

2008-07-01T21:25:00.000-05:00

SOCCER CAMP 2008!!

So many memories of week one. This was Trip's second summer at dad's camp and Will's inaugural session. You can't seem to wear these little guys down. You can't break their spirit.

Here we have Kevin and Scott giving the little guys some pep talk before the 'tournament' - I think this day was the Africa Cup. Hilarious. If I could get an audio file on this blog of Kevin's megaphone commentary throughout this camp, you would be laughing out loud while you were reading this. Complete with sponsor information!
To the left here - a closer shot of Phin (who is not old enough to be a camper yet, but is still listening closely to tactics) sitting on his ball next to big brother. Trip is behind them.
Will mostly hung out with the coaches, bless their hearts. He is here on top of Garrett.
The three big dogs of the week, Grayson, Tate and Trip.
Serious thoughts about strategies and concession items.

Congratulations Shaun and Katie

2008-06-25T22:58:00.000-05:00

Memorial Day Weekend was special this year because our friends Shaun Centers and Katie Messner got married. We were happy to be among the first that thought "...mmm...that could work!!"

Look at these handsome guys - my dates.

This is Phin holding a picture of his aunt Katie and uncle Shaun at the ceremony.
I think we are beginning to have a little bit of a problem with the camera. I have noticed a lot of silly faces and hams. I have also noticed nobody that is in my house can be caught in an unguarded moment anymore in a photograph like so many times in babyhood. Have we arrived into the elemenary school years?

Graduation 2008 - Glen Leven Presbyterian Day School and Pre-Kindergarten

2008-06-25T22:45:00.000-05:00

Another commencement we attended this spring was our second year in a row of pre-school graduation! It was a great program with some singing and walking down the aisle and some great baked goods.

We are very proud of Trip and Will and are so thankful that they were able to attend Glen Leven. The teachers there have been diligent and consistent with their care and training of all the children to be kind to each other and to be independent and t0 prepare to be in classrooms for learning. Our kids have been so happy at this school. There has been lots of great art, fun friends, good habits learned and many many parties!!

We walked past this bench swing every day to go in and out of school. A few times we used this swing to console someone who was having a hard time. I do remember Will cried a bit those first days in August of 2006 when he began (at two and a half!)....thank goodness for Ms. Sherry and Ms. Ruth for helping him through. Look at him now!

Graduation 2008 - Lipscomb University

2008-06-25T22:30:00.000-05:00

In early May we made an appearance at the commencement for Lipscomb's graduation - seems like just yesterday we moved back to Nashville and these players were coming back only for their second year ....congratulations to the boys for finishing - it is a big deal and we are so proud of you!
I forget sometimes that people might read this that don't know us very well, so to explain - Charles is the man there to the right and he is the head coach for Lipscomb's men's soccer team. The guys in the picture graduating are Jorge, Babek, KB (other coach and business partner - I just learned that nickname, KB, it's pretty nice), Xander, Ben, and Jeff. The freshmen coming in and the team that's left behind will be cruising into their fourth season this fall and it will of course be business time again in mid-August.

Fantastic Video Files

2008-05-04T22:52:00.000-05:00

I am so so excited to put videos up on the blog. I have been working on this for probably two hours now, when I really am supposed to be paying bills and studying up on some work thing, but this is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better. I promise to put some recent ones up, but I couldn't help putting this video in - it's probably close to two years old. It's all about pajamas and coloring and little cars.

SPRING WEATHER FINALLY

2008-04-30T18:21:00.000-05:00

Today we took the opportunity to lay out in the grass in our backyard. I really was the one to start it by just bringing a pillow out on to the porch and having my own time out. I had just a lot of stuff spinning around in my head and a little sunshine and outdoor sound makes it ALL GO AWAY. Trip and Will went on some adventures and ended up putting out their own blankets. We looked at the clouds and then it was time for chicken and potatoes. Does that make sense?

This is pretty weird, but I like it

2008-04-30T18:16:00.000-05:00

Wish I Was Still There

2008-04-14T22:39:00.000-05:00

That is Spongebob Squarepants on my hat.

Shameless Vacation Information

2008-03-28T23:48:00.000-05:00

Just to be sure - when I finally make myself convert my video files to go onto this blog - there will be just a few more things to see from this beach trip. It was just that fun and easy. I can promise even a backflip from Charles. Otherwise, all of the following posts have been done tonight by me so that you, special you, the blog-reader, our friend or family member, can get glimpses of our trip. Not that we did anything out of the ordinary, but that we made an escape from our busy, responsible-type lives in Nashville to just chill was extravagent, indulgent and fairly frivolous. Becca risked a pink-slip. I am still getting dirty looks and snide comments from my coworkers. Charles missed a pretty good recruiting tournament. Kent could have had some stuff going on, who knows. It was all worth it. Sorry for so many pictures - it was too tempting!

Beach Pictures Continued

2008-03-28T23:41:00.000-05:00

This set is first Trip, the ever-active and industrious beachgoer with the shovel, deep hole, goggles and surfing. Then there is a picture here of the boys showing off their barbedwire wraparound tattoos. So nice. Then we have astropops for Will and Phin, our sweet toothed fellas. And last, a great shot of everyone right before bed watching a movie in pjs.

Beach Pictures Continued

2008-03-28T23:35:00.001-05:00

This just happens to be a very familiar scene in my life - these three folks...
Here's the classic before-you-go-out-to-dinner shot! Thanks to Becca, this must be what others experience going out to dinner with me and Charles...maybe hopefully not the red eye, but is this inattention? Failure to focus? I mean, is it that serious - we are on vacation!!!!

Beach Pictures Continued

2008-03-28T23:30:00.001-05:00

NO EXPLANATION NEEDED - WINDY CLOUDY DAY - WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

Is this close-up the scrunched face of someone I gave birth to - definitely, right! No mistaking it.

And I liked this one of me and Charles on the same porch...

Beach Pictures Continued

2008-03-28T23:19:00.001-05:00

See here the 'X-chromosome-proud' group on the surrey bike that came with our beach rental...it was a slow ride and very hilarious. This is truly a fierce group of guys here.

I like this picture a lot of the boys playing in the street because it is really what they did a lot of the time we were there. All transition time and relaxation time for the parents was kid-time in the street. They loved it and got to play with all the other kids in the neighborhood. There was quite a bit of fussing out there but we didn't hear most of it.

And see here also the great picture of the Moms. The outnumbered, prissy, fussy, tired and celebrated Moms. One day we'll have houses that might smell a little nice and could be clean, but we'll never forget the grit and good times of small boys!

Oh no! Caught with scooby-doo pajamas and blue-blanket in action! This is a perfect picture of Will as a four-year-old holding tight to Dad.

Beach Trip Pictures Continued

2008-03-28T23:11:00.000-05:00

Our first night was at a local grill for some nourishment and entertainment, specifically the limbo and Will on the mic in his debut as a vocalist - and this great tire horse swing.... Here are Trip and Tate on day one seaside.....it was a beautiful weather day...
Here is a quiet moment of reading between Tate and Will - we are always so happy to see Tate helping the younger guys along - he's great at it.
Me and my guys on the porch after the pool in the afternoon....

Morrow Messner Beach Trip 08 - Picture Set One

2008-03-23T23:01:00.000-05:00

There are SO MANY pictures for me to put up for this trip to the beach, but this is a good start - some nice ones from Friday, our last day at the ocean.

Look at Trip's shorts and tattoo. You can't see Will's tattoo, but it was just as tough.
BIG TIME!
More party people.
Peace

Easter 08

2008-03-23T22:55:00.000-05:00

I am up late and there are too many pictures to post up tonight. I don't want to go to work tomorrow at all after this last week of greatness and relaxation!! I think I will start with two sets of shots - the first here of us today on Easter - it was cold in Nashville after beach weather for a week. We had to eat light after church because I swear we ate more than we needed to last week on spring break. We had a favorite salad with strawberries and toasted pecans to make us feel healthy....

Getting Ready for Next Year

2008-03-23T22:51:00.000-05:00

Here is Trip at his desk in his room. He has really done well with learning how to write and he practices sometimes. I saw him just today make out all his numbers one through ten. It is so cute because a lot of the numbers are turned the wrong way. It'll all get straightened out in Kindergarten next year.

A Great Snow Man

2008-03-23T22:46:00.001-05:00

You can see here our only snowman of 2008, his name was Nate. He disappeared fairly quickly after being moved from one area of the yard to another over the course of two days. You can see the leaves and stuff in his body after Trip rolled him piece by piece across the year.

Turning Four

2008-03-03T19:08:00.001-06:00

It's Charles in a pink party hat - yipeeeeeee

Here are some more pictures from Will's weekend-long birthday celebration. I am working on converting my camera video files to ones that will play on this blog. Since that takes actual initiative, it might be a while. But the videos of my little fellas are worth it....

Will's Fourth Birthday!

2008-02-25T23:10:00.000-06:00

It's a big time in our house these days because we have a 'four' and a 'five'. There is a lot of arguing about very small, small things. But there are fewer tears and less screaming! Will is so excited to be four. He is taller now and is so talkative all the time. His favorite things to do are play with all his stuffed animals and to 'do art' - he likes drawing figures and his most famous drawing to date is of Tom and Jerry (the cartoon). He has a habit of laughing to himself about something he was thinking about that has nothing to do with you and just keeping it to himself for his own enjoyment......the last picture in this post is of Will after he helped to make his own birthday cake. Chocolate mustache! Look at those eyes!!!! OH NO!!!!!

2008-02-02T22:32:00.000-06:00

January 2008

Martin Luther King Parade and the Ringling Brothers Circus

Happy New Year

2008-01-05T19:44:00.001-06:00

New Years Eve is always a rocking blast when you've got a lot of kids and not a lot of money to spend. We rang in 2008 with good friends, lots of food and nothing especially important to be doing - it was awesome!

Blog Envy

2008-01-04T21:19:00.000-06:00

Okay, I have now taken the opportunity to visit a few of my friends' blogs from across the country (and world, in one case) and am convinced that I am not doing this one justice. My resolution is to elevate this one a little more in 2008. Thank you to Nicole and Alison for showing me what's up in Texas and Utah for moms with 4+ kids.....they are amazing!!!!

Christmas Day

2008-01-02T23:39:00.001-06:00

Here are some very nice glasses that we received for Christmas. They are one of a kind and are really expensive.

The only way to settle down is to read books with Aunt Kara.

He's just not a baby anymore.....

Christmas Celebrations

2008-01-02T23:33:00.000-06:00

Oh man, a kid's 'kuh-tar' - that is what they asked Santa for!!! He knew!!!!!

We celebrate at a lot of different places, including our own. Next year - you are invited!! Will offered to help Cullen do dishes after our nice breakfast - it was awesome.

Christmas Eve at Radnor Lake

2008-01-02T23:29:00.001-06:00

Everyone needs some fresh air right before the big night.

Chriistmas Party at our House

2008-01-02T23:26:00.001-06:00

We had a great time celebrating Christmas with friends - and who better to be under our tree than our favorite blonde boys from around the corner.....

Christmas Pageant

2008-01-02T23:21:00.001-06:00

The pre-k classes at GLDS sang beautifully and we were proud. Afterwards there were lots of treats to eat - the boys were glad that G was there to see them sing.

It's the Holiday Season

2007-12-05T15:46:00.000-06:00

Is this a good toy?

Here we are on the square in Carrollton - on a coffee break at Thanksgiving. It's a crazy little bunch of dudes!
With all cousins at the park, before a pretty brutal game of pick-up playground soccer. Cortland, almost 5, Trip, 5, Taylor, 11, Grayson, 7 and Will, 3.

This is a very serious Santa and a very serious little kid. Too bad they were discussing things like politics and the middle east, instead of presents.

Changing Leaves and Changing Times

2007-11-11T21:47:00.000-06:00

Growing up and having fun...

2007-10-31T22:29:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T22:23:00.000-05:00

We skipped our preschool parties today for a day at home in the sunshine to get ready for the real deal tonight, trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. Our pumpkin carver, Charles, takes the award this year for most creative energy in the family for his 'scary tree' pumpkin.

Soccer Fans

2007-10-31T22:16:00.001-05:00

Home games are over for this season. Here we are at Sunday's game.

Pumpkin Shake-down

2007-10-24T22:05:00.000-05:00

La la!

You can see that Peter Pan has already arrived at our house. He is very proud to be wearing this for Halloween festivities.

Will picked out what he called a 'pink' pumpkin. And he made the farmer's whole day when he took the money I gave him and went to pay for it all by himself.
No rain has made the pumpkin selection a little less bountiful than in recent years.
Will and Phin, in the hayride trailer.

What about Will?

2007-09-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

In case anyone thinks that Trip has gotten an awful lot of extra attention this month, I have let Will eat a lot of cookies lately to make up for it. He likes that and he has been a good sport. September is almost over!

A visit to school on Trip's Birthday

2007-09-21T21:34:00.000-05:00

We went to visit Trip in his pre-k classroom on his birthday at lunch. Charles, Will and I got to eat lunch with Trip, read a book to the class and talk with his buddies. We passed out Scooby Doo and Tinkerbell cupcakes and other goodies. He loved it and he just kept showing off his dad: "hey, that's my dad. hey - this is my dad." "hey - my dad's here"!

5-year old Birthday!

2007-09-21T21:25:00.001-05:00

Trip's fifth birthday party was awesome! We had a great time, especially during the treasure hunt. It was a Peter Pan theme, and everyone really enjoyed it. I especially loved the oohs and ahhs when the 'treasure chest' was finally opened with so many things inside! Trip got so many great gifts from friends and family. He has been as happy as I have seen him in a long time this past week just playing with all his new toys and being outside on his new tree swing. Will of course gets to play with everything too, so it is like Christmas for him.

Bike Rider

2007-09-07T20:18:00.000-05:00

Trip learned how to ride with no training wheels. He's an X-gamer!

A Day at the Hospital

2007-08-31T23:53:00.000-05:00

We have been planning this eye surgery for almost five years and it took only a day at the hospital. Everyone was so nice and Trip was very brave. Way to go!

Cook it Out

2007-08-31T23:45:00.001-05:00

Messner and Morrow boys, August 2007 - ages 1, 3, 4, and 6. Everyone can fit up at the counter to eat together.

End of Camp Family Night at Chuck-e-Cheese

2007-08-06T12:27:00.000-05:00