Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Texas State Fair - call it a family tradition

So, this weekend we headed out to the State Fair of Texas. It ended up being my parents, Melanie, Brice, and myself after my sister and family were unable to attend due to illness. It probably worked out best this way though as they had wanted to go early and we didn't get out there until mid afternoon (I think 4 but I can't remember :) ).



Here we are headed up to the gate. We were really blessed with a fairly close on fair ground parking spot. Even after heading down the street that said "No Cash Parking". God's favor is great.
Brice got interested in this area when the dog's were barking. He really like dogs. However, we ended up getting down next to the ducks and I think chickens. Brice also like ducks. When you ask what a duck says he says "Quack quack quack". Of course, you have to speak Brice to know that is what he is saying.
Mommy didn't make the family picture as she was the camerawoman, so here is one of her and Brice. He almost appears as though he wasn't too interested in the camera :)

Here is a picture of us in the food pavillion. I believe the food is argueably the best part of the fair. Here is a list of what all we got while out there. Two loaded potatoes, 1 extra long cheese coney, Dr. Pepper, Ice Tea, Water, Turkey Leg, Corny Dog, Ice Cream, Funnel Cake, and Hot Chocolate. I won't disclose who had what, but one person at least tasted all but one food item.



When we were making our way from the food to the car show, we got to stop and watch a parade go through. Brice really enjoyed it. He was pointing at alot of the different people that came by. You can't tell much from the pictures, but there were a few floats, people on stilts, and other things. Quite catchy for a one year old.
Here is a good family picture with Big Tex in the background. I can't believe I am almost as tall as Big Tex. I guess State Fair food makes you big :)


Free games, free prizes... what's not to like. Above my Dad and I compete to see how fast we can put some boxes in the back of a Ford. Granted we were about 10 seconds slower than the fastest fair time, we had fun and got a free Ford koozie. We also played a rendition of the Price is Right's Plinko and Deal or No Deal. I got some sweet Ford tire valve covers (too bad I drive a Chevy) so Dad ended up with those. Dad got entered into a drawing for Cowboy's tickets. We both opted not to take a flashlight on Deal or No Deal and go for a whopping $11 (maybe $12). We both left that game empty handed. We also threw some footballs in a Toyota challenge. I scored two chapsticks for my willingness to go for a target that had only had 4 successful throws. Earlier we drove some Chevy's and filled out a couple surveys to get the bags you see my Dad and I wearing and the hat he has on. All in all we left with some good things.
Brice was extremely tired by now, but he had some fun playing in the back of a Ford pickup. I was distracted though as a nearby Robot answered a crowd of people's questions. Did anyone else see this? It was kind of creepy, but really cool.

Time to leave now. Brice is not asleep in this picture, but he is willingly laying down. This is a sure sign of his tiredness.

One last picture with Mommy and Nana before Brice surrenders himself to dreamland. He was so cute. He just layed his head on my shoulder and went to sleep. By then it was near 10:30 and he had been awake for a lot longer than he is used to. However, despite him being so tired for the most part he was in a great mood the entire fair. And as Brice called it a night, I too must do the same. It is almost 2am, and I need some sleep. Goodnight all (all = the 4 people that read this blog).


Monday, October 20, 2008

Big Shoes to fill?

So the other day, we were at my parent's and Brice decided that he wanted to try on my shoes. Either that, or maybe his mommy thought it would be cute. Either way, it makes for some great pictures. However, it brings up a more important aspect of life. Fatherhood... it is easy to see that my shoes are much larger than Brice's feet. However, I hope that I do more than just wear bigger shoes. I hope that I can show Brice the best example to live by as a man and a father. I know that I defintely have my shortcomings, and areas of needed improvement, but I can already tell how Brice truly looks up to me. He already mimicks alot that I do.

Example: The other day I turned the Pringles upside down to get the remaining crumbs and now he does the same with his cherrios and other food. Except he hasn't grasped the concept of only needing to do that with the remaining crumbs and he often spills alot of cheerios :)

God is our Father in Heaven and has given us the ultimate example of Fatherhood. Love unconditionally, be patient, allow your child to grow but always be available for counsel and guidance, and so much more. I know that there will be more tests as Brice grows older, and he will be molded primarily by Melanie's and my parenting (along with God's guidance and will for His life). I just want to do the best I can, so he can be the best that he can be. The responsibility is great, but the reward is worth it.

On a less serious note, check out those kicks.






Just some pictures

Well, I was going through some pictures while waiting on some newer pictures to upload and decided I had to post these. Brice was wearing some pajama pants and a John Deer "Got Dirt" t-shirt. As you might of noticed, he usually just sports a onesie around the house. I had to post these because I think he looks adorable and also looks more like a little boy than a little baby boy.




Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Pardon My Posting

Well, I have not done a very good job of keeping up with blogging. It is pretty time consuming as fellow bloggers probably already know. I guess I need to just post short blogs (oh wait, I already do that). Ok, well I will work on a plan to blog more often, but in the meantime here are some pictures from Brice's 1 year check up. We took him to a new pediatrician, and he did a great job. He is doing great. He was more interested in the paper than anything else.