The Morris' ABC's for 2011

A is for Albuquerque, where we made a record five visits this year

B is for Buffalo Springs Lake, our first camping adventure in September

C is for Christ the King, the wonderful Catholic Church we’ve joined

D is for Dallas, a solo trip Mary took to play with her college friends in July

E is for Engineer, as Kevin loves his job with the City

F is for Fiesta, we had a fabulous time at the International Balloon Fiesta

G is for Georgetown, our previous hometown we got to visit in April

H is for Halloween, we were Pooh (Kevin), Rabbit (Mary), and Tigger (Clare)

I is for Independence, as Clare has learned how to do more things on her own

J is for Joyful, the look on Clare’s face at her 1st circus and carnival ride

K is for Knight, Kevin became a 1^st Degree Knight of Columbus in August

L is for Lubbock, our new home that we love

M is for Mommy and Me, Mary and Clare’s playgroup that keeps our sanity

N is for Naptime, Mary’s favorite time of the day

O is for Obsession, Mary’s endless crafts and projects galore

P is for Potty Training, which Clare has done with success

Q is for Questions, which Clare has for everything now-a-days

R is for Running, as Kevin ran a 5K on Thanksgiving morning

S is for Science Spectrum, Clare’s favorite museum to visit weekly

T is for Three, how old Clare turned this November

U is for Unbelievable, how blessed we are with family and friends

V is for the Roman Numeral 5, as we celebrated five years of marriage

W is for Weight Loss, as Kevin has lost a record 100 pounds

X is for Excel (sort of), what Mary is trying to do on her new sewing machine

Y is for Yikes, at a car accident Kevin was in this December, he came out unharmed

Z is for Zoo, both Albuquerque and Kansas City’s Zoo visits in one year

Dear Clare (Year 3)

Dear Clare,

        Happy 3rd Birthday, Munchkin!  As I write this, you are in the other room "reading" all your books.  You still are a bookworm through and through.  Well, we both made it through the terrible twos with only a few battle scars.  It really wasn't anything too bad.  I always brag that you are a much easier toddler, than newborn.  You have already entered into the 3 year old "Why?" years, except with your own flair, you say "What for?"  What for I can't push Mae?  What we don't eat food on floor for? What we go home for?
         You have gained so much independence this year.  Climbing in and out of your chair, eating by yourself, opening and shutting doors, putting on your shoes, wearing underwear, sleeping in a twin bed, and drinking out of normal glasses.  You tell me you're a "little big girl". Because you're not a baby, but you can't drive a car yet.  That's when you get to be a big girl, apparently.   
         Your birthday also marks our first full year in our house.  The move to Lubbock has been wonderful.  You get to see your Pamma and Pappa (Kevin's parents) way more, and you spend one day a week at Grandma and Grandpa's house (My parents).  It is so wonderful to be surrounded by family.  While your cousin Connor is still your best friend, you've also branched out and made new friends in our Mommy and Me group.
         You would be happy going to the Science Spectrum every day of the week, but some days I can get you excited about shopping.  You are still my constant companion, but luckily not as clingy as you used to be.  My heart melts when you tell me I'm your best friend.  I know there will probably come a day, when you won't even give me a hug in public. 
         When you born, you came out looking just like your father.  Since then, you've gained your own features, but still have so much in common with him.  You both are morning people, never seem to get cold, enjoy thrills and scares, could eat pizza 5 days a week, can watch football all day, and love to make up words and songs.
         This Thanksgiving, all I could think about is how thankful I am for you in my life.  Since we lost your brother, William, and haven't had any luck getting pregnant again, I realize how lucky we are to have you.  You are my gift from God.  Even though there are some days where we both drive each other crazy, I will always be happy that you're my daughter.  As we like to tell each other, "You're my favorite" and "You're my best friend".  I love you, Clarebear!

Love Always,
Mommy

Interview with Clare (3 years old)

1. Whose your favorite? Pooh
2. What's your favorite color? Red
3. What's your favorite animal? Giraffe
4. What's your favorite food? Marshmallows
5. Where do you like to play? Pamma's house
6. What's your favorite thing to do? Go Shopping
7. Whose your best friend? Connor is
8. Whose your favorite Sesame Street character? Elmo
9. Whose your favorite Winnie the Pooh character? Christopher Robin
10. What's your favorite song? Elmo's song
11. What were you for Halloween? Tigger
12. What's your favorite toy? Giraffe Toy
13. What do you love? My pink blanket
14. What do you do at Pamma and Pappa's house? play some toys and read some books
15. What do you do at Grandma and Grandpa's house? play some toys and read some book
16. What's your favorite shirt? That one with all the sesame street guys in a balloon
17. What's your favorite book? The bible books
18. What's your favorite snack? a fruit
19. What's your favorite thing to drink? Milk, water, and orange juice
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A fireman



A few weeks old



1 year old







2 years old

Almost 3 years old

Fatty of a Thanksgiving

Top Reasons I Gained 15 pounds this weekend

5. Peanut's (a whole in the wall bar) hot wings paired with Pizza Hut pizza's

4. Unknown amounts of Alcohol.  Consumed through beers and Sandra's addictive pomegranate concoction

3. Gate's burnt ends on bun

2. Cinnamon rolls for breakfast every morning

1. Thanksgiving meal.  Topped with a combo dessert plate of chocolate and pumpkin pie, cause I just couldn't decide between them