Space City

Our New Home:

- where the weather averages only 18 days with temperatures of 32 degrees or less (opposite of our recent beloved home, Cleveland)

- where 2.3 million other people reside, good for the fourth most in the nation

- where there are 14 major institutions of higher learning in the metro area

- where there are more than 8,000 restaurants representing more than 35 countries and American regions (including a delicious Bosnian restaurant we tried last weekend)

- where the city is 43 feet above sea level

- where, if the city were an independent nation, it would rank as the world's 30th largest economy by itself

- where 92 countries have consular offices

- where 23 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered

- the name of this city is also the first word spoken from the moon

The last one may have given it away.  We are moving to Houston. 

As much as we've enjoyed San Antonio and wanted to stay, I accepted a job with a company that will create a small firm near downtown Houston.  

Meanwhile, Max is almost one year old, and getting more handsome by the day.  

Max is also learning new tricks.  He uses pointing, for example, to indicate he hears birds or loud cars.

 Max is also discovering his tongue.

And for his last trick, he shows us that he is a football fan at heart. 

"TOUCHDOWN!" -- as a matter of fact, he heard an announcer say "Touchdown" during the BYU game on Saturday and promptly threw up his hands in excitement.

San Antonio Summer

Welcome

Max greets you.  Our nine-month old is keeping us busy especially now that he's learning to get around a little more.  What was once a forehead-crawl (he'd bury his head into the ground and push his butt up into the air with his legs) has now evolved into more of an army crawl.  And while we can still keep him from destroying most things within his reach, we've yet to come up with a solution to eliminate his insatiable desire to put every little thing into his mouth.  He finds things the vacuum does not.  We've pulled carpet, sticks, rocks, paper and much more out of his adorable, two-toothed mouth.  

Since we've last published, the Texas Bar Exam has come and gone.  Miranda's mom was kind enough to come visit and stay with Max while I spent all day (for three days) testing.

Tim Riggins and his "No Regrets" mentality provides the outlook on Texas law I need to pass the bar because he, after all, was raised in this great state and will be in "Texas forever."

Three days, 15 hours of testing and countless hours spent studying, memorizing, outlining and cramming are behind me (assuming I passed).  Unfortunately, we don't find out results until November (yuck!).  

If things don't work out, on the other hand, there's always following the footsteps of  the Great Eric Taylor.  Can you tell Miranda and I have been re-watching the greatest series in the history of TV (Friday Night Lights)?

Meanwhile, we've also been able to get out and enjoy San Antonio and the surrounding Hill Country.  This included taking strolls down San Antonio's Riverwalk.  

Yesterday we had the opportunity to enjoy a lake out in the Hill Country.  It was a bit of a drive, but we think it was worth it.  Miranda was (and is always) quick to point out that it's not as beautiful as Washington and the "Great, Magnificent, Celestial" Northwest (as she calls it), the Hill Country has more of an earthy, rustic beauty.

A Portion of Inks Lake--the latest Livingston destination.

Max's favorite part:  the grass.

This, in my unbiased opinion, is one of the cutest pictures in the history of all pictures.  Right down to his chubby little legs.

This is the fort we constructed for Max to shield him from the 100+ degree weather.

Back in the day-to-day routine, Max has really grown to enjoy books.  They are, outside of belts and computer keyboards, Max's favorite toys.  He entertains himself like this:

This baby doesn't look like a nine-month old to me.  There's something about this picture that makes me  think he looks older... like someone else maybe...?  What do you think?

Am I the only one that sees something here?

We're Heeeere

Uh, Jared. I don't think we're in Kansas anymore. Well. We were only really in Kansas one night... on the way to TEXAS

land of ten gallon hats and home of....

your friendly neighborhood chipotle equivalent

What the--- that's right. Here we have representing your three grocery store options. What's the daughter of Jolynn my-day's-not-complete-till-I've-snagged-every-sale-item-from-10-different-grocery-store-locations Perry gonna do? Oh, that's right. Save time and gas and shop at one location. (Love ya, mom!)

Those are the only stand-out Texasisms novelties I've noticed so far. More to come I'm sure. Oh, and here's some Max pics to keep everyone comin' back.

Finally! Family Pics!

You wouldn't know it by the pics, but it was pretty cold and Max had a hard time smiling through it all. Thanks to our photographer, Sarah for beautiful family memories.