We miss you

Spotted Christmas

Someone was baby Jesus. Maybe the start of his acting career.




I think all Will wanted was a shiny pair of shoes, a piece of jewelry to eat, or a plastic cup to play with.



But all he really got for Chrismas was wrapping paper, which seems okay with him. And yes, he is spotted and a little puffy - he's allergic to penicillin.

Attention: Glenda!

The Deed is Done

Kelly and I arrived at Virginia Tech in August 1997 - 11 years later I'm done, much to everyone's relief. Janet, Granma, and Dad were on hand. Will decided that he needed a more studious look - we tried to convince him that glittering glasses might not be the way to go, but he wouldn't listen.

Go Army

Will has just about grown into his Uncle Spaz's gift, almost.

Luckily, Will's grandma Mimi is better at sizing hats.

Go Hokies

Will and I watched the Hokies open up. Clearly it got too rowdy.

Figs

He loves him some figs.

He's feeling better, back to jumping and hiking.

Later,

Mark

Sick Chick

Will had a traumatic week. After being put behind the bars, (yep, we're having to baby proof casa d' lux)


Then Will got an ear infection and missed his flight to Texas.



Not to worry, he's feeling better, but he wants to go to Texas soon.

Not much happening

Not a whole lot going on this month so far. Here are some halloween pics and some pics from our trip to Bluefield.

We did force Will to be a horse for about 15 minutes.

Here Will is hiding from the camera. He normally is a morning person.

Hanging out with his Uncle Sargent Spaz

Will rolling around during dinner. Maybe we should pen him in.

Will and his Grandpa looking presidential.

Will and his dad from a funny angle. I don't think Will was ready for this picture.

Will's Baptism Weekend

So Will was Baptised this weekend. Here is the Baptismal Crew (Reverend Anne, Godparents Adam and Kelly, Kray, Will, Mark, and Godmother Courtney) :


Lots of firsts this weekend (really makes a dad proud):
First time wearing a dress:

First time arranging flowers (he gets this from his uncle Chas the former florist):

First time squished between two large orange objects (I thought this would happen at a Hokie Football game):

First time reading:

Hanging out with Will and Dee

Not much going on this week in Pembroke. We're all just waiting for Kray to get home.
Here are the few things that have happened:

Dee, Mark, and Will made a lap around Pandapas Pond. Thanks to Mark's new Bike GPS Unit, we know they averaged 2.3 mph.


Will likes the look of Belgium beer almost as much as his dad likes drinking it.


Will is an excellent grocery shopping assistant.


Will doesn't like being surrounded with round objects that could crush him.



Will isn't a big fan of bananas and cereal mixed together.


I mean, I've seen people happier eating donkey bacon....


Will loves his party barge.

Bacon

On Saturday we went to the Great Wall, which was amazing and then for massages.

Still having a great time in China. We arrived back in Beijing today from Shanxi Province. Had a good trip with some interesting site visits. We're still eating lots of good Chinese food. I've really liked the food, but it seems like I crave western food at breakfast- a little harder to come by in Shanxi. This morning I cobbled together an egg sandwich from the buffet:

Kray: This egg sandwich tastes a little funny - I can't put my finger on it.

Kray's collegue: It's probably the donkey bacon.

Kray: Oh...could be...

Since I consider myself a connoisseur of bacon now I can add to my repertoire.

China

I'm having a great time in Beijing. I had some interesting food. Friday, we had meetings all day and went to "hot pot" for lunch. You basically take raw food and dunk it into your own personal boiling pot and eat it. I ate about three shrimp before I realized they were still alive when I put them in the pot. I figured this out when one of skewered shrimp tried to jump out of the container. Today was fried pigeon, head and all - tastes like chicken (of course).

Saturday we went to the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven and then dinner at our host's house.

Will and Mark's Great Trip to Lexington

You'll have to figure out which description goes with which photo since I don't yet know how to organize them, nor do I want to put forth the effort to learn. No tutorials, please.

So Will and I went to Lexington this weekend. Some of our safari sightings include BeeCats and Preschool firemen (Will's cousin Josh and Clyde Mom's Cat, but not in that order).

Yet another picture of Will jumping. And a picture of Jacob bouncing with Josh behind him. Everybody loves tethering babies to door frames.

A bowtie attired baby carrier. Will and Josh.

Will, his Uncle Jimmy and Grandma Mimi.

Two bathing babes, Will and Jacob, being scrubbed by Carrie and Jimmy.

Jacob and his mom Carrie (note: Carrie has bangs, if you see her, notice. Some of us had noticed something had changed, but couldn't figure it out).

Written by Mark

Edited, critiqued, harped upon, annoyed, harassed by Carrie Joy Buss; unsolicited I might add.