Growing up

This week was a week of growing. I thought I would be brave and start the whole potty training with Rori. We started out great....I put her on the toilet and she says, "Mom, hand me that book." She may look and act like me but she has picked up some habits from her father.



Kaori had her preschool graduation party and I'm glad it's done, but sad because she will miss her group of friends she looks forward to seeing every week. We had a cute little group of kids. It's amazing what they pick up and I love watching them interact. The girls naturally formed a pack and you would often hear, "Let's go girls!" or "Uhhmm, girls only." They got a little snobby and I was so shocked to see how quickly this little attitude comes. I even had my first modesty fight with Kaori the other day....I was like, "What!? You're four!" So it's sad...my girls are growing up.

And we are off...

Since the beginning of March, Lysle has been super super busy. He had architecture contests/travel grants to apply to (a total of 8?), which he had to make a portfolio of all the things he had worked on that year. One of the contests was for his thesis, so that needed a presentation. Some needed essays with a travel itinerary and research. Plus on top of all that he had finals and work. Lysle has his own little business doing some design on the side. So seriously I could count on one hand how many times we actually went to bed at the same time. He could probably count on one hand how many hours of sleep he got every 3 days. It was really bad. But last week Rice had there annual grant/prize ceremony. They gave away $230,000 to students in the architecture program that day. Lysle came home with some great paper as well....



$8500 - Hello Spain



$2000 - Hello Day spa in Switzerland click here to see



$5000 - Hello......thesis (yeah!)

We are planning on doing all this travel in August before he starts his FINAL semester at Rice. I'm very excited to take off for two weeks with my talented husband. He completely deserves this vacation. I love you Lysle. I'm lucky to have you. Seriously...lucky.

Here is a portfolio that Lysle entered at a national level. Each Ivy league school in the U.S. selected 3 student's portfolios...he didn't get the prize but was given an honorable mention. It came out absolutely beautiful. The pictures don't tell the story....plus I suck as a writer and won't even attempt to because I'll screw it up. So come visit and let Lysle explain and tell you what is behind the "design" of this.

Luke's favorite thing

Hi again:

Luke is really funny. He walks around the house with his favorite thing on: His Sunglasses. He is so funny. He doesn't want to let go of them, sometimes he wears it even when is dark out. I guess little kids are funny that way. They go through these phases where they like only one thing for a while and nothing is going to change their minds at all.

Anyways, have a great week!!
Michelle

Our Smart Little Girl

Hi, Family:

We wanted to share some awesome news about our little smarty pants. We recieved Taylor's Progress Report on Friday and we were absolutely excited!! Her grades are all A's and Outstandings!! Look: (click on it to see the full size)

Victoria's Dance Recital Picture

Victoria had a dance recital last month. Just thought I would share.

Troy has teeth!!

Here are a couple new pictures of Troy. He is getting really big now and is as cute as can be. He has two teeth now and they both popped out within the last 3 weeks. Crazy! He is 5 1/2 months now and is really fun.



Can you see his two teeth on the bottom?


Our little happy boy.

Dallas

Lysle needed to go to Dallas to do a "business" errand, so we took advantage of the time with no kids and stayed the night and saw some museums. One thing that I actually enjoy that I have NEVER done growing up....going to museums. Lysle has brought some culture in my life. We usually go to any building that looks cool or was done by some signature architect. In Fort Worth a Japanese architect ( he was a boxer before becoming an architect...wow), last name Ando, did the Modern Art Museum. This building is pretty cool because he gives an image of it floating in water and plus it's just huge! Most of the time I don't care much of what is inside...but Lysle and I usually walk around picking up "ideas" for our future modern home.

This is the Modern Art museum....




Walking across the street to the next museum...the Kimball...I saw this fun sign....




After pointing it out I learned that Lysle actually has part of this song memorized...hmmm.


Us outside the Kimball Art Museum....architect Louie Kahn. This a beautiful building...great place for a reception....note...if loaded and live in Dallas...we will have a wedding reception here.




This is me modeling the Barcelona chair....one of our most desired chairs when the check comes in. Plus...I got my hair did. Blonde and Red...crazy!






Well...we had a nice weekend. Lysle is back at school and we plan on him living there till the end of April. Seriously....living there. Pray that he doesn't die.