I Fought the law...
...and the law won!!!

The Denton Police Department paid a visit to Southmount. The kids got to see the inside of the car (from the front seat...give it 12 or 13 years and some of them will see it from the back) and sit on the one of rhe motorcycles. Matthew had a great time.

Hey....I think that guy has pulled me over before!

I know that it's been a while since we have updated and frankly, we've been busy. We are raising a Renaissance man and that takes work and time. I mean it's not like we just do one thing over and over...we have to keep up with all of his varying interests.

There's soccer...

Look Out Pele!!!

... and auto mechanic-ing (yeah...it's a word...look it up!)

"Pit-Stop!!"

And of course...ART.

"I can do blue, stipple effect, be done in 2 days!"

Christmas, versions 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0....

....and that was just the first 3 days.



We loaded up the family, boarded a "pack of gum" airplane and flew to "NANA'S HOUSE!!!!" for a bit of a family reunion of Amanda's side of the family. We stayed with Uncle Jay, Aunt Jenn, Charlie and the puppies, while Matthew stayed at Nana's. He insisted on sleeping on her pillow, so we'd put him to bed and then Nana would move him when she went to bed. One night, as she moved him, he said "toot toot toot." Trains on the brain, I tell ya'!

I swear, the kid would RUN to Nana's house from here if we let him!

"'Sup, Chuck?"

We had another Christmas with more presents at Nana's house. Matthew got a watch, a whole bunch of cars and trains, a "Monster Jam" (big monster truck) and so much stuff we had to pack an extra suitcase home....and ship a box.

What time is it? It's time for my date!!!

Whatcha got there?

If that weren't enough we had yet ANOTHER Christmas with the extended family. More car stuff (including a SWEET robe), more train stuff and some kid friendly ice packs called Boo-Boo Buddies. I thought they were kind of cute...then Matthew showed them to me and told me they were to "make his boobies feel better" and I LOVED them!!!

"Ok, Joshua, this is how we entertain the ladies....trains!!!

Watch out, Hef!

Memaw...one GREAT great grand-mother!!

A couple days later we went to Mimi and Popi's house (Amanda's dad and step-mom) for one last Christmas....seriously, we're good. We need nothing....at all...for a while...I need a bigger place to put all of Matthew's stuff...help me...can't breathe...too...many...toys.....

Popi...still just a kid wanting to help open presents.

And then there was New Years Eve. A time to put the kids to bed early, have a few drinks, and play some games....sadly, Peanut got a little carried away with her vodka (yes, Vodka...if you thought Chihuahuas only drank tequila it's cause you're racist) and we had to let her sober up. So we went to Laura's for a dance party!!! Everyone got in on the action!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

(notice the 4 month old, reaching for Nana's wine already)

Some of us rocked, some of us danced, but we all had a great time!

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...and to put a great end to a great year...here's a great end!!!

(as soon as he grows a butt, I'll stop the rear pic posting....based on his dad, he's S.O.L.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Well, Christmas 2007, version 1.0 has come and gone. Matthew had quite a good haul this year. Santa brought him Rocky and Daisy and Mighty Mac and Thomas and Bertie's Great Race (trains...all trains). He also got a one of a kind, hand crafted, custom built train/car/whatever table to play with everything on. I don't want to toot my own horn, but I think it turned out pretty good.

He also got a few games: Cootie, Chutes and Ladders and Don't Break the Ice (AKA "don't step on that ice"). And that was just in the early morning.

Uncle Zac, Aunt Whitney and cousins Micah and Emmie came over to Granna and Da's house and we had even MORE presents! Matthew got a Star Station (We'll be filming his American Idol audition tape shortly) He also got a new Kid Tough digital camera. (Old grandpa voice: I remember when we used to have film in cameras. And you had to be at least 8 or 9 to own and operate one!!!) He is well on his way to becoming a great photographer. Here's a sample shot:

I said the picture was good...not the subject.

After opening presents, Matthew and Micah went outside to try and join the Hell's Angels bike club. Sadly, the Mickey Mouse helmet is not on their list of approved attire and he was rejected.

Before all of the festivities, Matthew had a baking day with Granna, Mommy, Raymie, Maisy and Madison. Here is the future chef at work.

On Christmas Eve, we had a birthday party for Jesus. Here is our 3 year old, playing with fire. I'm so proud of him!!!

Matthew was not the only one who scored big this year. Me, Zac and Dad all got matching beanie hats and chrome coozies (a Schlitz Malt Liquor bottle fits right inside!!!)

"Word"

And if you missed out on the perfect Christmas gift this year, or didn't get everything you wanted, just remember that there are elves and people everywhere who suffer from R.E.D.S. (Rear End Deficiency Syndrom) and didn't get what they REALLY needed.....

.....an "end"

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!

'I ran 13.1 miles today...what did YOU do?'

No she didn't say that, but she had every right to. That's right, my wife, who has recently decided to torture herself in the name of charity (see also crazy lady walking 60 miles in 3 days) competed in the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon. With little time (read that NO time) to prepare (holidays, birthdays and people moving) she was able to push herself to run the entire race. She finished in 2:23:04...not too shabby.

Providing advice, support and the inspiration for this lunacy: Aunt Diane

Attaching the number...at 7:00 A.M....notice the shorts? It was 38 degrees! I say again, "lunacy!"

The whole crazy team: Amanda and Diane ran the half marathon while Uncle Frank ran the full. He is now 5 states away from running a marathon in every state....these people are nuts!!! (Way to go, Frank!!!)

The Evolution of Matthew

It's been 3 years since the world was blessed with the birth of Matthew William Morton and I thought it was time to take a look back and see how he's grown (or not grown...whatever).

Birth: 6 lbs. 7 oz. 19 1/4" long capable of sounds reaching well over 120 decibels

1 year: 19 lbs. 9 oz. 29" and LOOK AT THOSE CHEEKS!!!

2 years: 23 lbs. 4 oz. 33 3/4" and already a lady killer...here he is setting up a hot date! (with his Nana)

3 years: 28 lbs. 4 oz. 35 1/4" At this pace, Matthew will break the 5' tall mark and the elusive 100 lbs. mark at some point in his JUNIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL!!!!! Ahh...just like his daddy!

And there you have it. Matthew William Morton in all his considerable glory. Behold the wonder!!!

Birthday Boy!!!
As I'm sure you are all aware, Matthew turned 3 today. According to him, he is now "bigger enough" for gum...according to his mother, he is not. We got things started early this morning with birthday round 1 at our house. Here he got his new tool set, some new Lightning McQueen shirts and a few other things he hardly noticed beacause of the new tool set. I know I'm a grown man and everything, but look at this toy!!! It's friggin' cool. It's got a wood working shop on one side and a motor to build on the other. Matthew took right to it...he's getting ready for his previously discussed career in racing.

He could work for Ford..."if it ain't broke, fix it till it is"

"feel that? that's real power"

"mmmmkay...you got a blown gasket, a busted head and your spark plugs resent the rest of the car so they ain't workin' no more....that'll be $9,000 to fix it all" Ahh, my son the auto mechanic.

Yank out that wimpy factory motor and swap in something with some real power.

There were other presents besides the tool set...this is one of them...CANDY LAND!!!

"oh oh oh what is it!?!?!?!?!?!?"

Ligthning McQueen shirts from the Tampa crew...can't go wrong with Lightning!

A new Hot Wheels city from Poppy...it's so cool!

After a great birthday morning, we headed to Granna and Da's for lunch, football and MORE PRESENTS!!!

I'm sorry, but isn't he CUTE?!?!?!?

"wait wait wait...you mean I get to do this AGAIN in a month? You're jokin', right?"

Yay for more Thomas books!

"A toy dump truck big enough to ride in...can life get better? I submit that it can not!"

So many toys...so few hands

"YO!!! GROWN UPS!!! Let's get a move on! I got some wishin' to do!!!"

"WAHOOO!!!!!"

We are proud to welcome the newest member of our family...Guido the fish.

Goodnight Guido

Let us not forget that Tony Romo and the Cowboys whooped up on the Jets today (look out Green Bay!!!). And with T.O. being relatively calm with his touchdown celebrations these days, Matthew has decided it's up to him to teach Mr. Owens how to dance again....

"Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto....domo....domo"