MLK/Inauguration Weekend

While most folks were in town to see the new president, Henry and Bryant headed downtown to...visit the fish. Elise was on-call over the MLK-Inauguration weekend, so Bryant and Henry went to the National Aquarium (which, oddly enough, is located in the basement of the Commerce Department building). The Washington branch of the aquarium is much smaller than the one in Baltimore, but there were still plenty of fish, snakes, alligators, turtles and frogs to see. Henry especially liked the sea turtles. On the way back, we walked down the Mall where we saw some of the preparations for the Inauguration. We also saw some of the security measures. The police stopped us briefly while they inspected a backpack that was accidentally left on a park bench. We plan to watch the festivities on TV, in the comfort -- and warmth -- of our own home. Elise is just hoping the celebrations don't get too crazy tomorrow night.

Dad’s Surgery

Bryant’s dad underwent surgery last week for prostrate cancer. The surgery went very well and dad only spent one night in the hospital. He traveled to Orlando so that a specialist surgeon could perform the operation using a new robotics technology. Dad will need some follow-up treatment after he has fully recovered, but for now, he’s feeling fine and glad to have the surgery behind him. Bryant and Kevin flew to Orlando for the surgery and dad’s brother and sisters also came down, so he had plenty of folks to look after him. Thanks to everyone for their well wishes.

Christmas 2008

It’s been a busy few months in the Morris household. In December, we traveled to Alabama to spend Christmas with Bryant’s family. Kevin and Templa and their daughters Micah and Rylan hosted us at their home in Huntsville. Mimi and Papa drove up from Mobile, and the whole Morris family was together for several days. Henry loved spending time with Micah and Rylan, who shared their great toys and never tired of playing, singing and playing “dress up” with their younger cousin (imagine Henry in a tutu and Batman cape). We made special arrangements for Santa to deliver Henry’s toys early, and he received a basketball goal, a Hokey Pokey Elmo doll, a push truck, and lots of new books for Christmas (Henry has recently become obsessed with “reading” and regularly insists on having his parents recite the same story multiple times in a row; his favorites are Goodnight Gorilla, Tumble Bumble, The Foot Book, The Cat in the Hat, and My First Farm Book). He also received lots of clothes and toys from his family, including a toy train from Mimi Pauline, a rocking horse from Mimi and Papa Morris, and a Pizza Party Elmo doll (with a somewhat scary singing pizza; watch the YouTube video here) from Kevin, Templa and the girls. Henry’s parents also did pretty well at Christmas: Elise got an iphone and Bryant got a new electric shaver.

While we were in Huntsville, we visited with Bryant’s cousin Carrie Turner and her family (husband Quitman and daughters Maddie and Sydney). Carrie is the daughter of Bryant’s mother’s brother Rusty, which makes Henry a second cousin to Maddie and Sydney (we think). The Turners also have a family blog, which you can check out here.

After we returned from Alabama, Henry received a visit from yet more cousins. Dawn Brown took the train down from Shepherdstown with her children Emily and Alexander. Since we’re tracking the whole cousin connection: Dawn is the wife of Stokes Baker, who is the son of Elise’s Aunt Barbara, who is technically her mother’s cousin. We have no idea what type of relative that makes Henry to Emily and Alexander, but it was great to have them visit! Alexander showed Henry how to play toy soldiers and Emily read to him. And of course, they brought more gifts!

With all the new toys filling up our living room, we decided to put our condo up for sale. We’ve lived in our condo for three years now and are quickly running out of space. So, the first few weeks of the New Year have been spent investigating rental homes and meeting with real estate agents. With any luck, we’ll be in a new home by the summer!

You can see more photos from Christmas here: