Growing up with Ty

Hoop It Up

2012-01-24T21:38:00.002-06:00

Altitude - Game 2, originally uploaded by TexKap.

The winter sports season has begun and Ty is already elbowing and shooting his way to stardom on his YMCA basketball team. As the team's leading scorer, he is definitely using height to his advantage.

Click through on the photo to see more images from his second game.

Austin New Year

2012-01-04T22:46:00.000-06:00

Wishing all our friends and family a Happy New Year!

Guys Night with The Stars

2011-12-22T07:37:00.000-06:00

Last week Ty got an exclusive look at life behind the scenes of our local AHL hockey team, The Texas Stars. The team invited fans for a backstage tour of the locker room, training rooms, and a conversation with the players and coaches on the ice.

We had a blast chatting with some future NHL prospects and learning more about the game. Ty's favorite part was undoubtedly getting to walk onto the ice and stand with the players.

Here are two pictures below. The first shows Ty up in the suites level with an empty arena below. And the second is Ty in the equipment room where all the sticks are kept for the players. Ty is also holding a mini stick which he got autographed by many of the players in attendance.

The Living Museum

2011-11-19T15:49:00.000-06:00

"Hi. My name is Buzz Aldrin. I was the second man on the Moon."

This is how Ty began his speech after you pressed his purple button during the presentation of the 2nd grade's "Living Museum". We got really into the costume making by gathering items from second hand stores and hardware stores to come up with a totally original space suit.

Ty had such a blast with this and practiced his lines all week for the eventful presentation. Afterwards he asked if we could even keep the costume for next Halloween because he liked it so much.

Excalibur or The Sheriff?

2011-10-27T22:55:00.000-05:00

It's almost Halloween, but Ty got a head start on dressing up this year. We went to a party where guests could try on various outfits for the camera. Ty pretty much hogged the spotlight much to the delight of guests nearby.

Help us choose which one you like better by posting in the comments.

A Lime Green Machine

2011-10-07T22:12:00.000-05:00

We signed Ty up for soccer again this fall. When we heard he would be on the famous Dortmund team, we thought that the yellow and black colors would look pretty cool. (Click on the link to see what I meant).

But to our surprise, the soccer coach pulled this lime green shirt out at practice and announced this would be our jerseys. Well we certainly can see the kids well at evening practices now at least.

All kidding aside, Ty is having a great season and is enjoying being on the soccer field again.

Happy 8th Birthday!

2011-09-26T18:38:00.000-05:00

Another year, another milestone in the life of Ty. My he has grown...

We had a fabulous weekend filled with soccer, family, parties, and friends (oh and another 100 degree plus day). Happy Birthday Ty!

Real Tales of San Francisco

2011-09-19T21:37:00.000-05:00

We finished our summer break this year with a weekend in San Francisco and could not have asked for more perfect weather. The skies were clear and I told Ty he was lucky to see the Golden Gate Bridge and "The Rock" so clearly. Our tourist stops included The Palace of Fine Arts and the Exploratorium, Fisherman's Wharf, and Haight Ashbury. But perhaps Ty's biggest thrill was the cable car ride.

Here are a few highlights:

Hot to Trot

2011-09-13T12:24:00.000-05:00

Another one of Ty's favorite activities in Tahoe is horseback riding. This year we decided to try a ride over at Zephyr Cove Stables just across the state line in Nevada.

It was a beautiful morning with clear views of the lake when we reached the top of the trail. Ty rode at the front of the line and he had a blast with his horse who was so well behaved.

The view at the top of the trail

Ty after the ride with his horse

At Peace in the Mountains

2011-09-05T09:59:00.000-05:00

The Angora Lakes are nestled in the forest about 1500 feet above Lake Tahoe. We decided to get adventurous one morning and take a hike, also hoping to see and touch some snow which a guide had told us might still be up at that altitude (close to 8000 feet). After a thrilling drive partway up the mountain to the base site, we hiked the remaining mile or so to the lakes.

Ty did remarkably well on the steep ascent and we were rewarded with a set of pristine lakes hidden from civilization. We stopped on the trail for lunch and sat in the silence while listening to the wind rustling the branches of the tall evergreens.

Here is a shot of Ty and a more picturesque view of one of the lakes with some swimmers.

Snow in August

2011-08-30T13:52:00.000-05:00

It was our third trip to Tahoe this year, but the first time we have seen this much snow still on the mountains in August. Here Ty stands with Mt. Tallac in the distance and it's famous cross of snow clearly visible.

Summer at the Wood

2011-08-24T15:17:00.000-05:00

While in CT during the summer, Ty participated in a camp held at his grandparents' country club. He had the opportunity to swim, do arts & crafts, and get some golf lessons. His favorite part however was learning a new sport: tennis!

This makes Dad very happy and hope that we will soon be hitting some shots around on the court together.

New York City Tourist

2011-08-21T17:42:00.000-05:00

Here are some highlights from this summer's trip to the Big Apple:

Times Square

Riding the subway

The original Nathan's on Coney Island

Coming from Texas we were used to the heat, however we happened to pick one of the hottest weeks in the city and that made it difficult walking around a lot. One of the extra special moments of the visit though was Ty's first Broadway show, The Lion King. Afterwards he could not stop singing "Hakuna Matata".

Locked Up in Legoland

2011-08-04T19:55:00.000-05:00

Everything is made of Legos pretty much inside Legoland. Ty took the opportunity to drive a Lego car

and a Lego boat.

But then he learned the hard way what happens to aggressive driving on the road and water. He did his time with a smile, and then we were off to look at some special Star Wars installations.

Chasing Dolphins

2011-08-01T20:20:00.000-05:00

We took an afternoon cruise off Dana Point in search of dolphins and whales. The boat took us a few miles off the coast and we scanned the horizon for signs of their fins. Finally after over an hour, we came upon a good size pod of dolphins and I was able to snap the picture below.

Later, as we returned to shore, we stopped by this buoy to admire some California sea lions catching some afternoon rays. Oh and this photo below was taken by Ty by the way.

Parked Between the Stars of Cars

2011-07-27T22:20:00.000-05:00

We found Mater and Lightning McQueen hanging out in front of the new Cars themed attraction coming soon to Disney in California. This was taken during the second half of our day that involved a tour of both theme parks. It was hot and crowded, but we managed to get in most of the rides we wanted. One of Ty's favorites this time around was the classic Pirates of the Caribbean ride. He loved the part when it drops down the ramp and splashes.

Beauty and the Beast

2011-07-10T16:55:00.000-05:00

Probably a cruel blog post title, but since cousin Cam is a really good sport, he will laugh along with us. Ty was also very enamored by Cam's girlfriend, Nicole, who promised to take him on a date the next time we go to LA.

An Evening on the Pier

2011-07-05T22:20:00.000-05:00

We spent last week in Southern California hitting the theme parks and beaches. Our first full day, we drove up to LA and spent some time with Aunt Murphy, Uncle John and Cousin Cam (and his girlfriend). For dinner we all met at a restaurant just across from the Santa Monica Pier. But before dinner we had a chance to walk on the pier and check out one of the last arcades around.

Here's a shot of Ty riding a motorcycle racing game.

And here's a great shot looking back at the end of the pier with the ocean. Ty enjoyed staring down at the breaking waves on the sand below.

Water Features

2011-06-22T21:45:00.000-05:00

We have not seen a lot of the wet stuff fall from the sky this summer in Austin. But on a recent trip downtown, we wandered through an outdoor fountain to enjoy some mist to cool off.

Ty will be seeing a lot more water very soon as we leave for the cool breezes and beautiful beaches of the Pacific Ocean along the scenic shores of the O.C.

We hope all of our readers also find ways to stay cool this summer and we will share our adventures when we return.

Summer Slider

2011-06-16T21:12:00.000-05:00

There are so many great parks and playgrounds around Austin. Ty and I like to discover new ones, as we did one morning over at Mueller. Ty couldn't believe that the site was where the airport used to be.

After playing we drove around and he saw the old control tower which is still standing.

Chicks Dig Me

2011-05-31T21:04:00.000-05:00

Like a proud Papa, Ty tenderly holds his baby chick for the camera. A class project this Spring involved the kids watching the whole process of incubating an egg until baby chicks were hatched. It was very exciting and it all culminated in this moment when the chicks got to play around in the garden. Thanks to Ty's teacher for sharing the photo of this great moment with us.

Dr. Frankens-Ty

2011-05-16T22:03:00.000-05:00

Creative mastermind at work. Ty started this robot project at school and when it came home he realized it was not complete. We scrounged for some parts in the kitchen drawers and added some strength with tape to produce this non-threatening, laser-zapping, bow-on-the-head, honey-nut creation.

Forza Futbol Finale

2011-05-03T21:28:00.001-05:00

Our young athlete returned to the soccer pitch this Spring for some fun and competition. Coaching his team of 8U Forza Milan was none other than the author of this blog. We had a blast and the kids played really well. This past weekend we rounded out the season with two more victories. Above is a shot of Ty and below is our team.

We Taught Jimmie Johnson Everything He Knows

2011-04-17T21:36:00.000-05:00

When Jimmie needed tips on how to win at Talladega today, he pulled from his lessons with the real master of the sport, Ty. As Ty demonstrates here, it's all about getting the inside position on the track and a little "bumping" never hurts either when it gets tight.

Musical Museum

2011-03-28T11:20:00.000-05:00

During our trip to Arizona this year, we visited a new museum that was quite unique. It features the largest collection of musical instruments in the world. Ty was captivated with it and enjoyed listening to instruments from Africa and Asia. The best part was when he actually got to play them though. Above he is seen with a guitar, but he said his favorites were the harp and the giant gong.

Next time you visit Scottsdale, check out the Musical Instrument Museum. And be prepared to spend several hours there.

Road Trip Idea

2011-03-04T13:40:00.002-06:00

Well we have been slowing down the posts here, and apologize for that. Ty is having a great Spring so far playing soccer, and we will have photos from that soon. I have to do double duty as his coach and take pictures at the same time from the sidelines.

We also head to Scottsdale, AZ in 2 weeks and that will probably get some more posts and pictures here as well.

In the meantime, I came across this restaurant that one day we will need to take a road tip to:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tys-hamburgers-tulsa

Ty's First Concert - Miranda Cosgrove

2011-02-20T21:39:00.000-06:00

One of Ty's favorite TV shows is iCarly. He has a huge crush on her. When Dad found out that the actress who plays her on TV was going on tour and coming through Texas, well that just presented an awesome opportunity for us.

We drove up to Dallas and walked inside the Verizon Theater along with lots of screaming little girls and boys (and parents in tow like me). Ty's eyes lit up as we walked all the way down to 5th row center and he had an amazing view of his idol for the evening. Here's a few shots to best explain how much Ty got into the whole experience.

Having a Ball with the Spurs

2011-01-22T21:21:00.001-06:00

A cold night in San Antonio outside, but inside the AT&T Center the place was hot and rockin'. Ty and I made the trip down I-35 for the rematch between the Spurs and Knicks.

This was Ty's second time at an NBA game, but his first trip to this arena. He got to see the championship trophies, meet the Silver Dancers, and enjoy the over-priced concessions. It was a fun night and the Spurs won!

Ty was so funny that at some points during the game he was yelling along with the fans when there was a bad call by the referee. I think the only part of the night he didn't like was that he had to leave before the end so we wouldn't spend an extra hour getting out of the parking lot.

Yellow Belt Test - Board Break

2011-01-17T21:35:00.002-06:00

This past Saturday, Ty passed his first Gup test in Karate to achieve a yellow belt. This video was shot during the final phase of the test where Ty had to break a board with his fist. He had never done it before, yet struck through it with ease on his first try. (the instructor partially blocks the view, but you can see Ty's success. also you can adjust to higher quality for viewing).

If you click through to our You Tube page, another longer video has also been uploaded showing him demonstrate basic form #1. It was a very exciting and proud day for all of us who were present.

Hanging with the G

2011-01-10T22:25:00.000-06:00

One day soon, Ty will be as tall as G-Pop

Fall American Boy

2010-12-19T22:30:00.000-06:00

Here's an iconic photo of fall in New England with Ty: leaves on the ground, blue skies, and an American Flag flying in front of a home. Now if he can just grow into that shirt a bit...

Westport

2010-12-14T22:48:00.000-06:00

All bundled up and waiting for the train to NYC.

Holiday Meal

2010-12-06T22:32:00.000-06:00

Ty's school recently invited the parents in for lunch during this holiday time. It was a real blast from the past going through the lunch line again and sitting at the small (for Dad) cafeteria tables. Ty was all smiles though as he enjoyed his mashed potatoes and turkey.

Trading Silly Bandz

2010-11-29T21:23:00.001-06:00

Ty and Swann are captured here in an exchange of Silly Bandz during our visit to CT for Thanksgiving. They both seem happy with the trades, but Ty apparently wants to get some more when Swann is content with her exchange. The ending is just awesome.

Ice Cream Fixes Everything

2010-11-20T21:14:00.000-06:00

What makes Austin the coolest city in the whole US of A? Well how about a city sponsored event with all the best food trailers in one park? Yes, we attended the sure to be annual event, "Gypsy Picnic Trailer Food Festival".

Among the treats we had included some ice cream sandwiches from Cool Haus. Yummy vanilla ice cream packed between two just baked chocolate chip cookies.

Overall it was a fun day and luckily we got there early because the lines got super long quickly. Below is another shot of Ty at the entrance to the park with one of our newer skyscrapers in the distance.

Longhorns football calls up Mario for their next QB

2010-11-14T20:46:00.000-06:00

Well let's be honest Longhorns fans, we will take anything at this point right?

Ty came across his Halloween doppelganger at a recent Texas tailgate party. It seems we cannot get enough of this Italian plumber.

The Karate Kid

2010-11-06T21:04:00.000-05:00

Nope this is not another Halloween costume. Ty has started taking Karate and he is loving it. Here he demonstrates his big front kick for the camera.

Super Mario Halloween

2010-10-31T21:59:00.002-05:00

Happy Halloween from the Mario Brothers!

Luigi as seen with the real Mario... unlike the impostors we came across in the neighborhood.

Farewell Tooth Number Eight

2010-10-25T21:03:00.000-05:00

He was wiggling it during the baseball game. He was wiggling it during dinner. He was convinced it would come out tonight. Dad was across the house when he heard the shout, "My tooth just came out!"

Now the hole on his left side of his mouth is even bigger. Another treasured baby tooth, which has traveled many miles with Ty, is now waiting for the tooth fairy to magically convert it into some $$. And on that topic something very interesting was said by this amazing seven year old.

He said, "Dad. I want to give the quarters that the tooth fairy leaves me tonight to the Coins for Coats program at school. Because if a kid in Alaska didn't have a coat he could die." Yes Ty, that could be true and a wonderfully unselfish gesture as well. The coins are actually being used for coats locally in Round Rock, but nonetheless he is choosing to use his own money for something like this. Awesome.

The Post Season

2010-10-21T22:02:00.001-05:00

Time flies when you are having fun and winning games.

The regular season has ended for Ty's Express team with a double header in which Ty made several hits, RBIs, and scored runs himself. This weekend is the final season tournament for the boys. Best of luck to them.

Hit and Run

2010-10-10T22:00:00.001-05:00

A short video of Ty in action this past weekend on the baseball diamond. (Watch in higher resolution if you can for sharper picture)

Mister October

2010-10-03T21:42:00.000-05:00

Ty's at it again this fall. Playing baseball in Round Rock on the 8U Express. The big difference now is that the T is gone and the balls are thrown to the batter's by a coach. It's an adjustment, but Ty is playing well and having fun. Much more to come on this.

Seven into Five Hundred

2010-09-26T22:11:00.000-05:00

Today marks a major milestone in both Ty's life and the life of this blog: Today is Ty's seventh birthday and this is the 500th post to "Growing up with Ty". Fitting that we have a cake to celebrate the occasion.

We hope you have enjoyed the ride so far, because it has been full of adventure. As an eyewitness, and an extremely proud Dad, the first seven have gone by quickly, but have been a gift that keeps on giving. Here's to hoping there's a 100 more birthdays for you Ty and all your wishes and dreams come true.

Leaving Tahoe

2010-09-25T23:07:00.001-05:00

Last post from the Tahoe trip of 2010. We spent our last day doing some time hiking on the trails and enjoying nature and just listening to the wind rustle the tall grasses.

Serenity now!

Beach Front Property

2010-09-23T22:23:00.002-05:00

When you need a break from the hot sun why not relax in your own private beach house? Ty has the secret here as he catches a snooze after we played catch in the water for awhile.

Nine Thousand Feet

2010-09-20T20:45:00.000-05:00

We stay at the base of Heavenly Ski Resort and every day, just like last year, Ty asks, "When can we take the gondola to the top?"

Today was that day as once again we had a perfect cloudless sky and almost infinite view of the surrounding mountains and the lake from the viewing platform at 9000 feet above sea level. Ty enjoyed the quiet ride first as we climbed from the lake up the steep slope watching the gondola cars glide by going the opposite direction. He passed the time by reading aloud the numbers on each car as Dad snapped lots of photos.

After the viewing platform we continued up to adventure peak where we spent over an hour exploring the trails and Ty climbed around in a giant inflatable spider web obstacle course. Even though this was our second time up to the top, it was still tons of fun and something we will likely repeat each year.

Mountain Biker

2010-09-15T22:12:00.005-05:00

Ty was all smiles as we began a scenic bike ride along the Western shore of the lake. However he struggled a bit with a bike he wasn't used to, and got a bit frustrated having to stay in a narrow bike lane. Needless to say, this activity will probably be tried again next year when his confidence grows.

A photo of Dad's bike is not included, but picture a 1950's era bike with a front basket to hold our water and my camera, and you will enjoy a good laugh at my expense.

The Pied Piper of Tahoe

2010-09-09T21:18:00.000-05:00

Some of our Austin readers might think this was a shot from our annual Eeyore's Birthday Party. But alas, this is Ty playing his own songs on a recorder recently won from a video arcade somewhere high in the mountains above Tahoe.

For some reason he was asking me to get him a flute, but when the opportunity to snag this plastic beauty came up the day before as a prize, his eyes lit up. I told him he couldn't play in the car (parent's you can understand why) so when we stopped here for another scenic view he broke out his recorder and proceeded to become one with nature.

Scenic Viewpoint

2010-09-04T21:51:00.000-05:00

Just past the official stop on the hill over looking Emerald Bay, there is a stretch of very curvy road with just enough room to pull over to the side and get the really good views. It appears Ty's choice of shirt this day works perfectly as it adds to the various hues of blue from the lake and sky in the background.

So have Ty's fans decided yet that if they haven't ever visited Lake Tahoe in the summer it needs to be on their bucket list?

Home On the Range

2010-09-01T21:52:00.000-05:00

Cue the music... bumba deeda, bumba deeda, bumba deeda ... Happy Trails to You...

We rose early one morning and drove out to the Camp Richardson stables for a trail ride up one of the hills in some beautiful back country along Lake Tahoe. Ty was a bit nervous as he had only ridden ponies led along by grownups at birthday parties. This involved him being in control of his own horse, Marvin (short for Starvin' Marvin because he always stops to eat along the trail). We had a blast and Ty was quickly a master (guess that's the Texas in his blood). At the end of the hour he climbed down and immediately asked if the next time we do this we go on a longer ride. Guess we should book that already for next year.

The top shot features Ty taken from Dad's horse following behind him. The bottom picture is Ty with our guide who was extremely friendly and chatted it up with Ty almost the whole hour.

Back to Tahoe

2010-08-28T21:54:00.000-05:00

Let's think about this for a moment... Ty would you rather spend a week of record setting high temps above 100 degrees in Austin before school starts, or head to the cool Sierra Nevada mountains where the high temp is about 85 and drops to the 50's at night?

It appears that Ty chose wisely as he smiles big here on the shores of Lake Tahoe last week. And yes if you look carefully, that white stuff in the distance is some snow left around the summit of Mount Tallac.

The Statue of Liber-TY

2010-08-21T13:55:00.001-05:00

Ty attempted to do his best impressions of Lady Liberty from several spots around the statue. This one was achieved by having Dad almost laying down on the ground looking straight up. It came out a little better than Ty's attempt to look like he was tickling her armpit.

Skyline

2010-08-18T13:46:00.001-05:00

Our last full day in Manhattan we had scheduled a ferry ride out to Liberty Island. We really lucked out with the weather and Ty enjoyed looking back at the iconic skyline and trying to identify all the landmarks.

The Big Piano, Take Two

2010-08-16T13:43:00.002-05:00

This was Ty's second visit to FAO Schwarz and he remembered exactly where the piano was located. He jumped around making music and would have done that all day had they not told him there were other kids waiting.

Once Around the Park, James

2010-08-14T13:43:00.001-05:00

I don't remember if this guy's name was really James, but he was super nice and very strong. Ty and I were exhausted from walking around Central Park in the heat and we looked for more than 15 minutes before we saw this pedicab driver coming down the road. We hopped in, relaxed, and watched as he passed all the other pedicabs even when we were going uphill!

Go Ask Alice

2010-08-11T20:13:00.001-05:00

Central park is filled with so many amazing hidden treasures. One of them is this sculpture of Alice with some of the fantastic creatures she encounters in Wonderland. Ty enjoyed climbing both over and under the toadstools and discovering the details hidden in the base.

Welcome to the House of Fun

2010-08-08T22:09:00.000-05:00

"A Ferris wheel inside of a store Dad? No way, I do not believe you."

This was Ty's impression prior to arriving at the flagship Toys R Us location in Times Square. Once we entered the store and he saw it with his own eyes, he started to believe some of the over-the-top things New York City is famous for. After browsing the five levels of the store, we wet to the bottom and got on the Ferris wheel. We probably went around a dozen times or so and he had so much fun.

The next wheel we want to conquer one day is the London Eye.

Subway Rider

2010-08-04T21:01:00.000-05:00

It's a simple fact that all real New Yorkers know: the best way to get around the city is under it. Ty and I crisscrossed the island of Manhattan a few times during our stay and we had a few opportunities to ride the rails.

Ty was always quick to find a good seat and was eager to count how many stops until we got off again. One time we ran into an issue finding an open station downtown in the financial district, but other than that it was smooth and fun.

Kids Night In

2010-08-01T18:57:00.000-05:00

One of the reasons we went to NYC during the week we did was because Uncle Casey had a big birthday (40!) Well the party was just for the grownups which was just fine with Ty. He got to spend the evening with his cousin Swann who he doesn't get to see that often.

Here they are in Swann's room when I dropped him off for the evening. She was sporting the missing tooth look which Ty was just recently as well. The two of them were in serious giggle mode and had a great time together playing and reading stories. See you again at Thanksgiving Swann!

There's No Place Like Home

2010-07-29T22:21:00.000-05:00

Not exactly room for a couch or a big screen TV inside here. Ty worked with some other kids and created this cool little fort also at the museum for children.

It managed to stay up for a few minutes and then was destroyed to make way for something new, much like the current building strategies in this country. Ah, how art imitates life.

Skeleton Rider

2010-07-25T16:03:00.000-05:00

We made an encore trip to the Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk during our first few days in CT with Gram and G-pop. Ty spotted this interesting display that featured a skeleton who pedaled along with you as you rode the bike. Kind of like those futuristic x-ray scanners we've scene in old sci-fi movies.

Ray Ray What Do You Say?

2010-07-20T19:03:00.000-05:00

Miss us? Sorry for the extended time between posts but in the real world Ty and Dad went off on another trip this past week so we have not been able to finish up the posts from SC.

So here sits Ty in the shadow of a giant ray while trying to keep cool in the heat of Myrtle Beach. This is outside the Ripley's Aquarium at the very popular Broadway at the Beach. Ty enjoyed wandering in and out of the stores and was especially happy when we found a whole setup of inflatables that he could jump around in.

Our summer adventures continue with the next posts featuring our trip to the Big Apple.

Slip Sliding Away

2010-07-09T20:47:00.000-05:00

One of Ty's favorite features of the resort we stayed at was this two story water slide. Often the line was backed up with about 20 kids, but a few times he actually had the slide to himself. Dad wasn't able to get a good action shot because I was always in the pool at the bottom catching Ty as he came shooting out.

Everybody's All American

2010-07-04T22:51:00.000-05:00

Here's a flashback photo to celebrate the 4th of July today. What's more American than a cute baby in a flag shirt holding a great symbol of innovation (the TV remote) with a great game in the background (pinball) which also depicts one of the greatest animated families of all time (The Simpsons).

You may have differing opinions on the remote, pinball and cartoon, but you hopefully find no disagreement with our blog's star. Happy and safe 4th of July everyone.

That Be Pirate Mini Golf

2010-06-30T19:40:00.000-05:00

For this post, Dad actually did some research before making this claim: Myrtle Beach is the mini golf capitol of the world! There are over 45 courses within a 20 mile radius. (See info here).

Ty fancies himself quite the expert at mini golf and we have showcased some of his past outings here. So it was fitting that we explored several courses during our trip including this Treasure Island themed course that included some water hazards even. He managed to score a few birdies and even a hole-in-one along the way.

Captain Ty

2010-06-27T22:05:00.000-05:00

We took a day trip down to Charleston on Father's Day to visit with Ty's grandfather who just happened to be working there now. During our visit we went to the aquarium and took a sailboat out into the harbor for a cruise.

After helping raise the sails, our veteran of the high seas took the wheel to steer the schooner. In this photo however he is facing towards the stern of the boat. The helpful crew provided him with a saddle to sit up and see over the deck to steer the correct way. Ty did a great job keeping us away from a looming thunderstorm.

Beach Boy

2010-06-23T21:30:00.001-05:00

We are staying at a resort right along the Atlantic Ocean in Myrtle Beach. Ty couldn't wait to get his toes in the sand and head into the surf. He giggled as the waves crashed around him, but wasn't ready to go in the deeper water. He was content to sit along the beach and build sand castles with Dad though.

Carolina on My Mind

2010-06-20T21:45:00.001-05:00

Headed out of AUS bound for MYR to begin our first trip of the summer. Ty stands here by our gate wearing a junior TSA badge that one of the security guards gave to him.

And a happy Father's Day out there to all the Dad readers of our blog. Hope you had a special one like we did.

Summer is Here - Water Fight!

2010-06-10T20:03:00.000-05:00

Ty might be at a slight disadvantage here. However he didn't mind getting wet.

He gathered down the street with some boys from the neighborhood and found a clever way to stay cool as the Texas summer has begun with triple digit temperatures already.

Kids Day at the Ballpark

2010-06-01T21:41:00.000-05:00

Ty and Dad took in a day game at the Dell Diamond last weekend to see the Round Rock Express. For the day games, they set up all sorts of activities outside in the parking lot for kids and Ty had a blast.

We had great seats behind the dugout on the third base side. Ty had his glove ready in the hopes of catching a foul ball. No such luck on that, but Dad caught a t-shirt that was fired into the stands.

Here Ty, Have a Trophy or Two

2010-05-27T19:00:00.001-05:00

What an amazing baseball season for our little rookie, Ty. His 6U team went completely undefeated throughout the entire regular season, and both tournaments. These photos represent trophies #2 and #3 for just this season. The one on the left is for winning the regular season title. The one on the right is from the end of season tournament.

Many of his teammates will play on this summer as all-stars and with any luck, Ty will join them again in the fall for what may become a dynasty in the making for Round Rock youth baseball.

More photos from the season and the tournaments are on my flickr page here.

Future Hall of Famers Ball?

2010-05-25T15:03:00.000-05:00

Ty holds up a ball signed by members of the Stony Point High School baseball team. To celebrate the end of the season and the kids who were part of the Tiger Cubs, the team held a thank you pizza party at the baseball stadium.

Ty got a chance to hang out with his assigned player, Matt, and also played some catch with him. It was a fun evening and very generous of the players to be so friendly to the kids.

We put the ball in a special holder because who knows, it may one day contain the autograph of a future HOF player.

Tony Chestnut

2010-05-21T13:37:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was the final awards assembly for Ty's kindergarten class. Prior to the kids receiving their individual recognition, they performed several songs for the parents. Somehow Ty secured a spot front and center, and Dad having put him in a bright yellow shirt, it wasn't hard to miss him. Of all the songs, this one above was the most fun to watch. Ty had been practicing it at home and it cracked me up even then.

Enjoy the clip (especially since it took 2 hours to upload it, but it only runs for three minutes or so).

Purple People Eater

2010-05-16T20:44:00.000-05:00

Because we all enjoyed the fun of turning our tongue different colors when eating frozen treats.

Two Wheel Superstar

2010-05-04T21:07:00.000-05:00

And here it is for your viewing enjoyment... the first true evidence of our young Ty conquering the two wheel universe. Try not to get dizzy watching it, and sorry for some of the wind noise.

Bravo Ty!

Failed Bike Intro

2010-05-03T21:10:00.000-05:00

While filming Ty riding his bike today, he wanted to do a professional introduction. He set himself up all formal and then was at a total loss of words once I started rolling. Quite funny. The bike riding video will follow in the next post.

Tball Champions

2010-05-02T21:58:00.003-05:00

Ty, originally uploaded by TexKap.

What an amazing weekend. The kids played four games during Saturday and Sunday. Ty's team, The Astros won them all and finished the undefeated champions of the mid-season tournament.

Ty's own contribution to the final game included his first ever home run of the season. It was a beautiful site to see. By clicking through on this image, you will be able to see more photos taken during the weekend of Ty and his teammates.

Another Milestone for Ty

2010-04-27T21:09:00.000-05:00

No photo or video yet, so you will just have to take Dad's word on this one (wasn't expecting this would happen). But today Ty rode a bicycle all by himself for the very first time. This was perhaps the fourth time we went out to a nearby cul-de-sac to practice.

When I removed Ty's training wheels off his bike about two weeks ago, he looked very nervous. So we began with just coasting to learn balance. Little by little he started to get the hang of it until today he could get most of the way across with his feet resting on the pedals. Then it was time for the classic move... I held the bike while he started to pedal and then I let go... he kept going. Once he figured out how to build momentum, he was soon doing circles around the cul-de-sac. He fell once as we started to learn to brake, but can't get all the major skills down in one day (much to Ty's frustration).

So we promise to provide video evidence shortly, but it was definitely a great day for Ty.

Dugout Cool

2010-04-23T10:26:00.001-05:00

We are well into the T-Ball season now and Ty is enjoying his time with his fellow teammates. The late afternoon sun provided a cool shot of our star in the dugout.

(Ed note: We are trying out the new Facebook feature of a "like" button on every post now. Click it to share these posts with your friends and family. Thanks. )

Sunset Painting

2010-04-19T21:23:00.002-05:00

Farewell from the picturesque mountains of Scottsdale. Another great Spring Break with Gram and G-Pop. Let's do it again next year.

As High As The Sky

2010-04-14T21:38:00.000-05:00

In our triple activity day here at Cracker Jax (mini-golf and go karts preceded this) our final stop was the bungee jump. Dad was pretty convinced that Ty wouldn't go for it, but he insisted and away we went.

Strapped into the harness, Ty bounced way into the air off a trampoline below. He didn't want to do any acrobatic somersaults this time around, but he had tons of fun getting some good hang-time.

Uh Oh, Better Get Maaco

2010-04-12T20:46:00.000-05:00

This car was brand new when Ty began his race around the track. Not really, but Ty did manage to scrape the sides a few times cutting corners as he sped through the laps to finish ahead of the other kids.

Ace In The Hole

2010-04-10T20:13:00.001-05:00

We took a morning outing again to our favorite mini-golf game park location in Scottsdale: CrackerJax. Ty led our group with his superior skills and managed to secure the only hole-in-one among us. Here he poses gleefully after that incredible feat.

Desert Mountain Deja Vu

2010-04-06T20:53:00.004-05:00

Top: 2007. Bottom: 2010.

Desert Oasis

2010-04-04T17:45:00.003-05:00

After hitting the two downtown museums in Phoenix it was time for lunch. We asked someone at the Childrens museum for a suggestion within walking distance. A few blocks later we saw a row of palm trees that led between some buildings and found an amazing park/shopping center. It is incredible that places like this exist in down-towns and this one so well maintained and laid out.

For those that want the travel tip, it's called Arizona Center and you can follow the link for more information.

Facial Distortions

2010-04-03T11:43:00.002-05:00

Do not adjust your monitors. The picture to the right is real. Our little scientist was manipulating his image on a Photoshop-like display at the Arizona Science Center.

We spent a few hours in this very cool hands-on museum with Gram and G-Pop during our Spring Break week in Phoenix/Scottsdale. Ty learned about light and sound, watched a great demo on air pressure, and hoisted his own weight using a pulley system.

We recommend this museum to any families who might be traveling to that city in the near future. In fact we found it more fun than the Children's Museum just down the street.

(editor note: Dad has gotten his hard drive fully recovered and will catch up quickly over the next few days with pictures and stories from our vacation)

Tiger Cubs

2010-03-31T21:31:00.002-05:00

We signed Ty up this season for a great program that helps support the local high school baseball team. They pair the players up with a few kids and it allows them to learn about each other and the younger players get to participate in some on field activities at home games. According to the coach, some of the current high school players were once Tiger cubs themselves.

Last night we went to our first game for the Stony Point Tigers and Ty wore his special shirt that gets him into the games and recognizes his status. Our player is Matt, a junior, who wears #17. He stood with Ty and the other kids along the 3rd base line while the national anthem played before the game. He told Matt all about his t-ball team and how well he has been playing this season.

Ty then joined me back in the stands. We stayed for a few innings and munched on hot dogs on a nice warm Texas spring evening.

Techical Glitch - Be Back Soon

2010-03-28T21:28:00.001-05:00

Fans: One of Dad's hard drives crashed with the latest Ty pics. Attempting to get files recovered. Will return shortly with new images and stories.

Thanks!

SXSW - The Lego Pile

2010-03-22T21:42:00.002-05:00

For those of our readers who live around Austin, or venture to our city for SXSW, you know where this place is in the photo. It may move slightly around the convention center, but the pile of Legos is a staple of the SXSWi conference.

We had a late afternoon flight for our trip to Scottsdale on Spring Break, so I surprised Ty with a visit downtown to this notorious spot. We spent almost an hour where Ty made several creations and added them to the display window which features random works of art created by passing attendees.

It was a gorgeous day in Austin that afternoon and we followed it up with dining alfresco at the downtown burger stand just across from the ACC.

Legos, burgers and thousands of nerds. Keep Austin Weird!

Back on the Diamond

2010-03-14T21:52:00.002-05:00

Spring has arrived in Texas and it's time for baseball. Ty joins back up into the Round Rock Youth Baseball League as a member of the powerhouse 6U Astros. He is very excited that one of his classmates is on the team.

These were shot at the opening ceremonies held recently.

Mad Scientists

2010-03-09T20:33:00.003-06:00

Ty and his friend Josh had some fun experimenting with sponge capsules recently. The giggled as the little capsules slowly popped open to reveal space themed tiny sponges. Later we stuck them all up on the mirror where they remain as part of his decor now.

Cat Nap

2010-03-03T19:52:00.003-06:00

Our poor little hero was home from school today. He caught a 24 hour stomach virus going around school. Dad stayed home with him and gradually got him back to the energetic and happy little six year old we all know and love.

This shot was snapped midday before lunch as Ty crashed on the couch while I worked nearby on my laptop.

Snow Day - The Next Day

2010-02-28T20:27:00.003-06:00

School was delayed for two hours the following morning. Since we don't really have plows or sand trucks in this town they did that just in case the roads were icy, but they weren't. It allowed us a sleep in and a chance to see the snow again in the sunshine. Amazingly there was still some around and Ty made a few more snowballs.

If you look carefully in the background of the photo you can see a girl working on a snowman that is nearly as tall as she is!

Snow Day - Part Two

2010-02-24T20:11:00.003-06:00

When Ty got home from school, there was lots of wet snow covering the lawn. The perfect kind for snowballs and snowmen. He dug right in and made some nice snow bombs that he tossed around the yard. Many of our neighbors built some creative snowmen that were still standing the following day.

This was truly an "event" for Austin.

Snow Day

2010-02-23T15:15:00.002-06:00

Ty's kindergarten class today at school. His teacher sent us the photo. As of 3pm we had almost an inch of snow here in Round Rock. Fun stuff and certainly a day the kids will talk about for a long time.

RC Action

2010-02-22T20:48:00.002-06:00

We finally get a nice Spring like day in Texas and everyone runs outside to take advantage of it. This gave Ty a chance to shake the dust off the engine and take his remote control car out for a spin in the neighborhood.

Guitar Hero

2010-02-16T20:19:00.004-06:00

After swim lessons this week (where Ty passed another station milestone) we enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Waterloo Icehouse. Apparently they were celebrating their third anniversary at that location and had some activities going on including face painting.

Ty thought long and hard about his choice. He picked a guitar which was not so easy to apply, but the artist did a decent job. First shot in progress is from my camera phone and the second is home with the better camera. Minutes after the second shot, the artwork fell victim to shower time. But it is preserved here for all in posterity.

Super Party

2010-02-09T20:51:00.003-06:00

We had a great crowd on hand for our annual Super Bowl party this past Sunday. Ty and I hosted twenty six (that's right 2-6) people at our house. Ty was super excited not about the game, but that one of his favorite classmates Jenna was coming over. In fact Jenna's Mom brought this amazing cake to the party (homemade, not from a store) featuring the end-zones with the teams and little bears decorated with the team colors. It was delicious.

The kids mostly stayed in Ty's room and watched alternate programming (Wall-E) while the grownups watched the game. But everyone enjoyed burgers and dogs cooked on the grill even though the weather was too cold to sit outside on the patio. Overall another successful bash.

But next year the Big Game comes to Texas and we hope to be in the stadium instead of watching it at home. Stay tuned to see if that works out.

Pre-SXSW @Gowalla Meetup

2010-01-27T20:59:00.003-06:00

So this post sounds more like a Dad thing than a Ty thing. Well sort of. Dad plays this fun location based icon gathering game on his iPhone called Gowalla. It just happens to be made by a team here in Austin. So when we heard there was going to be a small gathering of the local "fans" we dropped in for a visit. (See this special icon)

Ty and I went down to the Dog & Duck Pub and met some of the folks who actually build and market the game (like Sandi and Jon) as well as some avid players. Ty sat quietly and munched on a cheeseburger and fries while the group chatted about the game and upcoming features.

If you have never heard of it or are curious, I suggest you check it out. We also got to see the real Gowallamobile and got some stickers for Ty and a shirt for Dad (Thanks again Jon).

Center of Attention

2010-01-23T19:04:00.003-06:00

Here sits Ty on a famous sculpture in front of Barton Springs Pool called Philosophers' Rock. He insisted that he climb up there alone, but finally conceded to a boost because the metal was quite slippery. Do you think the men will notice him sitting there, or are they too engrossed in their own conversations?