Why I Love My Crocs

Mowing the lawn. Yes your feet get dirty and covered in grass. But you just hose them (and your feet) off and now you are clean and cool. It sure beats keeping an old pair of stained green, smelly, too tight tennis shoes that no longer have half the sole.

Mr Mom

Kerry is away this weekend leaving me with the 3 kids. She left on Thursday evening for some much needed time away with her mom and sisters.

So far so good.

On the way home from the airport we had to stop at two different fast-food restaurants. Caden wouldn't touch any of the food we got at Taco Bueno, so we had to stop at Chick Filet for some nuggest. That worked out well because we went inside and played in the play area while the horrible traffic subsided. The playground area was overrun with kids going nuts. Big kids were swinging on the outside of the equipment and jumping from the equipment to the couches. He shows no fear, but I soon got worried for Caden's life.

Friday morning we got up at the normal time and got Madison to school with no problem. A quick trip to Walmart followed, and then a stop at the Park. In no time we were eating lunch and Caden was down for a nap. The day was half over. After picking Madison up from school, we rented a few movies so the kids could have a special movie night. But of course they couldn't wait to watch the movies so we had movie afternoon. Madison camped out on the computer watching hers, and Collin watched his from the couch. As is typical we played outside after dinner with several of the neighborhood kids.

Madison rented Sky Dancers, so all night and this morning she has been putting on her little wings, fixing a cape for Collin, and they run around dancing and pretending to be super heroes. I overheard them picking out super powers. I think one of them can make thunderstorms. I'm not sure about the other.

It's now Saturday morning and we are about to get ready and go to the mall...

About My Work

We just had a project open that represents some of the unique ways we work and bring value to our clients. We are always looking to stay ahead of the curve and venture into areas that will separate us from our competition.

Watermark Church is a rapidly growing church here in Dallas. They have been meeting in a High School for a number of years. They bought an office tower a couple of years ago and began renovating it floor by floor. Recently they opened their first auditorium that seats 2400. It is a temporary auditorium that will serve them for several years while they work on a 3400 seat sanctuary.

Our first work was to help them with the auditorium design. The architects had outlined a rough footprint, and we developed the core room concept. Following was one of our initial renderings.





As the design progressed, we helped the design team with 3D coordination of the mechanical ductworks, technical elements, structure, and the ceiling. The ceiling is often the trickiest part of a sanctuary that has a lot of technology because there are so many items that are fighting for space. This was one of our renderings (without the ceiling).




We worked with the design team on the acoustics of the space, and assisted the church and the AV Contractor with technical systems.

Near the end of the project, they hired us to help them develop what the stage might look like if they added some scenic elements. Unfortunately this work started too late in the process and won't be implemented, but the images are great.



Finally, a picture from their opening service.

Labor Day Weekend

We had lots of fun this past weekend. On Friday we celebrated my birthday (just the family, including my parents).

Saturday evening Kerry took Madison and Collin to play put-put with some friends from the neighborhood. Collin got a hole in one. They also went to the batting cages, but no-one had any luck. This was probably due to the fact that they were in one of the baseball cages. Kerry thought it would be easier/better since the balls are smaller. Wouldn't want the kids to get hurt by one of the bigger, slower moving softballs.

On Sunday we went to Church like normal. That afternoon we had Mike, Holleigh, Louis, Kristy, and all the kids over. We setup an inflatable waterslide in the backyard. The kids had a ball. Caden couldn't climb up the slide, so I had to fling him down the length of the slide. He loved it.

I grilled out fajitas and we all ate ice cream cake.

On Monday we went to an aquatic park. They had several pools, a large slide, a small slide, and a bunch of stuff to climb on, spray, and get wet with. Madison and Collin both loved the big waterslide, which was kind of scary since it was completely enclosed (ie dark). Madison jumped off the diving board for the first time. We stayed until the kids were played out.

Then back to work...

Happy Birthday to Me

36 and counting...

My parents came down Friday and Saturday for my birthday. Mom made my favorite cake - carrot cake. On Sunday we had friends over to celebrate. We finished the carrot cake just in time to dive into the ice cream cake (mint chocolate chip).