Sunday, May 25, 2008

California... here we come! :)

My week in California was fabulous... I didn't realize how much I needed a vacation until I was halfway through the trip... I'll post more later, but here's some highlights in pictures!
We ate...
We cooked...
We destroyed...


We relaxed...


We made new friends...


Reconnected and spent time with cherished old friends...
We climbed a mountain...


We played...
And we basked in God's Glory...

And on our last day found out what "thrifty" means in California...



More to come later...

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Brother Matt

Clint forgot a member of the family.
Brother Matt must be added.
Revolt.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

A Tale of Two Taters...

After looking over all the other amazing posts, I felt it just might be time to put something up for me. This is a post that will talk about baseball, potatoes, and messy rooms... hope you enjoy it?

First let's start with some baseball. Last Sunday, a group of friends and I ventured out to the great Ballpark in Arlington, and watched the Rangers vs the Kansas City Royals (Sorry I meant Minnesota Twins!). The Rangers were not only victorious over the Twins with a 10-0 win! AMAZING! Here are some pics... the rest will be on facebook!

My favorite player, second baseman, Ian Kinsler!




And an awesome looking pitch! He's the pitcher with the shut out!





Here comes the Potatoes! As some of you know... I already owned a Mr. Potato Head who looks like R2-D2 from Star Wars...
R2-D2









But after a great afternoon at TARGET... here came the latest addition...
Indiana Jones! or Idaho Spuds as the box said!
The best part is.... His hat plays the theme song!!
So if you ever happen to find a cool looking Mr. Potato Head... just think of me!





I know this blog didn't have a lot of text in it... but they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I just posted 4 pictures, so I just wrote 4,000+ words. More pictures and words to come as I clean out my room and move from Denton back to Ft. Worth. The pictures might be too gruesome for some....
I hope ya'll are having a great week and I'm excited for Baby Simpson!!

~Ashleigh

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

TOMs-Shoes for Tomorrow.


I met one of the most inspiring people i've ever met tonight and at the same time saw God tell a funny story to mankind. Who do you know that can cure a disease with a shoe? Tonight I met a guy that God enabled to do just that.


His name is Blake Mycoskie and tonight a documentary about his company debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival which Grant (via a friend of the family who knows Blake-Blake actually made a guest appearance at Grant's 13th birthday party, he was on the Amazing Race) got us tickets to. Anyway, Blake created a company called TOMs. TOMs is a company that makes shoes, but for each pair of shoes it sells it donate a pair to a child in need.


Now, the story in itself is interesting. A guy who really didn't know much about business went on the Amazing Race and saw a lot of people without shoes and wanted to change that. In fact, he even took the shoes off of his feet and gave it to a man he met along the way, running the rest of his day without them. This ordinary guy started a company that sold 10,000 shoes its first year, 50,000 in the next, and 200,000 in its third year. He has donated 260,000 pairs of shoes to children in need. Next year they head to Ethiopia where they are attempting to eradicate a disease. With some profits from the shoes, they will buy antibiotics. Shoes themselves will remove the leading cause of the disease. I don't know the exact name of the disease, i'll google it later, but I have yet to get to the best part of the story.


So to recap, thus far we have an ordinary man who went on a reality t.v. show and was inspired to give shoes to the world. This man with no prior experience was able to start a huge company. As his documentary debuted at the film festival I watched as he modestly talked about his company. Thus far I think he's a pretty cool guy and i'm inspired by his work, but it wasn't until afterward that I really decided I liked him. There was a Q and A session with the directors after the films. Someone asked him what the key to success. was He answered that we would have to ask God. Afterward I heard him talking to two people from Texas (not us) who had asked him if he was religious. He is one of the most friendly men I have ever met and I feel like I gained something out of just meeting him for a few moments-maybe its inspiration?


So there you have it. God took an ordinary guy, inspired him, blessed his business, and used a documentary to spread his word. He's using shoes to cure a disease. Not only that, but he's helping thousands of his children along the way. I thought you all might be interested. I am fully endorsing this company having personally met the man and am going to try and go on a shoe drop sometime next fall.

The website is http://www.tomsshoes.com/. I will be buying baby some.


-Kato

Monday, April 28, 2008

Family Resemblance

So we couldn't resist putting up the first baby pictures. There's text on one of them that the lab tech wrote to tell us where the head is and where the rump is. In the actual pics you can clearly see the eyes and an arm. Amazing! At this point, I think the baby looks more like me than Larissa. I mean come on! You can clearly see two eyes and one arm...that's totally me! Well hopefully as it develops it will look more like Rissa but for now this baby is definitely a chip off the old block. The pic to the right side is the baby's heartbeat. The doc said it was a good heart. I think it definitely got that from Rissa.

From here on out we won't post everyday about the baby on 'How to Tell a Gaston Story'. We don't want to flood this blog with baby, baby, baby 24/7 so we'll be posting constantly on clintand larissa.blogspot.com. I'll put a link to it on the sidebar to the right. Enjoy!
-Clint and Rissa

A Picture Documentary of Me

I'm hesitant to post after baby...it's a hard act to follow, but I don't want to study anymore so I thought I would give a picture documentary of my first year in New York. My view from my room is nice and the park is/was amazing- they're tearing it apart but is promised to be finished by the time I graduate...we'll see about that.

The first few months were spent on the soccer field. You think I kid, but literally every moment I wasn't in class was either spent on the field or eating. Then I got pneumonia and they were just spent in bed...Luckily there are NO pictures from that time period...


I had a birthday in between all of that. I didn't do anything too special, but I DID find Mexican food in NYC which is quite a treat :-D. Halloween in NYC was a new experience. It is a HUGE deal. After almost getting mobbed, we just chilled in a dorm and ate more candy than I have ever eaten in my life (of course, eating...) So soccer season ended and I came home for break...and when I went back I took my first adventure to New Hampshire and snow. It is NOT white and fluffy. Okay, its white, but it is definately not soft and cut my ankes :-( BUT I had a great time with the Navigators and am sad to say that soccer has kept me from going for a while now. But I cleared my schedule for next semester so I will definately be there! We try to fit in as many New Yorky type things as we can into our schedule without going broke...so we mostly go to Central Park. It is quite possibly one of the most beautiful places I've ever been and is definately one of the top three places to be in NYC. We also go out to as many MLB games as we possibly can. (Baby will be a Yankees fan.) Sometimes we get bored and play on the macs instead of doing our homework...but we usually get pretty good grades somehow.
Go figure.
We've also taken a few trips to SNL, and of course went ice-skating OUTDOORS which was a little trippy...but I think all of these pictures should be a start to describing the amazing year at NYU. Okay, well its almost one here and i've wasted entirely too much time posting pictures...
Perhaps some more another time...
Kato

A New Chapter in the Gaston Story

As you might able to discern from the previous post, Larissa and I are going to be parents soon. We've known for two weeks now but have pain-stakingly kept it a secret. I ended up telling our pharmacist due to medical reasons and my barber due to the fact I had to tell someone! She was elated, though she didn't cut me a break on the price of cutting my mop. Telling all of you was like Christmas for Rissa and I. We loved the look of excitement on everyone's face and the joy that we know each of you share with us. We're excited to know that we won't ever be lacking a babysitter. We're counting on all of you to pitch in with diaper duty. David you're up first! Lizzy, you're off the hook. I've seen how you clean your room, so I'm worried you won't clean the whole thing.

Our child couldn't ask for a bigger blessing than to be a part of this Gaston gang. Although the baby will carry the last name of Simpson, I'm sure it'll quickly be brainwashed by Disney, dance, soccer and Mexican food (oh, and rollercoasters - thanks Dave!) to be safely in the realm of Gaston.

At this point, Rissa is 7 weeks along. The due date, the doctors tell us, is December 12th. Rissa and I are usually running late where ever we go, so I'm guessing it might be the 13th. We have lots of projects coming up to get our house ready, so we'll be calling upon all workers to help. Once again Lizzy, don't bother signing up for 'clean up' duty. And Matt, you have like 5 jobs as it is, so you're off the hook too. The rest of you folks will be assigned according to your labor skills. Gary, I would give you management, but I think Rissa already has filled that position. You can be assistant manager or assistant to the manager (something like that, I'll let you guys work it out). David, we'll need to paint the nursery, so bring the paintball guns.

We'll make sure to keep everyone apprised on the development of this story with belly pictures (both mine and hers), work progress, and of course any prayer requests that may arise. Start those prayers now though. Once again, we want to thank everyone for their amazing responses and enthusiasm.

If you can, I think it might be fun for the baby to eventually see the reaction that you had to news of its arrival, so try to reproduce that face and post it here at the bottom. I've started the pics already (note: shock, confusion and excitement all in one facial expression). Call me if you need any help with posting pics. Should be fun. Love you guys!

-Clint (typing for two)













Sunday, April 27, 2008

Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby BabyBaby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby BabyBaby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby BabyBaby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby BabyBaby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby BabyBaby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby BabyBaby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby BabyBaby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby BabyBaby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby BabyBaby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby BabyBaby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

The Texas Rangers have been in an awful slump here lately, losing 7 games in a row. Being the proud Texans we are, Larissa and I decided at the urging of my brother, Bryan, that we would help root our lovable losers along. The night was perfect, cool but not too cool. The sky was absolutely clear and the hot dog juice was in rare aromatic form. The stage was set.

Our foes were the dreaded Twins. Let's face it...nobody really enjoys the presence of twins. Ya never know if they're using that secret talk of theirs to make fun of you. Not to mention all the time you spend figuring out which one is the evil one. Well, as it turns out, all of these Twins were evil especially when Justin Morneau stepped up with bases loaded and slapped himself a grand slam. Even though it was my first time to see a grand slam in person, it was not under the best of circumstances. The Rangers came back to tie and remained tied for quite a long time sending us into extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th, we won and the crowd went nuts!

All the players and fans started high-fiving and slapping each other on the butt. I high fived Bryan and then thought about a butt-slap for Rissa but then realized there were a lot of bats lying around that could be used against me. So a simple hug sufficed. So....... two hot dogs (jumbo), two fries, two waters, twenty-five bucks down the feedhole, a 7 game losing streak broken, a beautiful night out at the park with my bro and sis, and a butt slap opportunity wasted....man, what a night!
-Clint

ps. Make sure to snap some pictures of your own when you guys head to your games coming up! Go Rangers!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

NYU SOCCER

So I called the house to no avail but...
Today we beat Rider University (division 1 program) and tied TCNJ (finished 3rd in the nation for division three programs.) Not bad. Oh, and Grant's birthday party was actually fun. To add to stephanie's questions...
Who are you voting for in 08 and why?

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Prom! =)


I got asked to PROM!!!
I didn't think I was going to be asked, and although I kind of knew ahead of time, this was a nice surprise to see when I came back from lunch and saw my car. the best part is how Jordan spelt my name wrong! she helped Souvik do it and its just adorable! -Lizzy
p.s. I will also write later about the awesome concert I went to last night...but I must do homework, so I will update yall later, just had to get the important notices out of the way!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Its time for coaster nerd stuff!

'Ello

Here are the coaster pics you requested!



To your right, you will see the back of my head, Awesome huh? More track and supports in the 2nd photo. And the third one is a creepy scarecrow we found in a old que line of Six Flags, the thing is in this old path that no one even knows about!
Anyway, I gots to go
Enjoy the pics, more to come.
- David "The Cool One" Gaston