Merry Christmas!

Hey everyone!

Seasons greetings, we hope this post finds you well. I expect everyone is probably busy shopping, making cookies and finishing up with all of the decorations at this point. We've been busy too! The house is decorated; we put up the tree and wrapped all our presents. Phil is in the process of creating a Christmas letter to mail out. Knowing how much he loves to wait until the last minute, you can probably expect it sometime around New Years. I've posted some photos of Thomas and a picture of our tree below. Tommy's eight months old now, can you believe it!? He's working on his top teeth and begining to stand up and waddle around (with assistance from the coffee table, couch, crib and anything he can get his hands on). Phil just started training for a Supervisor position at his work and has earned Sophmore status at school. I've been busy keeping up with the little one and working on the weekends. It's been a busy couple of months, but what's new? Anyway, I'm sure either Phil or I will be updating the blog again soon. Until then, have a merry Christmas! We love you all.

Tommy's First Foods, My Birthday, and Halloween Fun!

Hey everyone! I know it has been forever, but I've finally managed to find the time to post some more pictures and information. Things have been crazy around here! Phil is going to school full time and working full time; I'm working on the weekends and trying to keep up with little guy the rest of the time; and all the while we still manage to do the dishes and mow the lawn. We're miracle workers if you ask me :D

So, in the last 3 months a lot has happened. Thomas has his first tooth! His outer left mandibular incisor...in case you were wondering. He is also sitting all by himself, scooting across the floor, and mastering the art of a sippy cup.

October was full of activities. We tried on our two costume choices (Phil and I bought the pumpkin suit last year, before Thomas was even born), carved pumpkins, and celebrated my birthday. I've posted pictures below of Tommy's adventures in solid food, as well as various pictures taken throughout the last month or so...enjoy!

Busted trying to snatch my cinammon roll up while I was away...look at that guilty expression!

He really likes carrots!

For my birthday I went to the Anniversary Inn with Phil. It's a luxury hotel with themed suites. This picture was taken in the Romeo and Juliet suite. We were participating in a murder mystery game! It was a blast-Phil ended up being the murderer in the end.

That's one good looking muderer! :D

We stayed in the Red Rock Canyon suite. It was amazing!

Needless to say...it was VERY relaxing!

BACK TO BEING MOM AND DAD

This, is Thomas.

This, is Thomas and his giant pumpkin.



This, is me carving the pumpkin.



And...this is Thomas trying to eat the pumpkin!

Speaking of pumpkins...

We bought the pumpkin costume last october and Thomas barely fits into it. So we decided to go with my sister Danielle's gift, a dalmation costume.

That's all for now, I'll be sure to post more soon.

Tommy Time!

Below is a huge amount of photos to check out. Thomas is 12-13 weeks in these photos. He's now teething, and making every day an adveture. He's working on sitting up, and has fully mastered the art of eye contact. Here you go!

Thomas' first 4th of July!

So...Thomas wasn't the happiest baby today, but with a good photographic eye, we managed to find a few happy moments and capture them.

Okay, so maybe you wouldn't call them "happy" moments...perhaps "content" is better.

We spent the afternoon at Oma's playing catch with her wild beast.

Phil had to work through the evening, but made it home just in time to light the fireworks! Here he is back when he had ten fingers, and both his eyebrows...!

Phil's sister Emily joined us in the festivities!

I'm not sure if it was the lights and sounds, or his momma's laughter, but by the end of the night he was smiling away.

The Best Father's Day Gift I've Ever Received!

My amazing wife bought me a new television for Father's Day. A 36 inch wide screen HDTV! I thanked her by spending the afternoon watching t.v. with Thomas while she did all the packing for the move!

Movin' On Up

The first step to achieving the two point five kids, American dream is the white picket fence. Although this house doesn't have a white picket fence, it does have beautiful landscaping and three bedrooms.
We haven't moved in yet... In fact, we're still waiting for our offer to be approved, but it's already home to us. The interior is as beautiful as the outside and I'm looking forward to putting my personal style into every room. The biggest dilemma right now is what to do with the third bedroom. Guest room, exercise room, or Man Cave?

The New Addition

It is said that childbirth is the most painful thing a woman could ever experience; that pregnancy is a long, exhausting and uncomfortable nine months. Well, I have a confession... It's all a lie. A lie that new parents, together, have conspired to spread.

Parenthood is a secret club with rules that require you to exaggerate the minor woes of life. You regale tales of swollen feet, uncontrollable emotions, and the unending hours of excruciating labor. The truth is that pregnancy is uneventful, but exciting, and labor is more nervous tension than pain.

One of the rules of said club is not to divulge the truth of parental bliss, but I've never been one for clubs. I've learned that if you deny the unpleasant aspects, and talk about the glow of pregnancy and the ease of delivery, then you receive disgruntled looks and silent grumblings from other new parents.

Little Thomas Daniel, born April 16th, has been a wondrous and incredible addition to our family. Though sleep still eludes us, the days are humorous and entertaining. Thomas is growing quickly and he discovers something new everyday. With an easy pregnancy and smooth delivery, it is believed that our little angel will prove to be one hell of a toddler... or teenager. I can't wait.

Phil and Sam - The Wedding

We could say something cliche about the wedding like how special and beautiful it was...and we'd be telling the truth. It was terrific, but what really made it fun and unique was the group of attendees. There was Davis and Brad's failed attempt at laying the aisle runner while we all watched on in awkward hilarity as the organist tried her best to stretch "Here Comes the Bride" into a 10 minute symphony. Even better was the best man, Brandon, and his drunken speech that felt like a scene from a movie. I guess it's no surprise that when you mix a large group of people, with alcohol, uncomfortable clothes, and pressure to perform a task in front of a family to which they don't belong...there are bound to be a few slips of the tongue, one or two awkward moments, and maybe a giant plastic runner violently flying through the pews of a quaint 19th century chapel. Nevertheless, we were very pleased with how the day turned out, it was a blast.