Visitors Come to Visit

Because this past weekend was Thomas' big "half-birthday" I wanted to recognize that and post about the mini-mile stone. But we also had a busy house this weekend. Friday after Thomas and I picked up Jenn from work, we received a call from Auntie Allison that Uncle Jack would be stopping in Phoenix for the night because Texas was having some big thunder storms. So we piled into the car and drove down to the Mesa airport to meet Uncle Jack as he hopped out of his jet. I have to be honest and say that I didn't really think I would be that impressed, but I honestly was. I was like, "Wow, that's a cool jet!", and Uncle Jack, being Uncle Jack merely said, "Yeah thanks."

Obviously we have been kicking ourselves because our camera broke and so we were only to have beautiful memories of the jet, and watching Jenn and Gramma Katie climbing up into the jet and checking out all the buttons and stuff.

Since we didn't have a camera of Tom and Jack with the jet I took it upon myself to recreate the image. Here we assume Jack has just handed over the controls to Thomas, and...

Obviously Jenn and I need to stop by a store tonight and pick up a new camera.

Until then, here are some pictures from Saturday morning before Jack left back to Texas, and we hope he'll have more chances in the future to stop in Phoenix because Thomas only has 3 Uncles and he loves'em all. Maybe when he starts talking he'll tell us all who his favorite is, and his favorite Uncle is still a chump when compared to his Dad.

So after taking Uncle Jack back to his jet we had a relaxing day of cleaning the house, which I don't have any pictures from... sorry blog readers. Then Saturday afternoon we went over for a birthday-pool party at our friends Ben & Kelly's house. Thomas was splashing and good times were had by all.

Sunday was spent waking up, going to church and then breakfast. Breakfast had the usual people, Gramma Katie, Uncle Mundo, Rachel and two surprise guests, Tia Leia and Gabriel. After breakfast Leia, Gabriel, Jenn, Thomas and I went down to the Phoenix Science Center where they were having a Lego exhibit. It was pretty awesome, here are some pictures from that outing!

This photo is at breakfast, guess which of us is trying to be grumpy?
Here is Thomas sitting in a high-chair (with some help from the diaper bag).

Outside the science center.

While waiting in line for tickets, Gabriel makes Thomas smile by giving him tickles.
Gabriel loved this catapult game, he kept playing it over and over and over.

Here we are with a life-size Lego Knight, pretty cool.

Jenn takes a photo with a Lego Dragon, scary.
These next few are of Jenn and Leia preparing and then jousting.. pretty intense!

Gabriel checking out some giant Legos.
Enter the Lego Castle...
Thomas thought it was all fun stuff.

Taking our picture sitting on the throne.

Look out, our new house might get decorated this way?

This was a shadow game where little pebbles would fall onto your shadow...
It was all much funnier while we took the pictures.
Me and Gabriel throw sponge balls up a nose... and then the nose sneezes and shoots them back out.

Of course by the end of the Science Center we were all really tired and worn out, because when you build a science center and fill it with fun interactive things for kids to try out, they are just running around and going crazy! Good times though, I would recommend the joint.

Sunday afternoon was a little more relaxed, our super good friend Mrs. Clagett was in town with her work, and so we got to have her come over for dinner. It is always fun to see people visit Arizona from other parts of the country (Maryland) because there is so much heat here in the summer, and although other parts of the country get hot, they don't get 114 degrees hot the way Arizona does. But Mrs. Clagett enjoyed seeing us and especially Thomas, they both seemed to enjoy each others company. Thomas was really amazed at everything Mrs. Clagett did, and I believe it's because Mrs. Clagett is just such an interesting and fun lady! Here are a couple pictures from dinner.

Lastly I have details from Thomas' 6-month doctors visit. I am aware that some blog readers aren't too concerned with Thomas' weight and height, but I'm also aware that some people are, and if there was a Thomas fan club, then they would be members... maybe I should start a club? We'll think about that one; but here are those stats:

Weight- 19 lbs

Height- 28.8 inches

Head Circ.- 18 inches

6 Months Already?!?!

Guess what the difference is between January and July? That's right, half a year! (You didn't think the answer was weather did you?)

6 Months ago Jenn and I were having our lives changed forever, and now we see that little "life changer" rolling around and smiling and making noises and being the cutest little "life changer". We're just so absolutely in love with Thomas and just love every minute we've had with him in our lives.

Below are some pictures that you have probably seen before but they might seem a little different when you see them all next to one another.

January 11th, Thomas' day of birth (still had that 'new-baby' smell).

February, both eyes open and looking around.

March, time to travel (the month is named after a style of movement).

April, getting in-touch with our big family tree.

May, was way better than OK!

June, is time to pose and keep us falling in love with you.

July 11th, is your first half-birthday!

We're so proud that you're taking age like the cool guy you are.

These first 6 months have been beautiful and wonderful and everyone under this house has been growing in ways I still can't seem to believe. I hope and pray that this half year is a preview of the many-many years we have to look forward to, and just remember...

What's the difference between January 2009 and January 2010? Birthday cake! Trust me, we can't wait!

Happy Birthday America

Jenn, Thomas and I all feel tired and happy from our exciting fourth of July weekend. Jenn especially was excited about having that July 3rd (Friday) off from work, and I was excited because it was a homework free weekend (my summer classes just ended). Because we live here in the wonderful state of Arizona it was way into the 100 degree mark for most of the weekend, but also living here, you sort of get used to hot crazy weather.

Since Jenn was off on Friday, we decided to go to a water park. The Hache family had been before and so we all went again (we had the Vernors, Peraltas, Haches, and Gramma Katie), and it was a busy, but very fun place. It wasn't a huge water park that you might think of, but rather a community pool/water park, which I liked more, because they had a kids section and some water slides, and a little lazy river, and some diving boards; I mean what else would you ever need?

What could Thomas be looking at?

Wow, Daddy is A-mazing!

Too bad, I almost biffed it on this one, woops.

As long as the audience is smiling, that's all that matters.

As fun as the water park was, it was also very exhausting, and so the rest of the day was spent napping and resting. But Saturday was the 'big' day, and we woke and make some breakfast, and Jenn made a cole slaw salad, and we headed over to Rachel and Anthony's house. We were jumping around in the pool, and playing some video games, and we had a lot of fun with all those people I named before. We ate hot dogs and hamburgers and when the sun went down... we started watching that Twilight Zone marathon on TV. But then, we went outside and lit some fireworks. Last year (some time in the summer), Jenn and I bought a package of fireworks, and so we opened that package up, and started lighting those fusses! We had sparklers and those... other ones, and that one that is like - ya know; it was fun times with fireworks!

This is Don, Leia, Antonio, Tony and Jenn playing the tooth pick game. Contestants look away from the pool, as someone throws in a single tooth pick. And then...

The contestants, begin moving around pool looking for tooth pick, and person who grabs it first is the winner.

As many family and friends can tell from this photo, the rumor that Don walks on water is... TRUE! Just kidding, I love you Jesus. Seriously though, I jumped off the diving board and this is me about to enter the water.

Melynda took these photos of Thomas, and it was funny seeing her kids (Gabriel and Kiera), look at each other with this look of, "Who is she giving attention too?"

Thomas is holding his head very well, and enjoys being on his belly. He hasn't masters crawling yet, but is able to push himself backwards... meaning he won't grab that pacifier.

But as you can see we all love to just sit around and watch his every move.

Sunday was our typical day of church, breakfast and then more hanging out. We had a chance to visit with the Crutcher/Stewart family in the afternoon, and Thomas was able to play with cousin Hayden which is always a hoot! I'm pretty confident that if you're having a rough day and then you hang out with two cute little babies, your day will brighten right up!

We took these photos Sunday afternoon, because Thomas and Daddy had similar outfits on, but we only got these two photos and then our camera was like, "I'm done with this, later-". Also our apologizes about lack of photos, we are in the middle of some technical difficulties with our camera, and so most of the photos from today's blog were courtesy of Melynda. Check out more photos HERE, and if I'm able to get some more photos from Tia Leia's camera in the next couple days, I'll post those too.

Pool Play, Remember?

So this week has been pretty normal for all of us here, Jenn is doing her normal work. Thomas has been continuing to grow like a weed. His two bottom teeth are coming in more and more, and he's rolling around whenever we put him down. I've been busy wrapping up these two summer courses, they end today (thank God)! We are all excited for this weekend, and to celebrate the fourth with family and friends, so hopefully next week I will have some good stories and pictures from the weekend.

Until then, I wanted to share some older pictures with you all. Back in May, Thomas went swimming for the first time, and Cousin Stephanie took some pictures. I just got her pictures and thought I'd share them with everybody. The water temperature back in May was a little cooler than it is now in July (obviously), but Thomas and I still had a good time getting wet. Enjoy the photos!

Pool in May