Christmas #3 (The LAST one!)

Our third, and final, Christmas was spent with the Asiala clan. Thomas got to spend lots of time with his cousins and even rode his BRAND NEW bike quite a bit. We are home and unpacked and enjoying the quiet, de-Christmased house. Some highlights of the final hurrah:

Getting a little help learning how to play his new game from Laura, Josh, and Daddy.

Bummed out Laura, disappointed to be losing at Candy Land.

When the parents are away, the grandparents will play...

The day after Christmas is Andrae's (Alan's sister) birthday. We celebrate by going out to dinner with the whole family. This year Roger and Mona treated us to Logan's Steakhouse. It was delicious. Afterward, we ventured out the the Santa House. The Midland Santa House is amazing. It has even been featured on HGTV! Santa had already headed back to the North Pole, but it was fun just the same.

Sitting in Santa's sleigh with his cousins - Mike, Laura, Chris, and Josh.

Christmas #2

We had a wonderful Christmas. Thomas was surprised by all of his goodies on Christmas morning. He was thrilled that Santa brought him a bike and shovel- you know, big boy stuff. He tells everyone that asks, "Santa brought me a BRAND NEW bike." Hee, hee. He has riden his bike every day since Santa brought it. A little in the garage, some at Grandma Mona and Grandpa Rogers, and even a little on our snowy driveway. I think this bike will turn out to be one of Santa's smartest deliveries. Thomas loves to ride it and I'm sure that will only increase as the weather improves.

Helping Daddy!

Christmas Extravaganza #1

We spent the past weekend celebrating Christmas with my family. We had lots of fun and Thomas got spoiled, just like we should have expected. Grandpa Dale and Grandma Pam have an adorable new puppy, Koda, that Thomas loved on a bit.

They bought him these really cool blocks. He is having a fun time trying to build the tower with all the blocks. He hasn't been successful as of yet, but I'm sure he isn't done trying.

Thomas spent lots of time cutting, stamping, and gluing paper to stuff into an envelope for Uncle Mike. As you can see, Mike was SO surprised by his paper :)

Grammy made Thomas's day with this scooter. He had a blast riding it around her basement and slept really well that night. Now that we are home, he likes to ride it around the house. Oh my.

Posing in his new Christmas pajamas from Grammy.

Nino Grande

Thomas is one BIG boy! He had a well child appointment with his pediatrician today. At 3 years, 1 month, Thomas is weighing in at 40.1 lbs and is 41.25 inches tall. He is in the 96th and 97th percentiles for weight and height, respectively. Thomas is growing and developing faster than we could have ever imagined. Dr. Green was impressed that Thomas rides a bike, can write the first 3 letters of his name, and that he potty trained himself this past summer. We are super proud of our little man and can't wait to see what is in store next. Remember this nino pequeno (small boy)? Times sure have changed!

FIRST SNOW!

Thomas was REALLY excited to play in the snow today.

We spent a bit of time outside after nap.

Thank goodness his cast is off, or this would have been a production.

A little sledding in the yard!

He REALLY wanted to make a snowman, but the snow was too fluffy.
He settled for making snow angels instead.

Sticky Situation

Thomas is REALLY into Christmas this year. What a fun age. He has been helping me wrap presents lately. He cuts the paper and helps me with the tape dispenser. Well, this is so much for him that he decided to wrap up this (empty) box last night. He did all by himself. Can you tell?

Gobble, gobble! Only a little late!

So, I'm a week late on the Thanksgiving post. Forgive me. Thomas made this turkey headband at Carol's house. We had a little fun with it at Uncle Norm and Aunt Paula's house on Thanksgiving day.

Grandpa Roger

Cousin Barb

Annoyed Alan. He has been happier...

Jason having a good time!

Aunt Paula, thanks for the yummy dinner!

Uncle Norm

Grandma Mona and Thomas

Tis the Season

We spent a bit of time transforming our house for the holidays yesterday. We put up the tree, stockings, and various other festive decorations. So, we're a little bit early you say? We wanted to enjoy the process and let Thomas have a big part in helping. We normally decorate Thanksgiving weekend, but we'll be out of town for quite a few days and didn't want to be rushed when we get back. We have a new tree this year. It is 9 feet tall and really BIG! A step stool was required, and with it Alan could just barely decorate the top.

Thomas was really excited, giddy almost, about decorating the "Chrisin" tree. He, of course, had to decorate the tree from atop the step stool. (At least his leg is already casted!) He threw a major (time-out worthy) fit when we packed up the ornament box and proclaimed the tree finished. Again this morning he asked to put on more ornaments.

High ornament concentration :)


The finished product. Thomas was performing a little ornament rearranging this morning.

Ortho Tommy

With all the doctor's visits lately, Thomas is assuming his

new profession of Orthopaedist. He wrapped puppy's leg,

checked his vitals, and posed for some

pictures - showing off their casts of course.

Still using the Tonka truck as a crib :)

Thomas is preferring to go pantless right now.
I think it's easier for him to move around.
His pants get pretty snug on top of his cast.

...the aftermath

So, for those that don't know, Thomas jumped off the couch during his birthday party and hurt his ankle. Initially, he was in a lot of pain, but starting limping around and playing with his friends after a little while. We took him in 2 days later because he was still limping- but didn't seem to be in much/any pain. They took x-rays and nothing showed up. A week and a half later he was still limping so they sent us for more x-rays. They were negative again, but showed fluid buildup in the joint. Our doctor set us up with an Orthopaedic Specialist.

We went to see the Ortho today. He was also concerned that Thomas is still limping. Dr. Dean thinks that Thomas fractured his growth plate, but that it isn't showing up on the x-ray yet. He is in a cast to protect the joint while it continues to heal. We will go back in 2 weeks for more x-rays and a re-evaluation. Thomas picked out the red cast because it matched his shirt. It is a walking cast and shouldn't limit his activities too much.

Little Nurturer

Thomas has been treating "puppy" like his baby. His beloved Tonka dump truck is temporarily serving as a crib. He takes a great deal of caution and diligence when setting up puppy's bed.

Like Mother, Like Son...

Thomas and I spent a little quality time in the kitchen this morning.

Baking chocolate chip cookies, of course. Thomas did a little beater sampling.

I wonder where he learned that!

Happy Birthday (almost) Thomas!

We celebrated Thomas's 3rd birthday yesterday with many friends and family members. Thomas had a great day, despite a couch jumping injury that sidelined him for quite a while. All is well, we think it is a bit sprained - he is still limping around today. It isn't bruised or swollen, so we aren't too concerned.

We ate, and ate, and ate mexican food that was catered by Acapulco- a restaurant by my work. However, we overestimated the need....and....we'll be eating Acapulco for a few more days now :)

Opening his fire truck couch from the Sias family. He is currently laying on it watching a movie!

Thomas opened presents as they arrived. It was a progressive event. Opening with Grandpa Dale.

Thomas, his daddy, and his grandpas.

Grandma Mona labored over this fabulous cake for Thomas. It was quite a hit!

The birthday boy!

Some of our party guests!

Trick-or-Treat

Roar!

We went into town this evening to trick-or-treat with the Ayotte's. Thomas and Jack had a great time. It was really windy and cold. But, they stayed warm in their monkey and lion suits. Gotta love Old Navy costumes.

Thomas and Alan

Jack and Troy

Beth and Brett (he was a cute little banana)