Christian's birthday... on a boat!

Dinner, dancing, and tons of fun!

Back to school 2011

{{Dylan's birthday pictures are MIA... they will be posted once they are found. *crossing fingers they are found* }}

Halloween fun!

This year we had, an alien, ghost, a friendly witch,

and last but certainly not least Yoda. :)

Dylan earned his Wolf badge, in cub scouts. Way to go, bud!!

At an appointment in early Nov. we've discovered that Kalaya's vision isn't great. What's even worse we were told the part of her brain controlling her left eye, is beginning to shut down. So we were pretty devastated, but they say with patch therapy and prescription eyeglasses, we may be able to stop it and even regain some of the vision lost. They say it could take up to a year of 'therapy.' She goes in this week for her first check up (it's been two months). We are hoping to see some marked improvement.

She is such a trooper, making sure to where her patch and glasses every day.

Dylan's first science project! He chose the 'other' option, and created his own project. It was Wheel of Fortune with a space twist. He called it Star of Fortune. He did so great! and even earned an A+!!!

CHRISTMAS 2011!!!

Okay, so we are once again caught up. Let's hope this time it lasts. But can you really blame me? I have four kids... when do I have time to BLOG! hahaha

Our Journey begins...

On the 3-day trip out to Montana, we decided to stop at Mt. Rushmore, seeing as we've traveled across the country many times now with never having seen it. It was a quick visit, just long enough for a walk around the museum, a few pictures, and a small hike up the hill. Short, but definitely worth the extra time it took. Not only was it neat to see up close, but to learn how it was actually made...woah, unbelieveable!

*click on collage to enlarge*

Montana

We traveled to Montana for my beautiful baby sister's graduation.

We sure loved seeing our grandparents, and especially my awesome Uncles, whom I hadn't seen in years. And it was so great to FINALLY meet my future sister-in-law Nenetzi. She's awesome by the way! But did you really expect anything less for my equally awesome brother? I already can't wait for next June, to make another trip out for a... WEDDING!!!

Idaho

After Montana we traveled to Idaho to visit more family. We had Rylan blessed while we were there. Thanks to all Dwight's family for traveling and making the time to get together, it was so great to see everyone.

Swimming Lessons

As soon as we got home the kid's started swimming lessons.

Can you tell they had a blast?

Fun Festival

We had tons of fun going to the annual Fun Festival. We met up with some friends, and had a blast. The fun included pony rides, bounce houses, a hilarious juggler, balloon animals, face painting, and holding live lizards. All in all it couldn't have been better, especially since it was all FREE.

Summer has been jam packed with family, friends, and lots of fun! We've sure been blessed to have seen and visited with so many people we love this summer. Unfortunately, there are still so many people we weren't able to visit. We wish we could see everyone so much more often than we do. We just hope you know, that regardless the distance and time between us, you are always in our hearts. We love you, and hope you had a great summer as well.

Love, The Thomas'

It's a BOY!!!

Introducing...

Rylan Dwight Thomas

April 23, 2011

7:17 pm

7 lbs 15 oz

22 inches

Chubby cheeks

Just 3 weeks left!

Just look at those chubby cheeks. So cute!

Can't wait!!!

Valentine's, bball, nerds, cake and more... :)

For Valentine's Day, my sweet hubby surprised me with a romantic dinner at the top of the John Hancock building. For those of you who don't know, the John Hancock bldg is the 4th tallest bldg in Chicago (6th in the nation), with 100 stories. The restaurant is located on the 95th floor. My ears popped during the elevator rides. :) The food was good, and surprisingly low priced (paying for parking is what kills ya!). We had a great time!! Thanks hon!!

At this years Cub Scout Blue & Gold Banquet, the boys had to make a cake with their Dads. Mom's were not allowed to assist in any way. Dylan chose to make his cake into a pinewood derby race car. Never having had made (or decorated) a cake before, I think they did a fabulous job!

This year the boys played basketball. We were fortunate they were picked for the same team "the Bulls". They had a great coach who taught them well, and made it really fun for them. At the end of the season, the whole team (and their familes) were able to go to a DePaul Blue Demons basketball game (in a suite packed with food and other goodies). They had a blast and already can't wait until next season.

Last week they had 'NERD DAY' at school. I can't begin to explain how excited my boys were to dress up as nerds. And I'll admit it, I had fun plastering their hair to their heads. Dylan even had big black glasses (minus the lenses) to top off his look. It was great! Also, he came up with the whole sticking out his top front teeth on his own. :) If I do say so myself, they are the two cutest nerds I've ever seen.

I just celebrated my 31st birthday, and had to show off my delicious cake. I must have been in a fruity mood because it's a lemon layer cake (dyed green for St. Patrick's day, of course) with whip cream and strawberries in the middle, and finally iced with lemon frosting and topped with fresh strawberries. It was then joined with yummy Orange Sherbet. It was soooooooo good!!!! I feel like making a few of you drool, so here are the pics.

I loved the way it looked with the strawberries on top of the cake, but they kept slipping off down the sides of the cake. So below is the cake we ended up with.

Since I'm in full blown nesting mode (only 5 weeks left, wahoo!), I've been having fun with my sewing machine. Here are a few pics from my latest projects, a car seat cover, and a nursing cover.

Of course we had to leave the car seat cover gender neutral. Once the baby arrives, I'll embellish it with a few (blue or pink) flowers, buttons, or ribbons... maybe I'll post more pics then.

With each project I attempt, I get a little bit better. And I have to say I'm quite pleased with these two. Not bad for being self taught. I consider me and my sewing machine 'frenemies', but every once in awhile we knock it out of the park. :)

in a nutshell...

On October 23rd, 2010. We had the pleasure of watching our oldest child, Dylan, choose to follow his Savior's example, and enter the waters of baptism. I must admit the day was slightly tainted with my own thoughts of, "When, exactly, did I get old enough to have a child this big?" But seriously, we could not possibly be more proud of Dylan, and his decision to be baptized. He is such a great kid, and becoming an amazing young man. Thank you, Dylan , for your example to your younger brother and sister. We love you!!!

We were lucky to share this special day with family and friends. Thank you all for your support of Dylan.

While Grandma and Grandpa Thomas were here, we had the chance to play 'Capture the Flag" with them - Grandpa was quite the champ. Afterwards the kids got to play dress up with Grandma's special bandanas.

While all our folks were in town. Dwight thought it would a great opportunity to re-insulate our attic. Sorry, I didn't take any of the attic itself. But here's Dwight after all his hard work. Thanks also to our Dads, and to the most important helpers ever, Dylan and Christian. You guys are awesome!!

Here are the kids all dressed up for Halloween. Dylan-a ninja (again). Christian-Captain Jack Sparrow. Kalaya- a Renaissance princess. You may have heard from facebook, of our pumpkin incident. When about an hour after carving our pumpkins some punk kids came and smashed our pumpkins. The kid's were devastated - especially when this year they made the fancy cut out kind. Anyway, the next morning I ran out to buy new pumpkins, and we had to re-carve them all. We hadn't even taken a picture of the pumpkins before they were smashed. The pics below were the second batch. But the kids did great, didn't they?!

These are my favorite pics from Christmas. My kid's have such individual personalities.

And finally here is a current family photo. We'll be getting some professionally done once the baby gets here. But for now, here we are. :)