Mimi's and Gator's Visit

Well, I promised to tell you about Mimi's and Gator's visit to San Diego. Gator and my Mom went to Nevada to see my Dad graduate from his school, while I got Mimi all to myself and we went shopping. You know how Mimi loves to shop. We had a great time. I went to bed and the next morning everyone was there, even Dad. We had a great time together. We went to the park for breakfast and I got to show off my fantastic walking skills by leading the troops around.

That night, we all went to a squadron party, even me. Here I am trying to share my drink with Gator, but I don't think that is what he had in mind. A little later in the evening, Mimi and me got tired so we took a little tact nap, short for asleep but not full fledged snoring. Anyway, it was great weekend and I can't wait for them to come back.





Until my next event, Merry Christmas from Thomas and all to you. Have a great day, I certainly am. Love, Thomas

Back in Time

Guess who?

Granddad Gator got a fancy scanner for Christmas and he is now able to scan all the old slides he has and make them into digital photos.

Guess who this is?

It's my Dad at about the same age as I am right now. Notice any family resemblance?

I think I am a little better looking, got that from my Mom, and my hair is a little curlier, but the fat cheeks give it away. Here are some of my photos as proof.

I had a great time at Christmas and Gator is waiting for Mom or Dad to send him some photos so we can upload them to my blog. I hope everyone is having a great Boxing Day, at least that is what I am told they call the day after Christmas in England. I don't know what it is, but I have as much fun playing with the boxes as I do with the toys.

For everyone that sent me gifts, thank you, very much and have a great Boxing Day, I know I am. Thomas

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope you all are having a great Holiday Season. Here is a before and after picture. Thomas last Christmas with Mimi and Grand-Mimi (AKA Floy Belle), and then Thomas with Santa in 2007. Haven't I grown? I hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to a great Christmas as much as I am. Have a Great Day, Thomas.

Almost Christmas

Well it has been a while. Guess who is finally home, at least for a while? My Dad. Here is a picture a of me and my Dad and, one with him sitting in my new chair. Don't mind the little booboo on my Dad's forehead. As my entire family and Hank Williams, Junior might say 'It's a family tradition'. I hope I inherited both my Mom's and Dad's brain power, they are both real smart. However, I hope I get all my Mom's common sense. I am not sure my Dad has a lot.

I really like reading especially with my Mom and Dad. Here we are in our living room reading one of my books.

Here is Mom reading to me at the dining table. It is so much fun having both Mom and Dad home. However, there are some drawbacks. Our bathroom can get a little crowded with all three of us in there.

Well, I don't want to give out all my news in one quick blast. I'll save a little for later. Gator came out to see my Dad graduate from his school and while he and Mom were up there Mimi came and stayed with me for a few days. We had a great time and I'll tell you all about in the next edition. Until then, I hope every one has a very Merry Christmas and a Great New Year. Looking forward to another great year. Love, Thomas

Say Hey Kid

Well, how is everyone doing. As you might expect, I am doing fine. I am walking now, and as a result nothing, and I mean nothing, in the house is safe anymore. The world is my play room. Hey, Gator how do you like my shirt? I wear it just for you. Below you will see my kitchen combat gear. It isn't quite a pail. Someone told me that if you put a pail on your head and the handle under chin, it might get caught and you could have trouble getting it off. That is, if you have a big head. I don't have a big head, but the bowl works just fine. I like surprising my Mom with all my funny antics.

My Dad is away at school, but he'll be home again soon and then he will see how much I have grown. Here are me and Rudy, our cat. Rudy is about the right size for head butting, although he doesn't like it much. In any event, he is a good cat and we have become the best of friends. Right, Rudy?

Here are photos of my Aunt Brandi, her friend Jamie, and Brandi's parents, Janet and Doyle, getting ready to run the Marine Corps marathon. It turned out to be a great day and everyone seemed to have fun. As you can tell from the photo with Mimi, Brandi and Jamie hardly look winded after running so far. Gator said he missed me this year. We had so much fun last time, when Mom and I were there. Anyway, congratulations to Brandi, Jamie, Doyle and Janet for running in the Marine Corps Marathon. We are very proud of them. Ooh Rah! Or at least I think that is how my Dad says it.

Finally, here is my Uncle Seth and Aunt Brandi at an award's ceremony in Corpus Christi. Uncle Seth made the Commodore's list for primary flight training. Although he won't say much about it, he did extremely well in Primary and got selected for jets, just like my Dad. I think Uncle Seth wants to fly F-18's, too. I think my Dad won some of these awards too, but he and my Mom weren't married then and I don't think he let anyone know what a big deal it was. I don't think Uncle Seth would have either, but fortunate for us we have Aunt Brandi to ensure we have a picture. Congratulations, Uncle Seth and fly safe.

That is about all the news I have. My Dad finishes his school soon and should be home for Christmas. I think Mom and I are going up to see him for Thanksgiving. That will be a lot of fun. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and is looking forward to a great holiday season. Still having a great day and loving life. Your best friend, Thomas

Aloha!

Well, I have been a little sick the last week. I am not sure if it is something I ate, something I picked up from one of my bud's, or if it is because I am sad my Dad is headed off to a school assignment. Anyway, I haven't felt good, and my poor ole Mom has had to look after me.
I guess I better tell you all about our family vacation in Hawaii. Whoa! We had a great time. Not only did I get a chance to get to know my Dad, again, I got to do it while we were all out having fun. Here are some pictures.

The guy holding me is my Dad and, of course, you recognize my Mom. Boy, this Hawaii is a lot different than California.

Here are me and my Dad hiking. Well, he is hiking and I am taking a nap. You know you can only take so much terrific scenery, and with all the partying, a guy has got to get his rest when he can.

What is that expression? If the hat fits, wear it, or something like that. Maybe someday.

How do you like my shirt? Its for special party occasions, like this.

Well, needless to say Thomas had a great time in Hawaii and I think my parents did too. Oh, by the way Dad, once you left for your school, guess who started walking? I know it was because you and Mom worked with me all week on taking my first steps. Perhaps by the time you see me again, I'll be running all over the place. Have a great Thomas Day. Love, Thomas

Saying Hey

Catching up. Well, Mom and I are on our way to Hawaii to meet the guy who fits into these boots. I can't wait to show him how big I have gotten and to go through my extensive vocabulary. That shouldn't take long. Then we can go start having fun.

Speaking of fun. Mom and I went to my buddy, Ethan's Birthday Party. He is also one. Isn't it great that we born in the same month. The party was at the beach and we had a great time, although I am not sure about all this sand, but I sure do like the shades.

Here is Ethan getting a lot of help with eating his cake. He didn't know what to do with the cake at first, but once he got his hands into it he had a great time.

Well it has finally gotten back to normal around here after our heat wave. I am glad. Mom was using up a lot of gas driving around and shopping trying to stay cool. With the cooler temperatures, I can now wear my new patriotic PJs that Mimi sent me. Look Mom, no hands. The PJs are a little big, Mimi, but I'll grow into them. Mimi also sent me this very pratical bib. Not only is it plastic and washable in the sink, it has this cool tray in the bottom where I can keep all kinds of goodies until I can get around to them.

Well, I can't wait to see my Dad and I can't wait for him to see me. It won't be long now. I hope you are having as great a day as me and Mom. Talk to you all again soon and I'll tell you all about my trip. Thomas

My First Birthday

These are my buds and me, and our Moms. Our Dads are away serving our country, but they will be home soon. We can hardly wait for them to see how much we have grown since they left. Hey Dad, I can say my first words and I hope to be walking by the time I see you. Oh, don't be sad or worried, I still have a lot of growing up to do, and you can't be gone for all of it.

My grandma Mimi and Gator came to see me and Mom in California. They did a lot of things around the house including buy a new grill. Our old one had just about had it. Now we can have all kinds of parties and invite friends over for cook outs. You know I love to eat. Speaking of parties, while my grandparents were here, since they could not stick around until today, we had an early birthday party. Did I forget to mention that today is my birthday? I am now officially '1'. Anyway, while Mimi and Gator were here, we invited my friends and families over for an early birthday. I am not sure what all the fuzz is about. I expect to have a lot more of these. However, I did enjoy the cake and getting presents. Even though I think I enjoyed the wrapping almost as much as what was inside.

While Mimi and Gator were here, we also went to the zoo. I had a great time although I think I am a little too small to appreciate everything that was there to see. I did enjoy the big animals, like this Rhino. It was hard to miss.

I also saw some funny looking animals they called Murcats. They looked sort of like furry range chickens, standing on their hind legs, sticking their necks out as far as they could, and looking all around like they were expecting someone with a big mallet to come knock them back into their hole at any minute. They were funny.

I also got to see the Pandas. They looked like cute little toys. I could not touch the real Panda that was behind the fence, but I did get to meet a two legged Panda that was loose walking around the zoo greeting guest. It was a lot of fun, and I think that it enjoyed seeing me as much as I did seeing it. I can't wait to go back.

Well, I hope you are having a great time on my Birthday. I know I sure am. Love, Thomas

Visit to Texas

Sorry it has been so long, but the IT virus got me. A lot has been happening since I last updated you. For example, today is my first birthday. Hooray! Unfortunately, I have to celebrate mainly with Mom, 'cause Dad is still gone. He'll be home soon though. We got to talk to him when the ship he was on was in port. It was great to hear his voice. I can't wait 'til he sees me and Mom.

One of my birthday gifts from my Aunt Brandi and Uncle Seth is electronic, and when it shuts down it says 'bye-bye'. That's my new favorite and only word. Now I say 'bye-bye' to anyone who says 'bye-bye' to me. Won't Dad be glad to hear I am starting to talk. I am also working hard at trying to walk and may be walking before he gets home. One could only hope.

Well, let's see what has transpired since I last wrote. For one thing, Mom and I took a long weekend and went to Texas to meet my cousin Susan Kate. We stayed with my Uncle Alex and Aunt Kimberly. Granma 'aka Mimi' Jane and Grandad Gator even came for the party. We had a great time. Here I am with my cousin.

While in Texas, Susan Kate and I even got to go swimming. I love to swim, however, I don't think the same holds true for my cousin Susan Kate. Well at least not yet.

Another friend I met at Uncle Alex's was their dog Bucky. Me and Mom just have a cat at our house, named Rudy, who is nice enough, but not near the size of Bucky. Anyway I was showing off my mobility by trying to catch Bucky where ever he went. Gator said I was doing a good job of preparing Bucky for when Susan Kate starts crawling. Anyway Bucky and I had a great time, as long as I stayed out of his food bowl.

Here is a picture of me and Susan Kate with Gator. Aren't we something?

I know you haven't heard from me lately. I guess it is because me and Mom are having such a great time. Here I am with my bud Ethan playing outside. Our Mom's take great care of us. We are not directly in the sun so our serious ray time is limited. My Mom also keeps putting this funny hat on me. Well, I have sorta gotten used to it now.

I am truely mobile now and I am getting around pretty well. Our cat Rudy is no longer safe. He has is no sanctuary, at least not on the floor. He used to be able to sit and watch me without worrying about me getting his face. No longer.

Well, me and Mom can't wait for Dad to get home. He has been serving his country and should be headed home soon. Although, Mom and I have been having a great time without him, we can't wait for him to get here. I hope it is soon.

Well, I am sorry I haven't got anymore good tidbits right now, but I will try and catch up this weekend. We hope you all are having a nice and safe 4th of July. Happy Independence Day. Holidays are great for me, because it means Mom is home to be with me. Have fun on your holiday, I sure will. Thomas

Hey Again!

It has been awhile. Here are some more pictures of my stay with my grandparents.

This first picture is of Gator, Mimi (aka OTTOL - remember that stands for 'over-the-top old lady', something Gator thought up, but I have been giving it serious consideration). I am riding in what my cousin Susan Kate has named the Ghetto Glider, I think that is based on the fact that we learned that my grandmother invested a total of $2.50 in it. Way to go grandma. I didn't mind. As you see both my grandparents are multi-task type 'A' personalities. Besides Gator walking both me and Gus, note my grandma is walking and talking on the phone at the same time. Something I am told she likes to do a lot.

This is me with some of the toys Gator and OTTOL have been collecting for me to play with when I come to their home to visit.

And this is me and one of my new best friends, Gus. He is a funny dog. He is not anything like our cat Rudy; he always wants to be right in the middle of things, which suits me just fine.




Now I am back in sunny California and my Mom has been taking me out to commune with nature. She tries to protect me from the harsh sun and has this hat, but I think you get the idea of what I think of silly hats. Anyway, we are having a great summer. Thomas