Merry Christmas

Well, Merry Christmas everyone. Boy, how the year has gone by. I hope everyone is having a Happy Holidays. Last week I went with my Mom to Columbus to see my grandmother and grandfather. Columbus was okay, except they have all these Buckeye fans. In any event, it was a great trip and I enjoyed seeing my Grandad and Grandma.

Here I am again, in sunny California; sitting with Santa. I have my doubts about this Santa Claus. I think he is just one of my Dad's squadron mates dressed up like Santa. The first clue was that the beards a fake, and this hangar just doesn't look like the Mall. However, I am not sure if my expression is from my doubts about Santa, or because my Mom told me that we are expecting an addition to our family before next Christmas, and Gator, I don't mean a dog. In any event, I am looking very forward to this Christmas. I missed so much last year, because I was only 1. Now I am 2 and am so much more knowledgeable about what to expect. Hope everyone will have as merry a Christmas as we are going to have, and I hope your days ahead in 2009 are great. Love, Thomas. Merry Christmas

Here I am again.

Bet you thought you would not hear from me so soon. Well, guess what. I got to go stay with Mimi and Gator again while Mom was working. She works so hard, but it gives me lots of chances to get around and see everyone.

Here I am in Mimi's front yard. Aren't the colors of leaves terrific. Gator says the leaves have all come off the tree and now he has to rake. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages in everything. I got to share in the good and Gator gets the bad. Oh well! That's life Gator.

While I was visiting the weather was beautiful and one day we got to the world's biggest playground. No joke. You should see this place. There are things to climb on, climb through, jump on, swing and just about everything a kid my age could think to do. The place was so big Gator said it took two people just to keep up with one little Thomas.

Here I am going down the slide for the umpteenth time. Mimi said I really had my hair on fire. I am told that is a fighter pilot expression for 'out of control'.

There were so many things to do I could have stayed forever, but alas Mom and I needed to get back home to Dad. He said he missed us.

Well, until next time. This is Thomas having another one of those great days and hoping you are having the same. Talk to you soon. Love, Thomas

Marathon Weekend

Well, it has a few months, but I have been very busy. Or should I say that my family has been very busy. In October, Mom, Dad and I went to see Mimi and Gator. My Dad was here to attend his school reunion and to run in the Marine Corps marathon.

The rest of the family including my cousin Susan Kate and her parents, Uncle Alex and Aunt Kimberly also came. As did my Uncle Seth and Aunt Brandi. We had a great time.

Here are Susan Kate and I sharing a seat on the stuffed alligator that Gator got as a gift from Mimi's best friend, affectionately known as Aunt Mary.

We had lots of toys to play with and it was great watching Thomas videos on Gator's large screen TV.

Mimi also planned all sorts of activities. One day Susan Kate, me, Uncle Seth, Aunt Brandi, Mimi and another of my friends Maddie, who was also here for the school reunion, went to a farm that had lots of fun activities. Here is Susan Kate playing in one of the play boxes.

Then Uncle Seth, Aunt Brandi, Susan Kate, Mattie and I went on a hayride together.

My cousin Susan Kate is girly girl who loves purses and dolls and things soft and cuddly.

We also got to go to a Navy football game. Here we are at the tailgate prior to the game. As Winnie the Pooh would say, 'it was a blustery day' and everyone was wet from the rain. Maddie and I were comfortable though.

It cleared up for part of the game and thank goodness Navy scored most of their points in the first half. Navy won the game and we had a great time despite the weather.

Here I am riding in on Gator's shoulders. Best seat in the house.

Speaking of seats. Hers is my seat for the marathon. Mimi got me a small cow bell so I could ring it for my Dad, and we all know that is what the world needs is more cow bells.

Here are Gator and I waiting for the runners to pass. Or rather gator is waiting and I am pushing my seat around.

Dad did really well in the marathon and it was another great day of our visit to Gator's and Mimi's.

Two and Climbing

Well, it has been a while since I have been back to my Blog. I guess I have just been having too good a time this summer. My Mom and Dad have both been home for an extended time now and we have been having fun.

First, my big news is that I am now officially two years old. Can't you see me getting bigger.

My other great news is that Mimi and Gator came to visit last month.

These are the chairs that go with my new table that Mimi bought for me. It is a lot like the table my cousin Susan Kate got. So I got that going for me.

I also got some new train cars to go with my 'choo choo'. I have a lot of fun playing with it.

We also went to the final free music concert with Gator, Mimi, Mom and Dad and a lot of our friends. This is one of the few moments when I wasn't running around just having a great time. It was a great evening and the music was rocking. My Uncle Seth also got to visit. He had a cross country training flight to San Diego and got to stay for a few days. Here are he and I on one of the great rides he gives me around the house.

Some of the other fun things we did was cook some of my Dad's great pizza on the grill. As you can see, I love his pizza.

I am also now big enough to ride my horse that Mimi gave me when I was just a baby.

Now that I am all grown up I go riding all the time.

Here are me and my Bud Ethan having a quiet dinner together before we go out looking for babes.

Finally, here is one of the pictures that Gator took at the zoo. This little baby goat said she was hungry, so I went all around the barnyard picking up hay to feed her. She really loved it and Mimi thought it was quite enterprising of me. Whatever that means.

In any event, I have had a great summer and am looking forward to the fall. Especially this thing called Christmas. Love to all. Your friend, Thomas

Family Ties

Well, I have some sad news. My great grandmother, Joan passed away this month. She was 83. At least she and I got to meet and had some great times. I am sure she will be up there in heaven watching over me and my cousins. We will miss her. She was fun to be around. This is a photo of her dancing with one of her grandchildren, my Dad's cousin Jason.

We all went to her funeral and I got to meet and play with my cousins. You remember Susan Kate, she was the one that started this whole blog thing. Well she and my Uncle Alex and Aunt Kimberly were there. So were my uncle Seth and aunt Brandi. I also got to meet a new cousin, Jacob. He is named after our great-great grandfather. He is my Dad's cousin Lynn's little boy. He is a little younger than Susan Kate and me, but he kept right up with us. Here is a picture of us at a church reception, playing in the ice chest. Boy the people at the church sure were nice. They fed us and everything.

Even though it was a sad time, it was a good time too, because eveyone in the family was there. We had meals together and Susan Kate and I helped ourselves to reorganizing the box of Big Red. For those of you who haven't been to Texas, Big Red is sort of a cream soda strawberry drink that is really sweet. Here we are playing with the cans, until one of them split a seam, that is, and red soda started flying everywhere. My Uncles were all running from the spray. Thanks to Mom, she got it cleaned up real quick, but SK and I were sure we were in trouble. Well, I think eveyone was in a forgiving mood, because we dodged that one. Mimi, that is my grandma, she even thought it was funny. Not sure what Gator (my grandpa) would have thought. Anyway, despite the sadness of the occasion we had a great time being together. Thanks, Floy (that's what everyone called my great grandmother). We will miss you. Love, Thomas

It won't be long now

Well, it won't be long now before my Dad gets home. Even when I was at the zoo, I was looking for him.

My uncle Seth came to visit (it is nice having another pilot in the family, he can always find an excuse and has the means to come see me) and he, my Mom, my friend Cole and his Mom got to go to the zoo.

Some of you may not know my Uncle Seth went to school in Texas. He is even one of those Aggies (and proud of it). Here I am trying on a pair of his boots. If my legs were longer, they might fit. What do you think?

At the zoo I got up close and personal with some of the animals. Here I am checking out the funny ears of this goat who didn't seem to mind.

Uncle Seth and I got to see lots of things. It was great having a broad set of shoulders to sit on. You could not believe how much better the view is from here.

It is even a good place to sit and contemplate life.

I also got to play with my pals the gorillas. The last time I came one of the young gorillas let me stick my finger up his nose. This time I am getting a chance to check out his teeth. Such gentle animals. They just sit there and let you do whatever you want. This is my favorite attraction at the zoo.

Well, it was a long day and a fellow has got to get some sleep when he can. My Mom got me a blue balloon and you know how I love balloons. Fortunately, it stayed close at hand on the ride home.



Now where did that balloon go? Oh, here it is. Anyway, I had a great day and was happy to see my Uncle Seth, but I can't wait for my Dad to get here. Hurry home Dad and fly safe.

Cinco de Mayo

Well, I hope eveyone is having a great Spring. I know I am. Of course, who could tell the difference whether it is Spring or not here in beautiful Southern California. Anyway, here are me and my friend Cole with our Moms enjoying the great day.

I even got out to the park to see if I could pick up some girls. I guess I will need some lessons from my Dad.

One thing about spring, it brings out the crazies. Here is my Mom trying out my new tricycle. Doesn't she look funny. Really, my Mom is a lot of fun and she makes me laugh all the time.

Speaking of people who make me laugh, Mimi and Gator were here this past weekend for something called an Intruder Reunion. Don't ask me what that is. Mimi tried to explain, but all I saw was a bunch of people Mimi's and Gator's age trying to relive their youth. It wasn't so bad though, they took me and my friends along, and we all had a great time. Here are me and my buddy, Ethan, playing in the flower beds at the nice hotel where they held their Reunion.

I even got to see what an Intruder looked like. It was big and sorta strange looking with that thing sticking out above the nose. It sure wasn't as sleek as my Dad's plane, but all these old guys who flew it must have really loved it, cause that was all they could talk about. Gator said I would know when I was old when the plane I fly is up on blocks in the museum and not out on flightline. I guess this means Gator is old, cause here it is up on blocks ready for all to see.

I also got to attend other festivities. Here are Gator and me at Happy Hour (actually I think it was a couple of hours) being introduced to all Gator's old cronies. Why some of these guys were flying together way before my Dad was even born. That's old. However, I wasn't the oldest grandchild in the group. One of Gator's friends had his granddaughter with him, at least he said she was his grandaughter. Anyway, she was old enough to get her own drinks from the bar. Gator, I hope you are still around when I get that old so I can get free drinks at the bar too. Yes, Uncle Seth and Uncle Alex, it was an open bar. Gator said you would know what that meant. Well, anyway, a great time was had by all, but Mimi and Gator had to go back to the east coast and I am left here with my Mom, waiting for Dad to get home. It won't be long now. I hope you all are having a great day, I sure am. Love, Thomas

Vacation at Mimi's

Yep! It's me again. Don't I look marvelous? I am at my grandparents. You remember, Mimi and Gator. Haven't I grown so much since this picture was taken? I was just a little kid then, and look at me now.

My Mom and I got to come to my grandparent's house because of my Mom's work. Twice in one month. What a great job you have Mom and what a great time we had. Here I am sitting at my favorite place in Mimi's house, the kitchen table. As you may be able to tell I just woke up from my nap and I am raring to go.




Going to Mimi's and Gator's house is so much fun, because there are so many new things to explore and wonderful places to investigate. Now, let's see what is in here. I bet it is something just for me. That is Gus keeping a watchful eye in the background. I am not sure if Gus knew what to make of me, but we had a great time together.





My Mom had to work pretty hard all week while I was on vacation. She did get some time to relax and catch up with old friends. Here she is on some of her well earned time off, relaxing a little. You hear me Dad? Taking care of Thomas is no easy task. Just ask Gator.

It wasn't all vacation. Here I am in Gator's and Mimi's big yard helping to weed the flower beds. I am not sure how much help I was, although Gator said he might not need to mulch this Spring since I did such a good job of digging up the dirt.

There was a little time for play too. Mom and Mimi made sure I got to take advantage of the great playgrounds around the area. I can't wait to get back so I can visit them all. Maybe by then this car will be running.

Here I am with one of my new best friends, Zach. He helped me dump out all the toys at Mimi's house, although Gator said I didn't need much help at that. Hey, Susan Kate (remember that is my cousin) wait until you get to Mimi's and Gator's and see all the toys that they have for you to play with. You may even get a chance to meet Zach. He is such a great guy, but remember he is my best friend.

Here are some of my other new BFFs. I am told that stands for 'Best Friends Forever'. Austin and Bea (Isn't that a funny name? I have a book about a Bee) are a little older than I am, but they were very patient with me and I really liked being with them. Austin and Bea live close by Mimi and Gator and are the children of one of my Mom's BFFs. I am really hoping I can see them again soon. Maybe by then I will be big enough to play some baseball with Austin. He is such a good player.

Well, that is about it for now. Mom and I are back home now. I bet I have logged almost as many flight hours as my Dad and I know I must be ahead of my Uncle Seth. Dad and Uncle Seth please fly safe. I know Mom and I will. Until next time, have a great day. I know I am. Love, Thomas