Christmas- people

One of the best things about the holiday season is getting together with family.  This year is no exception.

Thomas relaxing with Papa and Aunt Sarah as Great Grandpa looks on.

Thomas trying to grab Great Grandma's mouth.

We had to put Sarah in the middle so there wouldn't be a fight.

Surprisingly, no alcohol was involved.

With the Annie and Charlie in Georgia.

Annie helping her parents with the presents she picked out for them.  While Grandmama is interested, Maggie seems distracted.

Many Christmases

Thomas has had a very busy Christmas season that is quickly drawing to a close.  Thomas received many Christmas presents, but it isn't always easy to predict what he'll like the most.

Thomas playing with Angela's new spatula.

We were very excited to give Thomas his gift from us.  While he enjoyed the plastic balls, he found the ball pit overwhelming.

Some things, however, were more of a guarantee.

We didn't change outfits; this was Christmas 1.0- Christmas Eve morning.

Tuesday is getting later and later

This past Tuesday, we celebrated our anniversary a week early.  Worrying about school work was kept to a minimum as we spent time together as a family.  At night we got dressed up, we dropped Thomas off with Aunt Kathy, and we enjoyed a relaxing dinner.  When we got home, we took some pictures of all of us in front of our Christmas tree.  We're ready.

 

The Terrible Monster; or, Daddy needs to get out of the house more often

Once there was a benevolent and peaceful dog king, Toby, who lived in his little castle.  Life there was simple and quiet.

There was only one problem that faced Toby, and that was the terrible Thomasmonster that prowled the area, destroying all that he saw.  Toby hoped that if he could build his castle nice and strong, Thomasmonster would not be able to attack him.

Thomasmonster in the hold of famous Thomasmonster expert, Angela.

Yet this is a sad story for Toby.  One day, the Thomasmonster, his mouth full of drool, his two teeth glistening in the sun, came at Toby's castle full steam.

Despite his best efforts, Thomasmonster quickly demolished the once-proud castle and chewed on Toby's head, laughing the whole time.  What will become of this Thomasmonster?  Only time will tell.

Christmas tree shopping!

Sunday we made the trip out to Joe's parent's house to help them pick out their Christmas tree.  Usually we need to walk to the farthest limits of the Christmas tree farm and wait until everybody's lost feeling in his or her toes before actually picking a tree.  This was Thomas's first tree hunting experience, and we made sure that he was bundled up enough.  This year, however, it wasn't the temperature but the mud that proved challenging.

The crew heading out.  Everyone was wearing good boots.

Grandma holding Thomas tight.

Aunt Sarah is off in the distance, still searching for the perfect tree.

Papa sizing up some trees.

We could feel our toes still.  We had to keep going.

Finally, the perfect tree!

Starting the two mile hike back.

Thomas the bookworm

Thomas has an extensive library, a result of his parents' love of books.  Angela and Joe make sure that Thomas hears at least one story a day, slowly making our way across the shelves.  Thomas is usually pretty attentive, but sitting still has never been one of his favorite activities.

Reading to our son is an activity we both cherish, and someday Thomas might share our love of books.  Right now, he sees books as one more thing to try to eat.

Tuesday post on Wednesday

When Grandmama came up, her little Chihuahua, Coco, came with her.  While the house is crazy with a baby and two dogs all competing for floor space and attention, Thomas does enjoy watching dogs.

Thomas and Coco racing over Grandmama

When Coco saw Thomas getting so much attention, he posed for the camera.

Thomas in his new pjs from Grandmama

Thomas playing with Uncle Steven

Grandmama bought Thomas his first Thomas the Tank Engine toy, a stuffed football.

8 months...and two days

Thomas is now eight months old.  The past few days Grandmama has been in town from Georgia.  She doesn't see Thomas often and was eager to play with her grandson.

Tuesday post

We are on a blogging binge.  Thomas is doing so many new and different things.  He's crawling and getting faster every day.  Crawling, in fact, has become commonplace, with Thomas trying to figure out walking.  He'll walk with someone holding his hands, but every once in a while we sneak one hand away and he takes a few steps with only one hand supporting him.  When he's not moving, we'll let go completely and he'll stand for a few seconds before falling.  He scoots along very quickly in his walker, and both of us are afraid of how fast he'll move when he figures out how to walk on his own.

Anyway, Angela tried to get Thomas ready for winter and Christmas by putting him in a festive onesie.  Here are the pictures.

Thomas gets ready for Christmas.

Yesterday we put up our (fake) Christmas tree.  We weren't sure how Thomas was going to react, but he did what he usually does with something new:  try to eat it.

Busy busy busy!

The past week has been a very busy time for all of us, Thomas included.  We spent Thanksgiving in Columbus, where Thomas spent time with Joe's cousins.

Walking down the hall with Papa.

Spending time with Mommy.

The two youngest Filous men, Thomas and Sam.

With Jaclyn and a different dog.

Thomas running from Lauren to his grandma.

After some Black Friday shopping, we went down to watch Sam play in the state semifinals for football.  It was Thomas's first football game, and he wasn't sure about it all.  (Sam's team's wonderful season came to an end that night, and they suffered their only defeat all season.  Thomas was not their good luck charm.)

Sam talks with coaches while the defense is on the field.

52 holds the line.