Tooth Fairy Visit Tonight

After weeks of wiggling, Maddie lost another tooth today!  This is her first top tooth to fall out (the other two were on the bottom).  She eagerly anticipates a visit from the tooth fairy tonight!

Maddie smiles with one less tooth

Lola Loves Luke

Lately Luke has really started to take an interest in Lola.  He'll watch Lola walking around and sometimes giggle at her.  When Luke is playing on the floor and Lola is nearby, he will often try to reach out to touch her.  We have to keep a close watch on Lola because she LOVES to lick people.  This time we were too slow!

Luke pets Lola

Lola returns the affection with a quick lick to the face

Luke is not sure if he likes that kind of love

Dog slobber... Yuck!

Maddie's 6th Birthday Party

It wasn't the typical six year old girl birthday party theme... but it was memorable.  As many of you know, Maddie LOVES animals and in particular, she loves reptiles.  So what better party theme for her than"creepy crawly" and the feature entertainment... Reptile Adventures!

Maddie holding a Bearded Dragon lizard

Maddie gets up close with a Bearded Dragon lizard

Maddie holding a Blue-Tongued skink

Maddie holding a Glass Lizard (it's not a snake)

Maddie examines a Rhinoceros Iguana

Maddie pets the Rhinoceros Iguana

A tree snake climbs along the "branches" of the Maddie tree

Maddie models her new snake scarf

Maddie sitting with 16-foot reticualted python

All the girlfriends gather around the pet the python

The party was a huge success (Maddie declared it the best party ever) and none of the guests were eaten!  One final snapshot of all the girls together in the backyard.

All the girlfriends pose for a photo in the backyard

Thanksgiving Trip

We spent a week in Charlotte, NC for the Thanksgiving holiday where all of Tom's family celebrated the holiday together.  Overall the trip was lots of fun and getting Tom's whole family together was a great way to spend Thanksgiving.  But on the downside... it was another exhausting (and not too relaxing) trip. When traveling with a baby, everything just becomes more difficult and a little bit more stressful.  For some unknown reason, Luke starting waking up twice each night during the trip and since we all shared a hotel room together, when Luke woke up... we all woke up!  Earplugs helped Maddie sleep through the nights, but Tom and Angela were up twice nightly.  In the end it was all worth it... time with family and Luke got to meet a few more aunts and uncles... of course he was a big hit!

Luke is all smiles on the vacation (during the day only)!

Maddie enjoys Lucy (and vice versa) at Aunt Holly's and Uncle Jim's

As usual we tried to do some unique, fun and exciting activities during our trip.  The US National Whitewater Center outside of Charlotte is an Olympic training facility that is open to the public and offers activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, and zip lines.

Tom stands atop 40 foot "Mega-Jump" platform

Tom leaps off the platform

Maddie was actually the first one brave enough to experience "Mega-Jump"

Angela temporarily overcomes her fear of heights (and falling) as she "jumps" from the platform!

Maddie and Dad climbing the rock wall

Dad, Mom and Maddie prepare for the zip line

Maddie climbs up cargo net to 35 foot zip line platform

Dad and Maddie wait atop the zip line platform as Angela ascends the cargo net.

Mom and Maddie in mid flight on zip line!

Maddie celebrates her successful landing from the zip line

Maddie and Dad on the ropes course (20 feet above the ground)

Aunt Holly and Maddie on the zip lines

Maddie and Dad return from kayaking

A family photo on the dock

This is not a sign that you see everyday...

The Discovery Center is a children's science museum that provides hands on interactive exhibits that demonstrate scientific principles in a fun and engaging atmosphere.

Maddie and Dad play with the floating ball interactive exhibit

Maddie examines jelly fish at the science center

Maddie and Mom entering the Fantastic Frogs exhibit

Dad and kids... I love Luke's expression in this one!

A surprise photo catches Luke off guard

We spent our last two nights (and days) at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC which includes a huge indoor water park that is amazing to see and tons of fun.

Dad and Luke sit in "bear chair"

Maddie and Violet outside water park

Maddie and Mom exit water slide tube

Ready to go again!

Maddie and new friend (Logan) make wolf origami

Little wolves Maddie and Luke

Mom and kids on "ice" sculpture

A Thanksgiving post wouldn't be complete without a few words of thanks.  We are fortunate to have abundant blessings in our lives... not the least of which is our two children - the centers of our lives and our reasons for being.  Loving family and friends.  Good health.  A wonderful home.  Financial security.  We are blessed indeed and on this day especially, we give thanks!

Mimi (Tom's mom) with Maddie and Luke

Mimi can't get enough of baby Luke!

Maddie and Mimi take a break from coloring to smile for a photo

Luke and Uncle Jim (Tom's brother) watch football on Thanksgiving day

Maddie helps Aunt Holly (Tom's sister-in-law) make pumpkin pie

Family photo on the back porch

Happy Thanksgiving