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



Baby Luke Turns 4 Months Old!

Has it been four months already?  (Do I begin all of these monthly Luke updates with that same phrase)?  Time flies.

Luke during our recent visit to Dallas

The little guy continues to grow (wider and taller) week by week and everything was well at his four month check up with the pediatrician.  Luke is becoming more "interactive" as he now definitely responds to his environment.  For us that sometimes means very loud crying... but usually it means lots of smiles, squeals (of delight), baby babbling and the occasional laugh or giggle.  He sometimes "talks" back and forth with us and he seems to like engaging people.  Check out the video clip below for some giggles.

Drooling Luke is happy to be carried (facing outward)

Fingers in the mouth has become a regular pastime

He's able to reach out and grasp things now... and anything he can grab usually goes directly to his mouth.  Getting the object into his mouth is another challenge - but he tries to examine everything that way.  Drool is very common these days... lots of drool.  We sometimes have to change his clothes during the day just to replace a drool-soaked outfit with a dry one.

A round baby balancing on a round pumpkin

He's just starting to try eating rice cereal (mixed with formula) as his first solid food.  After only a few tries, Luke still isn't sure if he likes it... he mostly seems surprised when the spoon enters his mouth and most of the food gets drooled or spit out.

The exersaucer is fun (for about 10 minutes)

Luke has slept through the night several times.  It's definitely not a regular occurrence, but it has happened more often lately so we're hopeful that it will become routine very soon!

Fun Luke facts at 4 months old...

Favorite Food: Formula (usually 7oz per feeding)

Favorite Pastimes: Being carried (facing outward)

Least Favorite Activity: Tummy Time, Camping (see blog post from Oct. 21st)

Longest Continuous Sleep: 12 hours (through the night!)

Weight: 17 lbs., 12.5 ounces

Halloween

Halloween is a two-night event for us (because one night of late bedtime and too much sugar just isn't enough?).

Bret Michaels, a groupie, BatBoy and BatGirl attend the neighborhood Halloween party

A neighbor down the street throws a Halloween party every year which is enjoyed by both adults and children.  It's always lots of fun to see all of the costumes and the gathering gives the neighbors a chance to socialize and catch up with neighborhood news/gossip while the kids play and have fun together.  Like all good parties there's lots of yummy food, snacks and drinks.  Activities for the kids include a donut eating contest (eating a donut dangling from a string) and a pinata.

Maddie and friends enjoy some candy after the pinata was smashed

BatGirl displays her costume

This year our costumes included: Dad as Bret Michaels (80's rock star for those who don't know), Mom as Bret Michaels "groupie", Maddie as BatGirl and Luke as BatMan (or BatBoy or BatBaby?).


Crime fighting duo - BatGirl and BatBoy - relaxing on the couch before trick or treating



The second event is of course Halloween night when all of the trick-or-treaters are roaming the neighborhood.  This year Maddie (BatGirl) joined a couple of neighborhood girlfriends to trick-or-treat together.  Mom and Luke joined the girls with their mom to chaperone.  Dad stayed home to pass out candy.



Dad and Luke are unrecognizeable at the party

Two great nights of fun, friends and sweets!  Maddie gives Halloween two thumbs up... Luke was less enthusiastic but he hung in and made it through both nights (of course he left the party early and didn't trick or treat too late)!  Maddie is already thinking about next year's costume (for herself and the rest of the family too).  Luke probably needs a couple more years to understand Maddie's excitement and to fully enjoy the Halloween fesitivties that are so much fun!