new territory

Things are happening around here at the Thomas house.

Robert and I had a first.

We went on a mini vacation here in town.

By ourselves.

For no reason.

Just for fun.

I know, it's mind blowing!

I never do things like this.

The incredible part about it is we didn't even get a babysitter - not that we ever get them anyway.

The kids watched themselves!

That's right, watched themselves!

We hiked, went swimming, ate great food, talked, and slept.

Fabulous.

I'm not sure why we look so posed and formal in this picture.

Maybe it's because it was like a million degrees outside and we were about to burst into flames.

 Haley is going to try something new next week.

She is starting driving lessons.

She has been waiting a long time for this.

I guess I have some anxiety about it,

 because I had a doozy of a dream last night with her at the steering wheel.

I'm hoping she listens better in real life than she did in my dreams.

It was all good in the end.

After a CRAZY ride full of yelling (on my part) and maniacal laughter (on her part),

the only really bad thing that happened was I chipped the nail polish on my toenails.

 And Robyn's new territory.

I've been seeing a lot of this boy around the house lately.

It's a new world around here....

a little cousin time

Mia, Emma, Sarah, Jamie

 Cousins Camp 2012

Don't let their expressions fool you.

These girls LOVE Cousins Camp!

Every few years my mom invites several of the cousins that are around the same age - usually between 7-10 yrs old - to visit her for a jam-packed week of fun and activities!

The grandkids look forward to this with great excitement and talk about it for years after it's all over!
This year was no exception, and it was Mimi's turn to participate!

Alexa got Grandpa to read her a book.
Everyone loves it when Grandpa reads to them.
It is one of his best talents.

 On Monday night we were invited to Grammy and Grandpa's house for Family Home Evening as part of the CC activities.  We were treated to a skit (complete with costumes and props), several poetic readings (awesome!), songs, and root beer floats.

I decided after that night that we should have more family talent shows.

I thoroughly enjoyed it!

 Robyn and Bekah playing before the show.

 Q  thought the castle prop was the best!

The Cousins Camp girls worked hard on painting it, and the little cousins worked hard on playing in it!

I was the lucky aunt who got three little visitors this past weekend while Shana and Ricky were in the hospital with their new little girl, Victoria.

 With Mia being at Cousins Camp, it was perfect for Quinny to have her other cousins come over for a couple of days.

Rebekah, Alexa, and Karina went to church with us and then spent a couple of nights.

They are really sweet girls.

 I mean really, look at that face!!

The top picture is Karina checking out her new sister.

The bottom picture is her checking out the camera.

I could just eat her up!!

 Here is Alexa admiring that sweet new baby.

Oh, there is nothing like new baby skin.

I can almost smell it just by looking at it.

 Congratulations, Ricky & Shana!

8

Baptism of

Mia Lillie Thomas

June 23, 2012

Avalon Ward - Mesa Arizona Citrus Heights Stake

Conducting:  Brother Hendricks

Pianist:  Kim Thomas (mother)

Music Leader:  Robyn Thomas (sister)

Welcome:  Brother Hendricks

Opening Song:  “When I Am Baptized”

Performed by Mia, Emma, Sarah, and Jamie (cousins)

Opening Prayer:  Haley Thomas (sister)

Talk of Baptism:  David Thomas (uncle)

Baptismal Ordinance:  Robert Thomas (father)

Witnesses:  Richard Heywood (grandpa) and Paul Thomas (uncle)

Talk on Holy Ghost:  Karen Miskin (aunt)

Confirmation:  Robert Thomas (father)

Remarks:  Bishop Staker

Closing Song:  “I Am a Child of God”

Closing Prayer:  Eric Thomas (brother)

celebrations

We find any excuse around here to celebrate with treats.

Even though we had two birthdays the first week of June with cake, a recital with frappuccinos, and today is Father's Day with more treats, we still managed to fit in one unbirthday celebration to eat cake.

It's my fault.

I adore cake.

I love it.

I even enjoy saying the word cake.

 Robert turned 41 on June 6th.

Happy Father's Day today to the best dad around!

Mimi turned eight on the 9th and will be baptized this Saturday.

I asked Quinny to put on her happy face and show me her best dance move.

This was it.

Her happy face was a little sad yesterday.

She woke up with a fever and a headache.

Because she had practiced ALL year for this recital, there was no way I was going to let her miss it.

We medicated, and the show went on!!

Miss Mia was less than thrilled about her shower cap that went with her costume.

I thought it was adorable, but she wouldn't put it on to pose for the picture, and this was all the 'posing' she was going to do for me anyway.

I loved every minute of the recital!!

what do you miss?

While looking at a picture of herself as a baby, Quinny said, 

"I miss myself when I was a baby."

I guess she's all grown up now.

Or is she?

Quinny, what makes you all grown up?

"I have birthdays, lots of them."  

Is that the only thing that makes you grown up? 

"Yeah."

If she's grown up, what does that make the rest of us?

I have a one-word argument against Quinn's claim to being grown up.

Burpee.

Until she can lose the burpee (or should I capitalize Burpee, we call it by name, like it is a person), she is certainly NOT grown up.

 walk-through-aquarium burpee

 canaling burpee

 easter-egg-hunting burpee

 hiking burpee

 movie/red carpet burpee

 can't-hold-still-and-pose-for-a-picture burpee

 church burpee

 drink burpee

 puss-in-boots burpee

 having-a-snack burpee

 completes-the-silhouette burpee 

vacation burpee

a year later

June 2011

 We sent Robyn on a plane yesterday headed for Ohio.

The excitement was palpable.

She is not alone in missing the midwest.

It holds a place in all of our hearts.

I wondered what she was doing at exactly this time last year, so I looked it up and found out that she was at Cedar Point with her friends.

So much has changed since then.

She lives in a new place, has made new friends, and has grown in many ways.

But today she is back with those same dear friends laughing and reminiscing.

She has changed a lot, but has remained the same in the most important ways.

She is easy to be around, generous, kind, tenderhearted, hard working, and fun.

We love our Robynie.

June 2012

Speaking of changes...

I sent Eric off to scout camp this morning.

How can he be old enough for that?

It seems like yesterday he was in Safety City.

June 2005

the last of our "vacation"

On the last day of our vacation, we walked up to Hole in the Rock in Phoenix.

This very short walk proved to be more than Mimi could handle that morning.

Through sweat, tears of frustration, and outbursts of "DON'T TAKE MY PICTURE!", she finally made it to the top with a smile on her face.

 Robyn

After our morning at Papago Park, we went to Amazing Jake's in Mesa.

While riding on this green coaster with Quinny, I got a little queasy.

I will NEVER ride on something like that again.

Q later convinced Haley to ride on the tea cups with her.

We all laughed heartily as we watched Haley barely (and I mean barely) hold down her lunch!

Haley just let Quinn keep spinning the tea cup faster and faster.

I thought for sure Haley was going to spew.

Luckily for everyone, she held it down.

 random kids and Eric

 Quinny and Haley

 Mimi, some kid, some kid, Haley, and Quinn

 Me and Eric

 Robert and Haley

Robyn and Mimi