We didn’t send out very many Christmas cards this year, but we did send some.  We had this card printed at cardstore.com (they had a great sale Thanksgiving weekend!) and we included a short note.  Here’s what it all looked like.

2011 has been a great year for the Thomas Family. Here are some of the highlights.

Paul took a trip to China as part of his MBA program then later graduated! He started a new hobby of geocaching and worked on staff at a Boy Scout Wood Badge course.

Jen found out on Christmas day that she was expecting another baby and gave birth to David in August. She became more of a foodie and cooking became more of a hobby and skill as she tried lots of new recipes for her freezer cooking and using her bountiful basket.

Aaron (7) learned to ride a bike without training wheels, ran a 5K and moved from 1^st grade to 2^nd grade. He loves math, loves to read, loves school and is growing up to be such a great kid.

Brian (5) got a bicycle for Christmas and learned to ride it without training wheels by April! The weekend before he started kindergarten he cut his foot really badly, but everything healed up nicely and was fine. He makes us laugh a lot and is a joy to have in our family.

Christian (2) went from a baby to a little boy, especially after David was born. He talks a lot more, loves anything with wheels, balls, socks or shoes. He is a very sweet little boy and makes us smile every day.

David (3 months) was born on August 29, 2011 at 9 lbs 2 oz. It was a rough delivery with an unexpected cesarean birth. He is a beautiful perfect baby who nurses great even though he already has 2 teeth!

During the summer we took our first road trip to Utah and had a great time spending time together as a family. We feel so blessed to be such good friends with each other and are proud to say “I’m glad you’re mine!”. We are looking forward to many more years of adventure as a family!

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend!  We had dinner at my moms house with some family friends and there was SO much food.  Not all the new recipes I made were a hit, but I learned something so that’s progress!

While my mom and I spent the day cooking, Paul spent some time geocaching with Aaron and got some good father-son time in.  We also worked on a puzzle which was a lot of fun.  We finally finished it when it was time to eat the pies.  It’s amazing how relaxing doing a puzzle can be, yet how it stretches your brain at the same time!  And the sense of accomplishment at the end…it’s awesome!

The next day was our wedding anniversary (9 years) and we left the 3 older boys with my mom and went on an overnight date in San Antonio.  We didn’t know in advance about the lighting of the riverwalk, but ended up having great seats at Landry’s restaurant to watch the lights and the float parade on the river while we ate way too much dinner.  It was a fabulous mini-vacation and we loved the time we spent together.  (We still really like each other!)

Over the weekend we also made some changes with sleeping arrangements at our house.  Christian moved out of the crib and now sleeps upstairs in a twin size bed.  He has made the transition really well.  As long as he has his pacifier and sleep sheep he does great.  And of course, he’s super cute!

Once Chris moved upstairs then the crib was available for David.  We moved the mattress back up to the top and moved David from the bassinet in our room to the crib in his own room.  While I’m still nursing at 2am, I decided I wanted my room back. 

In other news, David (3 months today) has 2 teeth!  A week ago Sunday I felt one tooth had broken through the gums and the next day on Monday I noticed a second tooth.  Between that, some icky diaper rash and him catching a cold from his brothers, he’s been a little grumpier, but between Tylenol, Advil and Orajel, he’s doing ok.  He wants to nurse more often than normal, and with teeth now that’s slightly trickier, but I still love being able to nurse him so lets all cross our fingers for this to continue going well.

With Christmas we coming have a lot to do, but I’ll do my best to keep documenting our life, so hopefully there will be lots more posts coming!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Here are 5 more things I’m grateful for today!

1.  Aaron

I am so impressed with Aaron.  He’s growing up to be such a wonderful boy.  I can’t believe he’ll be 8 in just a few months.  He’s so smart and is so kind and thoughtful.  His prayers are so sincere and heartfelt.  He is amazingly helpful (when he wants to be) and is polite as well.  He loves to read, play games, design games, make up math problems and play video games.  He made me a mom and I love spending time with him.  I’m really glad he’s mine!

2.  My Testimony

I am so grateful for my testimony of the fullness of the gospel restored to the earth today.  I know that my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, atoned for my sins and that I can return to live with him and my Heavenly Father someday.  I testify that God knows each of us personally and loves us and wants us to become the people he knows we can become.  I pray for His help to be able to become that woman someday.  I am very grateful for my own personal testimony.

3.  Thanksgiving Dinner

I love to eat, lately I love to cook.  We will be eating with my mom and one other family that I’ve known most of my life.  7 adults and my 4 kids.  Should be fun!  I am really looking forward to the four new recipes I am making for todays feast.  (Homemade rolls – my friend Travis’s recipe, Green Bean Casserole – Pioneer Woman’s recipe, Sweet Potato Casserole – my sis-in-law Tiff’s recipe, and Chocolate Pumpkin Pie – from The Chew.)  My mom is in charge of the typical turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, a fruit salad and another pie.  It will all be yummy and I’m excited to eat it!

4.  My Mom

My mom and I have always been close.  Don’t get me wrong, we’ve disagreed and had the typical mother/daughter fights from time to time, but even when I was in high school we mostly got along.  She taught me how to cook, how to sew, how to host a dinner party and how to be a mother.  She showed me by example how to reach outside myself and think of others.  She babysits my kids when I need her to and takes me shopping and buys me stuff just because!  I see her almost every week (often multiple times a week) and I talk to her multiple times every day.  I am very grateful that my mother is such an important part of my life and I love her a lot!

5.  The temple

Paul and I were married on the day after Thanksgiving 9 years ago in the Houston, Texas temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We were sealed together as husband and wife for time and all eternity by someone holding the proper holy priesthood power.  Because of the promises we made in the temple with our Heavenly Father our four beautiful boys have been born in that covenant and are also sealed to us for eternity.  I am so grateful we have a House of the Lord in our city and that we are able to attend the temple often. 

5 things I’m grateful for this week

1.  Brian

I have never met a child as loving as Brian.  If you’ve ever met him, he’s probably hugged you and told you he loves you.  He is so sweet to his baby brother and tries to cheer him up when he’s crying.  He loves to laugh and cracks me up often.  He probably infuriates me more than the other boys right now, but I can’t stay grumpy at him for long because when he smiles, his eyes twinkle and he knows it!  I am so grateful I get to be his mother and have his spirit in our home. 

2.  My house

Years before we bought our house, the subdivision had a model home of this floor plan.  When I had friends in town I’d take them through the model just because I loved the floor plan so much.  We weren’t really in the market to move, we were happy in the house we were in, but when this house came on the market at a super low price we bought it.  I really do love my house!  There are lots of projects I want to work on, but it makes me so happy as it is too.  And I love that several families in our ward are also on my street and we have lots of great neighbors too.  I am so grateful for such a beautiful house in such a friendly neighborhood. 

3.  The change in the weather

There is a slight chill in the air. The sun is shining. It finally feels like fall. We had a miserably hot summer and I was very pregnant and grumpy. I’m loving being able to play outside with the boys before it gets dark. I’m grateful for this beautiful weather while it lasts!

4.  Ritters

For those who don’t know about the Frozen Custard shop down the road from my house, let me introduce you to heaven in a cup!  My favorite is a small chocolate glacier with snickers mixed in.  Or a small cup of chocolate covered banana or strawberry romance.  And they do sell gift cards (hint hint!)  So yummy!

5.  Anna

Our shared love of Ritters might be one of the reasons why Anna and I are such good friends.  We have kids the same age and serve in the Relief Society together, but those things wouldn’t automatically make us as close of friends as we have become.  I feel so blessed that I’ve had several best friends in my life.  Lindsay in high school, Melanie in college, Julie when I was single and now Anna as a mother of small children.  We talk almost every day and since our husbands and kids get along too we do things as a family together also.  Not only does she put up with me, she “gets me” too.  Thank you Anna for being my friend!

I can’t believe my Christian is 2 years old! 

We started off the day with donuts

then went to the doctors and got immunizations

But we ended with cake

And presents

He did great opening presents and loved his toys!

Happy Birthday Christian!  I’m glad you’re mine!

I am a fan of Halloween!  The candy.  The costumes.  So much fun!

The ward had a trunk r treat on the Friday before Halloween and since Paul was gone doing scouting stuff, my mom came with me to help with the boys.  It was a lot of fun.

Christian was a cowboy and horse

Brian was Mario

Aaron was Luigi

On Halloween though, some friends come over to trick or treat with the kids.  Both events were a lot of fun and I was sad to put away the Halloween decorations when it was over.

The candy is almost gone too.  Oh well, Christmas candy is just around the corner!

Here we go again with 5 things I’m grateful for today

1.  This handsome boy

Christian turned 2 yesterday and is my main companion during each day.  He doesn’t talk much, but he is amazing!  He loves to play with balls and cars, say “HI”, give kisses, have me read to him, and has quite a shoe fetish!  He goes to sleep easily and still takes great naps most days which allows me to get something done.  He cracks me up and I’m so glad that I get to spend each day with him. 

2.  My Freezer

I got an extra freezer about a year and a half ago and LOVE it!  I am currently trying to do “something” for the freezer each week.  Last week was egg rolls, this week I handled 40 lbs of chicken.  Next week I’m going to attempt homemade gogurt (including homemade yogurt in the crockpot).  Freezer meals rock and this makes it SO much easier!

3. www.lds.org

I LOVE our church website.  They are constantly updating the content on it.  So much information and so helpful.  I use it almost daily.  Whether I’m studying my scriptures, looking up phone numbers, or reading about my responsibilities in the Relief Society, it’s fabulous.  If you aren’t using it regularly, I highly recommend it!

4.  My Kitchen Aid

I got this for Christmas about 2 years a go and LOVE it!  Today I shredded cooked chicken in it.  (It was seriously SO EASY)  I love to make cookies and banana bread in it.  As I mentioned last week, I make bread in it now.  Technology is awesome!

5.  My sister

I remember growing up and NOT being grateful for my sister.  We were not always the best of friends.  (Remember those fights driving to school…the hair pulling and everything?)  But now that we’re both moms we talk to each other almost every day.  Often multiple times a day.  She is one of my best friends and I’m so grateful that even though we live over 1600 miles apart we are so close.  (I can’t wait to see you at Christmas Sissy)

I’m so grateful for so many things, it’s hard to pick 5 each week.  Maybe I’ll keep doing this ALWAYS! (maybe not!)

My friend Anna often does Gratitude Tuesday and I’ve been saying I’ll do it too, but I never do.  Today my friend Brittany did a Thankful Thursday.  I think I’ll take her lead and try to post 5 things each Thursday that I’m grateful for.  And I’m going to post this on both of my blogs!

1.  This guy slept through the night last night!

Now I’m under no illusions that he will sleep through the night again tonight, and in fact yesterday evening he had a really rough time and both Paul and I paced the floor with him trying to help him finally fall asleep.  But a good night sleep feels WONDERFUL and I’m grateful that he did sleep well last night!

2.  Yeast

My sister told me recently that she’s afraid of yeast, and I used to be also, but I bought a large container of dry active yeast and now I’m using it!  I have a recipe that makes ONE loaf of bread.  It’s perfect for doing something special for dinner.  Tuesday I tried THIS RECIPE that makes 12 rolls and tonight I’m going to try to make THESE breadbowls to make with THIS soup.  I haven’t gotten any of theses recipes to turn out as perfectly as I expected yet, but I’m trying.  I have a friend teaching a class on making bread in a few weeks, so maybe he can help my bread turn out better!

3.  Good books

I love to read and always have.  I’m in 2 book clubs which both had their discussions last week.  We read The Woman In White and To Kill A Mockingbird.  Both totally different from each other, but I really enjoyed reading them both.  I’m currently trying to get ready to teach Relief Society on Sunday, and I’m using Daughters in My Kingdom as my text, so I’ve been pouring through it again.  I’m very grateful for books that inspire me.

4.  Electricity

From the TV that’s entertaining my 2yo while I write this to the computer I’m writing this on, I am very grateful electricity.  I’m glad I was born in this day and age of modern conveniences.  I’m glad I can see in the dark.  I’m glad I can talk to my sister in New Jersey almost every day.  I’m glad electricity exists and that we know how to harness and use it to make our lives easier. 

5.  My amazing husband

Not only does he support our family financially allowing me to stay home with our children, but he is an amazing support to us spiritually and socially.  He loves spending time with us.  He treats me wonderfully.  He’s everything I ever hoped to have in a husband.   He’s smart.  He’s funny.  He’s a great dad.  He’s athletic.  He’s handy.  Right now he’s in the middle of woodworking, making a Christmas present which I won’t talk more about so it can stay a surprise.  Now I’m not saying he’s perfect, but I feel so lucky to have him.

I love the feeling I’ve had this morning as I composed this post.  I should write about what I’m grateful for more often.  I look forward to doing it next week!

I’m sure it has to do with him being the 4th, but I just haven’t taken very many pictures of David.  I’ll try to do better.

He’ll be 2 months old at the end of this week and is doing great.  He is still a super nurser, loves to be held, and has started smiling and cooing at us all the time!  He holds his head up great and stares at the ceiling smiling enthusiastically. 

Not only do his parents and grandparents think he’s wonderful, but his brothers love him a lot and are really great helpers.  Brian and Christian both love to give him kisses and hugs and Aaron can help pick him up and carry him if asked. 

Since I’m still nursing him once and often twice or three times overnight I’m still pretty tired, but I know someday (soon?) he’ll sleep through the night.  I can survive a little longer since I know this stage will pass. 

We really have a great family and are especially glad David has joined our family.

Grandma Thomas with David at 2 weeks

Paul with David at 2 weeks

Paul and I with David at 2 weeks

Brian loves just being with him

David chilling in the bobby at 3 weeks

Christian giving him a hug (basically laying his head on top of David)

Grandma Fuller with David at 6 weeks

David smiling for the camera at 7 weeks

Looking super cute!

C and D side by side on the floor.

Christian giving him a kiss!

Can life really get much better?