Its such a blessing to be able to go home and visit my family. This year everyone was able to make it to Charlotte, we all got together this year because everyone is going to their in-laws for Christmas or having their own family Christmas. We were so glad that we didn't have to drive 4 hrs to St. Louis any more and were able to drive up to the airport and take a direct flight!!! ( Such a good feeling ) Not going to lie, I do not miss living out in IL. We were the last ones of the Thomas clan to get into Charlotte, it was so good to have everyone in one place!!! One of my favorite things is to just sit in a room with all my family and just listen to all that is going on, and of course having all the crazy loud kids running around :).
While we were at home we went and saw Vanessa and Mikes new renovations to their home, and it looks AMAZING!!! It made Jonny want to buy a home........and i'm fine with that, sounds good to me !!! We went swimming at their neighborhood pool and all the little boys and big boys had fun playing. I just LOVE how much Mason and Deacon love Uncle Jonny, whatever he does they think is the coolest thing EVER !!! ( Aunt Mariah may seem like chopped liver, but at least I have my hand in the cookie jar.) Jonny and I were able to baby sit Deacon and Owen while Mason and Vanessa did some school business. We decided that we wanted to take the boys up to lake Wylie for the day and explore the area and of course throw as many rocks we could into the water!! ( those boys LOVE throwing rocks into the water)
The first place we went to we were getting out of the car and realized that we forgot to grab Owens shoes............. ( this parenting thing, is going to take some getting use to) But luckily I found a par of soccer cleats that Vanessa said were to small for deacon, who is 4 years old. I proceeded to put the what I thought would be HUGE cleats on Owens chunky little feet, but they actually fit pretty well, with only a little room to spear! We went and played on the park and throw what seemed to be millions of rocks and clam shells into the water.
Deacon even found a clam that was still alive with his shell closed, he told me that HE REALLY wanted to show Mason ( his brother) but didn't want to kill it. So we came to the conclusion to throw him back into the water where he can grow even bigger!!
This skeleton of a bird we found was not as lucky as the clam. Deacon and Owen thought it was pretty cool, they wanted to keep it and show it to mom and dad and Mason and Pa and Grammy, but they did NOT want me to hold it. They wanted Uncle Jonny and ONLY him to hold it. 
After a whole day of fun, and many questions Deacon bit the dust....He was singing to the music with Jonny and I one minute and the next thing I look back and see this, with Owen WIDE EYED next to him still singing away. Poor kid I felt so bad for his neck, but hes young he will bounce back quick.
We were lucky enough to be back home for my birthday this year, big 23 ( Whoot, Whoot). The whole time we were together on this trip Owen kept singing HIS very own special version of Happy Birthday, saying over and over again, ( HAPPY TO YA, HAPPY TO YA) so while Deacon was knocked out next to him I tried to get him on video of him sing to me. He was doing so well, but once I started videoing he just started digging for gold. What a funny kid.
While we were home with everyone being there and looking so handsome and beautiful we had to take a family pic. It seems like every time we take a picture there are new additions, or coming additions in Shannon and my place. Kaytlin decided to take it upon herself to take the family picture this year, and I think she did great!!!! Now we never need to pay for a professional again because we have one right in the family ;P !!!
I just love my brothers and sisters, they are the best. They have all been such good examples to me with becoming parents of their own. I hope to be as good of a parent as them. It was a lot of fun all the siblings and their spouses were all able to go out to a movie ( Mission Impossible 3 or 5 I don't know) without any kids, thanks to Grammy and Pa. We saw the movie and went out to dinner and enjoyed a beautiful night just talking and laughing. I think I truly have the best family in the world.
