Birthday Bash

Here's some pics of Wes' first birthday party...it was a little chilly but awesome to have so many friends, neighbors and family around. He loved the Baby Einstein character cake (my friend Rrin and I made it)....so much so he wouldn't eat it! He too one lick, made a funny face and stuck to the peas...that's my healthy boy! ha ha. Also he really showed his personality- serious, taking in the whole situation then when he's comfortable having a blast! It was so special for us to celebrate our growing little man!

Wesley is One!!!!

Last nights fun- Go San Diego Chargers!

Wesley Richard Woodruff Thomas is 1 today!!! This last year was full of trials and errors, laughter and tears, drool and poop, firsts and lasts.....it was the best year of our lives!!! Happy Birthday Bubba- You are a blessing from Jesus and WE LOVE YOU!

Keira May...

I got to meet Jen and Kyles bundle of cuteness this weekend....Sleeping Beauty sums it up. Its hard to remember Wes being that small and that easy! ha ha! We also got a good video...Wes cracking up at a balloon! He doesn't laugh very often (but smiles a lot) so this is rare footage. I guess we know what to get for his birthday!

Fall fun

Dave was home this week and we had a ton of fun. We bought new furniture, went to the pumpkin patch, hosted Dave's family, went horseback riding and ran a half marathon!! Like I said fun and busy week! This was our first 1/2 marathon and it went great- I'm sure we will do another someday. And to top it all off Wes took his FIRST STEPS this weekend!!! He is officially "walking" at 11 1/2 months. He is getting good a his new skill and tries it often...makes it a few steps then falls, but it will be only a matter of time until he's running! Good thing I've been training! ha.

Showering Jen

A few weeks ago I hosted my old roommate and sweet friend, Jennifer Lind's, baby shower. April, Charity, Katie and I all planned it and it was so fun I was shocked how the time flew when the last few left at 6pm...I didn't want it to end. The theme was vintage birdy- the decorations by Katie were fabulous and the food yummy. Here are a few pics from the beautiful day. Jen I am so excitd to meet Kiera May- she is so lucky to have you as parents! Also I have been learning how to sew this year so I made Jen's presents- a Hooter Hider with a burpcloth sewn in.... And a hooded bath towel (sorry the picture is sideways). They both came out really cute and I can't wait to see a picture of Kiera after a bath!

Summer at a glance

We had a great summer. My class was time consuming but interesting, glad its over. We got to share so many new experiences with Wes for his first summer! From boating at San Antonio, to swim lessons with mom, 4th of July parade, home grown yellow squash, backyard nakey pool time and Tahoe hiking it was a blast. Here are a few pics from our sunny months. Glad to be back blogging, missed you guys!

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Taking a break

Hello Blogging world. Just so you don't think I fell off a cliff an am gone forever, I wanted to let you all know I am in school (online) for the next 6 weeks; therefore you will not be getting cute pictures and updates of my little man. Maybe I'll post a few things about what I am learning (Sociology)- I get a little fired up about all liberal talk and have to post another option- conservative ideas. Anyway, we will see you all in a month in a half- have a good beginning of your summer!

Kristal

Who's at the wheel?

Ok, So I don't know if you are like me and don't have much patience for THOSE drivers who may not be as skilled as yourselves, but here is a little thought I have that sometimes helps me out. Come on, you know who you are Mr. or Mrs. I drive slow in the left lane because I don't like the merging traffic. Mr. or Mrs. I drive slow until the passing lane then I speed up so no one can pass me. Mr. or Mrs. I like to drive in your blind spot on the freeway for one million miles! Sorry for the rant. Anyway, as you can tell, these people were driving me crazy, I was getting road rage. Then, some time ago, I started imagining that Jesus, yes Jesus, was behind the wheel of every car. Stay with me here. So, when that driver is going slow in the left lane and holding up FIFTY cars and I'm edging up on their back bumper! oh sorry, I digress, I just remind myself that it's Jesus behind the wheel of that car and I ask myself, would I tailgate Jesus? Ouch, then I back off and try to be nice. Now, I don't always remember to drive like this, but I find that it does lessen my stress level a bit, so I thought it was some advice for all of my fellow drivers out there who actually pay attention to the FACT THAT YOU ARE DRIVING AND THERE ARE OTHERS AROUND YOU, oops, I digressed again. Anyway, yeah, Jesus is driving that car... Square

It's Official

Wes is CRAWLING!!! (1 day before he turned 7 months) He is slowly on the move and so far its been fun. I know the faster he gets the harder it will be, but we are enjoying for now. He just seems happier too because he can get to where he wants to go!

Life in Him

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.

So here I sit, in a hotel room in New York, contemplating the past few years of my life. Sounds really deep, this I know. When I first became a believer, life was hard, but life was easy. I had about $1500 to my name, a commission based job with no gaurantee of income, I was in the middle of a divorce, and I had Jesus. That last statement made everything else seem so insignificant.

Only a month or so before, I was drinking and smoking so much, life was a blur. The pain that I felt was real, mostly because I did not understand that I was the creation of that very pain. Avoiding responsibility for my laziness, my actions, but most of all, my fears led to the destruction of the so called life I knew. Just keep floating by, floating by, things are all right, if everyone thinks I'm fine, then so do I. What a meaningless quest it is to seek your approval from others when for the most part they don't really care about much more than themselfs.

All that changed, I had Jesus. So there I was, and my life was free, my life was not about me. I had the light of Jesus, and it was shinning so brightly that the darkness that what once was my life no longer seemed important. I was not perfect, but I was perfected. My identity was revealed, exposed for who I really was, and my joy was complete for who I wanted to be in Him, a servant.

That's the good news.

Fres-yes

My youngest sister Kelley graduated from Fresno State last weekend and we were there...now that she's moving that may have been the last time I go to Fresno on purpose. This week she and Karie are in Italy to celebrate the occasion- must be nice! Actually the weather was perfect and the best part was hanging with the family. Wesley got to finally meet his great grandma Rose. She sang German lullabies and he tried to pull her teeth out- they were a cute pair!

The family

Great Grandma Kisses

Someone really likes watermelon

The graduate and her bestfriend Vickrum

Four generations

101.8

Yesterday Wes had his first fever- I wasn't too worried until it reached 101.8! Called the Doc and they said not to worry until 103. Since he got his shots the day before I figured a little fever was normal but it really knocked him out. He literally would not let me put him down. So we sleeped together, ate together and rocked together and finally Daddy came home so Mom could get a break.

Alternating Tylenol and Motrin seem to help a little. Other than the fact I didn't get anything done it was a very peaceful day....me and my little boy snuggled all day long- I love my job.

Dancing Shoes

My cousin Garrett (who's 12) made this video- its really fun and creative. Check it out.

Suba Ruba

So Dave has been driving around my old college truck (good ol "Slick" the Ford Ranger) and he thought it was a bit girly of a truck so has been searching for a replacement. Not an any big hurry or not even sure what he wanted but on the look out.

On our way out of Kmart yesterday we picked up a few Photo Traders and parused. This 2000 Green/Tan Subaru Outback caught our eye and since it was in Santa Margarita we decided to take a look. It is in great condition and was way cheaper than others we have seen. We couldn't resist. It will get us to Tahoe in the snow and have much better gas milage than any of the cars we have now. So bye bye Slick- hello Green Manly Machine.

At least my truck will stay in the family- my 16 year old cousin gets to drive it- oh yeah and she a girl...

Room addition

My friend and neighbor Emily painted these cute pictures to go in Wes' room. It had an ABC theme but needed some art work to complete the look. I didn't find anything I liked that was in my price range so I told her my idea and voila! It looks even better when you see it in person in his room, but isn't it great!?

Also a few cute baby pics because who could resist. (hope you don't hurt your neck looking at this picture because spent 30 mins trying to fix it and it didn't work- oh well!)

So many new things

So Wes is changing everyday but I feel like the last 2 weeks he is leaving the baby stage in the dust and running...well scooting to toddlerhood.

He can sit up all alone, roll both ways, get on his hands and knees and rock back and forth, and just today I felt a sharp numb on his lower gums, and guess what I found- (suspenseful huh) a little white tooth trying to break out!

It's amazing to watch him grow but I'm sure going to miss that gummy little smile.

The Mile High Party Week

Yes, we were in Denver, and we have some great pictures to show. It was a fun vacation that included hiking, skiing, great food, and of course a good times with the family, enjoy!

Cold and Hot

Today Atascadero felt like Costa Rica...minus the beach. So we had to have some nake time. As you can see Wes is practicing sitting up! He can only do it for a few seconds if his hands are on the ground in front of him but I am still a proud mama. He is still smiling even though he has his first cold! No snot coming out here because I am pretty anal about wiping- he hates it. Hopefully he feels better for our trip to Colorado coming up this weekend. Can't wait to see you Anutie Karie May!

He can only roll one way then gets stuck here and gets really mad!

Before and After

We just started using Wes' high chair. It's a little big for him but as you can see meal time is messy business so its time for a place to do it. I wanted to give you a before and after pictures.

Yum we love avocado...but diaper duty is much different now- yuck!

Family time

I didn't have a chance to post these until now. They are pics from a few weekends ago when my family was here....Also he just turned 5 months last Wednesday and has started rolling (from back to front) and squeeling with delight in his jumping chair.

Reading with Auntie Karie May Snoozing in the swing

Play time with Mommy

Nana with some yummy rice cereal

Cracking up with Grandma Vikki