Canun January 2008

Vacation! What a wonderful way to start the New Year!!! Logistically, Cancun made perfect sense: great weather, Marriott property and only 4 hours away via direct flight.

It had been a while since we took a full week long, warm weather vacation and Dad tried something different for this occasion. He left his PC at home!

We were lucky enough to stay at the three year old, JW Marriott Resort and Spa, which won the covited, AAA Five Diamond Hotel Award for 2008.

GOURGEOUS DARLING!!! Our room was on a top floor and had a marvolous view of the pool and beach.

At day break we watched the sun come up.

A beautiful Pool with hot tubs and pool side drinking and dinning. We never had to go anywhere! This was a VERY relaxing vacation, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Lets go surfing now, everybodies learning how....Thomas had a blast swimming and "surfing" on the floatie. I've had it up to my neck with you!, says Thomas as he gets buried in the sand.

Thomas met some friends at the pool and joined them a couple time at the Day Camp offered by the resort. They had a great time face painting, right up Thomas's alley! "I've come to suck your blood," said the Vampire.

Out to dinner one night, great sunset on the water, lagun side. They even had a real alligator just downstairs from the elevated dinning area.

What's a 5 Diamond resort without an "infinity" pool. How cool is this? Where does the pool end and the ocean start?Well we did venture out from the Resort a couple of times. Went to the mall to shop, Thomas got a temporary tatoo and Dad bought a box of Cuban Double Corona's--very tasty. Mom shopped and we even had a visit from cookie monster.

We also took a day trip to the Isle Mujores just off the coast from Cancun. We took the bus to the Ferry and were glad we did as we were on our own schedule. Here's the Ferry in the back ground.

Once on the Island, we rented a golf cart to get around. It was a good choice, too big to walk and the cart gave us the freedom to go where we wanted and to stay as long as we wanted.

At the far end of the island, there was a very nice open air restuarant and a little hiking trail which led to some beautiful vistas and an ancient Myan ruin denoting the farthest eastern part of Mexico.

What a view!

While posing, Thomas noticed the lizard in the second photo-look closely.
Thomas as the "big Kahuna" in his little grass shack- where's Gigit?

Turtle Farm BEACH PARTY!!! We stopped at a road side Grill on the beach and had a few beers and played in the ocean.

After a long day, it was a quick punch in the belly for the pirate and then back to the Resort - we were all ready to sleep, but we went into the hot tub first for some relaxation.

On the last day we spent some time on the beach, collecting shells......

and just reflecting on the great vacation we had. Thomas said several times, "can we move to Mexico?"

Sorry no pictures of the trip home - it was just too sad. A BIG THANKS to Grandma for picking us up at O'hare and to Grandpa for watching Tahoe. LOVE YOU GUYS

Christmas 2007

Thomas went to see Santa to make sure he was not on the Naughty list! Here's the big man himself reassuring Thomas that he's okay again this year. Santa read stories to the kids and each child received a present.
The event was put on by Susan's Elmhurst Junior Club at the Sugar Creek golf course. We had hot cocoa and cookies and a very good time. Each family donated a gift for a child in need. Susan treated Thomas, Grandma, Aunt Mary, Margaret and I to a night of Christmas music sung by De Paul University's choir at Saint Vincent de Paul's cathedral in Chicago . It was absolutely beautiful!! Afterwards, we took Thomas to see the orchestra pit...it was very interesting. He liked the Trumpets. Sharp hair cut Thomas!!

I saw Santa Kissing Mommy under the Christmas tree!!!After the concert, was a reception that included hot cocoa, brownies, cookies and a vist with...you guessed it, Santa.

Thomas was in 2 Christmas shows with his Pre-schools. Each was wonderful in its own way. The Montessori School theme was, "Christmas around the World". Thomas is dressed up as a man from China.

We had lots of friends and family around at Christmas. The Tripp's came over and celebrated Christmas Eve.

Jack and Marlene joined us and brought a wonderful spicy dip YUM YUM!

Tom and Maureen with Matt, Brian, Shauna and Dylan brought lots of food and presents for the little ones.On Christmas Day, the Wesolowski's and Otto's came over with more food and gifts.

The "big" present was a full set of Karate Sparing gear! Yellow belts must have their own gear and here we see Thomas with his mouth guard, which was a very BIG hit.

Full gear- Go ahead- Take your best shot, says Thomas!

Thomas's Fifth Birthday 11-27-097

While Thomas' birthday is 11-27-07, we had his brithday BASH on Saturday 12-1-07. Susan booked the new "Pump It Up" facility and Wow---what a great place for a party! Games and slides and ball pits everywhere, oh my.
To help him celebrate, Thomas invited a group of his friends to the party.

Even Margeret and Aunt Mary came to lend a hand and have some fun.
Thomas said the highlight was climbing the rock wall. "Look at how high I am, Mom"! Rock On!!

It's not just for Boys!!

Thomas and his good buddy, Michael Kuhl letting out a primal scream...it was heard for miles!

Talk about being King for a day...look at that chair!

A big thanks to Mom for putting it all together and the look of satisfaction that only a delicious cup cake can bring.

Happy Brithday Thomas!

Random Photo Dec 2007

Button Up Campers....Its' cold out there!

Thanksgiving Nov 2007

Thomas and Maureen Tripp invited the family over for Thanksgiving and we had a wonderful time.

The food was great and the company was even better! Thomas' cousin Dylan thought the food was YUM YUM!!!

Love that CUBS bib Dylan- this is the year!!! Go CUBS GO!!

Karate- A first place finish and an orange belt- Nov '07

In early November Thomas and his friend Jack Giura attended thier first Karate Tournament.

Thomas really wanted to do well at his first karate tournament. So, prior to the event, he paid attention in class and practiced with Dad as much as he could. We even went to another Tournament to learn what we could before hand- Thanks to Sensei Barry Schimmel for his encouragement!

We looked a the trophies before the event and Thomas told me he REALLY wanted one.

To earn the first place trophy, Thomas had to Spar twice - both of his opponents were taller than him, but that didn't stop Thomas!

Thomas used several blocks to prevent his attackers from scoring and he scored points on Hammerfist blows to his opponents and won both contests to win first place.Thomas carried his trophy around for a whole day- non stop, taking it into every room. He put it next to Dad's hockey trophy and correctly told me that his was bigger- well what's a Dad to say except, CONGRATULATIONS!

The following week Thomas qualified for the Orange Belt. He had to memorize and successfully demonstrate over 20 stances, strikes, blocks and kicks.

He passed with flying colors and Sensei Becky said he was one of the only kids who actually knew everything. I guess paying attention and practicing PAID OFF!