Thomas the Train!

We went to the "Day Out with Thomas" event in Lakeville this past weekend with the Wittes and the McLains. I was a little nervous that Tommy would see the big train and say "No Way", but it was a big hit! Tommy and Lauren, holding hands, ran for the train - I could hardly catch in in a picture. We had a lot of fun! Sir Topham Hat was a little strange, but a photo-op either way... There was some smooching going on on the train... Luke had a little talk with them. Too cute. The kids played at the train tables forever, and could have stayed even longer. Tommy had his 1st lunch at McDonalds! I can't believe we've waited this long - he seemed to like it, and had fun goofing around with Lauren and "Old McDonald" as he calls him. Fun day for all!

Trip to the Farm

We were out on the farm last weekend to help clean/move, and have some fun while we were there. We saw Spencer and Marion's new house - and LOVED it. Can't wait to visit after they move, but in the meantime, we hope to help them get ready for the auction and the move. Tommy found many old farm tractor toys that he wanted to take home, so I had to draw the line somewhere. He also was superbly photogenic near the tractor, but I've found that if I put a shirt on him with a hood - he'll wear the hood. No matter what, even if I take it off. Funny kid! We went for a Doodlebug ride, and saw some deer - very close. Great trip!

Grandma and Grandpa visited...

Good thing Grandma and Grandpa love baseball too... I just like this picture, so I had to post it. I know my mom will love it!

Mommy/Tommy Trip to the Children's Museum

I had a day off before July 4th, so Tommy and I took a trip to the Children's Museum. Clifford was there! Tommy loved playing the Clifford area, but when the 'real' Clifford appeared... he was a little apprenhensive. He talks about it a lot now, but wasn't too excited in the actual moment. He absolutely loved the play kitchen and grocery store, and wore the 'garbage man' costume around for quite some time! Bubbles/water area was a big hit and a kind stranger offered to take our picture. I'll remember that for a long time - it was so nice of him, and turned into a great photo memory for me. I'll remember to do that for some other harried mom someday....

Beauty Sleep

Our dear niece Katie invented a game at our house called "Beauty Sleep". It's hilarious - and self-explanatory. These two are pretty beautiful already, but we let them play :)

Max turned 10!

Family birthday party for our nephew Max was a basebell-fest! Tommy had a blast with his cousins, got a few good hits from two patient pitchers named Max and Ricky - and even Katie took a few swings. Happy Birthday Max!

Father's Day 2009

Father's Day 2009. We read a book very often called "Froggy's Day with Dad", or something like that. In this book, Froggy gives his dad a mug for Father's day. So, for many months now I knew we'd have to hunt down a mug for Mike for Father's Day, and I was right. Tommy absolutely insisted, and then told Mike exactly what he was getting the moment we walked in the door. Sigh. Cute moment though!

Trucks and Travel Event - ECFE

ECFE hosted a Trucks and Travel night at the high school. There were semi trucks, fire trucks, cement trucks, tractors, buses, more semis, police horses, police cars - you name it (except garbage trucks which was a bummer - Tommy LOVES them). Tommy wasn't too interested in anything but... the school bus. Man, did he have a blast - he loved that bus. I did get a interesting photo of Tommy and Daddy in the back of a cop car, and I'm hoping that is the only opportunity EVER for that photo to be taken.

Grand Old Day

I'm going on a blogging spree tonight... be warned!

Back to June - to celebrate my birthday, St. Paul held Grand Old Day. Just kidding - but it was a great way to celebrate the day. We went with the Poynters, and Garrett and Tommy had fun as usual. It was cold - but the parade and candy warmed the boys up. It turned into a long morning, and Tommy fell asleep in his stroller - but note that he did NOT let go of his balloon. Very impressive!

Last day of ECFE

Fun at the park - I just really like these pictures, so I thought I'd share... I'll write more another time. But here is one big update - Tommy is in the 'Why?' stage. Big time. Constantly asking us "why?" He's going to be an engineer for sure.

Happy Birthday Mike... and other tidbits...

Yes, I've been a delinquent blogger. Allow me to play a bit of catch-up -

Tommy has many interests lately - normal toddler things like Mickey Mouse, books, blocks, tractors... but my favorite is Jesus. It started during Advent and was obvious at Christmas time, but it hasn't stopped. He was crushed when I had to take down the Nativity scene, and everytime we play playdough, Tommy asks us to make Jesus, Mary, Joseph, a manger, a crib and usually a blanket and pillow for Jesus (which you can see for yourself below). He'll also make Jesus, Mary and Joseph out of his food - pears, grapes, grilled cheese - you name it, it can be a nativity scene. Even in the bathtub! He has an old Fisher Price person and lawnchair that were mine as a kid, and that is now Jesus and his crib in the bathtub. We might have a little priest on our hands - he loves to walk around with a book up in the air, like the priest. He sings "Jesus Loves Me" alot, and says his dinner prayer at random times. He makes us laugh! He is such a good boy in church too - we're very lucky. He whispers(read: spits) in our ear during church if he needs to tell us anything. Gives me the giggles!

Last week was Mike's birthday and Tommy was excited. I took Tommy to Target with me to buy Mike's present - but didn't realize how hard it was to explain to a toddler that presents are a SURPRISE! Tommy and I talked about it on the way home from the store - it's a surprise for daddy, tell him he'll get it on his birthday. So, Tommy walks into the house and says something along the lines of "Daddy - do you want your game?". Oh well!

Another recent funny: We went out to the farm this past weekend. Tommy wasn't ready to leave on Sunday, so we joked around that he could just stay for the week. He had one concern however. "Does Grandma have a toaster?" I said yes - and then he was ready to stay. Funny - such worries 2 year olds have....


That's all for now!

Enjoy spring - Sarah

Larsens and Poynters at Buca's

We helped Greg celebrate his birthday with a nice dinner at Buca's.

Tommy really cares

So Tommy had a little cold, no big deal. But he didn't sleep as well as he usually does. Sarah stayed in his room for a while (thanks!).

Sarah mentioned the next night, "I have a sore neck." I said that I had a sore back. And Tommy hears all of this and said, "I don't have anything." Mommy laughed and Daddy did too.

Daddy/Son Sick Day

Why not blog on a day home with Tommy? He's resting and watching Mickey's Clubhouse. Overall, he is in good shape with a little cough but is a little tired.

So I asked him at breakfast what everyone was doing today. He told me:
Grandma and Grandpa Henderson are playing with my trains
Grandma and Grandpa Larsen are eating
Mommy is working
Sandy and Katie are also working
Dean and Tonya are playing football
Max, Ricky and Ella are tackling Dean
.. the priest at church is working too.

Tommy and Grandma

This picture was just too cute to not put on the blog right away! From our weekend in New Ulm... cut short by snow, but still a very fun weekend!