Oh Justin...

There are no words for the conversation that Lauren and I just had.  After listening to the Justin Bieber CD every day this week...

Lauren:  Why does Justin only sings sad songs?

Mom:  I don't know Lauren, what do you think?

Lauren:  I think he's sad because he really wants me to be his girlfriend, but he's waiting for me to grow up.

Mom:  Yes Lauren...I think you are exactly right.  He would be lucky to have you.

What I was REALLY thinking:   "Over my dead body"!

Going to the Chapel

The tiny Thomas family headed to Denver in early February for our very first outdoor winter wedding for Michael's wonderful son, David and his new bride, Cindy. 

It was outdoors.  

In 28 degree weather.  

And a fashion nightmare for the guests (Pants or a dress?  Heels or boots?  Panty hose or tights?).  

And the bride's tears of joy literally FROZE on her face during the ceremony.

But it was a beautiful event, and a perfect day spent with our family. 

As they always are.  We love you.

Lauren's Uncle Mike, Aunt Jerris, Cousin Sam, and the beautiful wedding party.

Lauren and Cousin Sam.  I can't imagine her idolizing anyone more.

Uncle Mike, his grandson Bodhi, and Sam.  

They look like a Ralph Lauren advertisement. 

Or at least "Men's Warehouse".

I love my Daddy.  And his warm winter coat.  Thanks Daddy.

Uncle Brandon (aka:  the measuring stick).

And he's finally not laying down in a picture.

Sam, how did you get so tall?

Lauren (looking like Jackie O) and her new friend, Liam.

I love this picture.  She looks serious.  But that outfit!

Snow Crabs for the Crabby.

For Valentine's Day dinner, Lauren's Dad decided to make a spicy crab spaghetti dish. 

 Complete with real, live crabs.  

So as most people do, he brought them home ALIVE.  

To a cat and child.  

To run around our driveway...

And then our kitchen.  

Before he cooked them.  

And then they ended up in a tupper-ware.  

Try to explain that to a toddler!

The first introduction of the "snow crab".  Interesting.

Feeling a little "nervous" Dad!

Get these scary, snappy animals away from me!

Well that went over well...

One of these things is not like the other - Round #5

Lauren got to see her 6 ft/6 inch Uncle in February (aka:  The Measuring Stick).  Love these posts!

Quarterly Review: More Firsts!

In my failure of not doing a post in over three months, we are now able to see first-hand all of Lauren's "firsts". It's so fun to see them experience so many new things even at the ripe old age of 3+++.

Lauren's first building experience.

Please meet "Rapunzel" from the Build-A-Bear store. 

She has soft fur of pink and red hearts, 

and if you squeeze her right paw, she sings a Justin Bieber song.

All for the low price of $72.  

We love her!  And she is a great addition to our family.  

And we won't be getting her a brother!

Lauren's first boyfriend.   

He drives. But he's plastic. That's good right?

Lauren's first big girl doll.  

AKA:  "Maddy"

She's from Target.  

But Lauren thinks she's an American Girl doll.

That's good right?

Lauren's first theatrical production.

Assuming "Sesame Street"counts as the theater?

Lauren's first out-of-body experience

 Due to sugar-overland at her school Valentine's Day Party.

Oh those eyes!

Not so good right?

Blog Fail!

Okay, okay.

For my blog followers (all five of you), I have received an endless amount of grief for the fact that I haven't made a post in exactly 93 days.  It is a true blog FAIL!  But to my credit (and in the famous words of my dear brother-in-law, Michael Knaisch), we have been busy "living the memories" with Lauren versus recording them.

In truth, she is full of energy.  I can't find the cord to our camera, and I'm pretty much 100% exhausted being 40 something with an almost 4 year old.  As I've said in the past, parenting is not for the weak.

So on to the show.  Let's start with Christmas in March!

December came and went in no time at all.  Lauren decorated three gingerbread houses, visited two Santas, had one Christmas program, and received more friends and gifts then should be legally allowed.

Lauren at her Holiday program. They sang "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" (hence the antlers).  

But what I find most interesting is that she is surrounded by all the boys with no other girls in sight.  

Daddy, perhaps this is something you should take note of going forward.

The first of more gingerbread houses than I can count.  

It's fun in theory.  

But none of them were edible since they were glue-gunned together (lazy Mama)

and Lauren sucked all the candy prior to application

The Christmas tree picture. 

Thank you Grandma Kathy for the adorable dress. 

And thank you for the long nap that rendered a happy smile!