Grand Adventure III

Time for games ...

2010-01-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

"Mrs. White in the ballroom with the candlestick"

Sleuths build their skills for the next great treasure hunt.

What game time would be complete without this classic shot of father and son playing checkers?

At this point I introduce you to the exciting and challenging game of Diplomacy. The game where treaties, rather then dice, determine the course of the game. What a mind spinner! This game has NO chance.

During each round, we run off to create treaties. For 15 minutes we haggle, coerce and "diplomat".

Then we run back at the sound of the bell, and assess the damage.

I believe I've found the modern version of this at Amazon.com

Diplomacy

What happens when you get two ESFP's at the same game table? Colleens face says it all!

Art

"Behold, I make all things new"

But wait! There's more ...

2010-01-04T16:41:00.000-08:00

So after our own Polar Plunge, we saw a mob of about a 1,000 people on the other end of the beach. We knew there was an official plunge, but it was still quite a surprise! Back in my parents day, only about 10 people would show up on any given New Years.

Me & My Sista

My brothers slowly warming up. Although, Micaiah still claims that his legs froze off in the ocean and he is going to have to come back in the spring once they thaw out.

Milling around, we met this guy with the neatest five toed "barefoot shoes". I think that would have done the trick for my little tosies.

Vibram Five Fingers SPRINT Men's Shoes (Navy) FREE SHIPPING (44, Navy/Blue/Camo)

Suddenly, without warning, they're off! A mob of freezing, frozen, flailing folks

One step at a time, the true die-hard makes it back to land.

The plunge ...

2010-01-04T17:07:00.000-08:00

Getting spruced up for the big event.

What lovely weather for a swim ... A SWIM!?!?!?

Michael, dear, calm down! (Why does she ALWAYS look better then me in MY hat?)

At First Beach we arrive reinforcements in tow. Though I wrote far and near, the only folks that would join us were the Mello folks. I thank you greatly for you support Stephanie & Tabitha!

Warming up my "core"

My mom: Smilin' & Stylin' in the snow

Our hearts in our throats, we all appear calm ... even cheerful as we approach the water.

"Forward!" We roar as we dash to take the plunge.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade, ... Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Aghghghghgh!!!

Land ... Safe at last!

My mother, who couldn't stop laughing the whole time, also returns safely. Hmm ... is your hair still DRY?!?

My appropriately dressed father robes the royal queen

"We did it!"

The team assembles on the beach for a final shot

Numbness

Going back for just one more dousing

Matthew's car temp

Afterwards we all indulge in a nice cup of hot coffee ... all in all, it was quite an exhilarating experience!

2010-01-04T17:54:00.000-08:00

Hello Folks,

I hope the New Year finds everyone well. As usual I will let the pictures tell the story. However I do want to take this time to say how grateful I am for all of God's little and, you know, not so little kindnesses throughout the year.

Life is a learning curve, but here's to 2010!

As Always,

Love in Christ Jesus,

Michael & Rebekah & JACK

Book reccomendation for the week. Thinking about gardening yet, this book is the ultimate guide for anything shrubs and higher. I never knew how many ways there were to take care of an apple tree, or a rose or a ...

Suffering from Post Christmas Blues? You aren't the only one ...

2010-01-04T18:02:00.001-08:00

Christmas Eve

2010-01-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

"Son, I must share a great secret with you. Santa is not real!" "Pshaw Dad, I already knew THAT!"

"When I grow up, I'm gonna tell everyone the truth about Santa!" "Ok son, you do that."

Christmas eve at the relatives, and who should show up?

"Don't worry dad, I know the truth"

Christmas Madeira style. Gotta have the maracas.

And we wonder where my mom gets her enthusiasm from. Well, I don't!

Nick ... or Jake ... or Nick. Ah the complications of twins.

Mom and aunt Marilyn our hostess

Hey babe! Love you ... much!

Christmas day

2010-01-04T17:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas day begins with a trip upstairs to play with the kids legos ...

Boy, if I was ten, this'd be heaven!

Please sir, can I have some more?

Christmas day continued

2010-01-04T17:33:00.000-08:00

The heart broken caroler

Music! We must have music!

"Joy to the world!"

Try as Jon would, my son would not awake! A Thomas indeed.

Art

2010-01-04T17:26:00.000-08:00

Marscel waits for the show to start

With amazing cinematography and starring Joshua Phillips, who wouldn't want to see the creation filled, amazing film of

The Mysterious Islands

Look at those salt sneezing monsters ... we want one!

Micaiah learns about King Henry the VIII's six wives

New Years Eve ...

2010-01-04T17:20:00.000-08:00

Cousin's are introduced. Wow! I just love how enthusiastic they are!

Dazzled to be sure!

Brainstorming for school, college and the future (incidentally my favorite topic outside of marriage)

An adoring Mama Monica

Don't blink .... don't blink ... AHA! I win.

12:00!!! Happy New Year! Auld Lang Syne!

I love you babe!

Calling in my wife's family!

Hooha!

Starting the new year with song

2010-01-04T16:00:00.000-08:00

As the day waxed thin, it was time for some music. With my brother's steady guitar enthusiasm, I was amazed at how much we could sing together.

"God of wonders beyond our galaxy, you are holy ..."

Ben covers for the http://swedishbladeofcorn.blogspot.com/

Well folks, whether you jumped into the ocean, sang a bunch of songs or even had a barbeque (I bet someone out there had a barbeque ... Hawaii readers anyone?) I hope you had a blessed start to the new year ... new decade ... a new dream. God bless you all!

Quote for today ...

2009-12-30T04:09:00.001-08:00

"Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I'll give you a man who will make history Give me a man with no goals and I'll give you a stock clerk." – J .C. Penny

2009-12-20T19:05:00.000-08:00

Hello Folks,

Wow! Jack is two weeks old. Fatherhood is an exiting ride. From spit-up rags hanging out of my pocket, to late night diaper changes, things have sure changed for this adventurous camera loving fanatic. Some might hope I'm being reformed, perhaps some are right. I like to think I'm just becoming more well rounded.

Heads up on a new experiment of mine, periodically through my posts, I will post links to items, books or random stuff that I find useful, interesting or just plain fun. Please don't be alarmed by the presence of what may seem to be "advertisement". It's just me being ... me.

Gotta run ...

As Always,

Love in Christ Jesus,

Michael, Rebekah and JACK FLYNN THOMAS

P.S. I just finished reading this book on the church that made me stop and think. Do I love the church? Do I? Do I ... really?

2009-12-20T18:59:00.000-08:00

I open this post with a picture of my recovering wife beneath a plaque that says it all ... "Love: True Love is Friendship Set on Fire" I love you Babe! Motherhood is a beautiful thing.

Your loyal blogger ... blogging

I might be able to look like I finally know what I'm doing, but ...

When it comes to real music, I still know my place ... sawin' the catgut.

And the relatives keep pouring right on in!

2009-12-20T18:54:00.000-08:00

Four generations. FOUR!!! Grandma ... you're one tough cookie.

For some reason, all I can think of is Shirley Temple in this shot

Blissful ignorance!

Another great grandmother! I've a new aspiration in life, I'd like to hike Mt. Washington with my first Great Grandson ... I'll let you know how that one turns out.

The adoring Auntie (for real!)

"Help Me"

MORE relatives! Hmm ... that guy looks strangely like Jeff.

Chaos and sickness

2009-12-20T18:44:00.000-08:00

In which I discover that even chaos can be strangely artistic

Sickness

With my wife sick (wife sick + baby = a bad thing), I deftly borrowed some oils from my family and with much prayer began an hour long massage/oil therapy process known as Raindrop Therapy. She smelled better then any salad dressing out there, but you know, it seemed to do the trick.

Randomicity

2009-12-20T18:36:00.000-08:00

Art

"Oh son! It's not that bad ... really! It's ... Oh you're right! You're right. It's hopeless. You're mother is just ignoring us. What right does she have to take a shower and leave us helpless?"

Uh oh! I think I'm gonna have a hickey.

"Say, when I grow up, am I going to have a cool beard like Daddy?"

Isn't it great when the lines of inlaws, outlaws and plain ol' sisters begin to blur?

Micaiah redefines the Taikomochi

Bath time ...

2009-12-20T18:23:00.000-08:00

Jack learns that he is not exempt from bathing requirements

Trying out our amazing little Tummy Tub .... salesmen will tell you that the unique design mimics the mothers womb and provides a feeling of security and comfort. Personally, I just think the whole thing is rather neat.

Art

Art II

Apparently whoever gave us the batter for these cookies uses more butter or something then I'm used to ... but, you know, hexagonal cookies taste better.

Jack's first night on the town

2009-12-20T18:14:00.000-08:00

First impressions mean a lot in society and we intended to give our Jack the very best chance we could with his dandy new sweater

Waiting for A Christmas Carol to start.

Will it EVER start?

Reviewing the programs. Unfortunately, Jack seems to ill comprehend the concept of reading. For a lad of two weeks old, I'm quite disappointed!

Random Art

Random Art II

"In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil,

but a foolish man devours all he has." Proverbs 21:20

Well Folks ... That's all for now. Y'all come again! Ya hear?

Time for the Erwin Brothers to hit the Arctic. An amazing National Geographic clip of a leopard seal. Disclaimer: has some very minor language

2009-12-10T18:25:00.000-08:00

2009-12-06T12:29:00.000-08:00

Hello Folks,

As you should all know by now. Our son Jack Flynn Thomas arrived Thursday at 12:13pm weighing in at a hefty 9lb and measuring in at 20 1/2" in length.

The home birth went very well. We appreciate all your prayers. Afterwards, we did need to transport to the hospital for a couple hours. However, everything went well. Not going into detail, God was gracious. The staff was very welcoming. Everything was taken care of and we were back home within a couple hours.

Gotta Run!

As Always ...

Love in Christ Jesus,

Michael & Rebekah & Jack

The Arrival

2009-12-06T11:38:00.000-08:00

My new guitar and violin are fast becoming best of friends. But a hunch tells me ... "Me, that's not the pics people are after"

Simple arithmetic ... My wife up in the middle of the night ... plus her hands on her hips in a funny way ... = The time is near

My mother comes armed with all her "midwifing gear" (If she doesn't go into midwifery after Marscel leaves the house, then she has missed her calling!)

Our dear midwives. Not the most flattering shot, perhaps, but you must realize the limitations of blogging such an event. My selection was therefore much limited.

"Put me back! I want a refund! I ordered the wrong ticket! Are you listening?"

Wendy and grandson begin to bond

Well! Maybe this place isn't that bad.

Our first family photo. Not quite what I'd send to 100's of people, but it's a first.

Landlord perks

"ooh! cold""

The all important grandparent examination

The second round of grandparent examiniations

Portrait of a grandfather who looks too young to be

A daddy at last!

A biased baby

Hordes of admirers

The Aunts

Art

So tiny ... So perfect

Marscel the now proud uncle (as if he had anything to do with it ;-)

Baby Jack faces The Board

Jack is welcome to the band

Art - This was completely posed. I thought the piano in the background made for quit the classic feel

Aunt Lydia

Serenaders

Jack finally decides to give this world a chance

More perks of new parenting ... FREE FOOD

Jack throws his best pose

Thomas men look on

"Don't forget about me ... you father ... can you hear me son?"

Daddy power

Some friends sent this to my brothers, but I couldn't help but think of me and my boy in another 16 years.

Focused Fellowship

2009-12-05T18:22:00.000-08:00

Sunday Afternoon ... a time for a meal in the cutest little chapel you ever did see to discuss a topic on many people's mind ... financial stewardship

Desperation and devestation

Gaining some context

A calling in of the minds

The minds come together

Adding the final touch es

In which we develop Entrepreneuro Wars. Remember! It's all about service. Isn't it interesting that the most successful business are often those that serve the local community most succesfully. In this game someone draws a local business. Next person draws a way to serve that business and so on to infinity.

Thanksgiving Celebration

2009-12-05T16:36:00.001-08:00

When a string needs a changin' a string needs changin'

Thanksgiving prep begins in earnest

Touchin' in with the Missouri contingency

Preparations almost complete. The whole house smells wonderful, the guests begin to gather and our gastric juices begin to run ...

ARt

"You're not putting this one on the blog ... are you"

Oh I can bearly wait!

Of course all the preparations wouldn't be complete without these preparations.

Of course, what would Thanksgiving be without the memory of those who came before us.

Our second annual candle lighting ceremony ...

Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, AS ONE SMALL CANDLE MAY LIGHT A THOUSAND, S0 THE LIGHT HERE KINDLED HATH SHONE UNTO MANY, yea in some sort to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise! (Of Plymouth Plantation, p. 236)

"Let the glorious name of Jehovah be PRAISED"

Listen!

Turkey shoot

In light of the circumstances, Micaiah takes things into his own hands

Art

Shootin' with style

"Steady there"

Favoring the old fashioned way

Boy! If that was a 30'06 that sure would hurt goin' off ...

But I guess with a smile like that, who cares.

Wrappin' the day up with some songs

Art

With all the excitement, the kitchen drain decides to go and get itself clogged. I decided to try my genius brain and use my tools the way they were intended to be.

Miserable failure! It was a good try though.

Trying to learn my new instrument

Trying by best Elvis impression. For the record, it didn't help me learn any easier.

Announcing the birth of Jack Flynn Thomas .... Many Thanks to God!

2009-12-03T09:39:00.000-08:00