Time to run!!!

These are a few photos of Tommy running down the hall to tackle me. He was having a great time and loves to chase and be chased! We were also trying out the new camera and really like how the photos are turning out!

Rosy cheeks!

Almost has me!!!

He was running very fast!!

Resting with Daddy!

Getting tickled!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend. It started out with us celebrating Thanksgiving at my parents house. We headed over there in the morning and ate delicious caramel rolls with mimosas! We ate the big Thanksgiving dinner after Tommy went down for his nap. Everything was delicious and we ate way too much!

Mike was stuffed!

Tommy got to play with Grandpa!

Tommy was stuffed too!

On Friday we went to town to get a few of the bargains. There was a Santa at the mall that we were able to see. Tommy wasn't very receptive though, he was actually a little scared!

Not too sure of Santa

Gripping me very tight!


Friday afternoon Mike's sister Shelly came for a visit. We went up to Nisswa for the festivities. They had their annual Christmas lights celebration with bonfires, fireworks and Santa! My parents and Grandma Rosie joined us there and we ate dinner at Rafferty's, yummy!

Waiting for Santa!

My Mom bought him a blinking snowman and he loved to eat it!

Mike and Tommy




Another video of Tommy with his snowman

We ended up leaving my parents and Grandma up there for the fireworks since Tommy was getting cold and restless. We headed home and relaxed before his bedtime.

Cuddling with Shelly

What a cutie!

He really had fun with his aunt.

What a goofball!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I know it is a day early, but we know how busy everyone will be tomorrow and there probably won't be many people checking the blog tomorrow! Safe travels to anyone who is traveling! Enjoy the time with your family and friends!


Since I don't have any new photos of Tommy to add I posted some from Thanksgiving last year. It is crazy to see how much he has grown in a year!

The Holidays have arrived!

I am not sure if it is because Thanksgiving is this week, the Christmas music is playing at work or the fact the my family's huge Christmas gathering is next weekend, but I finally feel as though the holidays are here! I love the whole season and I am so excited for everything! We have been using the new cameras a little bit and I hope to have some photos and movies posted soon. I am hoping to get the hang of it down over the weekend when we have a little more free time. I am so excited to have Tommy around for the holidays this year. It will be such a joy to watch everything through his eyes!

Yay!!!

Everyone loves a short work week! I can't believe Thanksgiving is already here! It has been a quick year. We are looking forward to having a few days off. We will be having a nice relaxing Thanksgiving at my parents house with just them and us. I know it will be a great time.

Today Christmas came early to the Rhode household. We couldn't pass up the great deals and financing at Best Buy and we bought ourselves a digital video camera and a digital camera. We are looking forward to posting better videos so you can all see Tommy a little more!!!

Too tired to think...

We went to Coldstone for Mike's birthday ice cream treat on Tuesday and Tommy really liked mine! It was a chocolate mint one and he got it everywhere! We don't give him ice cream too often because he goes a little crazy and hyper, but he really does love it!

I don't know what it is, but Tommy is not sleeping very well at all right now. He doesn't want to go to bed and he has been waking up very early. He has been waking up a few times during the night too. He has a little bit of a cold and his teeth are still working there way through, those are the only two things I can think of at this point. All I really know is Mike and I are exhausted. We are really looking forward to the weekend with nothing to do. I am sure we will get some stuff done around the house, but hopefully we have time to relax too!

Fun filled weekend!

We had a great weekend with Paige. It was so fun to finally celebrate her birthday with her and Tommy absolutely adores her! She played with him so well and he spent most of his time chasing her, being chased or trying to scare her with a "Rar!!!" Friday we headed down in the morning and got a few things done while Paige was still in school. We were able to check into the hotel early and get Tommy a nap which was helpful. Then we met Bob and Paige at Dave & Busters for dinner and playing games. We all had a lot of fun playing the games. Tommy lived all the lights but did get a little mad at me when I wouldn't let him run all the way up the skee ball game. What a goof ball. Later at the hotel we tried to go swimming, but Tommy really didn't seem to thrilled about it. He was clinging to me, so Paige and Mike played in the pool and the rest of us watched.

On Saturday morning we headed to the Mall of America. We bought some ride passes and let Paige go on quite a few rides. We tried out a few with Tommy, but once again he seemed a little scared and clung to whoever was on the ride with him.

Paige and Grandpa on the Log ride

Trying to get an action shot, didn't turn out too well though.

Tommy and me on the little roller coaster, we are in front of the lady in blue with her arms up. Tommy was a little scared here.

Paige, Mike and Tommy on the carousel. Tommy was scared and trying to get to Mike so you can't see him very well.

Paige was trying to entertain him.

Saturday evening Mike and Dad took Paige to the waterpark at the hotel. They had a great time riding on all the waterslides and playing basketball. Since Tommy really couldn't do much there Mom and I brought him to Rosedale and got a few things there. It was a fun night. Everyone was pretty tired after that so we had some snacks in the room and played.

We headed home pretty early on Sunday. It was a great weekend filled with a ton of fun things for Paige's birthday. I am so glad that Paige likes Tommy so much! I would like to get a nice photo of them together, but it wasn't as easy as it sounds. Hopefully we can get one in a couple of weeks when we have our big family Christmas get together! Here are a few more photos of Tommy laughing at Paige at the mall.

Tommy laughing at Paige

He giggled so hard at anything she did!

Looking forward to the weekend!

We had a good time celebrating Mike's birthday. We went to dinner at Famous Dave's with my Mom. It was delicious and Tommy behaved for the most part.

Tommy so proud of himself for standing on the table while Mike and I tell him to sit down

Clapping for himself, along with us clapping and saying "Yay!" once he finally sits down.

This weekend we are heading down to the cities to finally celebrate Paige's birthday with her. We are a little late, but it was the first time we all had a weekend open. It should be very fun, my parents, Mike and I all took tomorrow off so we can head down there early and start to celebrate after Paige get's out of school. I am sure I will have photos to post later!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy! We can't wait to celebrate with you tonight!!! Have a great day! We love you!!!

A whole lotta Grandma and Grandpa!

This weekend Mike went hunting and I had to work so Tommy got to spend the day at my parents house. He was a very good boy, very busy though! He loves spending time at Grandma and Grandpa's house! They have different toys to play with and they spoil him a ton! Thanks for watching him for us! After work I headed over to their house and we played some more. Then Mike joined us to celebrate his birthday with them. My Mom made a delicious vegetable beef soup and homemade rolls followed by lemon meringue pie and blonde brownies. He sure is spoiled! Here are a few photos from their house.

Typical Tommy shot, beer in hand!

Playing with dishes and play food!


On Sunday Mike went hunting again and Tommy and I enjoyed a leisurely morning before heading to my parent's house once again. Tommy got to play with them as I helped with some computer things. We ate lunch over there and then headed home for Tommy's nap and so I could watch the Vikings beat the Packers! It wasn't as fun by myself with no one to celebrate with. Oh well.


Tommy helping Grandma and Grandpa with the wash!


Last night I made goulash for dinner and it was delicious. Tommy ate a ton of it, but I must have been pushing my luck by not taking it away soon enough. I turned my back for one second (Mike wasn't home quite yet) and this is what happened...

His partly full bowl was being used for a hat!

After that he was pretty much a disaster! We decided on an immediate bath, which he loved!

Mike didn't get a deer, I am not sure if he will go out at all this week. We hope everyone had a great weekend!

Happy Birthday

We want to wish Mike's sister Shelly a very happy birthday today! We hope you have a great day!

One more new game!

Another thing that Tommy really enjoys is knocking down towers that Mike and I have lovingly built! He knocks them down and then giggles like crazy as Mike and I overexagerate. Paige used to love doing the same thing when she was about this age! It is fun to see the similarities between them.

Right after knocking down a tower

Going in for the kill!

Standing on his chair. He waits for us to tell him to sit down, sits down giggling and stands right back up. Who knew we would get a kid who likes to do the opposite of what he is told!

Tommy's New Game

Tommy has come up with a new game lately, he likes to throw all of his toys down the stairs over the baby gate. It is very amusing for him and keeps him busy for quite a while. Don't worry, we don't let him throw down things that could break! :)
We took a video, but were using a new camera and we didn't know it wasn't recording the sound too. Sorry, it is a little boring to watch, but it gives you the general idea!

We have still been able to use the swing too! Hopefully it won't get to cold and snowy too fast, he loves his swing!

Halloween photos

We ended up having a great Halloween! Here are some photos from our night.

First we have what I like to call "After Hours Witch"

In the car with our little Vampire ready for trick or treating!

First stop was Grandma Rosie's house and a lot of time spent chasing Cody around.

Our next stop was Grandma Jo and Grandpa Steve's house. They fed us dinner and we played there for quite a while!

Our Vampire likes to travel by horse!


Little cutie!

Here is the devil!

Phantom of the Opera???

He looked so professional in his little bow tie!

Meltdown!

Happy again playing with a pitchfork. He was swinging this around like crazy, we were a little scared we would get impaled!

Then we headed out to Bill and Cindy's house. We ended up staying there quite late. My parents came along and we had a few beers with them, Natalie, Allison and their friend Megan.

Gus dressed up as the devil!

Gus the devil and Max the dragon! They looked so cute in their costumes!

Tommy and Daddy petting Gus

One more of Gus, he looked so cute!

Tommy petting Max

Tired little Vampire!

Yesterday we had my parents over for a late lunch and fire. We had a good time enjoying the weather and the great company. Today I had the day off and Tommy and I spent the day playing. It is so fun to play with him! He is such a fun little boy!

We hope everyone had a great Halloween!