Without fail..

Every time all the Thomas' get together a big game of something is going to happen.  And you better watch out because it's sure to get hot.  (Well, technically only if Mark and Wells are playing on opposite teams) :)

This last time it was a sweet game of dunkball.  I was sick and on the sidelines which resulted in documentation of what has become a Thomas tradition.  Be it flag football, basketball, dunkball, bocce ball, kickball, or whatever - there is never a dull moment!

Cousins

Just a few more pictures from our trip to Utah.  The kids had SO much fun with their cousins.  Mark had all of them playing hide and seek.  They loved it.  Bo was so funny in his batman outfit.  I love the picture of him running on the lawn to find everyone hiding behind Trisha's back steps.  The top right picture of the second batch is Mark's look alike Wade.  Everyone says he looks just like Mark did when he was little.  Zina, Kate, and Ellie played for hours together.  I kept hearing her giggle and it made me happy.

A little bit of mischief

Zina loves to check our garden to see if there is anything growing.  When we told her we needed to protect the tomatoes from the birds she was adamant that we make  scarecrow.  We had a lot of fun making it and when he was done she promptly named him Wilson.  I told her he would have to be Wilson the II.  The other pictures are just a little bit of mischief the kids have been up too.  I need to add Zina's artwork that is all over her dresser and walls, but I haven't taken pictures of it yet.  I think my favorite is Zina doing Wilson's makeup.  That one really made me laugh!

Goodbye's

This weekend we drove to Utah to say goodbye to Mark's 17 yr. old nephew, Dylan. He passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning. I don't really know what to say. What do I want to remember about Dylan? I don't think I knew him very well at all. In fact, I probably know him better now, because of his funeral, then I ever have. And for that I am sorry.  I do know, however, that I am grateful for family. I know that God gave us families to show His love for us. I am grateful that He shows His love for me by allowing me to be a part of the Thomas family. I have learned so much about love, acceptance, patience, and forgiveness from watching their examples. Dylan's funeral was very unique. One of his close friends coined it as a "smaller scaled Woodstock."   Which is exactly how Dylan would have wanted it. He was all things hippie. He was an excellent artist, a free spirit with so much talent. He loved music. I will always think of Dylan when I hear "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd, "Let It Be" by the Beatles and "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor. I can't explain the love that I felt as we came together to support each other, celebrate Dylan's life, mourn his passing, and ultimately rejoice in our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that we will see Dylan again. My favorite memory of Dylan is from last summer. We stopped in Payson before moving to Glendale and one evening Mark, and Joel, and Dylan got together to do some jamm'n in Dylan's room. Dylan on the drums, Mark and Joel on guitars - just having fun. I remember sitting on Dylan's bed, enjoying the scene in front of me. Thank goodness for families, for love, and for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We love you Dylan. Can't wait to see you again.