Oh Christmas Tree

Going to see Santa....

While we didn't get electronic pictures of the kids and Santa, here are some with their Mommy and Daddy.

Good Morning!

Sam was such a good girl as we got ready to leave in the morning. Here she is just smiling big. (Sorry it's blurry)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

More Thanksgiving

Daddy and the kiddos.

What's good for the goose.....

Well, you get the drift.... Earlier I posted a picture of Thomas helping Mommy. Here he is helping Daddy!

Hanging out at the house

Brother and Sister together.

Daddy, I LOVE the computer!

Thomas and Daddy love playing on the computer. It is so fun to watch them find new things together. I am not sure who has more fun. Thomas' favorite site these days is Thomas and Friends.

What a Helpful Little Boy!

Thomas has found two new "toys." He loves playing with the dust mop and the broom. Now to get him to "play" with the vacuum and the dishwasher!

I'm getting so big!

Today is Sam's 1 month birthday. When she was born she was 6 lbs, 1 oz. At her 2 week check up she was 6 lbs, 10 oz. Today she is 7 lbs 15 oz! What a big girl!

Welcome Miss Samantha Christine Bates

Well, the newest little Bates decided it was time for her to make her appearance. About 3 weeks early and less than 4 hours from start to finish, Samanatha Christine is here!

Time for Breakfast!

Mmmmm these eggs taste so much better, now that I can eat at the table like a big boy!

Happy 4th of July!

Hooray for the Red, White and Blue!

I'm 18 months old!

Wow, time sure flies when you are having fun! Thomas is 18 months old and is doing very well. It's so fun to watch him learn new things, like sipping from a straw or trying to step down a step.

Driving My Car

Here is Thomas driving in his first Car! Thanks Nana and Pops!

Hip Hip Hooray!

Thomas Patrick is walking! He turned 17 months on Memorial Day and decided it was time to walk. Oh, not just little steps here and there, but take off and walk across the room walking!

IT'S A GIRL

That's right -- we are having a little girl. Just wanted you to know. We found out yesterday and the family is so excited. Of course, the great part is she looks healthy and that is the very most important thing of all.

I'm hiding...Don't tell Mom!

We Won!

Remember all the tabs you collected? Well, all your hard work paid off. Tyler WON!

It was a happy Mother's Day.

Yes it was! We got to spend the day with both my mom and Tom's. Here are some pictures of the happy day.

Good night...

and sweet dreams. This is a recent picture of Thomas before he goes to bed.

It's Unanimous

The votes are in and, drumroll, please....

Thomas Patrick is going to be a big brother. We are having another baby! Our first sonogram is scheduled for the end of the month. Oh, how I loved being pregnant. Hopefully this pregnancy will go just as well as the last one. Keep us in your prayers.

We do take requests!

I was asked to post more picures of Lake Tahoe. Here's a collage of the best ones.

We have Returned!

Our family just got back from a great vacation. We went to South Lake Tahoe. What a beautiful place it is. Tom and Thomas and I spent a week enjoying our time together -- We even got to spend some time with Uncle Bob, which was long overdue! Although we had a wonderful time...it's great to be home.


Here is the Lake at sunset.


Thomas and Mommy in the snow.


Daddy and Thomas in the gondola on Heavenly.


Another beautiful view of the Lake.


And another.


The view from our window.


Thomas enjoying the ride!

Happy Valentines Day!

We hope everyone has a very Happy Valentine's Day.

Good Morning

 Hope you have a great day!

We have a New (Blogging) Home!

I thought I'd change up our blog. Hope you like the new look. (Truth be known, I was tired of how the black box repositioned itself over the title of the first blog.) If you'd like to see the photos in our earlier blog, just click on "Our Earlier Blog" listed in the right-hand column.

Put Me In Coach....

I'm Ready to Play!