A Day out with Thomas

Dad surprised all of us this morning with a trip to New Haven, Kentucky to meet Thomas the Train.  Thomas was visiting New Haven for - A Day out with Thomas.  We arrived early so we could participate in all the fun activities.  The first stop was to visit Sir Topham Hat.  He is a mainstay in all the Thomas stories.

 We quickly got a picture as Thomas rolled back into the station. 

Daddy and Devin riding on Thomas's diner car. 

Mommy and Tate enjoying the ride.

Devin is pointing out all the different train engines and cars we see along the way.

 

Waving Goodbye to Thomas as he rolls out of the Station taking another load of passengers for a ride.

 

2 Days Full of Festivities!

The Christmas fun started with Grandma & Grandpa Wolsing on Saturday.

Thomas and Friends - Day of the Diesels Track Set!

Daddy and Tate hanging out on the couch after opening presents.

Getting ready for all the fun at Mamaw & Papaw's house.

A traditional picture by the tree.

The family shot.

Uncle Matt helping Tate to open a present.

Tate riding on his Christmas gift from Mamaw & Papaw. Needless to say it was a big hit!

Everyone took turns riding it around Mamaw & Papaw's house.

Tate just couldn't take all the fun and crashed on the way home. Out like a light!

Thomas the Elf's last hiding spot before heading back to the North Pole with Santa.

"Thomas the Elf"

This is what is left of the cookies and milk we sat out for Santa. Seems like he like the cookies we made for him this year.

Look at all those presents!

What is it! What is it!

Thomas the Elf left special presents for both boys!

Thomas the Elf left Tate several hair brushes and a comb.

Enjoying the rest of Christmas Day in the new chairs watching our new movies.

Hallowweekends @ Lake Rudolph

Enjoying all the campground amenities at Lake Rudolph.

Tate is officially walking and not a moment too soon. Our backs were starting to get soar from packing him around everywhere. If you haven't seen him in awhile, he is quite the big guy.

Our Halloween costumes for trick or treating around the campground.

Tate got to trick or treat in style - cruisin' around from campsite to campsite on the golf cart.

Filling up the treat bag.

Devin was also able to help hand out treats to the other Trick or Treaters. I think he had more fun handing out candy than collecting it.

Tate posing for the crowds.

Devin entered the costume contest that evening at the campground. We won for his age group and was sooo excited. He won the cutest shirt.

65th Anniversary Duke Energy Christmas Train

We headed into downtown Cincinnati to see the huge train layout they build every year at Christmas time. You can see how excited Devin was to see all of the trains. It was a really fun trip this year.

This is why Devin would get excited every couple of minutes. Every time Thomas would come around Devin would shout "Look her comes Thomas". It never got old, and everyone around was getting a kick out of Devin's excitement.

Tricks or Treats ???

Devin getting lined up at the Princeton Halloween Parade. It was so cold out that day.


After a short little walk up to the court house, they judged the costumes. Devin one first place in his age group for Best TV Character. He won a Wal-mart gift card, a sack full of candy, a made the newspaper the next day!

Trick or Treating as Thomas the Train. One of our last stops at Mamaw & Papaw's House.


Tate even had his very own costume. He went as a spider and didn't seem to mind.

Just a little craft project

So recently I asked Devin what he would like to be for Halloween as I like to try to make his costume. Thinking he might want to be a train engineer (I was already half ready for that costume), but to my surprise Devin asked to be Thomas the Train. After looking at the commercially available ones, I decided I was going to have to try to come up with something different. So I gathered some ideas, drew up a plan, and called Grandpa Wolsing for some help.


So here's the finished Thomas the Train costume. Should have taken some pictures along the way of us building and painting it. Tom is constructed out of about 3 larger cardboard boxes, part of a cement tube mold, some PVC pipe, ratchet straps, paint, and LOTS of Hot Glue.

Now because my Dad was helping, we couldn't build this costume without making it structurally sound, so there are some "supports" on the inside making sure this costume will hold up for years to come. We have already decided that Tate will have to wear this costume at some point, figured I could paint it Green or Red and he could go as Percy or James. Now the real issue is where are we going to store it for the next several years!!

Had to get a group shot of "Thomas' " Builders and Painters.

You will have check back around Halloween when we post the complete costume pictures and our adventures Trick - Or - Treating!

An Early Christmas filled with Trains

Well it's become quite the tradition to head into downtown Cincinnati to see the Duke Energy Train display. It is quite impressive and having two train lovers in the family its also a huge hit. Wait a great expression!

Here are the two train lovers taking in all the action! We couldn't hardly pull Dad...I mean Devin away from the trains.

This definitely made Devin's day, they had a Thomas the Tank Engine train running. Every time he would come around again where Devin could see him, he would scream "TOM"!

Enjoying Christmas at my Aunt Lu's house. And looked what she pulled out for Devin....or Dad we are still trying to figure that out. More Thomas stuff that her boys played with when they were little. So needless to say it was a weekend filled with Trains!