Early Christmas in KC

I'm a little late in posting from last week. We made a whirlwind trip to Kansas City for an early Christmas and "Tour O KC Kids." Lineup:

Friday: 

Upon landing that evening, we made our traditional trip to the Plaza for Lights and dinner.

Saturday: 

Breakfast with The Lunds, Dreilings, and Roznowskis.The Lunds' new home is absolutely beautiful, and we were impressed with Molly's creative decorating.

Ellen showing off her iPad skills

Pit stop to check out the new Taco Via. The line was 10 people deep, the tables were packed, and we even waited 25 minutes to get our food. Even so, the new and improved Via did not disappoint.

Via Staple: Nacho with peppers and a side of extra sauce

 A quick stop by the Clanceys so that Justin could meet Olivia.

Olivia will soon show Baby T the ropes. Such a big girl... love love love her!

 
Christmas dinner with the Lawrences and Jury at Grandma's house. Baby T was spoiled rotten with things old (an heirloom dress that was worn by Senator Nancy Kassebaum and Grandma Betty's baby blanket from when she was a baby) and new (adorable lavender patten leather driving moccasins).

Lawrence Ladies

Sunday:

Scott Jury was generous enough to invite Justin, Eric, and Roz to the Chiefs game. While we all expected a bloodbath, The Chiefs actually pulled through. Tailgating with Oklahoma Joe's + Chiefs win = Elated Justin

Eric Clancey, Mike Roznowski, Justin Thomas & Scott Jury

While Justin cheered on the Chiefs, I continued to make the rounds to meet new babies. I first made a trip to the Lash Home to meet Charlie, who is as sweet as can be. I then made it to the Ellspermanns to meet Jack, who looks exactly like his older sister (beautiful with a head full of hair) and was super alert for a 10 day old. I must have been enamored with the babes because I completely forgot to snap pictures...



Upon our return to Austin, Justin got lasik surgery. All went well, and he's enjoying life without glasses and contacts.

Daddy's ready for a new pair of eyes

Justin under the laser - peeper on the TV screen

6 months down

It's hard to believe that Baby T has been growing for 6+ months now. She moves all the time, and it's now becoming very real that we'll soon be parents. We're focusing on the nursery set up this week, among other parental matters.

I traveled to Boca Grande, Florida for my good friend, Meredith's, wedding last weekend. While it was a short trip, it was great to celebrate the big day and catch up with old friends.

I also met Ms. Olivia Clancey, who is just as cute (and chubby) as can be. She's such a sweet baby, and it's obvious that Eric and Linds are true naturals.  We can't wait for our daughter to grow up with Olivia!

What a stunning bride!

The lovely newlywed's first dance

The Clancey Girls

Olivia really knows how to fill out a swimsuit!

 Thomas Christmas Tree + 24 week belly

Friends, food, food, food, and more food...

This was the first Thanksgiving that both of us have not traveled since we both were in high school! After running around for the last 15 years, we were excited to stay put and relax. A group of close friends in Austin have celebrated here for the last few years, so we decided to host everyone over at our place for Friendsgiving.

The day would not have been possible without the incredible culinary talents of Meghan Hack and Andy Sabola - from the pate to the pork rillettes to the cornbread/sausage/oyster stuffing to the pumpkin bourbon cheesecake, we were all wowed at every course.

Sarah showing off her Grandma Betty traits

Turkey day uniforms

Apps started at noon

Fancy home depot bucket for brining

Meghan doing her magic... note the booze in the backgorund - may have overdone it a bit.

Birthday Boy Essie claimed he could get 99% of the meat off the turkey...

...he succeeded.

Final spread. Ridiculous.

Obligatory belly pic at 22 weeks. She's growing!!

Weekend in Playa

We had the most amazing weekend in Playa Del Carmen, celebrating the nuptials of our dear friends, Brian and Meghan Hack. Meghan (aka Queen Hostess) did an unbelievable job planning the weekend, and we are already missing Mexico.

In baby news, I felt our daughter move this week. What a strange yet exciting feeling! When I told Justin to come feel her, of course she wouldn't perform on command. So, I promptly started poking my stomach to get her moving. Justin immediately pulls my hand away and says, "Don't poke my baby girl!" Apparently she already has Daddy wrapped around her little finger...

View from our balcony, complete with a hot tub and outdoor kitchen

Heavenly

A rehearsal dinner isn't complete with a cigar roller - so fascinating to watch

Testing out the said cigars

21 weeks

We heart Brian & Meghan!

The newlyweds fist dance

Halfway!

It's hard to believe we're already halfway through the pregnancy. The first half drug out just a bit with all of the nausea, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the next 20 weeks will fly by (mostly because we still have LOTS to do to prepare). Baby T will travel to Mexico, to Kansas City, to Florida twice, and to NYC before she makes her big debut in March.

We had our 20 week ultrasound this week, and our baby girl passed with flying colors. Knowing her Type A, first born-parents, we're not really surprised:) It's actually pretty incredible what they can test for at this ultrasound, literally measuring almost every body part and major organ. While I haven't been able to feel movement yet, she is extremely active when we see her on screen (the ultrasound tech even used the word "sassy"... yikes).

20 weeks

Baby T's profile with her hand under her chin. Although we're pretty biased, we think she's just beautiful;)

Truly Outstanding

To celebrate 1 year of wedded bliss, we attended an Outstanding in the Field dinner this week. Thanks to Erik and Molly Lund for introducing us to such an incredible experience! For those of you who haven't heard of OITF - it is essentially a  "restaurant on wheels" the makes stops at farms throughout the country (and even Europe) to serve farm fresh food to 100+ people. Each stop is honored with a local chef that sets the menu and prepares the food.

Touring Bus

Rain Lily Farm Austin, TX

Chicken Coop

Beautiful table setting for 120 people

As true Kansas Citians, we were in awe with the grilled meats (here is Award Winning Rene Ortiz grilling). You'll note we were too engrossed in the food and the company to snap any pictures of the various prepared courses.

The tradition of bringing your own plates for dinner made a colorful tablescape.

Enjoying a mini glass of bubbly by the garden

Tee Pee behind the farm house

We were graced with the James Beard Award winning Rene Ortiz of La Condessa, one of our favorite restaurants in Austin. Our expectations were rather high, and let's just say that our minds were blown.

We started with a reception hour, complete with bubbly and...


Springdale Farm okra with chile tajin/eggplant/roasted garlic dip
Pure Luck goat chevre, arbole chile caramel, zuchini flowers
Dewberry Farm chicken liver pate, tomato jam, ancho chiles
Strube Ranch waygu ribeye, Rain Lily Farm serrano, persimmons


We then toured Rain Lily, the farm that hosted the event. Rain Lily if one of 4 urban farms on the East Side of Austin, just 15 minutes from our house.

We were seated amongst strangers who quickly became friends...
: Fellow Chicagoans
: Newleyweds from Atlanta celebrating the same 1 year anniversary as us
: A fascinating neighboring farmer who provided much of the produce for the meal and whose farm house was built by the same architect who built our home
:A women who works at Rain Lily who is due 3 weeks after us

Together, we devoured this mouth-watering lineup, paired with various delightful McPherson Cellars wines:

Rain Lily Farm turnip, butternut, goat feta, pea tendrils, creamer peas, mustard seed


Twin Oaks Heritage Pork, house tofu, Texas oyster sauce, broccoli rabe, chiles


Richardson Farm sirloin, braised kale, black bean mole, lemon verbana chimichurri


Gundermann Acres butternut squash break pudding, smoked Farwell gala apple, piloncillo toffee sauce
Pure Luck Farm chevre ice cream

365 Down

One year ago today we were reveling in the beauty of Watercolor with our friends at family at our wedding. We couldn't have asked for a better day to celebrate - beautiful weather, sweet memories, and the beginning of our journey together as The Thomases.

Video brought to you by Ryan Johnson.

The past year has been a busy one with a new home, a honeymoon to Greece, a baby girl on the way, and amazing trips to Santa Rosa Beach (3x), Chicago (2x), KC (2x), Vail, NYC, Kohler, and St. Petersburg.

We celebrated 1 year of wedded bliss with brunch at Olivia's, supporting the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas at the Buddy Walk, cheering on the Chiefs, and an old fashioned grill out at home.

Mini Horses at the Buddy Walk @ Reunion Ranch. Our first "ranch" experience... pretty impressive.

Last but not least...

18 weeks and counting!

Private parts revealed....

Alright folks, I'm taking my first whack at this blogging stuff so bear with me... I have a tendency to ramble and not make much sense. So here goes:

First of all, thanks to my friends/family that blog for all of your wonderful posts... I plan on stealing your great ideas and showcasing them here. Sarah has already had to help me like 3 times... I just keep screaming to her upstairs - "HOW DO I MAKE THIS F'ing THING DO ____?" I now know what it was like for my Grandma and Grandpa Manning when as an 8-year-old I had show them how to set the clock on the VCR.

It was a big day for the Thomas household.  We had our 16 week sneak peak at the sex of baby T. With Granny Nancy at our side it was revealed that a baby girl will be joining our family!

Whew... this is crazy.  I'm still wrapping my head around that fact that I will have TWO girls to love in the very near future. I'm pretty sure every guy has that fantasy... right?


We will be selling naming rights to the top bidder on eBay... wait... j/k.  That's for us to share with you on her birthday.

That's my short and sweet virgin post. You will see me as a semi regular contributor... especially when I want to go on a political/economic/talk-about-how-dumb-everyone-is rant so my baby girl will know I was looking out for her.

Here are a few pics from the weekend...

Sarah looking fabulous at 16 weeks

Mah and Pah

New Nest

We moved into our new home in May, and we are finally settled into the new space. We're are in love with owning a green-built home in a community full of amazing neighbors. Here are some pics that were taken for the builder's marketing efforts...

Since I work for the builder, I have to give a quick shout out to how phenomenal PSW Real Estate is as an employer and a sustainable builder in Austin - check out more here: www.pswrealestate.com

Front View

Front Entry

Kitchen

Living Room

Kitchen view from Living Room

Kitchen looking onto staircase

Dining Room and door to back patio

2nd/3rd Bedroom

2nd Bath upstairs

Loft area between bedrooms upstairs

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

Back Patio

Back Patio