VIDALIA — James and Misty Thomas are one child short of the Brady Bunch.

Well, maybe not technically, since the Thomases’ youngest child was conceived by them, and Mike and Carol Brady didn’t have a child together on the popular TV show.

When The Dart landed on Palm Street, James was playing with Gage Thomas, the couple’s 16-month-old son. He’s the youngest of five — three from Misty’s previous marriage, plus one from James’ previous marriage.

In addition to Gage, James has a 16-year-old son named Nate. Misty Thomas’ three children, Brittani, Dylan and Lexi Maynard, are 16, 12 and 8 years old, respectively. And ever since the couple’s marriage last year, there’s been no slowdown for the family, James said.

“It’s busy, especially this time of the year,” he said. “Nate plays high school baseball (at Vidalia High School) and summer ball, and I coach Dylan for the Concordia Dixie Youth 12-year-old All-Stars.”

In addition, James said Lexi also plays softball, giving the couple one extra child to watch play ball.

“We’re always at the ballpark,” James said. “We’re a baseball-softball family, and Dylan also plays football and AYA basketball.”

Because most of the Vidalia sports take place near each other, James said he’s able to multitask when he’s at the ballpark.

“We’ve been pretty lucky since the high school field is right by the major-minor field,” James said. “I’d be coaching Dylan and watching Nate.

“Unfortunately, this season (in Dixie Youth), some of the seepage water from the flood got on the field, so they moved some of Dylan’s games to Natchez. We had to hope his games didn’t fall on the same day as Nate’s.”

While Misty attends Jonesville Beauty School, James does construction work.

“It seems like we don’t ever really slow down until 10 at night,” James said. “Misty goes to beauty school until 5 p.m., then we’re at the ballpark until 10. From there, we usually just start over.”

Misty said she enjoys cosmetology, and would much rather cut a man’s hair than a woman’s.

“Women are more picky,” Misty said.

Despite the number of children between the two, James said the adjustment period wasn’t too difficult.

“Nate and Brittani already knew each other from school, so it wasn’t a big switch,” James said. “It went from just me and Nate to a houseful.”