Summer 2011

After looking up our blog yesterday, I realize I have left our blog in the dust this summer.  The Thompson clan has been busy and have had a great time while doing so!  H made the 10U All Star Baseball team this spring.  So proud!  Anyway, we had 4 tournaments we traveled to during the month of July, mostly.  We were also able to go to the pool as much as possible, pick huckleberries, go camping, spend time with friends, watch K play TBall just to name a few things we've accomplished!  Whew!  I'm tired just thinking about it.  It's been wonderfully busy and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Grandpa Dave comes to visit!

Most of you know, my dad lives in Colorado. So truly, our visits are few and far between. It never really dawns on me how far away we live from each other until he comes and goes in one weekend. Our kiddos love Grandpa Dave and always look forward to his visits. We just wish he lived closer than Colorado..... He flew in this weekend on K's 6th birthday. We had ONE BUSY weekend! Dinner at Casa for K's birthday on Friday.... Saturday consisted of Cal Ripken Opening Ceremonies for H at 10, Easter Egg hunt for K at 11, H's first baseball game of the season at 12:30, then wrapped it all up with K's friend birthday at 3:00! It was a fun filled weekend, one that we will always cherish. We just wish the miles between us weren't as big in numbers.....

Hayden getting in some BP at practice......

Grandpa Dave and Kennedy.....

Dinner at Casa to celebrate K's birthday!

Opening ceremonies!

Kennedy at her party!

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 was a successful one.  Is it bad to admit I still have a few winter decorations outside?!?!  Need. To. Take. Those. Down. Pronto.  I always love this time of year.  Always overbuy for the kids (maybe that's because I start in January?!?!) and I loved that we decided to stay in our Christmas Jammies all day.  It was a wonderful day.  Everyone liked what they received and Santa magically came and went again. 

Turkey Trot! Turkey Trot!

 K and her friend pre race......

 Ready to start the race!  On your mark, get set... GO!

 Ok, seriously.  Where did she get her running skills?!

 Look, she regained and is still beating a bunch of those kiddos!  (not that it's about winning!)

After the Trot.... she fell down.  But I really think it could have been because she didn't come in 1st.

The annual McDonald Elementary Turkey Trot came and went.  Although, not without some surprises... Kennedy was seriously leading the pack most of the race.... and if you look at the pictures, by more than just a couple of steps.  What happened, you may ask?  She hit a patch of ice and had to do some stutter steps.... regained herself and came in fifth!  I couldn't believe it!  She did a fantastic job and I am sure if she didn't go off the track and hit that ice she would have led those little kindergarteners all the way.  She's such a good little runner!  The running conditions were so bad out there, I made her wear her softball/soccer cleats!  :-)  I was so proud of her.  She's really turning out to be quite a little athlete!

Father Daughter Princess Ball 2011

 Her Silly Pose....

 Dad got her a corsage!

And They're Off!!!!

I can't wait to hear all about it and hopefully see pics that Bry took.  (If you know Bryan, you'll know he hates to take  his picture taken, or take pictures unless it's with a fish or with something he's hunted).  So, fingers crossed, I'll get to see a few snapshots of the evening.  Bryan asked Kennedy to go tothe First annual Father Daughter Princess Ball.  Little Missy was so so so excited, she could hardly stand it.  She kept asking Bryan how many days left til the ball.  It was precious.  We dolled her hair up, even put some glitter spray in there for a little extra jazz.  What a wonderful moment for just daddy and daughter!

Valentine's Day Photo Shoot

Weird, I know.  But I found someone on Etsy.com (love that site) to do our Valentine's cards.  Well, I got the big idea to put in the quote:  "May your Valentine's Day be sprinkled with sweetness" as my kids were gobbling down some ice cream cones.... hence, the somewhat crazy snapshots.  (The original pic I took for the card was at B and R with my phone, so it was a low resolution and the ice cream really did have sprinkles.... but these will have to do.  Seriously, why does time go by so quickly?  Weren't these two just born?  H will be 9 next month and K will be 6.  Sigh. 

Winter.....

I truly do love it.  I mean what's not to like with the gentle snow falling, the hot cocoa, sledding......and I write this as it's pouring down rain.  This. Is. Not. April. People!  Just get cold and snow.... is that too much to ask?  I hope it snows... a lot.  I love a good 6-10 inches of the snowfall.  We have done some fun stuff though, including sledding.  Here's a little glimpse of what we've done.... Happy 2011!

Big weekend of being social....

 Even if you aren't a Vandal fan, you have to admit, this is cool. 

Two of my best college friends came into town and stayed with us this last weekend for the UI/BSU game. Fun was had by all! My gut was hurting from us laughing so hard and the memories we shared. LOL! After they left, Bryan and I attend the Bear Booster Auction and Dinner. This too, was a great event and we had a wonderful evening with our friends! Now, on to Thanksgiving!

Fall 2010.... So far.

Halloween 2010

Halloween was a success this year!  Rained in the morning, cleared by noon and was a perfect evening for those ghosts and ghouls!  Our good friends the Jacobus Family came over for dinner and trick or treating.  I made Grandma Kellogg's spaghetti sauce, Emily brought bread and a salad.  It was perfect!  Emily and I took the kids out trick or treating while the men stayed at home, watched the series and passed out to the visitors that came by!  We had three Star Wars characters and a pink princess kitty. The kids were troopers and lasted til about 8!  On to Thanksgiving.....

Soccer - Lava and Electric Eels!

Well, our last game of soccer season is tonight.  We have snack duty.  Rice krispie treats, string cheese and a juice pack are coming to both teams.  The kids did really well this year!  K held out til game 6 to ask if she was done playing soccer (I swear I don't sign her up just because, she actually asks to play!)  H is doing a good job playing and scored his share of goals.  He particularly liked playing goalie and did a great job at it!  It was fun to watch and enjoy!  We savor these moments as I know it will go by so quickly.  Team Lava is K's team and Team Electric Eels is H's team.  They've had a ball!

Uncle Clay and Sarah come to visit!

We got a special treat and Clay and Sarah came in September to visit.  It was so nice for them to be here and we finally got to meet Sarah, whom Kennedy adores!  We were busy golfing, hitting the Farmer's Market, and bowling!  We topped it off by fixing Grandma Kellogg's spaghetti sauce!  Yum!

A Day at Greenbluff...

A day at Greenbluff is always a treat.  We usually are able to squeeze in Red Robin for an early dinner/late lunch and Target.   (one of my favorite places)  Anyway, it's so much fun to go up to this place.  The kids enjoy it, we gather our pumpkins for the year and picked fresh apples from the trees.  Always a hit!  Unfortunately, it's probably H's last ride on the ponies.... 70 lb weight  limit!  It's hard growing up! 

Silverwood trip with Gram and Grandpa Gary

Summer whisked away too quickly and before you knew it, the time was almost up to use H's free ticket he earned to Silverwood.  He earned it because of the amount of hours he read, I would have felt like I earned the "bad mommy award" if we didn't use it.  SO, up we went on Labor Day weekend.  Luckily, my mom and Bry's dad were able to go so I could get some help riding the rides as my stomach doesn't do well on those things!  Bry was hunting, it was opening weekend... so we trekked up and had a fantastic day!

Fall 2010

 H and K outside their school on the first day!

 We are all ready for our first day!

K and her teacher at the open house!  We love Mrs. B!

As much as I love to be on the computer, I find that I have a hard time keeping up my blog.  Things have gotten off to a wonderful start.  H and K both love school.  They are really enjoying being back and seeing their friends.  K is having a hard time adjusting to being away from some of her buddies from preschool.  Aaah, growing pains.  We try to see those friends as much as we can.  They are both in soccer and really liking it!  K waited til game 6 to ask when the season was over, compared to game 3 last year.  :-)  H really gets after it and even "headed" the ball last game.  It's been a wonderful start to fall, but busy.  Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!