Christmas Day...

We gathered at our house for Christmas dinner and some simple fun. We played "Guitar Hero", exchanged gifts, and of course ate our fill of dessert! Christmas was wonderful this year. I'm grateful for a wonderful family!

Good Ol' Fashioned Thompson Family Christmas!

Uncle Brad and Aunt Elizabeth hosted Christmas this year, and in order to fit our clan, we gathered at the Hughson chapel. Dinner was great, and the activities to follow were even better! The kids acted out the nativity story and the adults exchanged "white elephant" gifts. We played a few games sang some carols, and were visited by Mr. and Mrs. Claus! It was a wonderful Christmas! I love our family! Thanks go to Uncle Brad's entire family for all of your work and planning! It was a wonderful time!

Family Pictures!

As a last minute resort, I was elected photographer for our scheduled family photo shoot. It was a rare picture opportunity because so many of us were gathered together under one roof! Unfortunately I do not have the proper equipment for exceptional indoor photos, but the truth is, it was fun to be together, and it's great to have some picutures as a family!

Here we are, not a bad looking bunch! We miss those of you that couldn't make it! Thanks to everyone that did make it, and that made it a pleasant event!

Feelin' the Love!

December 16, 2008... I had the MOST unbelievable birthday! It started with a couple of unexpected calls from various friends wishing me a happy birthday. Then later I found a bouquet and some lotion from my friend Lara at my door! When I picked up my kids at school I was greeted by my friend Tasha who gave me an apple dumpling! Then even later while at dance class I was surprised with a custom made cake and sang to! (Mari, the cake is AWESOME!) I didn't think it could have gotten any better, but it did! When dance was over I turned to leave class and was greeted by my friends Rickie, Kayla, and Krissy holding a bouquet of balloons! We finished the night with dinner at Applebees! You guys have all left me speechless! I am so grateful for your friendship! Rickie, thanks so much for organizing the final surprise! I never saw that one coming! I'm still smiling from it!

Just when I thought that it couldn't get better, I returned home and found my kitchen looking like THIS thanks to my husband and children! I don't know what I've done to deserve all of you in my life, but I am feeling pretty blessed!

Then and Now...

My dad recently returned my Senior pictures to me. I thought that since I just had a birthday that it might be fun to post a couple of them. I was 17 in these pictures. They were taken in the summer of 1995. (The same summer that Mike returned home from his mission!) I was definitely a victim of the 90's!

10 Years of Wedded Bliss!

On November 21, 2008 Michael and I celebrated our 1oth anniversary. A few months back my friend Rickie posted some vintage pictures of she and her husband for their anniversary. I loved the idea, so I am doing the same! The first is our engagement picture taken in June of 1998. Mike was 24 and I was 20! The next is Mike and I on our 1st anniversary in Disneyland. The bottom left was taken two weeks after Michael and I met. This was my first Thompson Thanksgiving. On this day, I met Mike's parents and sisters for the first time! The last picture speaks for itself! What you can't see are the HUGE white tennis shoes I am wearing under my wedding dress!

Meredith's Beautiful Little Family

Meredith asked me to take a few pictures of her with her "chillins." We went down to the river by my house and only spent about 10 minutes taking pictures. The kids were in a good mood and we were able to get some great shots! Meredith... I love you so much and am excited for you and this next chapter in your life!

A BIG Week for Paris!

All in the same week Paris was fitted with her official braces and learned to ride her bike without training wheels! As most of you know; Paris has had "hardware" in her mouth for close to two years now. However, all of that has been to manipulate the size and shape of her jaw, and now she is beginning the next phase of treatment where we will really begin to see a transformation! She's so happy to be a bike rider now! She rides up and down our street and likes to see how fast she can go! That long Thanksgiving bike ride did the trick!

Annual Thompson Bike Ride!

I realize that this is a TON of pictures, but I got so many great ones that I just couldn't help but post them. There are so many more! This day was so much fun! We all gathered at Johanson High School in Modesto. Just about everyone was there! The weather was perfect! It was a perfectly beautiful overcast autumn day! Many of the cousins are getting older and were able to ride their own bikes this year! Brenden and I were the caboose all day long because we all know that Brenden is (how should I put this?) SLOW! After the bike ride we returned to mine and Mike's house for some Thanksgiving leftovers! After dinner dad treated us all to a movie. I just have to say that our family is just wonderful. I love our traditions and our friendship. We don't just tolerate each other, we truly love each other! One thing is for sure... we know how to have fun!

What a Pair!

Only Grandmother and Grandpa could pull this look off! I love that they are playful and young at heart! We are blessed to have this wonderful patriarch and matriarch at the head of our family!

Sophie's First Haircut!

Well... it was time! In one day I had three different people comment on Sophia's need for a haircut, so I figured that it was time for me to let go. (Honestly, I think I am living vicariously through my daughters who are able to grow long hair!) So, I began the task of cutting her hair, and began to scare myself when I found it hard to keep the line perfectly straight! Then I loaded her up into the car and took her over to supercuts to finish the job. All said and done, she had about 4 inches taken off of her hair and she is just as lovely as always. The bad news: she grew up before my eyes!

Paris is Baptized!

November 16, 2008 Paris Rose Thompson is baptized by her daddy! She's been looking forward to this day all year long, and now that it's passed it's just so hard to believe! Tons and family and friends turned out for the occasion! Aunite Brookie did a wonderful job leading the music and even got Paris to sing a little solo. Watching all of the cousins sing together was a tender moment! (One I wish I could have gotten a picture of!) Auntie Rachel gave a beautiful talk on the Holy Ghost and presented Paris with a handmade fleece blanket. Paris loves it and wraps herself up like a burrito in it just about every night! After the baptism, family and friends joined us at our house for dinner and a slide show in honor of Paris. It was a fun night and I am so grateful to all of you that helped out and who have helped to inspire and influence Paris over the years!