Soccer!

This was our first year playing soccer and we dove in head first. On top of all three of our older children being in different age brackets and on separate teams with very different schedules, Michael also decided to coach Brenden's team. As crazy as it was, we somehow survived it and had a really great experience along the way. The kids discovered a fun new way to get some exercise and make friends, and Michael fell in love with the game. At the start of the season he was a bit nervous being that he had never played soccer and knew nothing about the game, but by the end of the season he really looked forward to his time with the team and kicking the ball around. He attended coaching clinics, read up on different plays and strategies, practiced with some of the best coaches around, and really became quite a great coach. Out of 10 games they only lost 3... not too shabby! We had a great season. I even tried my hand at being a soccer mom and made soccer-themed hair bows for my girls. (Yeah, that's about as far as I go with the whole soccer mom thing)

September...

September went by quickly, but here are a few moments from our busy month... Michael turned 37 years old and to celebrate the kids and I bought him a tool set (yes, that is what he asked for). We received two new additions to our family when the kids went with daddy and picked out two new boy kittens. The kids named them Momo and Ziggy. We tried to make them indoor pets, but they liked to poop in our laundry and house plants, and so sadly, they have joined JuJu Bee (our evil cat) outside. Jett has began to show more of his personality with big chuckles, strange gurgling speech, and by racing across the floor in an army crawl. Last but not least, our house has been put on stilts. Yes, folks, stilts. Michael chiseled out the foundation from under the front corner of the house and while we waited to pour new concrete, our house was floating above the ground supported by stilts. I can only laugh, because it seems that over the years in our effort to finish and beautify our home we only seem to tear it apart a little bit more... the good news is that the new foundation has since been poured, the stilts removed, and we managed to plant a beautiful lawn made of pure grass and no weeds.

Ward Family Temple Day 2010

August 28th, 2010 we headed up to the Oakland Temple to take part in our Ward Temple Day Activity. The ward didn't officially gather until about 11:30am but we arrived at about 8:00am. Mike went inside and did some temple work and study while the kids and I walked around, took pictures, and toured the visitor's center. We watched the Joseph Smith movie and then joined up with the ward for lunch. After the activities were all over we ventured over to San Francisco for some yummy PF Changs and then drove across the Golden Gate Bridge just for the view. Michael was incredibly sweet and drove around looking for the perfect spot for me to try to get a nice picture of the bridge. The wind was out of control, but I was determined... I am happy with the picture that I was able to get. It was a wonderful day with my family. I love this gospel, I know that it is the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. I am thankful to be married in the temple and to have the blessing of this fabulous eternal family. Heavenly Father is real. My life is witness to that...

Back to School! 2010

August 17, 2010, Knights Ferry Elementary is back in session. This year Paris is a big ol' fourth grader, full of style and "pre-teen" attitude. Brenden is in 3rd which is actually combined with 4th so he and Paris are in the same class. Sophia gets to join the ranks with the big kids and stay for the entire school day as a first grader. They were ready to get back to school to see all of their friends and start the new year. I'm enjoying the regular routine and alone time with Jett - but truth be told, I miss my kiddos and wish I could slow down the momentum of time... they are growing up fast. Too, too fast.

Family Photo Shoots!

August has been a booming month for business! ( Well, for practice anyway) I've had the opportunity to take pictures of quite a few people from right here within our family. These are just samples of family portraits but there are two other sessions I was able to do this month as well. I learned so much by doing all of these sessions so close together. I feel like my skill level has grown and I'm excited to keep moving forward! I will no longer be able to offer free sessions to anyone outside of the family as it is time for me to build my business. That being said... you Thompsons know my number! Give me a call and let me get more practice in, build my portfolio, and give you a FREE CD filled with YOUR pictures! It's a "win-win"! Thank you Beth, Courtnie, and Rachel for allowing me the privilege of taking your pictures. I really enjoyed it and hope I get the opportunity again in the future!

"Krazy Kouzins"

Brooke and I tried REALLy hard to get a group picture of the cousins and this is all I got before my camera ran out of batteries... I have to say, I'm happy with what we got. They sure are a cute bunch; even with all those layers of dirt on their faces!

More Cousin's Camp Fun...

These are just a few more pictures from cousin's camp that I wanted to share...

Cousin's Camp!

Awesome Auntie Brookie put together a three day cousins camp this year. It was held at the Ranch and the kids were told to bring nothing but a sleeping bag, a swimsuit, a flashlight, and a smile. We gathered on the first night at about 6:30pm and chowed on bbq'd hot dogs and watermelon. The evening activity was "Cousin's Idol" where each kid was given the opportunity to sing their favorite song underneath the disco ball. Afterward the cousins all changed into their pj's and piled into their tents where they talked and whispered for hours before finally falling asleep. On the second day of camp Papa made pancakes for breakfast and afterward everyone went for a morning bike ride where BOTH Camille and Brenden learned to ride without training wheels! The afternoon was spent on the water slide and as a service project the kids all made cards for our soldiers. That night they all crowded into Nana and Papa's living room for a movie night with popcorn, licorice, and root beer floats. Wednesday morning the cousins all worked together to clean up the messes and organize the tents. They were tired and a bit cranky from two days of fun coming to an end... but without a doubt, they had a blast and can't wait to see what Auntie Brookie has in store for NEXT YEAR! Thank you Nana and Papa for opening your home to all of our crazy kiddos, and thank you Meredith for your helpful, supportive hand, and Brookie... thank you for your amazing imagination, endless patience, and beaming smile. We love you!

Thompson Smiles...

We're all here except for Laurie's sweet family and Noah. Thompsons are good-looking, food-loving, hug-giving, smiley, happy people! I'm proud to be one! Love you all so much!

Papa Turns 60!

July 31, 2010... David Wayne Thompson turns 60 years young. We all met up at Lake Don Pedro for some good ol' fashioned Thompson fun. The sun was warm, the breeze was cool, the food was fabulous, and the company was GREAT! We swam and played. The cousins built a slide out of towels and took turns rolling down the grassy hills. The kids worked together to write Papa a message in the sand, and at one point Brenden even lost a tooth! It was a fun-filled day spent with family. We love you Papa! Happy Birthday!

July...

Fireworks, swimming with friends, taking a country drive, splashing in the sprinklers, visiting the water park, picking fruit at the Ranch... July has been a month filled with fun. As summer begins to fade and the school season approaches, I am filled with gratitude. I am grateful for these summers with my children; these crazy days without schedules or homework. Childhood speeds by so fast, I hope that when they've all grown up that they'll be able to look back and remember these fun simple summers with fondness just as I do.

Norman Rockwell...

This one is my favorite because of those beautiful eyes...


This is the picture that I had in my head...

So, to briefly describe these pictures I will simply say that about 2 years ago (when I first discovered that I liked photography) the idea for this particular photo shoot just "popped" into my head. I wanted it to look like a boy on the run from the 20's or 30's, in kind of a "Norman Rockwell" style. I thought that it would look great on a wrapped canvas hanging in my future studio. Since that day I've waited for the perfect time, hair cut, out fit, venue, season, and opportunity to do this shoot. Finally, this week Mike offered to take me to the perfect train tracks and sit with the baby so that I could do it. I've been letting Brenden's hair grow out for months now knowing that summer and that long grass I needed where approaching... so, here are some examples of the final product. I know that it seems silly, but to me, just seeing my little idea come to life felt like a "win." I needed a "win." Even if it was just a little one...