Thanksgiving

Just wanted to add a few Thanksgiving pictures, thanks to Tanya. We ended up eating at Kristy's house and all of the food was divine. Mom and Dad, Kristy's family, Tanya and Joe, and then us Thompson's enjoyed the feast. Keith and Sandy came later. Shelby and Kaylee went around with the list of everything that everyone was thankful for. It was interesting how EVERYONE put family in some way or another. Family sure makes this life and the next life worth living. I sure do love each of my children and my dear husband, who is always so good to me!

Of course the next day was Black Friday, which always means to Stephen Red Friday after Shauna is done with the Christmas shopping. We sure had fun hitting all of the early bargains. There is always such a mass of people even with the ice and snow fall this year.

A Week of Friend Fun

This week was neighborhood BUNCO. You basically roll dice and visit all night. One of my favorite friends from the neighborhood hosted and did a Mexican theme. I got a delicious Mexican casserole recipe, which is another advantage of BUNCO - the recipes!!!

The next friend time actually happens every week on Monday and Friday mornings. I LOVE to play basketball and have enjoyed playing with a group of women at the YMCA for the past several years. I think I started playing with them after I had Rebecca so it has probably been five years now. Each of the ladies that play have such unique personalities. Some are hilarious and I laugh at their jokes all day long. Others are so very sweet and caring. Some are just fun to compete against. My sister, Kristy has started playing with us which I have really enjoyed. Anyway, I always look forward to every Monday and Friday morning!!!

Yes I went to "Twilight" the opening weekend. Why? Well to be with friends of course!!! I read the first book about a year ago and when I got to the vampire part I couldn't believe I was reading about vampires. Anyway, I didn't devour the rest of her series. I actually didn't really care for her style of writing. However, I wouldn't ever pass up a chance to go with a bunch of friends to a movie. Thanks for aranging it Angie!!! The movie was actually better than I thought it would be. It was fun to hear all of the teenagers screaming in the background.

Stephen and I also took our four oldest to BYU's fairy tales and fantasy ballet. I really enjoyed Swan Lake with Odette and Prince Siegfried. Gieselle was cute as well. Rebecca kept me grinning the entire night with her comments. "Oh mom they are soo in love" "Her dress is sooo pretty with the flowers" "They are the best dancers in the world" "Oh mom someday I want to dance with my prince and have everyone watching us" Rebecca is our romantic!!!

We also did a friend craft project for Christmas. I should have taken a picture but didn't. It's always more fun to do a project with friends than by yourself.

I LOVE friends!!! I love how they lift and help me in so many ways. I love every friend for a different reason, and am so glad that I have each and every friend that I do!!!!

Janie and Andrew's Wedding in ARIZONA

I still can't believe little Janie is married!!! She looked so beautiful and was so happy. She married Andrew Compton in the Mesa, Arizon temple. Everyone was able to come down for the wedding. Lael was very gracious to let our family, Jon and Janna and their girls, AND Erin stay at her house. She was an excellent hostess to us. When we first arrived we went to a park so the kids could play. Then we went back to Lael's to swim. Janie took her endowments out that night. Afterwards, all of the women went to Claim Jumper. The wedding was the next morning. Her colors were fall colors. All of the little girls wore the Gymboree brown Christmas dress and my boys were in brown cords. Thanks to Racquel for getting all of that coordinated. We had a ball just visiting and playing together. It's always fun to see everyone.

The trip to Mesa from Colorado Springs takes 12 hours. Yes, that is 12 hours!!! I made a map across the ceiling of our van with pictures and velcro so that the kids could keep track of where we were and how much further we need to go. The kids loved moving the van across the van. I tried to alternate between movies and activities. I found a lot of great ideas at http://www.momsminivan.com/, and Red Box kept our movies going!!!

We had a big Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. Don made his famous rolls and Brenda baked her pies. We ate at Paul and Racquel's. It was so weird to eat outside for Thanksgiving, thanks to the weather!!

Swimming was a must each day that we were there. The temperature was in the 80's. Of course there were races like walking on hands the length of the pool, swimming across with a kid on your back and the ever fun chicken fighting with a kid on the back once again!!!

The Election

Kristy had a big election party on Tuesday. She had ballots that the kids had to vote on. She added Grandpa Coley as an independent along with Obama and McCain. Needless to say, Grandpa won. Kristy also had blank US maps that the kids would fill in red or blue as the states were won. She had her house all decked out in red/white/blue. Stephen enjoyed the party trays and politics.

Other big events this week were a surprise birthday party for Kristy at Red Robin. She turned 30. We had the Spillane's and friends from basketball there. That same night I had our YW Evening in Excellence. We did an Olympic theme and had Bishop Roy come and speak. Brother Christensen acted like Bob Costas and interviewed the girls that have gotten their medalion this year. We had bouquets of flowers and big medals for them. I closed with my talk on how you spend hours practicing shooting, serving or whatever it may be so that come game time your shot will be natural, nothing awkward and you will be able to make it. It is the same with Personal Progress we spend hours reading our scriptures and doing projects so that when trials come it is only natural and easy for us to turn to our scriptures and fasting. Anyway, it's over and was a very nice evening.

And last but not least we are busy this week running to the basketball practices, games and friend playdates. I have really enjoyed watching the kids play their games this year. They are getting older and better. It's alo fun to hear them on the piano. They are really coming along and are enjoyable to listen to!!!

Halloween

What a perfect Halloween!!! I think this is the first year that the weather cooperated and we didn't have to bundle up. The boys were vampires, Jerrica a pea, Ashley was Cinderella, Rebecca was Snow White and Kaylee a wicked witch. I think we have a 5 year supply of candy after the Trick or Treating. On Halloween we went over to the Mumma's house for a pizza party and then the dad's set out on the Trick or Treating as the mom's handed out candy and visited.

Pumpkin carving was a little out of control. We did it for Family Home Evening with Kristy's family. SOOO it was 10 kids and 10 pumpkins to carve. Jacob was so sweet helping Ashley. She was THRILLED to have her older brother helping her so much.

Halloween is always so fun to decorate and celebrate. I added a couple of decoration pictures just to remember years from now how I would decorate. We love our huge web and spiders outside. I loved my new metal witch's hat with a cute picture of MY little witch by it. Then I cut out a fun witch sillohuette. I remember my dad cutting out decorations when I was little. He was always so artistic. Anyway, decorating gets the fam into the holiday mood. I love when people get into holidays. The ultimate conditioning teacher even played Halloween, spooky music for the ENTIRE class this week. It's fun that holidays mix up the mundane schedules a little.