THIS WEEKEND

Nate and I took care of my niece and nephew this weekend. I had a fun day all planned out that included playing, going to the lake and feeding the birds, movies, Easter egg hunting...
Here is a little video of Adelia and Nate throwing bread to the birds. If you could hear the real audio it would be incredibly loud and all bird noises! Enjoy.

HOORAY FOR KATHY!

It's my sister's birthday today. If you've ever met a woman dedicated to her family and committed 100% to everything she does...you know Kathy! Love you sis.

TWO IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN ONE!

On Wednesday my brother Ryan and his wife Ruth had a baby girl {welcome Ruby Rose} to the world. And on Friday my brother Andrew and his wife LaShel had a darling little boy {hooray Tucker Joshua}. Both babies and moms are doing well and I am especially grateful that they were mindful of my schedule so I was able to see and hold each of them before all the new shine was rubbed and kissed off!

Ruby Rose






















Tucker Joshua

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAYNA {AND MATT}

Nate and I are disgusting. Dayna and Matt both turned 29 this last week and we didn't send cards or gifts. I really do aspire to acknowledging family and friend birthdays better; what will be the catalyst for my change? How will I manage to improve on lousy? I guess just one birthday at a time!

That said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Matt and Dayna. They are a beautiful couple with two beautiful kids. I think we might fly out in January and visit them. That way I can deliver belated birthday gifts and hugs in person.

FAMILY REUNION IDEAS

The second ever Thompson family reunion is coming up in August and this year Nate and I are hosting the gang at Chateau Conger. I have a brother in a wheelchair so picking a place that is friendly to his needs is a bit tricky but altogether worth it.

Activities offered by our neighborhood include:
+ lots of walking paths perfect for pushing wheelchairs right down to the lake
+ family fishing at the lake {just one block away}
+ swimming pool opens next week {yay}
+ splash pool perfect for little ones to splash in
+ plenty of basketball courts to reserve for friendly family game of HORSE
+ Wii competition
+Cricut card making and scrapbooking

I am looking for fun games and activities to add to the agenda. If you have any favorites from some of your own family gatherings, please share. I'd really like to make this a special family experience and create a few new traditions along the way.






















{we did this tie dying last year at Ruth's family cabin}

HOORAY FOR ADELIA

Adelia turned one on Saturday. Nate and I were lucky enough to have Andrew, LaShel and Adelia stop by on Friday before they went to the airport so it was almost like we saw her on her birthday. While her parents played guitar hero, Adelia and I hung out on the floor. She is a great dancer and loves to boogie to classic rock.
Also, this just in, Andrew and LaShel shared some super secret exclusive news on Friday that I had to wait to share. Now that all family is in the know, Adelia will be a big sister later this year. Double Hooray!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS

Kathy has paved the way for me from the beginning. I love you sis and I hope today has been special somehow. Next time you feel like going to a matinée...do it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES

James is 10 today! Remember when you were ten? I do, it was 1981 and I was in the 4th grade. That was the year I had my appendix removed and discovered my love of pain medication.
Hooray for James!

LITTLE MISS ADELIA

Meet one of the people I'm most anxious to see at Christmas time. I can't wait to kiss her cheeks. I haven't seen this little one since August and that is just way too long to wait to see someone who changes every other day.

THANKSGIVING FEAST

Thanksgiving was a success; good food was eaten by all. Nate's parents, Emma, Jon and James came in Wednesday night and we spent the evening baking pies, sweet potatoes, and anything else that could be done the day before. After a few hours in the kitchen we all relaxed in front of the TV and watched one of the best movies of all time; Elf.
On Thanksgiving morning I got up early and pulled the turkey from the cooler. Nate was good enough to put the savory brine together the day before and that's where the turkey spent the previous 24 hours. The bird was pale and freezing cold. I followed a recipe I got from Martha Stewart for roasting. It came out golden brown with crispy skin; just the way it was supposed to. Ryan and Holly came with their darling girls Lydia and Violet and we feasted around 2pm.











I didn't have the most dramatically set table but it fit everyone around it {along with a companion table} and that's all that mattered. After I described it to my mom she said it was elegantly simple which I embraced whole-heartedly.











After all the family left on Friday, Nate and I went to see Dan in Real Life which was really sweet and we applaud Steve Carell's more serious performance. By the time the movie was over I was officially sick. Watery eyes, runny nose. My body had waited until the last possible moment to get sick.
Saturday Nate and I spent the morning putting our Christmas card and gift lists together so we could shop with purpose. We then spent the next 45 minutes at the gym so we could work off all that turkey and stuffing. Then I managed, in my sickly state, to fall asleep on the couch and I didn't wake up 'til it was dark outside. We hung some wreaths on the top and main level street-facing windows, watched The Godfather, and went to bed.
Sunday we went to church, visited with some friends, and put up our 7.5 foot tree. It is currently without trimming but it's still pretty and adds to the festive feeling when we play The Little Drummer Boy by The Dandy Warhols.









All in all, a very good Thanksgiving holiday. I so needed it.

BOO BOO DOLLS

Nope, not a new band. Boo Boo Dolls are an ingenious creation, handmade by my sister-in-law Holly. She's working on an Etsy shop and they'll be available there soon, but let me tell you a bit about them.
Boo Boo Dolls {designs include an owl, lady bug and bee} are filled with flax seeds {and usually scented with lavender oil}. They are safe for the microwave and/or freezer. If your little one gets a boo boo, don't reach for a bone-chilling ice cube, reach for the nicely chilled {but not freezing} boo boo doll to soothe a bump or bruise. If the "owey" calls for warmth, heat the boo boo doll in the microwave until it's the perfect temperature. Cute, right? All detailing is reinforced to be safe for children. Hooray for Holly.
When the Etsy shop is up and running, I'll let you know.

I LOVE MY MOM AND DAD

Meet my parents. They are probably the most hard-working people I know. When Nate and I asked for their help with our backyard landscaping I knew I could count on them to work hard and keep us motivated right to the end. And they sure pulled through.
After six hours of digging and picking and shoveling, we planted 11 trees and about 40 bushes. That's over 5o holes dug! I'll post photos of the yard later.

Thanks Mom and Dad! I think we'll dedicate our backyard to you

NOTES TO LOVED ONES

HUGO IS BIG ON LOOKS!

Subtitled: {Andrew and LaShel, please send photos}


I got these adorable photos of Hugo last week. Yes, he's an exact duplicate of his daddy and yes, yes, he might be the cutest little boy I've ever seen. I can safely say that because...look at him.

CONGRATULATIONS DAYNA AND MATT

Dayna FINALLY had her baby {one week late} last night. Her little blonde girl was tiny, weighing in at just 6 lbs. I don't know any of the details, nor do I have a photo to include, but I had to post a big sigh of relief for Dayna! This is just another child, brought into this world, who will eventually refer to me as, "my favorite Aunt ever".

HOORAY FOR EMMA THE ROCK STAR!

It's Emma's birthday today. She's twenty!! Here's a list of twenty things all twenty year olds should know.

1. You haven't seen the last of acne.
2. Even though you may have money after college, things are twice as expensive.
3. Don't sacrifice your grades for a social life or vice versa. College life is a fine balance of the two.
4. Twenty is the age when you figure out it's fun AND cool to be friends with your parents again.
5. Some of the coolest guys have receding hairlines already.
6. Take vacations by yourself. It's very liberating.
7. Use moisturizer and sunblock at all cost.
8. Take classes that interest you. You'll never really have another time in your life when you can do things JUST because you like to. {unless you like going to work}.
9. Always make friends with people who exercise.
   
10. Unless you want to be a doctor, it really doesn't matter what your undergrad degree is. People hire you on first impression, who you know, and your experience. Period.
    
11. Always be nice.
12. Practice being comfortable in your own skin, you'll be in it a long time.
13. Open source software is hella cool.
14. Drink water.
15. Oingo Boingo is still a good band. So shut up!
16. Making mistakes is no big deal, how you react to the mistake is!
17. Always read for pleasure.
18. Whenever anyone gives you a compliment, say nothing but "thank you".
19. Give compliments as often as you can.
20. As it turns out, your mom and dad are usually right.
    

I also like what Marta said in her self-interview about what she learned in college. Happy Birthday Emma! Nate and I love you to the moon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE

Sophie is my second niece. She's one of those girls who can do anything she puts her mind to. Youngest girl on her jump rope team, check. Running a mile race when she was seven, check. Having a keen eye for fashion and style, double check.
I love you Sophie!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ANDREW AND RYAN

Both Andrew {left} and Ryan {right} got sweet jobs this last week. They are two of the best brothers a girl could have and I am very proud of each of them. Oh, and they both have adorable babies, too. Wahooo!