Look! Look! Look!!!

Look! Look! Look!!! Just look at what my Kiddo's Can Do!!!

Aren't they Amazing!!!

School!

So I didn't post about school yet this year. Madi Started 6th grade, and Kyle Started 3rd. Here are their first day of school photo's!!!

Madison's 11th Birthday Party!!

Better late than never. Right??? We had a pedicure Party for Madi's 11th Birthday Party with her Friends!!! We watched a Movie and all the girls got to pick the color and design from our plethora of polish and nail art plates!!! Then as they watched the movie and ate mountains of popcorn and junk (who knew 11 year old girls could eat that much?) I did pedicures and painted their toes! They each got a goodie bag with an orange stick, File, cuticle oil, toe separators, and polish to take home and maintain or redo their pedi's. They all had fun and left happy! (having been Kristafied how could they not! Right?) So Fun!!!

We Did It!!! :)

Madison and I ran our Stake Harvest 5K a couple of Saturday's ago in 32 min. 17 sec. We had a blast. Madi is getting to be quite the runner. I had to keep reminding her to pace herself so she wouldn't get burned out, but I was really just trying to keep up. She did AWESOME!!! I hope this was the first of many to come!!!

Happy 11th Birthday Madi!!!

11 Years ago one of the best things I've ever been a part of came into my life.

Madison you are one of my greatest accomplishments! You are an amazing young lady, and you are constantly looking for ways to help and serve those around you. I love being the Mom of such an awesome kid!!! You're the greatest!!! I Love you!!!

The day started with you being kidnapped and taken to Kneaders for their fabulous french toast.

Then off to your private salon for nails and a pedicure. Your track meet was counseled because of lightning, so we went straight to dinner instead!!!

Happy 11th birthday Kiddo!!!

Introducing The Award Winning Photographer..... MADISON!!!

Madison Wanted to enter the reflections contest in the photography category this year. The Theme was "Imagine the possibilities." She immediately thought of Jack and Josh and all of the possibilities imaginable with those two little cuties. Erin had set up a day to get the kiddos pictures taken already, so Madi worked her magic, and this is the result!

She won the students choice award!!!! I'm so proud

of you babe!!!

Did Anyone guess Jeff?

Sadly to say it is not me, but my poor, sweet husband. Jeff "gave birth" late in the evening, on Sunday, March 20.

Guess Who's Expecting!!!!

More info to come, SOON!!!!

Our First Pinewood Derby!!!

Kyle and Jeff participated in our first pinewood derby. They had so much fun cutting, sanding, spinning wheels, painting, and all of the other things (Secret tips that I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you!!! Thanks Brad and Atkinson boys for all the good ideas!!!) Kyle was very excited to get 2nd place!!!

He also got the award for the most aerodynamic!!! So Fun. Can't wait to see what he'll make for his next car!!!

Memories of Dad

I didn't feel like I could post again until I shared a little more about my Dad. These are the memories our family shared at his funeral.

Krista-

Dad taught me so much by his example, but he also taught me how to find the answers for myself (which sometimes drove me crazy). I remember one time in particular when I was about twelve years old, and I was truly trying to read my personal scriptures and say my personal prayers, so I could strengthen my own personal testimony. After about a month of reading every night and saying my prayers every morning and night I was feeling frustrated because I didn't feel like I had gotten an answer to my prayers, I went to my Dad to talk to him about it, after explaining, "All that I was doing, I still hadn't received an answer." He simply said, "Are you listening for an answer?" That conversation has changed my testimony, and my life.

Jeff-

After Krista and I had been dating a couple of months I proposed Marriage to her. Of course she said Yes, and she told me I had to speak to her Dad and ask for his blessing. I went over and asked if I could speak to him, and then asked him if I could marry his daughter. He looked up at me with a smile on his face and said, "Are you sure you want to do that? Do you know what you are getting yourself in for?" He then started to laugh, which made me relax, and laugh too. That is something I loved about him, his contagious sense of humor and his intense love for his family. I love him and will miss him.

Madison-

I remember going to the ice cream shop with grandpa, and he would eat all the left overs. I remember going to see the buffalo and the elk. He brought his elk call once, It was so cool!!! Grandpa was the tickle monster, and he teased us a lot. He would make Donald Duck noises, and he would make up jokes, and laugh at our jokes. He loved to roast smores and hot dogs. I loved to watch The Cosby Show with him. We took a peanut butter pie over to him for his 65th Birthday, and when we sang Happy Birthday to you, He sang "Happy Birthday to me!!!" Another time when he was at my house I read him a book, he fell fast asleep to it. He would always wave under his chin. I remember loving to hold his hand. Even though sometimes Grandpa wasn't there, I knew he loved me I love him with all my heart. I know he loves his kids and grand kids very much.

Kyle-

I remember walking and driving to see the elk, and seeing the horses and buffalo too. I loved taking grandpa to get ice cream, and he would tell us about his mission, and about how when my Mom was a little girl and they would go to get ice cream he wouldn't let two of the kids get the same flavor, because he had to finish all of the left overs. Grandpa was the tickle monster. He would say, "Come here," (like you were in trouble) then when you got close enough he would tickle you. I loved to play the hand game with grandpa. Grandpa was fast at the hand game!!! I remember grandpa teaching Me and Madi how to play cops and robbers in the back yard. He would roll on the ground and jump up like a cop. I loved going to sonic and getting slushies and taking them to the park. Grandpa was in the circle when I got confirmed. I remember Him putting His hands on my head. Whenever I would give Him a Kiss, He would smile. I remember that grandpa loves me, and He loved to have us visit him.

I am so thankful for the time I had with my Dad. I Love him very much and miss him every day.

Thomas Gilbert Thomson
(April 30, 1945 - January 7, 2011)
Our loving husband, father & grandfather passed away peacefully at home on January 7, 2011. Tom, 65, had a long struggle with Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s disease. He was born April 30, 1945, in SLC to Gladys & Thomas Marshall Thomson. He graduated from West High & served an LDS mission to the Gulf States. Tom married Karen McDermaid in the Salt Lake Temple on November 17, 1967. He was the owner & operator of Tom’s Iron Works. He was a faithful member of the LDS church serving in many callings including: Stake President, Bishop, High Counselor, YM President & Home Teacher. We will miss him dearly, especially his silly sense of humor & his love of family! Tom is survived by his wife, Karen, children: Laura (Guy) Lewis, Wendy (Russ) Steeneck, Jeanette (Brad) Atkinson, Becky (Dan) Hancock, Liz (Dan) Davis, Krista (Jeff) McMillan, Tom Jr. (Jenn) Thomson, Erin (Kendall) Johnson; 24 grandchildren with twins on the way. Also survived by his mother, Gladys Thomson Avery & siblings: Kathy (Alan) Parker, Debby (David) Plummer, Gary (Diana) Thomson, & Jeff (Judy) Thomson. He was preceded in death by his father & granddaughter, Dayna. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 11th at 11:00 in the South Jordan Parkway Stake Center, 9894 S. 2700 West. A viewing will be held Monday, January 10th from 6:30 to 8:30 & Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 with both visitations held at the Stake Center. Interment: Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City.

Out with the Old, and In with the New (Very Soon!!!)

We sold our Jeep on Tuesday (WOO HOO!!!), and I'm very excited to get our new (to us) Mazda 6 on Monday or Tuesday!!!! I am feeling a little horrid about how spoiled I am to have two cars so I don't have to share. I have tried not to complain, and I will remember to count this as one of my many many blessings.

Not so great Football Game:(

Jeff & I went to the Utah vs. Notre Dame Football Last week, and while the football game pretty much sucked (Utah didn't even show up, no touchdowns, and they got smeared 28 to 3 PLUS it rained most of the game which would have been fine if they would have tried even a little), BUT we did get to go to the Notre Dame Campus,

which was beautiful, and the fans and people there were SO nice.

We wanted to see the Famous Touch Down Jesus mosaic, but didn't want to be disrespectful , so Jeff asked a guide where the Jesus mosaic was. The guy replied with a little laugh, "Oh, You Mean Touch Down Jesus, this is where to go!"

This is why they call it
"TOUCH DOWN JESUS"

It is actually a Mosaic Mural of Jesus calling out "Come unto Me"

The wounds were still fresh from the horrible beating the night before, but we pulled ourselves together and had an awesome day.

We went to the Field Museum, where they have some very exciting exhibits!!!

We saw the mummy's (the X-Ray in the bottom left corner shows that the sarcophagus used was probably made for a woman, but has a mummy of a Man inside. The arms are missing, and the legs were broken to squeeze the mummy into the space that was too small )The Field Museum holds the most completed skeleton of a T-Rex ever found. "Sue" (named after the archaeologist who discovered it, not because "she" is a girl) is 90 Percent complete of actual bones.

Chicago is a pretty amazing city, and we got to appreciate it from a different perspective from the top of the Hancock Observatory.

Jeff even got to get out on the 94th floor and wash some windows so they were sparkling clean!!! YIKES!!!

Last, but certainly not least, no trip to Chicago would be complete without some Chicago style pizza from Giordano's. DELICIOUS!!! (and I do have to mention that I ate Jeff under the table, hands down!!!) SO SO GOOD!!!

Just Look how thick that sucker is!!! And yes the sauce in on the top of all the "toppings"

SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Kyle Gets Baptised!!!

Kyle Was Baptised on November 6!!!

I am so proud of his choice to be baptised and was impressed with the answers he gave the Bishop during his interview. He really knows his stuff. He also went up to share his testimony in sacrament meeting for the first time, and was a little nervous, but did an excellent job! I love you so much Kyle and I'm so proud of who you are, and the choices you are making!!!

Just TWO more reasons why I LOVE LAKE POWELL!!!

For UEA weekend we headed down to St. George for some rest and relaxation. On Friday we drove to Lake Powell for the first time in ELEVEN YEARS!!! (I was prego with Madison the last time we went!!!) It was more beautiful than I remembered, and it will now have two more special memories attached to the long list it already holds!!! It is where both Madison and Kyle both learned how to WATER SKI!!! Yep, right in front of Gun Sight in Padre Bay, This is where the magic happened.

First Kyle Popped Up!!!

Not to be shone up by her baby brother, very shortly after Kyle skied Madi Popped up

This day I will always remember.

I'm not sure who was more excited, the kiddo's or the spec taters!!!

Just a few more reasons for the LOVE!!!

Can't Wait to go back next year!!!

Jedi Training!!!

For Kyle's 8th Birthday Party this year he wanted a Star Wars theme, so... We invited some of his friends over to participate in Jedi Training!!! When they arrived they were each given the proper Jedi Attire, a Jedi robe!!!

We used the force to help us pin the light saber on the Jedi!!! The force is strong in this one!!!

We played JEDI BINGO and then black out!

*J* was the first to get bingo and Kyle was the first to get blackout!!!

We each made our own galactic pizza and drank Yoda Soda (7up and lime sherbet blended up together)!!!

Cup cakes are just way too easy, so we made them line up to make a light saber!!!
We had to issue each Jedi in training a light saber, so they chose the color (duct tape in different colors so we could tell them apart) and went through some rigorous Jedi training (keeping a balloon up in the air with their light saber, dodging balloons being thrown at then, rolling through an obstacle course with light saber in hand, very tricky stuff to do while carrying a weapon that will melt your limbs off if it touches you!!!) Then they were met by Darth Vader out in the front yard!!!

My young padawan's did very well, but a few crossed over to the dark side!!! Only for a little while though, then they were back and stronger in the force than ever!!!
Madi had to use the force to get the black frosting off her teeth so she wouldn't forever get stuck looking like this AAAAHHH!!!
All of my young padawans graduated and are now true Jedi Masters. A fun time was had by all and they are off to save the galaxy!!! May the force be with you!!!