More Reunion Memories

Before I completely forgot ... or let it get into next year. I wanted to put down a few more memorable moments from our family reunion in Mt. Pleasant - celebrating Grandma Marx's 95th birthday.
I was so grateful that Grandma got to spend time with the kids. She hadn't met Ben and Ginny and hadn't seen Joshua since he blessed - oh so long ago!

Mimi and Grandma utterly engrossed (and not at all bored) by ...

Papa and the kids. Those balloons provided amazingly versitile entertainment. The kids demanded that we stick them to the wall with magic (static) over and over and over ... some of those silly balloons followed us home too (thanks).

On a drive down memory lane with Mimi and Papa - we found the house they were living in when Angie was born. The babies couldn't quite wrap their heads around that one ...

Papa providing rides on a trip to see G-G-Grandfather's homestead outside Moroni.

Horseshoe mountain ... one of my favorite views on this planet.

The motley crew who agreed to follow Uncle Buzz on the historical tour - see us hanging on his every word?

Here is the homestead. Here it was that my great-great grandfather lived with two wives and 20 children. The wives were sisters (I loved the look on my brother-in-law's face when he imaged that set-up!) and no, there is not more to the house - just one room and a loft upstairs. I thought my 3 bedroom 2 bath home was too small for the 6 of us. Yikes!!!!!

Ginny's turn for the ride. I think that Ginny got the first ride and Ben pestered Papa until he got one too.

Byron and Papa talking. Don't know what about - that's okay. I love the picture.

Joshua and his cousins finding a sawdust pile in the next lot and deciding to "make it snow." Contrary to all expectations, there were no itchy children after this mess ...

Tess and the ducks. She spent every possible moment chasing, catching, and carrying a duck. When a deer was spotted in the back lot, Uncle Buzz overheard her saying "this place is just wonderful! Here I am carrying a duck and watching wildlife!" She said she was going to record it in her journal, I hope she did.

Robert and Bryce (who were inseperable the entire weekend) decided that the windfall apples made really good missiles ... until they got hit with a few.

Mimi following the babies ... and teaching them how to find good windfalls for eating. They ate so many I was sure we would have some upset tummies. Wrong again! I am not entirely positive that there were no worm involved, however. Still ... no one complained, so ...

More apples, more kids, and the ever-present duck ...

Ben displaying his table manners as we waited for lunch at the birthday party.

MC of the evening - Uncle Buzz. I wondered how he got stuck with that since he organized the entire event too. It was so great to see so many family members together - what a fun lunch! After the lunch we put Nathan to work taking family pictures outside Moroni's Opera House.

Not sure what Ben was doing ... Mimi had my camera. Great picture though!

All the grandkids getting comfortable for dinner. They had so much fun together!

Not a great picture, but I had to include it because Brandy (the one in the middle who doesn't look like she was up all night) bought us all necklaces. Big sister (that would be me), Middle sister (Brandy), and Little sister (Cyndi). The necklaces are great - also great was Cyndi complaining that she always gets the "little sister" stuff. Hmmmm, wonder why that is?

Family Pictures ... and One Awesome Photographer

I have sooo many postings to catch up on (I hope this weekend). Just to start, on Nov. 7 we all went back to Mt. Pleasant to celebrate Grandma Marx's 95th birthday. It was soooooo wonderful seeing to many family members - some I haven't seen in more years than I care to count! The best part is that my cousin, Nathan, has a photography hobby and he does some wonderful work! We pressed him into service and somehow, between a full-time job and family life (including a beautiful little baby) he managed to put this photo gallery together. We were grateful to have all of our family together (including Bryce and Tess) for these photos. You have to kind of wade through to find us as it is all mixed together, but I think it is well worth the effort. The link is http://photomarx.smugmug.com/Family-events/Grandmas-95th-B-day/10580200_7b32x/1/735136925_SQqFS#735136925_SQqFS

Happy Halloween 2009

There has been sooooo much going on and I just couldn't blog because I have been sick sick sick. NOT the swine flu, however, just a respiratory infection. We have been hugely blessed by great friends during this past week or so - wonderful families who came in while I was out of commission and kept us fed and took kids and were just in general wonderful!

The usual Halloween drill is that I and the kids get dressed up and I pick a fight with Byron to get him to come with us as we go to the little Trunk or Treat at the church and around our local neighborhood. Last year, the kids really didn't get into the spirit of things (but I had fun). This year, I am still just not feeling up to heading outside - or picking a fight. So, much to Byron's relief, he is off the hook. Our good friends have some teenage kids who desperately want to be allowed to go trick-or-treating, so they are taking (along with their mother) our kids out to the festivities. There are three teens (including Robert) and three babies ... perfect!

The kids, thanks to TV and school, have been practicing all day for the big event. I had already decided to put Joshua into the Jedi costume I made for Robert back in Oregon. It fits him perfectly and he wore it to school yesterday.

For Ben, I didn't really have a costume. He picked out a dinosaur pattern, but when I got sick - that pretty much ended any dinosaur ideas. I was looking through my box and thought I could fit him into Robert old CSA uniform. I was just worried about what he might think he was supposed to be. Since we don't do any Civil War stuff. He solved my problem, however, by getting into a fight with Joshua. He kept insisting that he was a pirate (how random is that?). So, I put a handkerchief on his head and he said "Aargh, I'm a pirate!" Problem solved. With the wool pants (which are pretty scruffy), his old sandals, and the shirt that is so big it exposes his entire chest and balloons the sleeves ... he looks perfect! I really just wish I had some clip on earrings (not that he'd keep them on). I decided to take eye liner and give him a beard and a mustache ... and chest hair! He keeps opening his shirt to show it off ... I thought Josh was going to be my ham, but Ben takes the cake this year! Who's the man!

Ginny loves Tinker Bell and I had found a pattern that had all of the fairies from the movie on it and allowed her to choose which color "Tinker Bell" she wanted to be. Of course, she chose the pink one. All told, her costume cost $6 ... that's my kind of costume. Huge thank you to my friend Leslie who came over and actually finished the costume this week because I couldn't focus enough to sew! As with Ben, I decided to add a little make up. I wish I had taken video of her trying to hold still for the lip stick ... when I finally convinced her to stop licking her lips before I could get it on her! She did pretty well for 2 and a half. The only disappointment was that I did not get her wings stiff enough. I tried adding wire after the fact, but it didn't really work ... I'll have to make a new set another time.

Robert wanted to be a marine, so I called to get a set of my brother-in-law's fatigues. He's in the Army, but I figured it was close enough ;-) At any rate, that fell through, so I told Robert he needed to be creative. This is what he came up with... he is a Secret Agent. Byron tried to get him to take his shoe off and talk into it, but he didn't go for it. This is his best Secret Agent look ... what more can I say?

Byron and I are going to hang out and study (and watch college football) this year. I can't wait to hear what fun the kids have! I am so not getting sick next year ...

Kids say the darndest things ... and what was I thinking?

Last night, while I was showering all three little ones, Josh looks and me and asks "Mom, where is Ginny's penis?" Without missing a beat (and rather proud of my not choking) I told him that only boys have penises (sp?). He said "oh" and I really thought that was the end of it. But no, after thinking things over for a minute, he said, "but Mom, if Ginny doesn't have a penis, how does she go pee?" Realizing this was not going to end easily, I resorted to being flippant (huge tactical error) and told him that "for girls, it just falls out." My analitical little boy then told me that if the pee just fell out, how did Ginny not pee her pants. Deciding that he would just find out for himself, he told Ginny to go potty so he could watch (a command I countered fairly immediately). I finally resorted to the age-old diversion of "go ask Daddy." I wonder if he will ... it really is Daddy's turn for some of these moments. One thing is for sure, no more co-ed showers!

In other news, I have finally come to the conclusion that I will never again fit into my costumes - and that is not a bad thing. I don't really weigh much more than I did then, but having 3 children in 4 years seems to have permanently altered my frame. So, I asked a couple of teens who were sitting for me if they wanted any of them. I was surprised at how enthusiastically they started going through the boxes. Unfortunately, since both of the girls actually have figures (meaning upstairs), they could not fit into any of my Civil War dresses (since, as my sister has often pointed out, walls are jealous of my figure). They were soooo disappointed, I offered to make a couple of dresses for them (if they bought the fabric and came over and helped with kids, etc.) I know, I know ... I do this to myself. Seriously, though, I really planned this time and my house was very clean when they came over (this was even with a sick kid for a couple of days). It was a fun night! After the kids went down, we went to work ... the girls cut most of the dresses out (which made for some creative piecing). There was lots of giggling, chips & dip, and peanut M&Ms. As usual, I grossly underestimated the amount of time it would take. I made a couple of mistakes which I had the girls pick out as I moved along. At one point, one of the girls actually fell asleep while picking out a seam ... it was soooo funny because she didn't actually stop moving her hand, she just didn't actually make contact between the dress and the seam ripper. I finally let them go to bed at about 3:45 this morning (kind of impressed that I could outlast a couple of 15 yr-olds). By the time they left this morning, we had done enough to ensure that the dresses will fit - I'll have to finish them myself this week. I also finished all of the laundry and ironing and kept the house clean throughout the project! A service project first! On the downside, 7am came way too fast and I am envying those girls the freedom to nap. I will post pics when the dresses are finished. They plan to wear them to school for Halloween and are going to spend the night here the day before so I can help them get dressed and get their hair right (and take them to school so that they do not experience hoop skirts on the bus).
All in all, I think tonight is an excellent night for cold cereal and Daddy time!

IT'S OFFICIAL ... WE'RE ALL THOMPSONS!!!!

I have taken way too long to update the blog.  I have taken some great pictures memories that I want to capture and I will be updating some of those "after the fact."  I thought I would start with today's events.  Finally, after nearly a year, the adoption process is complete.  As of today, Robert's legal name is:

Robert Roy Thompson

Robert has been very excited for this to happen.  He was also very nervous at having to go into a courtroom and talk to a judge.  Our morning started with its usual hectic-ness.  I laid out Byron's Sunday clothes (with some vehement opposition from Byron who did NOT want to wear a button-down shirt and tie for the occasion) and got dressed up myself for the morning - which I spent helping in Josh's kindergarten class.  My feet may never forgive me for choosing fashion over comfort ... there is a reason that teachers do not wear heels.  As it turns out, Robert decided our over-all appearance because he decided to wear his only belt to his scouting campout this weekend and it did not make it home (some fish is really stylish, however).  I gave in with reasonably good grace and changed into slacks to match the guys.

Ginny was feeling left out of the process apparently, because she decided to get sick late Thursday night and I couldn't take her to play with our friends the Hyer family (we like to share, but not THAT much), so I hunted around desperately to find someone who did not have very young children and could come to my home at noon. Thank you to Kat for stepping up for us!

We managed to make it out the door only 20 minutes behind schedule and, because Byron was driving, we made it to the courthouse exactly 2 minutes AFTER the hearing was scheduled to start.  I was practically hyperventilating, but as fate would have it, the morning recess apparently cut into the judge's lunch and they did not even reconvene until 15 minutes after our hearing was supposed to start - so we made it with time to spare!  We were called second (once they started the adoption hearings).  We had the courtroom to ourselves and the whole thing took about 6 minutes.  The judge swore all of us in and then only had questions for Byron and Robert.  Finally, he ordered us to take Robert out to eat wherever he wanted to go ... and then clarified the order to Robert by telling him that he could not choose a restaurant in some exotic local like Paris, France.  The baliff finalized the deal by handing Robert and official Superior Court ballpoint pen - which was the real highlight for Robert. 

My favorite part was watching Byron answer when the judge pointed out that this adoption would give Robert inheritance rights.  I could see the thoughts going right across his face "can kids inherit debts?"  He did good, however, because he just smiled and said yes ... not even a giggle!

After we got out of the courthouse, we headed to Walmart to get the oil changed in the car (and pick up a new belt for Robert) and Robert decided on the RoadHouse Grill (because it was right there).  We had a nice lunch ... just to keep in fully compliance with the court.  I also sent out text messages to as many family members as I had cell numbers for and Robert really loved seeing the varied and instantaneous responses.  We have such an awesome family!

Do you have an A?

Joshua and I decided to learn to write today. He was having so much fun! I had to capture his enthusiasm. I am totally shocked that he kept writing As over and over again - always with that big beautiful smile!

Dinner & a Show

Ben and Ginny chased each other for a solid 30 minutes. It was tooo funny. Of course, when the camera came out it wasn't as much fun, but we were still chuckling - and watch for Josh the cheeseball!

Medical Circus????

I had to take Joshua into the doctor's office for his Kindergarten physical (and to get a shot he was missing). I really missed Robert!!! In the past year or so, I have scheduled appointments to happen at lunch or naptime so that Daddy was home or Robert could "babysit" the sleeping ones. This time, however, the only available appointment was at 10:30am and I took all three of the little ones with me. I have taken all three before, but usually at least one of them was actually sick and so I really only had to watch 2. Also, the nurses are really good at getting us out of the waiting room as fast as possible so that I don't have as much surface area to watch. This time, however, I had three health and very exuberant children who were very happy to be there. They were very good, but we were in the waiting room for nearly an hour and a half. By the end of that time, they were in a pretend world (started by Joshua) where they were deep-sea divers. Every time a nurse opened the door, Joshua would shriek for her to watch out for the sharks. Yes it was very cute, but I had to dissuade them from using various objects in the room (a folded wheelchair, television, a fellow patient with a cast) as object to be driven or walked upon. Ben also has discovered numbers and colors and he was pointing out every number he could see. He could recognize 1 through 11 on the clock. The 12 was 1 and 2, though.When we got to the procedure room, it was noon and the kids were getting hungry and I was glad that the nurse came right in to get started. As it turned out, Josh needed 3 shots and a TB test (I don't remember having to get Robert a TB test before Kindergarten, but that was a long time ago). I should mention that Joshua was nervous about having to see the doctor. I told him that he needed to get a shot and he looked at me with big eyes and asked, "the doctor has a gun?" When I told him no, he wanted to know how the doctor was supposed to shoot him without a gun. He still wasn't entirely clear on the concept when the nurse came in with the tray. The last time he had shots, he screamed before, during, and for a long time after ... so I was ready. However, he just looked down and watched. He didn't even flinch! He got the TB on his forearm, and a shot in each bicep. Then, as we were leaving, (and almost back to the waiting room) the nurse discovered that Josh also needed a finger stick. The kids were less than amused at being herded back to the little room, but again Josh took the stick without a jump. When she was done, he just looked at me and said "Mom, I don't have to do this again, right?" Unfortunately, the office was out of one of the boosters and we will have to go in when the vaccine comes in, but I think Josh will do well! As good as the kids were, I was flat exhausted by the time we got home. The kids and I slept until Robert got home from school. Whew!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. The first day of middle school for Robert and the first day of Kindergarten for Joshua. Robert decided to head back into public school a couple of months ago ... when we realized that our family would not be able to continue to afford the Liahona enrollment fee. We really enjoyed the past year, but Robert was definitely ready to jump back into the middle school life. He has been nervously excited. He went school shopping with Byron because Byron decided that Robert needed to have more input into his clothing selections than "Mom" allowed him. The result? Robert picked out clothes on his own that I have been trying to interest him in for years. Go figure!

The decision to send Joshua to Kindergarten this year was only arrived at this week. J We had previously decided to keep him home at least one more year (if not permanently as I have been really enjoying the "homeschooling" I was working on). When Robert started to get ready, Joshua really wanted to be included. Also, his friend Will was really excited to go to Kindergarten this year. So between that and Daddy's conviction that Joshua was too old for naptime, we prayerfully decided to allow him to attend. Although he is really tall for his age, his birthday is only 2 weeks before the deadline, so he is literally the youngest in his class.

This morning, the boys were up and ready to go! I got the camera out and Robert groaned. Still, I told him it was obligatory and he submitted with reasonable good grace. Thank you to Ilene who came to play with Ben and Ginny while I took Joshua and Robert to school for the first day. In the future, Robert will take Joshua to the kindergarten courtyard right from the bus ... this is the part that I am nervous about.

When we got there, Robert got out his map and headed off into the unknown world of middle school. I took Joshua to the kindergarten courtyard and we got signed in and his teacher put a nametag on him and told him to pick a cubbie for his backpack. It was probably good that I went in with him because he thought he got to pick a new backpack and there were some pretty cool ones already there! After he put his backpack away, he got to go to where he has wanted to go ever since he learned he might get to go to school ... the playground. There are three kindergarted classes, so there were a fair number of kids there and Josh was in 7th heaven! I didn't see anyone I knew, so after complementing Joshua's teacher on her courage (she grinned), I moved to the side to watch. I saw several mothers (and grandmothers) in tears, but none of the kids seemed phased. When it was time to start, one of the aids blew on a whistle. About half of the kids (mostly the girls) stopped what they were doing and looked up. The other half (mostly boys ... and including Joshua) didn't even flinch but kept on doing whatever they were doing. I waited to see if they had some plan for those who hadn't heard the whistle and therefore missed the instruction. Then I moved over to Joshua and asked him if he had heard the whistle. He looked at me like I was an idiot and said "Yep!" (think ... Duhhh mom, are you hard of hearing?). I told him that when he heard that whistle he needed to stop what he was doing and look to see if there were instructions because he just missed the call to class. He looked to see the kids lining up and immediately jumped over. I had to explain the "stand in line" concept too because he was just ready to walk into the class. When the kids were in the correct line (some kids just joined whatever line was closest) and she could get their attention, Joshua's teacher told the kids to wave good-bye to their parents and go into the class. Joshua waved when everyone else did, but I don't think he really got the concept ... he was just ready to get into the classroom. Off he went without a backward glance. When I picked him up this afternoon (they go all day), the teacher said he had a so-so day (never a good sign and certainly not on the first day of school). She said he needed to work on following directions and that he tended to wander around when he wanted to. Hmmmm we have things to work on. When I asked Josh what he did today, he told me that he got to play outside three times, there was a rest time, and he got to eat lunch. That's my boy! Oh, and remember that him outgrowing napping was one of the reasons to go to school? He was out before we got home ... but he is more than ready to head back tomorrow!!!

Robert just walked in the door from the bus stop. He said that he went to the wrong 5th period (the husband in stead of the wife - same last name) and that he things he is going to like everything but math and english. He also informed me that EVERYONE else had a cell phone. I told him to talk to me when he brought home straight As ... On the plus side, neither one of them came home and told me exactly how many days it was until Christmas vacation!

Thompson Reunion

We went to the beach for the Thompson Family Reunion over the weekend. I was going to stay home with my sick children, but Ben responded so well to the antibiotics, we decided to go anyway. The drive there was very long - at one point, road work shut the highway down. After about 10 minutes, Byron decided to head back and try a little parallel service track next to the highway to bypass the construction.

This little track was designed for ATV and, of course, the line started to move before we got to the front, but we managed to not wreck the car AND move up a couple of spaces in line, so a fun little adventure.

The beach was overcrowded and it was impossible to find a place to park. I did not have high hopes for enjoying the afternoon, but once we got there it was a blast. Josh surprised me by taking right to the water. He is our timid one, but once he got in - he was in ... right up to his chest. He wanted so badly to try out the boogie board! However, since he can't swim, I wouldn't let him get near one. I have promised to get him one just as soon as he learns to swim without a life jacket ... as it was, I had a really hard time letting him play "on his own" in the surf. At one point, I managed to stay about 15 away from him ... but not for long. My mommyness just wouldn't let me. Robert was out in the water up to his neck and that was bad enough - but he is 12 and can swim, so I just contented myself with looking for him every 45 seconds or so. Thank you to Uncle David who stood in the surf to keep an eye on the older kids. Ben and Ginny didn't think much of the waves at first and they stayed in the sand with Daddy. Just before dinner, Byron brought them down to play with Josh and me and THEN they loved it. It was especially hard to keep Ginny away from the water once dinner started - she just doesn't take no for an answer. Dinner was great and even my picky kids ate plenty. Byron was convinced for two days before we left that we were going to loose someone, but we managed to make back with the entire family (and half of the beach). I can't wait to take them again ... but maybe to a beach that is a bit less crowded!