Chris' Baptism

Chris finally got dunked! In typical Christopher fashion, he embarrassed his mom with his "class clown character"... you know how he eats it up when he's the center of attention! I was at death's door the entire week, so I am grateful to have been able to pull off creating his"most special day" as he called it. Rick did a beautiful job, but he missed his cousins & aunts, and uncles who weren't there! I made a slide show of his first 8 years and played it while he & Rick got ready. I was so not thinking clearly that I forgot to take any pictures...the only ones I have were taken quickly by a friend of mine. Sorry family! My mom gave Chris the quilt she had made for her dad (Baby Papa), he loves it...especially because it was his! In his journal, he wrote "Today was my baptism. Now I have to repent." But then, the next day when we were talking about asking for forgiveness, he said "I wish I were 7." Out of the mouth of babes! He is a kick!!!

New Year's Eve 2008

Disneyland, The Happiest Place on Earth

OC...here we come!

Christmas Booty!

Chris & Cole got a Wii from Santa & Kendal got Dance Dance Revolution!

Carsyn got a bike



Santa didn't forget Stella!

Pre-Xmas breakfast of my maple rings~A Thompson Tradition
*Wertz Tradition is having an Israeli breakfast with the Sperbers (our Jewish friends)-they have been making us breakfast for 30 years!


Kendal got this fabulous purse from Grandma Pam & Big Papa

Carsyn loves her monkey headphones (no she didn't get an ipod!)

music is blaring at my house...can you hear it?


I love my gift...it's a purse & a home accessory...thanks mom!

What was my mom thinking?! She went to visit family in Kentucky and was obviously feeling nostalgic!

Yes, Rick was there! He was either taking a videoing, napping, playing the Wii, or reading! No joke!!

We wore the chef (my dad) out!

Christmas was wonderful, but very loud... as any house with 18 children & 14 adults opening presents would be. Hope your day was filled with laughter & love as was ours!!

Christmas Blessings!

Christmas Eve was spent wrapping the last of the presents and delivering goodies to friends & neighbors. We also had the opportunity to take Christmas to a family in need...on Christmas eve, I received a call from the Sheriff's Center letting me know the family our youth provided Christmas for had up and moved! So, on Christmas eve, I had toys, bikes, clothing, & a holiday meal for 10 with nowhere to go. After many phone calls, we were on our way to play Santa. When we arrived, this family had not one gift under their tree, nor did they have little lights lighting the tree; BUT what they did have, I will never forget! On this tree I saw cards made by 2 young boys...on the fronts were written "our gift to Jesus." Now, I do not know what was written inside, but I do know this family loves the Lord! Christmas is not about the gifts, it's about the spirit of giving. I am very grateful to have been reminded of this in a very special way! So, I ask...what is your "gift" to Jesus?

The Spirit of Christmas

Do you know the meaning of "JOY"?

J stands for Jesus
O stands for Others
Y stands for You

Only when we place others and our Savior before ourselves can we truly experience joy in our lives!

Mom's Annual Xmas Party

The Thompson's love Santa!

Kendal got an itunes gift card from Santa

Cole has been good this year

Has Christopher? Of, course he has!

Chris & Cole got airsoft guns from Santa!

Carsyn wasn't afraid of Santa this year! Yeah!!

Carsyn loves her Dora!

Kendal & her "new" friend, Tanner

Carsyn, her Santa cookie, & her Big Papa

My parents party gets bigger every year! Her Shepherd's Pie has become famous in Wilton...maybe the annual visit from Santa has a little to do with it!! She made 3 pies this year and needed every one of them. We ran out of my rolls, but had plenty of dessert...I missed not having Rick's family there, his parents left for Hawaii Tuesday. The Christmas season is in full swing...I haven't gone to bed before midnight and am up with the sun! I made my Xmas cards, helped the youth provide Christmas for 2 families in need, sewed crazy hats for Carsyn's class and for their pen pals in Canada, and am only half-way thru my baking! I am so tapped that I actually put a platter of cookies in a drawer and then spent half an hour looking for them... I think I am losing my mind! I can't wait for Christmas Eve! Rick says I am doing too much, but what can I say, it is the season of service!

Talia's 1st Birthday

My niece's birthday was today and she did not disappoint when it came to eating her cake! As you can see, she loved squeezing the cake and frosting thru her little fingers! You go girl! Happy birthday sweet pea!

Rick's new girl

I thought it was time to reinvent myself, so I decided to become a brunette to see if it would make me smarter...isn't that what they say about brunette's? I like the change...I am hoping it makes me look younger!

Backstage Pass

We survived tech week...now this is the fun part! Here are some pictures of Kendal's costumes. Galena performed at the official tree lighting ceremony at the CA. State Capitol for the Governator! Trisha Yearwood & Katherine McFee performed as well! What a treat! Enjoy the photos...I didn't get the kimonos we made, she had too quick of a costume change to get a picture of her.