Five Fun Filled Years!

Lily was so excited with the gifts, but had a hard time sharing. She wanted presents too!

Our sweet, saavy Sarah is now five, and I can't believe it. She had a low-key celebration with just our family, but she said she had a great birthday, and even the day after, she thanked me for "a great day!" She received lots of craft projects and other make-it-yourself kits, and loved them all. Lily loved all her gifts too. The other kids were great and made her day special by playing with her and giving her lots of attention: her favorite thing!

Two Princessess, Nov. 8

Lily and Bethany making "Princess smiles" for the camera. Lily loved the princess Aurora (Disney's Sleeping Beauty) statue at Downtown Disney, and couldn't keep the excitement to herself! Bethany is imitating, of course.

Brave Boa

This was the largest boa I'd ever seen! This was at a special traveling Reptile exhibit at OSC, and the kids loved it. Even Lily gave it a courtesy touch! Fun day in Orlando! Ended the day at IKEA for dinner. Very nice!!!

Orlando Science Center auto shop Nov. 8

Thankful for our Families!

This time of year, I am reminded how incredibly blessed we are as a family and individually. Kevin's parents, Royle and Sue Johnson, just left a few days ago after they were here for 10 days. We enjoyed our precious time with them very much, and were reminded how blessed we are to have such great parents/ grandparents. It's been harder recently to be so far from our extended family.
Royle is fighting cancer for the 3rd time, and is an amazingly positive person considering all that he is going through. As always, he left our home and car in better repair than he found it, despite his discomforts and fatigue. Grandma Suzy always teaches us a few more songs to make us smile, and makes us feel special with her interest and conversations. We look forward to seeing them in December when we go to CA for Christmas!

It will have been over a year since we have seen any Thompsons (except Shannah), and we are so excited to see everyone. With Bethany taller than me, Aaron more mature (and hopefully less emotional!), Sarah thin and tall (and also less emotional!), and little Lily talking nonstop - literally! - it should be a shocker to most of my family. I know I won't recognize the nieces and nephews either. I have big hopes and plans for our time in CA, and hope there is never a day that passes that I wish we had done more!

Halloween 2008

The kids dressed for the church Halloween party: Bethany as a Jedi padawon (student), Aaron as red ninja, Sarah as peacock and little Lily as "No White" - poor thing got hit in the head with Sarah's wings!