Scooter Time

My little Gavin is such a sweetie and then the next moment he's a handful. I guess most kids are like Jekyll and Hide at this age. They say it's the "Terrible two's", but it really starts at 18 months and can go as long as 3 years. I have called my mom who lives in California and ask her if she would PLEASE take Gavin for a week or two so I can have a break. She usually laughs and says no. I tell her "Ok, then I'm taking him to Target and leaving him there!" (I would never do that!!!) That just makes my mom laugh more. She did take all the boys for a week during fall break and she said Gavin was easy! It must be me! But, he is getting better, changing into a young boy before my eyes. I feel like I have 3 boys and 2 babies, but that is sadly changing fast.

It has been fun hanging out with just him and Brigham while the big boys are in school. Gavin is talking so well, and starting to interact with other children so much better. (Sharing toys etc.) It's been a real special watching him and Brig form a relationship with each other. It's cute how Gavin tries to explain things to the baby. Like Brig's has any idea what he's talking about!

It's funny because he has always been my little snug-a-bug. And that stage is slowly fading. Makes me sad. But every once on a while when he's having a hard time or his feelings are hurt he'll run into my arms sit on my lap and give me a quick snuggle. Then, the next second he jumps off my lap and he's off again. It's like it charges him up or something. I must be like spinach is to Popeye. :) Some of Gavin's favorite things to do is go to the campus cafeteria (he knows everyone that works there), play at the park, watch Caillou, and ride either his scooter or his skateboard. (Yes, a REAL adult skateboard. I HATE it, because he almost falls on it all the time. I only allow him to play on it inside on the carpet so it can't move so fast.) I encourage him tot ride the scooter as often as possible. And, i've hidden that darn skateboard with no avail!

I LOVE YOU GAVIN!!

Even if you are a handful at times! :)

Will's Blog

My sweet Will has been watching and asking lots of questions while I'm blogging. He's wanted to make up his own for sometime now and I've been waiting and waiting; hoping he'd forget or change his mind. No such luck! :) So, tonight I helped him create his own. I emailed some family about it, but we'd love for you to check it out too. PLEASE leave him a comment, he'll be so excited about it. Let me know what you think!

williamscottthompson.blogspot.com

Carving Pumpkins!

For FHE the other night we carved pumpkins. The boys had a lot of fun scooping out all the goop inside. One of our favorite friends was in town, Jace, and helped up with the carving. Each boy wanted to have their pumpkin to have a completely different face. We saved the seeds and I put seasoning on then and cooked then in the oven. (Thanks Gram for always doing that for me! And teaching me how to do it myself!) I put some Vaseline on the carved parts. I read that it help's them last longer. (Especially ion this HOT Arizona weather!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Boo Bash

On Friday night was the annual Boo Bash hosted by ASU East Campus Housing. And, again, they did a GREAT job. We had a ton of fun. There was trunk or treating, a very scary haunted house, rock walls, jumpers, slides with jumpers, music, costume contest, cotton candy, several carnival games, and food. The kids had a fun time and I had a fun time watching them.

Here is Tyler suiting up for the rock wall.

Will went first to show the little brother's how it's done.

Jackson climbed really fast.

Gavin's favorite part was going on the inflatable obstacle course.

Brigham pooped out and fell asleep while Scott was chatting with friends.

All the kiddos loved putting this Velcro suit on and jumping onto the wall. It was really funny to watch.

Kid's say the funniest things....

I have journals for each of my boys that I write in as often as I remember. There are numerous entries of funny things they say. You would think that Will or Jackson have said them all, but nope. Tyler and Gavin keep me in stitches. Here are a few of some funny lines used by the boys recently.
We're eating dinner the other night and Jackson asks, "Can I have another slice of heaven?" What? We were laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes.

The other day I'm driving with Gavin and Brigham and Gavin says, "Pee-u, mom you faded? (farted)", "Um, no" I said. "Oh, you poo?" Gavin says. "Um, NO!" I say. It smelled funky because they're repaving the road we were driving on.

A few months ago I went into Tyler's Kindergarten class to see how he was doing and his teacher comes up to me and says "Tyler told me the secret this morning and is very excited about it." I'm trying to figure out what the heck she's talking about. "That you're expecting!" WHAT?!? No. Sweet Brigham was only 3 months at the time. I asked Tyler why he said that and he says, "Because mom, I want a baby sister!"

I could go on and on.....They are the joy of my life. They keep me on my toes on the hilarious things they say or the things they do.
I love you Will. I love you Jackson. I love you Tyler. I love you Gavin. I love you Brigham.
I love you too Scott!!

Chrsitmas Crafts

My friends, Stacy an Heather, are in charge of crafts for their ward and came up with some cute ideas. I helped with the vinyl, but it was totally their idea and it's so dang cute I want to share with all of you!

This is a glass plate (IKEA) with the vinyl lettering

under neath it. Stacy plans on adding

yummy treats and taking them around

to family and friends. Cute!

This is a black shadow box frame (IKEA) with a darling picture of baby Jesus with the vinyl lettering on the mat inside.

THANKS Stacy for the darling ideas!!

Halloween Dessert Party

Well, last night was our annual Halloween Dessert Party. It was a lot of fun, and very yummy! The kids loved dressing up and showing off their costumes. I enjoyed spending two days baking different desserts. I made fudge, snicker doodles, rice crispy treats, cupcakes, mini carmel apples, and lemon bars. Other families brought desserts too. There was a kids craft again this year out on our patio. It was a lot of fun and I'm glad we did it.

Will was Obe One Kanobe. Jackson was Luke Sky Walker, Tyler was Darth Vader, Brigham was Yoda, Gavin was "Super Spider Man" (He didn't want to be any Star Wars character! But tonight he was Spider Man, tomorrow night at another Halloween party he'll be a lion, and on Halloween night he'll probably choose a different costume like the Fire Fighter one.) and Scott and I were doctors. (Cop out we know! But, I couldn't find a Princess Laia or Chubokka costume!) It was fun to see most of the parents come in costume as well. We had Winnie the Pooh, Sarah Palin, Superman, Jarom and Emily (a couple dressed like each other!), and many others. I can't wait for Halloween night!!

HaPpY hAlLoWeEN!!!!

Thankful Thursday!!!

Ok. So here it is. I am so dang thankful for TUBBY TIMES!! AKA: a nice warm long bath with bubbles, a candle or two burning, a magazine or book to read and no one buggin' me. I don't take as many as I would like to because it's usually HOT in AZ. Bummer! But, it's been cooling down and soon it will be tubby time season again! :) YEAH!

It's funny because the little kids internally know when I want to be left alone, like when I'm taking a bath. And sweet little Gavin will come find me and throw open the door (killing the mood instantly!) He'll either walk in and blow out my candles and try to explain to me that there is fire everywhere. Or, he'll walk in naked and get into the tub with me. What can you do?

Now, I would normally add pictures of what I am thankful for. But, I will spare you your eye sight! I will add pictures of my sweet Brigs taking a fun tubby time.

Do you enjoy tubby time?

Piano Day!

Wednesday's are piano day. The big boys; Will, Jack, and Tyler take piano lessons from Liz. She is great with the kids! The boys enjoy the lessons and love practicing daily. This is Tyler's first time with the piano, and he's doing great. His first week of practice was finding and playing the middle C. He was so proud. Sweet Gavin watches and plays whenever he thinks he can get away with it. Silly Boy!

Boys Birthday Pictures

Well, I am a little behind getting the boys birthday pictures taken. I got Brigs 6 month taken when he was 6 1/2 months, Wills taken a month late, and Jackson's a month late. We went yesterday to Sears photos for Jack and his Birthday was Sept. 17th. Poor Tyler's birthday was on the 5th and his appointment is later this week! But at least I'm getting them done, right? Here are what some of them look like. So dang cute!


Brigs always sticks out his cte little tounge!Will is so dang handsome! I just love him to pieces!

Star Valley, WY

My cousins have a cabin in Star Valley, WY. We went there and played for 2 days. It was so dang beautiful and we had a blast hanging out. We played Pounce, ate junk food, rode the quads, and just hung out. It was great being with family. I love them all!!


Here is the outside of the awesome cabin we stayed in. Thanks Schmitty!!

Me going a joy ride on the quad. Right outside the cabin there are many beautiful trees. It had snowed a couple days before.
On the road where our cabin is located. Just beautiful!

Sweet cousin Aleigh and I hanging out on the drive. (BOYS!! She's single!)
Cute baby Brigham getting a little play time with Bubbles and Brynnlee.

The inside our the fabulous cabin.

Greggy-Poo and briggs watching the game.

Brynnlee and Bubbles. Strike a pose there's nothing to it!

I had a great time! Thanks everyone!

BEST Family, EVER!!

On Monday night around 8pm I decided I wanted to go to SLC to hang out with the family. I had an extra FREE ticket on Southwest! YEAH! So, yesterday I flew out of PHX to SLC. A way late minute trip. With my boys gone to Nana's and Scott super busy with rotations, it was a PERFECT time to get away and hang out with the BEST family EVER! I have a ton of cousins, nephews, nieces, aunt, uncle, second cousins, and almost 3rd cousins! And the weather is MUCH COOLER than in Mesa. And it's so dang beautiful here. I love the trees, flowers, bushes, shrubs, mountains (with a little on the to of them!) I can't wait till we move here! So, I've been here less than 24 hours, and we're already having a blast. Think of the coolest friends you have, now times that by 3. No 5. That's how cool they are!
(I need to talk them up, they are going to read this! :))

Casserole anyone??

You may, or may not know this about me, but I DON'T LIKE MY FOOD TO TOUCH!! Yucky!

So, as you may guess I don't eat a lot of casseroles. There are a couple I like, actually I can only think of one off hand. My mom's chicken and broccoli dish. Anyways, the other night, I was needing to make dinner and couldn't find a lot of food. A grocery store run was coming up soon. I grabbed my box of recipes and found my moms casserole recipe and another one "Chicken and Rice Casserole". Pretty simple ingredients.
So, I decided to do something crazy, daring, off the cuff. I mixed the two recipes and BAM it was fabulous! And now, I want to share.

"Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole"

Pour 1 C. of instant rice to a baking dish, set a side
Heat in sauce pan: 1 can of cream of mush. soup, and 1 can of either cream of chicken or cream of celery
Add in 1/2 C. milk.
Add 1 package of Lipton Onion soup mix. Stir all together until warmed and mixed well.
Pour heated sauce over rice and stir to moisten.
Arrange fryer pieces of chicken breast on top, and add large chunks of fresh broccoli
On top sprinkle Parmesan cheese
Cover tightly with tin foil
Bake 2 hours @ 300 degrees.
Enjoy!

I LOVE this weather!!

People have been asking me why my favorite month is October. Well, I'll tell you! It's when the weather starts to get a little cooler. The wind starts to blow slightly. The leaves start to change colors. I have to unpack my "warm clothes". It's Fall! It also starts the holiday season. I love to decorate for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (and the other holidays too!).

Yesterday we drove to Indio, Ca to meet Nana and Papa. While driving it was like 68 degrees! Unheard of in the desert. I got out and to my surprise, it felt wonderful outside. It was cool. Breezy. It smelled delicious. I love this weather!

On another note, my boys are with Nana and Papa for the week. It will be nice to have a little break, but I already miss them tremendously. I also know that each of them will have a fantastic time hanging out at Nana's and Papa's house. This week will go by way too slow for me and way too fast for them.

Thanks Mom and Bill for all you do for our growing family!!

We love you!!!

Happy Birthday Brigham!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Brigham Dear!!!

Today is my sweet baby, Brig's 7 month birthday!! All day we would sing to him the few birthday songs we all know. He'd get all excited moving his arms and legs uncontrollably. Brig's would also giggle a lot, sticking his tongue out and drool all over. We all loved it. Not only is it a very special birthday, we also discovered his FIRST TOOTH!! (All the other boys got their first tooth at 4 months.) We've been looking and waiting a long time! He is also, almost crawling. What a FUN age!

I love you Brigham! I hope you have a very happy birthday!!