As I Was Saying

I don't know what it was about Christmas this year - it was just magical for some reason. I took some time off of work, and didn't even check my email. The kids got along and every day was full of fun. I came through the other side really marveling at how great our family is and how special our time together can be. 

 

Here's a little run-down:

 

Lots of sledding! Bryce's friend Chris brought his family up and we spent the day hitting the hills.

 

Zoo Lights. Always a hit!

 

Bowling. We even got a tantrum from Jack just like the last time we went!

And missing teeth. Jack lost his first tooth a couple of days after Christmas.

Let's do it again sometime!  Okay, maybe not the missing teeth part, but all the rest for sure!

This Christmas

This Christmas was just amazing (more about that later), and the freshly fallen snow and excellent company were some major highlights:

Me, Aunt Carol, and Mom

My cute dad and I

O Christmas Tree

It makes my heart so happy.

 

Controlled Chaos

It wouldn't be Christmas without the Barber Christmas Party.  We love this event!

 

 

 

 

Graham Cracker Houses

It's a proud Thomsen tradition!  What else can I say?

Left to Right: Cole, Haley, Lindsay, Andrea, Jack, Hayden, Brock, Mitch

Left to Right: Cindy, Rance, Leslie, & Bryce

Left to Right: Rance, Darin, Dick, Connie, Bryce, Leslie, & Cindy

Thanksgiving Guests

Every year, we alternate whose house we go to for Thanksgiving. This year, it was the Thomsen's year for Thanksgiving. Bryce's mom had been feeling under the weather, and so we offered to have it at our house. Now, I've served Thanksgiving before, but it was to 8 of us. All in all, there would be 23 smushed into our little house. But we got creative with table placement, and we all fit! Everyone seemed to have a great time...

Left to Right: Anne's Dad, Anne, Brant, April, and Heather

Left to Right: Connie, Dick, Leslie, Rance, Darin, and Cindy

Kids Table! Hayden, Haley, Jack, Alex, Nathan, Lindsay, Andrea, Brock & Mitch

Especially the new addition to Leslie and Rance's family - Presley. Sorry y'all - he was my favorite dinner guest.

Election Madness

It was funny at first. Who does this idiot think he is? There is no chance in hell.

It is November 9th and we have just elected Donald Trump to be President of the United States. There are no words.

I'm trying not to be overly dramatic, but I truly feel like this is a terrible, terrible thing and there will be no good to come of it. Mr. Trump is the complete antithesis of everything I want for my family and for others in this world. I just can't understand how a large portion of the country I live in, a country that espouses its Christian values, has heard what this man has to say and has agreed with him.

There's a very real urge inside of me to stop caring. Bryce and I are white, upper middle class folks with health coverage. We'll be fine. Good luck, y'all.  

But that's not the message I want to teach my boys. There will be hard conversations and hard choices coming up, where it will be tempting to ignore what's happening to others. But, as a wise and magical man once said, 
"We must all face the choice between what is right, and what is easy." 

Deep breath....

Here we go.

Halloween For Reals

Halloween this year was so much fun! The boys definitely had opinions about their costumes, and we even got to get some face paint and hair gel involved.

Cole the Zombie

Draco Malfoy

It was also fun to see them go trick or treating with their friends. Cole especially has grown close to Asher and Ben. They call themselves the "ABC Club." (Asher, Ben, and Cole - get it?) This year was less about herding little kids around and more about tagging behind them drinking spiked cider. Definitely the way to do trick or treating!

Asher, Ben & Cole

Jack, Asher, Ben, Cole, and Milo

Gorgeous Leaves

You've got to have one good leaf-throwing fight every fall. 

And don't forget your trusty "beterinarian." You never know when you might need one...