Halloween Party

We had our annual Halloween Party last night. It was fun this year to invite both Kyle's and Abbie's friends. While the big kids played on the huge bounce slide, participated in the mummy and donut eating games and a scavenger hunt, the little kids used Abbie's slide and swing, played little guy games and jumped on the trampoline. All the kids joined together at the end for pizza, cookies and costume contest & scavenger hunt prizes.

Huge thanks go out to Sammy and Cassie who not only ran the donut game and judged the costume contest but took the girls on the scavenger hunt. Thank you to Rich & Mr. Rosensteel (Kyle's teacher) for taking the boy group; Dad, Barb & Nikki for helping me with the little kids and Tripp for generally being a super Halloween Party Dad and setting up the system for watching scavenger hunt photos and a GooseBumps movie in our front yard.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Kyle & Abbie's cousin Nate at his very first Thompson Halloween Party.

Donut eating contest....

Mummy wrapping. (Abbie let Grandpa Marz wrap her up and she walked around the party for awhile without being able to move her arms.

Abbie and her best friend Ruby....

The Butler Family wins for best family costume!

My Best Buddy

After next month, Abbie will no longer be my baby....for two reasons really: 1. She is turning two and I think actually being a baby probably stops there 2. We will have an actual baby in the house. I've been thinking about it a lot lately and I'm so excited for her and all of her big girl things but I don't know if I'm ready to give her up as my baby girl.

A few things about Abbie at approximately 23 months...she loves toast and prefers it to almost anything else for breakfast; she loves Halloween decorations, especially the blow up ones and she says "Hello" and "Goodbye" to them each time we pass; she has an uncontrollable baby-fro; she likes to feed the dogs treats and occasionally shares her toys with them (which end up chewed to pieces); she is a big marshmellow baby and will let other kids push her around...even the smaller ones; she sleeps not only with her blankie but her snoopy as well (just like mommy did); she loves her big brother and wants to be just like him in every way; she runs in the park like Phoebe in the Friends episode where she and Rachel go jogging together; she gives wonderful "Loves" (hugs and kisses); she likes to pretend she is cooking and uses all of mommy's kitchen stuff; I could go on and on.

I have LOVED spending almost every second with her these last two years. I really hope that we can spend some Mommy/Abbie time once the baby arrives because I will truly miss it so much. Tripp will always be my best friend/loving husband and Kyle will always be my very favorite little boy...none of that changes with the addition of this baby. Abbie's role does change a little and I hope that although she will no longer be my baby, she will want to continue to be my best buddy. Being her mom has been one of the happiest blessings of my entire life.

Last Two Weeks in Nursery

Tomorrow is the first of Tripp and my last two Sunday's in the nursery. We were sad to learn a week ago that we are being moved to the 10/11/12 year old boys. We've loved nursery so much. It has been such a pleasure hanging out with the little kids (18 months - 3 yrs.). We play, sing, read stories, color, go on walking adventures around the church, play instruments, blow bubbles, toss balloons...you name it and we've done it almost every Sunday for the last 10 months. Church won't be quite the same anymore.

I was also sad to learn last week that Kyle's second grade teacher is suffering from cancer. She is such a darling lady and Kyle loved her so much. We were sad when she decided to teach at another school this year as we hoped Abbie would have her for second grade too. Luckily, we know where she lives so we can leave treats on her doorstep at regular intervals. We hear that you should put on a few pounds before and during Chemo...helps out the process a little. Our family is always happy to assist with that! Stage Four cancer is yucky so send a nice thought her way if you don't mind.

Last, but not least, I started brushing with my recycled toothbrush yesterday and it is fabulous! It's made out of recycled plastic and even comes with a container to send it back free to be recycled again. Many of you hear my Go Green! tyrades on a regular basis but for those who don't, it is easy to make simple changes in your life that greatly impact the environment. Every little bit helps and every bit that is looked over hurts. Start with a recycled toothbrush (Whole Foods & Trader Joes carry them) and save a little bit of the planet today!

A slight change of plans....

We'd been planning to spend this weekend in Salt Lake for several months now. There was a bike race that Kyle wanted to enter and it was family friendly so we were all going to do it together. Unfortunately, the Utah weather report kept getting worse and worse so in the end, Kyle decided he didn't want to ride in a race with rain/snow and 30 degree weather...we certainly didn't argue. We ended up staying home and for a weekend without plans, we did quite a lot.

Friday was a day off for Kyle so once we made the decision to stay home, we headed to breakfast, Barnes & Noble and Babies R Us. Tripp, Kyle and Abbie all picked out some new books and used the pile of gift cards we had stored up to pay. We then headed to the dreaded Babies R Us to get the rail for Abbie's place in the bunk bed. We are going to try and talk to her this week about moving into her "Big Girl Room" then try it out next weekend while Kyle visits his mom (I'll update you on the progress later...cross your fingers for us). That afternoon, Tripp and Kyle went to a movie and I worked while Abbie napped. Later that day, we all went for a bike ride here in town. It was terribly windy but we still had fun.

Saturday morning was spent on a little yard work then hanging up our Halloween decorations. We are big fans of Halloween! That afternoon, Kyle had a football game then we headed to Playhouse Disney Live! thanks to Grandpa Marz (we were having trouble buying tickets but he managed to get us some from a friend). Abbie really enjoyed it and Kyle was a good sport and did all the little kid stuff so that Abbie would be exited too.

Sunday was a relaxing day for us...General Conference. Although it started at 9 a.m., just like our ward, we enjoyed watching it at home in our PJs. After conference we went to my parents' house for brunch then came home for a relaxing second session, dinner, a walk and hopefully bed soon.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend too!

Happy Birthday Tripp!

Happy Birthday to the very best husband and father in the world. Tripp turned 37 yesterday and although he isn't big on celebrating his birthday, we did get to have dinner at the house with the kids, his parents and my aunt Susie.

Tripp is probably the most selfless person I know. All of his actions are motivated by trying to help others whether that help is emotional, financial or otherwise. He always puts his our family's needs before his own and does the same with his family and my family. He is 100% about family and I appreciate the example he sets for me and our kids.

I am so grateful that my family introduced us. There isn't a more wonderful husband in the world...especially for me. Many people say girls marry men like their fathers and I think in some respects I've done the same....both call their moms almost daily, both try to keep in close contact with their siblings, both put their wife and children first, both always try to do the right thing (even when it isn't popular) and both are smart and a ton of fun.

Happy Birthday Tripp. You are well loved.

Grandma Marz

I wanted to say a little something about my Grandma Marz...not to be confused with Barbara, my stepmom, who my children refer to as Grandma Marz (and I've refered to as such in my blog as well). Wonda Marz is my dad's mom. She had a total of 10 children, a mixture of step and her own, that she loved and cared for. Two didn't make it very long on this earth but eight grew up to be wonderful moms, dads, aunts, uncles, and grandparents thanks to her.

I have fond memories of her, especially as a young child. After my parents divorced, my mom and I went and lived with them for awhile while she went back to BYU to earn an additional degree. I spent a ton of time with them and my aunt Tina and her family. Grandma and Grandpa Marz always showed me how much they loved me and took good care of me. When I got older, my Grandma invited to me visit her during the summers and I would go and stay with her and Grandpa and she would take me different places in Salt Lake, just us.

My dad calls his mom every single day (yep, he is definitely more of a talker than I am...didn't pass that along to me) but he is also super busy so I know he doesn't do it out of duty but out of the love he feels for his mom who loves him a ton right back. My dad's middle name is Fisher, her maiden name, a tradition I was happy to pass along with Abbie (Abigail Marz Thompson). I feel happy that he has been able to carry her around in his name his entire life.

My Grandma died yesterday. She was in failing health and I think all our family agrees that it was a blessing for her to pass on. I'll miss just knowing she is around but I am happy to know that one day (hopefully not for 50 or 60 years) I'll see her again and she will feel good and be happy and not sick and uncomfortable like she has been for many years.

Goodbye Grandma Marz...you were/are much loved.

Kyle's Birthday...Again!

Tripp and Kyle's mom take turns throwing his birthday party and this was her year. She decided to have it last weekend so we had another chance to celebrate Kyle turning 10. The party was at a bowling alley near our house. A few of Kyle's football teammates came, a couple of school friends and some of our friends and family were there as well. I think Abbie had the most fun of all!