Thompson Family Reunion 2010 Lake Tahoe California

We had a family reunion in Lake Tahoe to kick off the summer. We drove over eight hours, but it was worth it. The scenery was beautiful. We had our bikes with us so we found alot of cool trails to ride on as a family. We had a great time with my parents and brothers and sisters, we missed you Jenny. It was nice seeing the extended family as well. Lake Tahoe is a majetic place! Enjoy the pictures.

The siblings with their families behind them from left to right: Dan, Bill, Bruce and Betty.

Emma doing her old lady in the woods impresion.

Paige Ellie and John at Emerald Bay. Emma Jane throwing rocks.

Joe, Jeff, Me, Angie, the kids, Lauren (Jeff's betrothed) and Janet. This was our bike set up.

Sisters. Thompson family in front of a Lake Tahoe sunset. The End

U.S.A ! U.S.A ! U.S.A !

This is John here and I just wanted to remind everyone to tune in tomorrow, June, 12 to watch the United States soccer team make World Cup history as they face our old enemies and current allies, England. Angie and I have only had T.V for a total of one month in our entire eight years of marriage. That one month was in 2006 when we got it hooked up just for the World Cup. Angie knows how important this is for me so we decided to do it again. Even if you do not like soccer for what ever reasons, watching this game may change your mind. It is going to be a tough and exciting match but I believe we have what it takes to come out on top. We have the advantage because we have less pressure then the England team to win this game. My prediction is U.S.A 2 England 1. I'll end this post with our only chant (lame I know): U.S.A ! U.S.A ! U.S.A !

Reagan- A good friend to have!!!!

During Ellie's spring break, I took the day off and Angie and I took the kids to the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA. Steve, Jackie, and cousin Clair were able to meet us there. Our trip to the Reagan Library and the Mormon battalion visitors center in San Diego(more pics to come) were a few highlights during the break. We are fortunate to have children that seem to love history and going to museums. I believe this started young with our girls. Having the opportunity to live in Washington D.C., we were able to visit museums almost every weekend. On the way home from the library Ellie and Paige made me ask them questions about Ronald Reagan. I asked Ellie what war President Reagan helped end and what did he tear down. Ellie answered, "The Russian War and the wall". Then Paige wanted a question so I asked her to tell me President Reagan's favorite food. She replied "jelly beans!!!". She remembered that on Air Force One there were Jelly Bellies all over the plane. One thing that really stood out to me about Ronald Reagan was his never ending patriotism. He was always positive about America and truly felt that God blessed our country. The library was a great experience for our girls and I'm so glad they were able to learn about one of our countries greatest presidents.

The girls in front of Air Force One. It was amazing that we got Emma to stay in one place!

Girls with cousin Claire!

A piece of the Berlin Wall.

The girls on the West German side of the Berlin Wall. A frightened Paige on the East German side. Its hard to be happy as a communist!!

REALITY

Last night as I layed in my bed I thought about life. Of all the sweet pictures I have to post of our family on our recent adventures. I thought a lot about the reality of life. Why do we saturate it with so many things that are not real and meaningless? I pondered on the last two weeks of the Thompson family reality. Being overcome with sickness my exercise deprived body lay sprawled on the couch. Tissues thrown here and there. Dishes and clothes saying, "wash me!!!" Toys burying me alive, and bored kids! Worst of all bored kids!

In our weakest moments we thank our Father above for what we have. For me at that moment it was my health. I was so grateful to be a healthy person, and that this temporary condition just helped me appreciate that once again.. With antibiotics I feel like I am starting my upward climb and unfortunately John has been slowly descending. As we got ready for bed last night, both extremely tired from the days activities and filled with the nightly dose of cough syrup w/codeine, we began getting ready for bed. I was hoping that if disaster struck at least one of us would be able to wake up! I was getting a drink of water in the kitchen and I heard John locking the garage door. I wasn't sure if I was hearing right, but it sounded like John was doing laundry. Even as a non tired, non sick person, changing the laundry is one of Johns least favorite things I ask him to do. "Why did you do that I asked?" He said that he had heard me mention earlier that I needed to remember to do it so Ellie's clothes would be dry in the morning. OK, many of you might be thinking, what is the big deal! Let me tell you, REALITY. The fact that it is those small selfless acts that shape our lives, and more importantly our marriages. Marriage is hard. Marriage with kids is harder! We can be pulled in every direction with things that take us away from reality. Tonight my reality was wonderful. A silly selfless act helped me to remember what it is all about. I wrote this today because I am thankful!! Thankful for John and our three little stinkers. Remembering that what we have is sacred and we need to fight to keep it. He was rewarded!! :)

Shoes!!

Emma loves shoes! I remember all my girls going through a phase where they wanted to always have on Mom and Dads shoes, but Emma is obsessed. She gets so mad if they don't fit her right, and just cannot understand what the problem is. The other day John saw her acting funny in the kitchen. She was stomping on the floor, sitting down and standing up. He looked underneath her foot in her little footed pjs and found this little red shoe. It is about a half an inch long and belongs to one of Ellie's American Heart dolls. She knew it looked like a shoe. Why didn't it fit?? Maybe it would have to be your own child to appreciate this story, but it was so sweet!!

LOVE

The month of Love has almost come to an end! This year the girls decorated their mailboxes on February 1. By the 14the they were all stuffed with love notes oozing of sweet sentiments to each other!! It was a lot of fun to open them up on Valentines Day. We are really trying to make Valentines a day that we show our family how much we love them. The girls came running into our room like it was Christmas! Happy Valentines Day!!! John cooked us girls the most delicious dinner. Cornish Game Hens, Fresh green beans with buttery potatoes. It was really a treat. After dinner John surprised us with strawberry shortcake. By my plate was a dozen roses and a card and the girls each had a rose above their plate with a surprise valentine underneath. Thank-you John for loving us!!!! We love you.