Jazz Band

Bellevue East Jazz Festival

March 11, 2010

6:00 p.m.

Chris was named Outstanding Soloist for Logan Fontinelle Middle School!

(Oh .... And Grandma and Grandpa gave the surprise of a century!

Wish I could've got his face on camera when he realized they drove all the way here so they could see him play!)

Almost 2 and Painting a Picture

Yep!

Only one month left til little man turns 2.....

and boy oh boy are there moments where we can tell that 2 is just around the corner!

About a week ago, Isaac got the chance to do some painting.... with one of his favorite people at the Welcome Center.

Miss Ju wee (Julie) is amazing and she is more than just a great teacher.

She is an encourager and an inspirer.

She continually encourages parents and inspires children to continue their love of learning.

The best part.... Dipping the brush in the Water!

Julie and I met when I taught at Leonard Lawrence. She was a great Kindergarten teacher and her love for children pours from every pore in her body. She is truly fabulous... the kids love her and my little guy is no different. He loves to see Miss Juwee.

It is so good to have Isaac learning to listen to someone other than me or Chad. I love how intent he is on learning how to paint.

A little help never hurt anyone!

The Masterpiece!

May the Luck of Spring be with you....

With a Rainbow like this....

How can you be unlucky?

Wrestling

We have spent much of the month of January and February running our tails off to wrestling meets. I find it strange that they begin at 4:00 or 4:30 when the majority of parents do not have jobs that are done by that time. We were able to attend every match except for one. Chris did great and had a blast. We had a lot of fun cheering him on as well.

He wrestled at 100 lbs on Junior Varsity most of the time.

He also wrestled Varsity a few times at both the 100 lb and 105 lb category.

He lost the 105 lb matches due to the fact that his opponents outweighed him by 9 lbs or so.

He also wrestled one JV match at 105 and won!

Below are various pics taken throughout the season.

I also have a video that is taking forever to load and I am beat so it will

have to be for another day.

This picture is one that I love.

The Ref's hand is in mid air from declaring Chris the winner by a pin!

Good Sprawling!

The WINNER!!!
(He torked his arm during the match and then the ref nearly
ripped it off when declaring him the winner.... ergo - the look on Chris' face!)

Getting Warmed Up

(and we heard a little music along the way too!)

Chris has been playing the Alto Saxophone for 2 years now.

When he joined Jazz Band, they asked if he would play the BariSax.

I think he likes the fact that he is the only one playing that instrument and it makes his

part that much more important.

This particular night, he had a solo...

Great Job Buddy....So Proud of You!

Now ... Back to Wrestling!

Chris is loving the opportunities in Middle School.

He has played football, basketball, and wrestling

as well as doing the student support group (like a pep club)

and Jazz Band.

Plus... He is a straight A student!

So Proud of this Big Brother!

What a role model.... he is a hard worker and he genuinely loves his brother(s) ...

(Isaac... all the time/Shawn.... most of the time)

It is hard to believe how fast he is growing up!

Wrestling, Band, Swim Practice and an almost Two Year Old

are what have kept us so busy this winter. (and the tantrums don't help

much with time management!)

As the School year starts to wind down, it is nice to see warmer temps,

more time to enjoy together as a family without so many outside commitments

and the excitement of time together once school is finished.

I have plenty more pics to post of the littlest Thomson but for now...

It's time for Bed!

I will be back....

Just not tonight!

It's been a busy week/weekend.... and I am beat! Hopefully tomorrow if all goes well....

Until then...

Goodnight -

Katie

Winter Break

We headed out of town for a few days. First, we stopped to crash for a night with Gamma and Gampa. Isaac was so excited to see them.

We got up on Friday morning and headed to the Mall of America. The boys were so excited and in shock when they saw the lego area.

Then we headed to the amusement park area. The boys both tried this climbing structure. Chris is not so fond of the heights so he only went up a few levels and then came back down.

Shawn however, climbed all the way up to the ceiling of the Mall. He had a blast!

Look Ma - No Hands!

Isaac chose a few less exhilirating rides.

First... a Carousel with Daddy.

Then, a Choo Choo Train Ride with Mommy

On Saturday, we got up and went skiing!

(Isaac went to the mall w/ G &G which =

another carousel ride and lots of fun!)

I have to say that I am so proud of the boys!

They learned so quickly and we had a blast all day on the slopes.

By the time we left, both kids were jumping the stunt hills on one of the slopes.

Heartattack for this momma!

Shawn was going off trails and Chris was doing mini moguls on the sides of the hills.

They were so GREAT!

What a fun day with the big kids.... I think they enjoyed the time with both parents

(and no little brother to interrupt!)

On Sunday - We went to watch my cousin's baby girl be baptized.

Isaac soaked in the time with Gamma.

Evelyn wore the baptismal gown that my grandma (& her sisters), my mom (& her sister/cousins), my cousins ( & sister & I) all wore. Now the next generation is continuing the tradition.

Sara's daughter Alexis and Jenny's daughter Evelyn have worn it.

(Now if only I can break the boy business in this house and get me a girl to wear it!)

We had a great trip with lots of good family time!

We all came home..... Exhausted!

Swim Meet

We spent a good potion of our weekend at the pool for Shawn. He was swimming 2 events: 50 Freetyle and 50 Fly.

Grandma got him a swim towel for Christmas. we are certan it made all the difference!

Saturday involved a lot of waiting....

and waiting
( like father like sons!)

Swimming the 50 Free

Shawn improved so much he knocked 12 seconds off his time.

last time: 1:03:53

this time: 51:47

On Sunday, Shawn swam the 50 Fly.

At the starting block

Diving in at the bell

His start has improved sooooo much!

GO SHAWN GO!!!

We are so proud of him for finishing. He had never swam this in competition so finishing was a huge accomplishment.

Congratulations Shawn!

We Love You and We are Proud of You!!!

How We Spent Our Snow Days.... Last week

Last week, we had an extra couple of days spent snuggling inside. We stayed in our jammies till noon and when we got dressed it wasn't much more than sweatpants and t-shirts. It was so cold and blustery outside. The big boys spent a lot of time with their technology (and some forced time with their books and instruments). They had the neighbors over and played ... inside.

Isaac and I spent our time together. We did some puzzles and I let him take really long baths. He spent almost an hour in the tub on one of the days! Hey ... with warm water... who can blame him!



He practiced (a.k.a. finally got brave enough to put his head all the way down into the water when he was floating on his back.



He made silly faces at the camera.
I think this was his crying face... picture a valiant effort at crying on command.
Makes me giggle just looking at him.




He put his face into the bubbles and has started blowing bubbles into the water .... with purpose!


Man - I love these eyes! Chad has been making fun of how many pictures I have of his eyelashes. Seriously though... How come the boys always get the long pretty ones?

We spent a little extra time loving up the dog. Isaac even ventured into Murphy's corner and spent a good chunk of time just laying with him. Murphy is so patient!

All in all... We just spent it hanging around.

Sorry there are not any pics of the big boys.....

Lately - They just seem to hide their faces from the camera.

Guess that is why I take so many pics of the little one.... He still thinks saying "Cheese"

is the Best Thing in the World!