A visit from Grandparents

Last weekend Grandma and Grandpa came for a long(er) visit. They got here early so that we could see Chris play in the Jazz Band Festival. Chris had a solo and did a great job!

We spent a lot of quality time just hanging out together. It was so relaxing and enjoyable to not have somewhere to rush to. The only downfall was the decrease in sleep. Daylight savings time kinda stinks!

Isaac loves his shapes puzzle.

(We are thinking his birthday will be a shapes party...I don't really know.... )

Puzzles Puzzles Everywhere

Me and my not so little boy

Dad and his (really not so little) boy

On a side note to this picture, the next one I took was a quick slip into a wrestling match.

Chad wrapped Chris up and the battle was on.

Funny how one picture tells one story and then if you could see the next it would be something totally different!

Grandpa reading Isaac some books.

Lots of time was spent in the kitchen cooking

Chris learned how to make scotcharoos....

More Reading with Grandma and Grandpa

A better picture of the band man...

Far right side with the bari-saxiphone

Yeah.... Just trying to get in the action.
Isaac for some reason felt that they both needed him to hold on to them.

Cheese ball





Look at what Grandma is teaching him.....

Wanna Bite?

I didn't think you did.....

and that's a good thing, cuz I didn't really wanna share

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!!!