Priceless!!!

These are approximate costs but you'll get the point....

1. Going on a cruise $3000

2. Remodeling Baby's Room/Buying for Baby $1000

3. Master's in Education Classes $8000/year

4. Seeing the shock on Christopher's face when my stomach moves from the baby kicking....

PRICELESS!!!!

3rd Trimester is under way!!!

As promised... though a little late...

A recent picture (as of 12:00 p.m. today) of me and the baby at 29 1/2 weeks pregnant.


It's amazing to look back and see how the progression has occurred. The girls at work still say that you can't tell I am pregnant from the back, but I think you can definitely tell from the front and the side :)

Snow... and lots of it!

We made final trip to Clear Lake this past weekend (Since after March 1 the doctor has recommended limited travel). We arrived Friday night in the dark so the boys saw the snow, but didn't SEE the snow.

Saturday morning we barely finished breakfast and both boys were dressed and ready to conquer the massive snow mounds.

Covered head to toe in snow and loving every minute of it! - Murphy and Sam had fun too!

Chris dug out a tunnel in the snowbank. He and the dogs had fun playing in it. It still amazes me what some imagination can do. (He was outside working on this and playing with the dogs for 2 hours)

They also had some time to warm up inside. Shawn showed my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins how to play the Wii. It is very sad when an 8 year old can do better than you... be aware that if you chose to play against the boys you need to put your ego/pride safely in your pocket!

A little more snow on Sunday morning.....

It was quite an exhausting weekend.... SOOOO much fun....SOOOO much snow...... SOOOOO much family!!! The boys wished and wished for a snow day so they could stay in Clear Lake.

Shawn asked if he could go to school in Clear Lake so he could play in the snow everyday.

P.S. - G'ma and G'pa Meyer & Aunt Annie - You are loved!!!

Christmas w/Boys & Surprise Weekend

After a very treacherous drive last weekend, we arrived home with the boys. We had to open presents right away... OF COURSE!!!

Chris bought himself an IPOD. It's a long story, but the gift was To:Chris From:Chris

He had a mp3 player that worked just fine, so we said if he wanted an IPOD he would have to buy it for himself.



Santa brought the family one gift this year instead of small gifts for specific people. We got a Wii and all the accessories.

All week I have been cleaning and organizing knowing that my parents were coming to visit for the weekend. The task of cleaning though was made a little more challenging because no one else knew they were coming! HeHeHe! The expressions upon their arrival were priceless and totally worth a week of stressing.

We coordinated schedules and just after Chad went to the ceremony, I left to get the kids and my parents came to the house. They were in the baby's room and Shawn walked past them. He did a double take and exclaimed, "Grandma and Grandpa are in the baby's room!" It was great.
We arrived on base and went in to the ceremony. Chad was expecting us so as the boys and I rounded the corner, he said, "Wow the boys look good." He was totally oblivious that my parents were just behind us. Suddenly it registered and he kept saying, "you drove 4 hours.... for me?" He couldn't believe I did that and actually surprised him. All night he put events and things from the week together and realized how all the pieces fit together.

The ceremony was great and Chad is officially a Master Sgt in the U.S. Air Force. Way to Go!!!

After we went out to eat, we opened presents. Baby Thomson got a travel first aid kit from Aunt Annie and Tristan. The gift is fitting seeing how Annie is a nurse and Tristan is a Fire Fighter/Paramedic.

We had a really great weekend with family. I am so pleased that the surprise went off without a hitch and that we got to spend quality time together.

I will try to post week 27/28 pregnancy pictures later this week.

Murphy is 4

Happy 4th Birthday Murphy!!!

Murphy is 4 years old today. He celebrated by relaxing in the sun all day, chasing rabbits and eating Doggie Ice Cream.

Chad and I also celebrated 4 years together. We had our first "official" date 4 years ago today. We had spend a lot of time together the 6 months before this, but nothing official up until Jan. 1 2005. Our date consisted of going out to dinner and then seeing The Phantom of the Opera together. I am glad we rang in the New Year together 4 years ago and still enjoy celebrating each new year together.

Christmas 2008

TADAH!!!! - We have nursery furniture!!!

We decided that with both of us having a week off, we would create a list of things to accomplish. Yesterday I accomplished cleaning (top to bottom) the master bedroom and rearranging it. While I did that, Chad fixed the washer (Thank the Lord!) and sealed the basement wall. He also mopped and cleaned the laundry room.

This morning we took time to relax and enjoy the quiet. Then this afternoon we created a nursery. We put together the changing table and the crib! It looks great and I can't wait to finish putting in the last new door and the trim.

Christmas was spent without the boys (they are with their mom) but Chad and I got to spend 5 days with my family. We spent Christmas Eve with Mom and Dad, after spending the morning cleaning up the mess from a broken wash machine. We opened gifts with everyone (Mom, Dad, Annie, and Tristan) on Christmas Morning. Then we went to the movie "Yes Man." We relaxed the rest of the evening.

Friday - We shopped and ran errands in Mason City with my Mom.
On Saturday - We had the Meyer Family Christmas. Most of the family was able to make it. Below is a picture of the cousins who were there and willing to be in the picture.

Pictured - (L-R) Brian, Rebecca, Annie (behind her Tristan), Brittany, Erika, and Andrea. Behind me is Melissa. We were missing Levi, Amanda, Carl, Jacob, Jennifer (and husband Scott), Lisa, Crystal, & Nick.

It was good to see family and enjoy an afternoon together. The next time we all see each other might not be for awhile. However, this spring will provide many opportunities to gather.

Baby Thomson Arrives around April 12

Brian and Annie turn 21 (April 25 and 27)

Brittany, Lisa, Erika, and Jacob graduate High School (Early May)

Christine (cousin on mom's side) gets married (Late May)

Baby Thomson has proven to be a kicker. Lately it seems that he is practicing soccer or Tae-bo. Either way, he sure is active. I enjoy being able to know his presence. I think my family also enjoys finally being able to see/feel him.

Well - We are gonna grab something to eat so I will try to post more later. If it's not before New Year's..... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Snow Day

We have been so busy with the Holiday Season quickly approaching that it has been a while since our last post. Shawn had his 3rd grade program at school. His class performed a variety of songs from Seussical the Musical. I still love his enthusiasm and musicality. He certainly has a gift of entertaining. ( I posted a video at the bottom of this post.)



We have been going to Bethlehem every Wednesday during Advent. Well, not really, but our church has activities and experiences set up for the kids to enjoy during the season to help them remember the real reason for Christmas. They got to experience the Parfumerie (they made their own bubble bath mixture), the Toy Shoppe (they each got to make tops), The Dye Shop (they dyed cloth to make handkerchiefs), The Synagogue (they experienced a brief ceremony/service), the Farmers Market (they tried... yes my kids tried CousCous and actually liked it), and the Candleshop (they made candles). Every week, the boys looked forward to Wednesday and could hardly wait for Bethlehem Village. As a parent, it is always exciting to know that the kids are excited about Church.



I received a little grief from my mom about not posting belly pics for awhile. Even though I don't like the ones with skin showing, I thought I would post one anyway.



Here's what 24 Weeks Pregnant looks like at the Thomson house....

And...

as promised, I got a decent photo of the 3D photo from our last ultrasound. Here is Baby Thomson. You can distinctly see his face and little hand. We aren't sure if his hand is up with the attempt to

a) suck his thumb

b) show that he is a thinker already (beware mom and dad... I am planning trouble!!!)

c) letting the kids at my school know that he's coming out with his fists up ready to fight (for those of you who don't know, I teach students that sometimes exhibit behaviors and.... well - the baby might be getting ready to fight back)

The nursery is about finished as far as remodeling is concerned. We have painted the ceiling and the walls. Chad and Dave replaced the window a couple of weeks ago, and Chad replaced the closet door and all the baseboards and trim. We have the main door to the room to replace before it will be all done, but it is getting closer. Once it is all done, we will be able to assemble the changing table and crib. Then it will really look like a nursery.

Annie and Tristan came to visit this week on their way to California. We enjoyed their visit and are happy that Tristan will be back in March for the 2nd round of testing for the Omaha Fire Dept. We will be keeping him in our prayers as our family would love to have him and my sister move closer to us. I know the boys are especially excited that Aunt Annie might be able to move a little closer ( and as they say... "Now if only we could see Grandma and Grandpa too).

Well - I should get going... I have one more paper to turn in for my 2nd Master's class. Hallelujah!!! I get a two week break and then get right back to it.

Sadly, tomorrow we drive the boys to visit their mom in Wyoming. Even though we know that they will have a blast, we will miss them lots. It's always nice when we can spend the holidays with them rather than away from them, but we get to enjoy Christmas with them when they return in 2009.

If I remember to, I will post again later this week, if not I will post again when we return from visiting family in Iowa.

Happy Holidays -

The Thomsons - Chad, Katie, Chris, Shawn, Baby and Murphy.