Visit From Grandpa and Grandma Thompsen

We were so lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa Thompsen come visit us. Luckily the weather cooperated so they could enjoy a break from the cold and snow. Fun picture of Mac just waking up from his nap with his 'nap hair.'

The kids LOVE reading books with Grandpa. His favorite is 'GO DOG GO.'

We got to go to the Reagan Library. It was a great experience and we loved learning more about such a great man. This is a piece of the Berlin Wall.

Anna in front of the retired Air Force One.

All of us in front of the plane. The kids did great. They hung in there for most of the time. We got to go to the park afterward so they got to release some of their energy. Thanks for coming!

Silly Doobie Date

So we aren't sure how the name came about but Anna decided Brock was a Silly Doobie before his mission. He always called her a 'chiste' (joke, in spanish) and she came up with Silly Doobie for him. Before Brock left on his mission McKay, Brock, Anna and Carly went to Chuck-E-Cheese on a Silly Doobie date. Anna never forgot about it and decided they were going on a Silly Doobie date when Brock got home from his mission so here are the pics! It consisted of Soup Plantation (the girls all-time FAVORITE restaurant) and then Chuck-E-Cheese. Anna overheard me saying their pizza was disgusting and decided she wasn't going to eat there (whoops!)

They had a great time!

Barlow Family Reunion

Here are some pictures from our Barlow Family Reunion held right after Christmas. It was really fun to get together with everyone!McKay ripping it up shooting.

We kind of froze in Palmdale but it was still fun!

Playing ring-around-the-rosies after eating at Olive Garden.

Isn't it great when they don't get that there is no quarters in any of these games? Yet he was entertained for quite awhile.

Carly mastered stopping the puck with her free hand.

The girls all got the same dresses from Grandma Barlow and had fun wearing them. It was a great reunion!

Christmas Eve

Mac showing off his boots.

Doing the BYU cheer after receiving a BYU blanket made by Grandma Barlow.

So this is a little late but here are some fun pics from Christmas Eve. Anna has been planning forever that she wanted to be Mary. Carly wanted to be an Angel. Mac was a 'clueless wiseman.' McKay was a great donkey. We had a great time!

ZOO

Since New Year's Day is a sacred holiday for all football fans, the girls and I left the boys at home and decided to take a trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo. (We really couldn't do a whole day of football watching.) Melinda and our friends the Clinton's came with us and we all had a great time! Anna's favorites were the giraffe's and penguins.

Carly sat on our Zoo map and slid down this grassy hill.

Carly's favorite was the flamingos.

Such a fun day!

Christmas!

We had such a fun Christmas! The girls got a dollhouse and Mac got a big dump truck from Santa. It was super fun!

Christmas Eve PJs.

Carly's Preschool Party!

Parents were invited to the last few minutes of Carly's class party so we went. Carly has never been interested at all in Santa Clause so we thought we would try Mac. He did ok for about 1 second...then he was done.

Although she doesn't do Santa Clause (he is totally welcome to leave her presents on Christmas Eve, but she isn't going to talk to him) she still loves treats!!

Here she is with her friend Marissa and favorite teacher Shea-Shea.

Visit from Travis and Rachel

We were lucky enough to have my brother Travis and his wife Rachel come visit us for a few days! Luckily the weather cooperated and they got to spend some time out of the snow and in the sun. They had planned to come around the Tiger Woods Golf Tournament so Travis and McKay went and had a great time. These pictures are taken from McKay's phone (then stolen from Rachel's blog :)). Sorry but I don't know who any of these people are, but I was assured they are all famous and cool. I have seen the spiderman guy on TV before. I am sure that was awesome to see in person. Rachel was a trooper and hung out a lot with me at home while the guys ate, slept and drank golf.

The kids had a blast and thought they came just to entertain them! The kids figured out that Travis was a good 'spinner' and kept asking for 'spins.'

It is always so wonderful when family comes to visit! Thanks so much for coming! We love you guys!

Mother Goose's Goose is Loose

Here is Anna wither her gingerbread house she made at school. She was a little sad to throw it away but understood how disgusting it would be to keep it. It was definitely a kindergarten highlight.

I was having some serious camera malfunctions on the day of Anna's play at school so this is the only semi-decent picture I got. She recited the poem "To Market, To Market" with her classmate Tess and did a wondeful job. No nerves or anything!

Yup! It's official, baby boy Barlow is due April 15th! We are super excited!