The Nutcracker

Grandma Thompsen spoiled us and took all the girls to see the Nutcracker. As a girl growing up, I would go with my Grandma and cousins to see the Nutcracker so it is really fun to have this tradition continue! We were super lucky and got to sit on the second row. It really makes a difference when you can see and hear what is going on. They also shortened the ballet a little bit, which made it perfect for all! Thanks mom!

Before the ballet we ate at the Greenery Restaurant. A fancy (but affordable) place where the kids all ordered hamburgers!

Cousin Fun

After the trap shoot we were treated to some live entertainment! The kids love going through our old dance costumes and Halloween costumes and putting on shows. Everyone had some great laughs. Our favorite was Hannah Montana's Hoedown Throwdown.

Here are all the cousins on the Thompsen side of the family. Two more are coming in March!

Trap Shoot

After Thanksgiving dinner Anna and McKay went with others down the canal and had a trap shoot. You have to be eight to go (family rules) so only Anna went. I didn't go because it was 14 degrees! Anna learned how to shoot a BB gun. She had lots of fun and came back frozen! Even though McKay hadn't shot in awhile he still could not miss. The NRA would be so proud.

Livestock Auction

My dad buys two cows every year. One he kills and shares with his kids to eat the meat. (Side note: it is amazing meat! Grass fed, organic, all the other cool stuff that makes meat taste good and get expensive.) It is such a blessing - as long and the power doesn't go out in the disaster we will be good. The other cow he sells. McKay and the kids went with him to the auction to see the cow get sold. It was over pretty quick but they still had a fun experience.

Party in Utah

The day after Anna's birthday we headed to Utah for Thanksgiving. On Sunday we had a party to celebrate Anna's birthday. She had a cool ice cream cake and got to open more presents. It is so fun to be able to celebrate with our families. Anna also got to get her ears pierced for her eighth birthday. She really wanted to have them done but was a little nervous. Grandma Thompsen took her and let her pick out whatever earrings she wanted. She also gave her some earrings and a jewelry box for her birthday.

Grandma also made her and Juile matching dresses. They are so cute!

Happy Birthday Anna!

Anna is eight! She has been waiting and waiting for her birthday forever! She was so excited and got her American Girl doll Julie. Here is the before picture and there is no after picture! In all the excitement we forgot to take a picture! She had a great day at school for her birthday as well: She got her pride ticket pulled and she got chosen as Student of the Week. It is Great to be Eight!

A few weeks before her birthday she was VIP at school and here is her poster that she created. Love her creativity!

The Turkeys Go on Strike!

Anna did a great job as a Pilgrim in her play "The Turkeys Go on Strike." She and the two other Pilgrims sang two songs: "66 days and 66 nights" and "Trip to the New World." By the time we went to the play we all had the songs memorized, even Mac. It was a funny play!

Birthday with the Barlows

Michelle and her kids were in town for Veteren's Day so we celebrated Anna's birthday with the Barlows while they were here. Lori was going to sleepover so we had a sleepover cake. The kids were so excited. They all started out on the floor in their room, even Mac. Eventually though the girls wanted to sleep in their beds and Lori slept in Mac's bed and Mac was on the floor. Carly and Lori both wanted to sleep in Mac's bed but after some reasoning Carly agreed to sleep in her own bed. We played some games and went to bed. It was fun!

First tooth Gone!

Carly has been waiting and waiting to loose a tooth and it finally happened. She was super excited to get a visit from the tooth fairy and probably even more excited get to put a mark on the tooth chart at school.

Reflections

Anna and Carly entered this year's reflections contest and did a great job. They both became finalists in their photography and Anna is also a finalist in her poem she wrote. They didn't know before we got to the showcase that they were finalists so they were pretty excited.

Anna with her poem.

A big thanks to Aunt Corrine who helped Anna and Carly take some pictures. They are each standing next to their photo they took.

Mac randomly brought these two fish with him to the showcase and held them up and told me to take a picture. Such a funny boy.