The "Varsity" Team Thompson

Last weekend my parents came down to visit us in sunny California! Christine and I were super excited about having them come down from Washington since it had been almost three months since I had seen them last (six for Christine) and both of us were feeling pretty homesick. Since we couldn't go home, it was nice to have part of home come to us.

It's been quite some time since my mom and dad have been on a plane (pre 9/11), so I'm sure it was an exciting trip, but I think California traffic was probably more stressful to them than the plane ride. There are more people in the Bay Area than there are in the entire state of Washington so I definitely had some extra eyes on the look-out while I was driving...well, 4 more than the 2 extra I'm used to, anyway ;). After picking them up at the San Jose Airport, I drove them to their hotel (about a quarter-mile from out apartment) and once Christine got off work we headed out to dinner on the town.

(mom and dad in front of one of the first palms spotted in Mountain View)

Castro Street in Mountain View has a ton of great restaurants and shops and we found a nice Italian place with tasty mushroom ravioli and gnocchi. We finished the night with some ice cream and awoke early Saturday to a delicious breakfast made by my wife. After breakfast we took our guests on the typical Team Thompson tour down to Morgan Hill to show them where we lived in the RV and then we hit up the El Toro again for some brews and burgers. Christine then discovered that Memorial Day weekend was the 3oth Annual Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival!

(Dad, me and my mom watching the concert at Mushroom Mardi Gras)

While there wasn't an actual mushroom to eat in sight, the festival was entertaining nonetheless, and Christine was definitely excited about going to it(one of the many fancy - and very lame - mushrooms on the streets of Morgan Hill)

...and we're excited about hitting up the Gilroy Garlic Festival in July, too!(one of Chris's life goals is to learn how to play the fiddle. Imagine her excitement when we found the fiddle maker's tent...)

On Sunday we went to the early church service and then to brunch at an old time dinner in Los Altos and then headed off to Filoli, one of the finest remaining country estates of the early 20th century. In addition to a huge, beautiful mansion, the estate is complete with extensive gardens, overflowing with more flowers and plants to keep my parents entertained for hours...my parents are experts in all things plants and animals, so this was an exciting site for them.

Christine had to work Monday, but came home a little early to help prepare an early birthday dinner celebration. Steak, potatoes and key lime pie. Good stuff! Then it was present time! My parents got me a new watch, because my old one met an untimely demise. I had picked it out on Sunday and we went and picked it up on Monday. Thanks, mom and dad!We had a great time with my parents and are excited to see them again in July while we're in town for Ryan and Selena's wedding (woot!).

Another year down!

Happy 28th Birthday, Justin!

Curtis wishing his bro Justin a happy birthday, circa 1987.

Sydnee's 25th birthday wish for Justin was so exciting, he couldn't even keep his eyes open!

It's exciting to look through all the "His Birthday" cards and be able to walk right up to the "Husband" section. This last year has been a complete whirlwind, but I wouldn't have wanted to blast through it with anyone else. Thank you for your love, for keeping me sane, for your friendship, your inspiration and for all the laughs.

I love you more every day!
Christine

The Chyterboks do Mountain View

Team Thompson had a fantastic time with the Chyterboks! The weekend went too fast for my liking, but we crammed in all sorts of fun outings and chill time to hold me over for a while.

Our time together was filled with food, sun, refreshments, bizarre buildings, street fairs, snakes, lizards and hide-a-beds. We dined in on Friday and started on Saturday after brekkie we headed south to hit up the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose. The Winchester House is a huge, twisted mansion created by Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Winchester, of the Winchester Rifle company. Long story short, Sarah's husband and child passed on rather early and she sought the comfort of a medium for answers. The medium told her that the cause of their deaths was a result of the angry spirits of the Native Americans who had been shot with a Winchester rifle. The medium then told her she was to move out West, buy an unfinished house, consult with the the spirits and continue building on the house for 24 hours a day for the rest of her life to apease these spirits. And that's just what she did for 38 years.

It's massive and mysterious. Most of the rooms include 13 of something - from hooks to spiderweb shapes - as well as doors that lead to no where and staircases that twist and turn so much that you go up more than 100 steps to rise only 9 feet.

Maggie, me and one of the spirits.
(Just kidding)

The staircase to nowhere.

Looking out over the rooftops.

In the front yard.

After the Winchester House we went down to Morgan Hill to show off our old digs...the Coyote Creek RV Resort! Afterward we went to our old hang out, the El Toro Brew Pub, for an El Toro burger (a Team Thompson fav). Then, all of the sudden, the next thing Maggie and I remember is waking up in a movie theater, duct taped to the seats, with toothpicks propping open our eyes. We were being forced to watch Star Trek! Still not sure how we were talked into that one...

Sunday, we went for an early hike to beat the heat. Here we learned techniques for fending off mountain lions should we encounter one.

No fires, no bikes, no smoking, no camping. BTW...there are mountain lions out here. Have fun!

If you were a mountain lion, you'd be scared.

While there weren't any mountain lions, there were plenty of lizards and snakes to keep the boys entertained.

Last weekend was also Mountain View's Ala Carte & Art days so we went out Sunday evening to enjoy the festival in the 100 degree weather. We we most happy in the shade with some ice cold beer :)

You aren't cool unless you're in the khaki pants and dark shirt club.

We loved having they Chyterboks in town and already look forward to the next time.

On a second guest note, this weekend we get to welcome Justin's parents to Mountain View! They're coming down to visit for the first time and also to celebrate JT's birthday a little early. We're excited to have more guests in town and to spend time with more of our family!!

Baby Mamas

Happy Mother's Day, Mama Emerson and Mama Thompson! We are without words to convey how grateful we are for all you've done and continue to do. Thank you for your compassion and love, shown through both word and deed. Team Thompson is certainly blessed to have such wonderful moms and mothers-in law.

Here's to you!
We also want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all our family and friends who are acknowledged by a day such as this. Many of our friends and family are expecting or already have welcomed new little ones into their lives this past year, and we trust that you are soaking up all the goodness that comes with today!

Where we hang our hats

Here are some pics of our place. I wouldn't say I put on my best photography hat to take these pictures, and I'd given the cleaning lady the day off, so we ask that you keep an open mind while zooming in to see all the nooks and crannies :)

Watch it - Duffle the Bear is always on guard.

Can't beat butter-yellow counter tops. Holla!

All you green-thumbs...please send some good vibes to my little garden!

No, I don't know who it is on the screen. I was watching the CMT countdown :)

Happy May Day!

When my brothers and I were little, we'd always clip flowers from our parents' yard, stuff them into little paper bouquet holders, and run around the neighborhood making our sneaky deliveries for May Day. We were careful not to get caught, for fear one of them would try to kiss us...I think we were able to go about our business without getting caught for years!

May Day used to be a bigger event, back in the day, I understand. I faintly remember a story and a black & white picture of Nanny all dressed up and hoping around a May Pole during a Prosser, Wash. May Day celebration. The festival was complete with May Day royalty and everything...I think I should give her a call more details on that...

I wish I were closer to old neighbors, family and friends right now so I sneakily drop off small bouquets to ring in May Day, but we'll have to settle for this picture instead.


Happy May Day, everyone!