Monkey!

If you need a good laugh today, watch this video!

Vids for Dad -- part deux

We make a lot of baby videos around here. Since the first round of Vids for Dad received such a warm welcome, I thought I'd post a couple more. Enjoy!

And...

Smile!

We had some professional photos taken last month, thanks to a friend of a friend who owed a friend a favor. Confusing, I know, but in the end, we were the beneficiaries of a free photo shoot. Score!

It all happened last minute, but I love how they turned out. The photographer captured a few of Rolin's classic facial expressions, as well as some smiles and smirks. Here are a few of our favs:

"I don't know where we're going. I'm just along for the ride."

"Dad, can we go over there?"

This one makes me chuckle...what the heck is he looking at? 

 Lovebirds. 

We laugh so hard at this picture every time. Can't you just hear him saying, "Jerry..." as if he were Newman from Seinfeld? Baahahahahaha.

The Lights

Working in the world of retail makes for a different holiday season experience. When both of us were working retail the last three Christmases we hardly saw each other from Thanksgiving to New Years, what with Justin working long hours six days a week and me only getting Christmas day off.

Not that I'm complaining...we were both thankful to be employed...it just took a little getting used to!

This year is different as I'm staying home with Rolly, and, thanks to a rewrite of the rules at work, Justin only works five days during the holiday time frame  The only catch is that one of those five has to be a weekend day.

However...that allows us to do holiday-type activities during the week instead of the weekend when everyone and their grandma is out trying to do the same activity!

On one of our free days in early December, we drove out to Coeur d'Alene to see the light show around the resort. There is also a Journey to the North Pole lake cruise, complete with 30,000 lights and the "world's largest living animated Christmas tree," but we figured we should save that for when Rolin is able to stay awake, feed himself and appreciate the boat ride.

We stayed near the resort, moseyed around the decorated marina and ended the evening with an adult beverage and dairy-free potato skins at the resort restaurant. It was a chilly night out, but it was fun to get out of the house for a family night on the town.

Here are a few pics:

Lit path to the resort.

 The marina at the resort is all lit up!

You can see Rolin's face over the handle this time!

Click on the pics for a larger view.

Rolly was in a good mood the whole night, even at the restaurant! 

Also, I love his hat...it was a 50-cent score at a consignment shop. Holla!

Happy Birthday, Gigi!

"It was fun seeing you last weekend. I can't wait until we're all back for Christmas!" 

Happy birthday, Uncle Joe!

"So, wanna come play football? I bet that was the wish you made when you blew out your candles! I'll be waiting!"

Happy birthday, Grandpa!

"Happy birthday to you, Grandpa L.J! I hope you have an awesome day celebrating your 65th week. Does Grandma take a weekly picture of you too? It'd be fun to see all your pictures. Sixty-five weeks is a lot of weeks!"

"Wait, wait, wait. This is for 65 years? YEARS?! Mamasita, that's a LOT more than 65 weeks. Either way, have a WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY!!"

Thanksgiving

We had a full house for Thanksgiving -- 11 adults and one baby! Most of the crew stayed a hotel, but gathered at our place during the days they were in town. This year, in addition to the many other blessings in our lives, I was very thankful to have inherited Grandma Chris' expand-o dining table.

Thanks to those of you who reached out with turkey-in-an-electric-roaster tips. Our turkey cooked in less time than expected and didn't explode, burn or stay raw. Nice and juicy. Flavorful, too. I used Giada's recipe for Turkey with Herbes de Provence and Citrus. Delish! I also made her Warm Artichoke & Bacon Dip. I gave myself a pat on the back for that dish. 

We had plenty of people to keep Rolin company, the men washed the dishes, we watched a movie called "The Grey" (do yourself a favor and don't watch it -- I'm looking at you, Olmsteads!), the gals went out for a little pre- and Black Friday shopping, we snacked, we slept, we played games and we watched a lot of football. A lot. 

Including...THE APPLE CUP. Go Cougs :)

Here are a few picture highlights:

Rolly and Uncle Joe

Rolin and Grandma Karen

Another four-generation shot: Grandma Grace, Grandma Karen, Rolin and Justin

Some of the gang. Thank goodness we did finally invest in a bigger couch!

Kitchen supervisors should always have a glass of wine...

Thanksgiving table.

Table from another angle (in the forefront: Breanna's cranberry-pear sauce. So good!).

Thanks for the bib, Aunt Kathy!

Justin carved the turkey after carefully studying Alton Brown's instructional video.

We failed to get an official shot of everyone sitting at the table, but you get the gist.

We hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

4 months!

Rolin is now 4 months old! This post is a week late, but better late than never, right?

What he does now:

• Screeches (on the border of cute and tolerable)
• Blows bubbles
• Smiles because we do something exciting, not just because of gas
• Giggles (adorable)
• Poops through his PJs
• Does a good "tummy time push-up"
• Grabs toys with both hands
• Poops through his cute outfits and onto friend's pants
• Drools more than ever
• Ogles at Christmas lights
• Has developed an allergy to dairy (possibly)
• Puts everything in his mouth
• Poops in the bath
• Loves to play with his squishy blocks, Francis the Fish, Bun-Bun and a rattle

Here are some more 4-mo-old Rolin pics and videos. Enjoy!

First giggles:

Go Cougs!

"Hey, how you doin'?"

"This is one of my best friends Francis the Fish."

More giggles. I couldn't resist:

17 weeks

We're getting ready for Thanksgiving this week. It's the first year Team Thompson has hosted such an event, so that means it's the first year most of our wedding china has made it out of its original packaging. 

Rolin and I just took a break from staring at instructions for roasting a turkey (I'm experiencing a little turkey trepidation ((if that phrase hasn't already been coined, I'm snagging it)) to snap a few 17-weeks-old photos.

Is it difficult to mess up a turkey? How about if you're using an electric roaster instead of an oven...? That's what we're going to use for ol' Tom this year. It'll be fine, right?

Anyway, let's get to it:

Rolin is 17 weeks old today!

I'm really not in the mood today, mom."

"Well, I suppose I could pose for just a few shots."

"Oh no! Lenny's on the attack!"

"Mom, help! He's got me pinned!"

"Just kidding. Lenny and I were only playing." 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

My 30th was Bananas

I'm 30 now:

I celebrated with a bunch of bananas:

Others came to celebrate too:

Mom, dad and Justin threw a wonderful party for me at my parents' house, complete with a "Christine crossword," dart throw, pumpkin carving, partner balloon breaking and lots of yummy treats made by mom and Brianna. I had a great time with all the family and friends who came over to celebrate!

16 weeks

"Mom, is this a lamb chop?"

"Is it ok if I taste it?"

"It's pretty good!"

I interviewed Rolin on his 16th week of life:

Wreaths Across America

Mom and Aunt Barbara in 2011 laying a wreath
at their dad's site. He was a WWII vet.

My mom, as part of the Gold Star Moms of Washington, has been involved with Wreaths Across America (WAA) for the last two years. It's a program that started in 1992 to further and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery as well as other veterans' cemeteries and sites and nationwide.

Wreaths Across America being introduced here by Grandview American Legion

Daily Sun News, Nov. 4, 2011 

Along with Grandview's American Legion Post 57 and a couple other local ladies, mom has spearheaded the movement in Grandview and Prosser, organizing volunteers to lay wreaths and collecting donations for wreath sponsorships. She's been getting up before the sun to get paperwork in order, write notes to friends in the community and make sure she's doing all she can to raise awareness in our community.

She's also made presentations to local organizations, clubs, children's groups and more to teach them about the importance of honoring veterans and invite them to get involved, which last year spurred a few local AAU youth basketball teams to help with wreath laying. Mom still talks about how great it was to see some of the kiddos in the community lend a hand and take part in a ceremony where they personally honor veterans. She was excited to tell me today that AAU has again sponsored wreaths this year.

Wreaths Across America to decorate local veterans' graves

Prosser Record Bulletin (see pg. 22), Nov. 11, 2011

Mom's dedication to securing wreaths for local vets is an inspiration. I think the part I find most commendable is she makes sure to stick to the WAA's mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, as she reaches out to get people involved. The organization's master goal is to collect sponsorships for wreaths, but it also serves to reinforce and share the importance of remembering fallen heroes, honoring those who served and teaching the community about the service and sacrifice of veterans to protect and preserve freedom.

Wreaths Across America instituted at Grandview Cemetery

Daily Sun News, Dec. 12, 2011

Last year, her first year as a location leader, mom thought maybe they'd get 50 wreath sponsorships, so imagine how surprised she was when the closing number was 150! This year, she has already received donations for more than 120, with people calling or mailing from far and wide to participate. Some do it for their veteran family members, some do it for strangers, but all do it out of honor and remembrance.

This post isn't meant to persuade you to participate (but if you want to, click here or email me. The ordering deadline is Nov. 15), I'm simply writing to share a story about my mom that I want to remember, one that I can share with Rolin someday that when we tell him about how his great grandparents, grandpa, cousins, uncles, friends and other family members have served, and the importance of remembering and honoring veterans, both present and past.

Mom, Jill, Francie, MaryJane and Barbara at the 2011 wreath-laying ceremony. Photos courtesy of MaryJane. 

The 2012 National Wreath Laying  Remembrance Ceremony starts at 9 a.m. PST, Dec. 15. 

Vids for Dad

When Justin is out of town, Rolin always asks to record videos to send to his dad so dad doesn't feel so lonely. Below are two for your enjoyment -- he makes up the words on the fly so be gentle with your judgement.

This next video is from a month ago when Rolin was learning about the letter T. Well, ok, so I just happened to have had a random letter T laying around (another undone craft) and made up a song. The letters T and C (thanks to the Cookie Monster) are the only letters he has heard about.

14 weeks

"Humm. I wonder how I old I am these days."

"Oh."

"Yay! I'm 14 weeks!"