Aunt & Uncle Visits

Rolly is one lucky little guy to have loving uncles and aunts. I'm not officially an aunt myself, but I can only hope to be at least half as wonderful an aunt as Rolly's Aunt Brianna, or Nana, as the kiddos say. She loves him and he knows it. Sometimes he carries her family-photo flash card around the house or gives her photo a ride on his truck. I'm not kidding. And her photo is the only one lucky enough to have been offered a ride. So cute!

Rolly and Aunt Brianna at the pumpkin patch. The best thing about these two together is that Rolin doesn't seem to have much stranger danger with her. Soooo nice!

Everyone was, of course, excited when we moved back to Washington, particularly because we had a baby on the way. We had lots of family come visit while we were there, mostly to see Rolin, the main attraction. Naturally, they all feared Rolly wouldn't remember them very well when we moved to Arizona, so we've already had multiple rounds of visits from both sides of the family, and expect Grandpa Lee and Grammy again at Christmas. We are blessed with family that wants to and is willing to come visit. (I'm sure the Arizona weather has something to do with frequent visits, too, but I'm going to pretend it's really the three of us that keep everyone coming back, teehee.)

Aunt Brianna came out to visit in October. It was perfect timing as Justin had to work again that weekend, and I'd unpacked to a point where the necessities were out so there was a 98 percent chance it would take me a year to get other things out of the boxes. With someone here to play with Rolly, I was able to get more things unpacked, hang some pictures and get some work done without Rolin tugging on my pant leg. Plus, I got to introduce Brianna to "Steel Magnolias," and she got to watch me turn into a blubbery mess at the end (it gets me every time!). Good golly...it's even worse to watch as a parent, yet I willingly subject myself to it again and again.

We went to the pumpkin patch while Brianna was here in October. This one was much more than just a patch...there were rides, food stations, trains, pig races...the works!

He did not want to get his face painted. We walked away with only one swipe of yellow that he screamed about until it was removed, ha!

Just over two-feet tall this fall.

Back to school, back to school...

We rode the carousel.

And the train. It was hot. Jeans were a bad choice.

We picked out pumpkins.

Rolin loved this pumpkin so much he kept giving it hugs.

There was lots of snuggle time and game playing with Aunt Brianna.

Rolin and Nanna had pompom fights, too. Rolin thought it was hilarious to grab a handful of as many pompoms he could and throw them at Aunt Brianna. The giggles lasted a long time :)

Aunt Brianna and Uncle Joe came back to visit in November. We'd been practicing with our family photo flash cards so Rolin was well practiced in saying Uncle Joe and Aunt Brianna / Nana by the time they got here. It's so stinkin' cute!! 

I think Rolin's favorite part about that trip was all the lounging on the couch watching football with Uncle Joe. 

And playing shapes with Uncle Joe.

And giving Uncle Joe and Aunt Brianna high fives.

And just having Uncle Joe and Aunt Brianna in the house. There was always someone to play blocks. 

After the farmers market on Saturday we went to lunch at Joe's Farm Grill. Had to take a picture, of course. 

And on Sunday we went to check out Arizona State University. The stadium was open, so we helped ourselves. 

Rolin loved playing on the stairs in the center of the courtyard. I thought this was similar to WSU's "nipple of knowledge." Coincidentally, this structure is also positioned atop the library. 

We're so glad to have visitors, and our house is always open to whoever, whenever! Come on down!

Week in Aberdeen

Our week in Aberdeen was relaxing, even though there was much to do. 

We arrived and settled in late Saturday afternoon. On Sunday we went to church and then drove out to Westport Winery for lunch. Rolin pooped through his outfit on the way there (always a lovely surprise), so luckily I had some extra clothes with us. The winery was packed this time around, but the food was just as delicious. They had live music, too, and the singer/pianist, Ericka Corban, was one of Lee's former students. She came over to talk to us for a while and gave us a CD. She's quite talented -- Norah Jones-like.

Rolin enjoying a banana at Westport Winery. 

We all went to Friendly Flowers in Elma on Monday to get flowers for the rehearsal dinner arrangements. Friendly Flowers is a lovely little nursery owned by some of Lee's relatives, Pat & Leland. In fact, Leland's grandpa is the source of Rolin's name! 

Me, Karen, Lee, Rolin, Leland and Pat at Friendly Flowers. 

Rolin's "smelling the flowers" face at Friendly Flowers.

Rolin and I went to Rochester on Tuesday to see Kelly and baby Jaxon. I failed, for the second time, to get a picture of the two kiddos together so you'll just have to take my word for it! Kelly and I went to WSU at the same time and got to know each other when we both lived in Community Hall. We had some good times together, for sure! The following pic has nothing to do with my visit to Rochester, but it's proof that I have, in the past, remembered to take a picture of a time when Kelly and I were in the same place!

Kelly and me, long before Jax & Rolin were twinkles in our eyes.

Justin's birthday was Wednesday, so the Team Thompson went to lunch at Savory Faire in Montesano, the venue where rehearsal dinner was to be held. We wanted to check out the restaurant and go to a place in the Harbor we've never been. We arrived during lunch rush, but Rolin held it together and Justin and I both liked what we ordered, even though I can't remember what I ate because I was constantly moving things out of Rolin's reach or taking away things he managed to grab!

After lunch we drove wwwaaaayyy out to Wynoochee Dam just to see what there was to see. It was a gorgeous drive through all the forest land in the county. I can see now why Justin has a chainsaw chain tattoo on his leg. Wait...what's that, you ask? Yes, it's true. But if you want to know more about his tattoo, you'll have to ask him yourself.

Turns out, there is just a dam to see. And the lake behind it. 

The lake behind the dam -- looks like it would be a hoppin' spot in the summer!

The road there is paved now, but back when Lee & Karen worked at Camp Grisdale, it was a terribly pot-hole infested and windy road. Camp Grisdale, as you'll read on the sign pic below, was a logging camp. Upon its closure in 1986, it was the last logging camp in the nation. Lee and Karen lived at the camp and taught school there for two years before they moved to Aberdeen. 

After our trip to Wynoochee, we picked Lee up at school and then darted up to Olympia so the boys could try on their tuxes. After we returned, it was time to dine on Justin's favorite dish of all...Frankfurter & Bean Supperdish. I don't like to admit that I actually like this dish, so I won't. 

Thursday we relaxed until birthday party time. (We waited until Thursday to have more of a "party" for Justin so Curtis, Kate & friend could join the festivities.) The evening was complete with grilled steaks and homemade rhubarb pie -- a recipe courtesy of Justin's Grandma Grace. 

Enjoying snack time with Grandma Karen.

Rolin loves with Grandpa Lee reads The Animals of Farmer Jones!

Getting in some playtime with Grandma before dinner.

Wrestling with Uncle Curtis!

Friday was a day of last minute to dos, a bike ride for the boys and rehearsal dinner prep. The weather was unexpectedly nice, so we all enjoyed some time outside before rehearsal. 

Rolin and I stayed home during the church part of the evening, but met up with the gang for dinner at Savory Faire. 

Me, Curtis, Karen, Lee & Rolin before they left for rehearsal at the church.

The Thompson Family!

Rolin did amazingly well at dinner, considering it started at his usual bedtime. All I can say is thank goodness for Baby Mum-Mums! We were served blackberry salmon or prime rib -- both were incredibly delicious! Dessert was a decadent amaretto bread pudding. Ohhh, my. It was rich, it was dense, it was flavorful. Trust me...I'll go back to Savory Faire for the bread pudding, if not for the salmon!

Team Thompson at rehearsal dinner. Photo courtesy of Chelsea R. 

Saturday was wedding day! I'll have to post about that later -- it deserves its own post! The sun was shining, the bride was gorgeous, the groom was all smiles and the event went off without a hitch!

Sunday we hit the road after breakfast at The Bee Hive in Montesano. We also stopped outside Elma to visit with the Ellingsens who were in town to celebrate their son, Ethan's, first birthday! It was great to see them and to meet Ethan. We're hoping Rolin's hair takes a hint from Ethan and comes in soon :)

Hope you had a fun birthday celebration, buddy!!

Ethan showed Rolly a few new tricks, like holding on to something and walking around it.

"See, Rolly? You just hold on with your hands and move your legs side to side...eventually you move to a new spot and then you can reach things your parents think they've moved far enough away from you!"

They also terrorized a poor, small dog. It didn't really stand a chance between two baby boys. The dog finally went and hid outside. 

No one likes the long drive home after a nice vacation, but we're thankful it was uneventful and we arrived home safely. It was a fun week with the family!

Oh...hey!

Soo...October turned out to be a busy month!

Here's a recap. There are quite a few photos, but I did include some commentary, of course, as well as a sneak peek at the rest of the month because October isn't over, you know :)

Click the pictures to enlarge.

Sept 30 - Oct. 3: TO CHICAGO TO SEE THE RABES & CHYTERBOKS
Ohhh it was so wonderful to meet baby James. He stole my heart and I miss him. He's already changed so much, based on recent pictures.

Seeing Maggie and Drew as parents of a real, itty bitty human being gives me a feeling that's hard to describe. Glad, proud, excited...what a gift a little life can be. They love that little guy so much...just look at how they gaze at him!

 James is sure to call me each Sunday night, just to check in on Cousaunt Christine.

Little man loves his swing!

 

Alexis, Andrew, Drew, Maggie and me.

We went to the Rabes house for a delicious dinner Saturday night and the whole family was there! Benjamin, Sarah, Hayden and Cooper, Alexis and Andrew, Uncle Lou and Aunt Kathy and of course the Chyterboks. It was so nice to see everyone and get to know Hayden and Cooper a bit more :)

Sunday we went to the pumpkin patch with Andrew & Alexis, and picked out a baby pumpkin for baby James. He loved being outside! Monday I worked from "home" and then caught a late/delayed flight back to CA.

Thank you for hosting me, Chyterboks!

Oct. 8: OUTING TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH IN MORGAN HILL
We went to Spina Farms in Morgan Hill for a day of pumpkin fun with the Bracketts. Eva was so excited when we got there, she didn't know where to start! I rode the train with her too.

After pumpkin selection, we parted ways for naps and the like and reconveined later at our house for carving and dinner. we love hanging out with the Bracketts!

The Bracketts!

So, I enjoy pictures you can put your head in for a picture!

Eva was excited about the train ride around the patch.

Our picks.

 Our carvings!

Oct. 13 - 16: THE EMERSONS CAME TO TOWN
Mom and dad came to visit for the weekend, sort of on a whim. A fantastic whim! I miss seeing the padres :) I picked them up Thursday night. We had dinner out Friday night, went sewing machine shopping Saturday (a surprise for me), watched someone steal a big screen TV from Sears, but also watched the clerk recover the merchandise. We also stopped by the Campbell Oktoberfest and later had dinner at home that night (a Grilled New England Seafood "Bake"), and went to church on Sunday. After church mom and I went to a baby shower for a friend of mine and left the boys at home to watch football. Later that night we took them to the airport :( It was a chill weekend and I loved every minute of it.

Thanks for coming, mom and dad!

My papa and me. 

Oktoberfest fun in Campbell.

 More cut out fun in Campbell! Mom was so excited to be climbing the water tower, she couldn't keep her eyes open!

Justin was so excited to be on the porch, he couldn't keep his eyes open!

This same weekend, our artfully crafted pumpkins gave into the heat and leaked their moldy pumpkin juice all over the front porch. I don't feel we got to fully enjoy them this year. The heat is brutal on pumpkin carvings in California.


Oct. 18: DREW CAME OVER FOR DINNER
Drew (of Drew and Maggie) was in town for work so we had him over for a home-cooked meal. After dinner we went for a ride in the special mobile from Drew's company to check out the police equipment Drew sells and markets. Cameras, license plate recognition, reporting information...it was so neat to check it out and see what it is Drew is responsible for at work!

I don't have a pic...of course...but it happened. You'll just have to believe me.


Oct. 21 - 23: TO SEATTLE FOR AMI'S WEDDING
I flew Friday night to Seattle for Ami's wedding. Ami is Tara's twin. Tara was my freshman and sophomore roommate at WSU. I lived with Ami and Tara in Seattle for roughly 2 years, too! She married Jerrod in the most beautiful ceremony at Pickering Barn in Issaquah. The reception - gorgeous. Not a detail went undone. It was perfect and perfectly Ami.

I stayed with my friend Sarah, my senior year roommate at WSU and one of my BFFs. Sarah and I dressed up as Gold Bond Girls our freshman year at WSU...but that's another story for another time.

Sarah was my date to the wedding because JT couldn't make it; things are too nuts at work for him at the moment. Sarah has two adorable kiddos who I was soooo happy to spend time with over the weekend.

We went to Bob's Corn, Maze and Pumpkin Farm, my third pumpkin patch this season, in a third state. How many people can say that? We had a fun time, although it was a bit muddy and we had to use my Google Maps app to get us out of the corn maze. It worked perfectly!

Go Cougs!

 me, Tara and Sarah at the reception

First dance

Eli and Grace. So stinkin' cute. 

Thanks for letting me stay with you and your family, Sarah!


Oct. 25: I'VE COME DOWN WITH THE FLU
I got a flu shot last Thursday. By 8 p.m. that night I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. Luckily it passed in time for Ami's wedding! However, today I felt icky. Just icky. I came home from work, wrapped up in a blanket, drank tea, ate hot soup, turned on the heating pad, put on a thermal shirt and I was still freezing. The bathroom needed to be within easy access at all times asll well. My temp is also hovering around 100.4. Whee... Freakin' flu shot.


SNEAK PEAK -- what's on tap:

Oct. 28 MY BIRTHDAY

• I'm turning 29.
• I still bite my nails. (Although this week I have been doing much better...I think it's because last weekend I changed a nasty diaper for baby Grace.It was a 9-wiper, folks. Nasty.)
• I still live in California. I think our families and we secretly believed we'd be back in WA before I turned 29, but here we are.
• Some ladies coordinated a girls' night at VBar at Santana Row for my birthday Friday night. It'll be fun and I'm honored someone wanted to do that for me -- there was an evite and everything!
• I've been married for 3 years (btw, what business did I have getting married at 25?)
• I'll be 30 in one year. 
• Justin is already 30 and had no sympathy for a story I told him the other day about a mysterious, involuntary noise that rose from deep within a few months ago when it hit me: 30. Thirty is...wow. I certainly don't feel like I'm old enough to be a responsible adult, but I suppose technically I am. Or at least younger people suppose I should be when they hear "30."
• I've always thought I'd have a kid or two by 30. You know, back when I was in my late teens or early 20s and viewed 30-year-olds as being mature, responsible adults who volunteer at preschool with their own kids. We're looking into what all children may entail -- it's semi-terrifying. 
• I've worked at my job in California the same amount of time I worked at my PR job in Seattle. At the time, 2.5 years seemed like an eternity. This time, I don't know where the last 2.5 years have gone...I suppose that says a good thing or two about where I'm working.
• I already received one of my birthday gifts, but I have yet to use it as I'm waiting for my birthday. It's a sewing machine. Don't be surprised if you get an old jean & shirt quilt from me. I've been saving old jeans and t-shirts for years now. 
• I made a jean & shirt quilt in high school/college; it's now our picnic or camping blanket and it's awesome. I used portions of the pants featuring zippers, buttons and pockets and the like...an idea I got from my cousin Connie who used to make jean & shirt blankets, too. 
• Other plans for my sewing machine include: stitching up the armpit of my Australia shirt...it's had a hole in it for about 5 years so I only wear it to bed. I like to stay classy in bed, so the hole has been cramping my style for about 5 years. I'm also going to fix the hem of my khaki pants...the pants that have secretly had duct tape holding the hem up for about 4 years. This is not a joke. It's a tip I learned from a past co-worker, who will remain anonymous. That's right, I have had duct tape in my khaki pants for 4 years. I'm also going to secretly monogram all of JT's underpants. The sewing machine comes with a wide variety of fonts and monogramming functions. If you'd like your underpants monogrammed, send them over with your choice of thread color and I'll get to work.
• As I former PR pro, I should know better than to use digits for any number under 10. Well, this is my blog, I have the flu and I'll do what I want. Ok, ok. I did feel quite ashamed when I read through that previous paragraph and noticed it was littered with digits. Shame shame. I almost went back and fixed everything, but I'm not going to. Not yet, anyway.

Oct. 29: HEATHER'S AWESOME COSTUME BIRTHDAY PARTY.

• Two words: 30 Rock. 

Nov. 2: MY LEFT ACL AND MY COUSIN TURN 11

• Within seconds of the first game of the soccer season, I was attacked by a ferocious wolf. A Wapato wolf wearing the #10. Ok, she wasn't that ferocious, but in my attempt to get the ball passed to another teammate, we ran into each other in mid air, there was a pop and I fell to the ground. I got back up, but fell to the ground. I did that about three times trying to get to the ball, not understanding why I couldn't stand on my own leg. There was no pain, but the leg wasn't working. I'd severed my ACL and torn my meniscus. 
• I had replacement surgery on Nov. 2, 2000. When I awoke from the surgery in the recovery room, I was surrounded by all my loved ones. Imagine with me, if you will...you're in a groggy state, you crack open your eyes and are pretty sure that through all the post-surgery haze you see all your family members: aunts, uncles, grandmother, cousins. The whole lot. A nurse shoves a pill in your mouth that makes you nauseous. You begin to panic, thinking that they for sure amputated your leg on accident, because why else would everyone you know be in the room? Turns out, little sweetie Laynee Michelle was born that same day in the same hospital! They had come to visit the newborn and thought they'd swing on over to see me in recovery. I'll never forget that.

 There is a lot I could say about this picture. The only thing I will say, though, is it's essential to always have a mini SUV around when you have knee surgery.

 This is beautiful little Laynee -- photo from Joe's wedding this last summer. I can't believe she'll be 11. Hi, Laynee! I miss seeing you!

Nov. 11 - 14: THE THOMPSONS COME TO TOWN
Justin's parents haven't been to California since May 2009 so we're excited to entertain them and show them our new place!