Woodbadge

At the beginning of August I got the opportunity to experience Woodbage. It's a Training for Adult Scout Leaders. I don't have a calling in the scouting program but after being at Philmont last summer I wanted to help in the program where I could. I also wanted to know the program so when my kids are scouts, I know how I can help them. I volunteer on the Cub Committee. This training was great because I get to use the skills I learned in my calling in the Young Women's.

I was in the Bear Patrol :). I loved my group!

 

 A few great things about this course beside learning and having a fun week, is that my Stake put this on and Matt was one of the of the Patrol Guides. He had a lot of fun as well and I loved that I got to experience this with him.

 It's a small world when you end up being in the same patrol with a cousin. We share the same great-great grandfather on my mom's side:).

 

July 2013

We had the Thompson Reunion up in Mt. Lassen in California. We stayed at a beautiful cabin where we enjoyed being with our wonderful family and exploring.

 

 We went on some beautiful hikes. This is Burney Falls

 We spent one of the days exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park.

 What's a family reunion without walking through a lava tube?

The rest of the time we visited different lakes around the cabin to swim and kayak in.

After the reunion we stayed in Reno for a few days with just our family. It was fun walking around downtown where we were staying with the boys. We visited Circus Circus and played in the arcade. The boys toughly enjoyed winning different stuffed animals or toys instead of getting tickets to get silly gadgets like most arcades give that are rip offs. We had some amazing food while there and we played at the pool a lot. I think the boys enjoyed the pool the most. 

We visited the Reno Temple.  

 The boys had fun seeing and going after the little rabbits everywhere.

We got to spend most of the one of the days at Lake Tahoe. We got there at a great time because we had the beach all to ourselves for a long time.

 So pretty out there.....

And relaxing!

 After the Lake we spent the rest of that day in Virginia City. We walked around exploring down town and then the entire city by train.

The boys had so much fun staying in a hotel that they keep asking to go back. They named their top bunk bed 18, the floor we slept on, and the bottom bunk 7, where the pool was.

Since the Reunion was in Northern California, we did get the fun opportunity to visit our Haymore side of the Family before the reunion.

It was fun going out to dinner with just the girls, kid free while our husbands watched the kids and ordered pizza.

We were taken to a fun pizza place the next day. I wish I remembered what it's called because it was good food and had a great fun center.

 

 

 

Through the Years Part 2

 

On the 18th of June I got one of those calls from the High Council to have me and Matt meet one of the Presidency members. I knew it had to be because of me because I knew there was no way that they will let go of Matt being on the High Council. My suspicions were right and I had a feeling it was due to girls camp so I was ready to tell them my answer (for sure!!). I just didn't know what they wanted me to do haha.

I was asked to be an assistant cook with two other women. I was amazingly excited about it even though I really don't have much experience with cooking in the great outdoors and cooking for a large group of people. It turns out that I was only cooking for the Stake Staff and YCL's. We only had one night to cook for everyone that went to camp. All other nights the wards cooked their own food. It's much different how things went when I was a YW.

Six days later, I had my bags packed and off in the mountains for a very uplifting week. It was hard work but so worth it. I was up a little earlier then most and stayed busy most of the time. I was still able to enjoy the camp experience by attending the different activities and down time (It was really needed). I was enjoying myself so much that I didn't take any pictures. I know I'm lame! I got to know people a lot better and even formed new friendships. Best of all I was able to watch the YW grow in their testimonies and bond with them.

At home the boys were having fun with my mom while Matt was at work (Thanks Mom!!). In the evenings Matt was spending his time doing things around the house to keep him busy. He went as far as planting beautiful flowers out front and planting a cherry tree in this crazy heat wave! I love him so much!!! I've wanted a cherry tree forever but only recently talked to Matt about it. I wasn't expecting it at all because I asked him to promise me to plant one in our next house lol. They also got to do other fun things like going out for dinner and going to an Owlz Baseball Game.

I wrote a blog post about our house Through the Years with pictures of our home at different times. Matt found these pictures online through the city and we thought it was pretty cool seeing the history of our home through different pictures. Here's more pictures after 3 1/2 years.

 Up close of Matt's hard work. We just need to add rock but what we want isn't available because the state of Utah bought all the rock for the year. All flowers come back every year :).

Little Monkey Turns 3!

Alex turned 3 on May 11th, finally!

The cake made by me

 Birthday boy excited for his party

 Two little Monkeys

 He was so ready to get that monkey opened

 Some pictures opening presents

 "It's a bike!"

 

Joseph and Chantele April 12, 2013

Jospeh came home from basic training on April 6, 2013

Proposes to Chantele Sunday April 7, 2013

Marries her April 12, 2013

 

Congratulations you two :)!!!

Pictures taken by Emily Wilkinson (Chantele's Bonus Mom)

 



Trip to San Diego

At the end of last year, my baby brother enlists to the Marine Corps. It's a bittersweet thing. On December 23rd he reported to Basic Training in San Diego.
He had a set back by getting very sick so he ended up graduating a month later then planned but he ended up having a great experience. It was wonderful going back after being away for so many years to watch his graduation with my family. Matt was promoted at work so he was unable to come due to the transition. Luckily Joseph was able to come home with us so he could see him, along with the boys.
It was my second time seeing a Marine graduation and I loved that my great friend Dawn was able to come see it with us. She needs to move to Utah!!
Waiting to see Joseph for the first time in months

Can you spot him?

Blogger keeps turning it but he's front and center

 Handsome!

 Proud family of a Marine

So this is what happens when you have your little sister take a picture of us at the Graduation. This is the only picture I have of Dawn :(. It's ok Abby, we still love you :)

After the graduation festifities we got to see the old neighborhood and friends. It looked like time stood still because nothing changed. So weird! It was also great being able to spend time with our family that lives on Manhatten Beach before going home.

Leanna Comes Home!!

Leanna came home March 28th from serving an 18 month mission from Edmonton Canada. We're so happy to have her home again. She has some amazing stories. Every letter she sent home I posted to a blog that I kept going for her. Please take a look!