Thompson Family Adventure: O Christmas Tree!

We had a great time finding our Christmas tree this year.  It was the first time that we've cut down our own and we certainly had the perfect day for it!  We started the adventure with cookies and cider while sitting around the fire at Stacy's Nursery.  It smelled wonderful in there!!  Then we trekked out to the tree farm.

Jamie thought he'd try to talk me into a little tree.  No luck!

 This is the tree I wanted!  But, no luck there, either!

 We compromised and found the perfect tree for our home....

 It looks much larger in our home than outside at the Christmas tree farm!

Now to decorate!  I love getting our home ready for Christmas!! 

What a Day! Celebrating the BlackJack's Victory and Welcoming Christmas!

We had the best Black Friday ever!  No shopping for us even though we spent the day downtown.  The Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks football team played in the Championship football game at the dome--and WON!  It was so amazing to see the fan support and great sportsmanship.  It seemed like the entire town of Dawson was there.  Jamie had a great time watching his hometown team win their first state football title.  And, it was extra sweet for him because his friend is the head coach, and is a new dad as of a few weeks ago....he and his wife recently adopted a beautiful baby girl. 

We met Corey and his buddy, Kirk, at the game.  Griffin was excited about that!!

 They won!  HUGE celebration!

 Yep, I have Jamie's jersey on!  :)



Griffin was so excited to ride the light rail!  We went to The Loon and met up with a bunch of Dawson buddies.  Cynthia, my college roommate joined us!

Typical Dawson folk behavior.

G and I left the party for a bit to watch the Holidazzle parade.  The weather was perfect.  It was a great start to Christmas for us! Griffin was amazed.

Then we headed over to the 8th floor auditorium at Macy's.  It was fun to take him to a place that I've been many, many times.  He was so excited to see the elves and all of the magical displays.

He even had a visit with Santa!

Exhausted from a memorable day!  (He got hot in the car so took his shirt off!!)

Gopher Fun

Jamie and I had a fun date at the Gopher-Badger game the other weekend.  We enjoyed some tailgating at BWW before the game and met some great people!  The game was a bit rough on the Gophers, but we still had fun.  Our seats were great and it was great to be outside on such a gorgeous day.  We finished the night with drinks and apps, then a movie--we saw Tower Heist and enjoyed it.

A Little Date

Jamie took Abby and Griffin out to dinner, then to the mall to enjoy the little rides.  Liz and I went out to happy hour.  The kids had such a good time with Jamie (and we ad lots of fun, too)! 

One hour of Jamie's life was devoted to this.....

I think he wants me to avoid the Lego aisle for a while!  :)  Griffin was excited to use the money he got for Hallowen on this!

Raking Leaves

Little man helped me rake up leaves, we did it just like I used to as a kid--we loaded up a blanket and carried them off.  Griffin loved it!  I set up the camera to take a photo of the two of us (you are inspiring me, Ruth!) and I noticed at the last minute that our happy little faces may not get in the photo, so we both fell over (and got in--barely)!

Cute Griffin Comments

After daycare today, we drove by a swamp.  Griffin asked me what makes a swamp a swamp.  I told him that I thought it was because the ground of the swamp was kinda muddy and that lots of weeds grew around it.  He asked if sometimes they were green, and I responded with a yes.  Then he said, "Mom, I think God made swamps for swamp creatures.  I bet they help so that swamp creates don't get too cold."

"Good thinking, buddy, I never considered that!"

First snow!!

Last night Jamie was going to turn off the outside light and saw the first few flakes of snow arrive for the year.  It was absolutely beautiful!  (Yes, I know I will be swearing at it in a few months.)  I set up the self-timer and we snapped a quick family photo.  Griffin ran out and jumped in my lap just in time for the photo--he was a little chilly since he was donning his PJs for the night (boxer briefs!).  I think the photo only caught one or two snowflakes, but trust me, it was beautiful!  Free falling snowflakes dancing in the wind!

Our Little Helper

Griffin's responsibility chart has spurred on lots of helping around the house...it's awesome!!  Check him out!

 He put away all of the recycling bins all by himself!

 He loves helping with laundry.

 He even gets the clean clothes out of the washer....

 and into the dryer!

 He loved scrubbing the toilets.  YES!!!!

 Look at him clean the van!

 A reward for a great day of hard work on Wednesday (Mommy day). 

I wonder if this will last into his teenage years??

Karate Kid!

Thanks to Kari for Griffin's awesome new karate outfit!  The only downfall is that I had to play ninja with him, and he doesn't quite get the fake moves yet!  I love this kid!!

4 Generations!

Here's a photo of Griffin, Jamie, Jamie's mom--Marcia and Jamie's Grandpa--Frank!

Griffin and Grandma!

More Halloween Fun!

We had a GREAT night trick-or-treating!  We made the usual rounds, the neighbors....

 Trunk-or-Treat at church.....then Kit & Lach's............

 We headed over to Mary's, then Kari's, then Mary Kaye's...........

Mary Kaye fed us delicious homemade chicken noodle soup and molasses cookies!  YUM!  She gave us these to bring to my parent's for a late night treat!  How cute!!

Nonna and Poppa had fun admiring Poppa's handy work!  Griffin was so excited to be a motor for the night, and he had total faith in Poppa.  After all as Griffin says, "Poppa can do anything!"

Paul Bunyan and Lots of Water

We had a super fun weekend with some friends at a water park up north.  It was such a great getaway!!  First of all, there was this awesome arcade!

 Then, the water park...with things to climb on....

 and slides to fly down on tubes.....

 We dined at Zorbaz!  Yes, there was a side of Macho Nachos with this Bloody Mary!

G and Chloe liked the popcorn and games.  G eats popcorn just like me....he shoves a handful in his face!  So polite!  :)

 Back to the pool after a little nap....

 Hanging out on the lazy river!

 Going down the slide with Jenny!

 Jamie and I had our fair share of fun!!

 Cuddling up and watching shows while the adults enjoyed BWW take out!

 Juice, snacks and pizza in bed!  What a happy kid!

 Then, back to the water park for more fun!

One of our favorite spots was the indoor/outdoor hot tub--perfect for warming up after many hours in the pools!  We plan to go back again next year!!