Christmas Break 2014

We were home from December 13th through January 5th - almost an entire month!  How we felt about it is pretty much summed up by the picture below:  

(Cal reeeeallly loved to swing at Mimi's)

We spent the first half of the break with the Folsom Fam.  We made yummy treats and watched some Harry Potters, played lots of cribbage (thanks for teaching us Hal!), wore all of Mindy's jackets, ate delicious food (including multiple bags of mint M&Ms), had some FFF at the nearby church building, went on hikes and runs, had family discussions, and of course had a memorable Christmas eve night (with a piñata to boot) and a fun Christmas morning.  I especially loved learning how to make the famous Folsom Christmas Stocking from Grandma Nan, and am so excited to keep up the tradition.  

Ryan and I also loved having a sleep over with Em and Nate.  The kids were up with Mindy, so Rob and Ashley and Hal came over and we ate some Thai food, devoured cookies, and stayed up chatting into the wee hours of the morning.  I just kept thinking how lucky we were to have such good people in our lives.  Also, the Williams might have the coziest house around, with their incredibly warm fireplace and snuggly couch - it made for a dangerous combo. Sleeeeeeeeeeeep.    

We had a Thompson/Folsom talent night, and good ol St. Nick came to surprise everyone.  Then, after we tried to carol around the neighborhood and people saw us coming and literally ran to their car and drove away before we got their house. HA!  

The shepherd and his sheepie!  

Christmas night and a mug of "Christmas Crack"

The day after Christmas, it was Thompson time.  Anna's family flew in to surprise everyone, and it was the best present we could have been given!  For the first time ever, all the couples (and no kids) went out to see "Into the Woods" since Anna was in that play a long time ago.  I loved the music, although the storyline was a bit odd.

Then, we woke up the next morning and all the adults (and Aubrey!) played some pretty intense volleyball.  I have to say, the best part of the morning was blocking Ryan Millar :)  Anna was hilarious getting dominated by my dad's serves, and John Bell is actually amazing and never told anyone.  A BLAST.

Then, our sweet baby above, turned into the sad baby below.  He cut 4 teeth over the break, and was beyond miserable.  

But he had his good moments too.  He and sweet baby Jane (amazingly sweet baby Jane in fact) are going to be the best of friends. 

Then, a few days before New Years we all packed up and headed to the coast!  My mom came down with a nasty cold the night before, so we all packed and shopped for food, and planned the meals and snacks.  It was kind of fun actually!  Except for the fact that everyone hated my dinner (bunny food anyone?) but that's another story.

We went to the beach, Cal ate some handfuls of sand, we all played telestrations deep into the night, ate way too many dark chocolate and sea salt bars, had good laughs and even managed a few quiet walks along the shore.  

There is nothing quite like a Thompson game night.  My goofy sisters and their equally hilarious husbands, combined with my fun parents and Eric make it a game to remember.  I don't think any of us have ever laughed so hard during the telestrations game:

1. (ryan) Shoelaces
2. Erics drawing
3. (dad) Eating Celery
4. Anna's drawing
5. (Lauren) monster eating paintbrushes?

1. (alison) Katie's Legs
2. my drawing
3. (alex) long and skinny stick figure
4. Anna's drawing
5. (Eric) long-armed spank
6. Ryan's drawing
7. (katie) giving someone a muffin?

We had such an amazing time in Medford.  Most times, we are only there for a week or two and it feels really stressful, trying to make sure we spend quality time with every family member.  But this time, we felt relaxed and got to spend individual time with everyone.  A night with the Williams, a lunch with the Millars, an evening with Rob and Ashley, a game night at Eric's, and then time with parents and the whole group together.  We made good memories with Thompsons and Folsoms, and it really made us wish we were there all year long.  

Had to include this pic.  On one of the flights back to Texas we had to play serious keep away from the ladies hair in front of us...Cal was very intrigued.