Happy Holidays From Ecuador

We are missing Kori this holiday season.  We are definitely feeling a hole as we celebrate our traditions without one member of our family.  But we know she is right where she wants to be, and it will surely be a wonderful, memorable Christmas for her.  She has had such spiritual experiences in Ecuador while she is giving service full time.  We appreciate the example of Christ like service that she sets for us this season.  We love you Kori!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Outside it might still be unseasonably warm, but inside it's cozy and festive.  Last night was Gingerbread House and Decorate The Christmas Tree night.  Sadly, Kori can't be here this season, and Wes is working in St. George this week.  But Karlton and Clint and I had lots of fun together in spite of our low numbers.

Incidentally, here are some pics of Clint's new haircut:

Kitty enjoyed sleeping in the rocking chair while we worked on the tree.

Next up, Gingerbread Houses!

Colton's had this awesome balcony.

Karlee's was so cute and homey.

Clint's A frame was so colorful!

This one is mine.

We love this tradition.  We love how creative and different they all are!

It's Turkey Lurkey Time!

Thanksgiving was spent at Bear Lake this year.  The weather was warm and beautiful, and we had a really nice time.  I went up Wednesday to cook all day.  The sunshine was pouring in and I had all my Christmas music playing.  Not a single soul was there.  It was great!  Later in the afternoon, I went outside to go for a walk.  I saw a single deer up by Willey's property, and I just watched it watching me for a minute.  Then out of the corner of my eye I spied this:

Eight more of them.  All completely still.  Staring at me.  It creeped me out for just a second.  A teensy second is all, because look at them!  They're so cute!  I ran and got my camera and snapped a few pics before continuing on my walk.  They weren't too worried about me.  They didn't even move.  They just watched me walk up the hill and continued eating.  They were all there when I got back!

This was part of the results of my busy cooking day, mmmmmmm...

Wes and Clint came up Wednesday night.  Karlton and Aunt Michelle came up on Thursday.  We got to talk to Kori for about an hour Thursday morning!!  We missed her a lot.  Their Ecuadorian cook was going to make the girls a turkey down there.  After we ate, we played games and watched Forrest Gump in honor of T.Hanks Day!  Ha ha ha!  Everyone spent the night and then we all headed home on Friday.  Thanks everyone for a very enjoyable and peaceful holiday!

Boo!

Halloween around the Thompson house was lots of fun!  Clint dressed up like Nacho Libre for school, while Kori dressed up like Nacho Libre in Ecuador!  Karlee brought her loveys over to see us, and they were sure cute.  I wish I'd snapped a photo.  Unikitty, Pinkalicious and Batman!  Clint went to a Halloween party last night, so Wes and I manned the door for a while, and then we went trick or treating around the neighborhood and to Lee's to see Colton's costume.  He dressed as Emmett from The Lego Movie.  Clint carved not one, but two awesome pumpkins for us!