Grandpa & Linda Through the years...

Grandpa Thompson and Linda have birthdays close together. I started the tradition of taking a picture of Linda and her Grandpa each year. It's fun to look back at how much Linda has grown.

The Birthday Girl

We celebrated Linda's birthday in the desert at my sister's house. We had Linda's favorite, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. In true Linda fashion she made me work for a picture of her. The pictures tell the story.
What a cute 6yr. old. :)

We had another celebration at Grandma & Grandpa Thompson's house.

Dear Linda, Happy 6th Birthday!

Palm Springs, CA - Where Linda's Story Began...

Oh Linda, how I love you.
I found out that you were on the way when your big brother was only 6months old! I've heard parents say, after having their first child, that they can't imagine loving their second child as much as their first. That wasn't the case for me. I loved your big brother so much that I knew it would be just as wonderful to have a second child to love just the same. I remember getting the ultrasound done and the Dr. telling me that I had a little GIRL on the way. I was overcome and a few tears rolled down my cheek. I was so excited to have my first little girl! I don't remember discussing too many names when we were trying to decide what to name you. My mom and your grandma is named Linda. Daddy and I agreed immediately on that name. How could we go wrong by naming you after the woman I admire most. I loved going through all of the pink clothes and decor that came with having a girl. Your brother liked to hug my tummy that was very big with you inside. Daddy was ready to meet his first daughter.

Linda, you were such a beautiful baby. You had big blue eyes and lots of dark brown hair. You never lost either one of those. You had big chubby cheeks and a perfectly round little head. You were an angel. You have pretty much looked the same since you were born. You've grown taller and your cheeks are slightly smaller but you remain as beautiful as ever...inside and out.

Linda, you have kept me on my toes. You were one of my great climbers. You climbed the kitchen counters, the bathroom counters, chairs, beds and anything else that looked exciting. You were in to everything, you didn't miss a beat, even sticking a magnet up your nose which required a late night visit to the ER. Lucky for both of us you sneezed it out in the waiting room. :) You have always been very clever and sneaky and intelligent. A deadly combination. :)

Linda, you love to play school and be the teacher. You love hugs and kisses. You love talking to your Aunts and Grandma Linda on the phone. You love to write letters to people. You love books and going to the library. You love having friends.You love barbies and babies. You love dressing up in my clothes and putting on makeup. You love being a girl and I'm excited for all the firsts we'll have together as you grow up. You're excited about Girls Scouts and earning badges. You are very smart and you like school and like doing your homework. You love arts and crafts. You love animals. The other day you declared to me that you didn't eat dead animals, that you just like to look at animals, not kill them. :)

Linda, I am so happy we have been able to spend your first 6yrs. together. You are a wonderful little girl with endless potential. What I love the most about you is your quiet confidence. You have a great capacity to love. I hope you always remember how special you are to Heavenly Father and to those who know and love you.
Much Love,
Mommy

Bike Rider #2

As of today, Linda is officially riding a two wheel bike, all by herself. I think she may have to ask Santa for a bigger bike for Christmas. :)

More of our family pictures...

Here are some more pictures from our family photo shoot in October. Can I just say that I'm glad we only do family photos once a year! It is so much work with four young kids. They did great though. Beach pictures turned out to be really tricky. It's hard to get the correct lighting. I am also glad we got pictures of Bruce done when we did because he has 4 loose teeth now! :) Finally, I was excited to get some good pictures of Robert and I together. We don't have too many.

Halloween Night

It was a bummer that Halloween fell on a Sunday this year. We decided to still let the kids dress up and hand out candy. Claire slept through most of the excitement. Here are the kids sitting outside waiting for trick-or-treaters. When people walked by they yelled, "We've got candy here!"

In the end I did let the kids go to a few houses on our street.
One of the houses had a haunted house inside. It was really creepy.
When we got out I asked Jane if it was scary and she said said, "Ya, but NOT for pirates." At one of the doors the man that answered said to me, "Oh, we've got Sarah Palin right here in Oceanside." He thought I was Sarah Palin for Halloween. I was just in jeans and a t-shirt. Guess I should've put my hair up and my glasses on. :)
 The rest of the night the kids snacked on their candy at home.

Trunk or Treat!

We had a ward Halloween party this past Saturday night. They had chili and cupcakes, a parade of the kids, and a trunk-or-treat in the parking lot. The kids we're so excited and had a lot of fun. What a great holiday...dress up and get loads of candy!

Claire could not believe everyone was giving her candy! She would not let anyone even come close to her treat bag.

Our family at the end of the party.

We had a fun night. Grandma, Aunt Sue and Uncle Andy were able to come with us and we loved having them. We came home and the kids ate their candy while the rest of us enjoyed my mom's homemade fudge and watched Halloween shows.

Listos

I was able to find a free community preschool, called Listos,  for Jane. It's really informal and we normally just go once a week but it's fun and Jane has something to look forward to each week. Since she starts kindergarten next year they gave her a backpack with supplies and she gets a homework packet to complete each week. When the teacher gave me Jane's first packet of homework she told me it'd take about a week to complete and that most 4yr. olds only have a 15min. attention span. Well, I guess she doesn't know Jane! Jane had the entire packet completed 30min. after being home! :) Claire goes with us each week and the girls have a great time.

Here's Jane walking in to the school. The school has activities inside and out.

We bring a snack each time and eat in the snack area.

There are lots of crafts, that change weekly. It's always decorated really cute.

Each week they sit down with Jane and go over her homework. Last week Pocahontas went over it with her. :)