Mormon Battalion

Today we went to a celebration of the Mormon Battalion at Old Town San Diego. We also went through the Mormon Battalion visitors center there. They had a lot of booths set up where you can make toys, wash clothes by hand, and learn about how things were done back in the olden days. Robert's great, great, great(I think that's right) grandfather, James S. Brown, was part of the Mormon Battalion that marched all of the way to San Diego.
Grandma & Grandpa Thompson picked us up this morning in their motor home and took us down there. It was a beautiful day outside and we had a great time. Grandpa and our kids were in the parade. Here are some pictures of the day. By the way, three cheers to Grandma Thompson for fixing our camera so we once again have clear pictures! :)
                                                                     Motor Home

Grandpa and the kids dressed up and ready for the parade!

  In the parade!

Robert and the kids

                                                                 Making biscuits on a stick.

                                                                      Bruce made a toy.

                                Grandma Thompson and the girls made dolls.

 Bruce touching the cannon that our relative James S. Brown helped buy. It was neat to think that generations later Bruce is touching the same cannon as his ancestor.

                                                                         Panning for gold!

Young Womens

I got called to be the 2nd Counselor in Young Womens a few months ago. I have only ever served in Relief Society and primary so I was nervous about working with teenagers. I have to say that I LOVE IT. I was really suprised at how much I enjoy it. I love the girls and I love the women I work with. They are wonderful. Our Young Womens is small, like 9girls. We have 4more coming in shortly so that will be good. I enjoy our Sunday lessons and our weekly activities. Here are a few pictures from a couple of the activities we've had so far.

         We went and visited an eldery man in our ward. He is 91. He told us stories of his life. His wife died not too long ago. He missed her so much and I was touched by the love he has for her.

Nancy and I have birthdays about a week apart. Our YW Advisor made us this awesome cake. We had game night that night and had a lot of fun.

Meet Claire

Claire really loves go be funny and get a good laugh. She is getting good at knock-knock jokes. The one she tells over and over is. "Knock-Knock! Whose there? Banana Pants. Banana Pants who? ...PANTS!" She'll tell you that joke over and over. Her new favorite phrases after she's silly are, "That funny!" and "That a good one!" She also enjoys doing fake burps then saying, "Excuse me!" Where'd this kid come from? :) Claire still loves to cuddle and be held. She LOVES food. Her favorite food is burritos. She loves carne asada burritos and always asks me for the "hot sauce"(salsa). She is her daddy's girl for sure. :) Claire's new habit is twisting her hair. She does it all of the time. Sometimes when I'm holding her she'll twist MY hair. :) She is getting much easier to care for. She knows how to be a little more cautious now, she sleeps in her big girl bed and has been potty trained since last June. She loves riding her scooter, watching Calliou, wearing pants with pockets, and  playing at the park. Claire hangs out with Jane all day while the big kids are at school. She calls her Janie and they're good pals. She has so much personality and her brother and sisters adore her.

Facebook Update

As most of you know already, KaDee convinced me to do Facebook last month. I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to possibly connect with those I taught or knew in Argentina before the temple dedication. So far, I am happy to say that it has been a real joy. Unfortunately my mind is not that great, so hopefully things keep coming to me.

In this recent picture is the family of Eliseo and Carolina. They are baptizing their oldest daughter. I taught Carolina and her mom in 1995 when she was 19 years old. Carolina was very cold to us, but her mom was very receptive. Her mom was to be baptized, but in a last ditch effort to help Carolina we asked her to fast and pray. After 24 hours, we returned. The spirit had touched her heart, and she knew it was true. It was the first time that I had seen her smile. I remember the joy that emanated from her. Well, she served a mission at 21, returned and married Eliseo, a member of the church. They appear to be doing well. Good for them!

I had another great surprise a couple days ago with a lady I taught in my first area. I haven’t talked to her since 1994, when I was so bad with Spanish. I only had her first name, Adriana, a very popular name in Argentina. I just thought it would be impossible to find her, and if I was lucky enough to find her that she would be far from the church. Nope, I was wrong. A lady on Facebook recognized her right away, from the baptism photo that mom had scanned for me. Says she is very active in the church and attends each week with her 15 year old son. Adriana asked for my email address to write me. She was the first person that I baptized in my life!

Obviously not everyone is on Facebook. And Facebook search options are difficult and tedious. But I’m happy so far.

(Just as I was about to post this, I got an wonderful invite from a family I taught.)

32 Years Old!

Today is my 32nd birthday.  It was a nice, relaxing day. We got offers from a couple of people to babysit, but I really wanted to spend my birthday with Robert AND the kids. They were so excited to get presents and have a little party. Our camera was having issues so we had to take pics on the cell phone camera. Not the best quality.

Here we are having stuff crust pizza!

Claire got me some much needed make-up, the good kind.

Jane got me some sandals.

Linda got me roses. They're beautiful and they brighten up our house.

Bruce got me a new shirt.

It was a beautiful day. Robert was the camera man so he's not in any pictures. He was so nice to get everything together and take the kids shopping. He even got me some ColdStone cupcakes and the running shoes I've been wanting.

It was a happy birthday. I'm happy to be 32 and happy to be where I am in life.

Us

Robert - There was an opportunity for him to volunteer for an assignment as Acting Director in El Paso, TX. It could be up to 120days. 13 people volunteered. Not sure when we’ll hear back on that either way. Life would get pretty interesting if they take him.
Reconnected with a lot of his Argentine friends & people he baptized. He really loves the people he served in Argentina.

KaDee - Love, love, loving Young Womens . I’ve had really great experiences with the girls already through lessons taught and activities. I feel there is a lot of good I can do here and I am learning so much.

Kids - Bruce & Linda are back in school. Jane and Claire love going on adventures in the day. We went to their preschool yesterday, shopping today, and Thursday we’re going to the farmers market by the beach

My Ballerina

I enrolled Linda in ballet class last week. Today was her second lesson. She LOVES it. So far I really like the ballet school she is going to. Ballet is right up Linda's alley. She's a natural and it's really exciting to see her thrive and enjoy something so much. The class is actually 30min. of ballet and 30min. of tap. Both of her teachers today commented on how they couldn't believe how good she was doing for being a beginner. Go get em Linda! :) I think sports are so good for kids. They learn to take directions, they gain confidence, and they get exercise. I haven't seen Linda this happy in a long time. Here are some pictures I snapped today.

Linda is standing to the right of her ballet teacher.

Tap - Linda is on the far side of the room.

Knotts!

On Friday we took the opportunity to go to Knott's Berry Farm. We had a great time. We couldn't have picked a better day to go. There weren't too many people there. On some of the rides we were able to go twice without getting off. Linda, Jane and I love the roller coasters. The boys prefer other rides. It'll be fun to go back in a few years when all of the kids can get on the big roller coasters. I got a few pictures of some of the rides we went on.

             THE KIDS CROSSING THE WIGGLY BRIDGE

LINDA AND I ON THE FERRIS WHEEL

I fear the ferris wheel. I haven't been on one for as long as I can remember. I'd much rather go on an upside down roller coaster than a ferris wheel. The just don't feel safe. Linda begged me to go with her. I went, but I was seriously on the verge of tears. Linda loved it and had her arms in the air the entire time.

CLAIRE WITH ONE OF THE SNOOPY CHARACTERS

THE KIDS IN THE BOUNCY & ANOTHER RIDE

We had a great time as a family. Afterwards, we headed out to Palm Desert, CA to see my mom and sister.

Happiness Is...

Living with 5 of your best friends.

Staying up late with your son and reading scriptures together.

Getting attacked by your kids who are all trying to give you kisses.

Hearing your children laugh and play together.

A hug from Robert when he gets home from work.

Being happy with who you are.

Knowing there are people in this world who love you just the way you are.

Living close to family.

ColdStone icecream. :)

Your kids excited and running to you when you walk in the door.

 

Helping others and accepting help when you're in need.

An encouraging phone call or note from your mom.

Date night.

Doing your best.

 

Wishing all of you every HAPPINESS this new year.