Visting the Thompson Ranch

Last weekend we all went out to Landon's Dad and step mom's, Gregg and Denise, house for dinner. Almost everyone was there. The only ones missing were Landon's step brother, Cooper and his wife Kaleena. It was nice to have all us kids together. It hardly ever happens where we get us all in the same place at the same time. We got to lay around and relax a bit and help make dinner. I had Landon's sister, Brittney, take some pics of Landon and I for our Christmas cards, which most of you probably already got. :-) She did a great job! There were plenty good ones to choose from so it was hard to narrow it down. After we took pics we ate another one of Denise's delicious dinners. She is a marvelous cook! I try to pay as much attention as I can when I go there to learn some of her skills. Good cooking just isn't easy for me. My mom is a good cook. She cooks quick and easy meals that are delicious. But, for me it doesn't come so naturally. Whenever we eat a meal out at his Dad's we always go home super stuffed. This was another one of those times. Then of course there is always dessert. By the end of the night we are rolling ourselves out the door. LOL We appreciate them having us out to spend time together and for keeping us well fed ;-). Thanks Gregg and Nec! We love you!

8 Days 'Til Christmas!

I love this time of year. The smell of goodies and a Christmas tree, there's not much that beats that. And now that we finally have snow it actually feels like Christmas is almost here. Landon got all our Christmas stuff put up the very first of December so it's been fun having all the decorations up. Both Landon and I have childhood stockings that we put up. Our grandma's made them for us. Having them up makes us feel like kids again.

Growing up my mom would put up so many decorations it looked like Santa threw up Christmas in our house. lol I loved it though! Those are the kinds of memories I will remember forever. Instead of putting all our Christmas presents from Santa underneath the Christmas tree my mom, Santa ;-) , would put each kids presents on a different couch. Then the presents from her would be under our Christmas tree in a different room. We loved it. We'd know which couch was ours either by the things in the stocking or she would leave one thing unwrapped seating on each couch. There was one Christmas when we were little and my mom was trying to support us on her own, she didn't have enough money to wrap all our presents so she put our gifts on our own couch unwrapped. No matter how hard she had to work she always made it so we had a great Christmas. :-) These are the kinds of traditions I want to have with my kids. One traditions Landon I started was that we watch Elf every Christmas Eve. It's one of our favorite Xmas shows. This year we made a ginger bread house. Half way through building it Landon fell asleep with the frosting all over his fingers. Ha ha! But, with his effort he did put into before that, it turned out great.

Christmas day is usually a very busy day for us. Trying to see all our parents on Xmas turns out like the move Four Christmas's. LOL We spend the whole day driving and feel like all we do is run in get our presents and run out to the next place. So, this year we are going to start a tradition. We are going to see my dad on Xmas Eve, our mom's on Xmas day, and his dad the day after xmas. We would like to see them all on Xmas day of course, but spending more than half an hour with each of them is more important to us. I think that setting this tradition now will make it easier for us when we have kids.

Only 8 days until Xmas!!! Yay! We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. If we don't get to see you know that we are thinking of you and love you all very much.