Another year has come and gone, and somehow we survived. If you want more details check out some of the previous posts here on the website.
Scott broke his failure-to-catch streak this year at Lake Mendicino where we had our annual camping trip. He and the kids caught several blue gill. Of course, he has come home empty handed every time since then, but he sure does enjoy his fishing. He has also added air guns to his list of hobbies and is itching to get out and do some small game hunting. He is the Gospel Doctrine teacher at church and gets compliments constantly on how good of a teacher he is. Work continues to be work. He has received a few awards and recognitions, usually resulting in a pay bonus, which makes Sami happy. If his waist line is any indication, Scott appears to be a well contented man.
Sami had a great year this year. She gave Scott a rather nice Fathers Day gift. Keri Ann Thompson was born on June 15, 2008. More about Keri below. Sami still home schools the kids and this year is teaching Milo to read, which has proven to be quite the adventure. She arranged several family home evening events at the beach, to which we invited many of our friends. Through these, Sami was introduced to the game of Kubb. This has become a new Sami favorite, and a family favorite as well. She did her annual canning of the apple tree and experimented with apple pie filling. It turned out to be a great experiment. Sami is in the primary presidency at church and still enjoys that very much. The final highlight of Sami’s year was getting to shoot an AR-15 assault rifle. What’s not to like about a woman who can handle gun like that?
Jaime is 9 this year and is looking more like a young woman every day. She loves developing her talents and has gotten quite good on the piano, even learning some pieces by ear. She continues to dance through life. Her dance recital in June was a great success and Jaime was all smiles for days after. Jaime is finally at the age where she can really help. She feeds babies, makes dinner, and can even babysit for a few minutes if mom has to run a quick errand. It’s very nice to have such a good helper.
Alix is 7 this year and is learning that she enjoys art and loves to paint and draw. She is taking an art class this year and is doing very well. We are all quite impressed with her ability. She has lost a few teeth this year, but that does not stop her from showing off her infectious smile. She too is a big help and some of her favorite things to do is read Keri stories and changer her diaper. She is trying to prepare for baptism by reading her scriptures every night.
Milo is 5. He is an expert sister teaser. Of course, he has 5 sisters to practice on. All he needs is a light saber and he can terrorize any girl around. He likes being a “man” and is always anxious to help dad with any manly work that needs to be done around the house. He enjoys fishing and shooting with Dad. He is learning to read this year and is doing very well. He had the chance to take some sports classes which helped him figure out that he really likes the game of soccer. His speech therapist is pleased with his development and does not need to see him again. Milo’s team of doctors has switched around a bit, but now that things have settled, his care is progressing very well and we are optimistic about the future.
Niah is 4. She is the other “mom” at the Thompson household. She also rules over her mermaid house, a fictitious place somewhere “in Washington next to Uncle Steve’s house”. She always needs something to mother. Sometimes it’s a bug or fish. Sometimes it’s a doll or stuffed animal. Sometimes it’s another child. She’s fairly convinced she is going to marry Logan Cooper Bennett, a little boy about her age we know from church. They do make a cute couple. Niah’s shadow is our little Afton.
Afton is 2. She’s bright, energetic, loud, and loves to follow Niah around doing what ever Niah does. Thankfully, Niah is very amiable, as this plays right into her motherly instincts. Afton wants to be grown up so bad, and in many ways is glad there is a new baby in the house that she can help with. She loves to look at books and be read to, is used to being both ignored and wrestled by her siblings and is just generally happy.
Keri is our newest addition. At 5 months old, she is developing just fine. She can laugh, “talk”, eat solid food, roll over, sit (with some help) and sleep and poop. She’s in the 95th percentile for everything and is just as pink and healthy as one could hope for. We just hope she survives all the love her siblings heap on her.
As a family we went on two camping trips this year; Lake Mendacino (with Joey and Gayle) and Don Pedro Reservoir (with our friends the Richie’s). We spent a week in Brawley, made several trips to Fresno (to visit Grandma Ackerman), Scott made several overnight fishing trips, Sami went to Utah for 4 days (ALONE!!) and we spent Thanksgiving at home. We had the Layton’s visit us twice this year, grandma and grandpa Thompson and Mandi.
We are very grateful for our little family and feel very blessed. We never have suffered or been left alone. Our Heavenly Father has always and will always be our guide and protector. May all of our friends and family find peace and joy this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of Christ and the happiness this season seems to bring to everyone. We love you all and hope to see each of you this coming year.
Till then,
The Thompson’s,
Scott, Sami, Jaime, Alix, Milo, Niah, Afton and Keri
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