OUR LAST - BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST

Was a visit with our dear, dear friends, the Angles, Lorenza and Dale. The stay was short - but always SWEET. They have been friends for almost 25 years. They have been there for our family on so many, many occasions and Lorenza has filled in as mother and older sister to the boys in many aspects of their lives. We can never, ever thank them enough for all they have done for our family. Dale sold his FedEx routes in January and Feburary and is entertaining a new adventure - which I am sure, he will do well with. They are both in good health and getting a few grey hairs, as we all are. There were no pictures to share - but unforgetable memories, as always.

We arrived home on March 10th to a snowstorm and 6 inches of snow. I TXT'd all our kids and friends and told them; and asked if we could come back. They were all very positive with their responses, which made us feel good and told us that, possibly, we did not wear out our welcome.

THANKS TO ALL. WE LOVE YOU.

OUR FOURTH STOP

Was at Scott and Lori's in Mesa. We were greeted with hugs and kisses by all. Nathan had grown quite a bit and so had Brigham (from our last visit in October). Scott passed his PA (Physician's Assistant Board) the first of the month, so they are in the process of packing boxes for their move to Salt Lake when school is out. During the spring break, for school, they made a trip up to Salt Lake for a visit and checking out some job possibilities, along with checking things out on the Internet. We celebrated their upcoming move with a pizza out dinner for all at one of their favorite places. We attended church with them on Sunday and it was Scott's turn to direct the Sacrament Meeting. He did a great job, as always, and we were very proud of him. They live a very busy life, as do all the children, with their jobs and being active in their church callings and being the family men that they are. We celebrated Brigham's 2-year-old birthday on Sunday after church with Elmo decorations and special cupcakes decorated by Lori - of Elmo. She is very creative, as are all the girls in our family. We had a good visit with Scott on Monday morning, after the kids went to school, and got a few pictures. Had a great visit and again - thanks for the memories.

Moma Tom trying to show off Nathan's toothies. He is so cute and it was fun getting to give him loves.

Scott with three of his six sons - Gavin playing with a toy, Nathan and Brigham with that sweet smile.

OUR THIRD STOP

Was at Patrick's. Because this trip was the longest one, we had to stop over for the night in Barstow. The next morning after having breakfast at IHOP, we were heading toward Needles when I get a phone call. This little voice said "Moma Tom, where are you. It was Saige, anxiously awaiting our arrival. When I told her, and told her that we would be there around 2:30 in the afternoon and asked her if that was alright. She did not hesitate and said NO. When I asked her why and if she would be busy at that time, she said "yes, and I am busy right now". I asked her what she was doing, and she said, "I am sitting on the couch - pouting." That was so cute and made me feel so loved. When we finally got there, and the last leg of that trip was the longest of all, Jenn, Saige and Garrett were sitting out on their front lawn waiting for us. What a sweet welcome. We thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine and being outside and letting these old bones warm up from the cold in Utah. Of course, our first meal there, had to be Chili Pepper, a long-time favorite of ours. A few of those nights found extra little people in our bed, the kids and Belle. But Pat and Jenn's bed made room for all of us. Patrick had done very well with his job as a PA in Yuma, and is now, the middle of April, moving to Casa Grande to work with an orthopedic up there. We are very proud of all our kids. They are all doing very well in their roles as spouse, father, and in their career. I had a chance to visit with some dear friends while there, Angela and Cheryl. Again, thanks for a great time and some great memories.


Look closely, that is Saige, all bent over, ready for action. She scored twice in that game - I understand the first for the season. We were proud of her.

A darling picture of Saige and Garett.

OUR NEXT STOP

Was at Paul's in Danville, California, outside of Oakland. We left Tripp's around 6:30 in the morning and arrived at Paul's about 4:30 or 5 with a few stops on the way. They were all anxiously awaiting us. They had moved from the house they had been renting to an apartment, and 2 weeks after that move, Paul was asked to move his family to Southern California, with his work, and that move will be made by him next week, and the family will join him when school is out in May. He will be home every weekend and Laura will join him for a week the last of the month to find housing for the family. The company that Paul and Tripp work for is a great company - Aggreko, and have found the "Thompson boys" a great asset to their company - (makes us proud). Harley, Paul and Seth went to a pro basketball game on Friday night between the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz. Of course, you can just picture Harley being the only Jazz fan there and in the end when they won - Seth decided he would change his mind. They had a great time. The girls and little ones enjoyed a movie a home. Like last year, we had some rain during our stay, but that was okay. We were there to enjoy time with this little family and was given the royal treatment. I made sausage gravy and blackberry jam for them twice, at the beginning and end of our visit. The kids called it Moma Tom's jam. We had a great time. Again, thanks for those memories.


Moma Tom and Preston. He was smiling and trying to tell me so many things. It was fun.

Cooper is trying to help Papa Tom with some paperwork. This was such a cute picture, but his smile and hugs will send you soaring.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Feb. 10 to March 10th - found us "on the road again" (a phrase that Uncle Paul uses for our travels) - visiting with all our children on the West Coast. (We get to visit Elizabeth in August each year). Our first stop was at Tripp and Ali's in Henderson. We were so pleased and "honored" to be with our grandchildren while Tripp and Ali enjoyed the Winter Olympics in Canada. Please see their blog for that special time. The children were really good and we stayed so busy that I did not get a lot of pictures while there. Kyle and I stayed up until after midnight watching the Opening Exercise of the Olympics and feeling a connection to Tripp and Ali. Abbie and I practice for days on a play of Snow White and Cinderella to put on for her parents when they returned. Of course Abbie got to be the princess and "someone" had to be the wicked stepmother - so I tried hard. It was fun. Thanks for the memories.



The girls were happy to have mommy and daddy home again, but were sad to see us go - which made us feel that we had done an OK job.