Family Time in Cokeville

June 10 my sister & brother-in-law picked me up in Logan to take me to Cokeville for some family time. My entire family was there, with the exception of my little brother Kennan, who is currently in Florida, and some spouses. It was a lot of fun to see everyone, and to spend some time back in Cokeville. I forget how much I really loved growing up there.

This is how I felt about my safety, being in the car with two crazy drivers....

This view never gets old.

The boys were nice enough to let me sleep in the back room, while they slept in the living room. Remember how we could sleep wherever, whenever we wanted? How nice would that be.

Oh Alex, such a beast! We had a nice pillow fight, and then he came into the gym with me where I taught him the proper way to hold your hands when playing volleyball...Wrist & hands people. Wrist & hands always! He's such a goofball.

Liam pretending this was a motorcycle. He would pretend to put a key into the ignition, start it, while making motorcycle noises then fly down the ramp. He is his father's child.

It was a beautiful, rainy day in Cokeville. Liam is enjoying licking the rain off of the rails. Gross kid.

Walking to Grandma Norene's house.

The other reason I went to Cokeville was for a volleyball tournament. While I wish I was able to play, I wasn't able to. I will also write more about this over on my other blog, but it was a great day, and I loved seeing all the support from those in our small community!

The Thompson team. Sisters, Cousins, Sisters of Sisters, and Friends of Sisters.

Sunday was a nice relaxing day. I slept in (oops! ;) and when everyone came home, I went out to the swing set with the kiddos, Liam, Myka, & Aiden. Lots of fun was had.

Kandyce on the left, and Myka on the right. Total twinners!

It was a great weekend, and always fun to spend time with the family, and especially the nieces and nephews.

An Anniversary & Graduation

The 27th of May was our 10th wedding anniversary. Crazy, right? That's nearly more than 1/3 of my life. We've had our ups and downs, but we've only grown closer. Yes, we drive each other crazy, I'm sure, but isn't that what married people do? I love him lots!

From when we first met in college at Rock Springs - November 2004

We didn't do a whole lot as we both worked, then I headed to Cokeville for Kennan's graduation, but I came home to these pretty flowers.

When work was over on the 27th, I headed home to get ready to head to C-ville. My friends Brittney and Camille are both down in this area, so I asked if I could get a ride home with them. I haven't seen Brit in a while, as she and her husband moved to Oregon a couple of years ago, and just recently moved back, and even though Camille is in Smithfield, I very rarely see her either. So it was a lot of fun driving and catching up with them. I'm grateful for such great friends who I can get together with and just talk like we haven't been apart forever.

The graduation itself was fine. I can't say this enough times, but I seriously can't believe my baby brother is old enough to graduate. It's just not real to me. I've forgotten how long graduations can be, and there were only 19 graduates! But it was fun to watch the graduation video and see the kids grown up through those picture, then to learn what they would be doing after graduation. It's just crazy to me!

All my siblings were able to make it. My sister-in-law Ashbee has a little brother who is also Kennan's age (weird family connections with Brady & Ashbee ;). But I got to see my oldest sister and her kids who I haven't seen in quite a while.

I had asked Mckenzie to take a picture of Kennan and I, and when I asked her later to send them to me she sent one of me hugging him. I was so happy she did, because I have one from exactly 11 years earlier of Kennan hugging me at my graduation. Looks like one of us has grown a little bit. :) I still picture him that small, and seriously, any dream I have with him in it, he is about that age. He's been such a fun younger brother to have, and so incredibly talented. He can sing, play the piano, french horn, trumpet, compose music, play basketball, football, and run track, and so much more. He's pretty amazing.

I spent the rest of the evening and the next day in C-ville so I could spend time with my nieces and nephews and siblings. I had to share a bed with McKenzie who likes to cuddle with me, and I had to avoid the THREE dogs as much as I could. Too many dogs in a house that was never allowed to have pets once upon a time.

Myka being so dang cute. She was waving her arms and talking and Alex says, "She's like a gorilla." He's such a dork!

 The kids playing in this old creepy shed behind Gram's house.

Cute little blue-eyed baby girl. She's getting so big!

Liam absolutely loved Alex & Aidan. He followed them around and wanted to do what they were doing. They're all so fun and cute. I just love them!

And of course Lilli. She's just getting so big! Love this little girl.

It was a great couple of days, and it's always so fun seeing my nieces and nephews. I hate that the twins and Lilli are so far away. I'm also grateful that Kandyce will bring Liam and Myka over whenever they are in town. I absolutely love those kiddos.

State Basketball 2015

The first weekend in March I had the opportunity to go watch my baby brother, Kennan, at state basketball. I had told my mom when I went to his last home game that if they made it to state, I wanted to go watch him. Since dad has a "Gold Card" for coaching for 500 years, his family gets in free to all state events. I was super nervous the week of regionals, then super happy when they took 3rd at regionals.

So the next week, mom came and picked me up on Wednesday after work so we could head out Thursday morning for Casper.

I didn't know, but my little sister McKenzie was also coming. Party!! We got all festive and painted our fingernails orange.

The next morning we picked up Grandma, who I also didn't know was coming. It was bound to be a party now! I sat up front with Dad, while Mom, McKenzie, and Grandma acted like teenagers in the backseat.

It's been a while since I took the forever long trip to Casper. I forgot how long and boring it is. It was still fun. I love traveling, so the only thing I could complain about was my sore butt.

We got into Casper and checked into the motel, then went to McDonald's for dinner, then up to the Event Center. Oh boy. It's been forever since I've been there. First thing both Kenz and I noticed was that they changed the seats. They are blue instead of red.

Oh, being back there, though. So many memories! Mostly volleyball memories, but a little basketball. It was fun to be back. I can't believe my baby brother is a senior. He's the last one, so there's no one to watch anymore.

Kennan didn't know Kenz or I were coming, so it was fun to surprise him. He has always loved the game of basketball, and has turned into quite the ball player. I was glad I got to watch him one last time.

They played Upton for their first game. They started out really good, but then slowly lost their rhythm. Kennan ended up fouling out, which was super sad. I really wish I could have sat next to him on the bench and tell him to keep his head up. Unfortunately they lost that first game, but the good thing about State is that it's double elimination, so he had at least one more game.

Brady and Ashbee also came. I'm serious when I say after that weekend, I'm quite convinced that I am adopted!

Kenz and I shared a bed, and she totally cuddled with me. Brady and Ashbee were in the other bed, so we had some fun talking about funny things, and apparently some old boyfriend I didn't know I had. Lol, good times....good times...

The next game was the next day. If they won they would have another.

Kennan did awesome! Hit quite a few three's, and can dribble and has major ball control. It was so good to see him play so well.

Casper College...Some more great memories there. Volleyball mostly.

We also got to watch the girl's play. It is so fun seeing them run the same offense I did when I was in high school. They have a good team, and made it to the state championship game.

Saturday was the last day for games. Kennan played again at Casper College. They were playing Snake River again. Kennan played really well again, however, they were not able to win that final game. It's always sad to see that, but I couldn't have been more proud of him. He's such a hard worker, and I'm sad I didn't make more of an effort to watch him throughout his high school years.

We stayed to watch the girls play in the championship game. It was a super intense game throughout. Finally in the 4th quarter they started to play better and come back. They ended up winning. It was so exciting. I was so happy for those beautiful girls and their amazing coaches! I love the coaches that I grew up knowing. They are such amazing men. I'm glad to see them still coaching.

We headed home after the game and got home about 3 in the AM. It was a really fun weekend, and I'm so glad that I was able to go. I don't know when/if I will ever go back for state basketball, so I'm glad that I got to go at least once more.

Since we got home so late, Dad said, "Maybe we'll just sleep in and tell people that we didn't come back until today." So naturally I slept in. I was the only one. Everyone else went to church.