... hangin' with the Thompson's ...

My sister Jen & her boys came to visit a week or so ago! We had SO much fun with them while they were here!


Mom, Jen & I - grillin' up some grub!


Ok, I look completely awful in this picture, but the boys took an hour one evening to tie me to the chair and hold me at gun point! Luckily Nate & Jen were there to remind them they had to be humane and let me have some water!!


Just a picture of me & Surfer!


The boys brought their soft air guns out - we had a great time playing with them! At one point, Surf got all decked out and ran around my moms yard and let us shoot him - it was good times!


Picture a bit blurry? It's the smoke from the fire pit we were sitting by! We always have fun hanging out by the fire pit in my parents back yard!


We also spent quite a bit of time playing "Payday!"

The boys got some rafts while they were here so they had to try them out! We spent quite a few hours at Merlin Olsen Park!!







We also spent a wonderful afternoon at Hyrum Dam!






The week went by way too fast even though they extended their trip by a day! We loved having some one on one time with the boys and with Jen even though it has taken us several days to catch up on our sleep :)

Up next!?!?!
The love of my life turned 30 yesterday! Pictures to come soon!

*~* one time, it was my birthday *~*

(to begin, most of you won't understand my title for this post. to those of you, i'm sorry! it's a long story among my friends and i know that they'll appreciate it)

As you know, it was my birthday this week! I turned the BIG 3-0! I thought it would be traumatic, but it turns out I'm okay ... it was a little touch and go when my mom said (out loud in front of family and friends) that now I'm only 10 years away from 40 (YIKES), but I was quick to tell her that my name and 40 are never to be said in the same sentence again (at least until it happens) and I survived ... and so did she!! :)


My day started off like any normal day! I knew, however, that something was up when I walked into work and my co-worker was smirking at me! I rounded the corner and saw this beautiful bouquet that Nate had sent me! (By the way, none of us know what kind of flower this is - do any of you?) Work was decent and ended with cake & ice cream among the office, which is always nice and somewhat awkward! It's awkward because we are usually in our conference room and because attorneys are really good at what they do, they have no desire to get personal, so instead, they talk about their cases, or politics, or what's going on around town ended with a "Happy Birthday, thanks for all you do" toned card!! When I first started working there I was bothered by the lack of "personalibility" (if it's not a word, it should be), but now I find it quite comical to watch the attorneys navigate the conversation in a way that is comfortable for them...

After work I took a little nap, then headed to the park where I met up with my family & friends! We had treats, watched the kiddos play soccer and just chatted! It was really nice for me to be surrounded by my loved ones and missed those who couldn't make it! Here are a few pics...


A BIG thank you to Jen and the boys for extending their trip an extra day and making my birthday that much more special! Love you guys & I'll post pics soon!


I got to open some comical gifts from some of my favorite kiddos - as you can tell, they had me laughing!


We got a group shot but we weren't quick enough to get Joe & Ollie before they had to get their boys in bed... my mom was there too, but was behind the camera!


In true "McCombs" fashion, the "party" ended with a water fight! And Brynners, you have been caught my good friend! I can totally see you helping Surf & Omar put ice down my back. You just wait... I know where you live...

I had a fabulous day and think that 30 will be good to me! Thanks to all who sent birthday wishes - I am certainly blessed with so many wonderful people in my life!

... turning thirty ...

Today is my last day as a 20-something year old...

My emotions about entering the next decade of my life are quite mixed and even though I'm told that turning 30 is no big deal, I'll admit that I'm a little nervous about it and I've been thinking a lot over the past few weeks of the things that I've yet to do...

I've decided that my 30's are the time to stop thinking and start doing! I've got a life to do list that is getting longer each day and I'm excited about the possibilities that are out there and the dreams that I have - both for myself and for my family!

As I head into my 30th year I am attempting to be optimistic on opportunities that will come and be grateful for the joys and trials that have made me the woman that I am today!

To those of you who are faithful readers of this blog, I appreciate your support and your friendship!! It gives me joy to keep up with you and I hope that what I have to say makes you smile as well!

Here's to turning 30!!

... the Thompson train ...

... has been keeping us busy ...

Jen, Surf & Scout came to visit this past week! We have been busy doing a lot of fun things! Once I get my photos sorted you'll get to hear more about it!!

What do I do ...

... when I have dishes in the sink, laundry in the baskets, homework to be done? ...

Re-think my priorities and hang out with my hot hubbie!!

Here's to a messy house and some quality time with Nate!!

*** L I F E ***

So far, we have had a super busy summer!! Here's a quick run down of what we've been doing ...


We have been watching A LOT, a lot, a lot of Soccer! Nate is loving it ... I am loving that he is enjoying it! It only happens once every 4 years, so I'm trying to be patient and let him watch as much of it as he desires!




This weekend was the Summerfest! If you haven't heard by now, we LOVE, LUHV, LUV the Summerfest! Our attendance this year was abundant (some planned, some not - thanks Britt for letting me hang with you & the kids) and we enjoyed every minute of it! As we were walking to our car after attending a wonderful evening with the Dutson family, we attempted to pin down the the reason we love it so much. While we couldn't come up with anything conclusive, the things that we discussed included:
- the wonderful live music
- plentiful photography booths
- seeing people's interpretation of art (there were some amazing booths this year)
- crepes! yummy yummy crepes!
- the ease of people watching
- the artsy crowd
- the general feeling of festiveness

We also decided that someday, when we grow up and move away, we will do our best to make the Summerfest a part of our yearly tradition!!


Over the past few weeks I have had several photography shoots! It has been keeping me busy and I have loved EVERY SINGLE MINUTE of it!! I have shot families, brand new babies (I had the opportunity to shoot a newborn 10 minutes after her birth and it was amazing), Senior Photos ... AND, I now have access to a studio that can be rented by the hour! I had a shoot there last week and I believe it was the beginning of what will be a beautiful friendship!



We have also been spending a significant amount of time with our nephews and nieces that live here in the valley! We love having them close and we enjoy every minute that we spend with them! We are also also anxiously anticipating the birth of another sweet niece within the next few weeks, which will bring us to #15! We are so grateful for all of the kiddos in our lives (BFF's - that includes yours as well - I hope you know that) and we love them ALL so very much!


In case you're wondering how my math attempts are going, I'm sad to report that they are going very slowly! In my defense, last week was a full time week for me so I didn't get a chance to attend - I'm hoping once I'm able to devote a significant amount of time to my efforts my report will be much more positive! However, I am doing it and am confident that my efforts will be successful by the end of the summer!

As you can see, we've had a pretty eventful summer thus far! We have much to look forward to as we anticipate visits to and from family, the aforementioned new niece, hanging out with our wonderful friends and spending time together! We are also looking forward to a trip to the Salt Flats to stretch our photo skills (yes, Nate is excited also), spending some time at Bear Lake and taking advantage of the beautiful mountains that surround where we live!!

Viva La Summer!

Competition

When Nate & I started dating in High School there were several girls vying for his attention! When we started dating seriously and got married, I thought those days were over! It turns out, however, that these days I've got some serious competition!!


Little Marisol has become so smitten with Nate that when we were at her house earlier this week she put on my shoes and said she was going home with him and that I had to stay at her house!

I took this picture at the Summerfest last night of the two of them walking together! I think it's so sweet, and I love Marisol's hair sticking out of her hat!


Luckily I had a cute little guy to hold my hand through the Summerfest while Nate's was occupied...


We are having a fabulous time getting to know Marisol & Omar and we love watching their blatant happiness under Brynn & Eric's loving care!!

... it all started with a big bang ...

It has been a super busy week this week! What have we been doing to relax? A little bit of this:





The funniest thing about this show, however, is that when we started watching it, Nate told me, "This is what you saved me from ..." Knowing my husband as well as I do and watching this show as much as we have - what he said is true!! Maybe he should buy me more presents...

Release a Balloon for a Loved One

Yesterday, Nate & I were privileged to attend "Release a Balloon for a Loved One" at the Logan Cemetery.

This event was close to my heart because it was organized by the little sister of one of my childhood friends that passed away 6 years ago. I was touched to receive a warm welcome by Anita's sister and parents and I am so grateful for the influence of their family in my life.


Nate & I talked about our loved ones who have passed away and ended up sending up six balloons yesterday. In our 30 years combined we have lost 4 grandparents, a cousin and a close friend, and watching the balloons raise up yesterday while thinking about them was a very emotional experience.




We are so grateful for the influences of our loved ones - whether through personal relationships or stories we have heard about them - on our lives. This was a wonderful way to remember those that we love and we are both very grateful that we took the time to attend and to take advantage of the meaning of Memorial Day!

... we are in LOVE ...

...

...

...

... with our new grill ...

... this is why ...


... this is what we had for dinner tonight ... I'm very full but when I look at this I could eat another meal ...

... we also got brave and tried some of these ...


... they were AWESOME ... if you have a grill, you HAVE to make them ... (google is really good at teaching you how) ...

... yup ...

... we're gunna have a tasty summer ...

...

...

...

Our Trip to Biloxi

Who: Nate & I, my sister Jess and our nephew (then 13 months) Tyson
What: Belated Senior Trip
When: March of 1999
Where: Biloxi, New Orleans, outlet center in Alabama
Why: To see my brother in law, Phuc, who was training in Biloxi


For some reason I have been thinking a lot about this trip the last few days! I think that it has to do with the fact that I just finished reading "The Partner" by John Grisham and in his book he references a restaurant named Mary Mahoney's. Mary Mahoney's is a restaurant with a ton of history in Biloxi Mississippi with the best pickles on earth! I don't remember much more about the restaurant, except for the fact that it was there that I fell in L-O-V-E with restaurant pickles! In reminiscing about the best pickles EVER, I also have been reminiscing about our trip!

{Mary Mahoney's}


So, in the spirit of documenting the best things in life, I thought I'd dedicate a post to our trip to Biloxi! With much thanks to scanners and Nate's awesome ability to recall details, here are some highlights from our trip to Biloxi (aside from the awesome pickles at Mary Mahoney's)!! Also, we are aware of the ridiculousness of my eyebrows and Nate's glasses in these pictures, so giggle all you want to!

~MISSISSIPPI MEMORIES~

- riding in the back of Phuc's Toyota Celica from New Orleans to Biloxi - with a car seat complete with screaming one year old, luggage and leg cramps!

- walking around New Orleans - one of our favorite (and more disturbing) memories include walking down Bourbon Street and seeing some drunk guy peeing on the corner, eating at a restaurant where we could see the "chef" smoking pretty much right on our food, going to the huge Flea Market, walking back to the car to find that it was towed because of a mis-understandable parking sign - then spending several hours attempting to get the car back - not one of the best times of the trip!







- touring around Biloxi - including some short time on a windy beach, checking out the Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino and also the Beauvoir House (the home of Jefferson Davis and The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)and souvenir shopping along the coast!








- OUTLETS! We drove into Alabama and went to a huge outlet mall for a day - this part of the trip was memorable because I had been looking for a copy of "Love of a Lifetime" (you know, the incredibly romantic song that I just had to have because it reminded me so much of Nate) and I couldn't find it anywhere in Logan! Apparently, if you're looking for popular love songs on the "Monster Ballads" CD in 1999, Alabama is the place to get them!

However, while we had a fabulous time touring and sightseeing, nothing can top (EVER) the time we spent hanging out with little Tyson - who is 12 now by the way and is at Scout Camp as we speak... schiesh - he makes me feel old!





(I had to include this last scrapbook page that I had done... why? because the cameras in it made me laugh... talk about old technology!!)

If you're every looking for a good time and some fabulous pickles, Biloxi and New Orleans are the way to go! We often wonder which establishments survived Hurricane Katrina, and in writing this post, I was happy to see that Mary Mahoney's survived - so be sure to stop on by if you're ever down that way!!

Integers, Absolute Values and Interval Notations ... oh my

I have a secret. Wanna know what it is? In High School, I dropped out of math. I took ONLY the minimum requirement, barely passed it, and was done with it.

I have another secret. Wanna know this one? I've only got 3 (yes, T-H-R-E-E) Semesters left before I can graduate - but that is based on once condition...

Yup! You're smart. I knew you'd get it. I HAVE to take more math classes.


This causes a problem for me! I am a total "right brainer." When it comes to numbers and functions and formulas, I get completely lost...

Alas -

The time has come for me to straighten my thinking cap, buy a whole bunch of pencils with large erasers, and keep a stack of scratch paper by my side. I am going to attempt making it through ALL of my math classes in two months. Why? Because it is CRUCIAL that I can test into Stats 1040 for the Fall!

Some of you may be "left brainers," and may think that this is an easy task, but for me, there is no ease! If I want to graduate by the end of next year, it must be done! I'm not looking forward to it, but I know that when I finish I will feel a sense of accomplishment that I would not be able to get from any other task - so although I'm dreading it, I'm also looking forward to the challenge!

Here's to variables and set builder notations!