Uncle Micah!

We were so lucky to have Uncle Micah come and live with us for a month this summer.   He is awesome! 

We loved having him play with us- football, soccer,  Settlers, Blokus!

He helped us weed the garden and build our fort!  He even made us his famous chocolate chip cookies.  Delish!

Kai and Micah have always had a special bond.   Kai just adores him.  Its so fun to watch them wrestling  and flipping around.  The only problem was that Micah was gone A LOT.  He worked crazy hours- but we are glad that he made lots of money.  We LOVE you Micah!  Come back soon!

Back to School

I can't believe it is really here- Back to school, back to schedules, back to routine, back to dinner before 8:30pm,  back to bed at an earlier hour, back to jackets, back to sneakers, back to early morning hours.

Farewell summer- you weren't here very long, but you were delightful!

We partied all week long in anticipation.  Movies, games, swimming, late nights- trying to get it out of our system as if that were possible. 

Sunday- we had a great FHE complete with Father's Back to School Blessings.  We had a campfire and sang songs and threw our fears in the fire.  We reminisced about our favorite summer happenings.  We had a back to school dinner with grilled steaks- Katry's choice.  It was a fun day and everyone went to sleep eager for Monday morning.

Brig is a Fearless Freshman and couldn't be more excited about all the possibilities before him.

Katry is a Super Sweet Seventh grader- and starting at the Middle School.  It was fun to go around her school with Brig, cause all the teachers know and love him- so Katry had an instant "in".

Seth is our Fantastic  Fifth grader.  He was the least excited about heading out.  He begs me to homeschool him- but he really needs the competition there.   He is an awesome student.  He also has the same teacher that Katry had- so great things are expected from him.  They have all had straight A's two years running.  No one wants to be the first to break the streak. 

Kaleb is our Fabulous First grader- at home with me.  I love having these two little munchkins to myself for a couple of hours every day.   This is Kai's tower- I think he wants to be an Engineer.

Little Laini Cakes provides the Sunshine!  She makes my heart smile!

Sports

To say that we enjoy "sport" season would be putting it mildly.  We LOVE it!!!

We are sooooo excited to be heading to sporting events again.

Seth decided to play football this year.  He is playing running back,  defensive corner back and is the kicker for the team.  At his first game he had an interception, a touch down and his coach was over heard saying- Wow- that Redd can tackle!   Yea- its pretty fun to watch!  Way to go Seth!

Brig is starting on the High school Varsity Soccer team as a Freshman.  He is playing defense- which is new for him- but he is doing an exceptional job.  You can see his cheering parents in the back ground.  Good job Brig! 

Katry is playing forward and sometimes mid- field on her Middle School soccer team.  She is the leading scorer.  This is just before she crosses the ball to the midfield which ends up in the goal.  Way to work it Chach! 

Between these three kids we get to enjoy five games a week.  They also have practice every night of the week.  Its busy- but it is also pretty close to perfection! 

Fourteen on Brig

Happy Birthday Brig!  He is definitely 14 going on 24.  He told me today that he needed some new scriptures for seminary cause the ones that he got when he turned 8 are filled with "childish" markings.  :) 

We greeted Brig's 14th year with a Spanking Chute!  Gotta love Brigham and Micah's intense faces. 

He received a 22 rifle.

We took it right out and sighted it in the scope.  I think that's what you call it.

Micah brought his 22 and 9mm along also.  After I got over the fear of seeing fire out the end of the 9mm- I enjoyed shooting.

We have some pretty good shots in the family.

Brig on Paper:

Straight A student - 2 years running

National Honor Society

9th Grade Class President

The only Freshman on the Varsity Soccer Team- and he starts.
Voted Best Personality
Nearly an Eagle Scout- just has to turn in the paper work
He is 5 feet 11 3/4 tall and weighs 144 pounds
All Around Nice guy

Oh Yea- and good looking!

Brigham- you are AMAZING- and we LOVE you!

May your 14th- be your best ever!

Thompson Family Olympics

We had some really fun Family Olympics this year.

This was the stick race.

A little Bocci Ball- Seth and Kaleb did a great job representing us.

A little wheel barrow race.  Seth & Dad lost by meer inches to Kaleb and Lindsay.

More wheel barrows.

Gunny sack race.

Micah's face is classic.  We love you Micah!

Cute gunny sackers!

Stick Racers- these were soooo funny!

The Fan Section!

Three legged racers.

I had a ton of pictures from the Olympics.  It was hard to narrow them down.

Sunday- we had a great lesson from Mom and Dad, church and a final meal together.  It was a fantastic weekend.  Super Memories!  A big THANKS to everyone- especially Stave & Ash!  We love you!

Detour

On our way down to Lehi from Midway we took a couple of detours.

First, we stopped and took a look at the Homestead Crater.  The mineral water was beautiful.

Then we stopped at Bridal Veil Falls and played in the water for a bit.

The water was chilly- but the kids had a great time climbing over the rocks.

Michael Don Thompson Family Reunion

Staven & Ashlee put on a fantastic family reunion this year.  It was a blast!  We really missed the  Thompson Troop, and our own Brig and Katry(who were unavailable due to soccer).  Here are the two that started it all.  Love this picture!

Stave and Ash set us up in condos in beautiful Midway.  The first night we had dinner and played games.  The next day we went to Deer Creek Reservoir and played on the lake.

Grandma Great and Laini Cakes

Brigham rented a jet ski for the day and we had a blast splashing through the water.

Mark's dad was amazing and brought up his boat and let everyone play off the back of it all day.  Kaleb and Kai loved tubing with their dad.

Seth got in a little tube time as well.

Auntie J and little cakes (cause she is just soooo sweet).

Uncle Stave was the master of facial expressions.   Here he is trying his hand at surfing.

Seth even learned how to surf this time around.

I think I have a zillion photos of Kai in this life jacket.  He is just so darn cute.

That night we had a family cheer and skit night- a yummy dinner and more games.

Slip N Slide

Dear Summer,  You are so much fun.  Please don't go!

Love, The Redds

A Reason to Smile!