A Month of Thanks, Day 3

Since I seem to be traveling right down the line, I may as well continue, right?  LOL

Today I am thankful for my Michael Brent.  He is the oldest boy of my trio, and amazes me in so many ways.  He eats, sleeps and breathes football, and is a Steelers fan to the core, even in a family of 49ers fans.  I love that Michael is just Michael.  He is stubborn to a fault and so much a smarty pants like his mama.   I love that he puts his all into what he loves.  He is handsome, and daring, and fantastic.  I love him more than even I can fathom.  He came into my life only ten months after his big sister, and I was scared of how that would work out.  I shouldn't have been, as Michael has helped to make everyday of my life all the more joyous and breathtaking.  So today I say thanks, for a fantabulous 10 year old Michael B.

A Month of Thanks, Day 2

Well, day two and so far so good!  LOL

Today, I am thankful for my beautiful 11 year old daughter, Leelah Jo.  The first born, and the only girl, she changed my 17 year old life forever.  She is the most caring, loving and selfless child I know.  Though, I'm not really sure I can call her a child anymore.  She always thinks of others first, and gives whenever she can.  I am proud of the young woman she is becoming, and on pins and needles to see what amazing things she will accomplish in her life.  So, today I am thankful that 11 years ago that beautiful, squalling baby girl came into my world and changed my life forever.  I am thankful, Miss Moo, for all that you are.

A Month of Thanks!

So in honor of Thanksgiving, November is a month for giving Thanks.  I'd like to say that I will post every day something that I am thankful for, but let's amend that to say I will try to post every day about something I am thankful for and see how far that gets us!  LOL

So, today, as many of you have already seen, I am thankful for my husband Alex.  In reality, I am thankful for Alex ever day, but why not start out my Month of Thanks with something I know I am so lucky to have.  Alex is my best friend, and the most amazing man I know, hands down.  He's the world's greatest Daddy, and the best hubby a girl could ask for.  Yes, we argue, and no, we don't agree on everything.  But he is my world, and I am thankful for him today, and everyday. 

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Okay, so maybe it's not the Great Pumpkin.  But it is some great pumpkins.  That's right, we carved our Halloween pumpkins here in the Thunder household last night. 
In this house, Halloween is just as exciting as Christmas.  It just so happens that it's my favorite holiday, hands down.  So we do a lot of Halloween activities in this family, including carving pumpkins.  After several trips to Lattin Farms on several different occasions, we ended up with no less than 13 pumpkins, so there were plenty to choose from for everyone.
Drake was asleep when the carving began, but woke up a short time in and decided he needed to participate.  Thankfully, I had bought some Mr. Potato Head type pumpkin face...things...on clearence a couple of years ago, and they worked out wonderfully!  So, without further ado, The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown...

This is how Drake started out the carving session.  He was pretty cranky.  And this is AFTER a nap.

Let the carving begin!  I cut the tops, and the kids pulled out the pumpkin guts.  Leelah helped Anthony.  She had to wear rubber gloves because if she gets the pumpkin on her skin, it gives her a rash.  Poor baby.  She's such a trooper!










Here's Michael cleaning out his pumpkin.



And Leelah cleaning hers.

Drake puting on his face pieces.

From left to right: Michael's Happy Pumpkin, Anthony's Vampire, My Jack, Leelah's Zombie and Drake's Potato Head

The leftovers.



The end result was 5 fantastic pumpkins to set out in front of our house, some wet newspaper, 4 happy kids, and 1 proud mama.  I hope that everyone gets the chance to do these things with their children.  Happy Halloween from our house to yours Friends.

Happy Birthday Anthony Gleason Thunder Batman IndianaJones...

Yes, you read that right.  You see, Anthony knows his full name, but for a bit of excitement, he likes to add a few favorites of his own.  Some days it gets as many as 5 or 6 names added to it.  Usually though, he still answers to Anthony.
Yesterday, this precious boy of ours turned 4 years old.  Not by his own accord, of course.  He really wanted to skip over 4 and go straight to 5.  After some convincing, we finally talked him into being 4 for a little while first.  LOL
So here's to you, my middle boy and baby number 3.  Hope you're birthday brought you as many amazing memories as you have given me over the last 4 years, and that before you lies a lifetime full of happiness and love.  We love you, Anthony Gleason.

Play On the Go

I have been trying and trying to come up with ideas to keep the boys busy when we go to Leelah and Michael's Football Jamboree this Saturday in Carson City.  From past experience, I know that it's going to be a long and hot day, and that Anthony and Drake will need to be entertained.  Well, I know I've said it before, but I LOVE Disney Family Fun Magazine!!  They recently had instructions on making a take along play mat out of a vinyl table cloth.  So, I grabbed my copy of the magazine, read through the instructions, and the boys and I zipped over to WalMart for supplies.  We bought a clearance aisle table cloth for $1.50, and two rolls of duck tape.  The end result is hours of entertainment that is easy to take along for less than $10.00.  Yay!!

 Anthony immediately figured out how well his Imaginext toys fit with our "Road Mat".

Summer Fun: Catching up on the Summer That Got Away From Us

Wow, it's hard for me to believe that school is back in session in a week!!  Where did the time go?!  I've been meaning to update this thing with all of the adventures we have been having, but it would seem that time just got away from me! 
We spent some time at the park on the base.  If you haven't been there, and you can get there, you should go!!  It's covered, and quiet, and wonderful!  The kids really enjoyed it!



Amongst our many summer adventures, our longest trip was one to Bodie, CA.  What a fantastic drive!  We passed some beautiful scenery, and spent some time in an amazing standing tribute to history.  On the drive home, we added two historical markers to our quest to view them all, AND earned our second Disney Family Fun Badge.  Man, we are an up and coming family!  Look out Jones', cause pretty soon it will be keeping up with the Thunders!!!

So now as Summer Vacation comes to a close, and another school year looms in front of us, I reflect back and think that my quest for family fun was a pretty successful one.  At no point was it perfect, sometimes it was quite chaotic, but it was a damned good time, and a summer full of family memories we won't soon forget.  And to a school year that brings me back to college, and gives me a 5th and 6th grader, I say, BRING IT ON!! LMAO