mesa turkey trot

This was the first year that all of us (except Robert - he had to work) participated in the Mesa Turkey Trot.

It was exciting to have everyone there!

Haley, Mia, and Quinny ran the 1-mile fun run, while Robyn and I jogged the 10-K.

Originally I had planned on running with Eric.

However, we were separated before the race started and I didn't see him again until we were finished.

It's a good thing, too, because he tore up the darn race!!

I didn't have a prayer trying to keep up with him!

winter formal - 2014

the polar express

Shelle was very kind and took Quinny with her and Allison to Williams, AZ to ride the Polar Express.  What a fund tradition that they will always look back on with fondness.

outdoor school

Mia got to spend three days up north for outdoor school.

She said she had a blast!

The only bad thing - she brought home strep throat.

Yuk.

happy 15

I love how Eric is always willing to play a board game with me!  Mia

I love Eric because he can do soccer so well and he is so kind.

I love you!  I hope your bday was as awesome as you are!  Stay cool!!!  Your gf – Suzy

Eric is very organized and dependable.  He is also always helping people out.  –Mom

Eric is a great example of determination and hard work.  –Robyn

Eric is a stud on the soccer field!!!

Eric has a wonderful sense of humor!!

Eric has a great work ethic.  –Haley

Eric is bae and is cool. –Tanner Cook

Eric is fun to hang out with and joke around with.

Eric likes to experience new things and will go on adventures! –Shelle

I love Eric because he is nice and generous.  –Quinn

I love Eric!!  He is a great example to all of us of being organized and a great person! –Dad

Eric is cute!

Eric is very kind and considerate! –Mia

What a super young man!  Best wishes for the year ahead.  Love ya, Grammy

You are so kind and thoughtful to me.  I love you, Eric!  -Grandpa Thomas

We love Eric!!!

Quinny gave Eric the best gift - hat, dinosaur keychain, drawing, and card.

a wedding and a game

 Jon and Meghan got hitched.

My favorite part of the day was the way Meghan looked at Jon.

She was gorgeous, and the way she looked at him was a combination of love, adoration, respect, and pure delight.

Most of the family got to enjoy the ASU game right in the middle of the day.

Wedding

Game

Reception

I believe these boys thought the day was perfect.

random

Eric's life.

Soccer

School

Church

Piano

Friends

Not necessarily in that order, but close.

 Quinny's life.

Allison

In that order.

Most of my conversations with Quinny end with, "Is Allison going to be there?"

 Haley's Day of the Dead makeup.

 This conversation made me laugh twice, so I blogged it.

 Gramps and I accidentally coordinated our costumes.

portland wedding

This is what beautiful people look like when they get married.

Seriously, they are models.  For real.

 We had a ton of fun in Portland for Kristin and Jacob's wedding.

The wedding was perfect.

I especially loved the ring ceremony.

 The food was delicious, and the weather was a nice change of pace.

 This is by far my favorite picture of the trip, perhaps my favorite of the year.

I laugh every time I look at it.

Uncle Bob

 Gramps was sleepy.

random

I'm not sure how much longer Mimi is going to cuddle up, but it sure is cute.

 How many mowers does is take to scalp a lawn?

Apparently six.

 As You Wish

Is Mimi part of the totem pole?

If Mia was an animal, I think she would be an owl.

 I can watch the kids swim from the couch in the closet.

Pretty sweet.

Also, I'm glad Mia left me a note about milk.

  A little dinner date with my favorites.

The extra favorite is Shea, Robyn's friend.

daddy-daughter date

please x33

I was planning on taking the kids to Rocky Point for fall break this year.

I knew Robert and Haley weren't going to be able to go, which was a bummer. 

But then Robyn had to back out as well, and I decided that maybe, with some better planning, next year would be a better time to go.

Eric's reaction to the news was a whatever, Mom.

Quinny actually seemed relieved.

She got pretty sick a few weeks back when we went to the Thomas family reunion.

There is a little PTSD going on there.

However, Mia's reaction to the cancelled trip was a bit different.

At first she didn't seem to care too much.

Then, she cried all the way to church on Sunday.

I thought that getting all of the tears out was the end of it.

Nope.

This letter was neatly folded inside the new lunch menu that she brought home from school yesterday.

My reply:

Dear Mia,

I'm 

really, really, really, really, 

sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.

Rocky Point isn't happening this year.

Maybe next year.

Love,

Your mom,

Mom

homecoming