Tahoe & Marshall Gold Discovery Site

On our way home, my brother John and I took our families to the place where the California Gold Rush started -- the Marshall Gold Discovery site in Caloma, California (by Placerville). Our great, great, great (I think that's right) grandfather, James S. Brown, was one of about 17 crew members building a sawmill for Sutter's Mill the day that their boss, Marshall, discovered gold. Grandpa Brown was about 18 years old at the time. We saw pictures of him at the museum, and also the cabin where he and his other Mormon companions lived (they had gone to work at the mill after being in the Mormon Batallion). It was really cool to be in the place that truly made California what it is today, and to know that our ancestor was right there in the beginning. When John asked his daughter Paige if she saw Grandpa Brown's cabin, she said "Yup, and he had some BIG pajamas!". There was a pair of huge red long john's hanging in the cabin.

Lake Tahoe

2010 THOMPSON FAMILY REUNION

Thompson
Family
Reunion

Lake Tahoe
June 26, 2010

















It was so beautiful in Tahoe. It was my first time there, and I can't wait to go back. The water was a bit chilly, but the day was warm, so it was nice.

I'm so grateful for families. We had so much fun, and I can't wait for next year.

This Abled Mom

Check out my new blog www.thisabledmom.blogspot.com. It is an experiment in conversation about being a disabled parent. Please refer it to anyone you know that might be interested.

I will maintain this blog still as my family blog.

Thanks!

California Coast -- February 2010

Pismo Beach Pier

Pismo Beach

San Simeon -- Elephant Seals (I can't post the seal pics -- they're X-rated -- it was mating season)

Claire's 1st Hotel Bed

Queen size for our little Queen. She was quite pleased with herself.

Last weekend we had an amazing 2 day vacation with Steve's family. We drove up the coast to Pismo Beach. We were going to see the monarch butterlies, but because of the rainy weather, we missed them. But, we did do a lot more: Solvang, San Simeon to see the elephant seals, very entertaining animals, Pismo Beach pier, drove through Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo, ate lunch in Cambria at a delicious restaurant called "Linns" -- would recommend it to anyone. The food was amazing and Cambria is a cute little town to drive through.

And most of all, we got to spend time with our family. Claire was a perfect little traveler on her first real road trip. She slept fine in the hotel, well, let's face it -- those beds are a lot nicer than the pack 'n play :)

Not nearly enough....

Claire -- 4 months old (January 2010)

Hanging out with old friends at Christmas. It was so fun to meet Marshall's wife Amber.

Claire & Grandma & Grandpa T.

November -- Standing in line for New Moon, of course. Midnight showing. Steve was a trooper, saving our place in line while my friends and I ran back to our place for dinner and warming up. It was very cold that night. (Claire & Steve didn't go to the movie that night, but they did later)

Not nearly enough time to post all the pictures that would describe the last 3 months. But worth a try.

Blessing Day -- November 1, 2009

Claire's blessing dress was very special -- we borrowed if from her cousin Ellie. It was just too beautiful to pass up. And they share the same birthday, so it's extra special! Ellie was very proud that Claire was wearing her blessing dress. Thanks Angie!


I'm too lazy to get the red-eye out of these pictures, but I will someday. Really.

The blessing was beautiful. Steve is a wonderful dad. It was a beautiful day spent with family and friends. Little Claire sure is loved!

Was that a compliment or an insult???

When speaking to a new mom about her appearance, it can be kind of tricky. You never know how emotionally stable she is (hormones all crazy & stuff). Do you say she looks "great", "thin", or "healthy" or "you don't look like you just had a baby", (Hey! Thanks a lot! I went through all that for 9 months -- don't take away my credit!) or "you can't even see the tummy" (It doesn't matter, I know it's there.)

But for the first time last week I got this comment: "Um, Aunt Jackie, you are so, like, FLAT".

--Paige Jaclyn Thompson


To which, I of course responded, "WHICH PART????" Crossing my fingers that she says "your tummy" and not...well... you know..

"Like, this part.." (As she caresses my arm).

I sigh in relief.

6 Weeks

This is the best!

Most of the time, I think she looks more like Steve. But this picture really looks like me when I was a baby.

She's such a poised sleeper.

Daddy's little monchhichi. "monchhichi monchhichi, oh so soft and cuddly". This is what I wake up singing in my head in the middle of the night. Thanks Steve.

Fall Stuff

John & Angie's family came up for the annual Lombardi Ranch trip. It's always a fun time. Steve especially loves playing on the haystack pyramid.


Emma Jane love the horse ride. She's getting so big!

We love spending time with these girls.

Steve's "new" toy. New meaning it was someone else's trash. I can't watch him ride it. I had a bad experience on one of these in Mexico.

1 Month

She's already chubbin out! We love her! So far, so good. She's still your basic eat, sleep, poop & pee, pee, pee, baby. But for some reason, we're entertained all day just staring at her. She hardly cries at all, and when she does, it never gets to the "shut that kid up she's hurting me ears" point. I'm crossing my fingers and knocking on wood, though, because I know she can change at any moment. For now, I'm enjoying the cuddles, the grunts, and even the cute little cries. And I'm sooooooo grateful to the inventor of the pacifier.


As for me, I think I had the fastest, easiest C-section recovery ever (I don't mean to brag, but seriously, it was waaaay better than everyone had led me to expect). In fact, I really don't think I could have had a more painless birth experience. I've thought a lot about all the reasons why it was so easy for me, and I can only think of one: God must want me to have more kids!

1 Week Old

Happy Birthday Claire! One Week Old!

This is a rare moment -- completely awake and eyes wide open.

She really loves to snuggle.

I can't count how many times in the past week I have just started crying. I look at her and I am amazed at how blessed we have been. She is healthy, happy, and beautiful. She is ours.

Introducing.....Claire Mattingly Johnson

09/09/09
6 lbs. 11 oz.
20 1/2 in.

The Johnson Family

Steve's space suit.

We are truly blessed.

5 More Days!!!

Been pretty busy this summer -- my sisters' family came and visited for 2 weeks, and we had a blast! Went camping at Refugio, had my baby shower, hung out Grandma's pool, and pretty much just spent the time hanging out. I love my sister! She is the best mom, sister, daughter, friend, etc. etc. She made this quilt for me out of my baby clothes. One of the patches even has my name embroidered (from a dress someone had made me). My adorable niece Liv (on the right), "loves to sew" and helped her mom make it. My mom also helped. Maeve, the baby, pretty much just loved to roll around on it.


Even though she won't be sleeping here for a few months, I just had to have the room and crib done before she came. Thanks to my mom, we finished sewing the bumper, skirt, curtains, and quilt. I love the bright, happy colors!



We went a little crazy with the sewing, and my mom even made a curtain for the bottom shelf of the changing table, as well as a changing pad cover. I love it! P.S. -- best buy ever -- my crib was $100 at Big Lots! Thanks Mom & Dad!


Me and my belly at 36 weeks. The Dr. says she weighs 6 1/2 lbs already. My C-section is scheduled for 9-09-09 at 9:00 am. Maybe she'll be born at 9:09. Better than 6-6-6 I guess :)
I'm really not too nervous about the surgery --I've heard both horror stories and raves about C-sections, but I've got my mom close by, and Steve is really helpful too. I'm mostly nervous about being a mom, and how exhausting that is.

So, hopefully it won't take me too long to post some pics of our (still nameless) baby girl. But don't hold your breath :)

One HOT Summer!

I'm at the point of my pregnancy when everywhere I go random strangers ask me if I'm ok, with a genuine look of concern, as if I"m about to go into labor. I think it's partly because I'm so small, and this basketball bump is weighing me down, and partly because I have a miserable look on my face 99% of the time because it is HOT! 105 for a week makes for a very mean pregnant lady.

Luckily, I can relax in the pool like a mix of Mrs. Incredible (elastigirl ) and a hippopotamus.

I'm very lucky to live so close to my mom right now. She has been a lifesaver throughout my pregnancy-- she helped me through morning sickness, a kidney stone, sewing all my baby's room stuff, and now she makes me lemonade whenever I ask. I lover her!

Not flattering, but historically accurate.