Finding Joy in the Journey

The airplane has landed...

2008-12-13T10:13:00.000-08:00

Justin arrived at the Pocatello airport last night at 10:00 p.m. He has been in Orlando, Florida for 12 days and we missed him terribly. The girls and I went to pick him up. (Zander was at Ty's birthday party and Zack was at Nathan Tolman's late-night.) The girls and I were so anxious at the airport... We are so happy to have him home.... I must say, I feel for single parents...I am glad my Justin's home!

Are you following my blog????

2008-12-10T07:46:00.000-08:00

I have been blogging, however, I have been back-tracking. I want to use my blog more so for journaling. So, if you enter this place and think, "Lori hasn't been working on her blog..." Check the later posts. I am back dating events of 2008 so I can print them into a book.

Scouts caroling...

2008-12-10T07:39:00.000-08:00

Last night the boys went caroling for Pack Meeting. The scouts surprised us by caroling to us. It was quite a sight to see. Travis Smith had his big white truck and he was pulling a large flat trailer full of kids. I loved that the trailer was lit with Christmas lights. Ellie and Adrie loved that they left a bag of goodies for us. When they were finished it was quite comical to see the leaders on each corner of the trailer trying to keep all the children on the trailer as they drove next door to sing to the Gibbs family. We have the greatest scout leaders!

Prayer Works

2008-12-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

Zander has frequently talked about the Direct Writing Assessment that was going to be taking place at school. Last night he told me that it would be today, and he was a bit nervous.
Our after school conversation went as follows:
Mom-"How did the Direct Writing Assessment go?"
Zander-"It went good. Really good."
Mom-"Really good?"
Zander-"Yeah. Last night I prayed, and He definitely helped me."

The faith of a child...prayer works.

The Best Mom Ellie has ever had...

2008-12-02T20:41:00.000-08:00

I brought home breadsticks from Papa Murphy's tonight and this was Ellie's response...
Ellie-"Oh, thank you mom! You are the best mom I ever had!"
Mom-"Ellie, I'm the only mom you ever had."
Ellie-" Well, your still the best."
Maybe I should bring home breadsticks more often...

Zan-Man

2008-12-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

Zander is in 5th grade and likes school! (I haven’t been able to write that for a few years.) He likes being treated more grown up and he said that’s how the 5th grade teachers treat them. He is currently playing tennis, and playing the piano. He played the piano in Sacrament meeting last Sunday, November 30th, while Zack and Ellie sang. It doesn’t get cuter than that! He is also busy playing sports. This year he played soccer, baseball, and took a rock climbing class. I think he is part monkey. You should see him climb! He loves to climb trees, too. Infact, he was a little upset this summer when dad cut down his climbing tree. He did however forgive him fairly quickly when Justin built a tree house in its place. It's great! It has electricity and an enclosed slide.

Zander is a cool kid. He's fun to hang out with, still loves to read, and likes to ride his motorcycle with dad and Zack.

I can tell he is growing up. He likes his brady bunch hair-do and it is cute to watch him spend some time in the morning making sure it flips up in the back.

He helps me so much...you know the kind...first child syndrome. He is an extreme perfectionist, and always sacrificing for everyone else. Gotta love him!

My Boogalou Bear

2008-12-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

Zack is the kind of kid that everyone is drawn to. He has many friends, he’s confident, funny, and sweet. He is in 3rd grade and his teacher describes him as being very intelligent and an extremely thoughtful boy. And he is! He is taking piano lessons and we have noticed much improvement this year. He also loves to play sports. Lucky for him, he's a natural little athelte. Recently he played football and soccer, and he is getting ready to start basketball. If we can't find Zack it is usually because he is off reading a book.

He and Zander hang out pretty much...always! I don't think Zack realizes how unusual it is to have an older brother who enjoys hanging out with the little brother.

I love that Zack still holds my hand while were out and about. He is not embarrassed of me...YET!!! I am sure that day will come sooner or later, but I hope it is much, much later.

Little Miss Sunshine

2008-12-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

Ellie started kindergarten this fall. I miss her terribly while she is away, but she loves it and figured out quickly that school is great for her social life. (What's up with these independent girls we have?... They are both so brave and confident.) Ellie is ALL girl. She is taking dance lessons and is a beautiful dancer. She has informed us several times, however, that she doesn't want to take dance lessons, she just wants to perform on the big stage.

Ellie is kind, thoughtful and an excellent helper. She is always cleaning, organizing, playing pretend, and helps with Adrie. I love my Little Miss Sunshine!

Little Miss Muffin

2008-12-01T15:50:00.000-08:00

Adrie is two years old and extremely independent. She loves nursery, being naked, her baby dolls, and her best friend Trevor, who she calls, "Ya-Ya." She talks very well but has chosen to give her friend this nickname. My favorite thing about Adrie is watching her dance. That girl has rhythm!

Here I Go!

2008-12-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

I am excited to blog! My best friend Anne came over today to get me started. Thank you Anne, I Love Ya!

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-28T21:13:00.000-08:00

Justin and Lori at Uncle Ben's and Aunt Nancy's for Thanksgiving dinner. They were kind enough to invite the entire "Coffin" side of the family. We had a blast!

Zack eating Thanksgiving dinner.

Whitney and Gramma Nana (Shana)

Bart, Megan and Trevor

Nathan and Libby

Denise, Deni, Michelle, Misti, David, Brayden, and Doug

Adrie and Shane

Jack and Angela

The host of Thanksgiving dinner...Uncle Ben and Andee

Cute cousins...Saige and Ellie

Fireworks!!! Zander and Saige

Ellie Corinne

Cousins dancing away all night with the Juke box...Bonnie, Adrie, Kate, Ellie, and Saige.

This is my cute grandpa Coffin. He provided great entertainment for us. He is a great dancer! Go Grandpa!

Halloween 2008

2008-10-31T23:45:00.000-07:00

This is my baby brother Bart. He was Captain Jack Sparrow. I wish I had a picture with his full costume on. He looked like the real thing. He and his wife, Rachel, have a Halloween party every year. We always eat, play games, eat again, and visit. I love that costumes are mandatory at their party.
I am of course, a hippy. The coolest thing about my costume was the necklace I wore. My mom really wore it in highschool. Groovy!

We went trick or treating down town with friends of ours. Here are some of my best friends! Nema Blanchard, Angela Gentry, Melanie Taysom, Melanie Johnson, and me Lori. The following pictures include our children. Imagine how fun it is to keep a group this size together while going from shop to shop.

Zack, Josh, Zander, Dresden, Josh, Ty, and Brody.

Josh, Adrie, Bridger, Ellie, Tahni, and Tori.

Brody, Preston, Porter, Zack, and Pedro, (oops... Josh).

Our little Adrie was a darling little bunny. She hopped everywhere. Zack is in the scary skeleton costume. The weather was beautiful. I don't remember a Halloween like this. We could actually see the kids costumes because we didn't need the three layers of winter clothing to keep us warm.

Ellie dressed up as a friendly witch to go trick or treating down town, trunk or treating, and to Uncle Bart's Halloween party.

Ellie dressed up as "Dorothy" from the Wizard of Oz for her kindergarten party. She even had the red sparkly shoes!

Zander is in 5th grade, therefore, I was not aloud at his class party.
I did, however, get to sneak in and snap a quick picture with some of his friends. You can hopefully tell Zander was a "nerd" for Halloween. This picture includes Kade Smith, Ellie Wolper, Kate Smith, Zander, and Richie Chatterton.

Halloween...I helped with Zack's class party. Zack was a cute little "nerd".

Crazy Hair Day at School...

2008-10-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

Zack-Attack and Zan-Man...Lookin good!

The boys loved crazy hair day. Ellie had her Halloween costume party at school that day so she had "Dorothy" hair. The picture includes Zander, Ty Gentry, Zack, Dresden Blanchard, Tahni Gentry and Ellie.

Carving Pumpkins

2008-10-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's always messy and time consuming, but always worth it! Justin is really good at doing things like this with the kids. Zack carved a bat, Zander a skull, and Ellie a witch on a broom stick. Adrie and Justin are in the picture for moral support.

We are a Happy Family...

2008-10-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

The entire Thomas family met for family pictures.
*Note-Adrie is the only one crying.

Here is my wonderful family. I am the oldest child (age 34), Bobby is sitting on the right (age 32), Brad is sitting on the bottom left (nearly 30), and Bart is standing on the left (age 26...today!)

I am thankful for my own little cute family. Zander (age 10), Zack (age 8), Ellie (age 5), and Adrie (age 2).

Bare Bum Dancer

2008-10-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

Adrie takes her diaper off daily...numerous times. Today she was dancin' with her bare bum and Ellie's boots. Go girl!

Go to Bed!

2008-10-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

How many times do I ask the children, "Please get back into bed." And then it becomes, "Go to Bed!" And once they are in bed I think they are asleep, but, oh no. The boys are reading. This is how I found Zack tonight. Apparently he wasn't ready for bed when I sent him and he really wanted to read. Don't worry, I put a book mark in his place.

Sea World

2008-10-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

Friends forever...Lisa and Lori get to spend the day together at Sea World!

Ali (age 10), Ellie (age 5), Jenna (age 4), and Kennadie (age 6).

Zack (age 8), Zander (age 10), and Payton (age 7).

Ali is a part of the Shamu show! She is pictured on the far right big screen. This was a definite highlight of the California trip.

Zander and mom hangin' out at the Shamu show.

Zack and Justin spending time together.

Who wants to get wet?????

We do! Zander, Ellie, Zack, Ali, Lori, Kennadie and Lisa. It is afterall, 95 degrees here in sunny California...in October, I might add. Gotta love it.

Zack and Ali at the amazing pet show.

Payton and Ellie

Zander and Ali... friends since birth.

Kennadie, Ali, Zander, Zack and Ellie waiting for the second Shamu show. Oh no, please don't tell me you are sitting in the SOAK ZONE?????

That's what you get for sitting in the SOAK ZONE little Miss. Ellie.

Day Three in Disneyland

2008-10-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

Mom, Zack, Ellie, and Zander almost into the new Toy Story Midway Mania ride in California Adventure. We all loved it!

Zack and Zander riding on King Triton's Carousel.

Our favorite family ride...Soaring over California!!

Zander, Justin, and Zack

Lori, and Ellie

Beautiful Belle and Ellie

We love Mulan!

Jasmine and Ellie

Justin with the kids on the Mark Twain Riverboat.

Lori with kids on the river boat.

Ellie with the big gorilla outside of Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney.

The elephants move....awesome.

Zander, Ellie and Zack loved the restaurant.

Bring on the food...we're tired of running.

Justin + Lori = True Love Forever and Always.

We totally wore Ellie out....but, I think she would still say it was worth it.

Day Two in Disneyland

2008-09-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

Justin, Lori, Zack, Zander, and Ellie

Go, go, go...

Zander, Zack and Ellie on the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride. Watch out for the Heffalumps and Woozles!
Ellie surprised us this trip. She is five years old and thinks these kind of rides are "okay." She would rather be on Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, or Matterhorn Bobsleds. Justin, Zander, and Ellie love the fast rides and Zack is more like me...we get a little motion sick. But, Zack still tries the rides...what a good sport!

Look who we ran into in Adventure Land! Ellie loved Jasmine, but was a little nervous about Aladdin.

Ellie and Zack waiting in line for the Jungle Cruise.

Justin and Zack riding on "Dumbo the Flying Elephant" ride.

Look, there's Ellie and I on the Dumbo ride.

Mom and Ellie on the Mad Tea Party ride.

Ellie loves her daddy!

Ellie calls this Disneyland's temple. I told her it is really a castle. She said she knows, but is still going to call it the temple.

Ellie, Zack and Zander in Minnie Mouse's house.

I made Zander take this picture with Mickey Mouse! Look, they are both smiling!

Zack with the mouse...

Ellie with Mickey. We took a tour of his house and found him there.

Justin drove with crazy driver Zack at the Autopia ride.
Zander drove alone, and Ellie and I rode together. I know we are not suppose to, but, Ellie and I kept running into Zander's car. It was fun.

Ellie, Zack and Zander waiting in line for the Autopia ride in Tomorrowland.

Splash Mountain is my favorite ride in Disneyland. We probably went on this ride eight times this trip. Here's Zander, Zack, Ellie, and me.

Day One at DisneyLand

2008-09-29T23:52:00.000-07:00

We arrived at the Phillip's home in Temecula, California last night. We were so anxious to see our college friends, Lisa and Steve. Zander and Ali were born one month apart in 1998 and were friends immediately. Lisa and I watched Ali and Zander do all of their "firsts" of everything together. Lisa pulled her kids out of school today to go to Disneyland with us. Yeah! In this picture the kids are in the Disneyland Parking Garage. Back row: Zack (age 8), Ali (age 10), Zander (age 10), and Payton (age 7). Front row: Ellie (age 5), Jenna (age 4), and Kennadie (age 6).

Justin and Zander riding the tram to Disneyland.

Disneyland here we come...Zack, Ellie, Ali, and Lori.

Kennadie and Ellie found Minnie Mouse. Minnie is dressed for Halloween.

Everything in Disneyland and California Adventure was decorated for Halloween.

California Adventure's Grizzly River Rapids ride was one of our favorite rides. Possibly because we were in 100 degree weather. When we got hot, we would go to this ride or to Splash Mountain. Justin's pictured in the bottom right of this picture.

Dad and Zander went on California Screamin together. No way was I going on a roller coaster that took me in loops upside down!

I asked Zander, "How was it?" He gave me this look. Oops! Actually he went again. He said Tower of Terror made him feel more woozy then this ride.

Disneyland truely is magical. I wish I could come every year with my cute family! Do you notice someone is missing? We left Adrie at home so we didn't have to deal with a diaper bag. We ran from ride to ride and had a blast! Justin and I felt ten years old. We all miss Adrie terribly! I am thankful she is with my mom. I have cried a few times thinking about her. I can't wait to bring her next time.

Cruela was a little sassy! Kennadie and Ellie liked her.

Alice was sweet and cute.

Zander and Payton on the Buzz Lightyear ride.

Lori and Lisa waiting for the parade in California Adventure.

In this picture we were stuck on the Pirates of the Carribbean ride. Zack and Justin are smiling here, but we sat for about 25 minutes on the boat in the middle of the ride. It's a good thing I had a back pack full of snacks.

Jenna, Ellie, and Zack waiting for the Disneyland parade.

After the parade we went to Toon Town. Zack and Ellie are trapped in jail! Notice Ellie is praying for help to get out. Too cute.

Payton, Ellie, and Zack.

Hoover Dam

2008-09-28T23:11:00.000-07:00

Hoover Dam here we come!
Ellie, Zander, and Zack

Here I am with the kids. I am afraid of heights, so Hoover Dam made me a little nervous.

Justin with Zack, Ellie, and Zander.

Enjoying the view on one side...

And here is the view from the other side. This bridge that is being constructed was amazing. Justin and I were fascinated by it.

Elllie, Zack and Zander hanging out on the bridge.

Zander, and Zack.

Just Go Crazy on the Ball

2008-09-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

Zack loves soccer and is a very aggressive player. He loves his team and coach, Wade. Three seasons ago, or so, Zack's teammates asked Zack how he scores so much. Zack answered, "It's easy. I just go crazy on the ball." Now our family uses this phrase. When he's playing I sometimes yell out to him, "Just go crazy on the ball."

His teammates pictured are: Chase (red jersey), Zack, Alexia, Hayden, Brenda, and Dayzee.

Arrow of Light

2008-09-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

Dad and Mom stand with Zander during his Arrow of Light Ceremony.

Justin, Lori, and Zander

Five boys from our ward earned the Arrow of Light Award. This is the highest award you can earn in Cub Scouts. The boys included: Zander, Montgomery Gray, Ben Kestner, Josh Taysom, and Porter Johnson.

We are so proud of Zander!

Grandma Thomas came to support Zander. We love our Nana!