"Catch Up" Post

So...we're starting to get behind on updating the life and times of the Thurstons, thus, we must resort to a summarized, "cliff notes" version of what's been happening. Here goes...

Ward Campout - BYU Game

We attended our Ward Campout and the first BYU football game a couple weekends ago. Boring pictures, but they depict what we spent most of our time doing. The only pics from the Ward Campout are from inside our tent...lying there. awake. not asleep. We "woke up" that morning and drove down the canyon to the BYU game. It was very hot, and very fun. No pics from the actual game, only from the moments of relief from the sun under the stadium. We also managed to fit in a visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house before we headed to the game.

Nolan's 3rd Birthday Party

Nolan recently turned 3 years old and we gathered as a family to celebrate him. We can't believe that he's already three, while many others cannot believe that he's only three. He is a great kid, we love him very much, and are so lucky to have him in our family.

Wasatch 2008

Every year, over the past 30+ years, Ryan's family has been attending Wasatch State Park. It is a very fun tradition that includes, camping, cards, football, golf, crafts, and lot's of fun. It is one of my favorite events of the year. It is a very different experience now, than when I was little, but still very fun. As a family, Deb and I have started our own tradition of going up on Thursday, making a stop at the Dairy Keen in Midway, then heading up to the campground. We also love to take the kids to the pond to feed the ducks. Of course, a Wasatch trip would not be complete without a round of golf on the Mountain course on Saturday, some craft making for the girls, throwing the football around, playing some rook, and chasing after the kids. It is really a lot of fun. We already look forward to another trip next year.

Family Pictures

We recently got together with Ryan's sister Amy (lovingly referred to as "Aunt Maymay" by the nieces and nephews) to take some family pictures, in connection with Nolan's 3rd birthday. As you can see, she is very talented. She is starting a photography business...if you're interested in looking at more of her work, check it out at

http://amytwittyphotography.blogspot.com/

Thanks Maymay...You're the Best!

Olympic "Games" Wrap-up

I realize that the Olympics have been over for several days now, but I am just now getting around to reviewing my impressions from the Events.

...Michael Phelps is amazing. That goes without saying, but I said it anyway.
...It felt a little weird to cheer for Kobe Bryant. I can't decide how I feel about that.
...Olympic Indoor Volleyball is quite possibly the most exciting sport to watch. Those athletes are unbelievable. I not-so-secretly wish that I were an Olympic volleyball player.
...The Men's Gold Medal Volleyball game was probably the best moment from the games. I must admit I was completely caught up in the drama behind the ordeal with Hugh McCutcheon and his family. It's always fun to cheer for some ex-Cougars.
...Michael Phelps .01 second victory was a close second favorite memory
...The Mens Relay win over France was also a highlight.

Finally, please allow me to rant for a moment. I realize that they are the Olympic "Games", not the Olympic "Sports". However, it really irks me that Baseball and Softball have been removed from the 2012 games in London. (Disclaimer: I don't even watch Baseball or Softball in the Olympics, I am just arguing the point) What bothers me the most is that Trampoline, Rhythmic Gymnastics, and Synchronized Swimming ARE recognized as Olympic Events. In protest, I feel it necessary to start a petition to have the following "games" become Olympic events.

Dodgeball
Croquet
Red Rover
Twister
Duck Duck Goose
Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Annie I Over
Hopscotch
Kickball
Buns Up
Hot Box
Steal the Flag

I won't give up the dream of becoming an Olympic athlete. I'll begin my training immediately to win the 2012 Duck Duck Goose Olympic Gold Medal.

Country Quiz

So, I came across this quiz on another blog today and I decided to put myself to the test. How many Countries can you name in 5 minutes? Being a Geography major, you would think I could name more than I did. The trick is...type fast. Just for the record though, there is much more to Geography than naming State Capitals and Countries. So...I challenge all you bloggers. Don't be intimidated...after all, the Olympics just got over so you should at least be able to name China, Jamaica, and Michael Phelps.

My first try, I scored a 71. Second try, 81. Third try 97...and finally scored 101

Good Luck.

HINT: You don't have to press < enter > after typing in the country.

(By the way...before the rumors begin...don't be alarmed by the "Online Dating" website link. It's only the website where the game comes from.
I Promise. THE THURSTON MARRIAGE IS DOING JUST FINE.)

101

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Site

Tagged!

I've been tagged! For the first time, this is Debbie...Ryan is the blogger in the family (he's fabulous at it, so I'm going to make sure he continues). Thanks Sarah for tagging me, so here it goes...

3 Joys: My family/friends; the mountains (although we haven't even made it up there this summer!); The Gospel

3 Fears: Losing a loved one (I definitely agree w/ Sarah on this one!)- I'll elaborate: Lose to death and/or lose...as in lost... Nolan is a runner and I have a fear that one of these days he's going to take off and I won't be able to find him!; Having someone break in/be in our house; a huge earthquake and Ryan will be at work (near Big Cottonwood) and we won't be able to get to each other or even communicate. (I'm a worrier, I have SO many fears!)

3 Obsessions: Ice cream (It's 11:30, and we just finished 2 delicious bowls of ice cream...and I wonder why I still don't fit in my pre-Drew clothes!?!?) \"/ ; worrying about everything...(not a good obsession); Keeping my kids clean (I'll let them be kids and get dirty...but when it's done, we shower up, change clothes, etc...Nolan could go through several outfits a day).

3 Surprising Facts: I was a competition ballroom dancer starting at age 9...LOVED IT - (My brother Wade and I competed in Salsa after High School - I know, Debbie, a salsa dancer...sounds funny huh!?!?); I was a cheerleader in high school and at SLCC; I'm a dare devil (I'm the one that likes to hang off the roof to put up Christmas lights, climb into crazy spaces in Moab, was the crazy flier in Cheer that would try anything.)

I'm new to the blogging world...so I don't know who has and hasn't been tagged...but I tag: Ry, Mindy and anyone who hasn't been tagged.

Photos By Nolan

We recently had family in town for my Grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary party. Nolan wanted to begin his photography career early, so we allowed him to take control of the camera...temporarily. The following slide show is a result of his work. (More "real" pictures from the party to follow soon on another post)

Vacation Lessons Learned

We recently returned from a quick trip to Denver to visit Debbie's family. This was the first plane trip for both Nolan and Drew, and they both did great. Here are a few things we learned on this trip...

• Nolan loves airplanes
• Even 2 year olds are treated like terrorists when going through airport security
• Nolan is a great traveler and loves to fly
• Deb is NOT a great traveler and does NOT love to fly
• When packed tightly into a suitcase, baby clothes are very heavy
• The noise created by four 2-3 year old boys sounds much more like 20 3 year old boys
• Don't give Nolan a big glass of raspberry lemonade on an empty stomach. It quickly becomes vomit on the floor of Applebees.
• Deb was a rock star in a previous life...she is very good at Guitar Hero.
• Ryan...not so good.
• We need a vacation to recover from our vacation
  

Nolan had a great time...and the look on his face when we boarded the plane and when it took off was priceless. That made the whole trip worthwhile. Here are a few pics...