Happy Gumdrop Day

Coming Home

When Spence and I were first married we met this awesome couple in our ward- Scott and Michelle Hart. They are great friends and they introduced us to rock climbing. There was a gym in Logan like 3 minutes from our house and we would go climbing 3-4 times a week. It is the best sport to do as couples because you can totally go at your own pace and skill level without slowing anyone else down (or making them feel bad because you are better at it than them.) When we were able to go that often we really saw ourselves improve. Of course, life changes and with a baby we have not exactly had the time to dedicate to this 'wholesome recreational activity.' But as part of our New Year's Resolutions we have decided to go rock climbing at least once a month. So yesterday we went with my mom and dad. Mom watched Reese while the other 3 of us climbed. I know this is going to sound way too deep for what I'm talking about but it was like coming home. I had the best time. Sure, I'm not nearly as good as I was before but it was so nice to be just me and my little muscles and the wall.

Spence aka Spider Man. He is just so tall he skips holds all the time and is up the wall before I can even blink.

My dad is 53 and totally keeps up with me. He and I were doing all the same climbs.

You can't see my face but it is beaming with joy.

Even Reese enjoyed herself. We will be getting her into a climbing harness as soon as possible.

It would have been so easy to be discouraged because it has been so long and I kind of have to start over. But kind of the opposite things happened- I want to go back as much as I can so I can work back up to it. I love it- and when you have something in your life that you enjoy that much you have to figure out a way to make it work.

More Christmas Fun

 So this year we did a lot of fun things to celebrate the season. We took Reese to get her picture with Santa (which reminds me, I need to scan it so I can post it- so stay tuned.) We went to the Festival of the Nativities at our church building. It was amazing- there were nativities from all around the world. They also had a live nativity (someone in our ward asked if we had volunteered. We laughed so hard- not only is Reese huge now but she is so noisy. It would not have been spiritual at all.) We went into Seattle to see the gingerbread competition they do at the Sheraton to benefit research for juvenile diabetes. We took our good pals Brett and Jenna Alvey with us. It was fun to take this picture because Reese was smiling and drawing the attention of everyone standing around waiting. She is such a babe.

We also went to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens again this year. They recreate the plants they have there in the Spring out of Christmas lights. It is amazing. This year they had a scavenger hunt to find all the animals throughout the gardens. It was for kids, but we had fun looking for them anyway.

The last thing we did (after Christmas actually, but that's ok) was go down to Tacoma to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium for Zoo Lights. It is similar to the Botanical Gardens but they have lots of animal scenes. They also have an old antique carousel that we took Reese on. It was so fun- we picked a tiger that didn't go up and down just to be safe. But she loved going round and round and waving at all the people.

 Here is a short little video of us on the carousel. Enjoy!

Annual Thorpe Family Gingerbread Competition

 Sorry for all the Christmas posts but I need to do some catching up and we have done lots of fun stuff. Every year my family does a gingerbread competition- it is our favorite tradition and we look forward to it all year. We buy (and eat) way too much candy and make a huge mess but we all love it.

 Mom usually goes for a mosaic style- very cute Santa this year.

 Kara and Josh made a Christmas tree out of frosted mini wheats. There is also a sleigh on there.

 Dad always says he has no ideas and then does something awesome. This is his ski village. the little condos had windows and front doors with shoveled walkways.

 Al made a helicopter pad with Santa's sleigh coming in for a landing.

Another mosaic. It was cute, colorful and kind of random- a lot like Selina :)

 

My tribute to the Nightmare Before Christmas. Notice Jack on the left behind the graveyard. The Oogie Boogie Man (made of a green Air Head) is on the right by the Christmas tree. I'm not going to lie- I was pretty excited about this. Nerdy... I know.

So where is Spencer's contribution this year? It's right here...

Yes, even though Spence loves doing the gingerbreads, he sacrificed himself and took care of Reese while we all played. It was really sweet of him because he usually dominates us all with his awesome creations.

Harry Potter Exhibit

I'm sure you are all sick of reading about how much I love Harry Potter, but tonight Spence and I and my parents went to the HP exhibit at the Pacific Science Center. It was awesome. I got to pull a Mandrake out of a pot, shoot a Quaffel through a hoop and hold Hermione's wand (in the gift shop... but still!) They had costumes from the movies as well as props and set pieces. They even had some props from HP 7 that is coming out NEXT WEEK! We saw the Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore and a decoy detonator (I hope that means something to some of you.) Pictures were strictly forbidden, but I never obey that rule (I took pictures in the Louvre for crying out loud.) So they are not the best quality because I was being sneaky, but hopefully at least some of you think they are cool.

 These are Quidditch robes. From the left: an Irish uniform from the Quidditch World Cup, Ron Weasley's robes, Madame Hooch's robes, Harry Potter's Quidditch robes, and Viktor Krum's World Cup robes

 More Quidditch stuff- the trunk of balls and souvenir items from the Quidditch World Cup

 A very blurry Dad and Reese outside the great hall where all the Educational Decrees were posted

 A poster depicting "Undesireable #1"

Me and Spence in the gift shop- doesn't he looked thrilled to be taking this picture? I am holding Hermione's wand and he has Harry's. Then the security guard came and yelled at me :)

It was really super fun and if you were thinking about going, you should. They have an optional audio tour with extra info about the sets and the production. I think they said it cost an added $5, we didn't do it but I'm sure it was neat. I can't wait till the 19th for HP 7. It's going to be so good!