Jess, Dallin and Ellimere

Jess, Dallin and Ellimere are still living in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Too far from Arizona if you ask me. Dallin is still working as the goldsmith at the jewelry store. Work keeps him pretty busy. He's a talented goldsmith and has had custom jobs to keep him creative. Jess stays home with Ellimere and is in the Idaho Falls Symphony Orchestra. She participated in a triathlon in May and I was able to fly out and cheer her on. She did great and went on to participate in another triathlon in August. She did have a fall on her bike but was able to finish. Go Jess! Ellimere turns two next month. Wow, how time really flies. She is the cutest little redhead I've ever seen.

Phil and Laine

Phil is still working at Triumph Air Repair. This time last year they were laying people off. Thankfully business has gotten stronger and this has been a better year for the company. Phil has been very busy and has been working a lot of over-time. Given the state of the economy we are especially grateful for this blessing. He was released as a ward missionary and is now the first counselor in the Elder's quorum at church. In February he had to undergo surgery to remove his gallbladder. He had been quite ill and unable to eat much of anything for several months. After much testing they finally figured it was that nasty old gallbladder. They were able to perform the surgery using laparoscopy so his recovery was much quicker. He was only out of work for a week with light duty and half days the next week. He sometimes says he wants his gallbladder back because he had lost a lot of weight when he was sick. That's a terrible way to lose weight though. He was pretty dang sick. He enjoys going to the gym and plays racquetball on Saturday mornings with some guys from church.



I am still doing medical transcription from home. I am also still the Wolf den leader. Both keep me busy. I decided to go back to school this year and enrolled in the digital photography program at the local community college. I took one class in the summer and just finished the fall semester having taken two photography classes and the computer photographic imaging class. It was pretty crazy trying to keep up with everything but Phil and the kids were a huge help and support. I have 5 weeks off then will start the next semester. I have at least one more semester after that. Eventually I'd like to start my own photography business. I've had some great opportunities this year that have given me some experience and chances to work on building my self-confidence as a photographer. I was able to be the event photographer for the Gilbert Constitution Fair, photographed for a community production of Les Mis and also photographed for a friend who has put together a wonderful collection of photography-art on the constitution and founding fathers with a show featuring these works of art and music. (You can check out her work at http://www.capturedmiracles.org) I have been so blessed to have these wonderful opportunities. If you are so inclined you can check out some of my work on my Smug Mug site: http://lainethomasphotography.smugmug.com

We reached a big milestone in July this year, our 25th Anniversary. My sister, Tonya, got together with my parents, Phil's Michigan family, Jess and Dallin and planned a surprise party for us. It was wonderful to have most of Phil's family fly out from Michigan and to have Jess, Dallin and Ellimere fly out from Idaho. What a great way to spend an anniversary.

Merry Christmas!

 

Dear Family and Friends:

We hope you and your families are doing well. We are so thankful for this time of year to focus on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are so very grateful for His life, example and the Atonement.

Love,
The Thomas Family

Phil and Laine

Phil and I are still plugging along. Phil is still working at Triumph. They have had three layoffs this last year and thankfully he has survived each one. They put him on a team to help develop a plan to make the company more productive and profitable and sent him to a training class so that looks promising for the future. He is a ward missionary; way out of his comfort zone. He started piano lessons this year, something he has wanted to do for a long time. I am still doing medical transcription from home. Working just part-time but it keeps me busy. I am a den leader with the wolf den in cub scouts. I enjoy it but it does keep me hopping. I'm planning to go back to school and take some photography and computer graphic arts classes this coming year. Exciting!

Jess, Dallin and Ellimere

Jessica, Dallin and baby Ellimere are still in Idaho. Sigh. Baby Ellimere was born January 9th. Jess had some complications and we almost lost her. We are so thankful her life was spared! Phil and I got to go meet baby Elli and I stayed there for a week to help out. It was very nice being there with Jess, Dallin and Elli! Jess, Dallin and Elli flew to AZ for a visit in March and we went to Idaho in June. Jess stays at home being Elli's mommy. She has learned she really loves baking and makes lots of yummy things. She is in the Idaho Falls Symphony playing the viola. She teaches in Primary. She made an amazing comeback from her earlier health challenges and participated in a triathalon this summer. She did the swimming part (in a lake, brrr; had to wear a wetsuit). Dallin's uncle did the biking part and a cousin did the running part. Their team came in 2nd overall. Yeah! Dallin is working as a goldsmith in a local jewelry store there in Idaho Falls. They keep him pretty busy. He is a talented guy! He is a counselor in the Elder's Quorum in their ward. Little Elli will be 1 in just a few weeks. Can't believe Phil and I are grandparents. Ellibean has several teeth and is walking now. She's got red hair like her daddy. (Jess had red hair when she was a baby too.) Elli's a cutie!

Vanessa

 

Vanessa turned 15 in April. She is a sophomore now. I think she has finally stopped growing at 5'7". Phew! She is doing well in school. She participates in track. We call her Fleet Feet or the Flying V. She really pushes to improve her time and is keeping fit with pre-season track practice. She made it to State this year and was so excited! She is a great help around the house and with the ping pong balls (wild and crazy littler kids). She keeps them in line. Whoa lookout! She loves cooking and her favorite channel is the cooking channel. She usually cooks dinner once a week and does a great job.

Olivia

 

Olivia turned 11 in March. I think every night she grows 2 inches. She is getting so tall! She is in 5th grade this year. She still struggles due to some learning disabilities but she has learned to have a great attitude and to keep on trying. She loves to help others and is very kind and thoughtful. She loves girly stuff but with four brothers some of the girly-girl side is wearing off. She is always so good about being thankful for things. She writes notes and is always thanking us for things. Keeps us humble.