Meandering our Way - Part 5 - the Thompsons and the Stokers

We arrived at the Thompsons Thursday night - kinda late. We've known Heidi and Orville since our poor college student days in Seattle. Before they had kids, and when Brianna was a baby. Those were fun times. The Thompsons moved from WA to Boise, ID, 12ish years ago. But we get a chance to pitstop at their house occassionally, when we're driving through. They were gracious enough to let us do so this time. Friday morning, they gave us a tour of the Scentsy fascilities. WOW! It sure was quite the place and business they've built! I remember Orville approaching me 5 or 6 years ago, trying to get me to become the first consultant in Washington State - "No time," I told him. Silly me!! We enjoyed lunch with them, then hung with them while they had an Elders Quorum party at their house that evening. There was some good time to chat, catch up and reminisce. The kids sure had fun together too. Carly, Emma, Kenzie, Mary, Grace and Owen:

All together - Aaron, Kenzie, Mary, Carly, Sarah, Emma, Grace and Owen:

Kenzie and Mary were two peas in a pod - they hit it off quite well - similar 2nd child personalities:

Emma and Carly - again very similar personalities!

Grace - love those blue eyes!

Heidi and I:

Orville, Heidi, Amy and Paul:

Orville - what in the world is THAT thing?:

Owen and Aaron:

Saturday morning, we left bright and early, to get to Tri-Cities by 10 am. The time change helped and we made great time! Our last stop was to the Stokers. Not long after we arrived, we went to the river with the younger kids for a couple hours. They brought a canoe and there was some time reliving the "old days" of canoeing when we really camped in the summers. The boys used to love swamping the canoe - not so much anymore - what? are they getting old?!?!

Swimming around in the river:

Carly and Mallory taking a turn:Kate didn't wanna be left out - so Mike took her around a bit:

Kate, Karri and I - just hangin' around and chattin' - it's what we do best!

The last turn went to Paul and Aaron:

Then it was out to dinner, just us adults. We attended their ward with them on Sunday. Then enjoyed dinner and a bit more chatting with the Stokers before we headed home for good. Kate:

Mallory - another girl with beautiful blue eyes!

The older Stoker girls performed "Come Thou Fount" for us before our departure. Paige, Jessica and Whitney:

Goofy:

Not goofy:

And that's a wrap! Thanks for going on our LONG journey to take Brianna to college - Thanks to all the family and friends who hosted and played with us along the way! We are truly blessed to call so many amazing people "Friend." Thanks for blessing our lives...