Thompson Life: 2026-Jan

Happy New Year! And Happy 18th Birthday to Eisley! Time just marches on at a faster pace each year. We spent the day watching football and then subbed at the temple on the 2nd and 3rd. Great way to begin a new year.

Mindi came in on the 7th, Wednesday afternoon, and spent some time with Tracy and Sarah while we served on our regular Wednesday PM Shift. We were thankful she came in earlier because we had a white out driving home. We're headed to the airport in the morning to fly to Seattle for Ken's funeral. We really didn't need snow this week, but we are in a drought, so we need to be thankful for any moisture we receive.

This is what we woke up to. Luckily, we didn't have to leave till 10 so the freeways had a chance to clear off and the roads were fine going to Boise. We are so thankful that Mindi is going with us to the funeral. She is going to do the driving and be our guide. When I fly and have to put on the patch in order not to get nauseated, I can't think straight. Nice to have someone along to think for us and drive in the big city!

We met up with Craig, Robbie, Scottie and Jamie in Boise and took the same flight to Seattle. We got our rental car and drove to Bellview where we will all stay. We had dinner together and then Mindi and I had to go shopping. I forgot to pack my dress!!!😟I just hate how the meds take away my brain!

Friday morning, we went down to breakfast and met up with Farrell and AnnaKay. (Great that we all stayed at the same motel) We found out that AnnaVee had passed away Thursday morning. She just didn't wake up. We knew that AnnaVee was not doing well but it is still a shock when it happens. Farrell had to speak at Ken's funeral, and he wanted to come cause there was nothing he could do at home but sit around and weep so AnnaKay came with him. The funeral was a very nice tribute to Ken. Farrell talked and Craig and Lon did the prayers and Lon dedicated the grave. The kids and grandkids all did a great job too. Each of Ken's siblings were represented except Lynn.

Scottie (Craig), Quinn and Staci (Ken), AnnaKay (Farrell), Starla (Ken), Kevin and Darren (Larry), Brett (Kurt), Sharlynn (Larry), Mindi (Lon)

These cousins really enjoyed visiting at the luncheon.

Most of them will be together again next week at their Aunt AnnaVee's funeral.

The motel let us put the Oregan/Indiana Football game on that evening

Farrell needed to talk so we all enjoyed time together thinking and remembering our dear sister AnnaVee.

We were so thrilled that Charlie Stewart (the Indian exchange student that became part of the family) was able to drive out with his wife and 2 children to attend. These brothers have a deep love for each other and especially for their older brother Ken who was such a great example for them all.

Bonnie seems to be doing very good, but the reality will be hard. We are so thankful that Starla and Ed will continue to live with her.

For a Saturday, the traffic was very heavy as we left Bellview and drove the hour to Seattle and caught our flight home. We are so thankful for Mindi being with us and doing the driving. We got home about 6pm, just in time to watch the BSU football game and then the BYU game. Mindi headed home on Sunday morning.

We got a new bishopric on the 11th. Our new bishop is Gary Brown, with Kent Yost and Scott Rogers as counselors. They will be a great team. They are all humble, faithful servants of our Savoir.

On Friday the 16th, we met Tracy, Sarah and Eisley at their home and took off for Utah. We are again blessed to have one of our children drive us to another funeral. We got to Mindi and Justin's home about 9 and spent the night there. Then we all headed to Orem for AnnaVee's funeral on Saturday morning. It was a wonderful tribute to AnnaVee with remarks from Briyanna, Tera, Wade, Tadd, Lance and Farrell and Larry Daines, AnnaVee's brother. This was a hard funeral for me. AnnaVee was truly a sister to me. I am going to miss her.

It's hard to have to say goodbye in this life, but thankful for the knowledge that we can be together again when we meet in our Heavenly Home. Till we meet again dear sister. I love you.

17 cousins got together this time.

Tadd, Tracy, Tera, AnnaKay, Tiffany, Darrin, Brett, Scottie, Lance, Blake, Wade, Shane

Vaughn, Kevin, Kip, Mindi, Sharlynn

We missed Kurt and Linda but the rest of the family that were there:

Farrell, Ken Longmore, Lon, Craig

Betty, Bonnie, Lynn, Nancy and Robbie

AnnaVee's brothers with Wade

Ken and Lynn Longmore

Wade and Donnell

AnnaKay with Kayanna and her children and Tadd's children Zachary and Jessica

Vibecca, Tawnya, Ethan and Kayla

Kevin with Craig and Robbie, Scottie and 2 of his children

Larry's first wife Betty with Bonnie

We enjoyed another family day as we said farewell to AnnaVee and we headed for home about 3. We had good roads coming and going and are so thankful for Tracy driving us and for Mindi giving us a bed. We are so thankful for our children. Ginger wasn't able to fly in as flights were just too expensive. Shayla and Justin were not able to attend the funeral as these two came to town for a visit. We were sad that we didn't get to see these two grandchildren this weekend.

Gideon and Ryanne

The next two weeks of the month were spent in the temple, playing golf on the simulator and fishing with LaRon. Nothing out of the ordinary until the 30th when Ken and Lynn came to visit. We were so thrilled to have them come for lunch and then we visited and looked at pictures in our scrap books and Ken took photos of the ones that Lynn didn't have. Nice day!

On the 31st we again headed to Tracy's home, and we headed to Pocatello to the baptism of Abby Sanchez. Abby is Ashton's girlfriend. She decided to investigate the church without Ashton's knowledge. She wanted to know for herself if she should join or not without being influenced by Ashton. He was thrilled when she asked him to baptize her. Tracy sang a special number and I played for him. I led the music and Tracy played for me.