Easter Fun!

This was Julie and I's first Easter as a married couple. We were talking about what we would want our Easter baskets, when we came up with this fun idea. We gave each other a budget, and then to help us figure out what to buy, we gave each other words to use. Julie had to use MICHAEL ALAN, and I had to use JULIE THOMPS. We had to find something for each letter in our assigned words. For example, with the letter M, you could use a microwave, an M&M/Mars candy, or a movie. So the item name, brand, or type of item could begin with the letter M. (A descriptive word could be used if necessary; e.g.- mini candy bar for M.)

We first went to Dollar Tree and then to Target. Julie ended up going to a few other places as well. It was a lot of fun, but some of the letters were difficult. Once we found everything for our letters, we could use the remaining budget to get other stuff for the basket. We also decided to keep what we were buying hidden from each other; that way we would be surprised on Easter. Well, Easter came and here is what our baskets ended up looking like:

We then proceeded to explain what items were for what letters:

This is what I got for Julie:

J- jelly beans

U- umbrella

L- "Lulu Dark and the summer of the fox"

I- "The Italian Summer"

E- egg puzzle

T- travel sewing kit

H- hershey's mini candy bars

O- orange flip flops

M- movie ("The Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep")

P- peanut butter wafers

S- suncatcher

This is what Julie got for me:

M- marshmallow treat

I- illuminated hat

C- candy quax (candy duck)

H- "How to train your dragon"

A- air heads

E- egg filled with pop rocks

L- licorice

A- art project

L- "The Legend of Luke"

A- activity book

N- net bath band

All in all, it was a very fun Easter. We have decided that we will do this each year, but will pick smaller words that have to do with Easter. It will be a great way to bring the true meaning of the holiday into the traditional activities associated with Easter.

Broken, Broken Tradition

Yesterday, Julie and I went to have the 20 week ultrasound. While there, we learned that Emma is doing great! She is healthy and growing good, and she weighs one pound. We also learned that Julie is now due on the 28th of August. We are sad that it isn't on our anniversary any more, but Julie is ready to be done and is glad to know it will be over sooner.

The biggest surprise is that we discovered, Emma's a boy!!! I know! Julie and I were both in shock for a couple hours, and then the emotions started setting in as we realized what that meant. We are both saddened that we aren't having a girl, but are excited for our little boy. We have chosen the name Elai (pronounced e-lie) Beck.

We will have one more ultrasound before he is born, so who knows what will happen at that appointment. We have decided that a neutral theme will be best just in case the gender changes again. Stay tuned for more updates!

Broken Traditions

So, as you know, Julie and I are expecting our first child come September. We have been thinking about names for a while now (even before we were trying, we were thinking of names). Since we found out we were pregnant the day before my mom passed away, we decided to name this child after her. After thinking of names, we decided on either Mykal Elaine (for a girl) or Elai Beck (for a boy). Later, we decided to change the girl name to Emma Elaine. The original plan was to have the gender ultrasound while Julie's mom was in town. However, this didn't work out since the technician was going to be out of town. We told this to the family and let then know we would just wait until the 20 week appointment to find out. We then decided to surprise our families by finding out early. So last Wednesday, we met with the technician and discovered that (drum roll please) .......... Emma Elaine Thompson will be born on or around September 4th, 2011. That is right, Julie and I have broken the thompson tradition of the first born being a boy. We are having a girl and we are way excited!!!!! Now we just have to wait to see and hold her!