It’s starting to become a tradition. For the past two years, we’ve climbed aboard “The Polar Express” with students at Sooner Elementary in Moore, and we had such a wonderful time returning there today.

The awesome staff at Sooner sets up a classroom hallway every year and transforms it into the train that takes children to the North Pole. Last year, they asked us to be part of this special event in conjunction with our Reading Timeout program, presented by American Fidelity. When they asked us back this year, we all wanted to go!

Eight of us went to the school today and read this classic book to the children – mostly kindergarteners – who stepped into the magic of the story right with us. They were so wonderful that we had to tell Jingle, their Elf, that all the children should be on Santa’s “nice” list.

After we rode the train to the North Pole and all the children heard their bells jingle, just like in the book, we handed out a Christmas book to each child to take home. They even wanted our autographs, and we were more than happy to sign their books!

Several teachers told us that, after the tragic events in Connecticut last Friday, the children and staff all needed something that reminded them of how wonderful school can be. Their hard work truly created a magical memory for these students, and we were very grateful to be a part of an event that was so full of simple joys.

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LaTeshia, Jenni, Kaci and Kei helped the Salvation Army kick off their Angel Tree campaign this morning. We handed out Thunder bracelets to everyone who stopped by. After a short ceremony, the Salvation Army cut the ribbon to open up the tree for anyone who wants to help a child or senior get a gift under the tree this Christmas.

We were so glad to be part of the event, and we hope you’ll stop by Quail Springs Mall or Penn Square Mall to pick out an angel. We all did, and we’re looking forward to shopping for the gifts!

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Kelsey, Alexis, Jenni and Marisa had so much fun at the Buddy Walk for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma at the Bricktown ballpark this past Saturday. We made so many new friends and even bumped into some old ones. It was heartwarming to see all of the families and friends out showing their love and support, and we were so happy to be included in this wonderful event!

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Yesterday, Shereka and Ashley got to do something we aren’t usually called upon to do at appearances: eat! It was for a great cause, too – we got to serve as judges for the Burger Build contest, benefiting Rebuilding Together OKC. We helped pick the winner from three finalists, all of whom made some really creative and tasty burgers.

Rebuilding Together holds the Burger Build contest in conjunction with their Construction Derby, and the two combined events are a major fundraiser for this wonderful organization that helps repair and renovate homes of low-income seniors.

We’ve been a part of this fun event twice, and the Thunder staff and team have helped out with a Rebuilding Together project every year. We love being a part of a Thunder tradition and a great partnership.

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As we enter our fifth season (!), we’re starting to realize that we’re creating traditions by going to some events every year. One of those events is the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which Jenni and Kaci took part in last Saturday. This was our third year to take part in this event! As always, we blasted the horns to start the walk and met with some wonderfully caring people who are hoping to find an end to this heartbreaking disease. We are so proud to take part in events like this that help nonprofits do important work in our community.

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Jessica, Sarah and Alexis spent last Saturday at the No Boundaries Expo. This great event is designed to show children with disabilities that they can still take part in a wide variety of activities – including cheerleading! We had a great time meeting people young and old who are breaking past their limitations and creating and achieving new goals. Thanks to NeuroResources Outreach for inviting us!

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With all the kids back in school and the season gearing up, we’re loving being able to get out in the community on the Rolling Thunder Book Bus! Jenni and Shereka were so excited to participate in their first Book Bus appearance of the season. We visited Edgemere Elementary in Oklahoma City and helped kids pick out books to take home.

We love that the kids were so excited to get on the bus and find a book that they liked, and we were equally thrilled to help them find a book that interested them. The Rolling Thunder Book Bus is one of our favorite community outreach programs because it allows us an opportunity to interact with kids all over the city and show them that reading is not only educational, but it’s fun too!

We can’t wait to see the kids at the next school we visit on the Book Bus, so be on the lookout for us …

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Earlier this week, Kelsey and Sarah took the Rolling Thunder Book Bus to Positive Tomorrows, an elementary school in Oklahoma City that serves homeless children. This was such a special experience! Each child got to pick out two books to take home, and we gave them Thunder wristbands and a bookmark to go with each new book.

The kids we met could not have been any sweeter, and they really warmed our hearts. Sarah and Kelsey said they got more hugs during that visit than probably all of last year.

We all feel so lucky after visits like this to be a part of the Thunder Girls and the Thunder organization, and to have opportunities like this to visit places in our community. Kelsey said the experience was so moving that she can’t wait to go back because she wants to volunteer there on her own.

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Early this morning (and we mean early!) troops stationed at Fort Sill made their way to Will Rogers World Airport to catch some very important flights – the ones that would take them home for Christmas.

Alexis, Helen, Kaci and Marisa stopped by the YMCA Military Welcome Center to see these honorable men and women off and to talk with them during this stage of their journey home.

We felt so honored to be a small part of this great effort. All the soldiers came to the airport at about 6:30 a.m., but because their flights took off at different points during the day, some had to wait around several hours before they could head home to their families. While they were waiting, they slept on the couch, played chess, sang with a guitar, ate and read at the welcome center.

We could tell a lot of them were very anxious to get home, and we had a chance to talk with about 50 or so soldiers as they awaited their flights. We took some pictures and signed a few autographs – Kaci even found one soldiers who went to the “rival” high school of the school she attended!

One soldier wanted to give us a taste (literally!) of what life can be like in the military, so he took out an MRE and prepared it right in front of us. It was pretty impressive that you can take something stored in a plastic bag out of a cardboard sleeve, set up a little self-contained cooker and within minutes have steaming hot beef stew!

We are so happy that all these soldiers are able to go home for the holidays. To all our servicemen and -women, including those who aren’t able to be with loved ones this holiday season, we wish you the very best and we thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country.

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Matt Allen may have been going in for brain surgery, but he and his children were still smiling and "Thundering up" when Kelsey and Sarah visited him this morning.

This morning, Kelsey and Sarah had an amazing opportunity to send a Thunder fan well wishes before he went in for a major surgery.

We surprised Matt Allen and his family at the hospital, where Matt was waiting to undergo his fourth brain surgery in just over two years. (Read more about Matt’s story on NewsOK – the original story is here, and Jenni Carlson’s blog update is here.)

Matt was supported at the hospital by a huge and loving group of family members, and Kelsey and Sarah both say that the entire experience left them completely inspired. There was not one second where Matt wasn’t smiling and enthusiastic. He and his family had positive and excited attitudes, and they couldn’t quit talking about how great our Thunder team is.

We had the chance to give Matt a really wonderful Thunder gift bag, filled with items such as a foam finger and a hat he can wear when he leaves the hospital. We can’t wait to see Matt and his family again later in the year to see how he’s doing and to again send them the very best of luck.

Both Kelsey and Sarah left the hospital saying to one another that days like these are really the best part of being a Thunder Girl.

UPDATE 10/27: We heard from a friend of Matt’s that he came through surgery doing really well. We’re keeping Matt and his family and friends in our thoughts!

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