Running

I have recently learned that Madilyn is crazy for running. A lot. She LOVES to run... on the Wii. She will challenge anyone, and she's getting quite good. She gets great satisfaction in outrunning her dad, since the Wii levels the playing field.

Even with all the Christmas goodies around, Madilyn has lost 2 pounds from all the running and other activities. If the Wii Fit can help me do the same, I think I'm in LOVE!

Wii snark

This year, Santa brought our family a Wii for Christmas, as well as Wii Fit. Everyone seems to love it. Sarah mostly watches, but is becoming known for snarky comments...

I was trying out a yoga pose that involves standing on one leg, and, after several attempts, I commented "not going to happen." I then moved on to other exercises. When the balance test came up and I was required to stand on one leg, I heard a quiet voice behind me say...

"SO not going to happen!"

Unfortunately, she was right. But, we love our Wii!

Merry Christmas!

A christmas greeting from our girls to you!

sorry about the lighting... still working on those photo skills...

Over the river

...and through the woods to Grandmother's house we went!

Friday morning we learned that a blizzard was due to hit our home state mid-day on Saturday. We were scheduled to leave on Sunday, but decided to try to outrun the storm. After a flurry of activity (pun intended) on Friday, we did make it out the door on Saturday morning,

On the way, we made terrible time, endured two separate crying fits (one for each girl), used a gallon of washer fluid, and found out that the Saab - a Swedish car! - is not that great in ice and snow. But, we arrived safely, traveling on the fringes of a major storm for a good portion of our trip.

We are now looking forward to almost 2 weeks of relaxing at Grandma's! Details to follow...

Singing with Purpose

Tonight Madilyn's Brownie troop sang at a local nursing home. I, unfortunately, was included, and had to torture the residents with my complete lack of singing ability. Anyway, a huge group of us wandered the halls, singing to the residents, and passing out handmade Christmas ornaments. Madilyn did such a great job smiling and being friendly - that does seem to be her calling in life. You should have seen the smile on the face of the woman when Madilyn gave her an ornament. I wish I could have captured it on film... Fun Christmas memories.

A quiet sense of humor

So, with all of her disabilities, it's easy to forget that Sarah has a sense of humor. A dry one, to be sure, but it's there. Case in point:

Driving to the aforementioned church Christmas party, when she knew that the 3 Kings would be there, she quietly remarked, to no one in particular... "That must be the fourth king."... as we were passed by a semi truck labelled "Kings Express".

If you're not paying attention, her zingers get lost in the ether.

Christmas Quiz

So I get these e-mails all the time, asking for my answers to random questions. I love reading the responses, but never forward them on. Drives my sister crazy. So, in the spirit of giving, I figured I'd actually respond and post the answers here.

Just copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you... Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper

2. Real tree or artificial? artificial, with lots of pine scented candles

3. When do you put up the tree? day after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? the day after we get home

5. Do you like eggnog? not even a little bit

6. Favorite gift received as a child? microscope

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes-lots

8. Hardest person to buy for? Parents

9. Easiest person to buy for? Kids

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I'm sure that there have been some, but I must be blocking out the memory...

11. Email or Christmas cards? Christmas newsletter

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Charlie Brown Christmas. Linus nails it!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? this year, july... but usually a week before

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm sure I have, but I'm not sharing specifics

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies and chocolate (actually, that's not restricted to Christmas)

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night. I have at least 7 versions on my iPod.

18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? travel

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? in my sleep

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? people who forget the Savior on His birthday

23. What I love most about Christmas? Being with family, and reflecting on the wonderful gifts given to all by Christ.