We're all a little Nutty

Sam said that my blog post should be titled, "A Wii in a Manger," but that seemed irreverent. However, our Wii that we got for Christmas has occupied most of our spare time this past week, so it has sort of dominated our celebrating. The amazing thing was watching everyone laugh and play well together, even patiently taking turns (essential before Santa brought 3 more remotes). It has been a fun family diversion. Canoeing competition Our last week before Christmas was filled with lots of fun preparations and celebrations. We had fun with family, and the highlight for me was watching the kids exchange gifts with each other. I can tell that part is important because it always goes over so well and they are so gracious. We took SO MANY pictures of cousins at Grandma's and finally just gave up. This one was my favorite because of the obviously strong emotions being expressed by the children tired of being photographed. Ian was so excited to make these gingerbread men to gi...

Never mind that the weather man keeps apologizing because "we probably won't have a white Christmas." Despite the fact that everywhere northward is just having slushy rain/snow, we have had snow continuously since early yesterday morning. And it's the wet, heavy kind. I shoveled 8 inches yesterday and we got another 12 inches overnight. We broke our best shovel. But, it's absolutely gorgeous! The view from our kitchen window: Neighbors working together to dig out: The view toward our house from the middle of our street: Any doubts about how much snow fell overnight? Ian couldn't get enough of the shoveling. There is a LOT of snow out there! I feel giddy with excitement! I love it when it snows like this!

I've been growing resentful of the Christmas songs on the radio with messages like "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" or "Let it Snow! Let it Snow!" Because it feels like March out there! Well, the 50 degree temperatures are gone. And, I've come to love the wake-up call of a snowplow driving down the street. It was even more beautiful this morning, but too dark to capture the beauty. Then, we shoveled and played and I forgot to take pictures til now. Anyway, the snow has certainly jazzed things up around here. And speaking of jazz, Sam FINALLY played in public last night! She was a part of two jazz combos that were part of the opening act in the band concert. (I've been trying to upload the video all day, but it won't post, so I'll try to add it later.)

As I was scanning through the news headlines this morning, I couldn't figure out why this dignitary would have such a ridiculous hat on. Was it some sort of Menorrah headdress? Was it a birthday hat? Then, I realized, it was the chandelier behind him. What a dork I am. Here's the link if you want to verify my stupidity: news story with fancy headdress

To help us focus more on the Savior this Christmas, our family is reading segments of "The Living Christ" published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints several years ago. Click here to read The Living Christ It contains the testimony of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles regarding Christ's life and teachings. I broke it up into 15 pages with a few lines on each page, along with pictures that go along with the words (which I cut out of old church magazines). I was so excited to present it in Family Home Evening a few weeks ago. I hang a new one up in the kitchen every few days and we try to read them at dinner. I don't know that we will be visibly changed by this project, but I do know that thinking about the Savior a few more times in our day than we normally would can only be a good thing. I love the magic of Christmas. I love the excitement of Santa and the ways that he can make dreams come true. I love the magic that com...