John is back and had a blast.  Adam and Maria made it safely and today took Brigitte sledding.  Yesterday, the Winter Games began at the ice rink and Brigitte got to be a runner.  She really enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes of the competition.  Runners get to take the scores from the judges and take them to where all the competitors can see them.  Ten volunteer hours done, only six more to go!!  I was drafted into volunteering as well while waiting for Brigitte.  I got to man the table where the flowers and programs were sold.

This is a really quick update, but all I have time for this week!!  Pictures still to come, promise!!

Changes coming soon!!! John went to Moab to ride with a bunch of friends. He just had the suspension on the new motorcycle done and had to go and try it out. It has been raining since he left so we hope he only gets a little wet. Since he went out of town Brigitte and I are doing what girls like to do best. We have been shopping and redoing her bedroom. My hawaiin girl went for a more tropical theme.

Yesterday we went to Stephanie and had Brigitte's hair cut. She really wanted to go short again and had lots of hair to lose. She was able to donate her hair to locks of love. What a cool thing to do. Of course she didn't know that until we explained what locks of love was!!! As smart as kids are these days, it amazes me the things I take for granted she knows! As soon as John returns with the camera, I will post pics of her new do!! We took before pics on her phone, but I still can't figure out how to get them onto my computer!!

Adam and Maria are returning to town on Sunday. We aren't sure how long they are going to be here yet. We only found out they were coming late last night!! Yikes! I have been a cleaning fool all day long. Brigitte is less than impressed with her call to service, and if it was anyone but Adam I'm sure I would have heard lots more about it. Anyway, we are excited for the time we will get to spend with them.

What a momentous day for America!!!  Whether you voted for Obama or not, today we saw history front and center.  As we move forward from here, we can only hope for a united America and one that is better in four years than it is today.  Every President faces challenges when they take over the toughest job in the country, but I believe Obama really has some major things to face.  With the shaky economy, an unpopular war and the challenge of our massive debt (both as individuals and as a country), it will be necessary to take immediate action to improve the situation.  I don't know about you, but I am grateful not to be in his position come morning.

On a more personal note, last night we got a cell phone for Brigitte.  At what time in our lives has this become something fourth graders need?  While we were picking out the phone Brigitte brought up the fact she is one of a handful that didn't already have one.  I understand they are great to keep in touch and keep tabs on what kids are doing, I just never thought I would have given her one at this young age.  As we have talked about this in the past, it was believed we would look at it around junior high.  The last few weeks have provided several challenges that have left us wanting in the area of being able to communicate with one another as we are all trying to get where we need to go.  Unfortunately, we had an issue with a plane at work and I got stuck late writing statements and investigating what exactly happened.  As this could become a much more familiar part of my new schedule, and because John is working so far from home we felt it would be good to at least be able to keep tabs so Brigitte knows what to expect.

Our cell company has this great family allowance program that allows us to limit her time, phone numbers allowed or not allowed, messaging and downloads.  I was really impressed by the way they cater to families with the ability to monitor and limit certain phones.  It really makes it nice to be sure the phone is only used to call certain people.  We can even disable the phone during school hours.  Who would have thought those abilities would exist when we first saw cell phones.  Once again I am truly grateful to live in a country and a time with so much possibility!

Here are some fun pictures from the holidays.  John and Harrison were deeply engrossed in fixing whatever they were working on.  Brigitte made the train in school and isn't Zoe so adorable?  The one of Harrison with the bears was just too cute not to include.  

Brigitte loves to be outdoors, can you tell by how big her smile is as she heads out to sled!  We are off to ice skating later today and she will be upset when I make her leave after an hour.  To prove that she is one of the girls, I can usually bribe her with hot cocoa if we leave without whining!!  What girl can't be  convinced with a little chocolate.  How in the world did I end up with a child that loves to be cold!?  Where do kids get their ideas?  Do they try to figure out what would make us the most uncomfortable and decide that is what they will love to do?!  Anyone who knows me knows I really don't like to be cold, and especially after living in a warmer climate, I never really climatized back to the freezing cold we get here.  To think that now year round I spend several days a week in an ice rink just goes to prove we really will do anything we can for our kids.  

I have a child that will not go outside when the sun is shining and the temperatures are up there, but give her a little snow and lots of cold and she won't come inside!!!  Saturday we spent hours sledding at the park with a friend, then her friend came home from school with her today and they spent hours outside sledding at the house and digging holes in the mountains of snow!!

Ice skating really was a good fit for a child that feels no cold!

At work today people were talking about what they give up for the new year, I asked why they have to give up anything?  Can't we start the new year thinking about things we need more of and have our resolutions follow along?  What about more family time, more exercise, more enjoyment of the little things or maybe more education!!  Aren't these things just as important to work on as losing weight, or giving up an addiction, or spending too much time on the wrong things?  I think they are!!  Lent is when people come up with things to do without!!  This year we are looking at the things we need more of!!  Our family will definitely be trying to improve ourselves with this years goals, but they will be more positive with what we need more of!!!  I know all of you need more of something, please tell me I'm not the only one!!  What are some things you all need more of?

So far so good!  Last night was the first scrapbooking class, it is going to be so much fun!  The best part is that I get to spend some time with my sisters-in-law and my sisters!  It amazes me that we can do all this stuff on the computer.  Just think about how much space it will save without all the extra stickers, ribbons, buttons, etc.    

Brig is still ice skating like mad, she is very disappointed about not doing the winter games, but she is working hard on new elements for her show in April.

John's still running like mad and loving it.  He and Brigitte are looking forward to warmer weather so they can start biking again.  The last few days have been wonderful!!  Snow is beautiful when the temperatures are pleasant.  

Happy Birthday to Grandma and Sandy!!!  Hope you both have a wonderful day!!

Happy New  Year!!!!!!!

Now that the new year is here, it is time for some new resolutions!!  You know, so next year we can realize we didn't even make it through January before those were a thing of the past!  As a result I have decided to go for some that will be easier (I hope) to keep.  

The first one will be to update this blog at least once a week regardless of crazy schedules!  The second one is to take some new classes (who said school wasn't fun?)  The first series of classes I am taking are for digital scrapbooking!  I have this really amazing sister-in-law that teaches these so I have signed up for all of them.  I even coaxed a few sisters to join me.  Tif and Cyndi we are going to have fun! Britt we look forward to you joining us after the first couple!  

John has already signed up for his first marathon this year and has been training diligently.  He just hopes to do better this time than last!  I say, after the first one isn't it all bonus?!

We decided to keep Brigitte out of the winter games.  Instead she has begun working on new moves so she can move up into higher brackets!  She is one amazing chicky!!  She will also be running the kids k while John runs the marathon!

We hope everyone made it successfully through the holiday season, and wish Happy New Year to all!!!!