Merry Christmas.....

We hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. I have so many pictures and activities to share. This holiday season has been crazy and time has slipped away from me. I promise to catch up and share all of our adventures.

Tis The Season

For Craziness!! The rush has started to fit everything in before Christmas. We are certianly not exempt. This week has been full of parties, activities, and of course the never ending homework. It has been so busy that I was looking forward to a slower weekend. Much to my surprise when I check the calendar and remembered that Saturday was the craziest day of the week.

Saturday morning we were greeted by snow & rain. Every day the weathermen had claimed we would have snow. Finally, on Saturday it came, well only a small dusting on the grass. It soon melted and we had rain the rest of the day. We were off to the Rec Center for Breakfast with Santa. As we were walking in Santa came through the door. He hugged each one of the kids. They were in heaven.

Breakfast with 300 of our closest friends. There was so much activity that the kids barely ate a thing. There were games, crafts, music, movies, dancing, and finally visiting with Santa.

The Grinch was also there with many elves. He must of loved us because he was never far away. He stole my breakfast. Reganne & Ryder were upset and started telling him off. Ryder just stared at him and wouldn't get to close. Rylee went and danced with him.

Rylee, Reganne, and Ryder eating breakfast.

Rylee, Grinch, Reganne...

He wrote on my picture !!!! He autographed Reganne's picture. She had to have another one because he ruined it.

Ryder...They took by glue!!!

He was prefectly content to color, cut, and glue his picture. However, the kids around us kept taking his stuff.

Robin, Rylee, and Reganne...Making Elves. Reganne promptly gave hers away to Robin's sister Phoebe. She didn't get to make one.

Reganne & Robin watching movies.

The kids all had a fun time and are already pleading to go back next year.

Rylee had her year end test for karate. She has been working so hard to earn her next belt. We arrived in time to warm up and get ready. Luckily there were only 4 other students, but she had never met them. She was also the youngest orange belt there. 3 of them were orange belts and one was a green belt.

She did really well with her testing. She was a little timid with the other students, but she hung in there. It came time to spar with the others. She has only done this twice before. They matched her up with the next boy (age 10). They started and did really well. However, he was bigger and stronger. His kick caught her just right in the ribs. There was a quick break to make sure she was ok. Much to my relief she was just shook up. The visiting instructor checked her out and calmed her down. She then asked Rylee to spar with her. Rylee came back stronger than ever and scored her points.

She was awarded her blue belt and congratulated for not giving up.

Rylee & her new belt

The look on her face is the one she had the whole time. I am not sure if it was from fright or concentration. She is eager to start work on her next belt.

Wow, we survived the day. I hope we can survive this next week. It's not supposed to slow down.

It's All About The Hair

In Primary they have been talking about service and what each person can do for someone else. We have been talking the past couple of months about cutting the girls hair off. We have talked, threatened, pleaded about their hair. Rylee wanted to donate her hair. Reganne wanted to keep her hair and let it keep growing. After the last Primary discussion I asked them if they would like to serve someone that doesn't have any hair? There was a pause and finally Rylee said that would be cool to give someone hair for Christmas. Reganne promptly replied all they want for Christmas is hair.

Off we went to Shawna's house on Monday and Rylee was first. We decided this time to try two ponytails instead of one. She had to still saw through the hair.

The first cut
The second cut... Can I change my mind?

What am I doing???

The final product. She hated the process afterwards. Shampooing, cutting, drying, and finally styling her hair. She sure looks cute. She was so excited to show her friends at school. She couldn't wait to be the center of attention.

Next in line as Reganne. Now that it was her turn she wasn't so sure she wanted to do it. Her expressions are priceless.

The first cut.

The second cut... My hair is gone!!!

And finally she it is done. She is learning to like her short hair. She was afraid that nobody would remember who she was. She doesn't want anyone fussing over her or her new hair.

We are really proud of them for wanting to share & serve others.

Finally, Ryder's hair.

I had a quick, fleeting thought to let his hair grow out a little. So I tried spiking it to match the patches that were all ready standing up. This lasted about an hour and it was all laying down, except the back patches. So he also got a haircut. Not enough to donate, but he sure looks better.