Kids have been busy.

Nate entered a contest at school called "D.F. Idol". They had to audition in front of judges and lip sync a song. He made the top 3. They had video taped each person so they could play it on the tv system at school. Then each student could vote for the winner. Guess what...Nate won 1st place!!! He lip syncd a song by Phantom of the Opera called "Think of me". Britt helped him and he did a really good job. It was so fun to watch!! He won a 2 ltr bottle of pop, a movie ticket, and 25 dollars!!! Cool! Good job Nate!!

Brooke had her Christmas mini recital for dance last tuesday. All the parents come into their dance studio and watch a small recital. They did a chipmunk song dance, and a High school musical 3 song...The boys are back. She did such a great job and was so cute! After the dances their teacher has them all do the splits each side and then the straddles. If they can do any of these they get a big candy bar. This was the first year Brooke got one! She can do the splits now all the way down. She was so excited! (I took some videos mostly but don't know how to get them on here.) I did take a few pics. Good job Brooke!

We watched the kids decorate their gingerbread houses. They all did a great job. It was fun to see them do different things. Pres helped Brooke with her frosting. She would tell him where to squeeze it on and then she decorated. Even Andrew had fun. He made it all his own by putting his favorite bands on the roof top. I got to sit back and take pics of everyone.

Just want to tell everyone Merry Christmas and hope you all have a great holiday season. We are so excited for Santa to come to our house. Today we are making our Santa cookies and relaxing till dad comes home. Then we will eat dinner and go see Christmas lights. After that we will watch one of our favorite movies....The Christmas Story. Then try to go to sleep so Santa can come visit us! We will update after Christmas! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Good News!

On Monday we took Britt to her Orthopedic doctor appt. at Primary Childrens. She was being seen for her Scoliosis. They took new x-rays of her back, then we waited for the doctor to look at both sets of x-rays, the ones we had taken before and the new ones. He came in and met us and was really nice. He explained everything to us about scoliosis and gave us so much information. Then he showed us Britt's x-rays and explained that she is only at a 20 degree and that she is done growing in her back. So that means her scoliosis won't get any worse!! They like to put braces on if the degree is 25 and she doesn't need to even worry about that anymore! I was so relieved and happy that she is all okay. He told us she shouldn't have any problems from her scoliosis. Wooo Hoo!!! She is pretty happy too!

The meaning of Christmas.

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask him.The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement, TEACH THE CHILDREN!I was puzzled: What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it on the mantle. Teach the Children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. Teach the Children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of that promise.He then reached into the bag and pulled out a CANDLE. Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.Once again he reached into his bag and then removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree.Teach the Children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. Teach the Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. Teach the Children the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, "Teach the Children that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift. Teach the Children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men."Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. Teach the Children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps bring back strayed sheep from the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. Teach the Children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will.'Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulledout a BELL. Teach the Children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should bring people to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.Santa looked at the tree and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the Children the true meaning of Christmas, and not to put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."

I wish we could be here this weekend.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyINVjQPqhI