The Burrs In Our Saddles

Madison is on the Robotics team this year. She has really had a good time helping build and program their robot. Last Saturday, the team had their first (and only, I think) competition. See here . The team did ok, but it was a good learning experience for them. My friend, Denise and I volunteered to help serve concessions. Good times were had by all. I especially liked the turquoise aprons we got to wear from the kitchen at the school. They really brought out our best features. And yes, Santa did come help us in the kitchen.

I was at rehearsal/performing almost every single night. Exhausting. Monday night it was rehearsal for The Nutcracker with the Eugene Ballet Compay. Tuesday it was 2 matinee shows for elementary schools for the aforementioned show from 9am-2pm. Tuesday night, it was the actual show that we (I mean Colby) took the girls to see. Wednesday, free (Hallelujah ). Thursday, rehearsal with this guy who rocks: If you don't recognize Collin Raye, you are really missing out on a great guy. Super musician, super show. Friday, show with same great musician. Saturday, 2nd show with same great musician. And I took my violin to the doctor today. Diagnosis: cracks. Rx: stay for 3 days. Triple M aren't really upset about it because they're tired of me being gone. And to be quite honest, I'm tired of being gone. Now maybe I can catch up on on the things that have been put off. And to top it all off, our oven's igniter went out last Monday. So I haven't been able...

For Thanksgiving, we went to see my mom. My oldest sister (not implying you're old at all, K!) and her family came up from Thousand Oaks and my youngest brother (not implying you're young, C!) came home from Fordham in NYC. It was lots and lots of fun to see them and we loved spending time with family. Colby made a visit as well, staying for about 2 hours and not eating a single bite of dinner before he left. Crazy man. Saturday (my birthday) we went to the BYU-Utah game. It was a BLAST! but I can't seem to get my microSD card/adapter to work the way they are supposed to so I can post photos. Needless to say, we had a great time. At first it was just the "adults" and Will, but at the last second, Grandma called with another ticket for Madie. So we all jumped in the cars and headed off to the game. Unfortunately, I didn't grab any coats and we got pretty cold toward the end of the game. Thank heaven for the BYU Gear Store where we bought hats and handw...

This year, we had Grammy and Granddad come down for our pizza dinner. Then we went Trick-or-Treating with our friend from across the street. I won't tell her name because we don't have any pictures (digital, that is) of her. Madie was a Native American ( not and indian), Mackenzie was a Monarch Butterfly, and Meriden was a Butterfly Fairy. Meriden had a party and parade at her preschool, and the big girls had their annual Spooktacular. Both were loads of fun and we ate just enough candy to get REALLY excited about Trick-or-Treating.

I can't believe Christmas is here. As is the tradition in our home, Grammy sends 12 days worth of presents to lead up to the big day. Yesterday was day 1, but I've just gotten to posting. Here it is.

So, a couple momentous occasions: 1. My 100th post. Pretty sad it has taken so long to get it posted, but it's done. 2. Madison got her braces off on Tuesday. She woke up at 6:30 am because she was so excited. I saw the happy dance a couple of times, and now she looks older. This is me wiping the tears off my cheeks because she is growing up way too fast. So sad but exciting at the same time! I love my kids. They are good (most of the time) and fun to hang out with. Today they didn't have school because of Parent/Teacher Conferences this week and we went to the Museum of Idaho to the Abraham Lincoln exhibit. It was a lot of fun and they enjoyed it too. What kids want to hang out at the museum on their day off of school? Apparently mine. Before we went to the museum we went to the mall because Madison needed some warm/wintery church dresses. She has plenty of summery dresses, but no wintery. Although "wintery" isn't technically a word, you all know wh...