Weekly Update

Around the House: The house is still filled with sick people, so there's not much going on. I am taking the kids for try #2 at getting some Christmas pictures taken. We tried to get them taken last week at JCPenneys, but after waiting 40 minutes past our appointment time, the "photographer" (and I use that term loosely, better is "the lady with the camera") rushed us in and out in less than 5 minutes and didn't get a single good picture of either kid. So, I didn't order any prints and I didn't reschedule. I'm taking them to Sears this time, and I made sure that there weren't 10 other appointments for the same time. So, hopefully we won't be so tired and rushed this time. I can get great pictures of them separately. The challenge is to get them to sit still together.

In the Kitchen: Sick or not, I am making pannetoni dough this weekend. I'm using the recipe out of my new bread book and I plan to take a couple of loaves up to my Mom's house for Thanksgiving. Hopefully I won't forget to take a picture before it all gets eaten.

New with Embry: Embry was invited to her first birthday party last Saturday for a boy in her class. The party was at a gym and was lots of fun. The parents rented out a huge area in the gym and there were organized games for the kids like parachute and scooter races. Then they all went swimming, and had pizza and cake. Embry was one of the youngest ones there and it took her a little while to get into the games, but then she had a blast. She actually ate her pizza, and a slice of green "Hulk" cake. It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

New with Matthew: Still not walking on his own yet. Still standing on his own for ridiculous lengths of time. How long is an episode of "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!"? I'm not sure what technique he's going for, but his balance is great.

I am Grateful For: Thursdays. Thursdays are my day when I don't have any errands to run, any phone calls to make, any laundry to do, or any large cleaning projects. It's as close to a day off as I get. So, I spent naptime today going through the mountain of catalogs that have accumulated over the last week. I love catalogs, but I do get A LOT of them in the 2 weeks before and after Thanksgiving.

The Weather Outside: When Embry and I stepped outside after the birthday party it was snowing. Nothing accumulated, but it was still exciting for both of us. More scattered flurries are expected tonight.

I am Obsessing About: Finishing my Christmas shopping. I only have 2 people left and they are the same 2 people I always put off until last. I know I still have plenty of time, but I like to spend the last few weeks before Christmas cooking, not shopping.

Here's some cute pictures of the kids wrestling in the front room.