A Big Chill

So, we had an exciting end of the week....after alot of rain, it snowed!!!!

We got out of school early Thursday...and it was cancelled for Friday-which was Tara's 13th Birthday!

So, we decide to stay cold....and go ice skating!

We tried making white chocolate snowflakes to decorate her cake.
The first attempts were terrible....but the end result was ok.

The Batmobile is done. There was a little better child participation this year, a little less stressful for everyone.  But, we had to finish it early since Dad was going to be gone.  I think it turned out well.  We will see if we can beat our total loss record from last year at the pinewood derby this week.

You can't see too well, but both have lost the same tooth on the upper left.  ....

Skating for the first time requires so much concentration.  He surprised us all when he decided to join the group getting instructions in the middle of the rink.  He wanted to go but was sad they had already started.  I told him to wait for the instructor, he just went....blazing his own trail through the on-coming traffic!  He did it without falling .....grabbing on to Tara desperatly when he arrived.  When he got back 10 min later, he was sobbing......I asked if he was hurt or if he fell....."No!  But I almost died!" 

 

 

 What to give a teenager?  Candy!  You can never go wrong with candy!

 

We had a really great week.  We had the sister missionaries over for dinner for the first time in years.  They haven't been in our ward for a long time.  They were so much fun.  One is from Canada- Gene always loves to talk to Canadians since he served his mission there.....ay!

Girls basketball practice for the church team has resumed.  Tara was actually happy about trying again.

We went to the Mother Daughter Book Club, read the book "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead.  It was a big group this month and we played a version of $20,000 Pyramid.  This was delayed because of the snow but turned out to be tons of fun since there was no school. 

Tara went to Night of Knitting- which was another fun night of movies and tag for just the Young Women.  They stayed up til 10...too late for me...but, Tara says she could always stay longer. Ahhh...to be young again and not feel such severe punishments from staying up late. (and not have too much required of you the next morning so you could sleep in!)

Tara's choice of birthday dinner was Chili's.  We talked about how we'd be happy on the CH-CH-CH diet of cheese, chicken and chocolate.

Then, of course, the birthday party was at the IceChalet (where Gene skated as a youngster).  We had our own warmed party room to gather.  It was great for those who got chilly or needed a break.  About half the party hadn't been skating before, so we got an instructor for about 20 min. to get the basics down.  Tara was proud she didn't fall once -not for lack of trying.  Her friend Brooke's new nickname for her is "Stretch"....and it is official.  Tara is now taller than I am.....I was really hoping she would slow down a little...but, it seems she's still stretching. 

Emily spent 2 afternoons with her friend Alyssa coming up with ways they could make money...what for you ask?  for charity.....which one?  Alzheimers, lukemia, orphans......there are so many....they just want to give and give.  They made little boxes out of old Christmas cards and are wondering when they can hold a garage sale of all our stuff.........."Not 'til Spring", I said!  But, was touched that they were being so thoughtful together. 

Gene spoke in our ward today...his high council assignment is always in our ward the first of the year.  He always does a great job- I just ran him to the airport.  He'll be in Chicago until the 30th, ugh!  Cold time to be in Chicago- and a long time to be gone. 

Other than Emily' s sore throat and some rug burns, everyone is healthy and well.