Iron Rod

This was an assignment from the bishop to go along with a family scripture reading goal for the new year. James was asked to draw a picture of what the scriptures mean to him.  (I tried to convince James to do my portrait and quote 1Nephi 16:8.  No dice.)  From left to right: Tessa, Grace, Marie, Allie, James, and Ben.

More of Christmas

I think Ben got his holidays mixed up.

Christmas Morning

 Grace had her softy taken away for 8 months until she could learn to stop sucking her thumb.  She finally got it back.

Grace wanted a fish.  (When Marie over-heard James mention "pet store" she just knew she was getting a rabbit.  Sorry, Marie.)

The only thing that brings Ben more joy than teasing his sisters is shooting his mother. 

Sledding Christmas Eve

Amazing zoom.  This shot was taken from the bottom of the hill.

 Seth and Grace take the first ride of the day.

 The size of Allie's mouth is not proportionate to the size of the jump.

Bryson pulls Grace up the hill.

 Randy and Allie are too late to realize this is a bad idea.

 Ben eats it.

Grace is hungry.

 James and Ben over-looking some sweet jumps.

Christmas!

This year, we put off starting our video until the week before Christmas. Then the camera broke. After all that, a Charlie Brown Christmas video seemed rather appropriate. We hope you all remember the meaning of Christmas this year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Getting Ready for Christmas

 I've been working on some  homemade decorations and ornaments.

 Our tree has an old fashioned theme, complete with dehydrated apples and citrus.

 This is what fog looks like in 7 degree weather. 

 Grace: Oooh, it's Christmas Land out there!

 We went out this week to find a Christmas tree.  It was dark so the pics aren't that great, but these are for Lori and Staci.

It's time to get rolling on our annual Christmas video.  I'm not sure if we have the strength...

God's Miracle

On Saturday, God granted me a tender mercy by allowing me to finish my race, even on an injured knee.  The pain was very real and ever present at the start, but I was able to keep going until mile 5 when I realized I couldn't feel the pain any more.  I didn't qualify for the Boston, but I was able to break 4 hours with a personal best of 3:59:09.  That's 45 minutes faster than last year's marathon!

 Picking up my number.

 Taping my knees with kinesio tape for support.

 A breakfast of champions (and encouragement from one awesome mother).

 Loading onto the buses at 4:00 a.m.

 James, Annette, Eliza and kids at the start of the mayor's walk.  Very tired kiddos at 7:00 a.m.

 Tired after jogging for two miles. 

 Jane Guthrie, my most enthusiastic supporter.

 Kids waiting for the first finishers.

 Allie and Bill at the end of the race.  We finished within 15 minutes of each other.

 Allie and Grandma walking back to the car.  Stiffness hadn't set in yet.

 Blisters from shoes I never got an opportunity to run in after my injury.

Running Home.