It has been along time since I have posted. It has been a typical holiday season with many wonderful parties, many visits with family, and way too much food. We have survived and are looking forward to a new year. We are not making any new resolutions, but we are tightening a few belts around here. The economy is a major part of the tightening. Our jobs are good, but we still fear what could happen. You never know when one of our incomes could change drastically. The other belt we are hoping to tighten is our real belts. I have been lazy in my fitness routine lately and very unconcerned with my eating habits. Together that equals clothes that don't fit anymore. I have never let myself get this out of control and I need to make some changes.

We had to attend several performances for the girls. Samantha was in the children's choir plum pudding festival. She was asked to perform Silent night in German with 4 other girls. She practiced every night for her performance and did a really good job. Katharine was in her preschool's Christmas performance also. She did a good job with all the motions and had a great time.

The girls loved Christmas. We had a special party for Samantha and Katharine and their friends the week of Christmas. Katharine was very concerned about whose birthday is was since we were having a party. Samantha reminded her, and myself, that we are celebrating Jesus's birthday. Wow, sometimes they understand better than we do. They don't forget about Santa, but they understand the true meaning too. Well, we had to sing Happy Birthday Jesus at the party. It was really cute.

They also enjoyed seeing Santa more than a few times. At first, Katharine cried when we got close to him, but by the last time we saw him, she would walk up and talk to him but would not get in his lap. Samantha decided this year to whisper what she wanted in Santa's ear. She also did not write her letter to Santa until the week before Christmas. Needless to say, I was trying to figure out what she wanted with little help from her.

The main items they wanted from Santa this year were

Katharine: a baby Ariel doll (waterbaby we found online), Princess Aurora doll and horse, and a stroller for her dolls (as if we don't have 3 already).

Samantha: a Samantha american girl doll, a monkey in a swing doll, a Nintendo Wii (well I wanted it also).

they received everything they wanted and them some more, lots more!!!!!

We had a great visit the weekend before Christmas in Jackson with Steven's family and then my sister and her family came to our house with my parents for Christmas day. We had a great time with everyone.

We winded down the season with a low key party at some friends on New Years Eve. It was nice to relax with friends.

I hope to see more great times to come this next year.