Never enough time...

Well it's been about 3 weeks since I last posted anything and for good reason! Basketball season is here and I have been refing games almost every day which keeps me on the run and also takes time I would normally use to grade papers, do lesson plans, etc. So needless to say things are a little hectic and I'm feeling swamped! But I just had to get on here today to let everyone know we're still here and have had some nice "moments" in between all the crazyness. We went down to Hollywood to visit our wonderful friends the Sophies for about 5 days leading up to Thanksgiving and had a really nice time. We don't get to see them but maybe 2 or 3 times a year so it was nice to have that much time off school to just relax down there and enjoy not only the great company but the gorgeous weather! Our camera crapped out on us about 2 months ago and we finally got a new one in the post Thanksgiving day sales so I'll post some new pictures soon. Our internet at home has been out as we are switching providers which will finally happen I believe on Thursday. So once that is up and running I'll get the new pictures up. Let's see we went and got our Christmas tree Saturday night after one of my games and Kylie REALLY got into the holiday spirit! She was so focused on decorating and it was just soo cute (and honestly a little annoying as she kept pestering us about decorating EVERYTHING until it was all done). We wanted to do it in spurts and she just wanted to go, go, go until it was up to her standard! Also on Saturday we participated in the St. Cloud Christmas parade which is really a big deal here. Kylie rode on the Harony Pop Warner float with the other cheer leaders and football players as I walked along side handing out candy. She did get down and walk some of the way helping hand out candy as well but she didn't last the whole 2+ miles. It was kinda hard to get in the spirit though since it was so hot! I couldn't believe I was sweating in a Christmas parade!!! Nate & Desi that little tidbit was for you, hope you're enjoying that lovely Michigan winter! Finally last night we had a nice night at home as it was my one night off this week! We had a nice little Family Home Evening lesson on how the candy cane is a reminder of the Christ. For those of you who haven't seen that before it's great for kids! The cane is in the shape of a shepards staff and you share a scripture referencing Christ as our shepard. It is hard like a rock so you read a reference about Christ being the rock. Finally the colors white and red represent his purity and blood so you share scriptures that dicuss his pureness and his blood which was shed for us. Then we had ice cream and layed down together as a family to watch Alvin & the Chipmunks. Well I gotta run, tons of work to do but I'll post photos later this week! We love you all and hope you're having a joyous Holiday Season!
PS: Thanks to Brenda and Dale for getting Amber some much needed time out without the girls this weekend. It's tough this time of year with all the games I'm working for me to take her out or even just watch the girls so she can get out. She really enjoyed it!