and the Wii-ner is...

Wow! We have had an action packed week. It started last week with our neighbor (right next door) getting their house broken into during the day (11:00 in the morning). She had gone to the gym and during that time two punk kids, who were raiding the neighborhood, broke their back door (it had a glass window in it) and ransacked their house. It was crazy that it happened in broad daylight on our busy street. There was a guy in our ward who had driven by and had seen two kids, one with a backpack and the other with a full pillowcase, and was able to give the police a description of the two kids. Not to mention, they left muddy footprints in the direction they went and dropped other jewelry from other houses they had robbed and their phone. The police caught them both and our neighbors got back EVERYTHING that was stolen. It shook us all up, though. It's not the stuff that we care about, but the violation. Anyway...it was crazy.

Then there was a 12-hour flu going through the boys. Scott and I didn't get it. Scott is fighting me that there is no such thing as a 12-hour flu and that it was just food poisoning...so if there are any others that think like he does...please inform me. Anyway, it started with Dallen, then hit Ashton, then Calvin, then Alec and Derrek. I had gotten home from going to the store around 12:00 am and Derrek and Calvin were up because they couldn't stop puking. It was great. So, I cleaned things up and just waited until they were able to get back to sleep. Calvin was doing the worst and Scott gave him a blessing and Calvin didn't throw up again after that. Calvin seems to have experiences like that. He must have unshakable faith when it comes to the power of a blessing of healing.

The next morning we were to all eat breakfast with the Steurer group for Christmas Eve day. Needless to say, we didn't make breakfast. The rest of the group was nice to wait for us to re-group and let us play the "Wii Bowling" tournament. I hope no one else got sick...of course if it was just food poisoning, then there is nothing to worry about. The boys were funny because they would just sit on the couch and flick their wrists and get a strike, and the rest of us were playing like it was real life...practicing our spins and making sure our follow-through was just right! It was fun. Derrek won the whole tournament, with Ashton in 2nd place, Geoff's son, Andy, in 3rd, and my sister Julianne in 4th (yeah Ju!). My mom gave gift cards to all those who participated and Scott even got a bonus $10 for getting the lowest score out of all the games and not breaking 100! He needs to practice. Then my dad said "let's do a winner takes all game". So those who wanted, threw in their $5 gift card to play for the pot. My dad won. Derrek thought he had it in the bag because he had just beaten everyone...not so! Derrek played a few more games, but was losing them and was not as confident. My dad talked him into doing another "winner take all" game and he would put in the money he had just won and Derrek put in $5 and play for the pot. They did a "practice" game and Derrek decided he could do it. The next game was for the pot. Derrek and my dad were neck and neck and then my dad pulled ahead around the fourth frame. We totally thought my dad would win, even with Derrek getting three strikes right at the end of the game, but we looked and Derrek had beaten him by 5 points. It was exciting and Derrek walked away that day with $60.

We had a good Christmas. It was quiet. The kids got stocking and traded brother gifts. They were so cute because they wrapped things that they had and gave them to the brother they knew would want it. Derrek gave Calvin some jeans and Calvin gave Derrek a shirt that he had wanted. Dallen and Ashton had wrapped stuffed animals for each other. There was actually a lot they had given each other. It was great to see. The gift that Scott (and I) was giving them, we weren't able to do because it rained all day. But Friday was great weather and also yesterday. We cut down the half-pipe and the kids got to paint it with some sealer and hopefully it will get used a little more and last better with the coating on it. I have attached a picture of the old (it's not the best picture, but gives you an idea of what was cut off) and the new. There is also a cute picture of our dog, Shep, with the biggest bone we could find him...he loves it. And, here is also a picture of the boys on Christmas morning before they "opened" their stockings. And one of Derrek with all the gift cards that he had won. We spent the rest of Christmas day with family and had a really good time and lots of great food.

Well, we hope that everyone else is well and having a great Christmas break.