Apolo has some serious competition

I grew up with a pond in my back yard, don't ya know. All winter long we'd get home from school, put on the skates and wear ourselves out. I'd like to skate in my backyard here, but I live in CA, not MN. I'm not willing to move just for ice.

I settled for driving a few miles to the ice rink.

None of the girls had ever been on ice before our skating trip. Scott's second time skating was our first date. I thought he was lying when he said he'd only been once. You'd have sworn he was a Gopher Stater too. I was hoping the girls had been genetically blessed with his balance.

The girls did surprisingly well.

Not only that but they ALL loved skating!

By the end of the afternoon Emily was zipping around the rink and already making plans for the next trip.

Heidi wasn't exactly zipping, but she sure wasn't screaming, so it was a major success.

Who wants to come next time?

Rock ON!

Two weeks ago, at our church's give-and-get activity, I gave a bunch of clothes I didn't want and got a guitar that someone else didn't want. I brought it home and Emily went NUTS! She was so excited and wanted to start taking guitar lessons that day.

I know nothing about guitars, except that this one might be too big for her, but I know people. Luckily the lovely and talented Lizzie was able to show her how to hold it and how to play a few chords.

She's been practicing E minor ever since. Look out Swift.

Merry Christmas!

If we didn't have children FOR SURE this would be our Christmas card. For those of you who only know us with children, this is the kind of card you would have seen seven years ago. I am grateful we have children for many reasons. My mom, I'm sure is glad that we have children for many reasons also, but especially that this is not our Christmas card.

Kimbo Slice meets the two whitest people on the planet.

Scott and I were at a conference in Las Vegas earlier this week. One of the exhibitors had a area to meet some MMA fighters. We walked by the booth and both said, "Is that Kimbo?" Scott loves me even more now for that.

Is this guy not the scariest looking dude you'd ever not want to meet in a Pizza Hut parking lot? He is completely solid. I checked, of course, when I put my arm around him. He is also genuinely nice, which was kind of a surprise to anyone who'd seen his old fights on YouTube.

Scott has already sent this photo to everyone he knows. I might photoshop the girls into the photo. You'll know in December.

I'm driving the kids up the walls

Molly can't wait to become a Jedi.