Meg is headed to China next month!! Weihai. Just saw a video of it from a guy who is there now (he was eating scorpions). Oh, Meg is going to love the bathrooms:) Makes me soooo grateful for what I have. Last week when I called the ILP (we gave Meg a "loan" - if she paid full amount by a certain date she got $300 off) I told them about Chris and if there was going to be a problem with her coming home for a (if there is one) funeral. They told me that it was a good thing that I said something because now they could get Meg a special visa. If she came home she wouldn't be able to go back until she paid for a new visa and she would have to wait for that visa. They also said to call their office and they would have their travel agent help me so that I could get a better rate on airfare. She is sooo excited to go.

We continue to have a broken washing machine. 12 days later!! We went to the laundry mat last Thursday and did 13 loads of laundry! 2 hours and $45.00 later.

The repairman came and decided what he thought was wrong. We waited for parts to come. He installed them, still doesn't work. Try replacing more parts ($162.00 later) or buy new washing machine? Today we are going shopping. And today, we had better come home with a washer!!! Soooo, grateful to have a washing machine in my own home. Wash when I want, what I want, and not have to sit there and watch my laundry - and Katie crawl all over the dirty floor looking for money - as I yell at her "Get up, we can't wash the clothes you're wearing at home and take off your coat you're getting it dirty!!" Grateful knowing that "this isn't a forever thing." Nice to get it all of it done at once instead of doing it for hours at home. Chris, Katie and I ate lunch, talked, did homework (with Katie:), and read the newspaper. I will say folding 13 loads of laundry at once "is not fun!!!"

Chris continues to lose his hair. He says that "the roots of his hair hurt." He doesn't have any side burns. His foot has also been hurting him for the past couple of days so he has been limping. He wants to put one more string of lights on our house and he finished putting the lights on the tree. He has been busy coaching Jr. Jazz practice. Last week both coaches (and tonight Tay's coach) need him to take over practice. Which he loves:) He has also been busy helping with homework (typed up a big assignment for Rye) and helps Katie everyday with her alphabet sounds and sight words. Still craves Slurpees. He also loves beans and mexican food from Del Taco (went there Saturday) and you can always find a bowl full of mint M&M's on the table.

Last night we celebrated Jacob's birthday. His bday is December 24th - to hard to do anything. We had a great time playing laser tag, go carting, bumper cars, bowling and playing miniature golf. Oh, and eating the buffet dinner:) We will have the family bday party on Sunday. Poor Chris was totally exhausted after that. What a trooper:) Crazy to think that two years ago we were celebrating Chris being able to baptize Jacob. He was baptized on his bday and a luncheon and bday cake were provided by a special family for us to enjoy afterwards.

This week is moving fast. We are very busy. Jr. Jazz practice for Tay and Jacob, pack meeting, orchestra practice, I have two PTA meetings this week, work in Jacob's classroom, CAP, we have are favorite Christmas party - Uncle Bud's party (my dad's brother) we eat, Santa comes with presents and the kids play games and make crafts (I'm in charge this year of the crafts:) and the adults talk. Tons of fun to see everyone. Then Saturday morning Tay has a bball game at 8:00am, scout service project at 9:00am, Chris will take Meg out to eat and shopping (last kid) and then we have are ward Christmas party. Tis the season for fun:) No resting until after the new year.

Last Thursday was Civil Air Patrol's 70th anniversary celebration. It was neat to see all the cadets in Air Force uniforms and marching. Tay did a great job.

Loved the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Can't wait to watch the videos they are producing. Feeling very happy and blessed.

Love, Ricki