Open Invitation

Micah and I attended a Christmas open house at a friend's home last night. There was food, good company, lots of laughter and good conversation topped off by loads and loads of yummy goodies.

True to my own personal fashion, I unabashedly ate way too much; too much for my personal dietary guidelines and far too much for what my poor jeans could handle. The holidays are always chock full of social occasions and I am finding that after each event my belt becomes just a little tougher to cinch and my pants a little more snug than just the day before.

I love to run but have found that I'm getting a little burned out. I'm back on the proverbial horse now but would like to mix things up with a little cross-training. I've got a nifty trailer to hitch on the back of my bicycle for rides with the girls but would like to add just a little something more.

My "something"....swimming. I've been toying with the idea of maybe going for a short triathlon sometime in future when I get the guts enough or, heck, time enough to adequately train and would like to take it a step further by actually having a go at a little pool time.

I've checked around and the Fayetteville YMCA seems to fit the bill. Free child care (for those with family memberships), a racquetball court for my boys to enjoy together and a free weight / circuit training option for those interested. I'm totally in it for the pool.

Next month they're holding a special on registration. Bring in a blanket and the fee is waived (normally $50-$90). After that there's a monthly family membership fee of $59 or, if you prefer the one adult only membership, $29 (but there's no child care option without the family membership). There's no contract so you can cancel at any time. Also, the kids are welcome to join their parents in the pool which would be a blast for my girls.

Anyhoo...just thought I'd put it out there and see if anyone else is interested. It would do me a lot of good to get out and try some new - albeit scary - things next year and I've found there's strength in numbers.

Cookie Swap

Everyone is invited and welcomed to our 1st Annual Cookie Swap!
Friday December 19 @ 7:30

How it works is every person (or couple the guys are invited too) will bring 6 dozen cookies of one variety. Then we will all swap and take home 6 dozen cookies in hopefully a wide variety. Anything goes even candy counts as cookies just as long as it is homemade. Please feel free to send this on to whomever you like. If you would like to come please leave a comment (or call) and I'll send you an evite with our address and information. I have done them in the past and they are the greatest! We will play some games after we swap cookies if you want to stay and make it a night!

Christ in Christmas

I feel a little bad that Meg is the only one that is updating this great idea of a blog.  So here is my attempt to give a good tip.

Laurie over at Tip Junkie is having people post about ways they keep Christ in their Christmas.  I thought it was something we all might want to try to do a little more of.  I know I could use less of the commercialized materialistic Christmas, my wallet could too.

So go check out other's ideas and maybe add your ideas to the blog and then to the list.

Joseph B. Wirthlin

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, the oldest living apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Monday night, age 91.

Elder Wirthlin had gone to bed at his Salt Lake City home, and died peacefully at about 11:30 pm of causes incident to age. His oldest daughter, Jane Wirthlin Parker, was present. A member of the family had been staying and caring for Elder Wirthlin, whose wife, Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin, died in 2006.

He had continued to work at his office right up until the Thanksgiving holiday.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, December 5, at the Tabernacle on Temple Square.