The following is what happens when your daughter is generously gifted a freakishly-large doll labeled “newborn baby” by the wonderful hospital stuff, but you then have to wait with said “baby” for over 2 1/2 hours at the hospital during a doctor’s appointment.

I realize I haven’t posted anything about Christmas otherwise, but I’m on a video streak right now.  Here’s a short video wherein each child details a summary of his/her Christmas blessings.  As we watch the video and reflect upon Christmas, we realize it won’t be long before Seth’s voice starts to change.  We appreciate that Kate and Grant with the utmost maturity can analyze Christmas with a “big picture” sort of viewpoint, while Zane doesn’t miss a detail.  And Claire . . . what a sense of rythmn. . . and such showmanship!

Claire finally got the little slip of paper inviting her to share a few remarks in the children’s class at church.  She was pretty excited to do it, having seen other kids already have a turn, but ended up kinda shy.  We love that she is brave enough to try new things.  The topic she was asked to address was “I know My Redeemer Lives.”  Or, maybe it was “I know Jesus is my Savior and Redeemer” or maybe it was “I Know my Savior loves me.”  Anyway, it was one of those topics or something close to it, and this is what she said:

 Transcription:  “For centuries, prophets testified that Jesus come.  Yesterday we celebrated  the birth of Jesus Christ.  When he lived on the Earth, he performed miracles and taught others the gospel. He died for us. Resurrected. And come again one day. I know my Savior lives and loves me.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

Way to go, Claire!

From November 23, 2010:

So there was *supposed* to be this giant blizzard last night; instead, we got a few inches of snow, some icy roads, 18 degree temperatures, and blowy wind.  In other words, we got an opportunity for sledding this morning.

At the house . . . the boys ran ahead before we could get them in the picture!

Claire and Kate before their first ride down:                                                                                                                                                

And the moment for which they had been waiting:  Claire’s first (albeit timid) ride down our little sledding hill.  (You may notice that she ignored my very reporter-like inquisition into her feelings about her first sledding experience.  Alas, who could blame her?  Seth was offering more sledding!)

Now it is January 2011, and we are happy to report that sledding is a favorite winter past time.  Claire never turns down an opportunity, even if Kate isn’t going.  She has been known to tough it out for hours, literally, cold and shivering, on our little sled hill.  There’s a rumor circulating that on one occasion Claire even wore her pajamas on underneath her snowsuit because she simply couldn’t wait one more second to get moving.  Apparently she just can’t get enough of the feel of the icy wind on her face!