We are so excited. I can't believe we will leaving in just two more days. We just finished our last Christmas party today- the one for Mike's work and we have tithing settlement tonight. From there we mostly have an open schedule to get things done. I really want my house clean and maybe even my Christmas cleaned up before we leave. I know, what a Scrooge. I just don't want to come home to all of it. Besides, we did the girls' Christmas on Saturday. They loved it and were thrilled that Santa came to their house early AND will come again in Washington. Though that will probably only be stockings. Okay, here is a funny story and then I'm pretty sure there won't be a post until we get there. Not like the drought will be anything new right?

I have to tell you about Sadie's Christmas present. When we were at Toys R Us last month she saw a great big, giant Ariel. It is the size of Ellyn and it sings the chorus from "Part of Your World" in this weird alto voice. Sadie started begging for it for Christmas, we told her that it was too big and that it was creepy. Sadie was furious and off and on all month she has told us that all she wants for Christmas is the giant Barbie. We didn't here about it for a week or so and Thursday night we were talking about having Christmas Saturday morning. I asked Sadie if it was going to be alright if Santa didn't bring the doll. Sadie looked at me and said "Oh Santa will bring it, Santa knows what's in my heart." Yeah, so Friday morning I'm calling over to Toys R Us in Regensburg and trying to find someone that speaks English and having them hold Ariel for me. Next, I drove an hour and a half, loaded Sadie and Ellyn into a cart, put Mike's fleece PT cap on Sadie's head, over her eyes, and handed the woman at the customer service desk a note with the word "Ariel for Brooke" on it. They nodded knowingly and brought it over for me. I told Sadie that we were picking up a present for Jane and that I didn't want her to see it either so they could all be surprised. It seemed to work- trusting little thing. So Christmas morning Sadie had her doll and it is now her child. She adores it and takes very good care of it. She carries it everywhere and it is almost as big as she is. It is hillarious. She is so cute.

No, we won't be bringing giant Ariel, much to Sadie's dismay, so none of you will be lucky enough to hear her lovely song. Can't wait to see you all.

love, Brooke