As I am sure most have noticed, the activity on the blog has slowed down quite a bit since we all moved to the same area (ish).

A supplement has been proposed to possibly get a little more frequent updates to and from the fam: Twitter.

Don't be scared. It's really a pretty great solution (idea courtesy of Mike). Everyone can only follow the other family members if you don't want to follow anyone else. And you can set the security settings so you control who sees your posts and can limit that to the family.

Twitter allows shorter updates and photo and link posting so you don't have to feel like you can't post unless you have a novel to write (but by all means, still post your novels here if you write them!) or a major announcement. Plus it is a lot easier to post to Twitter than the blog from your phone or iPad via the Twitter app.

Mom & Dad signed up today and I know that myself, Mike, Anne and Kimberly all have Twitter accounts already. Would love to see the rest of you on there!

Check it out: http://www.athletic.net/crosscountry/Division/List.aspx?DivID=17846

Most of you already know due to the world of text messages and Facebook, but I figured I would put on here for all who read our blog.

We had our ultrasound yesterday for the baby and found out that the baby is a GIRL!

We are so excited to have another little girl join our family. She was very stubborn and was moving SO much that the ultrasound tech couldn't really get everything she wanted to see. The US tech would almost get the picture of what she needed and then baby would start moving again. Because of that, we now get to see our baby girl again in about 4 weeks. Everything looked great on her and she is developing well.

For the first time, we don't know exactly what the name is going to be. We are going back and forth. One name that is being thrown around is Brie.

Well that is our news. :) Baby Girl to come on or around January 21st, 2012.

As most of you know, my good friend and old roommate, Nicole Cannon, was in a terrible scooter accident on Saturday night. I wanted to share the latest update and this link to her family blog where her mom will be updating with the details of what is happening. Feel free to read and please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Here's the latest update:

UPDATE: Nicole is making slow progress. She moves her legs and arms and can respond to some simple commands. She gave us two thumbs up tonight!!! She remains in critical/very serious condition. Please pray now that her brain will continue to heal and she will get enough oxygen and blood to her brain to bring her out of her coma. 

We will be down in Portland this Saturday. Is anyone up for doing something together somewhere after about 2 p.m.? Let me or Brooke know...thanks!

EDIT: We will be staying at the crib Saturday to Sunday. Going to bring some board games. All are welcome. If nobody shows we will just play amongst ourselves.

King of the Ice Mountain?

Everyone who is participating in the race,

First of all I want to give a huge shout out to Anne to thank her for all her great work organizing this years trip. I know you put in a ton of time planning, coordinating and organizing and it was awesome. THANK YOU!!!!!!! The trip was a dream.

(I wrote this blog before I got Anne's email about next year... I guess it's on everyone's mind. Here is what we are thinking:)

I miss Lake Shasta so much already I have to look ahead to next year. We would love to do the houseboat again but in an effort to have enough space for everyone to come and to make it a little more affordable we are looking at renting this vacation house instead. We could just try it out for one year to see what we think, we hope there are still many more houseboats in our future but we can just change it up once in a while.

Here are few reasons this house in intriguing:
Still in the nice hot sunshine of Shasta
Located right on the water, we can walk down and swim and boat
Fun amenities at the house include volleyball, basketball, swing set, horse shoes, darts, pool table, air hockey, games
Fire pit with chairs all around for late night hang outs
Amphitheater for the talent show and water drinking and bug eating contests
Large living area but not too big so we still get that family "togetherness" feel
Half the people get to camp so there is still an opportunity for star gazing and the outdoor feel
Real showers
Flush toilets that don't stink
Sleeps 30, 5 bedrooms in the house plus cabins in the adjoining campsite
Read more on their website

Okay, so this is just a thought we are throwing out there. Cost would be less, somewhere around $5,000 for the week depending on how many people come and we don't have to pay for gas for the house! Check out the video and let us know what you think! Next summer can't come soon enough!

Tough Mudder Vancouver B.C.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2016104/Leisure-dive-Summer-posers-caught-mid-air-new-photography-craze.html