Most Wonderful Time of the Year #3

Look Alike Christmas Contest

James has been sporting a new seasonal look and I can't decide which stop-motion animation Christmas character he is trying to be. What do you think? Yukon Cornelius or Kris Kringle

Most Wonderful Time of the Year #2

Molly's School Program

Didn't participate last year because she was too small. Participation this year was limited to ringing jingle bells with her buddies Cael and Jude during "Gingerbread Rock." Excellent bell jingler. Terrified Santa lap sitter. Sticky candy cane eater. Next year will sing and have 1 line part with the bigger kids. Should be fun.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year #1

Binggeli Family Christmas Party!

Hosted by Mary and LaRon this year. Food. Family. Bingo. White Elephants.

Loss tonight despite article in the paper.

The Tribune has an article in the paper this week about last Friday's Hunter game. Hunter came back from a 17 point deficit at halftime to beat Herriman. It was another heart-attack type game, but very exciting and the kids acted like they won the NCAA championship, storming the court afterwards.

Unfortunately, they tried the the same tactic tonight against Skyline and got down by 13 at the half. The second half was much better played, but it was too little too late for the Wolverines and they lost to Skyline by 4. Oh well. Anyway, my little brother's picture was in the Tribune again.

Here's the article: http://www.tribpreps.com/sltrib/tribpreps/53099730-190/hunter-togiai-game-win.html.csp

Here's the picture:

10 x 10 = 100 things

At the end of the first presidency message in December's Ensign, there is a challenge to write down 100 things you are grateful for, 10 things in 10 categories. Here it goes:

1. 1.

   Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for (I extended this one to personal skills, since I don't necessarily have great physical ability).

• I'm thankful to breath, walk, and move around to get thing things done that I need to.
• I'm thankful that I have the stamina and energy to take care of Molly.
• I'm thankful that I can teach school and be confident speaking to a group of people.
• I'm thankful that I can play several instruments (thought they do collect quite a lot of dust).
• I'm thankful that I have learned how to work hard.
• I'm thankful that I can mow lawns and plant flowers.

1. 
   

2. 
   
3. 2.

   Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.

• My home
• My trusty, dusty car
• My piano
• Plates, glasses, and silverware
• Showers and toilets
• Heating and air conditioning
• Computers
• Basketball
• Clothes to wear
• Diapers

1. 
   
2. 3.

   Write 10 living people you are grateful for.

• Molly
• James
• My mom
• Willie
• My dad
• My sister
• My Grandpa
• Elliott
• Wyatt
• Everybody else!

1. 
   
2. 4.

   Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.

• Grandma Huber
• Grandma Petersen
• Great Grandpa Eccles
• Great Grandma Huber
• Great Grandma Petersen
• President Hinckley
• Abraham Lincoln - without whom our country would not be our country
• Thomas Jefferson - not because of who he was, but because of important words he wrote
• WWII Veterans- just because they're cool
• All other family members who I have never met, but shaped generations past and in turn have influence on me today

1. 
   
2. 5.

   Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.

• Trees
• Autumn Leaves
• Fluffy white clouds against a pretty blue sky
• The Sun
• The Moon
• Mountains
• Cool fall days that need sweaters
• Rain
• Snow
• Spring/summer days in the 80's

1. 
   
2. 6.

   Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.

• Opportunity to hear my Grandpa speak in Sacrament meeting
• Opportunity to also hear my dad called on for impromptu testimony by in Sacrament meeting
• Got to sit with a variety of family members in sacrament meeting
• Molly ate all her breakfast
• Molly is taking a nap
• Christmas
• Family
• Christmas parties
• School is almost out for Christmas break
• Chance to record important things on this blog

1. 
   
2. 7.

   Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for.

• My house
• My mom's house
• My grandparent's house
• Disneyland
• Yellowstone
• Washington, D.C.
• School
• Places I haven't been but want to go
• All other places I have been
• The United States of America

1. 
   
2. 8.

   Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.

• Computers and the Internet
• Cell Phones
• Indoor plumbing
• Washing Machines
• Dish washers
• Department stores so I don't have to make my own clothes
• The cheese grater
• Fast food restaurants
• Wrinkle resistant clothes so I don't have to iron
• Antibiotics and Ibuprofen

1. 
   
2. 9.

   Write 10 foods you are grateful for.

• Potatoes
• Bread
• Cheese
• Potatoes
• Cherry Coke
• Cheesburgers
• Bacon
• Potatoes
• Bread
• Cheese

1. 
   
2. 10.

   Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.

• Jesus raised people from the dead even when they "stinkethed."
• We can be reunited with our families members who have passed on as long as we live worthy.
• We can be sealed to our family for eternity
• The power of prayer
• My patriarchal blessing
• The opportunity to take the Sacrament each week
• The Church gives us opportunities to serve others
• The Church gives us opportunities to lead and work alongside others
• I'm grateful for pioneers who established our Church long ago when it was a difficult thing to do. Now days it is easier to be a member of the Church. I would never have made it as a pioneer.
• I'm grateful for living prophets who communicate with God and teach us what Thou would want us to know.