Sunday Xander gave his first talk in Primary. His talk was about how family members each have important responsibilities and he did a really great job. David said it was a little hard to understand him at times because Xander, like every other child, spoke with his mouth very, very close to the microphone...but at least he did it!
The other night I attended the only battle that begins and ends with a prayer...yes, I'm talking about church basketball. Thursday night was our Stake Basketball Championship Tournament and our Winters Run ward had earned the number one seed through a free-throw shoot-off with 2 other wards who shared the same record. Our ward took care of business in Game 1 and had an hour to rest and prepare for the winner of the second game. The third game of the night: Championship Game between Winters Run and Susquehanna, tip-off 9:00.
Our team had a cold start, not getting a bucket until several minutes into the game.
Our men hustled and played hard throughout the game and pulled ahead with about 10 minutes to go. But in the last few minutes Susquehanna came back and was able to win it. Oh, well...it was a fun night and I always enjoy watching David play.
Second Place Winners: (Back Row)Eric Stephenson, Bishop, David, Casey Uhlig, Kyle Mai (Front Row) Josh Crowe, Brian Washburn, Mike Eilman
A friend of mine did this on her blog so I thought I'd be a copy-cat and do it as well. (Plus I get a gift which is never a bad reason to do anything!)
"Here's how it works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well-before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back, let me know you're going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Remember that only the first 3 comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!"
As most people know, my little Xander is obsessed with Star Wars and pirates. The past few days he has insisted on wearing black socks with everything, even his white tennis shoes (ahhhh!) because they are his "Darth Maul" socks. He also loves to pretend he is a pirate but, in Xander's mind, a proper pirate must have a peg-leg. He has struggled with this one...but the other morning he found his solution. (Check out those scary pirate faces...arrrggghhhh!) 
Here is a closer look...Xander found that he could fit his foot into a big cup and it makes the perfect peg-leg. Once Xander figured it out, of course Savannah and Noah had to do it as well.
Monday Xander and I went to the Bel Air Fire Station for his preschool field trip. The fire station is always a hit with the kids and the fireman who conducted our tour was really great! 
Xander loved seeing the fireman in all his gear. The kids told him he looked funny, especially when he put on his special breathing mask.
The highlight of the trip, however, was getting to spend time with his special little friend Emma. For the past few weeks I've heard all about Emma and how he plans on marrying her. He especially loves her because she likes Star Wars guys, a definite plus in Xander's book.
Sitting in the fire truck!
Xander is one of four very lucky little boys...there are 4 boys in his class and 11 girls. As soon as we walked into the fire station, every single little girl in his class came up to him saying "Hi, Xander." He keeps reminding me, however, that he just loves Emma.
It was definitely a fun afternoon spent with my little Xanderman.
I am so grateful that Savannah is a part of the Keepers of the Home program. We both look forward to our monthly meetings as well as working on the goals she has set each month. This month Savannah earned her Prayer Warrior, Family, Mosaics, and Cleaning Awards. I really am proud of her!
After a very off-key rendition of our Keepers song "Walk Tall" (the musically-talented mother Catherine was out of town), the girls started working on their next goal, plastic canvas. After working on their bookmarks for awhile, the girls headed off for some play time and the moms talked. Once again Savannah and I had a really great evening.
This past week my Dad and I were talking about the Stimulus Bill...you know, the one that President Obama said he was so proud of because it didn't contain ANY pork? Yeah, that one. Anyway, my dad asked me if I had seen that there was money set aside in this bill to start carving Obama's face on Mt. Rushmore. I was incredulous! I instantly replied, "You have GOT to be kidding!" He answered that he wasn't and said, "Haven't you read the bill?" Well, of course I hadn't, just like every other person in America including the leaders asked to vote on it. I told my dad that I thought I was going to be sick if it was true. Thank goodness it was just my dad pulling my leg once again...he's really good at it. Well, Dad, maybe the notion of Obama's face isn't so far from some peoples' thoughts. Check out this picture!
