I can't believe that Christmas was just last week!  Last week there were 141 pictures on my camera, this week there was just 1.  Heh, heh.  Funny, huh?  I guess  I was burned out on that.  Fortunately, Sarah got a camera for Christmas!  She  took 382.  Impressive, right??

Our biggest news is that in 2011, the primary challenged the kids to read the Book of Mormon by Christmas.  They even handed out a schedule.  So, we couldn't resist and we gave it a try.  I am proud to report that on Christmas day we read the last chapter in the Book of Mormon.  We did it!

This is how our Book of Mormons looked when we were done.  Cheyenne said that her teacher, Mrs. Jarvis, said you could tell how much a book was loved by what kind of shape it was in.  She said that if Mrs. Jarvis saw our books she would say, "Wow!  The Skinners sure love The Book of Mormon!"

That was one of my favorite quotes from this year's reading experience (and made me feel better about the condition of such important books. . .)   My absolute favorite was when we were reading 3rd Nephi when Christ comes to America and Calianne said, "Wow!  The book is better than the movie!"  Of course, those were successful comments.  My next favorite was when we were reading about the Lamanites attacking the Nephite cities and Teancum sneaks into the enemy camp at night and kills the Lamanite king and one of the girls says . . . "When is something interesting going to happen?"

 Hello ???!!?

This week we also had basketball practice.  I had practice with Mariah's team Monday through Thursday from 9 to 11am.  It was tons of fun.  I like being a coach when I don't have to play in any games and LOSE.  Bummer.  I'll probably have to deal with that unfun part in the weeks ahead!  But, we sure put in our practice time!

Other than that, there was much playing with new toys . . .

 

 . . . and much inviting of friends over to play!

We also managed to get down the Christmas decorations.  Although, I really have to give most of the credit to Mariah's taking down and putting away skills and Sarah's vacuuming skills.  I love getting help with jobs I'm dreading!  But before all the decorations were put away, Sarah caught this sweet shot on her camera:

It was nice to have Savannah around again.  She only had to work two days this week.  She played alot of piano this week.  She also posted more of her writing on fanfiction.  She said that over 300 people from all over the world have read the things she's posted there.  Isn't that neat?  I think it is pretty cool.

Megan didn't feel well this week and was down for the count for a couple of days.  We were all glad when she was better and could joke with us and bring smiles to our faces again!

Another big item of note is that Cheyenne got her hair cut!  She decided to get it cut the week after Christmas.  I had been urging her to get it cut because it was getting thin in back.  She asked me how long it would take for it to be long again.  I said about one year. So, in order for it to be long again by Christmas . . . she decided on the day after Christmas for the deed to be done.  I love the logic of little people.  I think she looks super cute!

Last night was New Year's Eve and so we had our friends, the Groslands, over and we played games until midnight, watched the ball drop on Times Square, toasted the new year with Martinelli's, and watched the kids run outside without their shoes on.  Crazy kids.  It was great fun!  Here's to 2012!  I hope it is another great year!