Catch Up

So, I have experienced the nightmare of technology.  The second week of December my computer crashed. It was a Saturday night; the night I do my blog and email Shane.  Needless to say, I didn't do my blog or email Shane.  I went to Staples instead.  They were closing in 20 minutes and informed me computer had seriously crashed and they weren't sure they would get it up.  I left with the thought, "Oh, it will be fine".  Oh my, I was being very optimistic.  Long story short - My computer was dead and I paid $260 for them to try and retrieve whatever they could from the hard drive.  I hadn't backed up pictures since our second Ethiopia trip.  Yes, I was in tears as each call from Staples was good news and then bad and then good and then worse and then finally, after a prayer with Tony, the guy called to tell me he thought he had most of the stuff backed up.  So, for date night a week later, James and I went to Staples to shop for a new computer.  We were very blessed.  They were having a sale better than black Friday.  We bought 2 for basically the price of one and I was determined the kids would never tough mine.  Well, Tony got it all up and running and we installed carbonite and I unloaded all the retrieved data.  It took 3 days for the initial backup.  Yes, lots of pictures.  And then, since I had bought 2 computers, I was bumped up to premier customer status.  Because of this, I qualified for even better email deals and reminders about my purchases.  Guess what email came?  A notice that I had 6 months left on my warranty of the crashed computer!  I had forgotten we bought that.  So, one phone call and I was sending my computer in to have a new hard drive installed.  I had it back with in the week and for Christmas Mom got a computer, the high school kids got a computer and the rest of the kids got a computer.  AND, having Scott here this week, he has password protected all the users and K-9 protected all the users and installed viewer to my computer so I know when one of the kids sign on to their computer.  So here I am, updating the blog!

December 3 - 23, 2012

Becca - the Volleyball Player

Decorating the Upstairs tree for Santa

Cute

Celebrating National Cookie Day

 These pictures were worth not harvesting the sunflowers. :)

Josh Wrestling - 3rd in Spokaloo

Becca and Band

Tony submitting his Mission Papers picture - He's so handsome!

Katie's Music Concert at school

Happy Birthday to Me

 Fun outdoor play

Goofy Boys

 Pretty Girl

Happy Mom and Dad

 Addy's Home!

December 24 - 30, 2012

Christmas Eve

Santa's Helper has a sense of humor

 Breakfast

 More outside fun

 Presents to Grandma

Christmas Program

Christmas Eve Pajamas

Getting ready for bed

Kids are all tucked in - The real work begins

Christmas Morning

Christmas Day Fun

 The end of a long and wonderful day

Sunday Night pretzel fun - Snowmen

The highlight was talking to Shane.  He looks so great and we can't wait to have him home.  He is an awesome missionary and will continue to be so when he comes home.