Christmas Greetings!

Hi all, We had a great time in Sun Valley last week-end! Our hotel room turned out to be HUGE, it had 3 bedrooms, two full baths, and a full kitchen! Each bedroom had a TV, the living room had a plasma screen TV. It was only the 3 of us as Johanna ended up not coming with us, and Julia's friends were unavailable. There were lots of ice sculptures in the village, it was truly a winter wonderland. Maybe we can rent it again when the whole family is home for the holidays. Each family could take a turn making a meal, what fun we could have!
We had 3 inches of new snow last night, Julia and I swept the walks and driveway this morning. Later today it started raining, so things are sloppy and slippery.

Tonight we went to Julia's Christmas Dance Program at the studio. The girls went through their whole warm-up routine and then showed us a few of the newest dances that they've learned. Wow, we were amazed at the physical condition the the girls are in! The level of difficulty increases so rapidly from year to year. I was so proud of Julia, she is a leader, very confident, a natural dancer. I would love to see her pursue a dancing career after high school, we'll have to see what God has planned for her future.

Jo and Julia will be grandma's elves this year, on friday they travel to Hagerman to hide a Christmas gift for each person in the family. Last year Sharon and Derek were the elves for grandma, Derek wrapped-up several bricks from outside to make extra heavy presents. Grandma still talks about him doing that!
I think that all of our Christmas parties and programs are over for this year. Now we can focus on Louis and Shannon arriving on Saturday around noon. Dad and I are planning the menu for Christmas Eve, we have decided on bar-b-qued tri-tip for the main course. Hopefully dad will make his avacado salsa too.
It's been wonderful receiving cards, letters and pictures from friends and family this Christmas season. It seems that everyone has had a busy year, not only us....
Dad got a new Volvo loader tractor for Christmas last week. It's as big as a house, he's never had a large one like this before, he's pretty excited about it. Hopefully the employee's won't knock the barn over, I think that only Bulmaro is allowed to use it.
Last night Julia's youth group from church put on a play for parents and friends. Julia was mother Mary, as we arrived into the church there were several kids washing feet, Julia washed both dad's and mine feet and several of her classmates from school. A very humbling experience. It was a good reminder of what Christmas is all about.
We will miss having Sharon and Derek here this week-end, maybe next year we will all be together again, or maybe even this summer.
Dad and I leave for Florida on Dec. 29, we are looking forward to warmer weather. All of my love ~mom~