For Zachary

Ahh...Christmas is almost here. And it finally feels like...Fall? This is lovely weather for October, but quite disappointing weather for it almost being December. How is it going to snow on Christmas Eve if the weather doesn't leave the 50s? Ben, if you could do something about that, it would be swell. Our Christmas decorations are almost all up, Jimi's donned his wreath collar and Jack is wearing his reindeer antlers. The Christmas city on top of the entertainment center is bustling and despite heads missing from the Angel and the Donkey (we need to get some super glue), the nativity scene is set out in the living room. Our Christmas tree trumps Karen's rendition of a Charlie Brown Christmas. For the most part, it's Christmas on the inside of the ranch. All that we have left to do is hang our stockings and our outdoor Christmas lights. I love Christmas time.

And now to bring a smile to Zach's face, let me publicly announce that Nick has brought himself out of the fog of ignorance and realized that he indeed lost the 5th Grade Spelling Bee. Congratulations to Zach for being the true victor and to all of the rest of us because we won't have to hear this argument ever again! Thanks Nick for doing your research and coming clean! You get the Taking Initiative Award!

Lastly, plans have been set for my birthday. I don't want to be like Robert, so I decided more than 30 minutes in advance about where we're having birthday dinner. I decided to keep it on my actual birthday, despite it being right in the middle of finals. I figured that it'll be a good study break for the rest of y'all as well. So Monday, December 12 at 8PM be at Fridays.