Has it really been almost a week since my last update? How do the days go by so fast? I always mean to write more. Really, I do!

I can't even remember what we all did last week. Last week was the end of my Adopt-a-Family duties at work. I am one of three people who chair our departments activities each year. This year we adopted 4 families. We had a pancake breakfast a couple weeks ago that brought in $858 in donations. We also have a raffle for $25 restaurant gift certificates. This year we had 5 give certificates to give away. Then we also get straight cash donations and presents. We have a Christmas tree we decorate and on the tree we hang tags with gift ideas for our families. People take the tags off the tree, go shopping and bring in the unwrapped gifts. Then, at the end of the campaign, we sort all the gifts and go shopping with the money raised (>$1800!) to round out the gifts for each family and child. We also get Target and grocery store gift certificates with the remainder. So, last Wednesday night was shopping night. Annika came with and she was a good little girl even though it took us two hours to get it all done. Thursday was final packing day and Friday was delivery day. We delivered our gifts to East Side Neighborhood Services and got a tour of their facility. It was a really great place. I love our Adopt-a-Family program. We help working families. Our families are some single parent, some two parent families where at least one of the parents is working. They are working and trying to be self sufficient, but are still very, very poor and do not have left over money to buy gifts with. However, because they have some income, they do not qualify for the Toys for Tots program or similar ones. It is sad sometimes, especially when they ask for bed sheets and winter clothing. I just want to give them toys, you know!? We did make sure each child received at least one toy along with practical items like hats, mittens, scarves, socks, etc.

On Saturday we visited Grandma Lona and Grandpa Dale. Kris helped his mom with chores while Annika and I visited with Grandpa. She had a good time chasing the dogs, playing with toys and sitting on Grandpa's lap. We were only able to stay until 1pm and then we had to rush home for an appointment at 2pm. The rest of the evening was family time. We watched Polar Express and played with Annika and just relaxed together. That almost never happens!

Yesterday we had two family Christmas parties. One with my Dad's family and one with my Mom's. Luckily one was at 1pm and the other at 4pm so we could go to both. The party at 1pm was in a catholic school gym (large families dictate this!) and there was a ton of balls and toys for Annika to play with. She kept running from ball to ball picking one up and then dropping it to pick up another, etc. She had a great time and didn't want to stop to eat. After eating, she was off to play again. At the second party, in a church fellowship hall, there was a small kid-sized table and chairs. Annika had to go and sit on each chair. She also had a great time playing with her cousins. She would run after them (they are all older) as they would run in circles. She even caught Jake and would give him hugs or point to something on his shirt. He wasn't too sure if he liked her though.

Last night Annika was so exhausted she was asleep by 7pm without a fuss. She woke at 10:30pm for a quick mom check (yep, still here baby!) and then went right back to sleep and didn't wake until after I left this morning.

And we only got one comment yesterday about Annika's need for siblings. :) All in due time people!