Scavenger hunt

A highlight of the week was Joe's Amazing Race at the mall. He scattered clues around the mall and sent us out in teams to take pics and answer riddles. The roll of wrapping paper was common to the teams- the only candy canes to be found in the mall the Saturday after New Years. We had to dress in Ohio State garb. We sat for a massage.

We had a contest to find the most expensive jewelry, clothing and generally most expensive item in the mall. Jonny and I won all three with a $25,000 necklaces, $1,000 leather and fur coat and a $10,000 select comfort bed. We earned 3 min off our time for each item.

Another thing that helped us gain the lead was spending $5 on popcorn to get the greatest number of a single item. Plus we all had a snack ;-)

Jonny and I ran everywhere we went. My legs were so stiff for two days! We had a lot of fun, though!

Teams were Sarah and josh, Natsumi and Matt with Jess and lyd, and Elisa and Caleb.

Sarah is always creating something yummy in the kitchen. Here she prepares pulled pork for our little Marrone gathering.

After just a couple nights Lydia was preferring to sleep at Grandma's with Isaac and I. She would fall asleep with him, then I put her on the floor when I went to bed. If she woke in the night she would climb back up- 3 in a select comfort twin! One day she told me that she kept falling out of bed and didn't even know it. She didn't realize I had put her on the floor! Some nights she and Caleb slept on the couches in the living room.

In the last shot the big kids are gathered with Elisa for an evening movie.

Exercise

First, Lydia as the Lego Ninjago Hulk.

Then the kids did some T25 workout. They spent a lot of time doing Xbox exercise, too. Wipeout, bowling, volleyball are ones that come to mind.

Cookies

In an effort to occupy children with something other than electronics we decorated cookie nativity scenes. We have had plenty of sweet things to nibble on!

Nativities

Martha and I took a quick look at the nativities display at the Kirtland visitors Ctr. Martha initiated a game where we had to guess the other person's favorite scene.

We also ducked into the children's room and took a picture in that scene. When she showed her mom the picture she wondered why we hadn't used the dress up clothes! Bummer that we missed that!

Our parents were at the visitors Ctr for a VIP showing of Meet The Mormons with a visit from Jenna Kim Jones, the narrator. Caleb went with the youth for a similar program Tuesday night.

The dish

This photo shows an item from a box of Christmas decor from Grandma Marrone that I had a new vision for. It once held a holly wreath and a candle. Now it holds circle crackers and chicken salad. Just right!

Marrone gathering

Too bad I only have photos of our kids at Norina's. It was a lovely gathering. Michelle and Norm, Maria and her folks, Michael, Matt and Natsumi, Gram, Auntie Ann, Sue, Pat, even Tina came with Karen. Good food. Good visit.

Martha

Martha came to visit after Matt and Sumi left Saturday. It was lovely to hang out and laugh. I wish our lives weren't so separated. What fun we had together.

Hangin out

Second Christmas

We had a Christmas dinner with Matt and Natsumi Saturday night. There were a few gifts. And Elisa brought some glasses that make snowmen and deer when you look at the Christmas lights.

Grandma bought matching sweatshirts and pants for the boys, even Isaac. He immediately abandoned the dinosaur sweater that matched Jacob's and switched to the big kid stuff.

Trampoline

The tramp was very popular the first few days we were in Cleveland. The weather was mild, and there was always someone outside. I jumped with the girls a few times. The boys were caught one day jumping around like ring around the rosy. Cute!

Off to Cleveland

The weather was mild when we arrived in Cleveland just after Christmas. The trampoline was busy every day.

The boys were excited to see each other, as usual. And joe had a few projects going. He had the kids help him sand the new kitchen bench. They also went around the yard picking up sticks.

Christmas dinner

We enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner on the farm with grandma and grandpa and the wards. It was windy outside, and the kids tried to play a few times, but it was too cold. We had a few hours of games and visiting.

Merry Christmas!