Regards from Minnesota

Great to have Barb joining our blog this week. Friday morning while at the vet with the dogs, I threw out my back. It has been pretty unpleasant. I spent most of yesterday at the office and quite debilitated until I finally followed my husband's suggestions to use a heating pad and take some anti-inflammatories. I feel much improved today but not yet 100%.

Fenton is up to 37 pounds and his heart murmur is gone. Yeah! He will be getting neutered on December 26. Merry Christmas Fenton!

Friday night we went to the Marshall Field's Cinderella exhibit. Each year Marshall Fields puts up a extravagant holiday display in their auditorium. It was well done as usual, but not one of my favorites. The figures we a bit too modernistic for my taste. Then we took the kids to Murrays for dinner. A nice steak house that is straight out of the 50s. Pink interior, live band, etc.

Saturday morning I took Cole to a fencing class. The instructor was testing him to see if he was ready to start classes before age 7. Because another new boy was starting that morning she's decided to let them try it for a month or so and see how it goes.

Friday Ella had a LONG play date with her alter ego, Kate. They are two peas in a pod. They are the same size, they look a little bit alike, they are both very smart and they get along great. One of these days soon we are going to have Kate spend a Friday with us. She is a very nice girl. I think she will be the one friend from Child Garden who we make a real effort to stay close to once the girls move on from preschool. Much like Ellis was for Cole until, unfortunately, Ellis moved to Georgia. Cole professes that he is ready to get on an airplane alone and fly to Ellis' house.

Cole is out of school this Thursday and Friday so we have a short week coming up.

Thanks again to Todd for posting the family photos for us. I really appreciate his efforts!

Have a good week all. Hope you feel better Dad.