Ward Christmas Party*

On Saturday, the 18th, our ward held its own Christmas Party at the home of one of our good friends.  The theme of this year's party was a musical talent show, perfect for our musically-minded ward.  There were excellent singers who performed both time-honored classics such as 'Walking in a Winter Wonderland', forgotten carols, and favorite rock'n'roll Christmas tunes.  There was also a '12 Days of Christmas' competition in which we separated into twelve different groups and acted out the song, with the most outrageous renditions winning.  I (jpd) was also in the talent show, in a saxophone quintet.  We performed 'Sussex Carol' and 'God Rest You Merry Gentlemen', which was a lot of fun to do.  

Sussex Carol

*Apologies for the anachronistic post, been a little backed up on the posts.

Resolutions of the New Year

ME

1. Learn how to play guitar.
2. Learn to ride a bike.
3. Learn American history.
4. Learn "hard" math.
5. Get good grades.
6. Learn to swim

JA

1. Get better at Personal Progress.
2. Learn how to cook.  Cook dinner each Thursday night.
3. Learn how to sew.
4. Learn how to make quilts.
5. Exercise at least 5 days a week.

M&M (our cousin)

1. Get situated with college.
2. Finish D&C.
3. Finish an entire jawbreaker.
4. Exercise regularly.  
5. Run a half marathon.
6. Graduate from high-school.
7. Obtain the Gear-Up Scholarship.
8. Work faithfully at a job.
9. Help family.
10. Earn money for Seattle, Washington

AM

1. Finish all incomplete quilting projects.
2. Avoid overspending with groceries.
3. Exercise 5x a week.
4. Sort boxes.
5. Make PJ's for family.
6. Organize sewing and fabrics equipment.
7. Lose 20 pounds.
8. Read 5 books.

JPD

1. Make it into the Governor's School for Music.
2. Make it onto Varsity Soccer.
3. Finish school year with a 4.0 GPA.
4. Be in the Williamson County Orchestra.
5. Earn money.
6. Get my driver's license on the first try.
7. Get more sleep.
8. Become field commander for High School Marching Band.
9. Make Mid-State Gold Band.
10. Make All-State Band.
11. Make Mid-State Orchestra.
12. Learn how to play the guitar.
13. Go on a high-adventure trip.

SD

1. Lose 25 lbs. (Goal weight: 210 lbs by September.)
2. Ride the Strawberry Flats leg of LotoJa relay in 2 h 30 min. (40 miles 3,000 ft climbing.) September.
3. Finish writing my book "Essays for my children."
4. Learn how to play one song on the guitar.
5. Do a +3 day backpacking trip or other high adventure trip.
6. Publish 3 last/first author scientific papers from my lab. 
7. Be invited to speak at 3 conferences or outside seminars.
8. Read the New Testament.
9. Redo the floor in kitchen and living room.

Family

1. Yellowstone/Grand Canyon/Grandma/all around western trip
2. Read from New Testament 5 days a week.
3. Family-wide gift.
4. Family short film.