Family Updates

Just a few updates on the Baxters since the last post:

Jim has been extremely busy at work with winter coming extra early. He has been getting up at 4:30am to leave at 5:30 and works until about 5pm. He is usually to bed early (much to my kids' annoyance because it means they have to go to bed early too!) There are also two guys off at work, so it means extra work for everyone.

Andrew just bought himself a new laptop computer from all that dough he made flipping burgers! He is busy playing with that when he is not working. I am hoping this will free up the computer more for others to use AND he will get more homework done:)

Hannah is working hard at school and social studies (I mean SOCIAL studies!) She is always trying to stay connected with her friends whether it is through MSN, Facebook, or the phone. The phone line is always tied up when the kids are home from school now. High school has opened up a whole new batch of friends for her and it is exciting to see her grow up. Fashion is still her thing, so if you are wondering what to buy her for Christmas; a gift card to the mall works great!

Leah is working on beating my high school record at trying to be involved in every club, sport, or activity going on. She is a hard worker, but there are only so many hours in a day to do it all. And her chauffeurs don't want to be on the road every night of the week for her activities. She is finished with volleyball and looking forward to basketball. Not to mention Christmas play, pony club, dog and horse chores, homework, etc. that she is still working on.

Daniel is having a great time with his new camera (we will post some pictures soon). He likes to take it sledding (I know, it scares me too!) and video tape his friends going over the jumps on their sleds. He also really enjoys Odie and likes it when they are allowed in the house (that would be when Dad is not home or when it is too cold outside.)

Julia is hanging in there and this year she is helping Leah every evening with the horse chores. She is also trying to squeeze some sledding in after school when the older ones agree to go with her. She likes playing out in the snow and building snow horses (sound familiar???)

I am busy working every day at the post office and this looks like a long-term temporary position. I am finished with my job at the youth center as of tomorrow. I did take the time recently to build an insulated dog house for the dogs out in the shed so they would have a little more warmth in the winter. They already have a heat lamp and a heated bed, so I am hoping they will be nice and toasty in their new house.