Let the Holidays Commence: November 1-8, 2008

Sunday 9 November

Katie
Katie started Drama Club this week. This year the Drama Club will be performing the Wizard of Oz. Somewhat to Katie’s disappointment, It’s not a musical this time. She got a part in the Greek narrative chorus. Each member of the chorus is a different color. Katie is “Purple” – her favorite color!
Katie is studying the body in 5th grade this week. She put together a paper cutout skeleton. She says they ran out of grommets, however, so her skeleton couldn’t bend his legs. Poor guy.

Emma
This is Emma’s favorite time of year. Lots of candy at Halloween and lots of presents for her birthday. Emma’s birthday is this coming Wednesday. She is having big parties this whole week! Today is the family party here at our house. On Tuesday all of the kids get Veteran’s day off of school and she will have a party with her school friends here. Yeah more presents! Finally, next Saturday she will be baptized and we’ll all celebrate with Ken and Rhonda’s family who are planning to come down from Kingman. Great Grandma (GG) Willes will fly in on Tuesday for the festivities. I’ll write all about it next week.

Claire
Claire started attending Kindergarten for the whole day, and is doing just fine now. She was the only one in her class left doing a half day schedule. Rachel picks her up for lunch at home, but then takes her back to finish the school day. The little time at home seems to give her a little mid-day pick-me-up.
Claire and Rachel went to do some toy research surveys on Saturday and got $15 and a free Polly Pocket toy for their time.

Zach
Now that Claire stays at school longer, Zach now has to entertain himself for most of the day. Rachel says that he plays well on his own for about an hour or so and then has to come get some wrestling or other attention from her a little while. After a little play time with Mommy he’ll go back and play on his own. Recently he has discovered that he can play some of the Toddler computer games that we have. He has also learned that it is important to reserve Mommy’s computer by calling out “I play Mommy’s!” whenever people are heading upstairs to play.

Rachel
Now that her big Stake Primary activities are over for the year, Rachel has been busy planning all of the upcoming family parties. She went to 4 or 5 different stores yesterday getting all of the supplies she needed.
Rachel contracted a cold from the kids, so she stayed home from church today. She didn't get a lot of rest as Zach stayed home with her...

Troy
Troy attended a New Manager Training class for most of the work week. He learned some useful tips in dealing with and managing people. He manages 3 people now; 1 more is due to start in November. He phone interviewed a number of people and arranged for 5 people to come onsite for an interview next week. Unfortunately Intel decided on Friday to close all external job postings – meaning that all that work will likely go to waste. Due to the economic slowdown Intel decided to keep total headcount flat for now – meaning no new people will be hired. As you know there are many other companies that are laying people off right now. At the moment, Intel hasn’t had to go that far.
Troy played flag football with the ward on Saturday and then spent most of the rest of the day cleaning up the yard in preparation for the parties to be held out there this week.