Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve started by me deciding we had to get out of the house for the day after being couped up for 4 days! So we made some gooey butter cookies and took them to Jon's work. We first met him and Ron at Rosa's for lunch and then went to the office for a bit. I finally got to meet Jon's not-so-new anymore boss and the kids loved all the attention they got around the office. That night we read from the Bible and then Emma told us "Twas the Night Before Christmas". She had made pictures at school to go with the story and she actually had a lot of it memorized!





After the stories it was time to open the traditional pajamas! Derrick got Lightning McQueen, Emma got Hello Kitty, I got polka dots and Jon got the usual plaid!

Derrick wanted to be wrapped up!

After the pajamas were opened, Grandma and Grandpa Trafzer came over to bring the kids their presents. Emma got a Dora Links doll. It is pretty cool. She connects to the computer and you can play games in the virtual world. You can even change the color of Dora's eyes, jewelry, make-up and make her hair grow! Yes, it is a little creepy, but Emma absolutely loves it! Derrick got a basketball hoop. We made him close his eyes while it was brought in and even though the look on his face looks like he is a little frightened by it, he was actually really excited and played with it the rest of the night!

After the kids went to bed Jon's brothers came over to help him put the rest of the swing set together. Then the stockings were hung, the presents were out, Santa's cookies were eaten and Christmas was about to come!

Sunday Best

Here are some pictures of the kids in their Holiday church clothes. It was a really great meeting at church on Sunday. But, on the way home Derrick fell asleep (we only live 5 minutes from the church). I thought it was just becuase we were out late the night before, but then the fever came and his cough that he has had for a little over a week got worse. It hit fast and soon his temperature was close to 103. On Monday I took him to the doctor hoping it wasn't what I thought it was...but it was. He has pneumonia. This is the 2nd time he has had it, poor little guy. We have him on some antibiotics and breathing treatments so hopefully he feels better by Christmas. We made it a whole 1 year and 1 day without breathing treatments. We'll push for 1 year and 2 days next time!

Bonkers

Last Saturday was the annual Christmas party, Bonkers, at Jon's moms house. We always have good food and great fun and this year was no different! Thanks to all for a fun evening!

He really hates when I do this!!

Easily Entertained!

We recently got a new washer from some friends of Jon's parents. It is a front loader and the first time we used it we all just stood there and watched it wash for a while! It doesn't take much to entertain the Brenay Family! :)

The Nutcracker

A few weeks ago I took Emma to see the Ballet Etudes performance of The Nutcracker at The Mesa Arts Center. This is the 2nd year we have gone. I remember going with my mom and want to keep that tradition going. Emma loved it! Grandma Trafzer and Aunt Stevi went with us. I am amazed at what a great show it is for being done by students. They really do a great job. After the ballet we stopped at Dairy Queen for some treats. It was a fun day!

Visitng Santa

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we took the kids to Bass Pro Shops to see Santa (and Jon wanted to look at bows). They actually have a pretty nice Santa set up there and there were only about 5 people in front of us in the line. Derrick was so excited to tell Santa that he wanted a Spin and Fix Thomas and then he threw a fit when it was time to go see him. Luckily I was able to get him to go up, but then he was a little worried after because he only told Santa he wanted a train and he wasn't sure he would know which one to bring him! Emma asked for a Pony play set (after some coercing from mom) and a fairy princess. The kids love going to Bass Pro Shop, they call it the "Big Animal Store". We looked around and had some fun. The kids begged for toys...Derrick really wanted a boat play set and Emma really wanted a pink gun (she said she had a dream that she got one for Christmas) and a pink Hummer Camping play set. I told them to wait until Christmas. (Emma got her Camping set, but Derrick was already set for presents!)

Waiting to see Santa

Derrick still looks a little scared in the picture!

Emma shooting a pink gun!

And on a pink quad!

Derrick on a green quad

Emma with a pink bow (do you see a pattern here?!)

I told Jon this would be his dream Christmas tree...all decorated with antlers! (Ha, not in my house!)

Thanksgiving

I am posting this a little late, but we did have a good Thanksgiving this year. We went up to Young to spend it with Jon's family. The kids were so excited and I was very excited for smoked turkey! Jon has been into frying a turkey the last couple of years, but I knew his dad would smoke one. (Jon fried one also) It was a great weekend where we were able to just relax and have a good visit. It was a little hard for me to not be any where near a store on Black Friday, but I survived! :) I did do a little shopping online and bought myself an iPod touch for Christmas. Jon and I decided to buy for ourselves this year. He wanted a new bow and I wanted an iPod, so it worked out. I absolutely love it! On Thanksgiving Emma wanted to tell everyone what she was thankful for because they made special bags at school that had turkey feathers where they were suppose to write what they were thankful for and put it inside the bag. My favorite was when she said she was thankful for polka dots! She worked very hard on her project and it was cute to hear her tell all the things she loved and was thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

The kids having fun outside...

The boys having fun outside (frying the turkey)...

The kids had their own fancy table that they thought was so special...

Emma loves olives...(I still remember my brother teaching me to do that!)

The beautiful table...

Carving the turkey...

Emma and Derrick cuddling with Grandma watching t.v.

This is what I am most thankful for...

Emma had a little Thanksgiving Feast at school on Wednesday. They sang songs and had treats. She was a Pilgrim and told me all about them!