Biosphere II

Last month Emma went on a field trip to The Biosphere II. I was excited to go with her because I went there when I was in 4th grade on a field trip. When I went, they were getting ready to have the people go in so we couldn't go inside of it. So this trip it was really neat for me to see what I couldn't before. The bus ride was long for 1st graders (about an hour and a half), but at least they had a movie to watch. I was a little surprised to discover that the tour was about an hour long, and it was not geared for 6 year olds. The kids got bored and kept asking when lunch was. I also felt like the workers were irritated by the kids. Emma said she had fun, but I think it was a little too much for her age group. Her favorite part was going to the ocean room. They could view the ocean through a window and there were other fish and shells for them to look at. For me it was fascinating that people could actually build this place and live in it for several years. To have all the components of air and water working correctly is impressive. And it was amazing to feel the different temperatures in the different areas. It was muggy in the savanna and by the ocean, it was hot in the desert and misty in the rain forest. The kids also liked coming out of the air chamber and water tank. It was like coming out of a wind tunnel! I'm glad I got to go with Emma on this trip, but I don't think I would suggest it for younger kids.

Christmas

Christmas was wonderful this year, as always! I love the kids at the ages they are at. It makes Christmas so much fun for me and Jon! This year Emma asked Santa for Barbie Video Girl and Derrick asked for Thomas the Train at Tidmouth Sheds. I am glad they are still at an age where I can persuade them what to ask Santa for! On a side note, Derrick and I were shopping at Costco about a couple months before Christmas. We saw Tidmouth Sheds there and Derrick immediately wanted it. I told him to ask Santa for it. There were about 4 or 5 sets left. I called Jon when we got home and asked if he would please stop on his way home and pick it up. I didn't want to have to go searching for it and I had a feeling they would sell out fast. Derrick has actually been wanting a different Thomas set. He calls it "waterside Thomas" but it is Thomas at Action Canyon. It has been discontinued and sells for $300 on ebay! He has been asking for that set for 2 years now. I had to tell him that even Santa couldn't find the right parts to make it when he automatically thought Santa could make anything! I am glad we found Tidmouth Sheds to take his mind off of it! So, anyway, Jon thankfully stopped at Costco on his way home and bought the very last train set! I was so thankful he found it! So, the kids were very excited for their Santa gifts. I am thinking next year we need to change it up a little and have them make a list for Santa. There was no element of surprise this year and Emma just knew she was getting Barbie Video Girl because that was all she asked Santa for. She's getting too smart! :) She has been making lots of videos and she cracks me up! She is so excited in the first one that she made! I love it! We were also lucky enough this year to be given a Wii from Ron and Sarah. The kids play it at Grandma's house and they were so excited to have their own! Ron also gave us a "special" gift. He had found stored somewhere some unopened Lord of the Rings action figures. We laughed that he even had them, but we wrapped them up and gave them to the kids. They have fun playing with them. They loved all of their presents and played all day. That evening we went to Grandma and Grandpa Clark's for dinner. Ham, cheesy potatoes and homemade rolls, my favorite. The last few years they have given money as their gift for us to use on a family activity that we might not normally do. Last year we used it to go to the Wildlife World Zoo. This year we decided to save it for our Disneyland Trip in March. (Which I can't wait for!!) Jon gave me gift cards which is what I asked for. And I gave him tickets to see Le Miserables when it comes to Gammage in June. It's his favorite Broadway show and we are going with Ron and Sarah. I'm excited for that too! It was a great Christmas and I feel blessed that we were able to spend it together and have a great day!

Santa came!!

Time to dump out the stockings...

Emma's present from Santa

Barbie Video Girl

Derrick's present from Santa

Thomas at Tidmouth Sheds

Dress-ups for girls and boys! :)

Disney Princess crown earrings

Paper flying everywhere!

Mack from Cars. He was so excited for this one he just kept hugging it. This is another toy he has been asking for for about a year!

Derrick thought the Lord of the Rings guys were funny!

A Matchbox garage

Pinkalicious and Goldie

Opening the Wii

All the presents

Spiderman

Time to play

Going to Grandma and Grandpa's

Holiday church clothes

Christmas Eve

This year on Christmas Eve, Grandma and Grandpa Trafzer came over to bring the kids their presents. They got a game and Legos. Emma was so excited to have her very own pink legos! And Derrick loves his new Firefighter lego set!







After Grandma and Grandpa left we did our usual tradition of reading the story of the birth of Christ in the Bible and then opening new pajamas. After the kids go to bed it is my procrastinating tradition to wrap all the presents. I just feel like it's too hard to hide them when they are wrapped, so I always wait. Presents were wrapped and put under the tree, cookies were left for Santa and reindeer food was left for the reindeer. Stockings were hung and we all couldn't wait for Christmas!