Emily's Award

We were notified over Christmas break that Emily's reflection entry (which had won at our school level and moved on) had received an "Award of Merit" for the PG Council level.  She won't move on to district but got an honorable mention, which is what the award of merit is.  We were beyond thrilled for her.  She has such an artistic mind and is so creative.  Plus, she got a medal.  She was so excited to get a medal and not another trophy. :-)  Way to go, Em!!

Christmas Part 2

When we got back to Utah we quickly got Santa's treats ready and went to bed (it was already 11 p.m.).  As stated in my last post, Santa was told to wait until the night of the 27th to come.  And come he did!!  Emily got her automatic scooter that she had wanted for the whole year and Ash got a cool 4 wheeler to ride on.   It was another great Christmas morning!!

Yea for Junie B. Jones books

Light up pillow pets!  They LOVE these!

Ty got a Buzz Lightyear!  He LOVES him.  After he opened up Buzz he got the hang of opening up presents, but did think that every present would be another Buzz :-)

Her very own box--she was nice and shared though

Emily got a maxi skirt--she was thrilled!

Ashley's new favorite book

Ty got a Buzz and Woody blanket and as you can see, he was absolutely thrilled with it. He now drags it with him around the house.

The Big Santa presents

Tyler loves it too!

Ash and Em's Christmas haul!  Forgot to take one for Ty.  Oops!

Merry Christmas one and all!!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We wrote a letter to Santa telling him to wait and come to our house later since we would be in San Diego.  We still took our traditional Christmas Eve presents--pajamas and a movie and the girls each got to choose one present to bring to open up Christmas morning.  We acted out the Nativity with my dad (who was more than glad to be the donkey once again.  He was always the donkey during our Nativities growing up and it was one of my favorite parts, because he would act silly and buck and stuff.  Good memories!)
Then we opened up our presents and watched our movie.  On Christmas we opened up our few presents then went to the Mormon Battalion Museum and Old Town and then had our super yummy (thanks again, Dad!) Christmas dinner.  It was a simple, yet wonderful day.

 Our simple yet nostalgic Nativity

 Our new cute PJ's

 Santa still came and put some things in their stockings.  They were such good girls :)

A few presents

 The kids were happy that Grandpa was there, and I'm pretty sure the feeling was mutual :)

 Tyler loving our new Christmas movie.  Can you guess what movie it is?

 Kenny got to be the soldier at the museum

 The kids loved panning for gold 

 and playing with the bricks and water

 My cute family

 Tyler looking so cute at Old Town San Diego

 We tuckered them out, but they woke up when we said, "Dinner!!"

Merry Christmas everyone!

Our Days at Sea World

While we were down for the Poinsettia Bowl/Christmas we went to Sea World a couple times.  They were doing a deal where you buy a day and get a year for free. Awesome!!  So we did that and had a blast.  I love Sea World cuz it's so relaxing compared to Disneyland and the animals are great.  Plus my dad always comes with us so that's a double bonus.

 We enjoyed feeding the sea lions

 Having whale ice cream

 And when Emily is involved we have to ride the water rides, over.......

and over

and over

 and over again :-)  Thank goodness for ponchos!

 Sea World does a Snow World area where you can sled on the snow and throw snowballs

 Mrs. Claus and elves were there

 Tyler liked it too

 I love this picture, because right about now Tyler has started to pose for pictures by cocking his head to one side.  He's so cute!

 Loved the new Manta roller coaster ride

Kenny and Emily even dared sit in the splash zone at Shamu and got soaked.  Thank goodness again for ponchos