Global Wildlife Center

Dan's folks have come to visit us.  Our house is small, our children rambunctious, so we thought it would be good to take them out to do something fun.  We decided a trip to the Global Wildlife Center was in order.  It was barely warm enough (maybe 55 degrees), but it was definitely warmer than it has been.  The kids were excited.  We managed to not get lost this time on the 90 minute drive out there and we got on the 12:30 tram around the property.  We did buy the big bucket-o-food, but the kids excitedly fed 90% of it out to the animals in the first 20 minutes of the hour and a half tour.  I did give in and I purchased them each one last cup at the end.  Because it is a LOT of fun to feed the animals! 

The children had a marvelous time.  The animals were awesome.  It was especially fun because it was still mating season and the big deer would start brawling.  The deer on the property are mostly smaller ones, so when they go at each other with their antlers, it looks impressive, but isn't as dangerous.  Plus, the deer really only want the food and are quickly distracted by it.  The worst altercation we saw was a zebra altercation when one went in for a bite and got thumped in the ribs by a the other's rear hooves. So good stuff to see and it was a great day!  There were lots of zebras and those are my favorites. I think the kids liked the llamas best, but Callie said the Watoosi was her favorite.  The giraffes couldn't be bothered to come get a snack, and the camels they had 18 months ago both died in the last couple months (snake bite for one, old age for the other).  We enjoyed the trip immensely. 

Sadly, in all 95 photos I took, only one has either of Dan's parents in it.  I shall have to try harder to get more pictures of them.  I only posted 34 of the many pictures and you can peruse them as much- or as little- as you like!

Best Christmas Card Ever! (By Callie)

Christmas Report

Yeah, yeah.  I know no one really cares about what WE got for Christmas.  But we care and this will be a physical book of memories in a few weeks, and I'm going to want to remember all this stuff.  So skip what you don't care for.

I thought I was going to be really organized this year.  I started shopping in September, and bought the big expensive stuff slowly so it wouldn't kill me at the end.  So, I purchased the scooters for the girls and Joshua's trumpet and kept my eyes out for good deals.  I found a $30 used DS for Delaney and got that months ago.  I had a list of what I was getting for each kid so I'd be sure to keep it all fair.  

I thought I was doing a great job.  But somehow in the chaos of the final countdown to Christmas I got off my game and it all fell apart. You know, when you have 4 gifts for each kid but one and you go shopping and forget that it was Callie who needed the 4th gift and you buy something else for Delaney.  That means you have to think about getting another gift for everyone, or you have to figure out if you can shuffle what you already have.  Plus, Callie and Marian were really excited to help wrap and I let them wrap some stuff, but forgot what it was that was already under the tree, and may have bought more things. There were a few glitches, but the kids didn't really notice at all.  Rylee did accidentally end up with the same gift twice.  When she opened the second one, she leaped of the couch and marched up to Delaney and handed it to her, no hesitation at all.  What an awesome kid!  Delaney was so pleased, as it was on her list of must-haves.  

The kids were delighted with their lootfest.  Each got what they most desired- Joshua got his coveted headphones, Marian got lots of her favorite candy, Callie got a (Walmart version!) American Girl Doll, Delaney got the DS (and a Lalaloopsy mermaid, and a Hello Kitty Messenger bag), and Rylee got the Flashlight Friend she has been telling every Santa about.  I also got my heart's desire- both the one I never expected (a fabulous stainless steel 6 qt pot!) and the secretly hoped for ($$ for a gun).

 The Christmas magic.  The tree was tucked on the other side of the room in a corner till after the kids went to bed.  Then I moved it and Santa brought out the presents.  Guess what we were watching while we worked? A Christmas Story is showing on the tv.

Marian was so pleased, she picked out these chocolates for me.  I'm pretty sure she has eaten more than me so far, as well. They are tasty.  And Delaney.... well, she's just Delaney!

 I finally caved and got Joshua a Batman mask.  Well, and a shirt and socks to go with it!

A delighted Delaney and her prize gift. 

The headphones Joshua has been asking for for months.  He keeps telling me how fabulous they are. It is validating to hear him thank me all the time!

Rylee giving me the stink eye.

Callie was cross I took a picture. She's not longer into having her picture taken, but she's so cute! 

Joshua showing off his awesome socks.  Sadly, you cannot tell that there are little capes dangling off the back. 

The kids bought each other gifts from the dollar store. Someone made a good choice with these for Marian.

 Levi may have looked good in them, but he was not a fan.  He got his revenge later and chewed them up.  They were darn fun while they lasted!

Rylee was not happy about pictures and did not give me any good ones!  Little pickle.  She really DID have a good time!

Dan had Joshua and Marian design a clever way to gift cash for a gun.  Marian designed this gun and they taped $20 bills to it.  It is so stinking cute and clever!

Branch Christmas Party

The Branch Christmas Party was on Saturday.  4 days before Christmas meant lots of folks had already fled for the Holidays.  This was good.  Well, not so good because I missed seeing some of my friends.  However, this event has usually had more mouths than food, and has been really really really well attended. It was nice this year to actually have more seats than people, and plenty of food.  Good food! It also made it possible to visit with people and not feel bad that you don't have time to chat with all the people you want to.  

There was a talent show after dinner.  Each auxiliary was suppose to do something, but all lacked creativity and motivation this year, so pretty much everyone sang.  I realized this year that there is something pretty special about being in a branch where teens (and anyone else) can get up on stage and sing to their little hearts content and no one cares that they can't carry a tune in a bucket.  We're just one big family and we support you in whatever you are trying to do.  That was a nice feeling.  The missionaries did rock their songs.

This is what Marian does when confronted with confetti and time to kill. 

Callie really hates getting her picture taken! 

Did I mention that there was a lot of really yummy desserts?!  And there were enough for all.  Something my children took full advantage of. 

Mmmmmmm, happy Rylee. 

 Marian's finished product.  See, they never have this sort of talent in a show!

The Primary singing their songs.  They were cute.  And yes, that is Callie on the left in black.  She absolutely would not sing in public at school, but it was okay at church.

And acting like hooligans afterwards.  I think they may have been raised in a barn!