Preparing for Christmas

We are excitedly preparing for Christmas.

Tim and Tori did a great job of decorating the Christmas tree together.

St. Nikolaus found our house again this year on December 6th, even though we're not in Germany.

Tori had to make sure Dad didn't get more stuff in his shoe than she did in hers.

And of course, a visit with Santa Claus at our ward Christmas party.

California Academy of Sciences

Thanks to my friend Kirsten, Tori and I were able to go to the California Academy of Sciences. Among other things, the academy offers a rain forest, coral reef display, northern California coast display, a swamp, and an African animal display. Tori loved it. I think she liked looking at all the cool things almost as much as she liked being there with Kirsten.

Here were Tori's favorite things...

...a chameleon...

...a parrot that said, "hello"...

...snakes...

...butterflies...

...fish...

...touching starfish...

...jelly fish...

...zebras...

...and penguins!

She couldn't get enough of watching them swim...

...and dive.

We were even able to watch the penguins get fed. Tori was so fascinated by the penguins, that she forgot her fear of people and asked the museum worker a question about penguins. She wanted to know what penguins do. The answer? Eat, swim, and make babies.

We will certainly go back sometime to catch the other parts of the museum like the living roof and the planetarium. Thanks, Kirsten. We had a great time!

Nutcracker

Tori got to see a performance of the Nutcracker ballet tonight, and she LOVED it.




We started talking about the Nutcracker ballet a few weeks ago after she read a book from the library about a little girl who gets to try out and perform in the Nutcracker. So, when Tim and I found a Nutcracker performance put on by the Community Youth Center, we knew it would be perfect for Tori.



Tim and I have been so excited. We hoped Tori would like it. We were not disappointed. She was riveted in the beginning. Then, as time went on, she started mimicking the arm movements of the performers. Then, she couldn't stand it any longer, and had to stand up in the aisle and try out her ballet moves. It was darling. Tori has been talking about it non-stop since we left the performance. She says her favorite part was when the angels danced.


I wish we had thought to get pictures. Maybe next year. I see a new tradition in the making...

Dogs and baby sisters

No, we do not have a dog. No, Tori does not have a baby sister.

But she sure would like to have both. And she asks for each one every day.

To liven things up, Tori started telling people today that her baby sister is going to come out when she (Tori) is four. Hmmm.... I wonder if she will be prophetic. We'd have nothing against that! :)


Tori is sleeping peacefully on the carpet behind me. What an angel. She didn't want to go to bed, so I let her play a while longer. A few minutes ago, she said, "Mom, I'm tired now. I'm going to lay down on the carpet and go to sleep." I said fine, go ahead. I didn't believe she really would. Thirty seconds later, I turned around and she was fast asleep.

Sweet dreams ...

Daddy/Daughter Date

Here is a picture Tim took of Tori on their Daddy/Daughter Date on Thursday. I had to go to a meeting at the Stake Center near the Oakland Temple, so Daddy and Tori went to the visitor's center and walked around the Temple grounds. There was a photo display on the Savior's life at the visitor's center that Tori loved. She was especially interested in a picture of Jesus healing the blind man, and another of the Crucifixion. Tori and Dad had a special time together.

Happy Halloween

Her Majesty, Sleeping Beauty...

Dragonflies and hair bows

Daddy is such a good sport. We have lots of fun doing funny things to our hair.


And we have lots of fun discovering new things together. Like this Dragonfly Dad found and brought home for me. We looked at it for a long time while Daddy explained all the different parts. I have such a good Daddy!

Trip with Nana and Papa

Here are some highlights from Tori's fun trip to Idaho and Utah with Nana and Papa Treasure!

Day 1: Mom and I took the train to Nana and Papa's house. We sat in the front behind the train driver. The train whistle was so loud, and I laughed every time the driver blew the whistle. I was so tired, though, that after awhile I crawled onto Mom's lap and slept until Mom woke me up and told me we were there. When we got off the train, Papa was waiting for us, and I ran into his arms for a big hug. I was so happy to see my Papa! Later at Papa's house, I got to give my Nana a big hug, too! I was sad that Button was not home to play with, but I played with Missy. I love to chase her around the house.

Day 2 -3: Nana, Papa, Mom and I packed up Papa's truck, and started to drive to Colton's house. We drove for a really long time. And then we drove some more. I played with my Mom, talked to Nana and Papa, played with my princess dolls, read books, and slept. We got to stay in a motel one night, which I love because it's the only time Mom will let me jump on a bed. Finally, after two days, we got to Colton's house!

Day 4-5: I love Colton! He has so many fun things to play with. We threw rocks, picked raspberries, played with the dog and cat, jumped on a trampoline, played with play dough and RODE A HORSE! That was my favorite part! Uncle Nick taught me what to do, and stayed by me the whole time. Now, I want my own horse, too! Aunt Jessica also let me feel her tummy a couple of times. She has a baby in there. I'm excited that Colton is going to have a baby brother!

Day 5-6: I got to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house! I wanted them to have snow like the last time I was there so I could build a snowman. But, it turned out okay. I got to play with the neighbors dogs, instead. I also got to go to a pumpkin patch and hay maze with Madi and Amani. That was a lot of fun! I also got to play with Aunt Jessy. She's silly. She sleeps with her mouth wide open, so during our ride to Utah, I stuck my fist inside her mouth. I also got to help Grandma tickle Aunt Jessy. Then Aunt Jessy got me back.

Day 6-7: I got to stay at Stella Bean's house! We had a lot of fun playing, if we were playing with anything but toys. When we did play with toys, we always wanted the same toy at the same time, and neither of us liked that very much. But we sure do like to run around and be silly! We like to run around so much, Mom couldn't get a picture of us playing because we wouldn't hold still long enough. Aunt Julia graduated from Massage Therapy school, and it was Papa's birthday, so we all celebrated a lot!

Day 8-9: We drove back home. More driving, and driving, and driving. I don't mind too much, though. There is always something to do and look at. We got to stay in a motel again, and the bed I got to sleep in was huge! I felt like a real princess. Although it was a big bed, there wasn't enough room for Mom, and I did my best to kick her out of bed all night long. At the end of our trip, I was so happy to see my Daddy again! Between his work schedule and our trip, I hadn't seen him for almost 3 weeks! I hugged him as much as I could. I think he was happy to see me, too.

So, that was my fun trip! I'm so happy I got to see my cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandma, Grandpa, Nana and Papa. I love you all!

Love,
Tori

P.S. Enjoy the pictures