New Year's Day

Let the sledding continue! New Year's Day was the perfect day for some more sledding at our park right down the street. Karoline and Roman were speed demons going down head first and trying to figure out how to tackle the running start. Capri had a blast as well, just a bit more cautious like her mom! She even found a friend. Cousins, Grandparents, Uncle Jon, and friends…it doesn't get any better than that!

Lake Tahoe

Mindy and Tyler were spending the holiday at their family home in Lake Tahoe and invited us to join them. Tanner and Drew were there along with Keith and Susie. We spent a lot of time sledding and being outside in the beautiful mountains. Their home is incredible and perfectly cozy for such days. 

The first day we sent to a sledding hill close by and the kids had a blast! There wasn't a lot of snow but we found a great little hill and had parents standing by to prevent any bad spills. Clara loved being in the snow…until she got her bare foot in it! She was a trooper though and we all had fun!

We spent one day driving to Reno for some fun at Circus Circus and a movie. Circus Circus was just that-a complete circus…and a dirty one! The movies were all sold out so we ended up going to another town to see Into the Woods and grabbed some grub. The next day we went to the ski resort and took the tram to the tippy top. We had a spectacular view up there! Everyone was feeling adventurous and decided to go ice skating on the rink up on the top. I thought it might be too windy…and it was…but the kids had a great time while they were out for those 25 minutes. Tucker was  a champ and took turns with each of them. Never again will they be able to skate in such an amazing place so that is pretty cool!

Overall, the kids loved being with their cousins and grandparents. It was nights like our last one that I loved, the adults talking for hours once the littles were in bed!

The kids playing right outside our door of the Allred's home...

Lilly was such a sweetie with my kids and she loved Clara!

On to sledding on the big hills...

These two, Naomi and Koko, had a blast cruising down together...they have no fear!

Tucker thought he was pretty awesome going down like the kids!

 Such a great crew!

Thank you so much to Mindy and Tyler for the invite!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Christmas Eve is my favorite holiday of the year and this year was no exception. We had the day packed from beginning to "and to all a good night."  Lots of games, Christmas movies, and, of course, puzzling throughout the day made it a Curtis Christmas!

As soon as us moms got most of the food prep done, we got the kids started on their gingerbread houses. Many of us adults participated as well…it gets to be somewhat of a competition! 

My kids are always happy on Christmas Eve so I can usually sneak in a picture!

Look at those green lawns-crazy for this time of year!

After our delicious dinner, we orchestrated our annual Nativity. It seems to be getting better and better every year. Capri even wrote her part down to then read for the audience. To clarify the parts each child played, London was Mary, Kaleb was Joseph, Roman was a shepherd, Karoline the star, Capri the angel, and Spencer and Eli as Wise Men. I love this tradition. It brings the spirit as we look to the true meaning of Christmas while getting in a few laughs for all of us!

Just look at that star!

We then made sure to bake some cookies for Santa with all of the cousins taking part. With that done, it was time for these kiddos to get to bed. When we got home, we saw that Elfie our Elf had left to go back to the North Pole, but left some presents for the kids. Christmas Jammies! Capri was so upset that she had gone, but her Clara-style nightgown made her feel a bit better.

Christmas Morning came and we finally got our White Christmas! It had snowed a ton and was still going strong when we woke up. Perfection! Nothing better than kids opening presents in their cozy jammies with snow falling all around! The kids loved all of their gifts and then it was time to go to Grandma's for our traditional cinnamon roll breakfast. Yum.

The day was spent with the kids playing outside and with all their new toys while the adults hung out to recover. It couldn't have been better!

What a great couple of days...I am always a bit sad when it's all over!

Christmas Festivities...and a few other randoms

Karoline had a special Parent Observation Day for ballet. It was so fun to see what they have been working on and they even had learned a little dance for us. Nicole went all out with gifts and tiny tiaras to wear...

Roman is in full Junior Jazz Basketball season and is loving it. He is always so excited to start playing...we will see how long it lasts!

The Nutcracker with Grammy! It is such a fun tradition to go to dinner and then to Capital Theater for the ballet. Capri was mesmerized and Karoline must have liked it as she was so well behaved the entire time.

 The girls with their new Madame Alexander dolls.

My friends from High School wanted to get together with the kids for a chance to catch up and let the kids play. Everyone came over to my house where we decorated cookies and ate pizza. It was so much fun and I loved spending some time with these lovely ladies...

When it was almost time to go, us moms went upstairs to find the girls all together in the girls room playing dress up and then all the boys in Roman's room with swords and guns. Girls and boys...just love it!

Capri also had a Parent Observation Day and they did a piece from the Party Scene in Nutcracker. Capri loves to dance and she loves ballet...

Our ward held a Christmas Breakfast with food, a small program consisting of the kids singing Christmas carols, and a visit from the big guy himself. I would say it was a success to every child in attendance.

December is always busy and full of family activities-I love every second of it!

Christmas Sunday Best

With Karoline in Capri's old dress, and Clara in a dress both older sisters wore, I was hit with a bit of nostalgia. I just love my kids and wished they would stop growing!

It's that time again!

Time to endure the traditional trip downtown to see the lights at Temple Square. I love this tradition, and though many of my family members don't, they are willing to join in every year. Love them.

This year, however, no one could complain. It was incredibly warm and Temple Square was empty! Now we know to go on a weekday at the beginning of December!

And here is the whole Curtis Clan...

 These girls were thrilled to be running around...some too hot for a coat! The boys were playing and too busy for pictures.

Even Clara was enjoying herself!