Christmas Day 2017

Spoiled kids, loved kids. Merry Christmas!

Ward Christmas Party

Charlie Brown theme for the ward part this year - with me on the planning committee. It all came together and was super fun!

2017 Holiday Card

And some more photos! 

December Happenings

We are doing a few little things to get into the Christmas spirit around here, but man it's been a busy few weeks. Matt is studying for a CPA exam (again) and it's just go-go-go all the time with school, work, church and the few extra things we try to add in. I want to have all of these amazing Christmas traditions and do everything the "right way" - but sometimes, store bought gingerbread house kits are just good enough! 

Henry is OBSESSED with this blow up Yoda - we had to bring it inside since he wanted to go outside constantly to see it, leaving the door open and making the house super cold. So, he goes upstairs and blows it up over and over again. He wakes up and immediately asks to see Yoda! Also, Henry took this photo, along with about 100 other ones. There is a Darth Vader up in the loft too but he seems a bit scary to Henry for some reason. 

Making gingerbread houses - already assembled? Yes, please. 

Ugly sweater party with fun friends from our ward 

Matt won second place for his "jingle bells" sweater

 Christmas concert at the school - Claire had a duet in a song called "Glorious" and all three kids worked hard on their class songs

Miles is in the middle back row in a red shirt - two kids to the left of the word "The" in the sign. 

Night out at Bouchon in the Venetian with a friend's company party - Thomas Keller is the chef and it was amazing food! We got to eat basically anything we wanted from the kitchen and it was all delicious! 

 Cutest ornament our Bishop's family gave us - love that Bubba is on here! 

One of our favorite traditions - the advent tree, handmade by Aunt Jonelle. We realized that it's 20 years old this year!

Claire's Piano Recital

Claire played Away in a Manager for her first piano recital, which was also a really great service night. The kids all played at a retirement community for the residents. Claire was first on the program, and though she said she was shaking, she didn't seem nervous. She had to go up and announce her name and the piece she was playing.  All of Tracy's students did a great job! I'm thinking it would be fun to take lessons myself... something I have wanted to do for a long time. I want to learn something new, or start to learn, before I'm 40. Maybe I could start with the guitar and ukulele I already have too :)

We met up with some of the other families for Bahama Bucks afterwards - it was a fun night!

Vegas Strong Race

We had a great day out at the Craig Ranch Park walking in the Vegas Strong event - the second month anniversary of the terrible shootings at the Route 91 Festival. Our firm sponsored the race, and we signed up Claire and Miles too, and they seemed to really like it. They wanted to run!

Family Photos for Christmas 2017

I took these myself this year - I have a lot to learn and the lighting was tough because it was getting dark... 4:30 pm sunset around here. But I think we got some good shots despite the drama, dirt and darkness. :)

Here are some of my favorites!