A very snoggy Christmas

Well another Christmas has come and gone. Quick. Crazy. Fun. We had Andi, and my mom and younger brother, Ian from Santa Rosa, Ca. join us for Christmas this year, and it was nice and quaint. The girls got spoiled and we had great fun being with family for 5 straight days! Here were the highlights of our Christmas:

*Mom and Ian, arrived at our door from California on the eve of the 23rd
*Snog...aka: freezing fog, that looks like snow on the ground...a new word, coined by ella!
*Nutcracker on Christmas Eve at Keller with mom, Belle, Ella, and Andi
*Annabelle reading scripture at our church's christmas eve service
*A happy birthday Jesus cake with candles
*A plate of sugar cookies left for Santa, eaten by chris before Santa even came!
*Chris "enjoyed" an accidental cup of lactaid mixed with bourbon (meant to be eggnog)...we all enjoyed laughing at him as he tried to finish it so as to not waste the bourbon!
*Two new scooters for Annabelle and Ella from uncle Ian!
*matching christmas jammie pants for us ladies
*making sugar cookies
*Shopping the Macy's sales...
*Taking Ella to her first movie at the theaters..."Cloudy with a chance of meatballs". Her favorite part was definately the guy who had a huge macaroni noodle stuck on his head.
*All of us helping Ella put together her favorite christmas gift over and over....a puzzle with the different layers of the human body (bones, organs, skin, and clothes). She must have done it 100 times!
*Some really yummy meals made by my catering chef brother, Ian. My fave...Chicken marsala with cheesy polenta and brussel sprouts.
*A dinner out to outback Steakhouse on kids eat free Monday!
*Then some actual snow just a couple hours after my mom and brother drove away! A wonderful way to end a great week!

Nutcracker

Another trip to the Nutcracker for us Curry girls, and this time we included my mom and Ella. It was great fun. I am glad my mom got to experience Ella's first time to see the Nutcracker. She also fielded the 300 questions Ella asked during the performance. Which my mom thoroughly enjoyed and the man in front of us clearly did not enjoy :) In any case, this year was extra special, because we also made it onto the 5 oclock news as we were entering into the Keller Auditorium. Well they pretty much only showed my mom and one quick shot of me. I was bummed they didn't put the girls on, because they interviewed them on the meaning of christmas, and their response were great! Annabelle said the meaning of christmas was "giving", and Ella said the meaning of christmas was "barbies!". Here's the link so you can view our little news segment if you so wish!

Ella's audience

As if she needs more people to laugh at her...... this is what Ella has begun doing on a regular basis. Gathering all the animals/dolls/chairs and setting them up to watch her.

school pic

Annabelle's first picture day experience!

Tilt your head to the left
Now look to the right
and smile!

Giving Thanks

So another year has passed, and I continue to be thankful for this life I am in! We couldn't be more thankful for the little things this year, that actually mean a lot in this economy where so many people are not making it. We are grateful for jobs, a home, healthy children and the freedom to worship our great God at a wonderful church. Everyone in our families stayed put for Thanksgiving this year...including us Curry's. We had a wonderfully mellow Turkey Day with just us, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I went for a rainy walk in the morning with my friend Jenn, and then warmed up by the fire browsing the black friday ads, sipping coffee while Chris prepared the turkey, and of course football on in the background. The girls were even pretty mellow and really seemed to enjoy the family time together. After our tummies were stuffed with Turkey, carbs, and pie, we decided to get crafty as a family and draw/write what we each are most thankful for this year, which is now displayed on the wall in the stairwell! Happy Holidays friends! I am thankful for each one of you :-)

Mr. Curry and his turkey (which was amazing!)

Annabelle's indian vest made by Annabelle :)

My beautiful family :)

mmm....pumpkin pie!

Our thankful craft. Ella is thankful for "her family and windows", Annabelle is thankful for "sun, rain and school", Chris is thankful for "a houseful of wonderful women", and I am thankful for "a beautiful, healthy family"!