December

Lots to catch up on in December.  So I am combining a bunch of stuff into one big post.  December started out happily for Lubert who got her braces off!! Exciting stuff.  No complaints from her and I think she looks beautiful:

Some friends (Brooke, Molly, Denice, Kelli, Zana) and I signed up for a Greek Cooking class.  It was so much fun and super delicious.  This is Molly's insta pic from that night (if you aren't on instagram, why not???  Courtney, I'm talking to you.)

Tucker and Lucy both had orchestra holiday concerts and Clara had a piano recital.  Rob was supposed to film it, but I think he got confused because he filmed our friends kids and not Carla Sue.  It's too bad because she was super cute introducing herself.  I had to give her some serious stink eye during the recital when she started being squirrely with her friend Josie during other kid's performances.

I went into Anders class and we made snowflakes.  Lots of fun but HUGE mess.  Good thing his teacher is pretty awesome and pretty chill when it comes to mess.

For years Courtney and I have gotten together to make Christmas goodies.  This year, in Court's absence, my dear friend Rose came over and I taught her the magical ways of toffee making.  This picture of Rose was texted to Court to tease her, but Courtney knows she is irreplaceable, right?

Rob and the kids have been doing a bit of baking.  Rob gave Lucy a cupcake recipe and so far they've made a couple of excellent recipes:

We made it to see the awesome Christmas house:

And winter finally arrived, just in time for a White Christmas (and to prevent us from heading East on I-80 today).  Some people were excited about the white stuff.  Some were more excited than others (is winter almost over? Please???)

Lucy's concert:

Polar Express

We went with a bunch of friends on the Polar Express (in Carson City) a few weeks ago.  Our family is in a funny place with older kids and one sincere believer.  This was sort of hokey, but for Clara it was magical, so it was worth it.  We rode past the North Pole and Santa came on board.  Everyone got a bell and hot chocolate and cookies.  And like I said, for Clara it was magical, so it was worth it.  

 The Hastings and the Harts

 Riding past the North Pole:

Getting the Christmas Season In Full Swing

A couple of days after Thanksgiving, when my parents were still here, we decked the halls.  It took awhile to find a place selling trees, but finally we found two very nice smelling and easy on the eyes trees.  We brought them home and got them all decked out and held our annual "tree decorating party"   It was good fun, as always, and also a lot of work, like always.  Traditions are hard work.  

Family Photos

My wonderfully talented friend Emily did a family photo shoot for us a month or so ago.  I was very pleased!