the tadje family: Our crazy/busy December

Like most people, our December was super crazy. I felt like we had something going on almost every night. My birthday, two work parties, various family dinners/parties, Nate's basketball league, BYU basketball games, finishing up Christmas shopping, the Santa Claus breakfast, Rayane going through the temple for the first time, Steve & Rayane & their kids' sealing in the SLC temple, Christmas party with friends, MOTAB Christmas concert, class parties, Nathan & Danae in town from Texas, making and delivering Christmas gifts to neighbors, Chinese food at Julie's, Christmas Eve with the Tadjes, Christmas day of course (which deserves a post of it's own) and a trip to Vegas (which I'll post about another day too). All of that plus more kept us pretty busy!

And on top of December already being busy, at the beginning of the month, Nate and I were both given new big callings. I was called to be in our Primary presidency and had multiple meetings learning all of my responsibilities. And Nate was called to be the second counselor in the Bishopric! We were both a little surprised when we met with the stake presidency the first week of December because we were convinced we were being called to be a Ma and Pa on Trek...so when they extended the call for Nate to be in the bishopric we were a little taken back because we didn't suspect that call was coming. But it felt right and we are both excited for his new calling. We know our little family will be blessed while he serves in his new calling. Nate kept really busy all month long with meetings, getting trained for his new calling, helping with tithing settlement, conducting Sacrament meeting, etc. He is going to be super busy helping Bishop Cartwright and Brother Matheson in the bishopric but they are going to be great in their new bishopric!

I didn't take pictures of everything from the month but here are a few:

{BYU game at the Vivint Arena}

Nate and the boys have season tickets for BYU basketball and they love going to all of their home games. They sit right by my parents. BYU played at the Vivint Arena for one of the games and the kids loved getting to go up and see where the Jazz play.

{Living Nativity and Stringham Railroad}

Nate and I went on a date for my birthday one night and my parents took the kids on a date to the Living Nativity in Alpine which is always a favorite tradition. And then they took the kids on a little train ride to the North Pole to meet with Santa. My mom sent me these pictures:

{Making Christmas Crafts}

Our kids love to make little crafts for their friends. We bought this little reindeer ornament craft set and made 24 between the 3 of them...and then they gave them out to all of their friends. It entertained them for a few days...it was the perfect activity for kids when it's cold outside!

{High School Friends Party}

Trevor and Krista hosted a fun party at their house with food and games and a white elephant gift exchange. We snapped a picture of Dakota and Callie who are only one day apart.

{Sledding}

We got TONS of snow in December and sledded multiple times! We found the perfect hill up the road from us and the kids have a blast...luckily Nate loves to take the kids so I sometimes just stay home in the nice warm house :)

These pictures are blurry and aren't the best but despite the poor quality, the kid's smiles say it all!

{Callie & Claire}

I babysat Samantha's kids one day and Callie LOVED being with Claire. She loves babies and it is the sweetest thing! As soon as Claire will cry or squak a little, Callie will run over to her and try to make her happy. She is going to the be the best big sister!

{Steve & Rayane's Sealing}

We got to go with Rayane on her first temple visit. It was such a special experience to be there as she took our her endowments.

A few weeks later, Steve, Rayane, Lucas, and Savannah were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. It was amazing to be there and feel the special spirit that was in that sealing room. I am so happy for them! I was super sick during the sealing so I wasn't able to do group pictures afterwards or go to lunch with all the family, but I am happy I was able to be in the sealing cause that was the most important part.

{Santa Claus Breakfast}

One of our favorite traditions is Breakfast with Santa at Thanksgiving Point. The kids especially loved seeing real life reindeer and making all of the fun Christmas crafts..and seeing Santa of course!

Of course for the face painting, the boys opted for a Y instead of anything Christmas-y :)

And here's a copy of our yearly picture of everyone with Santa

{Snowman Building}

Since we have had lots of snow, it has also meant snowman building. The boys spend a lot of time outside despite the cold weather.

Nate surprised the boys by adding some glowing touches to their snowman one night :)

{Curtis Family Party}

We had a big extended family Curtis Christmas party up in Salt Lake. We had fun visiting all together and eating yummy food...and this year Santa even stopped by for a visit! The kids were so excited!

I love how the kids all have their eyes glued to Santa as he reads the "naughty and nice" list..

{Christmas Eve Lunch at Julie's}

We loved our annual Chinese food lunch at Julie's. After eating, the kids made some crafts and had a great time playing all together.

{Christmas Eve with the Tadjes}

We did Christmas Eve evening with the Tadjes. We had a delicious dinner and then the kids did a nativity puppet show for the adults. Grandma Tadje also did a fishing pond for the kids which they all loved.