It's finally cold enough to make soup and bread!

It was cloudy and rainy today and the temperature hit 55 degrees! Finally- winter is here!

Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini

1 lb. Italian sausage
1 c. coarsely chopped onion
2 gloves of garlic, chopped
5 c. beef broth
2 c. crushed tomatoes
1 c. thinly sliced carrots
1/2 t. basil
1/2 t. oregano
1 (8oz.) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 c. sliced zucchini
1 (10oz.) pkg. fresh cheese tortellini
3 T. fresh parsley, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Brown sausage in large soup kettle. Drain. Add onion and garlic and saute quickly as sausage continues to cook. Add all other ingredients except tortellini. Bring to boil; reduce heat and cook 40 minutes. Cook tortellini separetly in small saucepan for 6-8 minutes (do not overcook). Drain. Add to soup mixture and simmer 5-10 minutes longer. Serve with Parmesan.

Highlight of the day

The boys and I were out shopping for discounted Christmas decorations today. We were on a four-lane street, as many of them seem to be that wide here in Arizona. We stopped at a stoplight, and as usual, we were rocking out to the music playing in our car. It may have been Beyonce (To the left, to the left) or possibly 50 cent, I can't remember exactly what was playing. I taught Alex how to "raise the roof" this morning, and he and were keeping the roof raised. Will's was going nuts in his chair as well. Out of corner of my eye I noticed we were being watched- I mean being stared at- by this darling couple who were probably in their mid-70's or so. The man looked like Gordon B. Hinckley- I had to do a double take to make sure it wasn't him. Suddenly I was a little self-conscious- I put my arms down, but there was no stopping the boys, there were having such a blast. As the light turned green I stole a glance at the couple- the man had a big smile on his face and his sweet wife had her arms in the air- she was raising the roof with us!

Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day

The boys decked out for church. Notice the lack of ornaments on our tree- courtesy of Will. The child literally took a bite of Joseph's robe on my nativity set from Bolivia. After church we came home, did some last minute wrapping and cooking, and headed over the Nana and Papa's where everyone was gathering for Christmas Eve.

Our little shepherd- who livened up the cousin nativity by yelling "Baaa, Baaa" over and over and running in cirlces while papa read the Christmas story.
Alex opened a gift from Aunt Sommer and Uncle Steve that was right up his ally- a Thomas puzzle/book.The Christmas Jammies!

The next morning was painful for Alan! Alex didn't wake up until 9:30 am, while Alan, Will and I were up at about 8am. I put breakfast in the oven and did some cleaning while Alan and Will were quarantined in our bedroom so Alex could sleep. They kept sneaking out and trying to wake him up, but he wouldn't move. Finally he emerged and the chaos began. Opening gifts was a long process since Alex wanted to stop and play with each toy after he opened it.

We somehow wrestled the boys away from the tree halfway through opening gifts to eat some breakfast- "dutch babies"- our Christmas morning tradition.
Last but not least, the camera that Alex has been asking Santa for every time he sits on his lap. Alan gave me the greatest Christmas present- a four hour nap. We went over to Alan's brothers house for more tamales and present exchanging. It was a great day- Alan and I kept commenting how great it was to be in our own bed on Christmas Eve for the first time since we've been married!

Salas Making Party

Julie(Alan's mom)- the queen of salsa at work

Papa and Will- they match!

Tonight we had a salsa making party at Alan's parents house. I didn't snap a picture of all of the salsa we made- but it was a lot! Enough for 3 families to give to neighbors and family members and friends, plus more for us all to eat over the next couple of days, since the tamales have landed and you can't eat tamales without Julie's salsa! Of course the boys had so much fun at Nana and Papa's house that they were both crying as we dragged them to the car an hour past their bedtime. Now the fridge is stocked and we're ready for Christmas weekend to be here.

Christmas Lights

Tonight we went and saw the lights at the Mesa temple, which is only about 20 minutes from where we live in Gilbert. It was cold enough to bundle up and bring hot chocolate, so I was happy! The light display doesn't quite compare to the Salt Lake Temple, but they do the best they can with the palm trees. They have concerts each night with groups from different faiths performing throughout the month of December. I'm not sure what church the group was from that was performing tonight, but all of the singing was done in Spanish, so Alan was thrilled! We spent some time at the Christus statue in the visitors center- the boys loved it- even Will sat and listened quietly while the sister missionary from England shared her testimony. The highlight of the evening had to be as we all sat watching the movie version of Luke II. Both of the boys sat still and were very attentive to the movie. As Mary and Joseph entered the stable where Jesus was to be born, Will noticed the sheep and let out a very loud "BAAAAAA!"

The hunt for Christmas jammies

I've been to 4 malls in the past 24 hours--all in hopes of finding the perfect Christmas jammies for my kids. I'm sure you are thinking that I'm running a little late if I'm trying to track down jammies the week before Christmas, but I'm not as unprepared as I appear. A couple of weeks ago I searched for Christmas jammies at all of the usual places- Gymboree, babygap, Janie and Jack, even Target and Walmart- all with no luck. None of the stores had what I was envisioning. But then-- I came across the perfect pair at Children's Place! They were so cute! They had the perfect sizes! I bought them- and I was thrilled. I tucked them away in the closet with all things Christmas. Then on Sunday, I pulled them out to show Alan. He took one look and said "Those are way too small." Ok- I thought- I will head to the mall tomorrow. Well, I didn't. There were other things to take care of like going to the gym, making granola and pumpkin bread and all sorts of other things that should have waited. Finally headed to the mall yesterday- and too make an already too long story shorter, a tank of gas and 4 malls later I have the Christmas jammies in the right sizes and I can hardly wait to see my little men on Christmas eve, decked out in red and green. Stay tuned for the pictures.

ps-*GYM UPDATE* for those of you needing a little chuckle- imagine me, 8am yesterday morning, step aerobics class, already red-faced since I'm still so out of shape, trying to do some u-turn-over-the-step-twisty-move and falling flat on my butt, legs in the air- similar to the fall on my wedding day in a room full of 200 of my closest friends and family.

Christmas is upon us...

The Christmas rush has caught up with us! We've been so busy that we can hardly see straight, and I don't think I've snapped a picture in over a week, but today was a great recovery day and I feel like we're getting back on track. The Christmas cards have finally been sent (check!), both office parties and ward party attended (check!), gifts for classmates and playgroup buddies created and handed out (check!), gingerbread-house making party attended (check!), tamales are ordered (check!), holiday baking has begun (check! eggnog cake... yum)! Christmas packages sent off to Guatemala, Utah and Idaho (check!). There is a bit more shopping to do, some baking, some wrapping, and of course, the decorating of the ridiculous looking tree that sits with only lights on in it our living room, but the major stuff is coming together! They say a cold front should be moving in tomorrow (hooray!!) so I'm finally getting into the spirit! We've had some marvelous holiday cheer tossed our way as well and that is helping to make it seem like Christmas as well!! My friend Cari sent us a book called "Why Christmas Trees aren't perfect" after seeing my post about our tree...I highly recommend you add it to your Christmas story collection! Thanks Cari! You made my day!! A Christmas CD from my friend Alexis arrived in the mail today and the boys are in heaven! Alex has been complaining because he thinks all of my Christmas music is "grown-up music." He's thrilled with the songs you sent Alexis- thank you!! I hope everyone's preperations are coming together!! Only one more week!

prayer time with a 3-year old

We've been talking to Alex about kneeling to pray, because we aren't always that great at doing it. We've gotten lazy and he has said many many prayers laying down or sitting in our laps.
Tonight I was talking with him about why we kneel. He kept insisting "Mom, I'm going to sit like this- criss cross apple sauce!" which is how they sit at preschool. I gave up, and he began to pray. "Thanks for the ducks in the tub, thanks for my feet, thank you for PBS Kids and thanks for all the PBS Kids shows. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Apparently someone has been watching too much tv.

the tree

The boys and I ventured out this afternoon into the 75 degree weather to find ourselves a Christmas tree. When I say ventured out, I mean we headed to our local Lowe's. The selection was sparse, you could even call it pitiful, but for goodness sake its the 6th of December and I wasn't going home without a tree. The man working the tree lot was helpful enough: during our conversation he called me "cityfolk," informed me that I was going to hate it here in Gilbert Arizona, and carefully pulled tree after tree out for my viewing pleasure until I found one that seemed suitable. Seemed being the important term here.
Our tree is not a suitable tree! It's close to being a total disaster. It leans to the right even though the trunk is straight, the real top was cut off at some point so it has this weird peak that sorts of juts (is that a word?) off in a random direction, and the left side is way fuller than the right. But I've come to terms with all of this. Because someone had to take home the tree- and why shouldn't it be us? Why is everyone on the quest for the perfect tree? I'm not perfect, my house isn't perfect, my life is so very far from perfect.... why should my tree be perfect?? I'm perfectly content with my crooked, strange looking tree. It fits in around here. Tomorrow- we decorate him.

December already??

Posing with his classmates.

Warming up the vocal chords...

Making sure Santa knows what's on his list.

I can't believe it's December already! I feel so behind, and we're only in week one! The tree is not up, there are no carols playing in our house, there is much shopping to be done and many packages to send off.... there is so much to do!!
The preschool Christmas programs is over, and went off with out a hitch. Alex participated when he felt like it, and the rest of the time was seen staring off into space. He enjoyed his time on Mr. Claus's lap- and stated very articulately what he is expecting Christmas morning-which should make my shopping easier. I must admit I shed a tear watching my boy perform tonight... the time is flying by, and I'm so proud of him and love him more than I can say.

Signing my life away...

I've officially joined a gym. After months of thinking about it and putting it off while trying to decide what the right fit was for me, my brother Todd finally forced me into it by challenging me to run in the Camp Pendleton (as in Marine Base!) MudRun in June of '07. I know that sounds far away, but for a girl who hasn't physically moved around on a regular basis for the past, say 5 years, it's a big deal! So all six of my siblings and I and most of our spouses are going to run the race together and the training has begun. We've been sending each other reports on our training all week via email. I'm pretty motivated right now and have been hitting the gym consistently for the past 2 weeks... but since I signed a THREE-YEAR gym membership, I'm hoping I can stay motivated for more than a few months! I have no idea how I ended up getting roped into into such a long term, but the contract is signed and after having some major buyers remorse, I've come to terms with my commitment. No more excuses- it's time to get in shape. And hey- with the unlimited childcare I can alway go chill in the hot tub when I get sick of my kids!

That's right! Swimming the day after Thanksgiving

It's just that warm here! After an early morning of shopping, breakfast, and crossing a bunch of things off the ever-growing Christmas list, Alan's brother Ryan heated the pool and we all met at their house for a swim party. After swimming we ate pumpkin soup and corn chowder and had our pick of 6 different pies. My sister-in-law Sarah is a very good cook, and it's really fun living so near her and being fed so well by her every time we are with her! Someone commented that they liked having Thanksgiving as a two-day affair! It was impossible for me to feel festive about the holidays with all of the hot weather we've been having, but Ryan and Sarah turned the situation around by embracing the weather and having a party. I'm so glad they did. We had a great time.
ps- I almost had a heart attack watching my boys being tossed TOO HIGH in the air, but they were just laughing and having too good of a time for me to stop the fun. It is so fun to have Alan around for a few days.

Happy Thanksgiving

Photo with cousing Sam, Alex's hero.The feast begins!

Alan wasn't feeling so well after his 2 plates full of Thanksgiving delights!One little piece left of the chocolate mouse pie.

Alex trying his luck at The Curtis Family Fish PondSome help from Papa.

The Thanksgiving Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving!! We had such a great celebration today with almost all of Alan's family (his oldest brother Judd took his family to Mexico for the week). Alan spent the morning golfing with the rest of the Curtis family men, while the kids and I met up with cousins at the park. It was a beautiful day and the boys were so happy be out running around. After naps, we all gathered at Nana and Papa's for the feast. It was incredible. Everyone contributed which meant everything was fantastic! When you are only making a couple of things, you can take the time to make them great. Seriously one of the best holiday meals I've had. I made rainbow jello, creamed onions, and a mouse pie- all turned out great. Seriously one of the best holiday meals I've had. Instead of doing the traditional go-around-the-table-saying-what-you're-thankful-for, Alan's sister Caroline brought this Turkey that she had made and hung on the wall. Everyone wrote on a feather what they were thankful for, and we all shared what it was as we added the feathers to the Turkey. It was such fun way for the kids to participate and think about what they are grateful for. Alex was thankful for the turkey and trains, I was thankful for my little family, Alan's family, and my far-away-spread-out-all-over family, Alan was thankful for WORK. It's pretty obvious we haven't been out of school very long! Then it was time for the Curtis Family Fish Pond, which is a tradition on holidays in the Curtis family. Each of the kids has the chance to fish in the pond and "catch" a prize from Nana and Papa. The kids LOVE this- Alex was thrilled with the Bob the Builder toys he caught. In fact, he is now tucked in his bed with "scoop" and "muck" clenched tightly in each little hand. Caroline is picking me up at 6:45am tomorrow to hit the stores. The holidays are upon us!

UCLA Reunion

We've had our friends the Jutila's from LA staying with us since Sunday, and last night our friends the Hakes (who now live in Sacramento and are in Arizona visiting family) who we know from our time in LA as well, joined us for a big lasagna dinner! It was quite the group. When we all met each other 6 years ago at UCLA, we were students with no children. Now there are 7 kids between the three couples! It was so much fun to reconnect with old friends- it felt like no time had passed at all.

Thanksgiving Feast

Alex had a Thanksgiving Feast today at preschool! He had a great time, and I think he looks awfully cute in his pilgrim hat.

saturday morning activities

Will post-donut

It seems like it's becoming a tradition around here for the boys to grab donuts with their dad on Saturday mornings. Today they invited me to go too, and while we were out we realized today is the start of "Gilbert Days" which means... I really don't know what. I just know that there was a parade, and the boys had a great time for the first half hour, after which Alex asked, "Can we go home now?"

I guess there is grass here afterall!

100th Birthday Party

Tonight we went to the 100th birthday celebration for Alan's grandfather, Louis Raine Curtis. Alan's dad decided get the family together to honor and celebrate this great man's life, even though he is no longer with us. Everyone got babysitters and we had a great meal and great conversation about Grandpa. It was really fun to get to know this person through Alan's dad's perspective- he loved him so much, and had pulled out all of the memorabilia he has from him and set it up on tables for us to look at: his shirts, pictures, his diploma from Cornell, yearbooks, watch and much much more. The highlight was the homemade rootbeer, "Lou's Booze," that Dave made in honor of Grandpa. Also? It was so different to enjoy a relaxing evening with Alan's family and no children to distract us! We never have the chance to actually talk- it was really great.

Household Notebook

Ever since we moved to Arizona, I feel like our family life has become more complicated. We have more commitments to keep track of than we have ever had before. Preschool, playgroups, church responsibilities, friends, family... the list goes on. Not long after we moved here I was perusing home organizational websites looking for ideas on how to stay on top of everything. I came across the idea of creating a "household notebook." The idea is to have one place where you keep track of it all. I think it's a great idea and after several months of trying to finish it, I finally did!

Shamrock Farms

On Saturday morning we went on a family excursion to Shamrock Farms in Stanton, Arizona. We packed up the picnic basket and drove an hour south to this real live working dairy. There were thousands of cows and we took a tour that walked us through the entire process of collecting milk for human consumption. As many of you know our Will is a HUGE fan of milk, and though he obviously didn't understand everything being discussed, he was happy since we were talking about milk for over an hour straight. What made him even happier was at the end of the tour when we were each given a 12 oz. bottle of the milk of our choice. We had a great time and although we have never purchased Shamrock Farm milk before (they are more expensive), we were totally sold and will now be buying their dairy products religiously.