Christmas!

Anderson loves his new car.

James, trying to figure the lego's he got.

Surprise! Something he didn't ask for but we knew he would love.

Anderson, loving the box more than the toys.

Battleship!!

James' fire pole that Curtis installed in his room for Christmas.

Camilla loves it too.

The night before Christmas!

 This year our family was asked to participate in the Stake fireside. The children were invited to be in the live nativity and Curtis had a part as a Shepard in the program. We decided our make-shift costumes weren't quite good enough to be in a program, so Curtis worked on the costumes making them better suited for the program. Alayna and Allison were angels and Curtis and James were Shepards. I thought the program was wonderful. The live nativity was such a wonderful addition to the program.

Every year we try to do a nativity. Even if we are not with our extended family.  Alayna, Allison, and Camilla were all angels. Curtis and I were Mary and Joseph. James was a wise man and Anderson our only shepard. It doesn't work so well to fill all of the parts when you have a small group. Here are some pictures of our own nativity at home. I'm not sure why but I didn't get a picture of Alayna as an angel.

Pope Christmas fun!

Most years a subset of the Pope family try to get together at Christmas. Last year everyone was able to make it to California. This year just a small group of Pope's got together in Utah. We celebrated with Lorenzo and Melissa's family, Amy and Jared's family, Spencer and Stephanie's family, and Michael and Megan's family. Lorenzo and Amy's families even spent Christmas eve up at the cabin. A night or two before Christmas, we got together for dinner and then a special visitor came to greet the children. Santa had the most personality that I have ever seen in a person. It was quite entertaining.  I have to admit that I was hoping to not be chosen to help him. He chose adults as well as children. I thought his overly friendly demeanor might embarrass me and as I'm sure it did to others. Needless to say, it will be a visit with Santa the children won't soon forget. Anyway, we got some fun pictures.

James, Jacob, and Matthew having a little fun.

Anderson is not so sure about this.

Allison pretending she is a reindeer for Santa.

Amanda and Alayna

Allison and Natalie.

Just in time for Christmas!

Camilla started into preschool this year. She really loves it and I think it has been a really good thing. She seems to be able to sit a little longer. We were able to go to her cute preschool program. Although we didn't end up with very many pictures. Also at preschool, Camilla was able to see Santa for the first time. I had never taken her to see Santa and she was a little shy but still sat on his lap, if a little awkwardly.

This year,  I had Camilla write her Christmas list. She said that one of the things she wanted was a kitchen for Christmas. I almost bought a cheap plastic one but then decided to ask Curtis if he might build one.  Plenty of hours were put into it but I was very pleased with how well he did. So included is the kitchen he built for Camilla just in time for Christmas.

Camilla getting ready to sing at her program.

Preview

Top chef

I love to cook. I really like to peruse recipe books. I love to try new recipes. My family members tell me to make it again if they give it a thumbs up. I have had some real winners and some very big losers. But I get excited to try new things to put in the monthly menu. Lately I have been trying really hard to find extra healthy things to cook. The more veggies the better.

I really like cooking shows. I know they are boring for most people but I just love them. Especially if its a competition. I really like Iron chef America. My girls actually like to watch with me.

Well I was quite surprised when I found my sweet Camilla wanted to be a top chef too. I came down stairs took one look at the kitchen stools and got quite a shock. Camilla had to decided to chop an onion with a chefs knife. We asked why she did that and she said she wanted to become a chef. Here is her work.

Another haircut

I think Anderson's haircut pictures are so cute. Earlier I did a post about his first haircut but I am posting about this one too. He is so pleasant about getting haircuts. In fact,  he is quite thrilled about any noisy thing. He loves vacuums, blenders, the lawn mower, blow dryer. It is so cute he also loves cords. We don't let him plug them in but he likes to get headphones or a detached cord and walk around with it and drape it  around himself. He is quite fascinated with any electrical things. We have to make sure they are either put up or that the outlets have covering. Here are some of the pics from his haircut.

Curtis' Birthday

Curtis just turned forty. It seems like yesterday that we were married. I wanted to surprise him with a really big birthday party and invite tons of  family, neighbors, and friends. I stewed about it for months.I really wanted it to be special. Then I finally came to the conclusion that he wouldn't want that. He is one that doesn't want the spotlight. I finally asked him how he wanted to spend his birthday and he said with our family and as many other close family members that will come. He wanted to watch the BYU football game(his favorite thing on TV), have a little food and visit. So that's what we did. Curtis' mom was able to come, and his brothers and families and my brother.  Here are some pics of his fortieth birthday party.