The Fuzz Busted our Christmas Party!

We had the Curtis family Christmas party with Grandma and Grandpa Curtis on Friday night. We had eaten a great feast, the kids had opened their presents and were off to play and wreak havoc on Tony and Gigi's house (sorry guys). The adults were playing an innocent game of white elephant Christmas exchange when our niece Eden came down to tell us that Emma had called the police. Of course, Emma swears up and down that she hadn't called them, so we let it go at that. After a slight (very slight, mind you, we were getting serious!) break in the intense game of steal-that-gift, the doorbell rings. The kids answer the door and lo and behold, there stands Officer Lopez, asking if everything is OK, or if there really is an emergency. Oh no, we assure her, just a case of children playing with the phone and CALLING 911! It turns out that Emma, Eden and their cousin Ashley had found one of those cool old-fashioned phones that you hold the cone thing up to your ear and speak into the mouthpiece... Thing is, that phone was an actual working phone. So while they were playing around 911 gets dialed and they hang up on the operator. So the police call back. Do ya think any of the 10 or 11 very responsible adults in the house paid any mind to who was calling? No, we were all too consumed with grab-a-gift. So Emma answered the phone when the police called back, "This is GPD. Is there an emergency?" She kind of freaked out, said no and hung up. Hence, Officer Lopez's visit to the house. She was so very kind about it, and we brought the girls out to talk to her so they would know how serious their little mistake was. She told them they aren't in any trouble, but isn't it great to know that if there ever IS an emergency the police will get there as fast as they can? Way to turn onions into apples.

Here are the crazy police-calling culprits. We certainly have our hands full with these little chickies!





Well, off for our annual rendezvous with the jolly fat guy. I think the kids are finally asleep...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Merry Christmas to all...

I sent Christmas cards out last weekend, inviting friends and family all over the country to view the latest on the Curtis family on our blog. Then I realized I'd better get it looking spiffy and festive for all the visitors I'm SURE to have. So thanks to my friend Cami for the advice on how to get 'er done! I hope you like it.

I'm finally feeling ready for Christmas. Shopping is done. Kids have shipped off their multiple letters to Santa (addendums, brown-nosing "thank you" notes). Gifts are well-hidden (but not yet wrapped, I'm not THAT prepared!). For FHE tonight we delivered **most** of our neighbor gifts, save a few stragglers that live "on the other side of the tracks." We even ventured out to witness some crazy light show a guy has put up in his yard... he broadcasts Christmas music on an FM frequency, so you can tune in on your car radio and watch his lights "dance" to the music. Emma and Tess loved it. Fisher slept through it and Case was glued to Frosty the Snowman for about the fourth time today. If you want to check it out: www.gilbertlights.com.

Well, time for me to snuggle in for a long winter's nap... And to all a good night!

Rock Star in the News

So I wrote a column about Jarad's Rock Star quest and his pulmonary embolism and submitted it to our local paper. And they actually printed it! With a picture! It was a half-page feature. Anyway, if you're interested in seeing the online version, here's the link, which you'll have to copy and paste into your browser. Sorry for my technology ignorance, but I don't know how to make it clickable.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/citizen/articles/1207gr-nbycurtis1207.html

I'm not sure how long it will work, so get it while it's hot.

First Grade Love Letters

I don't think this even needs an intro. I found this as I was cleaning up after Emma went to bed last night. It's just about the sweetest...

countdown to Christmas

So I have this little Santa guy that counts down the days to Christmas. Every year he is a source of joy for me as I remove one star every day as the holiday approaches. Just so smug that I'm ready for the Big Day. I always have my shopping done (or at least a short list of what I still need to purchase), cards out, baking done and delivered to the neighbors...

This year those stars represent a heavier weight on my chest as I realize that every is one less day I have to get all that stuff done! Not only have I done next to NO shopping yet, we haven't even taken our family picture for our cards, let alone sent them out. I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to give my husband, who always puts me to shame with the thoughtful gifts he comes through with. And neighbor/teacher gifts? If anyone has an idea for something quick-and-cheap-yet-creative-and-thoughtful, let me know.

Well, at least as of last weekend I can find comfort in the soft glow of the lights on my tree. That's one thing I have done.

Fisher's testimony

I stayed home from church today with sick babies, so I didn't get to witness this firsthand. Unfortunately...

Fisher got up in church today to bear his testimony (we have the opportunity once a month to stand up to share our testimonies in our church). He said all the normal things, and then added one thing Jarad had been "practicing" with him during Family Home Evening. We never thought he would actually say it in front of everyone:

... and I know my dad is stronger than Superman.

Of course, everyone laughed at this and Jarad said Fisher's face just fell when everyone laughed. Fisher is so sensitive to what others think of him, and one of his biggest concerns is that his friends will laugh at him. So this is probably going to stick with him for a while! Poor guy.

Two little pumpkins

I'm an awful mom. I have two beauties who turned two almost two weeks ago, and I haven't bragged yet!

We had a low-key birthday for the twinners this year. Just a little cake and present-time at home with mom, dad, Emma and Fisher. We invited family over a few days later for pumpkin pie and a no-present party. It was so cute though - we put candles in one of the pies and all the cousins gathered around. When we finished singing and the babies blew out their candles Tess started to say "hooray!" and Case chimed in. Their faces reflected sheer delight when all the cousins started cheering with them! It was so adorable. And of course, no video camera in sight.

But here are some pics of the birthday kids...

We got them little tricycles, and Case was so sad that he couldn't do it. He's at least figured out how to get on it by now!


I think Tess did all the work blowing the candles out!


This was today -- I just had to take a picture of the salvaged-ribbon-bow I made for Tess out of ribbon from Christmas gifts we've already gotten from neighbors!