Adams' Family Christmas Party

The Adams' family Christmas party was on Christmas eve. It has been a tradition for Shane's parents to give the unmarried grand kids pajamas.

Cassie and Chase

Maddie, Emily, Courtney, Carley and Sarah

Courtney, Ben, Garret, Hunter and Spencer

Bo and Kayte Hatch

Gleason Family Christmas Party

This year my family's Christmas party was the day before Christmas eve so most of us could attend and not have to leave to go somewhere else.

I think I can speak for all of us in saying "we had a blast!"

Me, Kiley and Brody Floto

Me and Josh Brotzman (those are Michelle's fingers)

Zach (Ashley's boyfriend) and Ashley Gleason

Me and Chase

Courtney, Aden and Keylee Harmon

Courtney and Pam

Me and Carley

Me and Courtney

Avarie and Carley

Every time my mom gets her picture taken she has to say "SEX" so her eyes will stay open.

Me and my mom Betty

Me, Pam and Cassie

Me and Paul Brotzman

Me, Matt Brotzman and Carly (Matt's girlfriend)

Me and Brody

Me and Michelle Brotzman

Me and Shane

Courtney, Gavin, me and Preston

Me and Kiley

Me, Mike Douglas and Carley

Larry, me and Anna

Me, Gavin and Carley

Me and Porscha

Did you notice "Me" is in almost all of the pictures? I counted, there is 5 pictures that I am not in.

Merry Christmas family. I love you all!

Braces Are Waiting

Today was our first trip of MANY to the orthodontist. When Carley was younger she had fallen out of the bath tub and knocked out her two front teeth causing damage to her gums. Since the gums were damaged her permanent teeth came in all jacked up.

And the mouth attacked!

Christmas Dance Party

The Christmas dance party at The Movement Dance Center had a special guest.

The Utah Jazz Bear!!!

The Bear is the Utah Jazz mascot.

Ricci Phillips and Courtney

Christmas Dance

Courtney dances at The Movement Dance Center. For Christmas they let the parents come during the last half hour of class to watch what they have learned so far this year.

Courtney is top left

Courtney finished off the dance by doing her back hand spring. What a fabulous dancer!

Nutcracker Ballet and the King of Mice

Since all of our girls are dancers I thought it would be a great experience for them to go see the Nutcraker Ballet.

The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice" written by E.T.A. Hoffman. It's the story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.

When Marius Petipa had the idea to choreograph the story into a ballet, it was actually based on a revision by Alexander Dumas, a well known French author. His version reflects more of what we have come to love as the Nutcracker Ballet.

The Party Scene
It is Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house -- A large and grand house with the most beautiful tree imaginable. The Stahlbaums are hosting their annual Christmas party, welcoming the arrival of their family and friends. The children, Clara and Fritz, are dancing and playing as they welcome their friends too.
The party grows festive with music and dance as godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He is a skilled clock and toy maker and always full of surprises. Drosselmeyer draws everyone's attention as he presents two life-size dolls. They are the delight of the party, each taking a turn to dance.
The children begin to open gifts when Drosselmeyer presents his to Clara and Fritz. Although his gift to Fritz is quite nice, he gives Clara a beautiful Nutcracker that becomes the hit of the party. Fritz becomes jealous and, having a bit more spunk than a boy should have, grabs the nutcracker from Clara and promptly breaks it. Clara is heartbroken looking on as Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the Nutcracker with a handkerchief he magically draws from the air.
As the evening grows late, the guests depart and the Stahlbaum family retires for the evening. Clara, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, falling asleep with him in her arms.

The Fight Scene
As the clock strikes midnight strange things begin to happen. Clara begins shrinking as her beautiful Christmas tree grows high above her. The toys around the tree come to life while the room fills with an army of mice, lead by the fierce Mouse King. As the Nutcracker awakens, he leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice. The Mouse King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one. The Nutcracker seems to be no match for the Mouse King.
The Nutcracker and his army can go on no longer and are captured by the mice and their King. Clara makes a final daring charge throwing her slipper at the Mouse King, hitting him square on the head. The Mouse King drops to the floor and the mice run away, carrying off their leader's lifeless body.

The Land of Snow
The Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes Clara on a journey to the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by dancing snowflakes.

The Land of Sweets
The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Prince tells her about their daring battle with the army of mice and she rewards them with a celebration of dances.
The Spanish Dance
The Arabian Dance
The Russian Dance
The Chinese Dance
The Mirliton Dance
The Waltz of Flowers
As a finale, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier dance a beautiful Pas De Deux.

The Dream Ends
Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.

No picture taken allowed...Sorry, this is all you get.

Festival of Trees

For 40 years, the Festival of Trees has ushered in the Holiday Season in Utah. More importantly, every penny raised helps children at Primary Children’s Medical Center. The Festival is organized and orchestrated by volunteers and relies on the generous support of those who decorate and purchase trees, wreaths, gingerbread creations, playhouses, centerpieces, and quilts.

I had two extra tickets because Cassie and Chase could not go so I invited my sister Pam and her husband Paul.

Courtney, Carley and Pam

There are more than 800 decorated trees of every size, shape, variety, and theme. Here are some of our favorites.