It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

School is finally out and "Christmas Week," as Porter has named it, is finally in session. 

What a fun Christmas season it has been already.  Early in December, Porter performed in his first grade Christmas show, where toys came alive to sing holiday songs. Porter wanted to be a green lego and was thrilled about his costume until the night of the performance, where he was terrified that everyone would think he looked weird.  But as soon as he put it on, his buddies were so sweet and told him how cool he looked.  The performance went on! 

Here's Porter with his good friend, Levi:

...And his best friend, Palmer:

(Of course Emma Rose wasn't shy about putting on her brother's costume...)

Aunt Jenny & Uncle Justin came to town for an early Christmas celebration, so all of the Leavitts got together and went iceskating downtown.  They had a blast!

(Although I think Corey had more fun than anyone, getting his skating legs back!)

 Emma Rose loves her Panda slippers from Aunt Jenny & Uncle Justin!

We had an early celebration for Ansley's 9th Birthday. She and Porter snuggled watching the Bronco's game...

...while Caroline and Emma Rose had a princess fashion show:

I had to include these pictures of Duke, who has been up to no good, but he's still such a good kitty to Emma Rose and Porter:

Emma Rose also had a little classroom snowman performance at her preschool:

Here's a little video of her singing:

The Christmas season has been filled with all kinds of mischief from Rudy, the kids' elf.  Here are a couple fun shots I got of him...

He made breakfast for the kids one morning:

And he put together a scavenger hunt another morning:

Another breakfast treat:

Sunbathing elf:

A sword-fight with Luke Skywalker:

And a snowball fight with Twilight:

 He even left a gingerbread house kit for the kids one morning:

...And of course Corey and I celebrated our 11-year anniversary with a beautiful day of skiing at Vail.

Feeling blessed this Christmas season!  Merry merry from our house to yours!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

CHRISTMAS!!!

We made it through a snowy November, and of course, Porter, snow's #1 fan, has had the "best month ever" getting his fill of shoveling snow, sledding and skiing.

Corey helped the kids to make yet another amazing snow fort.  Ours has been the most popular backyard for all the neighborhood kids...

The kids have been getting their ski-legs back as well.  I was nervous... Both kids' skis have doubled in length this year.  But they're still rocking the slopes!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Nana & Papa's house, where Corey and Papa fried an "epic" turkey.

I'd say the cousins were pretty thankful to get together again!

We waited for Santa to light up the town of Littleton the evening after Thanksgiving.  The kids were so cute, holding their candles, eating their candy canes, and waiting for Santa to do his magic!

I enjoyed my first-of-the - season party at my dear friend Lanie's annual ornament exchange!

Emma Rose could not be more thrilled about all of the Christmas festivities.  She has been a huge helper decorating my house and Nana's for the Christmas season!

...and what a restful season (finally!!!!) it's been...

I am really proud that Porter was given an award at his school last week.  For putting others needs before his own, and for being mindful of others, he was honored for exhibiting the virtue of humility at Ben Franklin Academy.

'Looking forward to a season of love, peace, family, craziness, and cheer, and mostly to practicing gratitude to a Savior who put everyone's needs before His own.

October Fun

Mom, Aunt Georgie, my sister, Jenny, and my cousins, Erin & Abby, and I got together for our annual girls' weekend in Saugatuck, Michigan.  What a fun time to reconnect with women I love!

Halloween was here before I could say, "Boo!"  The kids had a blast carving their pumpkins this year.  Emma Rose wanted an owl, and Porter went for a Batman theme.

The morning of Halloween, Porter played the best he's ever played at soccer. His coach is so good, and they celebrated an undefeated season together!

And the night of Halloween was so much fun.  Emma Rose was the pinkish-purple, beautiful butterfly that she wanted to be!    

And Porter was Martin from his favorite show of all time, Wild Kratts!

The kids had a blast at our dear friends' Halloween party. Love this picture of the girls gathering in the tree-house:

And the boys, sword-fighting:

This is our tribute to our beloved, pregnant friend, Kylene, with her own little pumpkin, Cam, growing inside!

Corey and I brought back Popeye & Olive Oyl.

The whole trick-or-treating clan:

And once again, the kids left their candy loot out for "The Great Pumpkin," who left them some superb toys!

Moving on to a season of Thanksgiving, we are choosing to focus on and be grateful for so, so many blessings, even as we face a long period of transition!