The Sims 3 (with Showtime expansion) constantly freezes and crashes

If this is somewhere else on this forum, I'm sorry.  I just don't have the time to search for it.

I just bought the game two days ago with the expansion.  I have gotten to the point where I will load the game up, and within ten minutes it will freeze and crash.  Here are my computer's specs:

Windows 7

Intell(R) HD Graphics 400 (1700 memory)

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-361QM CPU @ 2.30GHz processor

8.00 GB RAM

64-bit Operating system

This is more than enough to play this game.  I am playing on a laptop, but I don't think that should matter.  I would rather not have to reinstal the game (I downloaded it through Steam), but I will if there are no other options.  I wanted to buy more of the expansions, but this issue is making the game almost unplayable.

Note:  I am also getting the Code 12 issue as well, and as you can see, my RAM is not the issue.  I have made sure to restart the computer, and close all open programs before playing, but it hasn't helped.

Like I said it will lock up within the first few minutes of playing, then when I get it to unfreeze, it gives me the Code 12 saving issue.  Please help!

Thank you.