Random Wanderings

Family trip to the top of the Stratosphere

Love this view!!

A very rare photo of Brian and I together...lol

Love these two sweeties!

Parker's new found passion

Pausing during a fun game of mini golf

With Christmas Break over, it's time to get back into the swing of things.  Most days are filled with work and school and taking kids to their various activities.  We seem to spend a lot of time at the hockey rink, where the boys enjoy playing.  Parker has taken up a new found love of playing goalie, which means we are spending even more time at said rink...LOL.  I can also be seen driving to the dance studio several times a week and Brian and I both play taxi for kids to music lessons, scouts, band, Activity Days, etc.  It's busy, but I wouldn't trade it.  It makes the times we do have together as a family even more special.  I'm glad we are able to find those moments, even with our hectic schedules.

Megan is inducted into the National Honor Society

Megan and her certificate

Waiting for the ceremony to begin

Receiving her pin

The walk of fame

All the new inductees

We were very proud of Megan this month.  Not only did she receive the Citizen of the Month Award at her school, but she was also inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society.  Wait to go cute red-head!

Christmas Break Fun

Checking out the gardens at the Bellagio

This is the only snow you will see in Vegas!!

Hanging out together at a Wranglers hockey game

Colton playing at the new park

They are all monkeys!

Megan gets ready for a shot

Love that New Year's Day bowling tradition

Laynee's amazing bowling beat us all

The boys watching frozen at the Drive-In

Megan and her friend at their piano recital

We had a very enjoyable Christmas Break filled with lots of family fun.  We were able to visit the gorgeous gardens at the Bellagio and have a great time, despite the car accident we were in on the way there...but that's another story.  I also took the kids ice skating (which I, for some reason did not take any pictures of) and we were able to go to a Las Vegas Wranglers hockey game.  Some of our other fun favorites were playing a the new Craig Ranch Park, seeing Frozen at the drive in, and our traditional bowling on New Year's Day.  We also hosted a fabulous New Years Eve party, and wrapped up the break by attending Megan's piano recital.  She played "Clair de Lune" and did amazing!  I was so sad to see the break come to an end.

Christmas Day!!

Megan's favorite...clothes!!

Colton's favorite...Sonic!

He's so thrilled

Parker and Megan check out their stockings

Colton finally got his DS!

Grandma and Laynee

Megan posing with her new scarf

All the kids with the tree

What we did all day!!!

Christmas Day was very fun and relaxing.  After we opened all our presents and ate our traditional Christmas breakfast of Cinnamon rolls, we all just relaxed in our PJs all day.  The kids played with their toys and played games with Grandma.  Brian and I watched movies and napped.  We enjoyed talking to and skyping with family members throughout the day.  In the evening we had a yummy Christmas breakfast dinner of omelettes with ham, cheese and red and green peppers.  It was a fantastic and restful day.

Christmas Eve 2013

Playing with the model trains

Making cookies for Santa

Dasher?  Is that you?

All the kiddos

We had an enjoyable Christmas Eve this year.   After a whirlwind month of concerts, parties, shopping, baking and wrapping, it was nice to just take it easy and enjoy some time together.  Once Grandma Bird had arrived and dinner was in the crock pot, we headed to the Bass Pro Shop to visit their Christmas Town.  The kids had fun playing with the model trains, shooting BB Guns and watching the fish in the giant aquariums.  We also happened to be there in time to make cookies for Santa, although I believe most of them were eaten by the kids.  Once we were done playing, we headed home for a delicious ham dinner and our traditional chocolate fondue dessert.  We put on our Christmas PJ's, read the Christmas story together and all the kids opened one gift.  Everyone enjoyed watching White Christmas and the kids headed off to bed with Visions of Sugar Plums...ok, so maybe it was Nintendo DS's instead....

Santa Train

Checking out the model trains

All aboard the mini train

Laynee and I waiting for Santa

Some silly people

Doesn't Parker look thrilled?

Cute girl and daddy!

Maybe Santa is outside the train....

Cute, Silly Colton and Parker trying to hide

This is about as excited as he gets

Colton trying to remember what he wants for Christmas

Laynee gives Santa 5

Don't bother me...I'm thinking

Me and the little kiddos...train ride out to the boneyard

Our family really enjoys heading out to Boulder City one Saturday every December to take a ride on the Santa Train.  The boys love watching the model trains in the museum and everyone loves to ride on the mini train.  After a hearty lunch of Taco Bell, it was off to ride the big Santa Train.  We all waited in anticipation of his arrival.  Since we were on one of the last cars, we had to be patient, but Santa finally arrived towards the end of our journey.  Colton froze up when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas.  Laynee gave him knuckles, Megan posed, and Parker looked annoyed.