Winter Break Fun!

The kids asked to go ice skating for fun during winter break.  It was very cold, but the kids had a fabulous time.

Christmas 2014

Christmas Day was fun and relaxing.  The kids woke up and opened all their presents and then we had a yummy breakfast of egg and sausage casserole and french toast.  We laid around all day watching Christmas movies, playing games and eating treats in our pajamas and enjoyed spending time together.

Visit to the Bass Pro shop

We always like to visit the Bass Pro Shop in December.  Not only is Santa visiting, but they have fun games and activities for the kids.  The kids love watching Santa swim in the tank and taking shots with the Red Ryder BB guns.

The Nutcracker

Megan and I attended the Nutcracker Ballet at the Smith Center as part of our Christmas Traditions.  It was amazing as always!

Megan's Holiday Piano Recital

Cute piano girls

Love that smile!

Megan introducing her song

Awesome teacher and students!

Megan had an amazing holiday piano recital.  She played an awesome arrangement of Silent Night as well as a cute and funny Christmas Medley with her friend.  They opened up the floor at the end and I played a jazz arrangement of "Deck the Halls" and Brian played his guitar.  It was a fun and festive evening!

Santa Train

Riding the mini train

Aww...so cute!

Silly Colton and Megan

Brotherly Love

Sisters!

A visit from St. Nick

They've all been good, right?

Aw...special selfie!

We had a fabulous time riding the Santa Train this year.  The weather was fabulous and the kids really enjoyed riding th mini train and looking at the model trains.   Then it was all aboard the Santa Train where we got to see fantastic scenery and enjoy a visit from St. Nick and Mrs. Claus themselves!

Gingerbread Houses

One of our favorite fun activities of the Christmas season is making gingerbread houses together.  It's always a toss up as to whether more candy gets on the houses or in our mouths.  It's also fun getting together with one of my favorite mission companions, Sara, and her family.  I think our gingerbread houses (and in some cases mansions or shacks!) turned out fabulous!

Colton the Basketball man

Colton had a lot of fun playing his first season of basketball.  He was very fast running up and down the court and his height really helped with rebounding.  In fact, at the end of the season one dad affectionately called him "the round mound of rebound!"

The Whos down in Whoville liked Megan a lot!

Megan's dance studio presented a fun Christmas recital this year with the storyline to "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."  Her dance team did a really amazing tap dance to "Perfect Christmas Night" and wore cute Santa outfits.  It was a fun activity to go to as a family.

Parker's Winter Band Concert

Drumset is Parker's favorite

Playing the bass drum

Parker and his fellow percussionists

It's always fun going to see one of Parker's band concerts.  The band groups played a lot of fun Christmas music.  My favorite was "Deckin' the Halls" played by the Jazz band.  Parker got to play the drum set on this song and he really rocked it out.  It was amazing!

Decorating the pine!

Brian gets into the act

Two cute littles

Colton reaches up high

Megan hangs one of her ornaments

Laynee gets the lower branches 

Doesn't Parker look thrilled?

Another fun tradition we have is to decorate the tree right after Thanksgiving.  Now that we have a prelit tree it's easy to get it up and let the decorating commence.  The kids had a lot of fun and there were only a few ornament casualties.