Springs Preserve

The whole family enjoys the lights

Making ornaments

Cute Megan

Dad and Laynee

Grandma and Colton

We received some free passes and were able to check out the Christmas activities at the Springs Preserve this year.  The lights were very pretty, and we enjoyed walking around and seeing the displays and listening to the music.  They also had pony rides, a maze, an inflatable slide and fake snow flurries.  The kids also enjoyed making their own ornaments out of popsicle sticks and a myriad of decorative items.  Fun was had by all.

Parker's first band concert

Getting ready to play

Percussion Parker

Playing the bells

Love this kid!

Parker and his band teacher

Parker had his first band concert right before Christmas.  He has really enjoyed learning to play percussion instruments, especially the drums.   The beginning band classes played a selection of holiday music.  Parker worked really hard and had the opportunity to play the snare drum on a few of the Christmas songs.  I was one proud mama!

Megan's First Piano Recital

Megan plays her solo

Away in a Manger

Megan and her BFF

A few weeks before Christmas, Megan had her very first piano recital.  It was a really fun and informal evening at her piano teacher's house.  There was a lot of yummy food and it was fun to see and hear all the kids play.  Megan sang Away in a Manger while her friend played.  We also got to hear her play "March Slav" and "We wish you a Merry Christmas".  Megan and her best friend also earned certificates of Achievement from their teacher.  She did a very good job and we are proud of her.

Riding the Santa Train

One of the last wood burning steam trains

Riding on the mini train

Parker and mom

The kids visit with Santa

Brian and the kiddos

The whole family

We found a fun new family activity to do this year.  We drove out to Boulder City to ride on the Santa Train.  While we waited for the train to arrive, we were able to ride an old fashioned steam train, a mini train and look at a whole bunch of really cool train layouts.  The boys were in heaven.  When the Santa train arrived, we hopped on board and enjoyed a ride while we waited for Santa to arrive.  About 20 minutes into the ride, Santa and Mrs. Claus hopped aboard our car and posed for a photo op.  The kids really enjoyed this fun afternoon.

Making gingerbread houses

Colton's masterpiece

Megan and Parker the master builders

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The final results

One of our favorite family Christmas traditions is building gingerbread houses together. The kids had a lot of fun designing their own houses and trying to get them to stay together.  The final results turned out pretty awesome!   Some other traditions that we enjoy each year are:  attending the live Nativity play, driving around to see the lights, delivering treats to friends and neighbors, caroling as a family, reading the Christmas story and singing Christmas songs together.  I love Christmastime!!

Opportunity Village

Jingle Bell Rock

Megan and Laynee after the performance

Kids enjoying the lights

Brian, Colton and a friend on the train

Ready to ride the train 

Laynee enjoys the carousel

Megan's dance team performed at Opportunity Village this year.  We were able to go and watch her perform a tap dance to "Jingle Bell Rock."  She did an awesome job.  We also had a really fun time walking around to see the lights, riding the train and the Santa Carousel.

Megan's Dance Open House

Megan tapping with her dance team

The Sparklers

Pretty Ballerina

Megan and her ballet teacher

Look at the height on that leap!

At the end of November we were able to attend open house at Megan's dance studio.  This year she is a member of the Sparklers dance team at her studio and has been taking classes in tap, ballet and jazz.   It was really fun to see how much she has progressed over the past year.  We are very proud of her.