Megan's Polar Express Dance Recital

One of the really fun activities we got to do this holiday season, was to go watch Megan dance in her studio's Polar Express show.  It was basically a live action version of the book "The Polar Express" with the various dance teams showcased throughout.   Megan's team tap danced to "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas."   They looked really cute and, despite one wardrobe malfunction (Megan's headband flew off) she did awesome.  It was a really great show.

Parker's Band Concert

Parker in all his finery

Rocking out on the crash cymbals

Where's Waldo?   Playing the bass drum

Parker's favorite was playing the drum set with jazz band

I really enjoyed going to Parker's winter band concert.  It was really fun to see how much he has improved since the last concert.  He played crash cymbals, snare and bass drums with the regular band.  And his (and my) favorite was a rocking Christmas arrangement he played on the drum set with the jazz band.  It was a great concert.

Making Gingerbread Houses

The kids working on their gingerbread houses

Brian looks pretty serious

Laynee just liked the candy

Megan's completed house

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is to get together with one of my former mission companions and her family and make gingerbread houses together.  It all started with a yummy dinner of soup and rolls and then the construction began.  There was much creativity, Christmas cheer and eating of candy!  A good time was had by all.

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Brian and I at the Trans Siberian Orchestra Concert

Brian and kids at Ethel M

Colton loves the lights

Megan is ready for some hot chocolate

Thats my goofy boy

Mmmm yummy chocolate

The days following Thanksgiving we really got into the Christmas Spirit!  Brian and I went to a Trans Siberian Orchestra Concert, which was amazing and the music really put us in the mood for the holidays.  That night we drove as a family to see the lights at Ethel M.  This is always a holiday favorite, and a little chocolate treat makes it even more great.

Decorating the Tree

Colton loved climbing the ladder 

Megan hangs an ornament

Aw they are getting along

Parker can reach the top branches this year

Even I got in on the action

We got a new tree and some pretty new ornaments this year thanks to a birthday gift from my mom.  We all had a lot of fun decorating together, except for Laynee, who was too tired to get in on the action.  We were able to put our old tree up in the loft and the kids had fun decorating it with their special ornaments.  Parker got a hockey stick ornament this year, Megan a nutcracker, Colton an Angry Birds and Laynee a bunny.

Megan's Dance Open House

Serious ballerina

Wish I was still this flexible!

Megan almost has both splits!

Beautiful form!

This girl loves to dance! 

So graceful!

Megan and her dance team...the "Gems"

Megan and Eliana

Megan is on a dance team this year and takes 5 classes a week (2 ballet, 1 tap, 1 jazz and 1 turns class) to learn her art.  We were really excited to attend her open house this year to see what she has been learning.  We were so impressed at how far she has come in the past year: New ballet combinations, tap steps, turns and pirouettes.  She is an awesome little dancer!

Laynee's 2nd Birthday

Looking so grown up

Ice cream cake!

Wow this looks good!

Present time

I can't believe my baby is two!  It seems like she was born just the other day.  Laynee is definitely a little ray of sunshine in our lives.   She is constantly charming us with her cute little voice and hugs and kisses.  I love that she is spunky and sweet.  She does tend to get into things A LOT and has shown us her artistic skills on the walls and the furniture with both markers and nail polish.  She also loves to climb up and dump out my spices, hide objects inside other objects, and steal hot dogs out of the fridge and eat them raw!  It's never a dull moment with this little cutie!