Summer and Brandon

Our friends Summer and Brandon had twins last week. They are perfect, but also tiny.  These are photos of Parker, the sweet baby girl.  I haven't gotten to meet Greyson yet, as he is still in the NICU for a few more days.  She is the cutest little thing!

Meagan Alyssa, Age 9

Meagan is nine.  Andy and I really can't get over that.  Nine seems old, or at least we feel old having a nine year old.  This has been a year of growth for her.  She has become a little actress and has started dance at Avery Ranch dance.  Math is still a struggle, but reading continues to be a strength.  She enjoys most kinds of books and loves her Kindle Fire Uncle Brian bought her last year.  She has two best friends, Lexi who has been her friend since she was a baby, and Kendall who is her friend from the YMCA.  Natalie, of course, is her other best friend.  They love to play together and happily share a room.  Meagan is a great big sister to Matthew.  She enjoys teaching him things; she tries to not get upset when he makes a mess of her toys or possessions.  Her birthday party was a dinner at the Melting Pot with Kendall and Lexi.  The night before her birthday, though, she chose her meal (which you can see in the photo, hahaha....) which consisted of buttery noodles and raspberries and a "hot chocolate" cake to top it off.  Natalie chose her Furby and Meagan loves him.  His name is now Fib.  We also got her a Razr with wheels that have lights.  Both girls got Big Sister/Little Sister necklaces that they adore.  Meagan's ninth birthday turned out to be a special day (or two!)

I am a little bandit!

Life around here

I am a little bit annoyed because Blogger won't let me put pictures on here.  Wondering if it is my home computer!??! 
Anyway, there has not been a ton of excitement around here. Work has been busy and the kids have been busy with school.  Meagan's ninth birthday is a week from tomorrow!  That is pretty crazy.  She is going to go to the Melting Pot with her two best friends. We obviously had to keep that small!  She is enjoying dance and Natalie wants to start with her.  Matthew is doing dance as well (he loves tap!), but not too sure Andy is too keen on that.  Matthew is starting T-ball in March, with Andy is definitely excited about. 
Winter, or Austin's version, was around for a week or so.  Now it is gorgeous and sunny again. 
Andy has become as crazy about working out as I am .  No longer is Lifetime making a profit on us.
:-)

Oh no!

I am back to work.  I love my job, but I do love vacation.  I sort of feel like I was cheated.  I felt sick most of break, so it is like I didn't get one really.  The kids go back on Monday.  They got to go to Lifetime Fitness today for one of their winter break camps.  The camps there are really fun.  They rock climb, swim, do arts and crafts and play games.  Sounds pretty good to me.

Holiday programs and Charlie's arrival

 Meagan had a mini-performance for her dance class last weekend.  Her class is a tap/jazz/ballet combo.  It was a very laid back little show of their skills and the kids had a good time.

 The first grade put on a show called "The Mitten."  I was very impressed that the school pulled of a show with 7 first grade classes.  I had to take off a morning from work, but it was totally worth it.

 One of my dearest friends, Steph, had a baby on 12-12-12.  His name is Charlie and I am in LOVE.  He is simply adorable.  I love Steph and her husband Mike and love, love, love how happy they are.  Steph's daughter, Lexi, is one of Meagan's besties.

 We had a breakfast this morning at McDonald's.  Not too fancy, but it burned three hours!

An outfit I bought Charlie on the day he was born.  Have I mentioned that he is the cutest?

Channukah

 Channukah was a lot of fun this year.  For the first time Matthew was able to really understand it.  Much like with Halloween where he wanted to wear his costume every day for a month, he wants to light the candles now everyday and get a gift.  We are exchanging gifts with Grandma and Papa Greenstone on Christmas day, but the kids were pretty excited about their gifts from Grandma and Papa Leubitz.  Natalie LOVES her Furby.  I have to admit.  It is really cute.  Meagan got all five of the One Direction dolls.  As you can see in the photo, Matthew got a helmet for his new Cars Scooter that Andy and I got him (it is a cars helmet) and a huge piano like in Big.  The dogs like it as well. At night, sometimes I hear them walking on it.
Matthew had a great time at his Faith Montessori Holiday program.  I bought him a new button down shirt and bowtie from H and M.  Very stylish!