what a tired little man! we went out the door and half way down the road he was out and here he is at olive garden, still sleeping!

Pictures

Now that we've given my parents this gift I thought why not post these pictures. They didn't turn out how I'd planned since way too many things didn't happen. But here are some of my favorites.





Yeah, I know the light just wasn't there but we did it anyway. Here are a few others that weren't bad.



And this one I took also with the remote for my camera. Hey what can I say I tried.

After Santa

I wish I could remember to rotate these pictures I send from my phone before I post them. But this is the boys after we saw Santa, we've made it a tradition to let the boys ride the train. Too bad we didn't go to see him until last night. We should have done this earlier so we could go back again and let them ride more.

Washington DC Temple

Last night I went with my mom to the DC Temple so she & Brady could do work for my brother, Jamie. And since I haven't been endowed yet I rode back over to the bookstore to pick up something I'd gotten for Jacob for Christmas. Then came back and went to the visitor center for about 2 1/2 hours. I saw Marvin Goldstein(I hope that's right) play the piano. He is amazing and
I hate to admit it but I did record a tiny bit of it.(I will add the video later) They never said don't take pictures or video, and I saw and Elder doing it. I also got to see the "Reflections of Christ" exhibit, WOW is all I can say. I love the one titled Resurrection! If you haven't seen Mark Mabry's pictures you should check it! Also this song that I just can't seem to get enough of called "Come Thou Fount". So after walking around and seeing the lights and the Temple and taking a few pictures that I'd like to share we drove home. I am very grateful to be able to go even if the car ride up was well crazy to say the least. We made it safely there and back and I had a great time with my mom too. So I hope you enjoy some of my pictures and video too.
This is the Visitor's Center at the Washington DC Temple.
I really like this picture.
I love the reflecting pool.
Merry Christmas to all and may the Lord bless you.

Out of the mouths of babes

I have to start off by telling you I don't usually take Mason to Institute with me. My dad normal watches him so I don't have to do as much nursery duty. What can I say I really like this class, great teacher. But today I had to take him with me. I try never to send my sick kid to nursery. So of course Mason has a runny nose this morning. So after debating it I decided that I'd take him to class with me and HOPE for a quiet child. We got there as she was just about to start class, my hands were full and I was ready. Book, toys, juice and a snack! Ready I tell ya! So of course a quarter of the way through class he needs a diaper change(and no he isn't potty trained yet, that's for another day). When we get back to class he goes back to playing/reading his magnet book and drinking his juice. Sister Lansing(the teacher) was talking about Renascence painters and why she loved them and asks. "What did the renascences painters use?" As the class fell silent for a few seconds, Mason says "A BRUSH!" Needless to say the class burst into laughter for what felt like forever, at least long enough for me to turn 12 shades of RED! What can I say, he says the funniest things and more often then sometimes. Later on when the teacher would say "Luke" and whatever verse and chapter we were reading Mason would say I have Luke!(at least this time he was quiet, we have a Star Wars toy in the diaper bag) So I guess he was thinking somehow she was talking about his toy, even some of the other moms noticed him holding it up. Well at least he was listening to the lesson and participating! Thanks Mason for a interesting morning and a great laugh!

Elf fun with Poppy & Mena

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Elfin fun!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Wow, I didn't realize how much Jacob and Mason look alike! This really makes them look like the same person almost. Merry Christmas everyone!

This is Mason's first time 2 the dentist, he actually let them clean his teeth and count them and everything. Although it was after a few tries. He did great!

This is Dr Blair counting Mason's teeth, he had 20 baby teeth!

Jacob has 14 baby teeth left and 2 loose ones too!

Fun idea

I'm curious about what you think. I've been wanting to get something like this for the boys for a while but haven't been able to find one in the teacher stores here. I'd like to make one but I'm not very creative. I wish, but if you have any ideas or know where I can find another one I'd love to hear from you. Here is the link to see what I'm talking about and a picture too. Thanks!
Update: We just went ahead and bought it. I'm not Betty Homemaker, I need a course. It was just easier, I should have at least tried. Oh well.

Who could it be?

Sunday morning on our way out the door there was something on our doorstep. Someone had left a piece of paper saying "The 1st day of Christmas" and a bag of goodies. Sunday evening when we arrived home from my parents house there was another one this one saying "The 2nd day of Christmas" again with some goodies in the bag.
Gary and I keep thinking what a great idea, a fun way to teach the boys about giving. We'd like to secretly find out who it is although we have an idea, and do something for them. So if you read this by chance we are so grateful for you and your family and hope everyone enjoys the pictures of the boys with our "goodies". I will add each picture as soon as I can. Happy Christmas to all!





On the 2nd day of Christmas our secret Santa gave to us...














On the third day of Christmas our secret Santa gave us...














On the fourth day of Christmas we got...and ya gotta love Mason trying to peek out from behind...














On the fifth day of Christmas...

School picture

I just loved this school picture of Jacob and wanted to share it with you. I can't get over our little boy is 8!

Annual Family Christmas Lunch

This year was our 8th Annual Family Christmas Dinner, even if this one turned out to be lunch. We had a great time and hope everyone that came had a wonderful time too! We had planned on having almost 30 but ended up with only 21. We had ham, turkey, potatoes, gravy of course, dressing(as Pat said "real southern dressing"), broccoli casserole, green beans, rolls, deviled eggs, sweet potato pudding. That's all I can think of not to mention the desserts! I'd be remiss if I didn't mention those...coconut cake, cherry cheese cake, plain cheese cake, chocolate chip cookies, brownies & rice crispy treats. Yum yum, naming all those off are making me want some more! Anyhow, thank you to everyone who drove both near and far to share the day with us, we had a great time and are so very thankful to have you in our lives. We hope that we will be able to do it again next year and that you will plan on joining us again. So enjoy a few of the pictures that we took and Jacob took as well.





Here are a few more pictures of everyone relaxing.





We had some fun a little later with a cut out I bought a couple of years ago at Party City. Hey it was on sale and it was funny, what can I say it was only $5?!
Jamie Lynn, Jacob & Mason with Santa and we didn't even have to stand in line!
Jennifer & Gary
Jane & Steve(Mina & Poppy)
Jenny & Jay
Debra & Keith

Gingerbread house

I guess this is one of our new traditions, although we've been doing this for like 3 years now. We bought our kit, sorry I haven't gotten into it enough to make it all. This is just so much easier and it comes with everything. Although Mason and I loved making them with Tara & Daniel last year. So here is our house even after the roof collapsed and we put it back together. I forgot what I was doing to make it fall but would you even know had I not told you? Nah, come on now be honest.
I don't know about everyone else but it seems we spend most of our time eating the candy that is supposed to go on it rather than putting it on the actual house.

Gary kept telling the boys when they'd say "Daddy stop eating all the candy its for Santa!" "Its ok boys Santa is getting his share." But Mason is definitely eating his fair share of "Santa's" candy.

Christmas tree

Well I guess I found my way back from the edge I fell off of. So for our FHE activity a couple of weeks ago we put our tree up together and it was fun. Although Gary wouldn't let me put all the ornaments on the tree this year I've always got next year and the year after that and then some, I hope anyhow. So we were gonna have hot chocolate and watch the polar express, but once we dragged the tubs inside and started getting things out I didn't want anything hot to drink. The boys enjoyed the movie while Gary and I did most of the work. We did manage to get them to put some ornaments up but like so many others, they put them in the same spot and did over and over again. So Gary had to go behind them and move several to a higher place, it was funny at least to me. All in all it was a good night, and for all of those who may be wondering. Its a fake tree, I can't have real ones because of the mold and such that are on the trees. They cause me to have nasal polyps, I know it stinks for me too but hey we got our tree and don't have to pay for it each year. Even though I do love the smell of a real tree, so I'll be over at your house tomorrow if you got a real one but only for a few minutes!

We can't even remember what Jacob was doing in this picture, dancing maybe?

The last few to hang up!
What is with that look Mason is giving Jacob?


I know the arm of the couch is in the way but the other one Jacob was making a mad face, he said he didn't know why.