Winter Blast 2008...

I like to name the winter weather around here. Seattle usually stops for a few hours when it snows. Give us a break...we just aren't that used to it! It snowed a good 4-5 inches in Bothell. I would probably compare it to 1-2 feet of snow somewhere where snow is more common. Derek's work was closed until 10am so we took advantage of it and took the kids out in it. Mason loved it! Reese got a kick out of it too. Mason wore last years snowsuit because I didn't think to buy him one. This is actually a "hand me down".

I figured if he dropped her, the snow would soften her fall...but he didn't.

I would call this our white trash version of a sled. I don't see the point of storing a sled for the other 360 days that it doesn't snow. Maybe when they are older I'll splurge the ten bucks (and the storage) and buy one. For now, this will work and they love it!

We had a fun morning in the snow. Apparently there is more snow to come!

We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet

Gordon B. Hinckley, the prophet of the church passed away tonight. What an amazing prophet . He lived a remarkable life.



My sister-in-law's uncle took this picture at the last general conference in October. President Hinckley was tapping Elder Eyring's head with his cane after he was ordained! He had a great sense of humor! (Thanks Kammy, hope you don't mind if I shared this picture!)

Priceless...

A 5 second conversation I had with Mason today left me speechless. It begins with Mason putting a toy basket over his head and stumbling over Reese, stepping on her head and causing her to cry.

Carly: Mason, you have to be very careful around babies.

Mason: Ohhhh, because they're really expensive?

How was I suppose to respond to that? I wondered how he would even know to say something like that? Probably because I tell him a lot that things are expensive. (ie. Wii, new toy, gumball). I find it a great excuse because he usually stops asking. So to answer him...

Carly: YES, they are very expensive.

Swaddle swaddle

I still swaddle Reese. For every nap and at night. I'm wondering when is a baby to old to swaddle? I can picture her being 3 and wrapping her arms as tight as I can with a blanket.

Mason on the other hand HATED to be swaddled. His hands had to be above his head when he slept. He still falls asleep playing with his hair. He loves it when I straighten my hair so he can run his fingers through it. The other day when my friend Desiree and her daughter Kyleigh were over, we caught Mason playing with Kyleigh's hair. It was kind of creepy. Not that Kyleigh's hair was creepy, but the fact that he thought it was ok to run his fingers through her hair was. I'd say he has a thing for hair. Here are few pics when he was a baby.

Oh how quickly...

it can go from this...




to this....




in a matter of seconds. My favorite...Mason said "It was a assident mommy".

Jesus wants me for a SUNBEAM!

It's official. Mason is out of the nursery at church and in Sunbeams. He absolutely loves his new class and loves singing and sharing time with the big kids. This means no more toys during class time, but he seemed okay with it. I had a few people come up to me after church saying how cute and outgoing he was during singing time. He's such a little charmer.



We thought it would be appropriate for him to wear a white shirt and tie on the first day of his new class. Gramma Jean got him a new tie that says "called to serve" on it. Doesn't he look sharp? Now all he needs is a brown belt that fits!


Reese looked pretty cute too.

Christmas Part 3...The Grand Finale!

Christmas day was so much fun! Mason was up bright and early at 6:30 ready to see if Santa came. Here are a some pictures of our day!

What would he have done if he didn't get it?? He was such a happy boy!

Santa brought Reese a Little People doll house. She loves to put all the people in her mouth!

After we were done opening presents, we went upstairs where my Dad had made his annual Christmas breakfast. I must say, this year might have been the best! My brother and his family and my sister and her family where all there. We also had the chance to talk to my little brother who is on his mission in Germany. He sounded great and we are so proud of him! We missed not having him and my brother Damon and his family with us that morning.

After breakfast the grand kids got to open MORE presents from grandma and grandpa. They are very spoiled!

This was a great holiday season! I love my family and friends and I'm grateful for there love and generosity! I'm always a little sad and relieved when the holidays are over. It will be nice to get back to a routine again. My diet starts again right....NOW!!!

Christmas Part 2

I have always loved Christmas eve. This year was just as great, minus the being deathly sick part. We went to lunch at Maggiano's in Bellevue. It's a super nice Italian restaurant. It was so yummy! It was kind of hard with the kids. Okay, it was REALLY hard, but we survived and had a great lunch! We might have to rethink our going out to eat on Christmas eve tradition next year...maybe McDonald's? Mason loved his spaghetti...and his surroundings! The four course meal was about three courses to long for him. He and his dad enjoyed the lobby.

Reese stayed in her high chair long enough for me to take a picture of her. It was just one of those days!

My parents came with us. My mom was kind enough to help with Reese so I could eat my lunch. I finally got Reese to sleep during dessert. Although they are always welcome, I think this is the last year my parents will come with us...sorry guys!

When we got home, my sister Kacey and her son Jack were there. We visited for awhile before they had to go home.

No, we didn't plan their matching Gap clothes. I guess we were both thinking "Red" for Christmas!

Christmas eve night was a lot of fun! The kids got new Christmas jammies and of course, looked so cute! Mason put out cookies and chocolate milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeers. He even heard the bells on Santa's sleigh. I might have been more excited then him!! Even though he was excited, he went to bed great and slept through the night!

Christmas celebration(s) Part 1

What a great Christmas we had this year! This is the first year that Mason experienced the "magic" of the season. We loved watching him get excited over anything Christmas!

Our celebration started the weekend before Christmas when Derek's parents and brother came up from Vancouver. Mason loved playing with his grandparents and uncle Ryan. We had a great time visiting and opening presents (although I was deathly sick).

Mason got some cool binoculars along with a subscription to Highlights High 5! He also got some books, puzzles and coloring books! Lucky boy!!

Baby Reese got some books, clothes a fun toy from uncle Ryan!

Mason loves playing with it too!!