Visit With Santa

Mason is really into Santa this year, and it has been a lot of fun. The other day we were in the car having a serious discussion about how Santa gets into your house and the possibility of getting to see Rudolph (Mason thinks Santa will wake him up to see him), and it hit me how surreal it is that I have a child old enough to discuss such things with. It doesn't seem like that long ago that Julie and I were lying in bed listening for Santa and sneaking into the living room in the middle of the night to look in our stockings. We were so excited once the morning came and we were able to see all of the wonderful surprises that were in store for us. As great as it was, it doesn't even compare to the pleasure of watching your own child experience the same excitement and anticipation. What a blessing!

The item Mason is requesting from Santa this year is a Wolverine Costume, seeing that he doesn't have enough costumes. We visited the Santa at the Galleria and Mason loved sitting on his lap and talking to him. He even went up to a different Santa in Nordstrom and starting patting his hands and telling him what he wanted. Unfortunately, the Santa had a hearing aid and had no idea what Mason was saying. He thought Mason asked him how old he was. It was kind of funny, and Mason never knew the difference. To end I have a cute picture of Mason and Max with Santa. Mason even put in a request for a baby toy for Max :).

Recent Happenings

Max's first trip to church

My mom came and stayed with me for a week after I had Max. Mason had so much fun as you can tell from the picture. Thanks for all of your help, Mom!

Visit from Aunt Livie

Dinner at La Cubanita

I love this place, and Liv did too! There aren't any Cuban restaurants in OK . :)

Popcorn and a movie with Daddy.

Mason loves to make homemade popcorn with Jonathan.

Mason and Max hanging out in their Christmas pajamas from Mimi.
Thanks, Mimi!

Proud big brother!

A Superhero Christmas

Mason's superhero obsession has officially carried over into Christmas. For the last two years I have let Mason pick out a Christmas ornament. Last year it was Elmo and this year it was none other than Captain America. Of course he had to wear his costume to put the ornament on the tree.

Halloween 2008 Take 2

A few days ago Mason found his monster costume from last Halloween. He wanted to put it on and amazingly it still fit. He wore it the entire afternoon and evening. He played in it, ate in it, watched TV in it, etc. It reminded me of Max in Where the Wild Things Are. I think Mason definitely qualifies for a "Wild Thing!"

Lots and Lots of Leaves

My sister and her husband were here last weekend to visit. While they were here we did some Christmas shopping, watched football, hung out, and last but not least we raked leaves. Our backyard was getting out of control! Julie is a motivator, though, and once she got outside and started working we joined her. Twenty bags of leaves later (my parents had done about 10 bags a couple of weeks ago when I had Max) our backyard looked pretty good. Now we are just waiting on the other tree in the back to lose all of its leaves. Thanks for all of your help, Julie!

My "Little Sooner"

You can't tell from the picture, but Mason had his Converse shoes on. That's all he would wear because accoring to him that's what football players wear.

Gabe had the hard job of holding Max while we worked :)

Thanksgiving 2009

Jonathan, Mason, Max, and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year with both of our families. Since Catherine and I just had babies Jonathan's parents invited us all to their house for the day. It was very generous of them to have everyone over and the food was so good! I'm very thankful for such wonderful in-laws and that our families enjoy being around each other. As my dad prayed for our food my eyes filled with tears as I thought about how immensely God has blessed me. I have such an amazing husband, two precious sons, Godly parents, a sister and brother who are also my close friends, loving in-laws, faithful friends, and an awesome God. It doesn't get any better than that! Words could never describe how thankful I am to God for such tremendous gifts in my life.

Jonathan, Mason, baby Max, and me in front of Jackie's fall tree. Jackie and I had fun decorating the tree together with a little help from Mason :)

Our family with my parents, Julie, Gabe, and Josh.

Our family with Jonathan's parents, Catherine, Brad, Amelia, and baby Ella.
We had a pretty difficult time trying to get a decent picture with two kids who didn't get a nap :)

The last two pictures depict what Ella and Max did for most of the day!

I never get tired of seeing this...

Mason is constantly asking to hold Max, telling him he loves him, talking to him, and kissing him. He truly loves his little brother. Besides being a little crazy the first few days, Mason has done great. He was definitely ready for a sibling, and I pray that he and Max will have the close relationship that I have with my brother and sister.