Keeping Up With the Joneses

Poor Mason gets pretty bored when Myles is having a nap and he doesn't have preschool. Today I finally convinced him to play in the snow (he is afraid of going out alone because he is afraid a deer will get him--yeah right!). He played outside for about half an hour and when I went out to make him come back inside he was laying on the ground letting the snow fall in his mouth. Awww . . .those were the days!

Christmas morning. . .up bright and early! The puppet house from Grandma and Grandpa Goates was a hit! And when we were done it looked like the house had been hit by a tornado. . .almost a week later and we are still cleaning up! I wish I took more pictures Christmas Day. Marshall's parents stayed over Christmas Eve night and got to open presents with us Christmas morning. We had a yummy breakfast together and then played with toys until it was time for us to go up to Jessica's for Christmas dinner.

Christmas Eve is definitely my favorite day of the year, and this year was no exception. We started the day with beginning what will hopefully become a new tradition. We had two of our neighbor-families with young kids over for Cinnamon rolls in the morning and were treated to a fun visit from Santa! The kids loved it and it was great to begin celebrating with great neighbors. Then it was a morning of preparation for all of Marshall's family (I think I counted 23?) plus my sister and her husband to come over for dinner. We started at 2 and Marshall's sister had fun crafts to make and cookies to decorate. At 5 we had my family's traditional Christmas Eve food. . .yum! The desserts needed their own table. I'm missing a few dishes here, but you get the idea! We were also treated to our very own hand bell choir with Nicole as director and Marshall's cousin Sean stepping in to help! And finally we ended the evening with our Christmas program and nativity. Silly Mas...

I found a gingerbread house on sale the week before Christmas and so when William was over we assembled it, spray painted it, and then ate it!

Yesterday morning at breakfast we were eating and all of a sudden a pile of pans that were drying by the sink fell onto the floor with a loud clutter. Silence. Then a little 2-year-old voice: Crap! Huh mom? Oops.

I've been hiding stocking stuffers in my office closet in a grocery bag hanging from a hanger. They have been safely hidden there for a few weeks until Wednesday when I finished feeding Max and realized I hadn't seen Myles for a while. I finally found him sitting on the floor of the closet with the door closed eating a candy cane. When I found him he ran out and led me on a chase around the house (I didn't want him to get slobbery candycane on everything). After I scolded him for not asking me if he could have it I thought he learned his lesson. But a few hours later I heard him ask his cousin "William, would you like one of my candycanes" as he led his cousin back into the closet. Luckily by then I had found a new hiding spot. Little stinker!

This morning at 3:30 I woke up to Marshall asking if we had any medicine because he had a bad ear infection. After I got him all drugged up Myles was awake and decided he wanted breakfast and to watch Mickey Mouse. After a few unsuccessful attempts at getting him back to sleep I gave in. At 5:30 Mason woke up with an ear infection (yes, it has only been 2 weeks since his last one). Since I already had Max's 4-month appointment this morning I added Mason to the appointment. While we were waiting for the doctor Myles started complaining that his ear hurt too (he has only been off antibiotics for 2 weeks as well). So after over an hour with the doctor, here is the run-down: Max--12 lbs 11 oz, healthy other than some moderate congestion for which the doctor prescribed a few medications. Mason--ear infection and bulging ear drum. The doctor was also quite concerned that he has lost a few pounds and that he has been complaining of heartburn (we think) when he eats. He said that his guess...

When Mason saw Santa in Delta he was very upset that he didn't remember to ask him if he could see his reindeer. So when he ran into Santa in Walmart on Saturday he was excited that he would have another chance. Then he forgot again. I think he just gets so excited and overwhelmed on Santa's knee that he can't think straight. But we went to the dollar store and Mason found these antlers which have been getting a lot of use. Sorry about the poor quality pictures--using my iphone while holding a wiggling Max doesn't work well. Another few quick anecdotes to record: * yesterday Myles was walking into church in the snow, picked up a handful, and was SHOCKED! He screamed " ahhh it is cold!!". He had no idea the snow would be cold * the other day we were driving and my GPS said "turn right in two miles". Myles yells "oh my gosh! The car just said my name!" * last night I asked Myles if he was done with his eggs. He said "yes mommy, you ...

We had a fun Thanksgiving Dinner with most of Marshall's family over at our place. I think I counted 16 people, which is a great size--especially when 7 of them are kids. Marshall's grandparents moved to Delta a few months ago and it is so nice for me and the kids to get to know them better. Last year we never would have guessed the this year Katie would be sitting up on her own at the kid's table and feeding herself. She is such a sweetie!

After Thanksgiving we went to Delta to spend the weekend with some of the boys' cousins. Mason absolutely LOVED building this gingerbread house that now sits proudly in our kitchen. He says the gingerbread man outside is cold because the gingerbread man inside the house won't bring out his snow clothes. We also got to visit Santa Claus. Myles was scared but agreed to go if Grandma stood right by him. When asked what he wanted for Christmas he whispered softly "elephant." Max wasn't scared at all :) Mason was so excited and described in detail the RC he wants.

This is Baby Cakes. Last week it was his birthday.

Mason loves taking pictures. Here is some of his collection.

Life in a house of boys can be pretty crazy.