First things first, Mason went bear hunting....just kidding, we went to Austin to see Steven, Trisha, Matthew, and Will Jones. We had a great time. I don't have any pictures with the four of our kiddos together. :-( The weather didn't cooperate while we were there, but the kids played great together indoors and we went to a cool children's museum where they had a blast! It was good to visit our friends and their family. We actually stayed at Uncle Tim and Aunt Pam's cool place (that is where the bear was)! Thanks for a fun weekend Joneses!!!
The next week Mason got to go to Chuck's for pizza and games with Maddie, Molly, and Mrs. Jennifer. I don't think he had fun. Ha! There are many pictures from that day, but this one sums it up!
We really were going to send Christmas cards, even had attempts at a Christmas photo, but had an unwilling participant. We are since planning a happy New Year's card, possibly happy Valentine's, or even a happy Memorial Day card...all depends upon the speed in which that project gets finished!!! Look for it in the mail!!!
Santa did come to our house, and we had a great Christmas this year. I think this is the first year Mason "really" got it. He was all about leaving the cookies in just the right spot and making sure we turned the fire "off" so that Santa didn't get burned. This is a picture of his rocket ship he asked for from Santa. He loves it. He also loves his box of Lego's he received. He builds things all day long.
We had a great day with both of our families together at our house. Entirely too many gifts and too much food. All in all, a success for our first Christmas to host. We just need to dispose of 75-80% of Mason's toys when he isn't looking. Ha! Fat chance of that!
Our beautiful little girl is growing up so fast. She is pulling up on her hands and knees and rocking back and forth...then springing forward in the direction she wants to go. Crawling isn't far off...we aren't looking forward to that! She is eating well and sleeping fairly well. We have had a couple of entire nights lately. She is all smiles though, and we think those blue eyes are here to stay! I sure hope so. She is so much fun, and in a totally different way than Mason was. I love her the same as Mason, but it is different...I guess because she is a girl. What a blessing she has been to us. I will probably sound different when she wants me to give her money and drop her off around the corner from the mall so I don't embarrass her. We'll see!!!
Well, these two are our life. This is what we do! You know, I had a pretty good streak going until this year. I had a new year's kiss probably every year since I was 15 yrs. old...that is like an 18 year streak. Pretty good for a country boy like me. Well, this year I was watching a bowl game while laying on the floor in front of the fireplace when last I looked at the clock it was 9:00p.m. I awoke at 1:30 a.m. to my wife already in bed, the TV off, and me no kiss at new years! I will be over 50 years old before I can get back to a 18 year streak...and that's if I don't fall asleep again!!! Unbelievable! 2009 was a year of great joy, many blessings, and underestimation, on our part. You wonder how God can make each year better and better, and yet he does. Is it really better, or do we just appreciate more? I think some of both. I will continue to serve him in 2010, not so that he makes things better for me, but so that I can make things better for others in His name.
Well, after the chlorine quit burning our eyes and nostrils, we headed home. This brings us to "my child." He had his Christmas program at school Tuesday night. After much lecturing, he agreed that it was good to stand up tall, sing loud, and mind the teacher. Very clear...right? My child was the one...you know, the one...that turned around backwards the whole time, looking at what was going on behind him. Then when it was time to sing, he leaned over the railing and looked all around. His friends...the ones from the water park...tried to talk him down, but no, he was determined. His mama went the front row to lay down the law...he smiled real big and turned back around. What am I going to do with this guy? He is something else.
This picture doesn't do his misbehavior justice. He is much better at it that what his reflected here! And that brings us to the next picture. I must say, it is of my own doing...maybe...karma, as "Ed" would say. I told Amber about two weeks ago that we don't need the plastic things in our plugs anymore. Mason is big enough and not going to stick anything in them, Anslee is too small to and we will be hopefully moving before she is big enough. This is what I found when we came home from the musical.
Let's take this in order, shall we:
Mason was a farmer for Halloween, and Anslee was a pumpkin. They were both very cute and cooperative with pictures. They actually didn't get to go trick-or-treating. We gave Mason a bunch of candy and took him to mom and dad's for a visit. He didn't seem to miss it. We will do better next year!
I forget all we did in November, but we have been busy. Amber is teaching children's choir at church (Mason's age) and she is getting ready for the Christmas musical. They had a warm up during the Hanging of the Greens service Sunday night in which they sang two songs...Mason played with a piece of string in his pocket and adjusted the microphone. The rest of the kids she taught did great though! Mason and I had a talk afterward...he will be singing next time. 
We decorated for Christmas a few days before Thanksgiving. Mason was a big help. It is neat seeing him more interested each year. I know it will peak soon, so I enjoy it while we can! He has only watched Polar Express 627 times. And that is just the past few weeks! Ha!
Our gifts are definitely under the tree! What a blessing they both are. I thank God for each day He gives me with them.
Mason was pumped about going to the pumpkin patch! Ha! He is getting so big also. He is really enjoying school and learning alot. He is all about deer season and wants Granddaddy to, "shoot a deer with a bullet and make some sausage." That is a whole other story, just ask sometime. ;-) Seriously though, I have been wanting to take the boy camping, but the weather has hexed it more than once. Maybe this weekend?!
Amber's folks have been here for the past couple of weeks. They left yesterday headed home. They will come back at Christmas. Mason always loves getting to play with them. Anslee took a few days to warm up, but eventually did. Amber, Erin, and Sharon went on cruise to the Caribbean this past Thursday. Spoiled bunch of women, if you ask me!
Well, that is about all I know from here. Sorry it has been so long on my posting...just really busy. Guess we'll wave bye for now!
Before they got home though, Granddad got to spend some one on one time with his granddaughter. I think she has him wrapped up already! Ha! 
I was out of town this weekend playing golf with my college roommate. We had a good time. Mason had a better time at the ZOO! His mama took him on Saturday as a treat while Anslee stayed with Gigi and Granddad. 
Monday night, Greg, Liz, and Lauren came over for supper. Amber cooked us some chicken and dressing...mmm...and then we played a bit! Once Lauren warmed up to Mason, Amber, and I, she had a really good time playing. Mason didn't quite understand why she didn't want to get behind the chair in his "pirate ship" and play pirates. As the picture says, we had fun!
Finally, we are such a big boy now that we have homework! UGH! E is for eagle as you can see! Mason is doing so well at school. He can read all the letters in any word now and can tell you some words that start with a particular letter. It doesn't seem like he should be able to do all that yet. Makes me happy and sad at the same time. 
Yes, this is Mason and his two cousins washing off all the mud they played in Monday...since all it does is rain anymore, we just decided to play in the mud! Ha! Actually, I wasn't there for this one, but he had a blast at his Aunt Erin's with the girls.
And 'ole blue eyes here...she makes quite a fuss as well...just not in front of the congregation at church! She is doing great! She is sleeping all night...or at least 5 of the 6 previous nights. She turned three months yesterday. Where does the time go? She is happy for the most part...has laughed for Amber...just smiles at me mostly. It is a beautiful smile! She has a really sweet personality and wants to coo and smile at anyone who will give her a smile :-)! 
