Christmas Morning

Though this was Mason's third Christmas, this was the first Christmas he was aware of what was going on and completely into. He loved setting up the tree and breaking Christmas ornaments. He was excited for Santa and presents. He loved the snow and constantly asked to make snowmen. He spent hours making his Nativity set figurines dance around while singing 'Jingle Bells' or some sort of version close to that. It was a fun season to spend with him. Christmas morning Mason was filled with the same excitement he's had throughout the entire season. Santa left Mason a note on his art easel. Please note the reindeer 'paw'. A not thinking mommy forget that reindeer's are actually cloven hoofed animals and do not have paws. Daddy got a good laugh out of it. It was, however, Mason favorite part of the note. He pressed his little hand right up to the paw print. Maya got her first baby doll. She loves gnawing on the baby's nose. She should have it completely gnawed off here in a matter of a few weeks.Daddy and Mason in their Matching Christmas PJ's. Maya even had University of Utah PJ's.

It was a Christmas miracle......, Mason shared his toy!!!!! Okay.., for only like a minute.., but I'm still counting it!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a filled night for us..., we started with eating a yummy dinner with the Wilkinson's. Then the girls tried out Mason's new cars card table they got for him......., The kids crashed on the couch....., The O family tried to get decent family shot with little luck....,

The O kids tried to sit still with little luck....,

We had bathes......,

New PJ's......,
And then opened a few presents....,
Mason entertained us with the tin can dance......,
Then it was home.., bed for the kids...., and setting up toys for Mom and Dad.

It's SANTA!!!!!

One of the highlights of this Christmas season was being with Mason at my company Christmas party when Santa walked in to the room. He was mesmerized and couldn't take his eyes off the man. He would look at Santa, then look at me and then back to Santa. His face said it all..., it was as if he was saying 'he's real and he's here'. It was so neat. After the party, Mason would tell everyone how he saw Santa. I loved seeing his excitement. Both kids had no fear when it came to sitting on Santa's lap. Maya wanted to and tried to yank his beard off..., but Santa was quicker than she was.

Nativity

I tried to find one of these Fisher Price Nativity sets at Wal Mart or Target last year, but I was too late. They sold out fast. This year I got one early and Mason has loved playing with it. Even at 2 years old he can point out all the people in the Christmas story. I love it! Hopefully next year he'll be better with sharing the Nativity set with Maya. He would about have a coronary when she would move or even touch one of the figures. Hey..., a mom can 'hope' at least..., right???

Christmas Crafts

Mason and I got these little gems last year after Christmas for a mere $o.75 at Roberts Craft Store! If you can't tell from the pictures.., they're 2 reindeer and 3 presents. I forgot take a before picture, but they started off as card board.
And..., Voila!I actually even let Mason spray paint them. He had so much fun.

Scarecrow Festival

A few shots from the Scarecrow Festival this past fall. Mason LOVED all the jump houses.

My 2 Sickies

Have you ever seen a cuter little girl in a hospital gown??? I sure haven't! In fact I had no idea they made gowns so little. Maya had tubes put in yesterday morning. She did incredibly well and I think it may have been harder on her mom then her! She's such a good girl! All the nurses just loved her.After Maya's tubes were in, we got her settled at Grandma O's and then headed back to the same hospital, with the same doctor, to have have Dan's deviated septum fixed. Talk about a crazy day! He's been putting if off for years and with meeting our deductible this year, we wanted to get the most out of our insurance before the end of the year!I'm pretty sure Dan has no memory of me taking this picture. He was completely out of it and took the longest time to wake up. I think they over did it with the sedation on him.

Thankfully, both are home, doing well, and should be feeling like champs by Christmas.

What the ...., !?!?!?!

Sunday evening Mason was helping me cook chicken quesdillas. I was heating the chicken up in a skillet and he was on a stool next to the stove. With in a flash, he bends over and kisses (!?!?!?!) the edge of the skillet! He was of course hysterical after that. When I calmed him down, I ask him what he was doing. Through tears, his reply was, "but Mama, amo (I love) chicken!"

I love this guy!!!!

Blessings come in all sorts of shapes and sizes

With Dan being laid off this past month, life in our home has been a bit stressful and at times over whelming. Money is tighter and worries are growing. Through out it all there has been several little blessings that help keep us going and give us hope that things will be okay. With that in mind..., my 2 year and 3 month old is officially potty trained..., dry through out the night..., dry on 2 hour road trips to visit family..., dry through outings and play dates.., and he's used the potty with and with out treats! Yes.., we can't believe it either and we're thrilled to be saving $60 a month on diapers. I've heard horror storied of potty training..., and even worse stories of potty training boys. Mason seriously has to be the easiest kid to ever potty train! Now I'm not bragging because it had nothing to do with me. It was all him. He tells me when he has to pee..., and then does his own thing and comes to get me for his candy treat. In 3 weeks..., he has had 2 accidents..., one at pre-school and the other during a nap. I'm thinking this is pretty good success!
This is Mason's potty jar filled with a variety of candy treats. It's worked wonders! It may sound silly to some.., but the ease of Mason's potty training has been a wonderful surprise and blessing in our life. We're grateful for the little things in life.

My Babies

These two little guys push me right to the edge some days.., okay most days! But, I love them with all my heart. Lately, they have been playing together and I find it adorable. Maya loves Mason and will follow him all over the house. I found them playing in Maya's crib the other day. Mason climbed in there after her nap. It brought a smile to my face and gave me hope that they may actually like each other when they are older.

When Daddy's dress little girls.....,

...., they end up in camo outfits with white lace around the neck?!?!?! Seriously....., who makes these things??? And even more importantly..., who buys these things??? Thankfully...., this was a gift from folks at Dan's work. I'm hoping it was a joke!

Clarification

I've getting a lot of slack for Maya's Halloween costume and I feel I need to clarify. Perhaps this will help Maya with her therapy years down the road. I did not put my darling little girl in a fat cow costume to try and be some cleaver mom with theme Halloween costumes for her kids..., but rather it was me being incredibly lazy and cheap. Mason wore the cow costume when he was about her age.Maya does fill out the costume a bit more....., but in all fairness.., she is 5 months older than Mason was when he wore it.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

From our little cow and cowboy!

This is what happens.....,

......, when your 2 year old starts to dress himself. You end up with rain boots..., long johns..., and a denim jacket. The best part was how he was completely confused when I said we needed to get ready for school. He thought he was?!?!?! I love you Mason!

Our Little Artist

Thanks to pre-school, Mason has developed a new love of coloring. We color every day and he loves it. I have lots or different coloring books for him and also a few giant ones that he enjoys. Any time he asks to color..., I let him. So.., I'm not sure how things like this have started happening?!?!?!I didn't find this piece of art til I was getting him into the bath. Love it! I cleaned it off and it was mysteriously there the following day as well!?!?! I can't seem to hid all the pens in the house well enough! He's also branched out and tried coloring on Maya's face. He saw face painting at the Scarecrow Festival and I guess wanted to try his hand at it!?!?! And this is just a cute picture of my good girl, who doesn't draw on things she's not suppose to...,well.., for now anyway!!!!

Maya Isabella Ontiveros

Don't you just love boys???

Part of Mason's breakfast each morning typically ends up in one of his trucks. This morning, it was grapes in the train.