Happy Christmas to All . . . . and to All a Good Night!

Today was a really great day - family, food, and good times! We also had quite a snow storm - and it's not done snowing yet. This is what our front yard looked like around noon today. We ended up with between 11 - 14 inches today with more coming down right now. Daddy says this makes for a "White Christmas".

Santa was very good to us this year. I was worried that maybe I hadn't been good enough, but I guess I did ok. I snuck downstairs before I was supposed to and was "amazed" by what I saw!This was baby Sam's first Christmas. I think he quite enjoyed himself. I guess babies can't get into too much trouble, so Santa was good to him as well.We had a great day - just laying around, playing, reading, napping, watching movies, eating leftovers and enjoying. We also got to see and talk to our family in California via the web cam. Both Sam and I got some great gifts from everyone - - thank you all very much! I was lucky enough to get my very own digital camera from Aunt Jen Jen and Uncle Michael. I spent a good portion of the day taking pictures. I'll post some the next time I get a chance.We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve 2008

Happy Christmas Eve! We can't believe that Christmas day is almost here. It has really been a great December. We have had a chance to visit with lots of friends and family this month - mommy says that's one of the best parts of Christmas. We have visited with the Rigdons, Saunders, Wilkeys, Felands, and Crooks . . . and tonight we had Grandpa and Grandma L, Uncle Noley, and Aunt Christy over. We had a yummy dinner and then played and played and played.

Here is a picture of me and Uncle Noley "racing". He was so tired out from all our playing by this time that I had to push him along!

Baby Sam is always interested in everything that is going on.Baby Sam and I have really started to get used to each other lately. This is a picture of us wrestling together. I can't believe Sam is on top!Daddy and mommy took us to get some pictures taken the other morning. Here is a great one of Samuel and I together. And here is Samuel with a snowman. Very fitting for the snow storm they say will be happening tomorrow - did I mention tomorrow is Christmas?Sam Alert: My thought for the day . . . have you ever seen the under side of a horse?

The Polar Express

On Tuesday night we got to ride a train all the way up to the North Pole and back. It was called the Polar Express. We started in Heber City, UT and ended up back there as well. Here are the boys all ready to pull out of the train station.

There were elves and chefs riding on our car with us. They brought us chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa. We read the book - The Polar Express.Mrs. Claus stopped by to share her cookie recipe with us and to say Merry Christmas. She sure was nice!Here is a picture of the North Pole. It looks just like we imagined!And then, the "big guy" - Santa - was there . . . right on the train car with us. He came by and talked with each of the kids. He gave us each a jingle bell from one of his reindeers. Samuel's bell came from Dancer!Mason's bell came from Cupid!

And here is a picture of the whole family riding the train. We had such a good time. We got to sing Christmas carols and just had a really nice night together. Merry Christmas!!!

The "S" Words

Can you guess what the "S" words might be?

SNOW

SHOVELING

SLEDDING!

We have had lots of snow this week and every day on the way home I have begged to go out and play in it. Finally, we got our chances. First I got to help shovel the snow off of our driveway. And then I went over and helped one of our neighbors shovel. I'm sure the fact that they got their snowblower out after I started was in no way a reflection on my shoveling abilities!

Later we got to go sledding out in the circle. It was super fun!!!! Here are some pictures of our adventure.

Of course, the fun of sledding is spending part of your time on the sled and the other part in the snow. I did a little of both!

Here are mommy and Samuel trying to get warm. (Does mommy ever wear a coat?) Ahhh - winter! Gotta love it!

Sam Alert: Sam here - I'm happy as always and enjoying getting to do everything the parents will let me! I think they think I'm still a baby but . . . if I had my way . . . . Have a great week everyone!

The World According to Mason

Recently I have discovered the joy in taking pictures. I borrow mommy's camera and start clicking away. I've actually gotten pretty good and have learned how to see what I want to take a picture of in the view area and then hold down the button. I thought I would share a few of my favorite pictures with our loyal readers. Enjoy!

This is a super cool picture I took - I was on the move! You can see my feet and part of a toy we were playing with at the cabin.

This is a picture I took looking into the family room window the day we put up our outside Christmas lights. Talk about a reflection! I love my cars! Here's one of my pickup trucks.

This is a view under my bed. Yet another car . . . .

This is our dog, Copper!

And this is a self portrait of me!In other happenings this week . . . we did some fun arts and crafts for the holidays. Mommy helped me to make a fun snow globe.

We also made some Christmas Stockings to hang in our rooms. One for Mason and one for Sam.Daddy and I decorated a gingerbread house. It was so much fun! A great second week of December!
Sam Alert: Hi everyone! Things are good. I'm enjoying my new teeth and working on some new ones. I'm getting stronger every day. I can sit up by myself for long stretches of time now. I'm eating everything in sight - except for vegetables. I'm not a big fan . . . yet.

1st Week of December: A Success!

December is supposed to be the best month for little boys and so far we're on track. Mommy took a day off this week and we went to the Festival of Trees with our friends Ludaun, Bart, Easton, Beau, and Amber. There were so many fun things to see and do - - most importantly - - the BIG guy was there! Santa was our very first stop. He asked me what I wanted and then asked me if I had been good - - - I was prepared with my answers! Now he knows! We'll see if he comes through.We saw some pretty trees and gingerbread houses. This tree had a Dalmatian with it - they're my favorite! This is Samuel as we wandered through the trees. He enjoyed the eating and sleeping parts of the day the best.My friend Easton and I went fishing in Santa's pond. I caught a fish right away and pulled him right up. And believe me - I wasn't going to let any body "Catch and Release" this one! The lady in charge told my mom later that I wasn't really supposed to keep the fish - just the candy, but she let me keep the fish too because that was really all that was important about the whole thing!This is me in a humongous super bubble. Super cool! Easton and I made Reindeer hats too. And we got Elf wands and fudge. All in all a really great day! Mommy says she already has it on the calendar again for next year! And yes - it was still warm enough to spend another day at the cabin yesterday. There was more snow this time, but it was still absolutely beautiful! Dad says it was warmer at the cabin that it would have been at home. He called it "inversion" - what ever that is! I spent a good part of the day playing in the snow. I made snow angels.

And I had a snowball fight with Grandpa and Grandma L. Of course it was a suprise attack so they weren't quite prepared. And I built a snowman. We didn't have any carrots so we used some old grass for his nose and rocks for his eyes.I brought "Hop A-Long", my new horse from the Festival of Trees, along for the day. I also found Uncle Noley's cowboy hat and when I wasn't outstide playing in the snow, I was riding my pony around the cabin.Here is a picture of the men - Sam, Daddy, Grandpa L. Uncle Nolan, and Mason. Three generations!

Sam Alert: Sam here - it really was a great week. I got to sit on Santa's lap too and even though I can't say words yet, I'm sure he knows what I'd like for Christmas this year too! Big news this week - I have teeth! Yes, that's not "tooth", but rather the plural "teeth". Both of my bottom front teeth are in. I'm chewing on anything and everything I can sink my teeth in to!

This is a picture of the ever elusive "Samdeer". (Daddy thinks he's funny!)

A Sam Sandwich!

See I get all the attention when Mason's not around!