Mail is Here

Papaw and Grandma Debbie are on top of sending presents in the mail. These cute PJ's are silky and came with cute house slippers. I thought when Debbie was ordering them, she was ordering for Christmas so I told her to get a bigger size, but they decided to send them for her birthday. I need to open my ears better. It really didn't matter because Ellery LOVES them and just wears the shirt as a nightgown. Her love for them will last more than one season, and who doesn't love that?!

Mail Suprise

We got a nice mail surprise from Nana. Mason is not pictured because he snagged the legos she sent and is putting them together. Ellery had to put on the headband, glasses. bracelet, and comb barbies hair-Immediately! I am not sure what Bryson was doing during this process! Poor guy! Thanks Nana for thinking of us!

Christmas Eve 2010

We hit the 4:00 Christmas Eve service this year and then drove around to peek at some Christmas lights. We found the Clark Griswold house this year, and he even has the Meliekliklaka spelled out with all the other decorations. I should have captured the moment on film. I would hate living next to it, but the kids really enjoyed looking at it. We have switched churches and our Church meets at one of the public schools so we weren't able to have candles, but they did give out glow sticks and the kids really enjoyed them. In keeping up with last years tradition we let the kids open presents on Christmas Eve. Rob and I can't remember who wanted to do this last year, but he is pretty sure it was my idea. We game them matching pj's and some fancy bath toys and soap. They were so excited to take a bath with their new toys that we forgot to feed Santa. We did remember to sprinkle out our reindeer sparkle food outside earlier in the night. The kids make it at Mason's school. The real highlight of the evening is when Santa called our house aka Papaw. Rob brought the phone to us as I was saying good night to the kids and he said "Papaw wants to ask the kids if they are excited for Santa" The kids heard the word Santa and thought it was actually Santa on the phone. Papaw played the role and even Ho HO Ho for them. Their faces really lit up with the Ho Ho's.

Mason-Ellery-Bryson Ring

What a wonderful husband I have. He came home with a present for me the other day and it is a wow present.

To give a little history on the story.... A few months ago Rob was working an overnight and asked me if I had checked the front entry for a package. He failed to mention that the package he was inquiring about was for him, not me. I got all excited seeing the box outside the door and then quickly realized it was for him. Boo Hiss. He was driving home from work the other day and asked me if I had checked for any packages. I was catty and said, why you expecting something, but never looked out the door for a package. Of course Rob got home and asked if I really checked for a package, which I didn't, and said that I should go and look. I was getting excited, but not sure if I should be, so I went and looked out the front door and I spotted a bouquet of flowers along with a small box. I brought all of the goodies inside and opened the box. The box was filled with what looked like lose tea leaves. I love tea, but I was expecting something different. I said oh, what kind of tea is this and Rob encouraged me to keep looking because it wasn't tea leaves. I wanted to let out a huge sigh of relief, but didn't want to show that I wanted something more than tea. I got something more and much better than tea. It was a beautiful silver ring from Nelle and Lizzy that has 3 rings interlaced with all of our children's names on each ring. I LOVE IT! It was very thoughtful and sweet of him and I can't thank him enough for all the love he gives us!

Mandi Come on Down and Look at Your New

CAR.......Isn't it a beauty? We have named it White Stallion. I was stunned. Rob and I had been looking at cars and I thought it was just for fun with no pressure. We have been wanting something with a bit more room and were on the SUV vs minivan debate. I just couldn't bring myself to a minivan when you know this luxury it waiting for you. We also needed something bigger so we could take passengers with us when people came to visit and now we have it. Rob was post call on Christmas Eve and when he got up he was lounging on the couch and he looked at me and said, "I think I forgot to close the garage door, will you go check for me?" I went and made sure it was closed and this caught my eye. I was stunned, I can't believe he bought us a new 2010 Toyota Sequoia. I have a new car and one that is so new we aren't even in that year yet. Needless to say we are very blessed. Rob and I took it out for a quick spin since Grandma Ellen is stuck here due to the weather and it rides much nicer than the bumpy ol 4-Runner. Speaking of the Runner, Rob took his first hand me down from me rather than me taking his hand me downs. I could ramble about the features, but I am happy that is it white and has heated seats! Thank you Rob for being a wonderful loving husband and I hope you aren't disappointed with your gifts because you aren't getting a new car!

He Comes with Gifts

My brother is here visiting and his family wasn't able to come back with him. We get to see them next month or I would have stomped my feat harder on having them come, but next time I won't take no for an answer. Anyways, he came bearing gifts for my children, and I know he didn't have the idea or do the shopping so a big THANK YOU to Aunt Jill. I believe this is Ellery's first specific "girl" toy other than the baby dolls. She is in heaven talking on her princess cell phone. She also got a grooming kit with a blow dryer that actually blows, plastic lipstick, perfume, brush, curlers, etc. We have witnessed her blowing her hair with one hand while tousling her hair with the other then applying lipstick. She loves it, but I think Mason loves his Buzz Lightyear action figure more. He was thrilled like we have never seen when Uncle Todd had him close his eyes and then open them to see Buzz. We let him watch most of Toy Story the other day and he has been imitating Buzz and flying every where we go. It has been a profound impact on him. He slept with Buzz last night and asks to take him to the store. Rob even caught him saying that his prized stuffed animal Double and Buzz are now really good friends.

How Grateful or Ungrateful???

Mason was loved deeply this year and received a lot of gifts. Poor kid didn't have a birthday last year, we shoved him in a car for 12 hours on his birthday and drove to Omaha. We had good intentions of getting him a present and a cake, but we never found the time. Well, let's be honest we never took the time. Anyways, he is not tarnished or lacking any skills from last years experience and still knew how to open presents, blow out candles, and eat cake. Here are just a few highlights.

He is really into match box cars and Cars the movie and received a few cars and Mac the truck from Rob and I.

Grandma Ellen spoiled him with a real play doh set and real play doh rather than home made. He also got some stickers, books, and other fun items to play with.

Uncle Tom and Aunt Laurie gave him his very own racetrack for all of his cars to race on.

Then we come to Nana's toy. She gave him a Color Explosion which is like a glow in the dark magna doodle. Mason loves coloring and drawing and it was even wrapped in a Cars towel, but it wasn't enough to keep him enticed. As you can clearly see he is pushing it aside to get to his other toys. He wasn't interested in opening more, he was interested in playing with Mac the truck and his new cars.

Early Birthday Present

Oh, I am going to say we bought this trampoline for Mason's birthday, but I think we bought it more for mommy. I do have a reason for it and the story goes like this. We are having a party for Rob's partners in a few weeks and we were going to rent a bounce around for all of the kids. We will have around 25 adults and 20 children. Renting a bounce around is a pricey one time opportunity for fun so then we thought we could get a trampoline and have a gift that keeps on giving. Our quest then brought us to a bit more pricey trampoline but with better safety ratings so we were suckered in. Soooo today Mason got an early birthday presents and what a fun present.

Smart Cycle

Mason got a smart cycle from Nana for Christmas and we finally got around and put it together. Well, Rob put it together, I am they type to put pieces together where they fit and read directions later. Sometimes it works for me and other times I wish I would have read the directions. Rob is my direction follower so he usually gets the tasks of putting things together or learning how it works. Followed by me asking questions later when it isn't working like it should and I don't know how to fix it since I didn't read the directions in the first place. It seems I should start reading more directions, but Rob spoils me, so until he decides to stop spoiling me I won't be reading any directions in the near future. He did get it put together perfectly and as you can see and Mason enjoyed sitting on it. I was calling it his motorcycle until Rob pointed out that motorcycles don't have pedals and spoiled our ride. Mason and I still like to call it his motorcycle despite the pedals. He enjoys sitting on it, but isn't doing so well when we hook it up to the TV. He likes to watch it, but doesn't like to pedal and ride.
In photo #1 pictured above shows Mason riding and Ellery playing beside him. Seconds later we found her in photo #2. She has a obsession with remotes and telephones and has started getting creative on how to obtain them. We also think she might be more of a climber than Mason. She is starting to put her foot up on things to hoist herself up higher. I might have to get child locks on the pantry doors, this is where I caught her trying to get a footing to see inside the drawers.