Cabo Paradise

We had a grand time soaking in the sun, feasting on fabulous food and just doing a whole lot of nothing in beautiful Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The best part of all - NO KIDS for a week!! Some of our MANY FEASTSThanks to my step-dad and wife Carla for the great Christmas present and fun memories with the fam. My brother John and sister Paige, as well as her boyfriend Bryan, kept us laughing. Troy spent his days socializing with the beach vendors and bringing them drinks and food (talk about taking full advantage of the all inclusive plan). Food was so good - sushi, mexican, pizza, the works and it was all FREE!

We hit the hotel beach party our last night and discovered our family has many hidden talents...some of which I won't even mention here. What happens in Mexico, stays in Mexico, right? We were very entertained and had a great time together! Other trip highlights: jet skiing, bad marlin fishing trip, hitting the clubs, water aerobics, SUN, FOOD, SHOPPING.

It's so hard coming back to reality and this frigid weather but we really can't complain after such a wonderful escape to the beach!
More Pics in Slideshow Post below.

Cabo Slideshow

Say What?

Mason is saying several new words a day lately. Then he smiles so proudly of his achievement, like "finally, they understand me." Hopefully this will lead to less yelling and tantrums from misinterpretation of his many demands.

Latest Fave New Words: Happy, Stinky, Christian, Basketball, Cold, Open, Help, Amen, Mine Mine Mine! (always yelled 3 times when he wants something badly or before ripping a toy away from big brother - I guess it's inevitable the younger brother learns "mine" at such an early age).

Christian suits up in his black ninja costume (with rather large padded muscles) and announces he's going to put on a play. He jumps up and shouts: "Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time for the Muscle Man!" Apparently Nana's theater gene has rubbed off on him.

He asks me today: "why do we have bones?" I explain that God gave us bones so we could move, run, jump, etc. He ponders then asks: "why did Heavenly Father just throw me where I live and throw you where you live?" Hmmm, okay. That led to another explanation of how we became families.

Christian and Jace were playing Buzz and Woody last night, Jace made the Woody doll dance and Christian says, "hey Woody, I think you need to go potty."

When we tell Christian about plans we have "later" or "tomorrow," he'll ask "today to-later?" or "today tomorrow" wanting everything to be today, right now.

I have to laugh at all the smart, logical comments and the many "WHY" questions that roll in all day but my quickly made-up answers aren't going to fly for long. I guess we really do get educated by our kids. They are too dang smart!

Come and Gone

I blinked and it was all over. Christmas chaos took over the house. Christian really got into Santa this year while Mom & Dad loved using "the elves are watching" line. I wonder how soon they start watching for next year?? Christmas day really was so great - just being with family and relaxing. The day AFTER Christmas, Christian woke up and bolted up the stairs. "What are you doing?" I asked. "I have to see if Santa came again." As soon as they kids really start to "get it," we pack up the decor and move onto the next holiday. Christian teared up when we took done the tree. It really was a wonderful holiday season, as always. Now onto a new year and new memories.

Annual Matching PJ Pose at Nana & Jace's House Christmas Morn

Mason's favorite present was a vacuum, should we be concerned?

Transformer Heaven - all he asked for from Santa, note he has them lined up by size, a little particular about things.

Doing tricks on the new board

Cousin Christmas Chaos at Grandma & Grandpa Morgan's House

Twin Superheros

Visit from Dad & Step-Mom - I love my new coat!

Christmas Parties Galore

2009 Holiday Season was filled with traditions - new and old - laughter, smiles, great memories and family fun. We have the greatest families (all 4 of them) and wouldn't trade them for the world. Love you all!
Party Highlights: Nerf Gun War (see video clip of Mason at bottom), Crazy White Elephants, Gingerbread House Competition, Cousin Nativity, Many Visits from Santa

Note: Mason in front flailing around on the floor, he wasn't having any more Santa, can you blame him??

Daddy's Lap is much better than Santa's!

Troy's baby bro Eric brought a lady home from Texas - way to go E! We know what he asked Santa for this year :)

Luminaries at Chad's gravesite, very neat to drive through, a first for me.

Cousins with our Babes - love you Stef!

The Favorite Manny Jace...Mason was feeding Jace chips and "dip dip" all night.

Happy Birthday Mother Dearest, aka Nana. We love you so much!

This is how we roll - Nerf Gun War on X-Mas Eve with extended fam - Watch out!

Crazy Aunt Faye in on the action

Battle of the Snuggies (with my Uncle Doug, I fought hard for this thing) - Wild White Elephant party with the Durbano's, my mom's great fam.

Dog the Bounty Hunter? Troy shows off his White Elephant, clipped to his famous sideburns.

I had to put on a NATIVITY at one of the MANY family parties - kid's in costumes, the works. Whew, I survived and it turned out great. Christian - back center Wise Man with gold crown, his request.

Cousin Fun (with Josh, son of Troy's bro Chad who passed away)

Gingerbread House Build-Off (Christian ate more candy than he put on the house, but that's what it's all about right?)

Get 'em Mason!

NEW BABY GIRL

Kitty, that is. We got a very spontaneous new addition at our house for Christmas. Surprisingly it was my animal-hating husband's idea...to rid our mouse problem of course. So I jumped on the chance to get a new pet. The boys are loving her (maybe a little too much). She's so sweet and so dang frisky, pouncing and attacking everything in sight (except a mouse as of yet). She curls up purring on our laps and tries to sleep with whomever will let her at night.

pow wow on the top bunk - poor kitty can't escape the wild ones
Mason and Kitty have a love/hate relationship - he grabs or swats kitty, then loves on her and kisses her on the lips. He sticks his finger in her mouth for a bite, saying "owee" then does it over and over again (like "Charlie Bit Me").

True partners in crime - Mason lifts the toilet seats for kitty to play in the water and squeals for joy when she unrolls and shreds the TP (so naughty) and tries to eat his lunch. Quite the bond. What were we thinking, adding another toddler to the chaos?!

Troy is quite fond of kitty too - I've busted him calling her over to his lap to pet her, telling funny kitty stories, and he even picks out special kitty treats at the store. He's not fooling anybody anymore, Troy really does like animals. Ha!

Name is Kaia (by previous owner), Christian voted "Buzz Lightyear," daddy likes "Simba" and mom & Mason appropriately call her "KITTY."

Ho Ho Ho

It's official, the kids have spoken with the Big Man himself. While waiting in line, Christian was doing the potty dance because he was so excited and anxious. He had a very serious look about him like he was rehearsing the moment in his mind. When it was game time, he had such an extensive list that he was still turned toward Santa talking during most of the pics. He rattled off each Tranformer in detail. Mason managed to chant a few "ho ho ho's" at Santa then wanted off. It was bedtime at that point and he was hammered, but he didn't even scream, imagine that. My temperamental child didn't mind the scary bearded man in a red suit, not one bit!

Mom and Dad even got to jump in for a cheesy group shot, Mason was done at that point. We survived the masses at Festival of Trees and got to see our friend's beautiful tree. Christian wasn't such a fan of that "grouch who stole Christmas tree" while Mason was digging into the candy jar on display while I attempted to pose him for a pic.

Day of Thanks

Good food, great company and fun memories...

Yes, Mason is diving into my glass for some bubbly...cider that is.

We opted out of our planned St. George trip to have a mini vacation at home instead (the chaos of my Cali trip was still haunting me). We headed to Nana & Jace's on Thanksgiving Day for a small family gathering and fabulous turkey feast. Christian was so fascinated with the carving of the turkey - the electric knife was exciting but there was no chance of him eating the turkey once he saw the whole bird. When we were toasting our glasses of sparkling cider, Mason wanted in on the action too...hence the green shot glass (we teach them early apparently).

Boys in their aprons carving the bird.

Mmmm, the good stuff.

Such festive pilgrim hats Christian made for him and daddy - Cheers!

It was so nice having a few days to just relax and be together. We are so grateful for healthy kids and our great family and friends who make life so good! We truly have so much.

Now onto Jingle Bells, Frosty, Lights, Ho Ho Ho and holiday parties. Hope we can all take time to really enjoy the busy holiday season!