It's Been A Long Time

It has been a very busy few weeks! Here's a quick break down of what we've been up to.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. We spent it with my dad's family and it was great. We ate until we couldn't eat anymore!

Black Friday was awesome. I woke up bright and early and got to Kohl's by 3:45 am. Then I met up with Bryan's mom, grandma, sisters, and other family members to shop some more. I got all of my Christmas shopping done in one day! I was so proud of myself. I love Black Friday, it really is fun.

We then went up to my dad's cabin for a couple nights to hang out and relax. I love the cabin and the kids love it too. They get to build snowmen (they built a 'touchdown snowman' for the BYU/Utah game!), ride four wheelers, play with lincoln logs, and watch movies.

We have also been busy going to family Christmas parties. It's been great to see family that we haven't seen in a few years.

Bryan started interviewing for residency about a month ago. We have been to three programs in Utah, one in Tyler, TX, two in Indiana- South Bend and Muncie, and next week we go to Boise, ID. Thanks to my mom and Bryan's mom Bennett and I were able to go with him to all of these places while the girls played at grandma's house. I am glad that I have been able to go and see all these places. We have met some really great people and have a couple programs that we like a lot. Sadly, I forgot my camera on both trips so I don't have any to share! Making the decision of where to go next will be a hard one.

I am getting a little tired of packing and unpacking. We haven't had a moment to rest. It will be nice to get back to Vermont and get back to our normal routine. The poor kids have been all over the place! I am excited for Christmas to get here. The girls have been so much fun this year. Charlie the elf made his appearance last week and they are loving that he brings them surprises. Niah asked for a real puppy this year- don't think that will happen! Chloe wants a baby and some playdoh.

We wish everyone a merry Christmas and hopefully I will be able to update again soon.

New Moon

I went to the midnight showing of New Moon on Thursday with my fam.

LOVED IT!! It was soooo good. I made everyone t-shirts for the movie. We were in the 'Jacob' room and got lots of free goodies. It was well worth staying up late!
P.S. It's my birthday today- 27 years old. I'll post about my day later!

Four Months

Bennett played in the Johnny Jump for the first time the other day. He LOVED it!! You can tell he loved it from the pictures.

Bennett is four months old today. He is grabbing at things, rolling over, and giggling. He is still the best baby. He is content and so happy. The past four months have gone so fast.

Yard Work and Rolling

Our little boy is learning new tricks! He can now roll from his back to his belly and from his belly to his back. Last night he wasn't ready to go to sleep so I let him play on the floor and he showed me what he can do. He got a huge grin on his face when he rolled to his belly. He thinks he is pretty big! I guess he won't be taking naps on the bed anymore.

Today Grandma Mel needed to do some yard work, so the kids and I went out to help. We had fun raking the leaves and the girls were hard workers.

There were so many leaves! I was in the house for a minute feeding the baby and Niah came

in and said to me, "Well, that was a bad experience!" I asked her what happened and she told me, "I lost my shoe in the leaf pile and I can't find it anywhere." I was laughing so hard. We eventually found her shoe at the bottom of the huge leaf pile.

Niah and Chloe are having a blast being with all of their family members. I'm not sure what will happen when we go back to Vermont. They will be bored out of their minds!

Visit To Grandpa's

We took a trip out to my Grandpa Doug's house to visit. We have not been out there since he finished building it. He made us a yummy lasagna dinner and was a great host! Bennett enjoyed relaxing on the couch.

The girls rode Scotty the Llama.
What a beautiful house! I love how it lights up at night.

Melvin the Turkey was waiting to greet us when we got there. The girls thought he was pretty cool.

Here's the kids with their great- grandpa.

Grandpa has a player piano and Chloe and Niah were fascinated by it. They couldn't figure out how it could play all by itself!

I think the highlight for the girls was riding up and down on the elevator in the house and taking a bath in the huge soaker tub. (That's what Niah called it!) Even though my grandma was not there in person, I believe she was there in spirit. There are little things in the house that have my grandma's touch and style, and it felt like she was there with us.

Thanks Grandpa for letting us come see you. We had a great time and the girls can't wait to come back and ride the elevator!

Our Halloween

We had a fun Halloween. We spent it with the Mason family. The kids had so much fun being with their cousins.

We went to a trunk-or-treat and a party at the church.

Niah's favorite toy at Grandma Shannon's house are her 'flower babies'. She played with them the whole time.


Grandma Shannon and Aunt Kelsie taught the kids how to play Killer Frogs.

All the grandkids LOVE grandma and grandpa.

Chloe and her cousin Swayzee were a little shy of each other at
first, but by the end of the night they were having lots of fun together. (They are carrying a rubber chicken on the pillow and thought it was so funny!)

Here is my attempt at trying to get the kids to pose for a picture. Niah was mad at me, but I guess each of their faces goes with their costume!

The girls played Mario Kart with Aunt Kelsie. Niah told us she wants a Wii for Christmas.

We had a great weekend with Bryan's family. My girls want to go back to see their cousins. I love that all three of my kids have cousins their age. Thanks Mason family for a fun Halloween.

Dance Party

Niah loves to 'breakdance'. She really got into it the other night. Check out her moves!!

Thanks to my sister, Tam, for making the movie. So cute.

Family

We are in Utah enjoying our time with family. The kids are having a blast with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We love being with family- it's the best!
(Niah, Bennett, Chloe, Preslee and Jonah.) Grandpa Mike painted Chloe's toes and fingers for her. So cute.

We had a fun little Halloween party. Niah is being a cowgirl, Chloe is being Tinkerbell, and Bennett is a baseball player.

I'm glad we don't have to go home any time soon. We are having too much fun!

What A Kid

This little man is such a good baby. I have said it over and over, but I really can't get over how easy he is. The last few nights I have just put him in his bed (because he doesn't want to be rocked) and he lays there and goes to sleep- all on his own. That was at about 10:30 and he slept until 6:00!! That is not normal for a Mason baby. My girls were awful sleepers and never, ever went to sleep on their own. Thank you Bennett for making Mommy so happy! I love you. Now, we just need to make Mom stop worrying that something's wrong with you so that she can sleep all night too.

What We've Been Up To

Wow! We have been busy the past few days. Bryan has the first two weeks of October off as vacation. We have been living it up! One of my favorite things to do in Vermont is to go apple picking. We couldn't pass it up this year because it is our last Fall to spend in Vermont. It was a gorgeous day, a little chilly, but so pretty.

Bennett got to enjoy the apples too!!

Bennett is growing up fast. He has lost his newborn look. He's so handsome!

Chloe couldn't resist eating the apple fresh from the tree.

Niah decided to climb one of the smallest limbs on the tree- kind of scary!

We have also been outside playing while the weather is still somewhat decent. This is the view out our kitchen window- I love this tree. It's so big and bright. I would hate to be the one to rake the leaves under it though!

The girls have to take their babies outside with them once in a while.

In case you were wondering, Chloe has been picking out her own clothes these days. She is quite colorful here!

Sweet Niah.

Bryan is becoming quite the photographer. He took the camera out and captured some beautiful things.

How neat is this picture?!! I love it.

We decided to go for a drive yesterday and see the leaves and also to stop at the Cider Mill. There is nothing better than Cold Hollow apple cider and fresh cider donuts. MMMM, so good!

We drove up over 'the notch'- that's what the Vermonters call it- and did some leaf peeping. It was so beautiful. The leaves were at their peak.

Bryan captured this moment the other day. We were all worn out. All three kids sleeping at the same time- now that doesn't happen very often! I'm not sure how Niah can sleep in that position. I love my kiddos.


Well, that's what we've been up to. We are looking forward to our upcoming trip to Utah. We can't wait to be with family and the kids are so excited to play with everyone!

All Grown- Up

My baby girl started preschool today. It is really weird for me. I can't believe she is going to school! I would be lying if I told you I didn't get a little teary eyed driving home after I dropped her off! She walked right in and didn't hesitate when I told her goodbye. When I picked her up she didn't want to leave- she had so much fun. She loves to learn and experience new things so I'm sure school will be the perfect thing for her. I love you Niah, you are such a big kid now!