Christmas Memories 2011

I am slow getting to this post, but I want to make sure we write this Christmas down for the books. It was a fabulous holiday for us! We stayed in South Bend and celebrated with just the five of us. Bryan had from Christmas Eve to January 2nd off! It was so great. The time went too fast.

Christmas Eve we took the kids to a movie. That's a tradition I grew up doing and it's a great idea because it uses up a lot of the time that day so the kids aren't going crazy waiting for Santa to come! Then we went to our neighbors' house to visit for a while. They were so sweet and they gave each of the kids a gift. Then, it was finally time to open up Christmas pjs! (You will see a lot of Captain America in this post. He doesn't go many places without his costume these days.)

We decided to let the kids draw names for each other this year. Here they are showing off what they got. Benny loved his guns that Niah gave him.
Before the girls went to bed they set their alarm for 6:10. It went off and they didn't wake up! I was so surprised. I reset it for 6:30 and they woke up that time. Bennett wasn't so sure about waking up so early!
The girls are waiting for everyone to get ready and come downstairs with them.
I made a booby trap this year and covered the doorway with crepe paper and tied a jingle bell to it. The kids were such snoops this year that we couldn't risk any more presents being seen before Christmas morning! I think they liked running through it.
Chloe got a beauty salon and some accessories to go with it from Santa. Niah got a magic wand and spell book. Benny got a Captain America shield and a sled. Santa was so nice this year and brought them everything they wanted! I'm not sure why Bennett was sad in this picture. Probably too early in the morning.
Christmas day was spent going to church, opening more presents from family, playing the Wii that I gave Bryan, and we even went caroling to some of the neighbors. We also fed the missionaries so it was a busy, but memorable day.
" I am strong like Captain America, Mom!"
Here's the damage the day after Christmas. It looks like a tornado hit our living room!
Niah loves her wand and spell book. She's casting a spell on Bryan to be a better singer. She told him it didn't work when he tried to sing for her!
A couple days after Christmas, we took a road trip to my sister's house in Columbus, OH. The kids loved hanging out with their cousins. I wish we could do that more often. Tam took us to a place called Recreations Outlet. It was awesome! They have tons of playgrounds set up that the kids can play on. All of the kids had a total blast. It was great for them to get some of their energy out!
Bryan and I also got to go on a date to the temple and out to lunch for our 9th anniversary. Thanks Tam for watching the kids for us!



New Year's Eve wasn't that exciting for us actually. The kids wanted to stay up until midnight, but they were tired from our drive back home and from playing hard with cousins for a few days. I also had a lot to get done for primary the next day. So, I switched the clocks and made them think it was 11:30. We played games, had a treat, popped some poppers and then they went to bed. It worked out nice and the kids thought they stayed up until 1:00 am! Only Niah got a little suspicious, but she didn't put up much of a fight about it.
I really love having time as a family to just relax and enjoy each other's company. Life gets too busy and I forget to just slow down and spend quality time with the kids. I think this Christmas will be one that we all remember. It was one of the best ones we've had.

2011 Christmas Newsletter

I love this time of year. There is so much excitement in the air and so much to be thankful for. This year has been a good one for us. It seems to have passed so quickly- it goes faster every year. I love to go back and read about each year that passes, so I thought I would document it here this year. Consider this our "Christmas Newsletter"!

Bryan is halfway done with his residency! He loves his job and is so good at at it. It's fun for me to hear him talk "Dr." talk on the phone with his colleagues or patients. He's so smart and really knows his stuff! He stays busy with work (of course), taking care of all of us, and serving in the High Priest group leadership in the ward. He is dedicated to everything he does. We are really looking forward to having him all to ourselves for a week after Christmas! This year, the word busy took on new meaning for me. It seems that we have not had a moments rest for a while! The kids are getting older which means they have more things to do- school, preschool, homework, after school activities, more friends to play with, etc. I love being a mom and would not have it any other way. I am very grateful for the opportunity I have to stay at home with my kids. We have so much fun together. Just yesterday, I was called to be the Primary president in our newly formed Notre Dame Ward. I am so excited for this change! I am also feeling a little overwhelmed at the idea too. I have been trying to enjoy our ward more and get more involved somehow- I guess Heavenly Father answered my prayers! :) This is the way to do it, I guess. I really can't wait to serve the children in our ward. What a blessing. It seems that there were times this year when I felt out of place and alone, but looking back I have learned a lot. I love where I am at in life and I couldn't be happier!
Miss Niah is no longer a little girl. She has grown into a young lady! I can't believe that she will be turning seven in less than a month. Whoa. Niah had a great year with many new experiences. She lost her first tooth, she played softball, said goodbye to good friends and made lots of new friends, graduated Kindergarten and entered First grade. She is a terrific student and her teachers can't say enough good about her. She's reading at a third grade level. Her class members adore her. She is always coming home with notes from them that say things like, "You are such a good friend, "Can I sit by you at lunch?" "You are my best friend!" She is admired by all, even her little sister and brother can't get enough of her. She is very mature for her age and notices things that most kids her age don't think about. We love having her in our family. I wouldn't know what to do without my big helper!
Chloe Nan is a spit fire! She makes us laugh on a daily basis. She has a quick sense of humor and charming way about her. She will be turning five in February. Ahhh! That can't be happening. Chloe started preschool this year. She LOVES it. She loves her teachers and is learning how to make new friends. She is taking speech therapy through her school and at times gets frustrated with it, but is working hard at it. I can see some improvement already. She loves the dog and is usually the one to help out with her and play with her. She is really into being fancy- all the time. She adores anything that sparkles and shines. Her hair always has to be just right and so do her clothes. She has a fashion sense that most four year olds don't. I never have to worry about what she picks out to wear because she knows how to match and can pick out darling outfits all by herself! Chloe loves making things and using her imagination. We love Chloe Nanners and are so glad she is a part of our family.
Mr. Bennett is growing up too. What a joy this little boy is! I really can't get enough of him. He is so pleasant to be around. Bennett is talking a ton and makes us laugh with the things he says. He tells me he "loves me bigger" on a regular basis. He is obsessed with Captain America right now. He wears his costume almost every day and loves to watch the movie whenever he can. His favorite line is, "You never give up do you!" He'll say that and then shoot us with his fist and a funny gun noise. I can't help but laugh- maybe I shouldn't laugh at him shooting pretend guns. Oh well! Benny loves to wear hats. He always has one on his head. He still loves baseball and asked Santa for a baseball piggybank! All of his teachers in nursery can't believe what a good colorer he is. They think he's very smart. I think so too! I always tell people that if I could guarantee that all my kids would be like Bennett I would have ten more! Really. He is so happy and such a good boy. We love Benny Boo and can't imagine life without him.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas! We hope you find joy and peace during this wonderful time of year.

Love,

The Mason Family

Christmas Tree

Christmas is here! There is definitely a lot of Christmas Spirit in the Mason household. We have been working on lots of Christmas projects and doing things like watching Christmas movies, picking out our annual ornaments, decorating, and trying to keep the kids from snooping! Apparently, staring at those presents under the tree was just too much. Bennett decided to have his own Christmas this morning! I came downstairs to find his present from Grandma Mel unwrapped. I said, in probably too loud a voice, "Bennett Charles, what are you doing?!" His reply was, "Look, it's Woody!" I couldn't be mad. It was too cute to see his excited face. I decided to grab the camera and Bennett willingly gave me a big cheeser grin. I think he knew he was in a little bit of trouble! He pulled the string on the back a few times and then I took it from him and rewrapped it. It's now back under the tree. Don't you love his hairdo and his shiner on his eye? Someone, (okay Chloe) decided to push Bennett right into the dining room chair. Ouch.
Today was the big day to go and find our Christmas tree! We went to the same place as last year, Butler Tree Farms, and it didn't disappoint! We had a great time. We finally got some snow yesterday so it felt a little more like Christmas.


I love this time of year. I love to see how excited my kids get about everything. The anticipation is killing them. They still have a long time to wait!