Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning was lots of fun this year. Mason was happy to see that Santa ate all the cookies he left for him on our "Christmas plate" and left him presents. The boys were very excited to open their presents and play with their toys. Mason and Noah got scooters (which Mason LOVES).

Noah received a Buzz Light year toy. I bought it on Black Friday so I got a good deal on it, plus Noah is ALWAYS saying "Through infinity and beyond!" (usually while he is jumping off of objects or riding on his rocking horse). However... this Buzz toy doesn't make any noise. But I thought "Ooh nice for me! It won't be annoying!" The day before Christmas Ron and I were asking the boys what they wanted from Santa. We brought up Toy Story and Noah kept saying he wanted Woody the cowboy. Ron and I tried to convince him that he wanted Buzz... but he kept saying, "No I want Woody!" Uh-oh! I was nervous. On Christmas morning when he opened Buzz he seemed excited but then asked, "Where's Woody?" Once we got Buzz out of the packaging he announced "Buzz not working! Buzz not working!" I think he thought Buzz was broken because he didn't have buttons on him that made noises. He still loves the toy and carries it EVERYWHERE (he even wanted to take it to church today). But I feel kinda bad that he still informs me all the time that: "Buzz not working."

This is on the way home from Grandma Huber's home.

Mason's favorite toy this year was Ironman! He got about 4 different Ironman toys from family, friends, and Santa. He loves all of them but carries his "big Ironman" around with him everywhere.

Ron was very thoughtful (as always) and purchased me a serger machine AND digital scrapbook software!!!! I have wanted a serger for a VERY long time! Now my sewing projects can have a better finished edge.

Santa!

I took the boys to see Santa Clause last week. And yes I even paid for one of the ridiculous pictures. Christmas is really fun this year because Mason really understands the concept of Santa Clause. (It's really been nice having that leverage over him too!) I can't wait for Christmas morning to see their faces and reactions! When we first got to the mall and were walking through the JCPenney store Noah suddenly busted out his "excited face" and squealed for joy! I had to get a picture of it! This is what he did the second he recognized the Santa display outside the JCPenney store.

Our Neighbor Lorna

"Grandma" Lorna!

Our next door neighbor's name is Lorna. My boys just LOVE Lorna. Not only does she have a swing in front of her home but she is always fun to talk to. All day EVERYDAY my boys ask if they can go see Lorna. If we are outside playing or just checking the mail they make a mad dash for Lorna's home and knock on her door. They are constantly wanting to give her "loves" (hugs). Lorna is a very good sport about talking with Mason and Noah. Lorna was Ron's next-door neighbor when he grew up and now she is watching our boys grow-up! We sure are lucky to have such a nice neighbor and appreciate all her love and attention!

Las Vegas Get-Away

This weekend Ron and I got to take a trip just the 2 of us to Las Vegas, Nevada! This was the first time we'd ever done something like this and left the boys. Thanks to my parents who graciously watched boys while we were away. I had a lot of fun on this trip and mostly just enjoyed spending time with Ron.

Vegas is definitely it's own little world! I really enjoyed seeing all the bright lights, architecture (there are some AMAZING buildings), and "interesting" people. Ha! It really is the city that never sleeps. One of my favorite "attractions" was the fountains at the Bellagio. In front of their hotel every 15 mins. or so they have a show of water, and lights choreographed to music.We spent most of our time EATING, walking around looking at the sites, and eating some more. I'm shocked that my pregnant feet survived!
I even convinced Ron into taking me to see the musical The Lion King! I enjoyed it, (but I definitely like Phantom better!) Ron tolerated it... his main comment was, "That was a little too much singing for me." ha! What does he think a "musical" is? Oh-well I'm glad he went with me! As fun as it was to spend time with Ron and just relax, we couldn't stop thinking of the boys. There were plenty of times when we'd say "Oh! Mason would love to see this!" or "Wouldn't Noah just go nuts over that guy in the Ironman suit!" I had lots of fun in this crazy busy city but... can honestly say I don't want to live there. I'm totally a city girl but... I think Las Vegas is a little too much city for me! ;)

Happy, Merry Christmas!

We actually got all the Christmas decorations down yesterday and decorated. (I am usually not this fast!) Ron hung up the Christmas lights outside, then we put up the tree, and set up the other decorations. As we were setting up Mason and Noah kept chanting "Happy, Merry Christmas! Happy, Merry Christmas!" Too cute.

Mason and Noah found the ornaments box and took it upon themselves to decorate the tree! They put quite a few random things under the tree labeling them presents! :) Here's the finished product:I think my boys have a future in Christmas tree decorating don't you think?
Mason also has been informing us non-stop that, "This is going to be my favorite Christmas EVER!" I only hope that December 25th comes fast enough for him. He's already talking about how Santa's coming tonight... I of course remind him not until Christmas Eve!
I love this time of year. The Christmas music, the Holiday spirit, and especially the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. My Family has a Thanksgiving tradition every year before we eat we pass a bowl of candy around the table and everyone says what they are thankful for. When the bowl got to Mason he surprised me by saying he was thankful for "Jesus!" What a sweet little reminder of the real meaning of the season.

Happy Halloween 2010!!

I know this is a little late but... oh-well. Mason was a Cowboy and Noah was an Indian for Halloween this year. Although, if you asked Mason what he was going to be he'd always respond, "I'm going to be Spiderman!" or "I'm going to be Ironman!" Poor Mason has such a mean mommy. I think this is the last year I'll be able to get away with picking out their costumes. BUMMER!

One of the few shots of Noah wearing his Indian Feather headdress. I spent about 30mins making it and the kid wouldn't even keep it on for 3 seconds.

Mason LOVED his "Woody boots" (He called them that because Woody from Toy Story wears cowboy boots). Thanks to his cousin Devin who lent them to us. Not sure why he put the bead necklace on but... that's ok!

Mason and his cousin Owen aka Zorro!

Ron's Hunting Trip!

Ron went hunting this week. The boys really miss him but we are glad he got a deer (today) and will be coming home soon. This is a picture he e-mailed me from his phone.
It's been kinda hard with the boys and no Daddy. Mostly because both boys are such "Daddy's boys" and really miss their Dad. But it's also been really fun just having lots of Mommy-Son time. We've eaten way too much junk food and fast food lately. Mason is so funny about Ron going hunting. Of course he wanted to go with him but now he just tells EVERYONE we run into that "Dad's hunting! He's going to shoot a deer so we can eat it!!!" It's really funny. He even tells strangers at the grocery store!

IT'S A...

GIRL!!!!!!!!!

I still can't believe it! I'm having a baby girl in March!!!! Due March 20th and can't wait!!
And yes I am doing a dance in the pics above!

I had my official ultrasound appointment this morning. The ultrasound tech was a little interesting but eventually warmed up to me! At first the umbilical cord was in the way but the whole appointment she kept saying "I haven't seen a pee-pee yet! Do you?" It was pretty funny. We finally got some good angles and determined that it's a GIRL!!! I'm just so excited to not call my baby an "IT" anymore. That's the best part. (Plus I've already bought some girl clothes and things... I know I have issues! But come on I kept the tags on them and could always give them away as gifts if I wasn't ever blessed with a girl.)

As we were leaving the appointment Ron turned to me and said "Shelly, Can you give me your debit card?" Ha Ha Ha! No way! I'm soooooooooooo excited to bring on the Bling, bows, flowers and STUFF!!!!!

Noah's 2nd Birthday!

Noah's 2nd Birthday was last week! He kept going back and forth between wanting a Dinosaur or an Elma birthday cake. He finally decided on Elmo! The cupcakes aren't that great looking but are pretty easy to make. I think he really enjoyed it.

Because his Birthday fell on Thursday we were able to do a little mini b-day party for him during the day with friends Colter, Sydney, and his cousin Ella.
(I just happened to be babysitting all these fun kiddos!)
Noah thanking Grandma Faler for his present!
I can't believe Noah is 2 years old! He's definitely not "Baby Noah" anymore. He's talking lots now. (Even has a little attitude sometimes! For example when he says, "Mommy I'm talking to you!") His favorite book right now is Dr. Suess "Green Eggs and Ham". He LOVES to be outside, and his favorite thing to eat is probably blue berries. He's ALWAYS begging for "Boo-Berries". Noah also really idolizes his older brother Mason, and they are little partners in crime! I hope their friendship lasts them a lifetime!

Mason 4th Birthday

Ok! Mason turned 4 yrs. old on Tuesday, October 5th!!! He really wanted an Ironman cake but I couldn't find any cake decor that worked. I think he was happy to settle for Spiderman. Please try not laugh too hard at my major lack of cake decorating skills! We did have a little family party for him and the grandparents stopped by with their gifts and hellos! Grandma and Grandpa Huber even brought their little dog Rosco to wish Mason a Happy Birthday! I think he had a good day!

Lindsey watches my boys on Wednesday's. Lindsey is soooooo sweet and threw Mason a little birthday party. Colter's cousins Livvy and Bailey were there too. (Mason just LOVES Bailey!)
They made birthday hats, had birthday cake and presents! I honestly don't know what I'd do with out Lindsey!! She is so thoughtful and very generous.

Lindsey found an Ironman mask for Mason! I looked in like 3 stores for one!!! Thank you Lindsey! (On the way home from Lindsey's house he wore the mask in the car and said, "I need to go get my Ironman gun now." (Grandma Faler got him an ironman supersoaker.)

Family Scripture Study

For the past couple weeks we've (as a family) tried really hard to read the Book of Mormon every night. Every night we have a bed time routine with the boys of reading books, family prayer and lights out! So Ron and I thought it'd be "easy" to just add our scripture study after the fun books are read. Mason had other ideas. EVERY time we get the book of Mormon stories book out Mason yells "NO! I don't want to read that. I want to pick a different book!" And he usually walks out of the room while we read to Noah. (Book of Mormon stories is a simplified version of the Book of Mormon with illustrations for children.)

Tonight Ron had a great idea. We got a couple flashlights, turned the lights out, and held family scripture study. It was the FIRST time Mason sat and really listened to the story and participated! What a fun success!!!! You can't really tell in the picture but the lights are out and both boys have flashlights. Not sure if this will work every night but I am just glad that we were able to have one successful session of family scripture time!

Our Butterfly Friend!

On our morning walk today we came across a butterfly!!! It was really pretty and my boys were both very interested in it. It didn't seem to be moving much so I kidnapped it (literally!) and took it home to snap some pictures! I think it was kinda hurt or something because it didn't fly away for quite a while!
The stroller compartment where the butterfly was trapped for about 5 mins:
Beautiful huh?

Kinda makes me think of the Children's Hymn:
"My Heavenly Father Loves Me"
The line that goes "He gave me my eyes, that I might see the color of butterfly wings... For all these creations, of which I'm a part. Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me."

Mason's melt down when the butterfly finally flew away. Gotta love the drama!

Faler Family Reunion

Labor Day weekend we drove to Payson (Strawberry area) for our annual Faler Family reunion. This year we camped out around some land that Erica's family owned and had a cabin at. There was horses, goats, and plenty of dogs on some adjoining properties. All of which my boys thoroughly enjoyed playing with and petting! Overall we had fun (even in the 95 degree weather)! All of us except my dad that is. Poor Grandpa Faler! He got really sick and had to go to the hospital in Payson and then go home. We didn't even get to see him the whole weekend. He's doing much better now and recovering.

Monday morning one of the neighbors horses escaped their pasture. Mason and Noah really enjoyed interacting with the horses up close.

At one point Mason got a little too close! He was posing for a picture while bending over between the horses legs and head. He was even saying "cheese!" as I snapped the picture. When the picture took the horse had started walking and kneed Mason right in the FACE!

Mason's face says it all!

Mason, cousin Josh, and Noah making friends with the horses!

And of course what's camping with out getting completely covered in dirt!!!!!

YUM!

Kathy Merkley (Cabin owner) took the kids for a tractor ride at night! They had a blast!

Noah LOVED the trampoline! I don't know if he's ever really jumped on one before, but he caught on fast! And didn't ever want to get off!

Sunday morning as usual our boys were up at 5am! So we went for a drive and took a family hike!

I promise Mason didn't hit Noah here. Apparently they were both playing a game of "let's see who can hit the log the hardest!"

I'm in trouble!

A couple weeks ago we had our ward camp out. It's sad that there's not really any little boys Mason age in our ward. But he doesn't let that faze him!!!! At one point he found a tent full of girls hanging out. They were really sweet and let him invade their space! What cute girls!

I thought I had a least 10 more years before I had to start worrying about girl trouble!?!?! Uh-oh!

Noah LOVES his ABC's

A couple weeks ago Noah was playing in the tub. We have foam letters in the tub so I decided that while I was just sitting in there I'd quiz him a little on his ABC's. I knew that he could pick out the letter O, M, and N. I'm always telling the boys that M is for Mason and N is for Noah. As I was randomly picking up letters I discovered he knew A LOT more letters than I thought. In fact almost every letter. I couldn't believe it. I was shocked and excited.

It's fun to go over letters with him because he really likes it. For some reason the letter N he says "Me!" I think it's because he doesn't really say his own name. He always calls himself "Me!" So instead of saying N for Noah he says "N for me!" Too funny. Also for some reason the Letter E he just says Eagle?!? Not sure about that one!

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Ron's hours have picked up at work lately. (It's that time again! Ron's mom calls me a Tax widow! :) So in the evenings I try to keep the boys occupied and busy so they will be tired but also get to see Daddy before bed. His job with Insight right now is so much better than his previous crazy job. So I really can't complain about 8 or 8:30pm homecomings. This week on Tuesday night I was trying to figure something to do with the boys. Then it started raining and I came up with a plan!!!!

BEFORE:

The boys were fascinated by the lightning.

Ok... so it really didn't "POUR" rain. But we got pretty wet anyways!

I love playing in the rain, especially with my boys!