Christmas time is near...

You all know how much I love Christmas. Well, this year I had the perfect excuse to start celebrating really early. On November 10, Franklin's Family Christmas came to Grande Praire. It was even the night of our first snow storm which told it was the perfect time to start singing carols and talking Christmas to Mason. Jacquie, Lee and I took the boys to the play and they loved it. Ok, so maybe Rory wasn't too interested (Jacquie took him home early as he wanted to run around more than sit and watch!), but Bretton and Mason sat still and watched the whole show. Mason loved the snowman the best. I was amazed at how attentive the 2 boys really were. The next event on our Christmas calender was the annual Festival of the Trees. This year Mason was able to participate in the crafts and other activities. He loved decorating a cookie and coloring a snowman. He even played a little game of throwing the beanbag in the snowman (he cheated a little but he got the prize anyhow)!

It was so cute because the boys actually organized themselves this way. They walked right past the ticket booth and into the festival all by themselves. Priceless...For Chris' Christmas Party at work, they decided to do a family bowling night. We weren't sure how it would go, but Mason bowled for nearly 2 hours straight. They had a ramp to put the ball on which helped it to make it all the way to the pins. Mason loved it. I think we may have a bowler on our hands.

And, of course the Christmas season also brings Mason's birthday. Can you believe that our little man is already 2? I was looking back on old posts and I just can't believe how fast the time has gone. Mason and Reese celebrated their birthday's together with a party at the gym at Chris' high school. There was about 15 kids and 20 adults. We ordered pizza, had a cake, and the kids just ran around. It was such a great afternoon. Since Mason slept until 10:30 the next morning, I think we could say that the party was a success! Auntie Erin with the 2 Birthday boys We were so lucky that for Mason's actually birthday, Nanna came to visit for a week, Uncle Mike and Tia came for the weekend, and Grandpa flew up just for the party (I would say that Mason is one loved little boy). We had Chris' family join us and we celebrated again. This time the kids had their own little dance party, we again had pizza, and Chris and I made Mason a Thomas the Train cake (that turned out pretty good if we do say so)! It was another great night and so wonderful to have both of our families with us (although we did miss Uncle Jordan and Auntie Elaine-we'll see them at Christmas though)
Do you think he liked what Tia and Uncle gave him???



The famous cake (the face was even made by hand out of fondant)
Now that Mason is 2, he figured he should wear real big boy underwear (he actually brought these to me this day). I just had to take this picture and I can just see it popping up at his wedding one day...

Mason had his first sleepover at our house recently too. Reese and Caryse spent the night. It was lots of fun. After a big supper and bath for 3, we watched a movie and had popcorn. Reese wanted to sit on Mason's little couch which meant that Caryse and Mason had to sit there too.

And Christmas will be very special for my friend Lee's family this year as they welcomed baby Ella Claire into the family. Bretton is such a proud big brother-well for now anyhow!

And finally, now that it's officially December, Chris agreed to put up the tree (I wanted to do it after the Franklin play on November 10). Mason helped Dad to put up the star and he even helped me to hang the ornaments. I have to say that Christmas as a family makes it the best thing ever...

We hope you're all enjoying the holiday season. Can't wait to see you soon.

Love, Jenn

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