I was not informed!

Do you remember the point in your childhood when you knew Santa was not real, yet did not want to tell your parents because you were afraid it just might crush them? Well I do, and I also wondered at what point you were informed of this little piece of information so you would know what to do with your children. After attending a wedding, at about age 8, I decided it must be that time after the ceremony when all the guest leave the auditorium and they take the bride and groom down front. I was fairly certain it was at that point when they informed you of Santa, Easter bunny, tooth fairy and all those other important things. Well somebody messed up at my wedding because when we went back down front all they did was take pictures...and thus the following has happened...
On Saturday we went to see the jolly old man and Mason very timidly sat in his lap and asked him for one thing, a football. When Santa came to his school he asked for one thing as well, a football and every time I ask him what he want Santa to bring he responds with...a football. Well it dawned on me just recently that if Santa is going to bring Mason the ONE thing he been asking for I need to make it happen. So yes, you can find me in the store, today, on Christmas Eve with the rest of the world, fighting over probably the last football, that I HAVE to have because that is the one thing my child wants Santa to bring him. At least I am not paying $200 for this...

Okay

I think everybody I know has already completed this so it looks like it is my turn.

8 things I did today: (It is only 9:00 but so far)
1. I snuck out of bed without my husband waking up

2. I closed Brayden's door with him staying asleep (Score!!!)
3. I closed Mason's door with him staying asleep (double score!!!)
4. start the coffee
5. plug in the Christmas tree

6. turn on the computer
7. check my email
8. relish over the fact that I have been able to enjoy my Entire pot of coffee by myself, and yes I fill the pot to the 6 cup line!!!!

8 Favorite restaurants:
1. Mi Chula

2. La Hacienda Ranch
3. Taco Bueno
4. Abuelo's
5. Let's just say a general anything Mexican
6. Chick-fil-a
7. Pablano grill
8. Melting Pot

8 shows I watch:
1. Desperate Housewives
2. Brother's and Sister's

3. Private Practice (which I am starting to like better than #4)
4. Gray's Anatomy
5. The Office
6. Friends

7. Lost
8. Real Housewives of Orange County (okay I am a little embarrassed but, I DVR this and watch it while I fold my laundry, it is my guilty pleasure)

8 Things I wish for:
1. My sister to live closer
2. the magic cleaning fairy that everyone else has on their list
3. for my children to always be perfectly behaved (hey it said a WISH)
4. to be able to capture that perfect picture of my boys together
5. for a new camera lens and editing software
6. to know how to use the things in #5
7. more clothes that actually fit
8. a few more mornings like this one

8 things I look forward to:
1. watching my boys as they learn and understand about Christ and what he can do in their lives
2. going on vacation with just Michael

3. Michael and I giving each other a hard time even when we are 80 years old
4. seeing what our completed family looks like
5. the day we can afford the magic cleaning fairy
6. when Madison (and her Mommy and Daddy) live closer
7. making cookies with my kids today
8. seeing mason's face when he gets what he asked for from Santa

Like Father Like Son

I am told that when Michael was little he was a very messy eater and there was a time when they found spaghetti sauce behind his ear. I did not really understand how this was possible until Mason...it is cute to have the first spaghetti picture when your child is one by the age of three it gets a little old.

How did Popeye get into our family photo?

As Good As It Gets

Dear Mommy,
I know you would so much love to have a good picture of us, but for now you will have to settle for a staring off into space, about to cry, wearing pants that are to short kind of picture.
Love,
Your 3 year old and 10 month old

Something to be thankfull for!!!

Yesterday, my cousin Angela and her husband Chris welcomed their first son Noah into the world. This is the third baby for our family this year, and they were all born on holidays Brayden on Ground Hogs Day, Madison on the Fourth of July (or right before) and Noah on Thanksgiving. Congratulations Chris and Angela!

A little gibirish for you

Sorry for the last post, I was on my sister's computer and her keyboard is going a little wacky. Every time you hit the space bar it puts in a "b" instead of a space, therefore resulting in hard to read text.

The previous post should have read something like this: I am in Houston enjoying all it has to offer...i.e. three of my favorite people, my sister and best friend and college roommate Karis and my beautiful niece!!! During my time with Karis she asked me to take a few pictures and so that is what we did. As you can tell she is pregnant and expecting a little boy in December. I am excited to meet her new addition and watch him grow alongside my boys!!!!

Canbyoubreadbthis?

IbambonbmybsistersbcomputerbandbherbkeyboardbtypesbaBbeverytimebyoubhitbthebspacebbar....Ibwillbexplainbinbablaterbpost,bbutbherebarebsomebpreggobpictures:)

When you dry up your tears....

soccer can be fun! I mean really who does not like to...

play with the boundry flags,

show some love to a good friend,

look at the world from a different point of view,

get piggy back rides from your coach,

act a little goofy,

look at butterflies on the field,

and even kick a ball around if you feel like it!

two-thirds of a year old

I Prefer Crayola to Roseart

I remember discovering markers as a child and from that point on crayons were just never as cool. Mason has discovered a love for markers and I have permanent marks on my table to prove it. Did you know that washable markers could leave permanent marks on your wood table if you don't wipe them up fairly quickly?

Here he is showing me how his feet can use the markers...where does he get this stuff?
Drawing circles

One Picture Please

Ever since we found out that Brayden was a boy I have looking forward to when he would be big enough that the boys could wear matching shirts...well the time has come and I thought it called for a picture. This afternoon out came the motivational M&M's and the camera....but this was all I got.

Don't Mind the Smell, It Is Just My Dirty Laundry

I feel like lately I have been losing the fight in "Christa Vs The House". It has been a slow process, but one that has happened one closet battle at a time. Well today I decided enough is enough, I am going to take back my dignity and the ability to walk in to my closets!

I decided to start with Mason's room, unfortunately this is what it looks like most days when he is playing :(

The closet - outgrown clothes looking for a home and toys that I don't want spread out with all the others in the room.

After

Even room to put up his new birthday tent.

I even had Mason help me make labels so he can put the toys where they go...we will see.

So...take that, House...any body want to help with a garage sale? Speaking of the garage...:(

Okay so does anybody else have closets that need a little fighting...or is your laundry clean?

It's My Game and I Can Cry If I Want To!

Mason started his first season of soccer. Here are a few pictures of today's game...why not any action shots?!? Well there were none to be had, at least not of Mason. Of course as soon as we get in the car he says "I want to play soccer"...well son remember when everyone was on the field kicking the ball, that was your chance! Oh well, some day when he is a super star soccer player Michael and I will look at each other with pride in our eyes and say remember when he cried through his entire first season:) I'm only here for the snacks!

A night at the park

Last weekend we enjoyed an evening walking around the park. Mason got to put his fishing pole in the water, I would not call it fishing since we did not have bait and he caught a grand total of nothing:) None the less we had a good time!

Here is Mason showing me his rock. To me this pictures sums up a three year old boy, a rock in one hand and sticks in the other!

Brayden chilling in the stroller, this was right before he fell asleep.

A Splish Splash Birthday

As posted earlier Mason loves to play in the water, so we thought it would only be appropriate to for an August birthday to include the water.

Here is the cute sign that Melanie made but nobody got to see because it rained the entire 45 minutes prior to the party.

Anytime I asked Mason what he wanted for his birthday he would reply "some cupcakes."

What water party is complete without water gun party favors?

Enjoying the slip and slide. Happy Birthday Mason!!!!

Okay folks, this is the point where I tried to make a slide show of the remaining pictures, but honestly I did not like the way it looked...so I just decided to upload a ridiculous amount of pictures here.

My favorite niece:)

Second cup cakeThird cupcake...but it was his birthday and that was his one request.

Noah was being a tiger

Look how cute these next two are of Ethan...Melanie took them.