Mason's newest trick he has started doing the past week is clapping. All it takes is a yummy bite of food, a loud or bright (and slightly annoying) toy, or someone saying, "YAAAAY!!" to induce a round of applause from Mason. After a week of finding things to"yay" every five minutes I've decided we have much to celebrate in our life. Scott and I celebrated our third anniversay on the 18th. This is the first year we have not celebrated our anniversery during finals week, but wouldn't you know the night Scott had a surprise date planned for me in Salt Lake there was a huge snow storm so we decided to stay home and keep it simple by going out to dinner (our favorite activity to do) and watch a movie (our second favorite activity to do). We had a less formal celebration of finally having a functional basement by having Scott's siblings stay with us for Christmas. It was great having Jeremy and Janessa in from Las Vegas. They are expecting their baby girl March 3 and this was the first time we've seen Janessa looking pregnant and she looked great!! Steve came in from Arizona briefly before taking off to Costa Rica with some friends. Vance has traveled far from his apartment in Provo to spend Christmas break with us. We were also happy to have Brandon and Whitney in town from Chicago although they stayed with my parents. Whitney is also pregnant but not really showing yet. By far my favorite part of the holidays was spending so much time with our family we don't get to see often. We celebrated Mason's first Christmas. It was so fun to play "Santa" even though Mason is 8 months old and has no idea what is going on. I am writing this for all new parents as well as a reminder for myself next year. When you are planning Christmas for kids, GO SIMPLE. By the time Mason had Christmas at our house, then at Grandma and Grandpa Murray's, and then at Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Val's he was completely overloaded with toys and we decided to take some back and get him clothes with the money. Next year I will try to keep it simple for him. This is a picture of the nativity we did with Scott's brothers and sisters on Christmas Eve. From left to right we have Josh, Austin (wise men), Kenzie (Camel), Tanner (Joseph), Mason (not very happy Baby Jesus), Jessica (Mary), TayLynn (Angel), Keyana, and Karissa (sheperds). Rachel and Janessa were just baby holders.
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| From left to right we have Josh, Austin (wise men), Kenzie (Camel), Tanner (Joseph), Mason (not very happy Baby Jesus), Jessica (Mary), TayLynn (Angel), Keyana, and Karissa (sheperds). Rachel and Janessa were just baby holders. |
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| "Baby Jesus" Mason |
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| Shepard Mason at Allred Family Party |
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| Mason got a big boy car seat for Christmas. |
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| Mason playing with toys at Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Val's house.Mason enjoying Christmas morning. |
