Is it Christmas Time Yet?

The first of our three Christmas celebrations started at Nannie and Poppy Snyder's where we celebrated with the Moss/Snyder clan.  Jimmy made some great steaks and we all had a great time watching football, chatting and watching the kids play.  It was so great to hear all the kids giggling and squealing opening their presents.

For the last few weeks, Mason has been asking "Is it Christmas time?!" every morning when he wakes up.  We celebrated our Moss family Christmas a few days early since we were going to be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas with the Gillispie's.  After Mason went to bed, Richard and I were setting up everything for Christmas morning.  Richard was assembling the Radio Flyer big wheel when he noticed a part was missing from the box.  So, off to town he went to try to track down the missing part… at MIDNIGHT before our Christmas morning.  He was on a mission to make sure Mason's Christmas morning was perfect!

Mase was so excited to open his presents!  He cleaned house!  Some of his favorites were a Batman bat cave, a big wheel, a black dragon, a big dump truck, paints, a car roller coaster and a shape-splitter from the Umi Zoomi cartoon that Mom made.  

So fun to see that sweet little face light up on Christmas morning!

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day at the Gillispie's house in Kimberling City.  Papa Jack made a delicious Mexican dinner on Christmas Eve.  On Christmas day, we were joined by The Halsey's and Uncle Josh and Aunt Paula.  Mason loved opening Christmas presents alongside Jackson. The boys spent all afternoon playing with their new toys.  So much fun to hear the boys giggling and running around.

Merry Christmas from the Moss Family

Clearly Mason and Santa have spent some quality time together.  

The Christmas card should read: "Hope Santa picks out something nice for you!"

Richard, Julie and Mason - December 2013

Preschool Christmas Program.
Mason was sad because he would have rather have Dad hold him instead of be up on stage.  

'Tis the Season

Mason has been so much fun this year for Christmas!  He gets excited anytime he sees Santa and loves seeing where our elf, Elfis, is hiding each morning.

He has asked Santa for a shape splitter (which doesn't exist, so Mom is going to make one) and a Batman toy.  

Today we had this sweet interesting conversation about Christmas:

Mason: Is it almost Christmas time?

Julie: Yes.  Do you know why we celebrate Christmas?  It's because it's Jesus's birthday.

Mason:  Jesus was born in a stable and three wise men got on their donkey's and ride over there.  Jesus was born in a nest and the animals tried to eat him.

This is one of our Christmas books.  It's probably where the whole "Jesus was born in a nest and the animals tried to eat him" thing came from.  

Even though he added his own little twist, I love that he is beginning to understand the true reason for the season.  

Fall 2013

Lots of leaves here at the Lake!

We spent lots of time at the park!  

A view of our backyard.  Simply gorgeous! I know people come to the lake during the summer, but I would say it's pretty amazing here in the fall, too.  

Mason's first trip to the movies.  We saw Planes and Mason lasted nearly an hour before we the candy ran out had to leave.  Not too bad.  

Fall trip to Silver Dollar City.  Mason loved the carousel.

Fishing with Dad at Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Trick or Treat!

Guy Time

Mason and Richard have started implementing weekly "Guy Time" where they go out and do guy stuff.  I've got to say, it warms my heart to see them drive off in the Jeep and bond as father and son.  Both of them really look forward to Guy Time.  And let's be honest, I really enjoy the quiet time.

This week's guy time consisted of go-carts, mini-golf, and pizza.  Both Richard and Mase were excited to tell me about the trip.  And, for the record, Mason made 2 hole-in-ones and Richard got none.  

Getting ready to show the track who is boss!

Summer 2013

Summer of 2013 was a busy one!  Some highlights were a day-cation to the Tulsa Aquarium, trips to the lake, hanging out with cousin Jackson, lots of trips to the park and pool and moving from Marshfield to Four Seasons.  Lot's of great family memories were made!

Wading in the lake with Dad

Throwing rocks in Table Rock Lake

July 2013

1560 Spring Brook Hills
Lot's of memories in this house!  

Cousin Fun!

Mason loves wearing "gobbles"

Mason supervising the yard work

Monkey-ing around on a rainy day

Fishin' at Bass Pro

Donut picnic at the park

First day of preschool at The Academy of Osage Hills

Chilling on the porch

Family picture after a long day of birthday partyin'

Mason's 3rd Birthday

We had a fantastic day to celebrate Mason's 3rd birthday!  Each day we are thankful he is growing up healthy and strong; yet it's bittersweet because time is going by so quickly!  We love him so much it hurts!  Happy 3rd Birthday Mason Moss!

We celebrated Mason's birthday at our new house in Four Season's.  A lot of family drove in quite a ways to help us celebrate, which made Mason feel so special!  It's a great feeling to look at your kid smiling and laughing surrounded by people who love him!  Guests included: Grandma and Papa Gillispie, Nannie and Poppy Snyder, Papa Moose, Aunt Jill, Uncle Jack, Jackson, Aunt Gala, Uncle Brad, Noah, Addie, Lincoln and Hendrix and Travis, Natalie and Reagan Bruce.

Mason requested pizza for his birthday, so we had a big Italian spread of lasagna, baked ziti, Italian salad, and fish shaped pizza for the kids.  For dessert we had cupcakes, 'fishing rods' (chocolate dipped pretzels), and 'fish bobbers' (dipped donut holes).

Fish cupcakes, bobbers (dipped donut holes) and fishing poles (chocolate dipped pretzel rods)

Mason got lots of new toys!  Some of his favorites were cars from Papa Moose, a picnic food pack from the Snyder's, a tool belt set from the Halsey's and a Daniel Tiger doll from Richard.

Thanks all for helping us celebrate!