Merry Christmas!

Mason working on home-made Christmas gifts.

Jolie, looking sweet in her Christmas dress.

Mason reading a Christmas story

Christmas is only a few days away.... Mason is trying to stay on Santa's "nice" list, we've had a few incidents where he almost landed himself on the "naughty" list though!!! All part of being two and a half years old I guess. Jolie is still in Santa's good graces. She is a really happy and content baby, although lately she's been a little clingy (mostly to her favorite person...daddy...who spoils her already!).

For those of you wondering if your Christmas card got lost in the mail...it didn't. I ordered photo cards almost 2 weeks ago, and I still have not recieved them. At this point there is no way they'll make it to everyone by Christmas - so it will be a belated Christmas card, but keep checking your mail box 'cause I'm still sending them as soon as they come!

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas with lots of love!!!!

Rose, Paul, Mason, and Jolie!

Santa baby...Mason and Mommy too!

Santa was in Viera this weekend, so we decided to go meet him! The whole way there, Mason and I talked about what he was going to say to Santa. However, when Mason actually saw Santa, he got a little shy. I handed Jolie to Santa - she did great for about 3 seconds. Just as I was telling Mason that Santa was a good guy, Jolie starts crying. I finally got Mason to sit on my lap next to Santa - its what we had to do last year as well. Needless to say, Mason didn't tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas so we told him we'd mail him a letter. Oh well, there's always next year! Merry Christmas!

Happy Trails, Dexter

A week ago we said goodbye to part of our family. We had to make the very hard decision to find Dexter a new home because a couple weeks ago, he bit Mason in the face. I'm not sure what Mason may have done to provoke the biting, but it doesn't matter considering this is not the first time he has bit him. We had to make the best decision for the safety of our children.

On the bright side, my dad offered to give Dexter a good home. This, as it turns out, is working out beautifully for everyone involved. My dad has been taking care of my grandma who is suffering from Alzheimer's. Dexter has given Grandma a new focus. Every evening my dad takes Dexter and Grandma for walks. He reports that Dexter has a "Napoleon Complex " barking at all the dogs in the neighborhood, even ones quadruple his size! That's my Dexter...not afraid of any dog...he once beat up a pit bull (poor Sasha!) I'm sure Dexter's happy-go-lucky demenor is also helpful for my dad's "caregiver stress", taking care of Grandma has been really taxing for him. At the same time, I have the peace of mind in knowing that my children are safe, and we can always visit Dexter whenever we want. Mason has asked every day where Dexter is. Paul has even admitted to missing him (yes, the same Paul who has been trying to give Dexter away for the past 4 years!)

We miss him a lot but we know he is happy and bringing joy to people we love!

Congratulations, Paul

We are so proud to announce that Paul was promoted to Sergeant on October 15, 2008. It might have been sooner, but I decided to have my labor induced the day he was supposed to have his interview. How selfish of me. These are some pictures of Paul accepting his promotion. He called me up to pin his new badge to his shirt. Of course, the whole time I was up there he was coaching me on how to properly pin the badge (as if the holes sewn into the shirt where the badge should go weren't self explanatory enough!) Mason, along with his token lollipop (he always seems to have one), decided he wanted to be part of the ceremony as well. Paul has worked so hard for this and we couldn't be prouder!!

Welcome Jolie!

I can't say that this whole blog thing was my idea. I got it from Bonnie, who sent me her blog address yesterday. What a cool way to keep everyone posted! So, needless to say...I'm just playing a little bit of catch up. Most of you already know that we welcomed our beautiful baby girl, Jolie Rose on September 26.

We couldn't have asked for a better baby, when she isn't sleeping, she's cooing and smiling. Aside from a little fussiness around dinner-time, she is really mellow. Thank goodness for that because anyone that has ever met Mason knows that we have our hands full enough with him! Mason is adjusting to his new role as big brother very well. He loves his little sister and is constantly trying to give her kisses and hugs. He even shares "Doggie" with her when she is sad.