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!