Moments in between the hustle and bustle

To quote Mason's Llamma Llamma Holiday Drama book "Come and listen, little Lllama. Have a cuddle with your Mamma. Sometimes we should take a rest and hold the ones we love the best. Wishing, waiting, wanting things, we forget what this time brings. Gifts are nice but there's another - the true gift is we have each other."

I know I am not alone when it comes to the holidays being a stressful, busy, and exhausting time of year. It seems like from the time Thanksgiving hits to New Years day we are going one hundred miles a day. I have to secretly admit, I kind of love it. 

I am fortunate that I get to throw a birthday party in the mix. It takes a nice support team to help get you through all of it. Thanks Husband, Sister-in-laws, and my mom for all your help.   Here are a couple photos from our camera before it died.            

I found this dalmation fabric for a table cloth, lets see if a halloween costume lies in the future. I will have to learn to sew.

                                                                                                

We had a lovely and simple Thanksgiving with my parents. We deeply missed Cade, Emily and the kids but I think Mason doesn't mind having my Mom and Dad's full attention.

My mom would hate this picture because it is showing the kitchen clutter of the day but that's Thanksgiving, sorry Mom. Anyways, my parents tried a new recipe this year, Sweet and Savory Stuffed Pumpkins. They heard the recipe on NPR. It is not low-fat but it was delicious.

The aroma in the house was intoxicating.

While up at my folks Matt talked me into cutting down a tree from their property. "Think of what a great memory for Mason." My husband is good, really good at convincing me.

He had scoped out a pretty good one, just a little Charlie Brown flare. Mason enjoyed the whole process; stomping around the snow packed woods, cutting it down, tying it to the car and the finished product. Notice I didn't say decorating it? Too much for our two year old maybe next year.

 I think the weight of the Star is a little much for our sweet tree.

This is the first Christmas tree we have had in this house.

A few decorations around the house. I made this Christmas card holder, simple but I love it. I get to enjoy all the cards all day.

Not too many wrapped presents as of now. And definitely not to be placed under the Christmas tree. They are fuel for tantrums so we are sending most of them up to my parents. Poor Mason doesn't quite get that waiting thing.

No stockings either because I know he would pull them down daily and those heavy metal stocking holders would equal a hospital visit. BUT those are little things that come with having a toddler and our house still feels and smells like Christmas. LOVE IT!

                                                                  

In all the craziness we have tried to take some time to just be together.

walks along clear creek

Icy rivers and leafless trees

running on the empty baseball fields

and quiet moments by the sound of the water.

Moments that refresh our souls and keep us living in God's graces. Thankfulness that our hearts are full with love for each other.

We know a Terrific Two Year old

I wrote Mason a letter on his first birthday and decided to do it again for his second. Perhaps I will try to do this throughout his life and for subsequent children but you know how these things go. And because I am a sentimental cheese ball I made him a slide show with music to go with his letter. I just looked and I never posted his first year so you lucked out there.  So if you are really bored at work or with life feel free to watch 120 pictures of Mason's second year! Hopefully I will get some other life related pictures up here soon and some of Mason's birthday party.

Dearest Mason,


We celebrated your 2nd Birthday a week early this year. Your birthday will always fall close to Thanksgiving which is cool because you will get one heck of a feast but sometimes your friends may have to be with their families instead of you. This will only matter while you are 21 and younger. The good thing about turning two is that a Birthday is Birthday. I think you would like to celebrate yours daily. This year we had a fire truck birthday and your left brained mom created something that resembled a fire truck cake but trust me no awards we given out! We talked about your birthday for weeks. Practicing singing Happy Birthday everyday to various people and Characters, so when the big day arrived you sang right along with us. We even it sang it twice, relighting the candles, per your request. At the end you would do a spin and clap saying "Yea Mason."  I guess Dad and I are doing well in the "promoting self confidence in your child" department.


Your second year has been a wonderful one. You have gone from a babbling one year old who was into EVERYTHING to a little boy. I think I noticed the toddler in you start to emerge around 20 months. After spending time in Alaska with Fischer, Eme, and Jack I noticed your speech and manners really take flight. I have to say it is so fun to be your parents.
You are a very curious child, just like one of your favorite characters, Curious George. He is one of your favorite stuffed animals, who along with Bear, share your bed every night. George often goes on trips with us and he comforted you this past week when we went to the doctor for your checkup.


At age two you are sleeping in a big boy bed and have officially given up the bottle you adored so much. We are at the very beginning of the potty training process and feel you will let us know when the time is right for you.


A few months ago you started to like cartoons. We only have basic TV so PBS is your favorite station. I do miss watching the Today show in the morning but Curious George and Super Why have allowed me to have coffee, read the news, and clean. This summer Grandma bought you "Elmo Potty Time," I am not sure what happened to that DVD but I can tell you we both have every line memorized. My favorite is when Elmo's Dad says "Now Elmo where did your mother put that air freshener" and your favorite part is the  use of the word "Dookie." I don't like that word and as parent child relationships go sometimes annoying your parent is a right of passage. I still like to annoy mine. I digress, other favorites that we watch ALL THE TIME include; Thomas the Train, Builder BOB, Curious George, and Dad's favorite Calliou. We are officially submerged in toddler obsessions!


As your parents we think you are going to cure cancer someday but really, you are smart. You can spell your name, say your ABC's, and almost count to 20. You love numbers and nature and of course CBS Sunday morning. You love books and like the DVDs, you have your favorites.


Your dad has taught you about the various cycles the moon goes through and you say them every night before bed. NERDS! Just kidding. Your brain is a sponge but even though you are well on your way to solve world issues you are still a toddler, 100% a little boy who jumps, runs, and swords things with whatever wrapping paper roll you can get your hands on.


You also love Firetrucks, Trash trucks, Buses (especially school buses), trains and big trucks (semi's). No matter what you are doing the sirens of the firetruck or the crunching of the weekly trash pickup will stop you dead in your tracks. You are very concerned about helping people and we play make believe so you can come and rescue you dad or I with your firetrucks and ambulances.
The best is when we need you to sit still for a length of time like during dinner out, we pull up YouTube on our fancy phones and you watch Trash Truck Spec videos. I think the Heil DuraPack side loader is your favorite. I do have to say though the world needs trash truck drivers as a mother I am hoping you will go more along the lines of the cure cancer route. However it works out I will always love you.

Lately you have become obsessed with tunnels. Requesting we drive through one whenever we are in the car. Thank goodness there is a really small one connected to the Coors brewery in our town.


Thank you for the everyday kisses, the hugs, the I love yous, miss yous, pleases and thank yous. Thank you for our nightly songs (Itsy bitsy spider, Twinkle little star, and you are my sunshine) that you sing with me and our nightly prayers. Thank you for the way you love your Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandparents! You melt our hearts all the time. 


Mason we cannot give thanks enough to god for picking us to be your parents. For giving  us this awesome responsibility of raising you. We are looking forward to age two and though I know there are going to be some challenging days I know the moments we can never get back will out weigh those.


Love Always,


Momma and Dad

Slideshow made with Smilebox

Swallow, gulp, I'm 31!

I had no problem with turning 30 but for some reason this birthday hit me a little different. I have come to peace with my new age by telling myself I really feel 28 and praying I will feel that way for a while.

I had a wonderful, special, family filled birthday...just the way I like them. My husband arranged for Nick and Angie to watch the little guy so we could have dinner out at Cafe Prague! You two are the best!

The food was delicious. He also surprised me with some lovely earrings, a departure from his usual yoga pant and back-pack purchases! I love them! He had Mason bring them to me and my card. Mason said "Happy Birthday" and my heart exploded into a million pieces.

Saturday we headed to the mountains! My Fisher boy was eagerly awaiting our arrival.

Its hard to get Mason inside at my mom and dad's. This is my attempt at capturing a moment...I use to walk this trail to the barn every morning and night to feed our horses. I have many memories of heading out in the dark and my dad saying "Watch out for bears!" he is a kidder like that but really was that safe to send their only daughter out there?

Mason was disappointed that Papa had winterized the basketball pad. "Ball no bounce!"

Good thing the swings still work in the snow! Though the structural integrity of this swing set is in question.

My beautiful mother, thanks for still making my birthdays special and for being my best friend and mom! I love you! Oh yeah and why did you let me start drinking at 3?

Can you see the chocolate dog? My Hunter boy who Mason calls Nee Nee, hmmm.

 Never to old for balloons.

And fun gifts like an Ipad. Spoiled, yes I am.

Why is my son out in 20 degree weather with no shoes, coat or hat on. Who is in charge around here?

I'm sure this has nothing to do with the picture above. I liked this picture in a sepia tone, pure class!

Fish face.

Fish face in his hidding place.

Papa giving Mason a hard time, its a right of passage in the Armstead family.

Papa pretending like he is Mason.

Mason is very protective of his B (Blanket) and we all tease him about it. Poor kid.

Making "nakes" with Papa.

Toasted Almond cake ala Mom.

and chocolate covered strawberries.

And a 31 year old who still doesn't know how to handle her wine...oops!

Ode to October

October is a lovely month in Colorado and this one was no exception. It had a nice Indian summer feeling to it with pant and sweater mornings only to end in shorts and tees! Love it!

It included football games at our Alma mater!

Mason's first digger game...yea not much to brag about but they are pretty good this year. Plus his Uncle Nick played so that's something. 

Mason was not a fan of this guy...yes our mascot was a Miner and a Jack-A$$! Can you say weird?

Before the start of Nick's senior year a team-mate, Scott Hahn, was killed in a car accident. That season the team went on to win the RMAC and a playoff game. A memorial was dedicated to Scott at this Homecoming and his parents and brother were in attendance. Bittersweet.

Lets face it, engineers are weird and soon to be engineers are really weird. This is our swim team...burr!

A beer and some hot dogs while catching up with old friends was a nice way to spend a Saturday in October!

October this year also had a bitter sweetness to it! It was the first anniversary of Nancy's passing, 10/7/09. Mason and I spent the day with Angela and Grandma Bert. We went to visit Nancy's grave and Mason's lack of understanding of the moment kept all of us laughing.

Man do we miss her everyday!

October also means ELK! Lots of people like to hunt them, we just like to watch them. This was a fairly large heard near Evergreen, lots of babies.

The Bull Elk tending to his ladies and babies.

October also means picking apples. Grandma and Grandpa's tree fruited well this year.

Mason enjoys helping GG by picking up the rotten ones and really loves to eat the delicious apple sauce from the good ones.

Mason with his GG

Mason on time out!

 GG couldn't stand to see him in trouble so she decided it was a good moment for a photo, made me laugh.

October also meant a first birthday for a special little guy, Sawyer Phillips!

Their Little pumpkin turned one! I wish I had gotten more photos of Trisha's adorable decorations but here is a part of them.

 

Father and Son moments

Catching up with some of my dearest friends! Kathryn delivered 6 days after this, baby Thea Valdez is here and GORGEOUS! Another October blessing!

Family photos!

Sawyer with one of his grandpas (Trisha's Dad)!

October included lunch with Aunt Angela and Oreo cookies she had in her purse. Mason graciously accepted those!

 

October has meant zoo visits, the elephants are the favorite especially when they throw dirt on themselves.

Community Center art classes. Mason completed 4-weeks and stared at his blond teach the whole time. The last day he gave her a BIG hug and said "thanks" I beamed at how sweet my lil guy can be. I do think the "big hugs" for cute blonds he gets from my dad.

 

And as we all know, this beautiful month ended with Halloween! A warm one. Mason enjoyed his first pieces of candy a little too much! He did make one cute spider.

Matt went all out per usual with his costume.

Mason is still telling me "trick or treat" at all times of the day hoping magically that candy will appear in his Elmo. Guess he will have to wait a few more weeks until his birthday....

"Just before the death of flowers,

And before they are buried in snow,


There comes a festival season


When nature is all aglow."


- Author Unknown