Operation Christmas Card

Christmas card time really snuck up on me this year! I got about half of my cards out early last week. The remaining cards went in the mail yesterday...hopefully all of our out-of-state friends will get theirs before Christmas! Here are some of the cute shots that I got in the process...

Rub a Dub Dub -- Mason in the Tub!

Later in life Mason will be astounded that I put "bath time" pictures of him on the world wide web for all to see. However, as you can see, the pictures are just too cute not to post! This child LOVES the water!

Announcing...the Colonial Life Arena!

So in case you didn't know, Colonial has changed its name from Colonial Supplemental Insurance to Colonial Life. Therefore, the former Colonial Center is now the Colonial Life Arena! I know...it is all so technical. And hasn't the road that the Colonial office is on always been called Colonial Life Boulevard??? Thank goodness it was never Colonial Supplemental Insurance Boulevard! What a mouthful!

I digress...to celebrate the new name, Colonial had a party for employees and their families at the newly christened arena. Cocky, the cheerleaders, the new basketball coaches, basketball players, face painters, etc. were all in attendance!

Justin & Sally's Pumpkin Carving Party

I know I'm hijacking the pictures from my friend's parties...first the McCarty's shower and now the Brown's pumpkin carving/costume party...but the photos are too good not to share!
Graem and I tag-teamed our jack-o-lantern this year. We were pleased with the results of our bat pumpkin, but it was not really up to par with some of the others. Although we did not win a prize for our pumpkin, I'm proud to announce that I won the Ladies' Costume Contest with my impersonation of Sarah Palin! Graem and Mason did a Star Wars theme...Graem was Luke Skywalker and Mason was Chewbacca.

It's Raining Presents!

We had the pleasure of co-hosting a baby shower for our good friends the McCartys this past weekend. Baby Ruth Ann really racked up with lots of goodies! I especially enjoyed meeting some of Tara's friends from Auburn that I've heard so much about. I thought I'd share some of the pictures from the party...

Grandmama Becker and Mama Tara

Arch surveying Ruth Ann's stash of goods!

Spencer is great with children -- he has had lots of practice for his new role as big brother!

Sally, Tara, me & Auralee: hostesses and guest of honor!

Bison and Elk and Bears -- OH MY!!!

My parents invited us to spend the week with them in Big Sky, Montana a couple of weeks ago (I know -- I am behind on my blogging!). Although Graem could not stay for the entire week, we had a fantastic time! The weather could not have been better -- beautiful, sunny, warm days & chilly nights!

I know from past experience that when the Ropers take a trip, they like to see EVERYTHING...but I don't think Graem and Mason realized what they were in for. We rented a mini-van and put over 2,100 miles on it. That's a lot of driving! We not only saw lots of Montana, but also a good chunk of Wyoming and Idaho. Not to mention we covered every square inch of Yellowstone. Beautiful country!!!

It is hard to say which part of the trip was my favorite. I LOVED Yellowstone. It is such a cool place. The first national park in the world is full of so many wonders of nature! It is truly the grandaddy of national parks.

I also enjoyed watching all the wildlife in their natural habitats. In addition to bison and elk and bears (OH MY!), we saw antelope, mule deer, whitetail deer and moose!

This was Mason's first airplane ride! What a great little traveler! I brought along lots of toys, books, snacks, etc to keep him occupied...but who needs those things? He spent countless hours playing with the armrest, window shade, seatbelt and tray table!

The whole family. This picture was taken in the Porcelein Basin of the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone. As you can see, there is lots of thermal activity in this area...steam vents, geysers, mineral deposits, hot springs. So cool! The ground looks white from all of the mineral deposits. This is how I'd imagine the surface of the moon to look!

Bebe and Mason spending some QT at one of our picnic spots.

This picture was taken at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The yellow color of the walls of the canyon inspired the name of the park.

What a trooper!

Lake Yellowstone

Old Faithful!!!

This is the first of many elk that we saw during our trip. Unfortunately for documenting purposes, we usually saw them early in the morning, at dusk, or at night, so it was difficult to capture them on film. What a regal animal! This one even bugled for us -- twice!

This picture was taken during a hike we took one day. I read in a guide book about some caves in the side of a mountain that had old Indian carvings in the walls. Of course we had to see them! Our little hike was a bit more than we anticipated...it was really steep in places and much longer than we thought it would be -- but totally worth it.

Daddy checking out the view from the top

Daddy climbing in to the mouth of the cave

Share the roads!

Herd of buffalo in the Lamar Valley

Grandaddy and Mason stopping for a photo with Buffalo Bill

A couple of mule deer. Aren't they sweet?

Jackson Lake and the Grand Tetons

Mama Bear. Baby Bear is hiding in the bushes. We saw them outside of the Lazy K Bar Ranch in the Crazy Mountains, north of Big Timber, MT.

Mason playing in the leaves with Bebe

Mama Moose and Baby Moose. Baby is on the right. Big baby, huh?!? This was literally in the yard outside of our condo!

I hope you enjoyed all the pictures! We definitely enjoyed the trip and recommend it for anyone!

What a milestone...

I can hardly believe my little Mason is one year old! In many ways, I can't remember what life was like before he became a part of it. He has brought unmeasurable joy to our lives. We have been richly blessed!

From This:

To This:
Okay, okay...we over-did it on the stripes!

Mason's Birthday Bash!

All these presents? Just for me?!?

Thank goodness Daddy can help me open them!

Favorite gift -- hands down! Thanks, Nana & Grandaddy Clark!

Check out my new ride, Gigi!

Cake for everyone and a "mini-me" version for the birthday boy!

I know what to do with cake! Where's the ice cream?