A visit with Santa!

The mall at Christmas time, not just Christmas time .. but Thanksgiving weekend.  Seriously NOT the place I like to be.  The crowds.  The sales.  The pushy sales people.  I don't like it.  BUT, I've found that it is the absolute best time to tackle the annual "picture with Santa."  People are in shopping mode, but not necessarily in Santa mode.  Which means NO LINE!!  Plus, we go early in the morning right when it opens so that helps, too.  

I wasn't sure what Mason was going to do this year with Santa.  We had been talking about Santa to which he pointed at his picture and repeated the name (but refused to say HO HO HO).  But, he's been going through this separation anxiety thing lately and I thought for sure this year's picture would include my big old mug in the photo.  But, Mason was a pro.  He waved from afar and then we placed Owen on Santa's lap first.  I firmly believe that Mason would walk into fire to follow his big brother.  So Mason had absolutely no problem sitting on the knee opposite Owen.   It's never tough to get two kids to pose when all of the pressure is on.  I can't remember exactly what was said during the winning pose, but Mason was tickled.  And Owen was beaming.   I'll take it! 

Oh, and what they asked for?  I never know what's going to come out of Owen's mouth when put on the spot.  But, apparently, Owen wants Iron Man dress up clothes and, per Owen, Mason wants Yo Gabba Gabba toys.   Santa better get cracking! 

Our trip to JMU!

Over the past few years, we've tried to make an annual trip to Harrisonburg, VA to visit JMU (where I went to college) and take in a football game.   We go to [almost] all of the Maryland football games (where Brian went to college) so it's only fair that we give some love to my Alma Mater.   As an added bonus, my little brother, Kyle, is now a freshman at JMU so there's an added bonus of getting to spend time with him!  

This year, the football game was at 1:30 pm so by the time we got down there, parking was on short order.  We decided to park and stay on campus and eat lunch with Kyle at the dining hall (D-Hall).  I had not been in D-Hall since well before I graduated in (cough) 1997.   It was so nostalgic and crazy for me to be back there after all those years, with my little brother (who was 1 when I started there as a freshmen those so many years ago) and now with  my husband and kids.   Where does the time go?   

Then it was off to the football game .... after a quick stop at Kyle's dorm room so the boys could get in their gear and ready to root for the Dukes! 

It was a great day for a football game ... weather was in the 60's and sunny.  The stands were packed.  And the Dukes won! 

Owen and I ran into the Duke Dog on a potty run.  We tried to find him again later in the game and after the game, but the Duke Dog eluded us.  Next time, I'll get a pic with Mason and Uncle Kyle, too.  

We had a great time at JMU.  And can't wait til next year when we get to go back again!

Go Dukes! 

Trick or Treat!

Last Halloween, as we pushed Mason around Great Falls Village in his stroller, I thought ahead to this Halloween.  I thought, Mason will be walking then!  And I couldn't wait to see him walking through the Village in his costume along side his older brother.  Halloween was so nice to come on a Sunday this year.  There was no rushing home from work, no rushing into the costumes and onto the festivities.  Instead, it was one long day of Halloween event after event.   There was time planned in between for Mason to nap.  But, he had other plans, choosing to only slumber for 30 minutes.  No time for sleep ... today was Halloween.  And my boys, dressed as Batman and Robin, had stuff to do!

Batman Owen fighting "the crimes"

Mason, the fearless sidekick

First, was our neighborhood "Spook Out."  It's a couple hours of games and treats... but my favorite part is seeing the local kids dressed in their costumes and catching up with the other parents.  We were happy the local grandparents stopped by the festivities and stayed to suffer through watch the Redskins football game. 

Mason, running off with a neighborhood girl

Owen and our monster pumpkin

Mason and his crazy Poppy!

The dynamic duo, plotting their day

The Caped Crusader can eat a doughnut without any hands!

Robin has no trouble carrying two pumpkins! 

 

We met up with one of Owen's friends who was also dressed as Batman at the Village.  They soon found another Batman and proceeded to terrorize Great Falls.  They had a blast!  (let's not mention the man in the yellow hat they almost took out!)

Robin and his "Super" Daddy!

And I just love this picture ... taken just as we arrived in the Village.  Do you see how Owen is so protective of his brother? ... Look at his hand, just holding Mason back as they survey the surroundings.   So sweet :) 


Last, was trick or treating around the neighborhood.  We loaded up the two superheroes in the wagon and they pretended it was their Bat-mobile.   We trolled until we were sure Great Falls was safe, we had collected enough candy and finally our little superheroes were done for the day!

Happy Halloween!