DUCKS!

Finally, with this post, I will be caught up from all of our Holiday activities. Before leaving Utah, we took a few minutes to feed the ducks at the pond near my sister Nicole's apartment. Both Mason and Avery had a blast, despite the freezing cold temperatures. Once we got back to the car Mason completely lost it. He must have screamed at the top of his lungs for 5 straight minutes while intermittently yelling 'DUCKS!' whenever he could catch his breath.

As you can see from the video, Mason has
already mastered the art of ignoring his father.

Uncle Shaun and Mason.

Aunt Niki and Avery.

That is one very cold face.

Sanctioned Climbing

While in Utah, we took the kids to a climbing wall along with Aunt Niki, Uncle Shaun, and Aunt Lessie. Avery climbed exceptionally well while Mason primarily enjoyed running around all over the gym. We will definitely have to go again sometime in the near future. On a personal note, Brandon has decided that he needs to lose about 20 pounds and by the end of the year he would like to be able to climb a 5.10 route without killing himself.

Sure, he looks innocent enough.

Janae, running up a 5.9 route.

Avery was a mountain goat during her previous life.

Aunt Lessie.

Mason required a little assistance from Mom.

Uncle Shaun, way up.

Aunt Niki, while she was not taking pictures of everyone's behinds.

According to Avery, this wedgie looks
more painful than it actually was.

Brandon and his fat butt.

A White Post Christmas

After Christmas celebrations in Las Vegas, we took our annual Christmas road trip up to Salt Lake City. We spent several days visiting Grandma Sue, Grandpa Rex, and the rest of the Carlisle family. Avery and Mason quite enjoyed all of the white stuff during our trip to the sledding hill and playing in the backyard.

Mason and his beloved spoon.

What a cutie!

Avery decided that it was most fun going down the hill on
her tummy while her face was buried in the center of the tube.


I didn't have a choice but to post this picture; it is Janae's favorite.

Note the socks on Mason's hands. Needless to say, he didn't last very long.

Snow Angels.

Christmas Morning

This year, we decided to have Christmas morning with just our little family. It was much less chaotic than transporting a car full of gifts back and forth from Utah. Each of the kids got some new clothes, stockings full of treats, a few little toys, and of course they each got a big present from Santa Clause. Avery got a little play kitchen and Mason got a Tool Bench complete with power tools.

Mason spent half of the morning trying to raid Avery's stocking.

I think we spend at least 15 minutes a day trying to
track down all of the loose pieces to Mason's tool set

Princess stuff, are you shocked?

Yes, those are pink Barbie heels.

BYU hat and shirt for Dad.

Believe it or not, Mason is pretty good about only
using his hammer on the tool set and not on his sister.