Ten on Tuesday - March 27

1.  Well, it's finally happened, and we're frankly surprised it took this long.  Lincoln can open his bedroom door now.  He came in to our room this morning rather than waiting for us to go get him.  Luckily, it was during our morning game of alarm-clock wars.  But we ARE thinking we might need to get one of these, just to head off any potential 4 am wake-ups.

2.  I've decided to start a Project Life binder this year.  I've mentioned on my craft blog that I started doing a line-a-day five-year journal this year, and since I've been really good about doing Ten on Tuesday posts on both blogs, I think I can catch up.  Plus I'm aiming for more of a journal type project than a family scrapbook.

3.  And because I'm starting that, I've been trying to take pictures more.  Especially of random everyday things.  The other day in the car I got out my phone (don't worry, Tyler was driving), and when I mentioned that I wanted a picture of something, Lincoln asked me if I was going to take a picture of him.  So I did.  

 

4.  On Friday night, Tyler and I went to see The Hunger Games.  And I loved it.  I've been a fan of the books for a few years now, so I was very excited when I heard they were making a movie, but also a little concerned about how the story would translate to the big screen.  And I have to say that they did a phenomenal job.  One of the best adaptations I've seen. 

5.  Uncle Jake and Aunt Courtney (Tyler's brother and his wife) took our sweet nephew Bentley and moved back to Utah this week.  Obviously we'll miss Jake and Courtney, but there's texting and skype to keep in touch with them (she says dismissively).  There's no technology to replace holding and smelling a sweet baby.

6.  Speaking of Skype, on Saturday Lincoln was playing with my iPad and announced that he wanted to talk with Nana and Stormy (my parents).  So I checked with my mom, and we set it up.  I love technology.

6.  We're excited about General Conference this weekend!  We'll be watching at home, either on the local channel, if knology deigns to air it, or on our Roku if necessary.

7.  Speaking of our Roku, the BYU channel was one of the main selling features.  We're planning to get one for the other tv as well.

8.  We started watching Dr. Who this weekend to find out what all the fuss is about.  After the first episode, I was completely mystified as to why it’s so popular!  But we stuck it out and watched the second episode, and it looks like it’s getting better.

9.  We're in the market for a double jogging stroller.  I've got my eye on this one. 

10.  If you have the chance to play Five Crowns, I highly recommend it.  It's a fun family game.  Jake and Courtney took that with them to Utah, too, though, so on Saturday I picked up Quiddler, which is made by the same people.  It's like a scrabble card game.  Fun, but a bit more challenging.

Family Pictures

No Ten on Tuesday post this week.  But we do have some pictures.  First of all, we got family pictures taken on Saturday!  Thanks go to Dawn (and Shawn, of course, but we all know it's Dawn's project) for letting us use her farm, and to Kim Greenfield of A Green Field Photography.  If you're in the Huntsville area, I highly recommend her!  Here is the link to the pics that she's posted so far.  We can't wait to see the rest!

And now just some snapshots at home.

Tyler got Lincoln a Cars alphabet book.  This is how Lincoln "practices his letters":

Mason is SO close to being able to sit up on his own.  Last night, Tyler was helping him, and I managed to snap a picture.  He sat like that for almost a full minute.  Yay, Mason!

 

And now just some pictures of Tyler and I each with our two boy-children.  I love when Lincoln wants to climb up and sit with Mason.  He's so good at sharing a lap.  :)

 

Three Going on Thirteen

This was Lincoln's reaction this morning when we tried to wake him up:

We consider ourselves fairly warned for the teenage years.

Ten on Tuesday - Vote!

1.  If you're in Alabama, head to the polls!  It's no secret, but we'll be enthusiastically voting for Mitt.  And if you're local, we also support Mo Brooks and Chris Messervy.  Feel free to ask Tyler for all the details.

2.  Tyler replaced our garbage disposer this week.  What a handyman!  I was totally impressed.

 
3.  Last Thursday, Lincoln threw up while we were getting ready to head out the door, so I stayed home with the kids. I guess getting that out of his system made all the difference because 30 minutes later he was up and playing.  I wasn't too upset to spend some unplanned time with my boys.  And when Lincoln still had some tummy troubles on Friday, it turned into a 4-day-weekend!  No complaints here.

4.  Lincoln is such a great helper!  The other day, he was REALLY excited to help me feed Mason.  I love it.  In about 3 more months, I can just assign that to Lincoln permanently.  ;)

5.  Mason's stats at his 6-month check-up:  22.0 lbs, 27.5 in.  That puts him in the 95th for weight and the 80th for length. (charts)  He was 6 lb 10 oz and 18 in. when he was born (premature) 6 months ago.  We feel so blessed he's hale and hearty.

6.  On Sundays, we usually go over to Tyler's parents for dinner and then hang out for a little while.  As we were getting ready to leave, Tyler told Mason something that (as Tyler put it) if anyone tells him in HS, he'll be grounded for life: "Let's put your pants on and take you home."

7.  The boys are going to Tyler's sister's during the day this week.  Apparently Lincoln and his older cousin got into the mio, and for some reason, Lincoln wanted James to poor it down his back.  I'm not sure who's idea that was, but he was red from his shoulders to his bum.  Silly kids.

8.  Today Angela is loading the kids up and taking them to the train museum!  I hope she took a camera...

9.  For some reason, Lincoln has started putting his hands up by his face when he says cheese.  So the other day I took a picture of my boys all laying on the floor, and Tyler joined in the fun:

10.  Lincoln got a monster truck track for his birthday.  He LOVED it.  Apparently, Mason's a fan, too. 

Ten on Tuesday

1.  I weighed Mason Friday morning.  He is 21.6 lbs.  His 6-month check-up is in a week, and I can't wait to see his "official" weight.

2.  We made the Great Carseat Switch this weekend.  We got Lincoln a booster seat and moved Mason into the carseat Lincoln was using (but switched to rear-facing).  Lincoln was a little older when he moved into the bigger seat, but not much.  Here's our comparison.

3.  Mason's also the chillest baby now that he's over some stomach issues he had.  Lincoln practically mauls him (softly), and Mason just coos and laughs.

4.  Lincoln loves to push Mason in the stroller.  Adorable, right? He needs a little help steering sometimes, but it's actually pretty effective to keep him entertained.  And Mason just likes to check things out, so he's pretty content with the arrangement.

5.  We went to Spoiled Rockin' Kidz Salon last Thursday to get Lincoln's yearly professional cut.  Lincoln thought the clippers tickled.  Mason just chilled.

 

6.  Anyone interested in $5 off a roku?  We can give you a referral, and then we both win.  Just let me know.

7.  This is our niece Gwen holding Mason.  She is 4. 

8.  Tyler was "scaring" Mason and making him giggle.  I had to get video.  Sorry about Motab in the background - next time I'll remember to turn down the tv.

 

9.  Lincoln has decided he loves angry birds.  I've never played, but he sends the birds backwards most of the time.  It's awesome.

10.  So I think we're going to load my old cell phone with angry birds and just a bunch of other Lincoln games.  Any suggestions?