Mason Family Christmas Letter 2008

Christmas 2008

To sum up. . .

Laena's a senior in high school, vice president of the girl's choir, and looking forward to college. Working again at MickeyD's, and dating King Julian.

Clinton is a junior this year, working at Pizza Hut, and studying 3D Animation at the Tech Center.

Eric is also in eleventh grade. He's working on his Eagle Scout project, a massive food drive, and enjoying his job at the local movie theater.

Tommy's over at the middle school. (I can't believe we have all these big kids!) He's been having fun tearing Charlie's 'parts truck' a-part, got his Life Scout rank, and started up piano lessons again.

Aleia is the life of the party, full of energy and excitement. She was recently picked to help lead the 3rd grade, as a chorister, in the Majestic Elementary Christmas sing-along! : )

Jefferson has started Kindergarten, loves to play with his friend Evan, and digs cars.

Lincoln, (aka The Binky), is growing up fast, learning how to talk, and climb, and make messes. : ) We love our Binky! What a cutie!

Charlie's finishing up school, for now, and Amy is ever holding down the fort here at home.

I'm thinking about taking a class or two in the spring, and Charlie's thinking about taking a break. : )

Between Scout Master responsibilities, the 7 kidlets, Coca-Cola, school, church, and household stuff, we would have to agree that we do have our hands full.

Happy Holidays! Love, The Mason Family

Christmas Eve!

My favorite day of the year! It's here! It's been a great day so far. . Laena is over at McDonald's, sporting her Daddy's very special Santa Claus hat, on loan from the man himself. : ) Charlie took all three big boys to work with him today. .  He'd volunteered to help merchandize at a local grocery store this morning. (Translation: pull product from the back room and stock the shelves.) The four of them dressed up, for a little while at least, in candy striped red and white Coca-Cola work shirts. It was a sight to see! Of course Tommy and Clint thought the shirts looked too much like. . pink. So that didn't last too long, but at least I got a picture! Charlie thought it would be good to get the boys up early, so they could experience the joy of distributing soda to the masses this Christmas! They blew through the drive-thru at MickeyD's, grabbed some sausage biscuits, hollered hello to Laena, and they were off! On their merry way. . : ) Working together as a family, and making some great memories! Aleia and I plan to paint our nails, and make cookies for Santa!  : )

Last night Charlie and I drove over to the Jordan River Temple. It's amazingly beautiful, silhouetted in stark brilliant relief against the black velvet of the winter night sky. It's all white, with vertical stained glass running from top to bottom. Love it! We then finished up some last minute Christmas shopping, while Laena babysat. Swung by and picked Eric up on our way home. It was perfect timing. He was just getting off work, and toting another enormous bag of theatre popcorn for Clint to use as 'cushion' for one of the presents he's still gotta wrap. . We might try to make a whole lot of popcorn balls with whatever's left over. . . : )

Contest Winner!

Finally! We've posted a video announcing the results of the Christmas Sweater Contest. Some lucky guy or gal will win a copy of our favorite radio talk show host Glenn Beck's latest publication, The Christmas Sweater, personally signed by the man himself. Yes, it will be a Merry Christmas! Signed, sealed, and delivered. And would the winner please contact me ASAP with his/her mailing address, so we can send him/her this lovely gift! Thanks again, and Happy Holidays!

Christmas Sweater Contest!

Some of you may have noticed the lovely red and white Glenn Beck ad/reference here on my blog. So pretty! So festively decorated! : ) Hey, what can I say? I'm a fan.

As luck would have it, I happen to have access to a signed copy of Glenn's fabulous new book, The Christmas Sweater, just recently released! I was planning on buying tickets to the corresponding simulcast here in a week or so, but in keeping with traditional December craziness, our girls' Choir concerts/sing-a-longs, by sheer coincidence, happen to land on the same 2 nights. ARGH! Needless to say, I have mixed emotions.

So all right, Glenn. . . You're pretty popular, ain't cha? Of course you are! People lining up all over the country to see your show . . You're a pretty cooI guy, right? I sure think so. : ) You brighten my chaotic afternoons! You're one of my favorite people. Radio show rocks!

So. . maybe we'll do a little contest, here on my blog. . to help ya out. As if you needed any. . . But I don't mind plugging your latest gift to mankind, because I'm just that kinda gal!  : )

How 'bout this: Everybody who leaves a comment, with their favorite quote, (be it inspirational or otherwise), here on my blog. . . will be entered in a fun little holiday contest! And who will win this signed copy of Glenn's fantastic new Christmas novel? The lucky person whose name my 6 year old picks out of a hat at the end of next week. Say, Friday night, December 19th? Be sure to check back for the video drawing!

All righty then! Sound good? Yeah, I thought so. : ) Who could pass up a chance like this? It's fabulous! A fun, entertaining, and inspirational holiday treat! Just leave your favorite quote, and your email, as an entry here in 'comments'!

Good luck to you all! Merry Christmas!

This Is Why . . Piano Lessons!