Mason and I had the good fortune of being able to visit home a couple weeks ago. Sadly, he came down with RSV the day after we arrived and pretty much did nothing for our whole trip. Nothing but lounge around the house and frolic in the backyard. I was so excited to spend some good quality time with James' family and other wonderful friends, but as we were sick, we pretty much didn't get to do anything of the sort. At least we still got to eat Baja Fresh and In-n-Out. Even more importantly, we still got to attend Logan's baptism. We were so proud!

Here are some shots of our trampoline fun. Mason was a big fan.

The Sieg Side

I was smitten by James from the start, but after I got to know his family, I knew I was hooked. My family was out of the country while we dated and so all of our family time was spent with them. Nearly every night after work, I would drive myself over to their home for family dinner where we always had so much fun and they went out of their way to help me feel comfortable. Knowing them helped me love James even more and feel even confident in marrying him. His parents exemplify a happy marriage and it made me all the more excited to be someone's "baby doll" and be loved like his Dad loves his Mom.

Another fun aspect of joining his family was inheriting four cute nieces and a nephew (Conni and Chris' kids) and then little Sophie a year later (Audrey and Rob's little girl). I remember getting a step-grandma when I was twelve and being horrid to her to prove our lack of a relationship (very mature). However, these guys have been so fun and welcoming as I figure out my role as an aunt to older kids.

This trip was primarily spent with my side of the family, but we did get little slivers (not enough) of Sieg fun. Here are some shots from our time together. I got everyone but Audrey and Claire. How did that happen?

Happy New Year!!!!

The New Year didn't start with a bang in the Vance household. It sort of trickled in. As we all gathered around the microwave clock,a car alarm went off in the neighborhood and half the group couldn't contain their glee. Honks and squeals erupted in half the group, while the other half tried to re-instate order. Meanwhile, I just tried not to wet myself from laughing so hard. We woke up Mason and Sydney with our rowdy party and so they celebrated the new year with us. Don't let the pictures fool you. We had been watching a movie up until five minutes before midnight and then promptly started watching it again after our fill of Martinelli's. We Vances know how to party. I hope you got to party, too. Happy New Year!

Let the fun begin!

This Christmas we drove down to California. We planned on leaving a little earlier, but with the help of car problems, we ended up leaving Monday. It was dumping snow, but we figured if we didn't leave then, we never would. As if a $300 car fix fee wasn't enough, our truck broke down again just outside of St. George and we ended up spending the night before we were up and running again.

It's a marshmallow world in the winter!

It was so bright with snow outside that James had to resort to the only sunglasses in the truck. Very hip and cool.

We only let Mason play with the most sophisticated toys.

More California Fun!

I know that this is all really belated, but I really don't get on the internet all that much. I just had a couple more pictures of California that I wanted to post. We really had fun there and miss all the people we got to see.

Mason had fun taking baths in the sink with his grandma!

Valerie gave him some piano lessons.

Uncle Rob!!! Mason FINALLY got to meet his uncle rob for the first time. It was so fun to see little Mason and Sophie together again. Sophie gave me a hint of what I have to look forward to....a lot more activity!

One of the best things about being in California was that Mason did not need to be bundled up! My mom was worried that he was too cold, but to us, it felt like hot!

California Lovin'

James had an especially hard week with midterms and so Mason and I decided to party hard in California with my family. What fun!!! Besides my honeybun not being with us, everything else has been PERFECT!! I really didn't think I minded not having warmth and sun this winter until i got here and realized what I was missing! This has been Mason's first trip to California, so we decided to welcome him to this great state with a little In-n-out burger. (Well, we ate, he watched....and dreamed for the day when he could eat more than just his rice cereal gruel. :)

Don't I look a little like Jay Leno in this picture?

Mason's Blessing

On Mason's Four month birthday, we got to come together and witness his baby blessing. He wore the same little outfit that James wore when he was a blessed.

Don't Mess With Texas

We decided to spend Christmas in Texas with James' family. Mason decided that becoming a real Texan was super important. Here he is modeling Grandpa's new hat. Cowboy up!!