Happy 2nd Birthday!

Despite a rough start to the birthday (up during the night for about two hours (not sure why, birthday hype perhaps?!) and falling out of his crib), Mason's 2nd birthday was filled with fun and beautiful weather!

 Lately this is how Mason prefers to drink milk - one hand up to the ear.

 Enjoying his birthday lunch (grilled steak, pork and chicken, parmesan oven potatoes, grilled broccoli, and salad, heavy on the cranberries for Mason) with daddy...

 and both sets of grandparents and his uncle, Neal.  The other uncles (Joel and Bobby) and aunt (Britney) were greatly missed!

 It's my birthday!

 Two candles!  Already!!

 Mason enjoyed being sung to several times today.  Daddy and Mommy sang to him when he woke up, then mommy and daddy's Sunday school class sang to him, then with his birthday cake for lunch, and then again with mimi, grandpa, mommy, and daddy before bed.  Each time Mason had a big smile on his face!

 Digging into the cake and "i me" (ice cream).

 Due to lack of sleep and wanting to play with his new kitchen, we did experience a few tears during present time.  But, to his credit, Mason did really well and held himself together!

 He spotted the kitchen (being "hid" in the dining room) and couldn't focus on any other present.  He was too excited to play!

 Bulldozer and flashlights from Neal.  Those flashlights are a big hit!

 Being pulled back to daddy's lap to continue opening gifts.  When he wasn't preoccupied with the kitchen, he was quite interested in tearing off the paper and opening gifts.

 Kitchen set accessories - fridge food, utensils, and pots and pans.

 My camera battery died and I haven't gotten the pictures from mom's phone yet, but Mason also received a train table from mommy and daddy and a John Deere scooter from mimi and grandpa.  Believe you me, that scooter will show up in many a picture over this summer!  He loves it and we even took in on a ride after his nap!

 Mason was out like a light at nap time.  He slept for about three and a half hours and we finally decided (at 6:15) that it was time to wake him up!

 Still sooo sleepy!

 Got him to stand next to his growth chart to get his two year sticker in place.  We measured him when we got the chart in late February and he was already an inch taller today.

 After nap we took the scooter for a walk.  We walked/scooted from our house to Kidron Park and then hiked the trails there and enjoyed the beautiful Spring evening.

 So nice to have mimi and grandpa (and Neal, but he left after the party so he could work tomorrow) here this weekend.

 Lots of flowers!

 Happy family on a perfect evening walk!

Quite the curious herd of cattle checking us out!

After our walk we enjoyed pizza for supper, a little more playtime with mimi and grandpa, and Mason was tucked into bed as a two-year-old!

Although some days and weeks may have felt long, it truly is hard to believe we've been blessed with such a sweet child for two whole years!  He really is so fun right now and we're so glad he's ours!  Happy Birthday Mason!

Fire Truck

Mason is just starting to play well independently.  He's always been good at staying entertained, but I realized a few weeks ago that he'll play and not come to check on me or need to be near me at all times.  

 He got this fire truck from his uncle Neal for Christmas.  I put it in the closet after he played with it for a few days to save it for when he was more interested in trucks.  I was cleaning out that closet a few days ago and saw it.  I put it on the toy bench figuring Mason would be ready for it.

He's been having a good time with it and especially enjoys the lights, sires, and doors that open.  It's fun to see him "playing" with things and using more imagination.  He's just growing up and doing so many new, fun things!

Work It!

Mommy exercising in the basement to a video is not an uncommon site.  I try to do it before Mason wakes up in the morning or during nap time.  On this particular day, I didn't get it done on either occasion and instead had some extra resistance! 

 Brian was working upstairs and I had Mason in the basement with me.  He will usually play or swing, but he thinks what I'm doing is so silly and wants me to hold him.  He just laughs and laughs, but holding him in my arms is more than I need!

 I called up to Brian and asked him to bring the backpack down.  Crazy, I know, but I thought I'd give it a shot!  I did one whole "mile" of the DVD with Mason on my back.

He thought it was just grand and giggled away.  He also held on and shifted his weight making it hard to stay balanced and really focus on what the DVD was telling me.  When I took him off and kept going with the DVD, it felt really weird!  I had lost 30 pounds!  I think we'll stick to hiking with the backpack from now on!

Good Morning Sunshine!

What I found on one particular morning...

What a sweet child!  I left him alone for too long and this is what I got!  I've learned that Mason needs a little wake up time before getting up.  Today he was a busy boy!  He did this again the next day but only had the sleeper part way unzipped, and his leg wasn't out.  How funny!  And, don't you love his sleepy eyes?!

Happy Easter! And Egg Hunt # 4

We had a great Easter Sunday!  We went to church, then home for a bit to give Mason his Easter basket and grab our food for the Kratzer lunch, then to Veryl's for lunch and egg hunt #4, then to mom and dad's for the rest of the afternoon.

 Mason's basket - most exciting thing was the sunglasses which was the first thing he pulled out.  His eyes lit up and he was eager to get them out of the packaging.

 He doesn't really like wearing them, but enjoys trying to put them on his face.  I'm just happy that after a week they are still full intact!

 Stud muffin!

 Fourth and final egg hunt for 2012!  Mason is now a pro!

 Second cousins hunting and being instructed to save some for the little ones!

 Mason and mommy looking for eggs.

 Mason giving baby Aaron a kiss.  He had to get right up in his face as to give him a proper kiss.  It was cute!

 Very much loves this tractor even though he can't make it go.  But boy does he like sitting on it and having someone push him around!

 Family picture - one of many.  Mason was determined to keep his fingers in his mouth.

After nap snuggle time with daddy.  It's coveted and enjoyed!

Egg Hunts 2 & 3

On Saturday Mason got to go to hunt eggs two different times!

 P Graham Dunn hosts an Easter Egg Hunt for kids the Saturday before Easter.  Also included in the morning fun was a petting zoo, crafts, and Veggie Tales Easter movie.  Since daddy was working and it was a nice morning, I thought it would be fun to check it out.  I wasn't too worried how many eggs Mason would pick up, but he did really well.  It was a mad dash in his age group (0-3) to pick up eggs scattered all over the grass.  Not much "hunting" to do, but we ended up with six and Mason surprised me by spotting and picking up the eggs and putting them in his basket.

After the egg hunting was done we went into the gallery to look around, see the crafts, and look at the newly hatched chicks.

 Then it was back outside to the pond area.  Mason loved it!  We also checked out the lambs, goats, and calf in the petting zoo.  Contrary to his face in the above picture, we had a fun time and enjoyed the morning.  Mason especially enjoyed the egg treats - Tootsie Rolls!

 After PGD we met daddy at home and hurried off to Kidron Park for the second egg hunt.  Kidron Community Council hosts an Easter Egg Hunt for kids in the community.  Since daddy is on council we made sure to be there (since he was supposed to help!).  It was a beautiful afternoon and we had a great turnout.

 The egg hunt for Mason's age group (1-3) was much the same as PGD - eggs scattered through the grass.

 And a little more hidden for the older age group.  The oldest group's eggs were hidden in the woods along the back ball field.  I didn't get any pictures, but I think they found them all!

 Sweet Gretta!

 And they're off!  The younger group needed lots of direction and help from the parents and grandparents.

After all the eggs were found everyone gathered back at the pavilion for pizza, chips, and punch.  What a fun time!  Thanks Kidron Community Council!