Halloween 2010

This year we had a Sock Monkey and a Bumble Bee ...yes, same as last year, but it was just too cute to only use once!

We all got to dress up for the Boo Bash.

Trick-or-treating with the gang!

Monday Mugs

Happy Monday!

Addie, our little gymnast

Addie started another gymnastics class & loves it! She first took one when she was two years old and a lot has changed since then. Now there is no parent participation, but we get to watch, wave & take pictures :)
Her technique could use a little work, but she sure looks cute doing it!

Who looks like who?

I guess Mason really is a perfect combo of his mommy & daddy! Addie is pretty close too!

Here was Addie's last meter...she's always been a daddy's girl!

Get your own Look-alike Meter

First Steps

One week after his first birthday, Mason took his first steps. Mommy picked him up from daycare and he surprised everyone & walked about 3 feet to her!

He has gradually taken more & more steps & will soon be off & running!

Mason is ONE!

Mason is now one!

After much thought & debate, we decided to forgo a large birthday bash for our little boy. Instead, we opted for a fun family day & since all of our extended family lives far away, it was just the four of us. Brian & I took the day off work and we were blessed with a beautiful fall day!

We started off with some birthday pancakes. Pancakes have become the preferred breakfast on most days when we don't work and it was time for the big boy to join in on the tradition. He loved them & couldn't shove them in fast enough!

Next, after his nap & lunch, we all went to the pumpkin patch! The kids enjoyed seeing the animals & picking out our pumpkins. Mason liked the wagon best. Addie also got to join in with a kindergarten class that was exploring the hay bale maze.

Finally, after an afternoon nap, came the best part...cupcakes!

Mason didn't disappoint. He was all business. It was hard to hold him back until we had a chance to sing to him & blow out his candle. Then, when he had free reign, he turned a little timid...almost as though he thought it was set up :) But once he got a taste of the chocolate frosting, it was on. He attacked that cupcake & after licking the plate, even tried to go after mommy & addie's cupcakes! The videos are a bit long, but mom & dad were trying really hard to capture everything.

Lastly, after stripping off his chocolate covered clothes, but before his bath, it was present time. We had already given him one a week earlier...his alligator walker, which he loves & uses to walk around the house.

He only had one other gift. After making him ride in a pink car seat, use a pink blanket at night and sleep in a fairly girlie room, I just had to get him some boy toys...a car & truck! He loves them & knew how to use them right away, zooming his new wheels around the kitchen.

He finished the day with a bath to get the chocolate out of his nose :)

More pictures of our fun day can be found in our photo gallery

We love you, Mason! You are such a joy & a fun little guy, Happy 1st Birthday!

Monday mugs...almost

Because I'm posting this a day late, I'm posting DOUBLE the mugs. Here are shots from Sunday and Monday :)

Sunday

Monday morning

Jack in the Box

Not sure what Mason loves more, the Jack in the Box or Addie's laugh...he just adores his big sister!

Monday Mugs

Fall family photos

We've been blessed to meet some fabulous photographers in the past year. Most recently, a neighbor offered to take photos of families in the neighborhood in order to build up her portfolio. We think she's pretty great!

Happy Fall!

Trapped!

Mason was left alone in our front room for two minutes max. I found him like this...

ok, that's enough pictures, get me outta here!