A Perfect Saturday Night

Back in the day, a typical Saturday night would have consisted of dinner at a nice restaurant and then finishing the evening off at the casino staying out well into the evening.  It is crazy how one little guy can change everything, and Marc and I couldn't be happier with our new "wild" Saturday nights.  Mason has been fussy lately with the "fang" teeth coming in (one officially has broken through and the others are about to, we hope), so we decided to order pizza and watch the Disney channel at home.  After dinner, Marc, Mason, Penny, and I went up to Desert Ridge to walk around and enjoy the beautiful weather, which is way better than the freezing temperatures we had last week.  Momma and Poppa decided to join us for some ice cream and Mason had a lot of fun running around the playground area.  Mason's face lights up every time Momma and Poppa are around.  This was definitely a perfect way to spend Saturday night!

Mommy's little Mozart

My 3 Loves!

We were all very happy that Momma and Poppa joined us! 

Such a fun night!

 

What's New with Mason?

 At 16 months, my little Mason is learning and copying everything!  He lights up my life and I just can't get enough of this kid.

1. Mason always loved books, but now he loves sitting down and reading with us.  He is able to point to the objects that we ask him.  Mason gets super excited when he sees a picture of a dog and starts saying "Goggy, Goggy".  
2. Speaking of words, Mason's vocabulary continues to grow each week.  Last week he had a cold, and every time I would blow his nose he would plead with me and say, "All done".  Other new words he says are ball, car, hello (every time the phone rings:), and bubbles to name a few.  My favorite is when he puts his hands on my face and says momma.  It makes my heart melt every time! 
3. My one time really great sleeper, now puts up a fight when it is time to go to bed.  He is obviously having a blast hanging out with us, so of course he does want to miss out on any fun.  I do enjoy our new routine of "cuddle time" before he officially goes into the crib for the night.  He will do anything to prolong going to sleep.
4. Mason believes that every item that he picks up is a telephone.  If we are walking outside, he will pick up a rock, put it to his ear and say hello.  He does this with just about all of his toys, blankets, and anything lying around the house, including the actual telephone.  
5. Mason is a lover!  He doesn't quite understand personal space yet though.  Mason has a tendency to find someone that he likes and then has to lay on that person or kid, kiss them, and continue to keep going back for more love.  It is the sweetest thing!  He even has his first crush;)  Mason is in love with a 9 month old baby named Leila from his daycare.  He calls out her name when she isn't around and pets her head and kisses her when she is around.  I am going to have my hands full with this little lover!
6. Mason is also obsessed with all dogs.  When he wakes up in the morning, Mason calls out for Penny, not Mommy or Daddy:(  When he sees any dog on the street or park, he gets very excited and has the biggest smile on his face.  I think we may be ready for #2 soon (puppy that is:).  
7. Mason now copies every little thing we do.  If we laugh, he laughs.  If I am cooking in the kitchen, Mason has to get out the pots and pans and cooks too:)  It is adorable to watch this little guy.
8. Mason continues to be obsessed with being outside.  Usually we all have a good time, unless we have abnormally freezing temperatures and Mason still wants to be outside in the freezing weather.  He throws quite the tantrum when we go inside.  But he is easily distracted with a snack or toy, so the tantrum does not last too long:)
9. For the most part, Mason is a happy kid.  He is always smiling and laughing and brings joy to so many people:)
10. Mason makes the funniest sound when he tickles you.  Marc and I try to copy it, but that is impossible because it does not sound nearly as cute.  The other night I was rocking Mason in the chair and I thought he was close to falling asleep.  He then looked up at me and tickled my neck.  I started cracking up laughing and then he was hysterical as well.  This tickle and then laughing bit lasted for little awhile because nothing seems to get old for him.  I love him so much!!!

Old Friend, New Relationship

This weekend I had the opportunity to catch up with an old friend that I have not talked to in years.  Prior to meeting up, I was extremely anxious and nervous because I wasn't sure what it was going to be like.  Within seconds of seeing each other, all my anxiety disappeared and it felt like the good old days.  Even though it has been almost 6 years, it felt as if no time has passed between us, minus the fact that she has 2 kids and one on the way:)  I was very excited that Mason was able to enjoy a day in the park with her beautiful children, Lili and Kai, and Amelia's super sweet daughter, Skye.  He slept over 3 hours after our little excursion!  I look forward to many more days at the park!

Mommy's happy little guy!

Mason playing hard to get with Skye and Lili:)

Mason instantly bonded with Jessica:)

"Thanks for the push Lili!"

It is official, Mason no longer hates the sand!  Beach vacation, here we come:)

Kai and Mason were instant best friends!

"This is awesome!!!"

Lili spreading the love!

Look out scouts, Skye is going to be a professional baseball player:)

All 4 kids together!  Too bad Gandhi (Brooklyn's dog) and Penny missed out on the fun:)

Gorgeous Boys

Mason had a slight obsession with Kai.  He couldn't get close enough!  LOL!

 

Holiday Lights at the Train Park

Our little family and Rosanna's family spent the evening at the Train Park in Scottsdale to enjoy the Christmas lights.  This will definitely be our yearly tradition.  We had so much fun riding the train, going on the carousel, playing in the park (Mason went down a slide for the first time:), and drinking tasty hot chocolate.  We are very grateful for such amazing friends!

Ready for the train ride

Mason was in awe of all of the lights!

There were so many cool lights!  Such a fun time:)

Nicholas and Mason ran around this station for 20 minutes and had the best time!  I was happy because I was able to warm up for a bit.  It was freezing outside!  Obviously my blood has thinned out after living in AZ for so long:)

At first, Mason was not a big fan of the creepy looking characters.

But then, he could not get enough of them.  He was very upset when they all left:(

The Olea Family

The alligator is photo bombing our picture:)

Christmas in Tucson

Mason, Momma, Poppa, Monica, and I drove down to Tucson to celebrate Christmas with Jackson and Andrea.  The boys love spending time with each other.  Jackson got this awesome cardboard house from Santa and both boys played peek-a-boo through the window.  Momma brought delicious food and we opened more presents.  I love that Mason and Jackson are growing up together:)

"I love playing with Jackson's toys!!!"

Peek-A-Boo

Jackson was exhausted after opening more presents:)

Mason was loving that house.

Mason and his "Grand-Monica"

Jackson loves her too!

The boys did not want to sit still, especially since there were hundreds of toys lying around.

I love this little guy more than anything!

Where's Jackson?

There he is!

These boys need to work on sharing.

Look at that face!

Bubbles!

Mason and Jackson were mesmerized by the bubbles:)  Their faces are hysterical!

 Jackson is a walker!!!!