Sunday, July 31, 2011

Moving on up

We began to notice that Mason was beginning to look a little big for his car seat. So I checked the website and while he had 8lbs to out grow it, he had less than 4 inches. He just didn't look comfortable anymore so we bit the bullet and got him a new seat.

After a lot of research, we decided on the Britax Nautilus. It is a car seat and a booster so hopefully this will be his last car seat. It came on Thursday and Mason was pumped about the box! He kept saying "ohhh my big boy seat." We waited until Saturday to put it in and talked about how this seat was for big boys and how he was a big boy now. (more to come on that soon...)

TAADAA! We love it! He has so much room!!

Aquarium of the Smokies

On Tuesday I realized we needed to get out of the house. We have had a great summer, but I think we all miss the schedule and routine that comes with school. I decided I would brave the drive and the kids by myself and head to the Aquarium in Gatlinburg. It's about 1 1/2 hour drive for us (maybe a little less) and I just knew Reagan would take her nap on the way up. WRONG. So the wait to get tickets consisted of a lot of tears and me wondering if I had lost my mind, but once inside, things turned around and we had a blast. Mason loved seeing all the fish. He kept running up to tanks and yelling "look mommy, look." Reagan enjoyed it as well- from the comfort of her stroller. That girl was tired but she will never miss a good time so she stayed awake.

I love that you can see the excitement in his cheeks. He was in total amazement.

Reagan enjoying her view in the ocean tunnel.

If you look close, you'll see his head.

He was so excited to crawl through the tunnel and see the fish.

This is the best picture I could get of the two of them!


I had a hard time narrowing down the pics for this post so here are some extras just a little smaller.



On our way out I asked him what his favorite part was and he said "the moving sidewalk......" "and the turtle."

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Mason's Party

We celebrated Mason's birthday on Saturday with our family and friends. Mason was so funny on his ACTUAL birthday we kept saying, "not yet. It's Saturday (the day of his party)." On Saturday he woke up and said "it's my birthday!" He asked for a crocodile theme and although I didn't understand where it came from. I agreed. He doesn't ask for much :) And what do Crocs love? WATER! So we had a water party, with a pool, water table and water slide. Along with non-water activities for those not interested in H2O. I decided to make croc towels for all his buddies and although they took forever. I LOVED how they turned out. It was H.O.T. on Saturday, but everyone had a great time.
I didn't pull the camera out a lot once everyone got there but I got some early shots that I loved as well as singing happy birthday. Special shout out to my sister, Leslie, for bringing the slide and for all her help with the party. She was amazing!

The CROCS guarding the cupcakes.

Up close croc.

All the towels and his happy birthday banner

Girls were pink, boys blue and they all had green crocs with the kids names.

even the birthday boy got a towel.

The slide.

Mason getting anxious for some cake (in his birthday shirt)
Reagan's matching croc shirt.Mason getting ready for the cake.

Here is comes....

blowing out his candles.
Happy Birthday, Mase! We love you and can't wait to see what adventures "3" bring us!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Happy birthday Mason

Mason,
I can't believe you are 3. Where has the time gone? It feels like yesterday we were taking you home from the hospital surprised at how quiet you were and how well you were sleeping. Fast forward 3 years to a no napping, chatterbox YOU! We couldn't be happier to have you in our lives and feel so blessed to be your mom and dad.
This past year we have thrown so many changes at you and you rolled with the punches better than we could have ever imagined. We packed up your life, and moved you across the country to live with grandma and grandpa for three weeks, then we moved into an apartment for a month, and finally into our new house. We moved you into a toddler bed and a few months later into a full size bed. And we took away your most prized possession- your bink. You started school, met new friends and are adjusting really well to Knoxville. And through it all you kept your smile, your humor, and your laughter.
I can't wait to see what the next year holds for you. Happy birthday, sweet boy.

Love,
Mom and Dad
1 day, 1 year, & 2 years old...

AND the big 3~

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Berry Pickin'

Today our playgroup went to a local you pick farm to pick blueberries. This was my first time taking Mason and Reagan to a you pick farm and we had a blast. I had to work with Mason to get him to understand to only pick the blue/purple ones. Our first bush was pretty picked over so he was having a hard time, but once we hit a bush that hadn't been picked yet and was overflowing with berries- he totally knew what to do. He became a real pro at picking one putting it in the bucket, picking another eating it. Reagan also enjoyed "taste testing" some berries and when I quit giving them to her- she started eating them off the ground. My que it was time to go!
Overall, a fabulous morning- although I do have to say that humidity can get to you. It was hot. I think when we left it was 89 degrees and poor Mason and Reagan are still Seattle babies- Reagan was soaking.

Mason at the beginning of our adventure!

Reagan trying to decide what she thinks of the blueberry bushes.

She decided she liked it, and eating the berries.

Mason trying his hand at pickin'

The fruits of our labor.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

just another monday

People always told me how different two kids from the same parents can be, and although I knew from my own experience with my sisters this was true. It didn't truly hit home until Reagan was born. Mason and Reagan are night and day. He was laid back, mellow, calm, quiet, cautious. Reagan is loud, talkative, curious, emotional, and adventurous. I have had to rethink baby proofing since some of things Mason never bothered to explore, Reagan has been all over.

Evidence #1- Mason never climbed on the coffee table. He climbed on the couch, pillows, beds, but never furniture. Reagan is on everything. gotta love her.


We found these little Adirondack chairs at Lowe's and thought Mason and Reagan would love them. And they did. I love that Mason took his stool to make a foot rest. Yes, they are watching Phineas and Ferb in their chairs. And yes, neither one of them has pants on- it was a chill afternoon in our house.

Reagan is happy to have something her size to climb on- she is almost big enough to get on the couch by herself but she's not quite there yet.
Just another Monday in our house. I love these days.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

4th of July Weekend

We had an amazing weekend-we spent it at my parents house in Belvidere. It was a great time FULL of family, laughter and fun :) Steve took off today so we didn't have to head home on the 4th which was nice. Saturday was spent hanging out at the house and finishing up some projects, while Sunday and Monday were spent on the lake! Mason and Reagan both LOVED the water and had a blast soaking up some rays. I loved getting to watch them and Mason's new favorite toy is a the Nemo noodle- he pretends to fish with it and SURPRISE it already has a fish! HA! I love that boy. Reagan almost fell asleep in the water a couple of times- she seemed so relaxed even with the big ole' life jacket.

The 3 of us in the water. (yes Reagan is in a floaty and life jacket) She was WAY over water safety but I was happy to know she wasn't going anywhere.

Mason, Reagan, and dad hanging out on the dock. Yes, that is a hug.

My sister, Mel and her family came in from AZ and our kiddos had a blast hanging with their cousins, Emily and Erin. For the 4th we got to spend time with grandma, grandpa, and gram. (all three of the grandparents) I love getting to see Mason and Reagan's relationships form with our parents. We then headed over to my aunts for dinner. My parents live out in the country so we headed back before fireworks started since the kids had been out on the water, they were whipped and didn't hear a thing!

I know she won't let me dress her forever so I decided to embrace the time I do have and put her in a red and white striped tutu. LOVE it!

My niece, Erin loved the tutu so much she asked me to make her one too. I couldn't resist and this is one of my favorite pictures.

Happy 4th from our family to yours.