Crocs, Swings, and Friends

It all started with a pair of Crocs.  No, it all started when Mason learned to walk.  "This baby needs some shoes," I thought to myself.  "I know, I'll get him some Crocs.  Crocs are cute and practical and he can wear them all summer long with all his play clothes."  But wouldn't you know, they have a million pairs of cute girl crocs in tiny sizes and like 3 pairs of ugly boy crocs in tiny sizes.  I ended up having to pay 10 dollars more to get the "chameleon crocs" that change colors in the sun.  Not that Mason could care less or even notice if they changed colors, but because those were the only cute ones in his size.  I am too embarrassed to say how much they were, but it wasn't until I pulled them out at the zoo (after spending a good hour debating in my head if I should keep them) that I realized they turn bright blue and yellow in the sun.  Oh well.... He has shoes.

 So, Friday morning, Mason and I loaded up, bought some Crocs, and then went to pick up the twins and their momma to meet our friends Kristen and Parker at the zoo.  I love having this zoo pass!

Mason was enthralled with most of the exhibits.  The exhibit pictured above is really neat because you get to walk in there with all the parakeets, pet them, and feed them, and get as close as you like.

 Mason especially loves exhibits where he can attempt to climb up fences, etc.  At one point, when we stopped to feed the twins, he figured out how to slide underneath the bar on his stroller and get out of it.  Then he was running around with only one Croc on because he kept trying to pull them off.  It only makes sense that he would hate wearing them.  In the photo below I was trying to hold Mason to keep him from attempting to climb the fence while taking the photo.  (He is watching the monkeys.)

Mason likes his friend Parker who was born in July after Mason was born in April.  I think Mason is asking Parker if he likes the Rhino exhibit.  If Parker had his paci in his mouth, you would then see Mason trying to pull it out.  Since Mason stopped taking a paci around 2 months or before, he doesn't really know what they are so when he sees babies with them he pulls them out of their mouths.

The twins thought the zoo was boring and slept through most of it.  But hey, at least they came.  

 Here is our group photo.  All of the kids looking out at the elephants.  Izzy and Lily can't get enough.

Then we decided to take a turn on the swings.  At first Mason thought this was sort of fun.

Then he wasn't so sure.

Then he thought he might puke.

Parker was loving it!

Then he rubbed it in Mason's face that he was having a blast and Mason was about to barf.

I promptly removed Mason from the swings at this point.

And here are Mason's friends' mommas a.k.a. my friends...  Kristen

And Shana

(the twins are so excited)

The peacocks apparently get to have the run of the zoo.

And for you pharmacy people out there, I took one look at this sign and read, "Sumatriptan Tiger Exhibit."  Then I thought, who knew drug companies would advertise at the zoo?  Then I thought, wait, sumatriptan is generic so they wouldn't advertise that.  Then I read it again. Oh. I am crazy.

Easter, Memories, and New Friends

Neely sharing her Easter Eggs with Mason at Grandma and Grandpa's House

Easter is always a special time for many reasons, but this year I couldn't help be be so thankful for all that has happened in the previous year.  Last year, Easter fell on April 24th which was the day we got to bring Mason home from the hospital!! We were beginning our 5th day at Jackson Hospital and we were ready to take our baby home.  Ben and I had been up pretty much all night long feeding Mason every two hours while still keeping him under the light (he had jaundice), making sure his eye mask didn't fall off, and wishing we could hold him and not have to see him in the little tanning bed all by himself.  We were beyond thrilled when the doctor told us that Mason's counts had dropped ( a good thing) and we could leave at 11:00 am.  We.could.not.wait!  We had both of our parents and my brother and sister waiting on us at our house preparing a celebratory Easter lunch.  It was the best day!

We dressed Mason in his going home outfit with a little bunny on it and loaded him up.  He hated getting dressed then, and still does!

  

Mason's first time in the car on his way home

Getting Him Ready to See His Home

            

                   

                    

I will never forget how wonderful it felt to finally be home!! My family had cleaned the house, bought flowers, lit candles, had Mason's swing up and going, and even installed the ceiling fan on our porch!  Mom and Dad had all of our Easter baskets ready, all of those are the baskets we had as babies and Mason's new basket is on the right.  I can't believe it has already been almost a year since that day.  Since Easter came earlier this year, Mason has gotten to celebrate 2 Easters before turning 1!

This year's Easter weekend was almost as exciting as my parent's came in town and Mason took his first consecutive steps!  It was so exciting and I was so proud.  The next night, mom and dad kept Mason so Ben and I could go on a date night.  We went to Bone Fish (one of our favorites) and then to see The Hunger Games!! I have been wanting to see it since I read all the books and I was not disappointed.  Ben enjoyed it too and he hasn't read the books.  It kept me in suspense the whole time even though I knew what was going to happen! 

On Saturday we had a fun time eating and shopping (me and mom) and then Saturday afternoon Ben, Mason, and I joined Ben's family at his grandparents' house for an egg hung and cook out.  Mason always loves being around his cousins and it won't be long before he's running around behind them now that he is walking.  

Ben, and Mason with Uncle Neal and Neely

Mason Blowing Bubbles With Mimi

Pop took Mason on His First 4 Wheeler Ride. Cate is helping hold him on!

On Saturday night I came down with a stomach bug. Ugh.  It totally wiped me out for the next 2 days.  I was so disappointed since I had to miss church, didn't get to prepare the Easter lunch I had planned, and had no energy to do anything.  It was a bummer.  I did manage to slide from my chair into the floor for some pictures when Mason noticed that the Easter Bunny had come to visit him!  We didn't show him his presents right away since I was sick, but he found them on his own and started yelling.  He knew it was all for him!

A Little Pool Time Before Lunch

 Sometimes it is really easy to get caught up in the egg hunts and the gifts and candy, but it is awesome to think about the real reason we celebrate Easter.  I love to see the wooden crosses in everyone's yard with the purple cloths draped over them.  Even more, I love seeing them on Sunday when all the cloths are white and I know it is because Jesus has risen and we are all saved! I wish I could've been at church on Sunday to sing "Up From the Grave He Arose."  What a wonderful feeling it is to say those words!!


Before I wrap up this post, I have to share pictures of our newest friends!!  Isabelle (right) and Lillian (left) Phillips have been hanging out with Mason as much as our health will allow.  Our friends William and Shana adopted these precious girls back in January and it has been so much fun to watch them grow.  William and Shana found out on Friday that they were getting twins (born 5 weeks premature) and went to get them the following Monday.  They are wonderful parents and have managed twins as easily as anyone could possibly do, especially having all of 3 days to prepare for them!  Mason loves them and loves to give them kisses!  They are going to have so much fun growing up together.

Mason giving Izzy a Kiss

Grand Babies (and Mason vs. Neely)

This past Monday we went to Russ and Jessi's new house in Auburn to have dinner with Ben's whole family (as in immediate family).  Jessi cooked an awesome meal and we all enjoyed getting to spend some time together.

Here are a few photos from the evening... remember how I said I am learning to shoot on manual?  Well, forgive the quality of these photos because I was wedged up against a couch trying to get both babies in the frame and shooting quickly so as not to miss any of the fun.

Heeeeyyy... I'll have some of that milk please.

No Mason, That is Neely's milk.  

Mimi is about to feed you some baby food in just a minute.

But I still want that milk.

Me and my skinny jeans are taking the milk some place safe from that baby.

Blast!

Now I can enjoy my milk in peace.

Curses!!!!

Cate, Adalyn, and Cole are so big now!  

Russ and Jessi are loaning Mason their walker and HE LOVES IT!!! It is perfect for this little man who wants to walk everywhere but can't quite do it on his own.

After several attempts at getting all 6 grand babies to look in her general direction, Tori successfully snapped this photo.  Mason thinks his Uncle Russ is hilarious!

Then we attempted to get a photo off all the kids and grandkids....

Mason is still depressed about the milk.  Bentley wants Pop and doesn't want to sit on the couch.  Neely has the cutest belly!

And.... almost complete success! This time next year, there will be one more on the couch!! (Tori, not me.)

We had such a fun night together and it is so fun to see all of the kids playing and laughing.  Mason is going to have such a good time growing up with his cousins!

We all have so much to be thankful for... especially family and friends!