Mr. Bubbles

Mr. Bubbles here had a big night in the tub last week. We always forget about the bubble bath since we are man-ly and do man things like showers, scratch our bellies, and pee outside. Mama dumped in some bubble bath and Mason had a big time. We are spending a little more time in the bath tub since it is cooler outside. Who wants to take a long shower or bath when it's hot out?


Anyway, this is the only picture I have this week. Thursday we celebrated Amber's birthday and I wasn't far off on my estimate...she had her pizza and was in bed at 8:30, not 8:00. We went to Big D on Saturday with Gigi, Granddad, and Mason. We met up with aunt Jaime and played all day. We went ice skating at the Plaza of the Americas (much less crowded than the Galleria) and ate dinner at the Cheesecake Factory...our sole purpose for the trip. I think the birthday girl was pleased with her day as she fell asleep with crumbs and strawberry sauce on her mouth! Just kidding about the crumbs. Gigi used her camera while we were out of town, so I'll have to download her pictures and share.


Amber has been trying to make it to Thursday...the kids last day at school. She has to go Friday, but probably gets an early release. Mason is fired up about Santa and all the presents under the tree. Gigi tells him which ones are his and he points them all out to us each time we are there!


This is a funny story from tonight. It is long, so forgive me. Mason was playing in the living room with us and pretending he was a puppy. We went along for a while, but then decided it had gone on long enough. We asked where was our little boy, etc. Nothing. Well, I told Amber, "Guess we'll have to take back his Christmas gifts and call Santa and tell him not to bring Mason anything." This brought forth an argument, but from the puppy, not Mason. So I preceded to open my cell phone and talk to Santa (I have him on speed dial) and inform him of our loss of our little boy and the addition of a puppy. That's when it hit the fan. Mason started climbing in my lap, yelling at the phone that, "I'm pretending to be a puppy...PRETENDING!" So I cleared everything up with Santa and we got our little boy back. After a few minutes...the thinker that he is replied, "Even if I was a puppy, Santa brings the good puppies bones." Outsmarted again!

Daddy, let's drive our barges...

This is Mason's newest thing to do this past week or two. Ever since we went on a barge ride with Uncle Ray and Aunt Monica, we have been building barges and jet ski's with our Lego's and driving them all around on the hardwood floor. Daddy's knees are killing him. Ha!

It doesn't look a whole lot like a barge, but Mason will tell you exactly where the motor is, the grill is, the driver's seat, bathroom, etc. He has a decked out barge. The blue ladder looking piece is the fishing pole, by the way. He says he is fishing for "red guewy fish," for all you Mickey Mouse Clubhouse fans.

At any rate, this is what he is into this week. He has been sick since Saturday with a viral infection in his mouth. It was a sore on his tongue. We thought he bit it at first, but after three days of not getting any better, we went to the doctor and got the diagnosis. He is better now. Back to school tomorrow!


Speaking of tomorrow, that is Amber's birthday! She is going to be one old bird! Ha ha! She was just whining to me that in only seven years she will be 40. Yup, if we're lucky! Anyhow, were going to party tomorrow...I'm sure a slice of pizza and asleep on the couch at 7:30 will be just her speed! Love you sweetie, Happy Birthday!!!!


All you faithful blog readers pray that these "barges" start to run on the carpet because daddy doesn't know how much more of the hardwood he can take! Ha!

Turkeylicious!

We had a fun Thanksgiving day at Gigi and Granddad's house. We had 23 family members...I think...and we all ate and visited until we couldn't any more. So much good food. Aunt Lorna and Uncle Richard brought some Cajun turkey...I must have eaten 3lbs. myself. Must be why I'm still sleepy even now as I type, ha ha!!!

After the eating subsided, the scooter riding commenced! These kiddos rode, and rode, and rode, and rode those scooters. I broke a sweat pushing them back up the driveway after they got to the end! Look at the determination on Mason's face in the second picture...what concentration!

After they played outside for nearly an hour and a half, they all but crashed. Have you ever seen four kids ranging from 3-6 sit nicely at a table and play calmly with Playdo? Mason fell asleep on the way home at 6:30 and slept all night. I could handle that once a week! Ha!

Friday morning, Mason and daddy hung out while mama went shopping. She is nuts. We had lots of fun doing guy stuff and running errands. We finished decorating for Christmas and Mason was a big help. We wanted to get him an "Elf on the Shelf," for the weeks leading up to Christmas, but haven't found one. I think we will get one for next year though. Pretty neat behavior check for the little one's when they are old enough to understand.

Finally, I was so proud of Mason Sunday night when he put together his 24 piece Mickey Mouse jig-saw puzzle with only one or two hints from daddy. So when I came home tonight and Amber showed me this picture, I was even more proud. He did it all by himself, no help. I am so thankful for the good boy he is...he is such a blessing. Hopefully he will be 5 or 6 years old before he realizes he is smarter than 'ole dad! Ha!

Mellon Head!!!

What to do with that big Mellon? This is the big question that we have here at Mason's house. His big 'ole mellon seems to get in the way constantly! Saturday we were playing on the floor and he took off to the toy box to get something, tripped, and left a dent (not really) in the table holding the television. It left a quarter sized knot on his head and he milked it for about two days.

Then Monday when I came home from work, daddy was on the floor being the "horse" and Mason the "cowboy" and we were riding around the living room floor. Of course, the horse always bucks off the cowboy and daddy WAS being careful. Mason was having such fun that once he came off and was sitting on his rear, he decided to tump himself over banging the other side of his head on the coffee table. Another knot. Who knows what the people at day care say about us? Ha!

Well, after me telling you of Mason's toughness...look for yourself. That boy was pushing the blocking sled all by himself. Whatever! I was telling him not to be a lineman, he'll have to push that thing all over! Ha!

As you can tell, after lunch Sunday, Mason chose to return to the football field over the park when given the option. Mama brought the camera this time!

We built a fort...
Conquered it...
And tore it down.

Then built another one! We must have played for nearly two hours...until dark anyway. We had alot of fun. He went right to sleep Sunday night! We wish all of you a great Thanksgiving holiday. We are thankful for each of your friendship and love.

Where's Joshua Brown?

I heard this sentence a hundred times this weekend. Al, it's all your fault! Ha! Just kidding. We had a busy week followed by a weekend we were supposed to spend with the Brown family...including Joshua, but he was ill. Instead, we got to spend some time with Chris and he and I had a great time playing golf Saturday. What about the score? I said we had a great time. Ha!

Since Joshua and Al were not here to play all weekend, Mason got to go to Tyler with Amber and Gigi to the Discovery Science Place! Hours of fun there.

Amber says he enjoyed the ambulance, domino table, and kitchen the best. I'm glad he had such a good time. We are planning to go back soon!




Sunday, we had a fun day also. We went to church, then lunch, and THEN...walked around Lowe's! What a treat for Mason and daddy! Mama doesn't care for it much. I had to get some things for work, and Mason loves getting on all the lawn mowers multiple times!!!

We came home and Amber napped while Mason and I went to the football practice field to run off some excess energy. I forgot the camera this time, sorry. He had a big time with the blocking dummies. We would stack them up and make a fort, then he would climb on it a while, then knock it down. We used up that energy I was talking about. It was an early night for the big guy, then back to the grind this week.

You know, it will never be like this again...or at least that is what I think when I look at these pictures. I want to soak it all in and not forget any of it! I guess that's why we have pictures, huh? I catch myself thinking of the chorus to a song by 33 Miles. I think the group intended the song about your relationship with Jesus Christ, but you also only get one chance to be a good dad or mom, husband or wife, son or daughter. It is a really powerful song.

You only get just one time around

You only get one shot at this

One chance, to find out

The one thing that you don't wanna miss

One day when it's all said and done

I hope you see that it was enough, this

One ride, one try, one life...

To love............

Lots of happenins...

Well, here is the picture of "candy corn" Mason I promised. Better late than never!This candy corn costume was somewhat of a bust since he only wore it here at home for five minutes and then at school for five minutes. I think we could have just made him a ghost out of a pillow case...but Amber didn't like that idea! Haha!

Saturday, a week ago, Erin Erin (as Mason calls her), Ava, and Ayden came over for the day. I know, Erin will never win a hair dressing contest! Poor Ava is going to whoop her mama when she gets old enough to say, "Mom, what were you thinking with my hair!" Haha! Anyway, they had a fun time playing together.

Sunday, we went for a barge ride on lake Jacksonville with Uncle Ray and Aunt Monica. They purchased a new barge a few months ago and Mason had not been able to go for a ride on previous outings, so there you go.

He is quite the "shrimp boat captain" I might add. He takes his work very seriously! He did have a great time. He went from excited to hungry to lethargic to hyper to tired in our three hour tour. He was great. He enjoyed his Gigi being there and giving him cookies also!

I don't have much to report on this past weekend. Daddy was sick all weekend and mama was nauseous most of the weekend. Poor Mason just played and played as his pathetic parents looked on. Ha! He did get to go to Gigi and Granddad's and roast weenies and marshmallows on the campfire. We don't have any pictures of that now, I guess mama forgot the camera??? I know mom and dad took pictures, I'll have to steal their camera to get a few shots! Aunt Jaime was home also and Mason enjoyed seeing her.

Finally, a note on Mason's mental development. He has been asking repeatedly about the colorful Wii controllers under the television to which we say, "DON'T TOUCH!!!" Finally a week ago when Amber was gone somewhere, daddy pulled them out and let the boy swing it around. He is hooked. He wants to play every night. We are limiting him to 2-3 hours a day...he has to have time to read his calculus books also. Ha! All jokes aside, he is better than you would think, he knows how to serve in tennis and loves swinging his arm bowling, but hasn't mastered the release. Anyway, we are going to have to squash this video game fetish he has and get him back in the sand box!

Two Grandad's

Ok, let me preface this with the statement that it was "All Amber's idea."
Sunday night we had our fall festival at church. Amber had heard of another little guy dressing up as his grandfather last year and thought it would be cute. It sure did make Granddad's day! Amber did a pretty good job too...except for that wig! Ha! Matching watches, mustaches, and even bellys! They were quite a hit at the festival.

Tomorrow is Mason's party at school and he is going as a piece of candy corn, so look for that picture soon!

I don't know how many of you know who Groucho Marx is, but Mason must put on this mask every time he is at Gigi and Granddad's and run around saying, "Ahhh Chaa Chaa Chaa!" It is really too funny...especially since he has no idea what he is doing or saying!

Amber wears it sometimes also...I just don't know about her at times?!?!?! The neat thing about this picture is that Mason took it. He is quite handy with the camera if you leave him alone with it. You must remind him which button does what, but he does pretty darn good as you can see for yourself.

Finally, for those of you that haven't heard, we are expecting. The good doctor said June 28th. I just pray it actually comes in June and not April! Haha! Bad joke...I know...Alison will ream me for that one! Anyway, Amber is really tired and a little nauseous, but doing well. We'll keep you posted with all the details.

2nd Annual Campout!

What a crew? As we did last year, Friday we packed up all our camping stuff and went to Tyler State Park with Greg and Elizabeth Wade. Mason has been looking forward to our camping trip for several weeks. Greg's mom and dad bought Mason a book entitled, "Me and My Dad," in which they go camping and "pitch" a tent and "lite" the campfire. Mason told me repeatedly that he wanted me to pitch the tent while he started the fire...little pyro!

I think you all know where this is going?! I told him over and over that his new Lightning McQueen camping chair was not a rocking chair. Other than all the excitement and not being able to calm down at times, Mason did great. I bought him his own camo sleeping bag, in which he slept all night. He was very proud of it.

Saturday we woke up, ate breakfast and went for a walk to the play ground. Mason enjoyed that. Afterward, we ate lunch and then went for a ride on the paddle boats...Amber and Liz paddled the five of us around the whole lake. They acted like it was no big deal, but I know they were at least a little bit tired!!! As you can see, Mason didn't have to paddle one bit and he was zonked out!

We came home and crashed Saturday afternoon. I think we all took a short nap. Sunday was church and Mason got to go to Gigi and Granddad's Sunday evening. He and his Gigi made cookies for paint class.

Also, earlier in the week, Mason's Aunt Lorna sent him a package in the mail and he was so excited to have received a package. He was beside himself trying to get into it and had to have a little help. Inside he found a John Deere coin bank and two new tractors...he was so excited. He said he wanted to ride in Aunt Lorna's convertible again, so I guess you'll have to bring it back up again Aunt Lorna and take him for a ride!

We have more stories from camping and more pictures for Aunt Lorna, so I'll be including those in a later post!

We should have stock in Chili's!!!

The Chili's logo should be the banner on our blog here at Mason's house. Pretty much that is the only place to have a somewhat nice sit down meal in Jacksonville. Sad to say. So, Friday night Amber had a jewelry party here at the house and Mason and I got the boot!

We decided to head to the newest hardware store in town...Atwoods. It is in the old Winn-Dixie shopping center for you out of towners. We made our way around looking at all the tools, clothes, and four...FOUR rows of toys. More toy tractors in one place than you can shake a stick at! Mason was in heaven. After all the shopping we could take, we went to Chili's for a corn dog, oranges and molten chocolate cake. Whew! We were stuffed.

Back home around 8ish and to bed around 10ish...too much chocolate cake!!! We were comatose after all that!

Saturday morning, he decides to wake up at 6:30. Always great to wake up early on a Saturday! It didn't effect me so much because I was off to the Texas/OU game in Dallas, which was a barn burner! Mason got to spend the day with his mama, aunt Jaime, Gigi and Granddad.

They played outside riding the Gator and checking the "fall" garden.

After all this they took a bath and it was back to Chili's, thus the stock comment! And the vicious cycle continues...chocolate cake = late night and early morning. UGH!

Mason had a blast with them this weekend. Sunday we had church and played! His new saying for the past week is, "Daddy...sometimes things break." Don't ask me where he got that one. Anyway, I'll have to include a cake and ice cream picture next week!

Pumpkin Patch '08

Yes, yes, back to the pumpkin patch Mason went this past Thursday. I was sad not to get to go, but Amber was able to take off work and go with our big boy. His whole school went...how would you like to be the one keeping up with all those kids??? Not me.

He and Amber had a blast. He is such a ham bone. Amber said he was not on his best behavior while they were there. She wondered if it was just because she was there and he was not afraid to do his own thing. As you will see in the next picture, he was much more interested in the tractor that pulls the hay ride than the story being told right in front of him.

This is his buddy Sam whose mama kept Mason for the past two years. They go to the same school, but are in separate classes since Sam is one year older. Mason loves getting to see him.

After the pumpkin patch, the went to the park for lunch, then home with mama. He had a great time.

Saturday, First Baptist Jacksonville, mom and dad's church, had an outdoor expo. We took Mason around ten that morning to see all the tractors and what not. He really enjoyed getting to see the Jacksonville Fire Department's new ladder truck extend it's ladder all the way out. He didn't know what to think of these two clowns though?

We had a good day Saturday, all of us together. Mason's favorite thing from the expo was his "duck" call. I don't know how well it would work while hunting, but he sure is good at blowing on it.

Obviously we have tons of pictures from the weekend, I'll have to show more later. Mason is learning more and more each day. We were so proud that yesterday he brought home a picture he drew of a tractor. I will have to use the camera and see if it will take a picture of it. It is very light because he doesn't push hard with his crayon, but he will tell you that there are two front wheels, a big back wheel, the hood, the cab, and the smoke stack. I was amazed. He is growing up so fast. I want to remember it all, but I can hardly remember my password to blog, so good thing I am writing it down!!! Haha!

Pumps, pumpkins, and a rock climber!

Well, it has been one of those weeks. For daddy, the hurricane has played havoc on the work schedule. There is no less than 800 trillion people with a hole in their roof from a tree or limb and want Prewitt Construction to fix it...TOMORROW! I'm not complaining, just venting! Ha!

Amber has been swamped at school with six weeks tests and the ususal. Mason is just chill'in like a vill'in, oblivious to it all, like any child should be!!!

This is our corny son in a pair of his mothers shoes. She laughs at him histarically...I somewhat frown on the whole hoopla. These kind of pictures always come back to haunt you when you are twenty-something!

Mason is so very excited that it is October/Halloween time. He is all about the fall things, hay, pumpkins, leaves on the ground. He and Amber are going to a pumpkin patch with his school tomorrow. We took him last year and he really enjoyed it. I'm sure we will have some pumpkin pictures next week. He is constantly talking these days. To us if we will listen and then to himself when we are not. He has been singing this song that my mom taught him:

One little, two little, three little witches,

Flying over haystacks, flying over ditches.

Sliding down the moon with out any britches,

High. Ho. Halloween's here.

It's comical the first 5-10 times...the 30th or so it gets pretty obnoxious. We try other songs, playing the quiet game...nothing works. I'm just glad he's happy!

Finally this week, Mason has been all about his "stool." It is not actually a stool per se, rather a starter toilet that he never used. Now he thinks he is invincible that he has a little boost! As you can plainly see, this is ONE way to get a drink, but probably not the best. We are having to keep a little closer eye due to Mason's new super powers! He may be flying by next week, stay tuned!!!

Our weekend was pretty laid back. We woke up Saturday and decided to get a hair cut and go to the zoo. When we arrived at the barber, our barber was not there, plus there was a 5-6 person wait, thus no hair cut. Then we traveled on to Tyler to the zoo. That was a long drive to follow my son around while he picked up acorns, sticks and pine straw. Had nothing to do with the animals this time. I told Amber we should wait a while before we return.


That afternoon after a long nap, both Mason and daddy, we went to Gigi and Granddad's house to let him play for a while. That turned into a dinner outing which we had a good meal in the small town of Gallatin, TX. at the Olde Country Store.


Sunday was church. After services, Amber said Mason felt hot so we took his temp. when we got home and sure enough, he had a slight fever. Four hour nap...wow. I'm sorry he felt bad, but he must have needed some sleep! They went to the doctor yesterday and she said it was just some virus that had to pass...not even any good antibiotics to take. Maybe next time. Ha!


Pretty low key around here. We are working on minding mama and daddy the "first" time and not the 10'th time! He is doing well. After a few warnings, we take a toy away...the day's favorite, and that seems to have a direct effect on behavior. We return it the following day if he is good until then. He has caught on pretty well.


Sorry for the lack of pictures. The camera was forgotten on the trip to the zoo and low on battery upon return, so probably wouldn't have done us any good anyway. We will try to have more pics next week!!!

Ike, I'm busy. I'll be with you in one sec.

Ike didn't even phase Mason. Other than the occasional question about why we were watching the weather on tv or why the generator was so loud...he was oblivious.

Aunt Jaime was in from Dallas and we went over to mom and dad's before the festivities started with Ike. We saw all her fantastic pictures from Ireland. She had a blast it looked like. Except for the food. Sorry Al. She was sure tired of fish and chips when she got home. I think she headed straight for a Chick-fil-a and a Dr. Pepper. I really can't tell how we are faimily...Jaime and I?!?!

Anyway, Mason enjoyed playing with her and Gigi and Grandad most of the morning Saturay until the lights went out. Ugh. Monday afternoon, the glorious Oncor electric service had us up and running again. Thank you Lord for the cool weather. It would have been miserable if it was still 90 degrees and humid.

Excuse my son's attire. He looks like a professional athelete just off the bus and preparing for game time. Actually, last week, Mason drew his first smiley face all by himself! We were so proud. The next day he drew a stick man not too dissimilar to the one shown here on the magna doodle. He and we are very proud of his artistic accomplishment and tell him each time. I don't know who he is drawing, but they sure are fat with really skinny arms and legs! Haha!

He is growing up so fast. Just tonight, Amber had "Meet the Teacher," and it was just Mason and I here at home. (I don't know which teacher Amber went to meet, but anyway.) We had to take a trailer to mom and dad's and on the way out in the truck, he said, "Daddy, today I saw Sam (his buddy) in the hallway when I left the kitchen (at daycare) and I said 'Hi Sam.'" That was all. He just wanted to share with me that he had seen his buddy. It made me smile that he is able to communicate so well and a little sad that he is growing up so fast.

I will leave you all with this picture and explaination. As we all know, daddy likes NASCAR. If I'm privileged enough to sit around the house on Sunday afternoon, it is on the television. I suppose it could have rubbed off a bit. I was making an invoice out on the computer a few weeks ago on Sunday afternoon while listening to the NASCAR race from the living room...and in comes my son exactly as the above picture illustrates, banging into the wall and zooming around. I tried to calm him down and say, "HEY, hey, what are you doing...be easy." To this he responds, "I'm a race car driver!" I tried to hold a straight face and asked, "What's that on your head?" He said, "My helmet!" Out smarted once again...3 yr. old vs. a 32 yr. old and he wins every time!!!

The largest sandbox EVER!!!!

For Labor Day we traveled way south to Port Aransas for a little get away before school got too hectic! As you can well see from the picture, it was alot more play and get worn smooth out, than rest and relaxation!!!

Mason had a blast! He really enjoyed digging on the beach and playing in the sand. He also really loved going out in the ocean a bit and "jumping" the waves. He would laugh and laugh as we jumped millions of them it seemed!

We were blessed to get to stay with our good friends Steven, Trisha and Matt Jones. I regret this is the only good picture I have of them together. :-( They are up to something out there on the balcony...you can see it all over Matt's face! Ha! Matt and Mason played so good together sharing their cars and tractors. The Jones' were very hospitable putting up with our son who is stubborn at times and always anti-sleep! Matt was so laid back and sweet, it was fun for me to get to know him a bit.

Mason made many new friends including Isa, short for Isabella. We snapped this one of him holding her hand...ooooohhhhhh!!! He also played with Ava and Joshua Brown. Here he is practicing saying "TOUCHDOWN!!!"

Monday it was back to reality as we drove the 7 1/2 hours home. Mason did great there also. He rode the whole way with no movie, no nap, no nothing....except for a bunch of questions! We had a good week last week, nothing exciting. This weekend, we took Gigi out for her birthday Saturday night...her birthday was in July...we are a little behind schedule around here. Mason enjoyed eating out as ususal...especially dessert! Sunday we had church and then played at Gigi's house most of the afternoon since we didn't get to go on Saturday due to falling asleep in the care on the way home!

Well, we are into week three of school and Mason is beginning to really like his day care. We are so happy about that. I know I have been a slacker on this blogging thing... I will try harder! Hope you all have a good week.