Lightning, Sally, and Flo

We have had another busy week here at Mason's house. With the end of school drawing near, seems like we stay up later each night and wake up later each morning with even more things to do! We have to eat lots of M&M's to keep us going. Granddad helps out with that!

We had a good weekend. Saturday morning, Mason and I ran errands around town; the bank, getting gas, seeing Grandma. At lunch time, we went to Gigi and Granddad's for lunch with Aunt Lorna and Uncle Richard. They were here just for a few hours. We forgot the camera...sorry Aunt Lorna. :-( After all that excitement, we came home and Mason helped daddy put all his tools in his new trailer. For all of you who have not seen my 1979 Ford...it is about to retire. Mason was a big help in making daddy remember where everything went. I would put it up and he would pull it out again. We had fun.

Sunday he spent the day with Gigi and Granddad while Amber and I went to Dallas to see David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy mop the floor with F.C. Dallas. It was a fun game to watch. Amber had fun also...especially since we had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. :-)

In case you live on another planet and don't know who these cars are, this is Lightning McQueen, Sally, and Flo. Our lives (Mason's at least) revolve around these three cars. He eats, breaths, and sleeps the Cars movie. We had a bad day Monday at daycare because he hit one of the little girls hands because she was holding Flo and he wanted her. Trust me, we had a long talk. He plays with these cars first thing in the morning, all day at daycare, and all evening while at home. He wants to hold them while we watch the movie! He may need therapy!!! Amber hopes he doesn't have a change of heart because it would be fairly easy to have a Cars birthday party! I know one little man who would love that!

This picture is from last week at Gigi and Granddad's. Monday and Tuesday evenings, we sodded Burhmuda grass everywhere, so no more sand between our toes!!! To quote Tow Mater, they were "Happier than a tornader in a trailer park!" It was pretty. Mason will love the soft grass next time we are over. Sorry for all the "Cars" quotes...we pretty much have it memorized! Sooooo...."GOODBYEEE!!! I'm good."

Mama's Day!!!

This is my mama. She is going to kill me for putting this picture on the internet, but I love candid shots and this is one from Sunday. I was born on Mother's Day way back in 1976 so Mother's Day weekend/week is usually "our" weekend/week. She has been all things to all in our family; mother, wife, sister, daughter, daughter-in-law, grand-daughter and friend. Our sermon on Sunday was in Proverbs 31, vs. 25-31. She truely embodies it.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tounge.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I thank God for my mother and for the example she is and has been. She IS blessed and, for 32 years and 4 days, has been all these things to me. Thank you mama.

That brings us to the mother of my child whom I hold in high esteem. She is all things to Mason and I in our home. This is in no doubt due to her walk with the Lord and fine upbringing, accredited to her godly mother and father. For 2 years and 310 days she has been a remarkable mother to our child. She is the perfect balance of grace and compassion to my sternness. Mason is becoming more and more of a daddy's boy, but always longs for his mama first thing in the morning, when injured, and last thing at night. There is no substitute for mama. I thank God for the blessing of both of them and every moment spent with them.

Wow!!!

Wow, it has been like a month since I have made a post. I'm sorry. Mason has grown over a foot, learned the Pythagorean theorem, finished his first triathlon, and moved into his own place.

Seriously though, he looks like the type of dude that could do all those things...right!!!!!



We have had a really busy couple of weeks. Nana has been here since Ayden (Gracie) was born. Not here, but here in East Texas. Bob finished his contract with CPS last week and has been here also. Amber and Mason have made trips to the zoo and to see them many times...did I say "trips to the zoo to see them?" I just wanted to be clear on that. Here he was allowed behind the bars for an up close picture! Ha!

Aunt Jaime has been home in the past couple of weeks also. She is doing well and enjoyed playing outside and pushing Mason on the swing. He always wants to go "higher...HIGHER!" He must get that from his mother.

Mason has been learning lots these days. We are deep into the "why" era. Daddy and mama try to keep up, but most of the time end up with, "just because." He is definately getting bigger. He is up to a size 8 shoe now! I used to stand him on the kitchen counter and pretty much look him in the eye...now he is looking down on me quite a bit. He is sleeping in a "big boy bed" now (twin size) complete with John Deere sheets and all. He has done really well with staying in the bed.

This weekend he got to use the drill for the first time...boy did he love that. We about wore out a couple of screws and a battery on the 'ole Dewalt running them in and out of a piece of plywood. He was in hog heaven! He loves anything that has to do with tools or work. He is so funny, he has seen me put on my work gloves and taboggin to work in the winter months, so he associates those things with work. He puts on his mittens and taboggin in the living room to move his blocks around because he says, "I'm working."

And finally, this weekend on Saturday evening, what is left of the gang here in J'Ville came over for sandwhiches and to let the kiddos see each other. The women visited while the men played Spades. If there are ever four of us that want to play, I personally recommend Kannon as a partner for YOU and I will take whomever is left! Ha! He and I got our bottems whooped by Greg and Paul. Anyway, here is a picture of Mason, Lauren, and Parker. Nobody told Lauren that it was dinosaur t-shirt day...she out cuted them with her bow anyways!!!

It has been an uneventful week here at Mason's house. We haven't been anywhere exciting or done anything of signifigance. :-( Mason and Amber did get to visit baby Ayden, Gracie I call her, on Tuesday. Nana is still there helping out. She will be visiting us for the weekend starting Saturday and then leaving Monday to go pick Bobby up in San Antonio. He is done with his contract work and back to Colorado he goes!

Aunt Jaime is also coming home for the weekend. She and Mason always entertain each other...until aunt Jaime gets tired! Ha! I am going on a men's retreat with church Friday night and Saturday. Should be fun. Like I said, nothing much going on around here. I promise to get the camera out this weekend and get some fresh pictures for next week!

Busy times!!!

Things have been quite hectic around Mason's house these days. Seems like every other day we are having to clean house for people to come and look at it...but nobody wants it! :-( Ugh. Lots of effort to no avail. This "house cleaning" is why I missed blog night last week, then I just got busy and it was the weekend. Sorry.

Friday night at 9:22 p.m., we became aunt and uncle all over again. Ayden Grace Wyatt, 5 lb. 5 oz., 19" was born in Tyler, TX. Mama and baby are doing well and went home today from the hospital. I listed her "name," but it has been kicked around more than a soccer ball at a World Cup match. It could have changed since I was told?!?!?! She was a sleeping beauty when I got to see her yesterday. Never made a peep.

God kind of had everything worked out this weekend. I had plans to play football in Dallas Saturday and Sunday. Amber had a sister in the hospital, and Mason went to spend time with mom and dad who left on Sunday for a cruise. So, we all went our seperate ways and met back up on Sunday after lunch. While I was away for 30 hrs., Mason must have figured out what his Lego's were for. Amber said I had to look at the camera and see the picture Mason wanted taken.

He was so proud of his "sky scraper" that he wanted Amber to "take a picture to show daddy." He really did a good job. Amber said he built the entire thing himself and she had to pick him up to put the last few on.

When he woke up from his nap he wanted daddy to take a picture with him next to the sky scraper....then mama also!

Mason is getting tall...and heavy. You can see how tall his is when he is standing next to me sitting on the ground. I bought him some shoes Thursday and he is already in a size 8. Yes, I did get him another pair of "bling-bling" shoes! Sometimes we get flustered at Mason's hard headed nature and rebellion as a two year old. But when I step back and look at the larger picture, we are blessed with a wonderful little person that is so full of joy and ENERGY and wants to share it all with us. What more could you want?

He wanted to know last week why Jesus died...and where was heaven? What a marvelous thing to ask about and want to know...even as a 2 1/2 year old. We have never made a point to discuss Jesus and heaven with him yet, but we have always been honest when asked about the cross at church or other spiritual questions. So now he knows that Jesus died for our sins and that heaven is where we go to be with Jesus after we live on earth for a long time. :-) Tough questions to answer in 2 1/2 year old terms.

Well, I have shared all that I know. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Ava's Birthday!!!

Friday was our neice, Ava Claire's, birthday. So, Saturday, it was time for a party!!! Mason had a blast at Ava's party. Gramps had bought her this Diego inflatable with a million of the balls, like the one Mason is holding, and they played and played in that thing.

Ava had tons of fun also! She blew out her candles as soon as her mama lit them...we had to sing Happy Birthday to smok'in candles! Ha! She is such a pretty little girl...and about to be big sister! Only a few weeks left!

Here is the big dog eating his cookie cake...nap time was Mission Impossible! Also here is a picture of the dangerous duo. They always look like they are up to something...which they ususally are!

I believe Mason had the most fun this weekend riding Ava's "for we-wer." He wouldn't get off the thing. If you can tell, his feet don't even fit on the steps on the side. Amber said we should get him one...I'm an old fuddy duddy and think toys should be powered by the child on them, not a battery. We shall see who wins out on that deal.

And finally, the story of the week. Mason was staying with mom and dad on Friday night so Amber and I could go out. Mom and Amber were at the kitchen table talking while Mason was running from the kitchen to the living room playing with dad. He told mom that he wanted something and she told him no. To this, he ran into the living room and threw himself on the floor and began to throw a fit. Dad raised his voice and said, "Joshua Mason, not in my house. We do not throw fits like that, it is not nice." Mason replied, "Well, I will go home and my mama will let me throw a fit." I wasn't there to hear it, but I'm sure his mama had to try to keep from laughing. Kids do tell the truth, whether we like it or not!

Chowklet Eggs

Well, we had lots going on Easter weekend. Thursday morning we packed up and left town headed for San Antonio to see Gramps!

Mason was very excited. We arrived in enough time for Mason to play outside a bit and eat dinner. Then it was off to bed because we had a big day Friday.

Friday we went to the San Antonio Zoo. Mason had a big time...he always does at the zoo...I think he feels at home there! Ha! Check out this bear sitting in the background of his picture, it almost looks fake!

After the zoo, my two bit father-in-law and evil wife made Mason and I go eat Chinese food. Yuckie!!! They seemed to enjoy it. Then it was home for a nap. Friday evening, we met one of Amber's friends since childhood, Erica, and her family, at Clear Springs. As a foot note, this was the original Clear Springs resaurant in Clear Springs, TX.

After dinner with Erica's husband Jason, and three of her kids, Robert, Cameron, and Riley we went back to their house for cookies and ice cream. We had a short visit their due to the time an Mason's bed time. Cameron gave Mason a helicopter that he just loves! Thank you Cameron!!!

Mason crashed on the way home. When we got back to Gramps house, we changed all his clothes and put on pajamas and through all that, he never woke up. Saturday we woke up and stayed around the house. Gramps wasn't feeling all that well, so he rested. Mason and I went the hardware store and checked out the Radio Flyer wagons, bicycles, lawn mowers, and many other various items. Saturday afternoon, we went to "kiddie park." For those of you who don't know, it is a park of miniature amusement park rides for kids. Mason had lots of fun!

Daddy even got to ride one ride with Mason because he was too small to go alone...we decided to stick our tounges out at mama!!!

We left the park and had dinner and then back home. Gramps wasn't feeling well. When we woke up on Easter Sunday, Gramps was sure enough sick. It was cold, cloudy, and really windy outside, so we couldn't hide eggs. Sad for our little guy, but mama went outside and walked back in with his Easter basket telling him, "The Easter bunny left it next to our truck." He didn't care, he just started opening eggs and eating chocolate!




We left and went home around 9:30. I think it was the first Easter in my entire life I wasn't at church. I am happy to report that Gramps was feeling better today, so I hear. When we got back to J'Ville, it was pretty outside, so Mason got to play in the yard and use up some of the stored energy from the ride home! He (and mama and daddy) slept well Sunday night!


Now we are back to the grinding stone this week. Mason doesn't get to eat but a piece or two of candy each day, so he loaded them all up in a toy car he has (in the hood) and drives them around the house. It is a big car you sit on and push with your feet.


He is working the system though. After he has his few pieces of candy he comes over to daddy and says, "Do jew want sum candy daddy?" "A chowklet egg?" I reply,"Sure buddy, thank you." To which he gets an egg out from under the hood of his car and procedes to tear off the foil covering. Once uncovered, he brings me the egg and just as soon as he drops it in my hand he says, "Daddy, can you bite it in half and give me some?" I am way too soft...lets just say he ends up with more than a few pieces of candy each day. :-)