Slip...Sit and Slide!!!

We haven't had alot going on here at Mason's house. Mason has been enjoying the leisurely days of summer...sleeping late...sipping on orange juice and watching cartoons...shopping with mama...eating popsicles...and all the other glorious things summer has to offer!

He has gotten to spend a lot of time with his Gigi and Granddad also. He likes it there since he gets whatever he wants! He loves to go outside and make mud pies. Yuck!

Also, what kind of hillbilly East Texan would my son be if he didn't take his first bath in a bean wash'in pot?!? At least he used soap!

Also this week, mama purchased Mason a Slip-n-Slide. They are much more cush than what I remember. I remember a long yellow piece of plastic held in the ground by some metal "tent" stakes and a small sprinkler on the side. Today's version comes with a fully inflated slide with guard rails on each side and a landing pool at the end. No more metal "tent" stakes either, smooth plastic ones that don't work worth a crud.

Anyway, Mason loved it. He loved the pool at the end the most, but enjoyed the whole slide at times. We could not get him to run and slide. He would run and jump on his knees or bottom...sometimes just run right through it until he wiped out. He was a hoot to watch.

These are the best two pictures I have because he wouldn't stand still long enough for me to get a good one. I'm glad he had fun with the thing! He needs some older kids to come over and show him how to use it! Daddy is a little big to slide down it.

Finally, Gramps' birthday is Monday, so we wanted to say Happy Early Birthday Gramps!!!!

Hope you have a great weekend and birthday Monday!!! We love you.

Father's Day Weekend

Mason started tumbling class Friday. I call it gymnastics, but I was quickly corrected by my wife and her sister that it was tumbling class. Mason loved it to say the least. Mama only took a few pictures that didn't come out so great. She is promising more next week of better quality! This clown picture of our son is the best I can do for this week!

Saturday we got up early and took Mason to Gigi and Granddad's for an extended stay. Amber and I were off to the NASCAR race in Detroit, MI. Mom and dad had gotten us tickets and airfare for my birthday. I don't know if they wanted to send me to the races as a gift...or if they wanted Mason all to their self for an extended weekend?!?!?!

Either way, we all had a blast. The only downside was that I was not with my son on father's day, Amber was not with her dad, and I was not with my dad. We made plenty of phone calls Sunday morning though!

Amber and I had a great time. We made a brief tour of downtown Detroit...not suggested, on Saturday afternoon. Woke up Sunday and went racing where our guy Dale Jr. won the race! Then Sunday we drove to Niagara Falls.

It was a really long drive. Five hours one way, but definitely worth it. It drove me nuts having to constantly convert km. to miles. UGH!!! I would like to have the guy who invented the metric system alone in the ocatagon for a few rounds! Also, I would like to go a few rounds with the genius who didn't put the km. scale on the speedometer of our Chevy rental. What a whooping there.

Amber had never been to the falls, and it had been nearly ten years since I was there. She really enjoyed it. I know I have incuded a few pictures, but they do not do it justice. It is a much bigger spectalcle in size and scale than any picture or television documentary can show. If you are ever close enough to visit, you should.

It is eerie how close they allow you to get to the edge. One would only have to climb over a 30" tall rail and jump in to go over the falls. I'm sure someone has. It is nuts. Made me nervous to be that close...Amber made fun of me...but I didn't like it one bit.

These are the American Falls about a quarter of a mile down stream. Much smaller than the main falls, they are more three dimensional and relaxing to watch. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but there is a deck and spectators at the bottom right...maniac adrenalin junkies!!! I'm just old and boring I guess!

Finally, we made our way back to the good ole U.S.A. and arrived home at 5:30pm today. Boy were we glad to see our little man. You could tell he missed us also, even though Gigi and granddad spoiled him rotten! I told Amber that it sure was a boring drive to the falls and back without someone talking and singing in the back seat all the way. He blessed us with a song or two on the way home from mom and dads! We are glad to be home and a complete family again.

Summer is here!

This is my first post since Amber and Mason have been off for summer time. I can hardly live around these two because they are so giddy about staying home and doing all the fun stuff that being home all day entails. I know...once again it has been over two weeks since the last post. I have no excuse.

On the 28th of May, my sweet aunt Sharla passed away. She was my mom's youngest sister. She lived here in Jacksonville at Travis Towers (limited assisted living) for the past several years. Mason loved seeing her and always had questions about her. He pronounce her name "Char-wa," that always made me smile. Mason had questions because my aunt had many quirks about her due to mental illness and health issues. Mason always notices if something is not quite normal about someone. Aunt Char-wa had many problems, but also had the biggest heart. She lived on a minimal budget, with my mom and dad filling in the gaps most every month. Never once did she miss a birthday though. It was always a card, sometimes a pair of socks from the dollar store, or even some sort of trinket she thought Amber would like. I probably didn't spend near the time I should have with her. I think of her every time I enter Whataburger because she practically lived there (it's right next to her apartment)! I miss her smile and hearing her call me "Joshie bubba." She was a wonderful person and loved our Lord and I thank God for that and the time we got to spend with her.

Look at this guy! He is happier than a tornader in a trailer park! On the first day of summer, Amber took Mason to the playground and heard that in Rusk, TX there was a Tow Mater parked on the side of the road for all to see. Well, that's almost better than the World's Largest Ball-o-twine...they had to go. Mason was so very excited. She said she could not get him to quit smiling so big! I'm glad he had such an exciting experience with one of the characters from the movie he LOVES!!!

Also that week, Mason got to go to the zoo. He always loves that. I think he feels at home with all the other animals! Haha! I know his mama does! I'm going to get in trouble for that one!! Also during that week, we cleaned a bunch of tree limbs from our back yard to make a play area for Mason. He was quite the helper. So the following weekend, last weekend, we built a fence to hide the ugly barn that is behind our house!

Mason wants to help so much. He will do anything: hold the hammer, hold a nail, pull the rake, pick up rocks. He likes to talk while he works also. I try to stop and listen to him always, but it starts getting ridiculous! So mama has to listen while daddy keeps working! He is such a good boy though, and great helper. I will try to get a picture of our finished product on here next week. He loves playing back there and it is shady all day.

We are off to Brooklyn, MI Saturday to see the NASCAR race. Mom and dad got Amber and I tickets and airfare for my birthday. I think they just wanted a long weekend with Mason alone...no Josh and Amber to boss the grandparents around! Well, I guess they got it! Happy Father's Day to all you guys out there with litlens. What a privilege and honor it is. Thank you God for the gift of being a father.

Slide + Lake = Fun!

As I sit here eating Rolo's and drinking sweet tea, I have been thinking back on the happenings of the week and long weekend. One thing glaring stands out. The guys got together Friday night to play some more Spades. As you recall from earlier posts, Kannon was my partner and was no good...he never fails to exceed my expectations. We have played several hands Fri. night and aren't doing so bad. On this particular hand, he has bid "low," regular "low." I think I bid five. We are trucking along with our low-5 bid when on the 8th time around, my fabulous partner decides to spade in. My fabulous partner is going low, mind you. He bid low, on his own accord, with six spades. SIX SPADES! Just wanted everyone to know what I was dealing with around here!

We went to the lake Saturday and Mason had a blast! I took his slide from the garage thinking he might, might slide off of it into the water...boy did I underestimate that. All he wanted to do was slide more. Sorry we didn't get any action pictures, but it took two people, one to catch and one to keep him from falling when running to the stairs on the slide, thus no one to take the action shot! (That was the longest run-on sentence ever) We slid and swam until he was about to turn into a popcicle, then had to get out. The water was warm enough, but the breeze when you kept getting in and out made it quite cool.

Parker had his pool right next to Mason's slide and had a blast also. He is a pretty good little guy, doesn't fuss unless he is hungry or tired. A lot more like his mama than daddy...lets just hope it stays that way! Ha!

Sunday we went to church, then went to mom and dad's to celebrate aunt Jaime's birthday! It is not until tomorrow, Wednesday, but we partied all the same! Mason and I picked a card that said "For your birthday I thought you would like to see a cute guy with his shirt off." Then you opened it up and there was a naked baby. Sooooo, when Mason and I came home from Wal-Mart, he posed for a manly muscle shot....

.....what do you think? Future Mr. America? At any rate, we cut it out and pasted it inside aunt Jaime's card for a big smile and laugh when she opened it. She didn't want any gifts, just sweet moola for her trip to Ireland later in the summer. Al, you will have to give her some tips on where to go. I'm not a big fan of "no gifts," so I bought her a t-shirt with all the Sesame Street gang on it and it read, "I Was Raised In The Street." I got a kick out of it, even if she never wears it! With all that said, muscles and all,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAIME!!!!

Finally, Monday we went to the playground and played for over an hour and a half...the weather was great. Came home and washed the cars. This was Mason's first time to wash the car with daddy. He had washed the car with grandddad and had so much fun that I figured we would try it here at home. He was so funny. He said, "Mama..dis is reawy, reawy durty." So funny coming from him and not me! Ha! We had a great weekend together. Mama has been a little under the weather with allergies for the last couple of days if you wonder why she wasn't mentioned more. We tried to stay out of the house and let her rest lots. We want her to get back to abnormal soon!

Finally, we want to say Happy Birthday to Gabriel Arce!!! He was born to Lori and William Arce on May 24. I am awaiting a picture and will share when I get it, but wanted to say congratulations all the same!!!

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!!!