Pumpkin Picking

With Halloween approaching and the weather being so beautiful it was a great day to go to the pumpkin farm. Mason had a blast checking everything out and was really bummed to have to leave. We got a great pumpkin that he picked out in the field!

Train playground

Our little pepper

Monster truck slide

Pirate ship playground

Seeing how tall he is this year

Inflatable tee ball

Playing in the corn pit

Pony ride

Train ride (the bigger one was broken)

We were trying to get a family selfie, but Mason kept complaining that the sun was in his eyes!

Our pumpkin

He insisted on driving the pink tractor

Happy 4th Birthday Mason!

I can't believe my baby is 4! He is turning into such a smart (sometimes too smart) little guy who is very opinionated. He is very into pretty much all things boy! Legos are his newest obsession and his collection is growing fast. He does a very good job building with them and really puts his imagination to use. He loves playing "pretend" and is still enjoying playing cars and dinosaurs. He really loves playing outside which is becoming problematic now that the weather is starting to cool down. He is very independent and loves having his own things scheduled (school, swim class, etc). He is making lots of new friends this year in school and has helped some of the kids who are new to school to adapt. He is developing quite the personality and we couldn't be more proud.

He is currently measuring 42.5 inches tall and weighs 40.5 lbs. 

On his actual birthday after dinner at Sweet Tomatoes (his choice). He requested an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen, but chose this ice cream parfait instead.

 A few of his 4 year old photos

Mason's Birthday Week of Fun

This year Mason's birthday celebration lasted a whole week! His Cars party was the weekend before his actual birthday so the festivities just seemed to keep coming. For his birthday dinner with the Zdenek family he chose Chuck E Cheese's. Strangely, he had never been there before and was amazed that they had games there! He had a great time and is still asking to go back.

Given his new found love of Legos it only seemed natural to head to Legoland. He was so excited when we told him we were going and couldn't wait to get there. Honestly, I think we all found something there that we thought was cool. It was a fun day for everyone!

Navy Pier

The Bean

More Millenium Park

Buckingham Fountain

Entering the Jungle Expedition

Someone got eaten!

One of the rides

He wasn't thrilled to be posing

On our way out showing off his loot (thanks Auntie Erica and Tyler)

The day before his birthday was his celebration at school. He got to bring in snack that day and since I was the parent volunteer that day he got to choose a story for me to read to his class. It was neat to be in class with him for a day and see what his day looks like. After school we had a Mason-Mommy birthday lunch at Choo Choo Johnny's before heading home to play Legos.

After his school birthday celebration. 

Choo Choo ride

 Lego masterpiece

Maddon One Month

Maddon just had his one month doctor visit and is doing great! He's growing normally and is doing a great job of holding his head up. He's a strong baby and loves holding our hands and "standing." He is such a snuggly baby and is smiling and "talking" more and more. He still wakes up once a night, but doesn't want to eat when he wakes up. The doctor thinks he just wants to snuggle so he recommended putting something of mine near him to sleep so he has my scent. We'll see if that makes a difference.

He now weighs 10 pounds, is 22 1/4 inches long, and has a head circumference of 15 inches.

At one month

 Smiles!

 Loving his big brother 

Mason's "Cars" Party

This year getting ready for Mason's party was a bit challenging. Two weeks post-op and life with a newborn and energetic (almost) four year old made life a little crazy. With TONS of help from my mom, though, we pulled it off! He wanted a Cars party and that's just what he got. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate. He's a lucky little boy!

Opening his gift from Alexandria, Hailey, and Jake

 Maddon meeting his great grandma for the first time

 Opening gifts. This year he was big on Legos, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and anything with wheels!

 We surprised Mason with a ride-on police car after he opened all of his other presents. Daddy, Papa Gene, and Tyler snuck out and put it in the backyard for the boys to play. We were all impressed by what a great job of sharing they did.

Giving Luke & Blake a turn

 Daddy getting them started

Silly driving 

 Another Erica & Grandma creation

 Thanking Auntie Erica for his cake

 Happy Birthday Maser!