A month ago....

we went to the pumpkin patch, and I'm just now posting about it. Since it is still fall I figured I wasn't too behind. We went to Seaside Stables in Santa Rosa Beach. The quantity of pumpkins was lacking, but we still had a good time. Mason fell asleep on the way there so he wasn't feeling too photogenic, but he perked up when he got to ride a horse.

The best I could get.

After the pumpkin patch we stopped at the beach for the boys to play in the sand. Notice the huge scab on Mason's nose from playing on the playground.

Happy Birthday, Max!

Dear Max,

One year ago today I held you in my arms and looked at your sweet face for the first time. I remember thinking how perfect you looked, and I couldn't take my eyes off of you. Oh, what a precious moment! Every day since then I have thanked God for blessing us with you, for only He could bestow such an amazing gift. Two scriptures I pray for you:
" In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 6:3
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your strength and with all your soul and with all your mind." Luke 10:27

There is nothing that will make your daddy and I prouder or bring us more joy than for you to follow these two commands. Happy birthday, sweet Max! We love you more than words can say.

Love,
Mommy

Dear Max,

You are already one year old! You have been a great baby, and are growing bigger and sweeter every day. Your gentle, calm nature belies your willingness to dance to any music, bang your tray for more food, and laugh while being roughly tackled by your big brother. Your curiosity gets the best of you at times – urging you to explore the wrong cabinets or splash around in the toilet! It’s not your fault that we sometimes leave the door open. By the way, you look pretty good in your brother’s hand-me-down clothes. Out of protest, you’ve stayed a bit smaller than he was so that’s gotten you a few new things to wear. A little advice… you would be wise to make better friends with the vacuum cleaner. Though it seems so frightening, this will inevitably benefit you in the future. All things considered, it’s hard to imagine loving a little boy more than your mother and I love you. We look forward to watching, supporting, and guiding your growth as you discover the world. Happy 1^st birthday!

Love,

Daddy

My Heroes

Halloween this year was really fun, and we got to celebrate on two different nights. On Saturday we went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. We ended up going to almost every street before Mason was ready to call it quits. He was really enjoying watching his bucket get filled with candy. On Sunday we went to the Village at Baytowne Wharf. We had never been there before, but it was a really cool area. There are a ton of restaurants and shops and they were all handing out candy. It was a fun atmosphere, and it was especially enjoyable to watch the sun set over the bay. While there we got even more candy and Mason got to ride the carousel and drink Vampire's blood (a $2.00 cup of red, sugary liquid). Maybe by the time Halloween rolls around next year we will have all of our candy eaten and be ready to do it all again!

Halloween Warm-Up

I guess the piece of candy Jonathan shared with Max wasn't quite enough.

What Mason's Been Up To.....

Decorating for Halloween

Reading his 3-D shark book from Grandma



Visiting the pumpkin patch with his class at school

Doing Science experiments with Daddy. Mason bought a Beginner's Science Kit with his birthday money from Aunt Catherine, Uncle Brad, Amelia, Ella, and Aunt Holly. Thanks to you all! He has had so much fun with it!

Taking pictures with his camera

Watching How To Train Your Dragon and eating cotton candy with Daddy. Mason also had to wear his dragon pajamas and hold his dragon toys from the movie.

All worn out

Coloring and drawing. I thought the day would never come!

11 Months

I cannot believe this sweet boy turned 11 months this week.

A few days ago I began to think about how in another month Max will be drinking milk, riding in a forward facing car seat, and having a first birthday party. It made me realize just how big he is getting. Max is so laid back and lovable. I could squeeze him to pieces and kiss his chubby little cheeks all day long. Even when he doesn't get his two naps a day, which is about half of the time, he is pleasant and enjoyable. A few things about Max at 11 months--has four teeth, standing up on his own, sleeping 12 hours at night, loves music and starts dancing anytime he hears it, and only drinks out of a straw cup. Another thing about Max is he loves to eat and will eat anything. His favorite is bananas, though. When we go to the grocery store I have to hide the bananas in the cart or he starts melting down because he wants one. It's kind of cute. Some pictures.....

Working Mason's puzzles.

Mason and Max drinking their milk before breakfast.


I gave Max an apple the other day and he loved it. He probably ate 3/4 of it and had the best time eating it.

I love this face when he wrinkles his nose. He does it a lot and it cracks me up.

Couldn't resist taking this picture:)

Chewing on the door stop. When I took it away he had dirt all over his mouth--nice. Not quite as bad as the piece of candy covered in carpet fibers that I dug out of his mouth at the Dollar Tree, though. I about threw up.