Fourth of July Weekend

We enjoyed a fun, but pretty wet, mini-vacation at Lake Oconee with my family over the July 4th weekend. It was our first trip there this summer! Despite the rain, we were able to enjoy the pool and/or boat almost every day, so it wasn't a total wash. I'm very excited that Mason officially loves riding in the boat now and even swam in the 'fish water' (lake) with his cousin BreAnna's encouragement. Matthew stayed at the condo and snuggled with Mimi during our boat outings. Maybe he'll try it out later this summer.

Chillin' at snack time

Nice shot!

Matthew does not like the water as much as Mason (so far), but he enjoys it for a short swim.

Enjoying a popsickle on the porch.

Two WORN OUT cousins after a long day on the boat!

Sweet brothers at bedtime after a FUN weekend!

Summer fun!

Can you tell we are loving our new backyard? We have had a super fun and busy summer so far and looking forward to a long 4th of July weekend!

The boys enjoying a picnic dinner on the patio.

And a popsickle!

Matthew LOVED his and even tried to eat a broken piece off the ground. Here is the aftermath.

And more summer pictures here: https://picasaweb.google.com/chenretty/Summer2013#

Mason's 3rd Birthday!

We celebrated Mason's third birthday a few weeks ago with a very fun 'Buzz' themed party at Catch-Air. Catch-Air is an children's indoor play center with lots of fun stuff to climb on, slide down and basically just jump around like crazy children. They all had a blast. And Buzz Lightyear himself even showed up for a dance party with the birthday boy. Mason was a little apprehensive about meeting his favorite superhero in real life and refused to dance with him. Luckily his cousin BreAnna jumped in and took over the very important duties.

Mason's favorite place - the ball pit

This was his reaction to Buzz. And about as close as he wanted to get.

Bre had no problem dancing with him. See Mason pouting behind her (he pouts when he gets nervous or scared).

Daddy trying to coax him closer to Buzz.

That's the best we can do.

Action shot on one of the big slides.

Pitiful attempt at a group shot. You try getting 15 2-3 year olds in one picture...

He really liked the candle.

Blowing out the candle on his Buzz cake

Yummy

Everyone loves icing.

Happy Birthday sweet boy! We love you so much and you are turning into a very smart and sweet young man!

Home Sweet Home!

I can't believe we have been in our new home for almost 3 weeks! I had great intentions of getting a cute picture of the boys on the front porch and well, it just hasn't happened yet. It has been a whirlwind month of moving. Luckily Chris and I took off an entire week to get settled, so I am happy to report that we are (mostly) out of boxes and LOVING our new home! The neighborhood is amazing and we have been very welcomed by our neighbors and friends that we already knew from daycare. We have visited the pool several times and of course both of my water babies love it! It's going to be a fun summer! Here are a few pictures I've gotten with my phone. The office is the last room to unpack and organize, so I am a little technically limited right now.

My gorgeous backyard! The boys love running around back there.

The boys' basement playroom. All neat and organized (but not for long).

Stay tuned for pictures from Mason's 3rd Birthday Party! He had a blast! I'm so glad we had it when we did, because both boys have been sick since the very next day. Boo!!

Just some fun pictures

We're going to box him up for the move!

Busted in the kitchen cabinets again

We are in the midst of packing for our move ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! WOOHOO!!! Since we're about to pack up the camera and computer, I just thought I'd upload a few cute pictures to the blog. It may be a while before I have time update it again. Here's hoping we get unpacked and back to some sense of normalcy very soon!

They may kill me for this one day, but it was too cute to pass up

Happy Matthew loves to clap and dance

Matthew showing his 'country' side in Cochran.

Matthew LOVES facing forward in his carseat

Sweet big boy Mason enjoying a Frosty after his doctor's check-up

Look who's ONE!

My sweet baby Matthew turned one last week! The year has flown by and I can't believe how grown up he is already. Both sets of grandparents were able to come celebrate the big occasion with us. He really enjoyed his cupcake as you can tell from the pictures below. Here are a few one year stats:

• Weighs a whopping 24lb, 4oz (85%) and 31" (also 85%). At least he's consistent?
• He is officially walking and almost running. He has no fear (even more so than brother), so we get lots of 'boo-boos' these days.
• Talking up a storm and FINALLY saying 'Mama'!!
• 4 teeth (2 top/2 bottom) with a few more trying to poke through
• Still a pretty good sleeper - 11 hours most nights, but occasionally wakes up (I think it's the teething). He's my alarm clock waking up at 6:30 on the dot pretty much every single morning.
• Starting to eat table food and we're transitioning to milk. He loves cheerios and puffs.
• Loves playing with cars, balls, splashing in the tub, looks up to his brother - he always wants to do what the 'big kids' are doing.
• OBSESSED with doors and drawers of any kind (like kitchen cabinets, drawers and full size doors). He just likes to open/close them and it will entertain him for hours.
• He is still the happiest boy (most of the time). But when you make him mad, usually by taking something away from him, he has quite the temper!!
• He is also a flirt and seems to get attention almost anywhere we go (and he enjoys it).

We love you sweet boy! You're such a joy to be around and a wonderful addition to our family!

The birthday boy on his big day.

Mommy and her sweet one year old

Big brother is ready for the cupcakes!

Hmm, this looks yummy

He dug right in there

Big brother trying to show him how it's done

Love that sweet face

He loves his firetruck from Nana and Grandpa

Posing with Mimi and Dee

And with Nana and Grandpa

Easter and G-Day

We are busy prepping for our crazy spring/summer! I can't believe our big move is still a month away. I'm so ready to get settled in our new home! Plus, we have two big birthdays coming up for both of the boys in the next 6 weeks! I'm very happy to report that Mason is officially potty trained (with a few accidents, but he's doing great!) and Matthew has 4 teeth! The little man popped out two bottom teeth when he was about 10 mos old and the top 2 just showed up last week. He has been waking a little bit at night, but otherwise, it hasn't seemed to bother him too much. And he's oh so close to walking. He can stand for a few seconds un-aided and usually falls forward when he tries a few steps. But that doesn't stop him from getting into everything. He gets around VERY well crawling and cruising.

Here are a few pictures from our Easter picnic and the Georgia Spring game. This year was special because Mason got to go to the game with Daddy and Dee while Mommy and Mimi stayed home with Matthew. Yes, Dee put away his Auburn shirt just for one day to cheer on the Dawgs with his grandson. Mason was old enough to really get into the game (well, for a quarter or 2) and it was a gorgeous Saturday in Athens!

How Matthew spent most of the Easter picnic. Snuggling with Mimi

Mason showing off his loot from the hunt. He really got the hang of it this year!

Mason and BreAnna after the hunt

 

Sweet boys in their Georgia attire. It is impossible to get them to both sit still and look at the camera!

The 'big boys' headed to Athens! And a blackmail shot of Dee in his Georgia attire.

What?? I don't get to go?