We're walking!

It is official! And we have the bumps, bruises and scratches to confirm the milestone. Mason is our little pinball these days.

Florida!

Last week we were in Florida for Liam and Meredith's beautiful wedding. They were married on the beach with a gorgeous bridal party surrounding them. Their wedding album I'm sure will be spectacular.
It was great seeing so many friends and family on the trip (not quite a vacation when traveling with an eleven month old). We had lots of helping hands with Mason which was awesome. Mason loved his dance party with Gabe and Catalina, sharing Cheerios with Maddy, swimming in the Gulf, tasting sea shells, spending many midnight hours in Pappy's arms as well as claiming his territory out on the balcony and in Andy's lap. I guess that's what we get for letting him "air out" for more than a brief moment.

The slight glow coming from Andy's face is the extra Water Babies SPF 55 that we had to do something with. That stuff takes awhile to rub in!

A clean balcony after the piddling incidents.


Gabe, Catalina and "Baby Mason"

The best part...

of our morning is when Andy puts Mason in the hiking pack for the traditional morning stroll. Mason's squeals are awesome.

Just a little pathetic

Looks like someone doesn't want to be in their pack-n-play.
*sigh*

Garden Update

For four years we have been working on making the garden a fantastic place for veggies to grow, fruits to ripen and to provide those who walk through a simple sense of serenity. That was the original vision. Between our first year here and now, a few things have distracted us from our ultimate vision to include deer, drought, voles (not moles but similar), plant diseases, squash bugs, cucumber bugs, bean bugs, weeds and pregnancy. I had grand plans last year for the garden but hauling around a nine-month pregnant belly in the heat just didn't equal fun.

Since the first year of garden hope, a fence has been built to keep the deer out, rows have been dug to provide wide and deep beds for our plants to live, an irrigation system has been built and fabric has been put down to stifle the weeds.

I have to say, this year the garden is finally the vision of four years ago. We've already picked multiple pounds of burgundy beans and can't wait to taste the other delights that await our mouths and bellies in the weeks to come. Come by and visit anytime!

PS. Dad, thanks for all the help to include the fence, seeds and positive words of encouragement. You garden looks beautiful as well. My cucumbers send your cucumbers love. We hope they feel better soon.

Three years ago Dad and I worked all summer building the fence with a post hole digger, tamper and a lot of Pepsi.
Two years ago, with the fence complete, our vision seemed within reach. A rainbow visited to say good night.

I don't have any pictures from last year because we were a little busy.

However, this year...TA-DAH!

There are no weeds in our rows and the tomatoes, beans, peppers, strawberries, asparagus, artichokes, and rhubarb are enjoying being loved daily. Can't wait for the fall planting of peas, spinach and lettuce.

Fresh cut flowers from the yard. Ahhh...summer.
Come by and visit!
We can sit on the porch and catch up. Happy Summer! Love, Andy, Jenni and Mason

Learning about H2o

Water sure is funny!


But sometimes it can distract you.

Oh, geez

For a little boy who is fascinated with doors, this was surprising.

My soccer stud

Ahh....some of you may think I'm referring to Andy, my original soccer stud. However, there is a new star on the rise....


Mason's first, official, soccer "uni." Thanks, Elise!
We enjoyed time at the park where Andy worked with Mason on his soccer skills.

$1.13

What can you buy for a dollar and thirteen cents these days, besides four-piece chicken nuggets, you ask? I will tell you...you can buy quality time with your son while blueberry picking! If you're a better picker than the two of us it may cost you just a bit more :)

Mason and I drove down the road a few miles to Muskrat Farms for the picking adventure. We lasted about ten minutes due to heat, bugs and picking at the end of the blueberry season. I held my head high though as I dumped my dollar and thirteen cents worth of blueberries on the scale. When we got home Mason took his nap and I proceeded to eat all of the blueberries. Maybe I need to do a little self-reflecting on the notion of sharing.

Playdates!

Last week Mason had a grand time playing with Max and Taffe. These boys will have a blast when they're a bit older and can get into all sorts of trouble :)

Nicole's baby, Taffe, and big boy Mason.


Max, Mason and a defeated Mr. Lion
Sara and LD's baby, Max, is a super trooper when it comes to our little boy and his "aggressiveness." I am happy to report that Max is starting to hold his own. Being able to sit up helps although it's really sad when Mason takes one of Max's toys and crawls away. Poor Max can just sit there. Someday, Max. Someday.

I guess I don't have a "baby" anymore. Mason is officially starting to look like a little boy. A territorial one apparently.

A day in the life...

Often times, Allison (Buddy) has asked, "What do you do during the day when you stay home with a baby?" Hmm...that is a good question. Recently we have discovered doors and we are in the process of learning that they open and close. Sometimes it's not a good idea to put yourself between a door that you are trying to close. Mason is still working on that one. We are also learning how to share. "Can you give Mommy a cheerio?" Mason was so kind to take one out of his mouth, put it in my hand and then immediately pick it back up and eat it. Yum.
We also play lots of games of hide-and-seek. "Wow, Mason must be advanced to play such a game at eleven months." Yes, very advanced. See the video below to see how advanced we are talking.

Mason attempts to break out of the playroom


Our little game of hide and seek


After a long day of strolling, wrestling, standing, opening and closing doors as well as playing hide and seek, it's always a good idea to splash in a pool.