LONG TIME, NO POST, SO SORRY!

Dear Friends and Family,

We are long over-due for a post and for that I apologize.  Life has been extremely busy in recent weeks -- yes, beyond the normal crazy.  As you will see, we have been visiting with family, friends, and doing much celebrating!  It's hard to believe that Mason was born a year ago (not to mention Hannah three years ago)!

Hannah started preschool, which was a big milestone.  She loves her teachers, the activities and her friends.  We continue to be impressed with just how perceptive Hannah is.  She doens't miss a thing and she comprehends feelings and emotions very well.  She is particularly good at reading body language.  She will ask why someone is sad or goofy, etc.  She is also a fantastic "babysitter," as she watches Mason for several minutes each day when Mom is dumping the compost or bringing the trash downstairs. 

Mason is now walking (some of you witnessed this this past weekend at Jenn's party)!  It's strange, because it happened rather quickly.  He went from sitting down immediately upon realizing that he had lost his grip of someone's finger, to walking 8-10 consecutive steps on his own!  He still wakes at 4am (the biological clock is incredible, as he's never more than 3 minutes off of 4am) for a nursing, but is too busy and distracted to nurse the rest of the day.  So, the weaning has begun.  He really enjoys waving out the window to whomever it is that is in the driveway.  Mason has been dubbed the "most cuddly" by some of you, and this is reinforced when he comes to hug Mom's legs and snuggle his head on her while she's trying to make dinner.  

We hope you enjoy the pictures!

J, S, H, M

 

Auntie Kristi insisted on a day at the beach and once we finally found our way to the salt water, we were in HEAVEN!  Thank you for a beautiful day, Kristi!

Hannah, this reminds me of the Curious George Goes to the Beach book we read.  Remember how CG figures out that sea gulls are eating his snacks and thus concludes that they are hungry, so he follows them and feeds them all of their picnic?

Explorer

Ponderer

Siblings sitting in the glistening sun

Strike a pose, kids!

Finally, it's my turn for special time with Auntie Kristi!

The ocean was so cold that Hannah preferred to swim this way.  Thanks to Auntie Kristi, she was able to!

Beautiful day at the beach.

Happy Birthday, Mason!  You turn ONE today!

This makes me grin, Mom!  Can you believe it's been a year?!

What are you two constructing?!  Mason is proud to finally be old enough to play with his big sister's play doh!

Mason's first finger paint experience!  It was on Mason's first birthday that I realized Hannah had been exposed to such activities long before her first birthday and decided we better get started.  Better late than never :P

Hannah made Mason a very special birthday card, as you can see here.

Mason liked the little wooden cars Hannah got for him.  They were crafted in Middlebury, VT!

He was also very excited about the Eric Carle book and the bath toys that Grand Aunt Sybil sent.  Thank you, Aunt Syb!

We had a great trip to the Audubon Society, where we saw an owl, some hawks, and even a bald eagle!

Open house at Emerson!  Here we go to check out Emerson together before Hannah goes for her first big day!

Hannah creating Dad's birthday Fruit Tart.

Is Hannah up to some mischief?

No way!  A proud Daddy on his b-day

The kids' cake didn't stand up to the heat, but it was still a real work of art.  - J

Hannah and Raq cuddling up.  It was great seeing you, Raq!

Hannah made swift work of the candles

Some of the gang, winding down post-celebration

GP Jimbo gives a toast to his parents for their 60th wedding anniversary.  We celebrated at their favorite restaurant.

The Patriarch and Matriarch of the Mason family

Jane was next to give a toast and she presented a little picture of Nanny and Gramps when they were young.

Mrs. Place joined us for the celebration and she was as cute as ever.

Nanny and Gramps, you guys are special.  Thanks for being so great!

Goober gets special time with Nanny. 

LOVE THIS.

Looks like a serious conversation going on down there....

Mason wants to make a toast!

The Three Stooges, seriously.

Smile -- hooray for family!

Hannah coming down for her first day of preschool, which, by the way, was her 3rd birthday!  Dad, Mason and Mom had to wake Hannah up by singing Happy Birthday, so that she would make it to school on time!

Hannah opening her presents on the morning of 

her birthday and her first day of school!

Hannah loves making Mason laugh and smile, and she's very good at it.

Hannah a bit unsure before heading to school for the first day?

Hannah decorated a special birthday crown on her first day of school!  Thankfully, any hesitation or shyness that existed before school started diminished immediately, because when Mason and Mom returned to pick Hannah up, she said she wanted to stay at school!

Our little fairy princess on her b-day!  Hannah was so excited to see that she got a fairy princess outfit.  Moments earlier, despite being admonished not to divulge the secret, Hannah stated that she wished for princesses before blowing out her birthday candles.  Thank goodness Dad and Mom held off on giving her a Tonka truck for the sandbox and instead, gave her this princess outfit!

Taking flight she was so elated.

Wacky Wednesday themed birthday party.  Yes, here the kids are eating lunch on a table cloth that had been spread beneath the table.  The place mats were magazines, and the food was a bit wacky too, like fruit creature creations, for one.

There were a total of 10 invitees.  On top of that, there were many siblings, so we had a big group to celebrate with.  Thank you all for joining me in the celebration!

Me and Sophie at my party, which was on a beautiful September day.

 

Goober just decided to start walking on his own (literally OVERNIGHT).  He's been so close for so long, but he hasn't wanted to release holding on to another person's finger until now. What a smiley guy.  We're so fortunate to have two very happy and healthy kids.  Thank you all for checking in on us!