Yikes!

Ok, so I just realized that, according to our blog, it is still the ice storm (and January). So I guess it is time for some updates. School has been crazy busy for both Mayo and me. Mason is growing and growing...
Well, that pretty much sums it up!
Here are some pictures that tell about the last five months better than I could.
Hope you enjoy!

Silver Dollar City...

A friend from work invited Mason and me to go to Silver Dollar City (a theme park in Branson, MO) for two days. She has a son who is the same age as Mason, so the boys had a blast playing together. Here are some of the pictures.

Mason trying to avoid the water shooting out of the ground. He didn't quite make it though and got sprayed in the face a few times.

There was an entire room filled with balls and Mason thought he was in heaven!

He could have stayed in this room for hours.

There are wooden trains and tractors for the kids to play on at Silver Dollar City. And since Mason and Emmet were both afraid of most of the moving rides, this is where they preferred to play. Mason loved the tunnels on the train (if you can't tell).

Mason and Emmet crawling through the tunnels together.

Emmet and Mason just hanging out on the giant tractor

Mason loves wearing my sunglasses. Doesn't he look good?

Just a funny picture that I had to include!

Easter Goodness...

He loved eating the chocolate...but, honestly, who doesn't?

He did a pretty good job on his first Easter Egg Hunt.

The next few photos were taken at Tiffany's farewell before she left on her mission (or should I say 'Hermana Hoskins'?)

Tiffany with all the grandkids on my mom's side

Mason with Christian, Kendra, and Lilly

Dad and Sisters- last family pictures with Tiffany for 18 months (sad, I know)

Taken later that night- we were all a little tired

Mayo's dad actually posed for two pictures- shocking! He must have been tired...

Mason and Ryli

Mayo's Parents

Mason loves his cousin Shay!

Mason loved feeding the ducks, until one of them bit his finger. I don't think he will be sticking his hands through any fences in the near future.

Well, that is it for now. I also have some great videos, but my computer is not cooperating, so I will have to post those later. Hope you loved seeing pictures of Mason as much as we do!

Ice Storm

We have officially survived our first ice storm in Arkansas. Here are some pictures of the damage the storm caused in our area. A lot of homes have been without power for 2 days now- we were lucky and only lost power for about 12 hours (during which we huddled around the fireplace to keep warm). I never realized how beautiful, but dangerous these storms can be. Sorry about the picture quality, many of the photos were taken from inside the car as we drove around.

Some of the roads were blocked with trees that had fallen over because of the ice that had accumulated on them.
This old truck was safe (Mayo breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it), but the car below was not so lucky.

This picture is a little blurry because we didn't want the neighbors (who were watching us take the picture) to think we were stalkers.

Next time you have a bad day, just think, "My car could look like this" and you will feel all better.

We took Mason outside when we went to visit an elderly lady in our ward. He loved it!

Pink pajama pants are always a must on cold days when you have no place to go!

One of the houses down the street from us has trees that line the driveway all the way from the street to the house. It is normally very beautiful, but not so practical in an ice storm. I don't think they will be getting in or out of their driveway any time soon!

Poor tree!

Our house survived without too much damage, but a few trees did suffer. The top of one of our trees broke off right in our walkway- sad.

This is the willow tree in our backyard. A few of the big branches on top of this tree also broke because of the weight of the ice.

Mayo took an up close picture of the grass at the beginning of the storm. The ice made the grass very sharp at first (even our dogs wouldn't walk on it), but after a while, it was just like giant icicles on the lawn.

Hopefully this gives you at least a glimpse of what it looks like around here.

Updates

Wow! I can't believe how much time has passed- Halloween, lots of family visits, and Christmas. Here are some pictures to catch up and they are not in order- sorry!

Mason loved the 4-wheeler rides.

He is learning good dental hygiene early!

Opening presents on Christmas morning. We did not make it through all of them before he fell asleep for his morning nap. What can I say- he likes his sleep!

Temple Square

Mason loved the snow. And considering we don't get any snow in Arkansas, it was the first time in his life he really got to play in the snow.

My personal favorite- sledding!

Family Visit- Mayo's family came to visit. Mason loved having his cousins around because he finally had someone to play with at our house. He idolized his cousin Daxton. Here they are in the bath together. I tried to pick the most modest picture.

More of Mason and Daxton

Halloween- my favorite holiday! My sisters and I had a great time.

I am not sure Mason enjoyed it as much as we did!

And that is it for now! Maybe in another 3 months I'll update again...maybe.

Pumpkin Patch

We decided to pick our own pumpkins this year, straight from the farm.

More Birthday

Just a couple of pics/videos of his first presents. Thanks everyone!

Mason's First Birthday!!

We celebrated Mason's first birthday at the park by our house. Heather says thanks to all the friends for showing their love; I am not sure what she is inferring (or implying, Creed) about family who didn't show up.

If you look closely, you can see Cord's better side.

This is why little kids shouldn't have birthday parties. Mason couldn't take one more minute, but Heather wasn't finished having fun yet, so Mason continues to suffer!!

Jeep Ride

This picture is my personal favorite!

We went to Disney, Oklahoma for a nice (and humid) jeep ride on Labor Day. Here are a few of our highlights! Oh, and I promise I will eventually catch up on everything else (including our summer vacation to Utah).