Pumpkins!

We've had a crazy week around here! Monday morning Jo called to say they had been at the hospital with her daughter Lauren, who had pneumonia so she would be closed for the day. It was a work day for me, so I was going to stay home, but Matt said he wasn't too busy at work and could stay home instead. That was a good thing because I had LOTS to do at school! They came and took me out for lunch and they had a great day hanging out!

Our 11 month old! This picture was HARD to get!

Thursday Jo emailed to say that Mason had a couple of bad diapers and was crying like he wasn't feeling well. To stay on the safe side because of all the sickness going around, we decided to keep him home Friday. We called Matt's parents and they headed down as soon as they got a few things packed. We didn't tell Zane they were coming, so when they got here and rang the doorbell he was super excited! We decided there was no way he would go to preschool the next day, so he stayed home with grandma and grandpa also! Keeta heard my car leaving and said, "There goes Mom to work." Zane wanted to know if Matt was leaving too...and refused to change out of his pajamas all day Friday because he thought if he changed he had to leave! We lucked out with Mason...he either had a really quick bug or something bothered his tummy. Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed a fun day with the boys and we were so thankful that they could help us out!

Saturday morning Zane had his last soccer practice/game. Grandma and Papa have been wanting to watch him, so they went along. Mason and I stayed home. The report this week was that he went in a couple of times but wasn't too excited about it (I think all of us are a little happy that it's over...it was somewhat painful)! Afterwards, they took team pictures and handed out medals. Zane was proud of his medal and said he had won the piston cup! Naturally, I didn't send the camera with Matt and Keeta didn't have hers, so we don't have pictures! The coach's dad took some, so hopefully he'll email those to me soon.

After soccer, Zane and Mason had haircuts. This wasn't Mason's first haircut, but his second...but it's the first time I had my camera with me, so we're counting it as the first one! Lauren, who has been cutting Zane's hair for awhile now, is going to be moving soon, so we were a little sad that it was our last time seeing her. She's been good to us!

Mason's "first" haircut (the sucker made him sit still!)

Lauren and Mason

After the boys' haircuts, we headed to a local church for their annual Boo Bash. There were train rides, photos, gift bags, freebies, food, animals, balloons, haunted areas, and trick or treating. Zane wore his costume and had a ball! During lunch he wanted to know if we were going back!

Riding a Harley! (Mason unsure of the guy that was there)
Zane by his hero...Spongebob!

Train ride

Playing around in the trees

Today we went to church and it was the first time they had to page us to come get Mason. The pager went off and it said, "Please come." Matt went down and Mason was at the sobbing/catching his breath stage. He calmed down while he was there, but then he left and Mason started crying again. There was only about 15 minutes of church left so we took him upstairs. It's not quite as easy to pay attention when we have him...we spend all of our time keeping him entertained and corralled! He is usually such a good baby, but church is right in the middle of his morning nap, so he is very tired at that time.

After church, we came home and carved the pumpkins we got last week. Zane decided what everyone would put on their pumpkin. We left the stickers on Mason's since it is so small. Mason helped...by putting everything in his mouth! He had some pumpkin seeds and guts in his mouth!

Mmmm...pumpkin seeds!

Pumpkin carving time

Let me do it Dad!

Our spooky creations...

Zane-isms

• As Matt and Zane were heading to Preschool, Zane told Matt to hurry so he could make a green light. It turned red before they got there, and Zane said, "God did not let us make it."
• We frequent Sonic a lot after daycare/preschool for a root beer...so lately Zane has been wanting to play Sonic. He will get some toys out and say, "Welcome to Sonic, may I take your order?" So then we have to order something and tell him what toy we want with our order!
• The other day Zane was "reading" books to himself. He was making up a story and just sitting in his rocking chair. He brought some books out to the kitchen, laid them on the table, and said, "Welcome to the library!"
• We were talking at supper the other night and Zane told us that he ate all of his lunch at Preschool. When we asked him what he ate, he said, "A hamburger, pineapple, and melted potatoes!" (We didn't realize he liked mashed potatoes and gravy so much)!

A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Monday was Matt's 33rd birthday! We actually had volleyball that night, so didn't really get to go out to celebrate other than driving through Sonic on the way home! Zane and I did get cupcakes and pumpkin bars for dessert, so we did enjoy those treats! Happy birthday Matt!

This week was busy with meetings, report cards, and trying to stay warm! I can't believe that we are already done with one quarter of school! It has flown by so far. This weekend we were home again and had soccer Saturday morning. Zane does much better when I am not there, so I think I'll opt out of going next week. He's okay when it's just practice and they're kicking the soccer ball around for fun, but when the game starts he is less than interested. He kept cheering for the opposing team because he thought it would make us mad...and kept saying he wanted to go home. It was a little chilly to say the least, but Matt said not as bad as last week. Mason was all bundled up to watch. He didn't stay content in the stroller for long. He wanted out of the stroller, so I got him out and let him walk around in the grass. He kept trying to go onto the field during the game, and at one point I said, "Mason, do you want to go in?" He looked at me, shook his head yes, and kept walking!

Watching Zane play soccer

After soccer was over, we decided to head to the pumpkin patch for our annual visit there. Last year I was a month away from having Mason! It was very nice to go as a family of four! Zane had a ton of fun playing and Mason liked watching everything going on. We rode out to the pumpkin patch and picked out a pumpkin for each of us.

Measuring up

The boys at the pumpkin patch
Mason enjoying the pumpkins

Zane "bull-riding"

Heading out to pick pumpkins (and it's naptime...)

Looks like they're deep in conversation!

Heading to pay for our pumpkins

Zane-isms

• Tonight as we were eating supper, Zane said, "Whoever likes Spongebob, raise your hand. If you don't like spongebob, don't raise your hand. Anyone?" Zane raised his hand, then Mason copied him and raised his hand also. Zane gave Mason a thumbs-up and said "Yeah, that's right!"

Mason's Marvels

• This weekend I kept saying, "touchdown" and when I said it Mason would put both arms in the air and grin. I'll try to catch it on video sometime!

Where Did Fall Go???

Wow, what a change in weather this week! Lucky for us it didn't snow, but I know some of you reading this have experienced snow this weekend! This week we were able to view and buy Zane's preschool pictures. There is a company that comes to the school, dresses the kids up, and takes their pictures. I was thinking that they'd use the same outfits as last year, so I didn't think I'd want any pictures, but they are smart...they used all new outfits! I couldn't resist and had to buy one of each!

Zane the hunter

Zane the businessman
Zane the fisherman

Everyone around us continues to be amazed that Mason is such a good walker for only being 10 months old! He is really moving fast these days and is really wanting to play with Zane. Mostly Zane just wants to pick on him until Mason cries. We keep warning him that Mason will probably be bigger than he is and he will pay back...but of course he doesn't believe us!

Smiley Mason at Jo's

Big Bird & Mason, 10 months

This week Jo had a pajama day at her house. It was really nice not having to change the boys' clothes in the morning, what a timesaver! That evening we brought Madelyn home because her mom and dad had a screening for his new chiropractic business. She didn't get to stay as long as she wanted, but they had a great time! They were "writing" in notebooks and talking about the meetings they had to go to. They ended up climbing into Mason's crib so that Mason wouldn't get their paper! Zane and Madelyn don't get to see each other at Jo's this year because they are at Preschool on opposing days. We miss her!

Ryan, Sam, Zane on PJ day

Mason on PJ day

Madelyn & Zane

Nora celebrated her 1st birthday this weekend, so the kids celebrated at Jo's house on Friday. It's hard to believe she's a year already! That just means that Mason's birthday is next!

Mason showing everyone how you open presents...

This weekend we stayed home and tried to stay warm! Friday evening we went and did some shopping. It was cool but the boys did great. Saturday morning Zane had soccer and Mason and I decided to stay home so he could have his nap! The report from soccer was that Zane was very cold and wanted to go home pretty soon into it. But, he did well and played. NO TEARS! Their team, who hasn't scored many goals so far this year, scored 3 times! We ended up doing a little more shopping Saturday since it was so cold out! That night we ordered pizza in.

Zane painting a wooden race car

Zane with his race car...he painted it all by himself!

Today Mason bit Zane on the chin, so he needed a band-aid. Matt's eye hurt, so Zane gave him a band-aid on his eye. So then it turned into everyone having a band-aid on their eye and everyone was a pirate!

Aaarg!

The World According to Zane

• When we were checking out at a clothing store this weekend, Zane was acting like a typical 4-year-old boy. He kept copying me (one of his favorite things to do) and saying "I'm your parrot." When the cashier told him that he sounded just like a parrot, he said, "You're just flippin' patties!" I was NERVOUS about what he was going to say when he started that! (For those of you who don't watch Nickelodeon, that's from Spongebob!)
• At church this morning, Zane was listening to the preacher speak when he asked, "God? Who's God? Is that guy God? (pointing to the preacher)"

Mason's Marvels

• We have been giving Mason formula in his sippy cup lately. This week we decided to try it all during the day and also at night. So, we are now BOTTLE FREE! I'm excited but sad at the same time! What a big boy he's becoming, and so quickly!
• Mason definitely understands "no" and "yes." Not only does he shake his head "no," but also "yes" now!
• Mason LOVES it when you sit on the floor and he runs to you and knocks you on the floor. It is SO cute!

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

Last weekend Mason's eyes started getting mattery, and Sunday morning he woke up with bright red eyes! I had a feeling he had pink eye, so we kept him home. Matt stayed with him and took him to the doctor on Monday. He not only had double pink eye, but also a double ear infection! Without the pink eye, I would have NEVER known he had ear infections! He's such a happy little guy! I ended up staying home Tuesday so he could be on his medicine for 24 hours before returning to daycare. It was a fun day with him!

Mason with double pink eye

When I got home from work Monday, I found Zane helping Matt mow! He was in 7th heaven! Every single time we mow, he wants to help, so he pushes one of our mowers around and pretends. Matt decided to let him try it and he was actually really into it! The yard didn't get mowed in even lines, but it got done! We're getting him trained early!

Zane mowing!

Lauren (Jo's youngest daughter) had her birthday this week and got a go-cart for her present. That was something Zane completely latched on to! Hmmm...I think he has go-carting in his future...but we need to get him a BLUE helmet!

Zane on Lauren's go-cart

Thursday night Matt's parents came down to get the boys. They took them back to Iowa to stay with them for the weekend while Matt and I attended the Nascar race at Kansas Speedway. We have gone every year since it started and Craig and Keeta have taken the boy/boys every year since we've had kids! Zane was really looking forward to going...he kept saying all week, "2 Jo's house, 2 preschool, then Papa's house!" He loves spending time on the farm!

Mason wishing he could go outside!

Zane "creating"

Decorating Grandma/Papa's for Halloween

We had a great time at the Speedway! We both took Friday off so we could have an extended weekend. That was nice and much needed! I don't think I woke up before 9:30 all weekend! I took sugar cookies to the track and you should have seen how fast they disappeared...all but about 6 of them and then it became a game to hide the cookies and find them before someone else did! We had a lot of fun with this "cookie mystery" and even had some knock-down drag outs! Let's just say that I think I have to bring cookies every year now!

The gang at Kansas

Me, Nicole, Jamie
Matt & I (doesn't he look young in a hat)?

Dean got these special passes that got 4 people onto pit road during driver introductions on Sunday. Matt went with them and got a few good pictures. We used to have pit/garage passes in years past, but they have really gotten strict on those, so we haven't been able to do that in a few years. That was fun, I miss it!

Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Mark Martin (who I had in the bet...he didn't win)!

Pit Road

The start of the race

We got home fairly early last night and the boys were eating supper. Mason looked at us like we weren't real...he was glad to see us. Zane, on the other hand, was not. He was okay until Grandma and Papa went to leave, then he began to SOB! He kept saying "Can I be their boy?" "I want to be Grandma's boy." He said he wanted to get something out of their car, then he locked the door and buckled into his car seat. As they pulled out of the driveway, he was sobbing and screaming, "I want to hug my Grandma!" (There was a large space between every word). Then it was "I want to kiss my Grandma!" (Again, sobbing and spacing between words). So we let him call Grandma on the phone and he was a little better. She told him she was going to write him a letter and send it in the mail. I think he thinks she's going to bring it here and put it in our mailbox! If you can't tell, he loves his grandparents!