Apple Picking Time!

Can you believe how old this boy looks?  Amazing how quickly he's growing...I remember feeling the same things I'm feeling right now while pregnant with him...and it seems like it was just yesterday...

Zane the kindergartner

And to think that this little boy will be going to preschool next year...man, I don't know if I can take all of this!

Mason, Braeden, and Nora out in the rain at Jo's!

And THIS little one stays pretty active in my belly...always reminding me that he's there!  I had an appointment this week...all looks good!  I have my glucose test in a couple of weeks...please pray that I do not have gestational diabetes this time...although I'm preparing myself for the news...so I'm not disappointed!  I can't wait to cuddle and love on this little boy!  It's hard though, becuase I know I'll miss feeling the life I have inside of me...but am so anxious to see who he is...

24 Weeks!

Mason posing for his belly shot

Zane posing for his belly shot

Brotherly love...

Showing their muscles!

And Matt and I celebrated 9 years of bliss this week!  The actual anniversary was on Wednesday.  To celebrate, Matt brought supper home!  I just requested not having to cook, so it worked for me!  Matt surprised me at school with flowers...so beautiful...and he even sent 9 red roses!  How sweet!  They are still beautiful on our countertop today!

This weekend we decided to head to the apple orchard.  I was itching to do a little baking with apples, and the weather cooperated, so we went.  The apple crop was damaged in all of our spring storms, so they haven't been letting anyone pick their own apples, but this weekend they allowed one small basket per family.  Matt's parents hadn't seen the boys in quite awhile, so they came down Saturday and spent the day with us.  It was fun to take them to the orchard with us!

It was sunny!  Can you tell?

Mason headed straight for the tractors!

Strike a pose Zaner!

Heading out, with our family basket, for some apples!

That one?

Got it?  (Zane in the background overseeing...)

Feeding the chickens...Mason was okay until they pecked his little hand!

Zane found it best to throw the food on the ground for them!

Riding the trikes!

Looks like he's really concentrating huh?

Swinging...he was just giggling away!

Zane climbed all over the swingset!

"Cheese Mama...take my picture!"

Brothers!

Mason's Marvels

• We've been watching "The Letter Factory" a lot lately...hoping Mason will pick up on the letters and their sounds.  Well, it must be working, becuase the other day he saw a "k" and said, "This is for kick!"  Then he picked up oen of my books, opened it, and said, "I'm looking for an M for Mason!"
• Matt said that as he was putting Mason to bed the other night, Mason spelled his name to Matt while pointing to some letters on Matt's shirt!  I have yet to hear it spelled correctly without help, but I'm so proud!
• Mason and I were reading books before bed the other night.  Usually I read to him, but this night he wanted to read his own while I read my own.  He was reading his book out loud, making it up as he went, and I was enjoying listening to him, while pretending to "read" my story.  All of a sudden he said, "Mom, talk to it!"  He was telling me to read it aloud!  How cute!
• The other morning as I was getting ready for work, Mason walked into the bathroom and said, "Oh Mama, you look pretty!"  Such a sweetie!