Now three dogs

We've been watching Sweet Pea for two days, and it's been fun. She's so calm and good-natured compared to our other bouncing-off-the-walls dogs. Mason cried when she left!

Mason is having his first corn-on-the-cob. We didn't think he'd do well, but he really wanted it, so we let him have his own, and he took great bites and loved it.

"Mmm, you try it!"

"Oh-no Donnie!"

Mason likes playing a game in which he says "Oh-no Dada!" and then pushes Kevin off the bed, couch, etc. We've been showing him pictures of Great Grandma, Uncle Donnie, and Uncle Billy in preparation for visiting Ohio. Mason said "Oh-no Donnie!" and threw his picture on the floor. Later he said "Oh-no Donnie!" and threw the picture against the wall. We're considering it a compliment. Can't wait to see you all in Ohio!

Goofy Guy

Mason is the cutest, most sensitive boy. Yesterday we were building things with his blocks and he accidently knocked it down. He cried for almost a minute. Even before the fracture he has started waking up earlier and the first thing he says to Kevin is "See Mama?" Kevin believes he has been getting up early just to see Erika before she goes to work. Oddly he doesnt' get upset when she leaves. He says "Mama work" and goes about his business.

Mason doing well

The little guy is getting around reasonably well with his cast (he was having more fun than the photo implies) thanks to our great friends Melissa and Dan who are lending us a Santa non-slip wool sock. It prevents the cast leg from sliding out from under Mason when he tries to walk. He walked a lot immediately because he could, and his leg seemed to hurt him after, but he's doing well. He's not sleeping well because of the cast, so he's tired, but that's all that gets him down.

Woody with Sweet Pea, Melissa and Dan's adorable pug. We're so grateful for them watching Woody and Dizzy when we visit Ohio!!

Fractured Tibia

We were rough-housing on the bed when Mason landed badly-his foot was bent up underneath him. Even though it was on the bed, it looked bad and he cried for about ten minutes. He wouldn't put any weight on it and cried when he tried. We took him to a pediatric orthopedist who confirmed he has a buckle fracture of the left tibia. It's basically a nothing fracture, a crumple in the bone, non-displaced. He'll be in a cast for 3 1/2 weeks. It would have been shorter but we'll be in Ohio at the time. The upside is it's a waterproof walking cast. Mason hasn't walked on it yet due to pain, but as soon as he is we doubt it will be an inconvenience at all, and maybe a positive because he'll let us push him in the stroller more while sight-seeing in Ohio. Mason is doing fine, doesn't seem to be in pain, and slept allright except for getting up an hour earlier. He's watching TV in the photo, which he loves, but every now and then you can tell he's frustrated because he can't walk.



Other news: Erika gave Dizzy a buzz cut. She has so much black fur and it's so hot here, we were trying to do her a favor. She did great, but as you can see she was left a little patchy.



Erika found a company where you can make crafts for money, this is her first sample being submitted for approval. It's supposed to be some kind of CD case.

Patagonia Lake

We found water in Arizona! It's a lake created by damming Sonoita Creek in Southern Arizona. It was pretty, but cramped. The campsites were close, the beach was small, and all the picnicing was within a 1/2 mile area.

The water was cold and it was overcast, Mason was trying to stay under water.

Summer Reading

Mason and Erika have been going to the library to get new books for Mason to read (we're bored of the others) and everytime they go the librarians ask them if they are involved in the summer reading program. "It doesn't have to be independent reading and he can get prizes." So we'll start participating. He loves books, so it won't be hard. Right now he's insisting on sleeping with his "Little Engine That Could" book.




Ramsey Canyon photos again




Mason sitting on a bridge looking at the stream.

Swimming

Mason loves water and so we went to the pool in Nana's community over the weekend. With swimmies on his arms, he could almost swim entirely by himself. He still loves jumping in, too!

5th Wedding Anniversary

Today Kevin and I are celebrating our 5th anniversary by taking Mason to the pool, playing with play-doh, watching "Finding Nemo" and going out to dinner after Mason goes to bed. Mason loves handing us his play-doh and asking us to make something. Today he asked for a giraffe and elephant, and is quite happy to have them.

The last weekend Nana and Papa were here (May 31-June 1) we went to Ramsey Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains in SE AZ and to Tombstone where we saw the OK Corral where the famous gunfight occurred. We did so much hiking while they were here, everyone was exhausted.

Everyone relaxing at "The Overlook" with a great view of Ramsey Canyon.