Family Tree

Even though we live 4 hours away from our closest immediate family, it is really important to us that Mason knows all of his family. No matter how much time he gets to spend with them. No matter how far away they live. No matter how far away we move. I started this project last year, but finally (thanks to facebook!) I was able to steal enough photos to finish it. Simple. Cheap. Educational. Memories. All my favorite things rolled into an activity for Mason and me to do together every day.

Here's what I used...

I bought both of these things at Office Depot (still get my old company's discount - shhh!) for less than five bucks. Without a discount, it would be around $12.

And here's what I made...

And closer...

And closer still...

Pretty fun, huh? You can see pictures of all Mason's aunts, uncles, most of his cousins, all the grandparents and of course, his mama and daddy. He is really great at copying words and names so I'm hoping to tap into the stage he's at and teach him his family members' names. When I'm cooking or washing dishes, which is often when your home doesn't have a dishwasher, we go through them quickly. He always picks one or two to carry around with him for awhile. And some lucky family members get kisses from him. If my wallet allows, I see another Office Depot trip in our future to expand the game to include great-grandparents (Mason has more than you can count on one hand!) and his furry friends. I'm sure his family tree will keep growing in other ways, too!

Moving Up

We found our next house and feel beyond blessed by how God has provided it and how He is working out all the perfect details. We're going to be renting from a sweet family at our church that is answering God's calling to become full-time missionaries to those who have never heard His word. The Haglers have lived in our new home for just over a year, but since then, the house has undergone a mini episoide of Extreme Home Makeover. They have put a lot of elbow grease into updating the home. You can see some of the progress here and here. Don't you love the striped walls in the hallway? And of course I have to mention that the home has TWO living areas so Mason will have a playroom. And a garage. And a dishwasher. All things we took for granted with our house in Houston, but have longed for since moving to Tyler. And three bedrooms so we'll be able to host our out-of-town guests within our own home instead of sending them off to the nearest Baymont Inn. Our initial sadness to leave our historic home full of character has quickly been replaced by "Get us out of here!"

Remember this stool? Mason is finally old enough to use it (and almost tall enough!). He washed his hands for a good 15 minutes the first time he got to use it. And who can resist cute little baby feet?

Check out that smile. My boy appreciates cleanliness. Though, his white tshirt tells a different story.

This old house

This old house has an old screen door that serves no purpose since the screen has been torn since before we moved in. No purpose other than trapping a seventeen month old escape artist and his furry friend. These pictures capture three things Mason is loving this summer: the outdoors, all things big boy (hence the big cup) and his daddy, who had stepped outside to take out the trash when these pictures were snapped. Mason and I could get used to this summer thing - having Dash around a lot more often.

Where did daddy go?

How do I get out of here?

There's my daddy (love in his eyes and dog by his side).

O, hey mama.