The Masson's First Halloween

It all began with a pumpkin . . .



It's been 3 years since we've been able to have some Halloween fun.



And 3 years ago Renae was only 2 months old so . . .



. . . we didn't really get to experience the joy of watching our child trick or treat.



But this year we got to watch this cute little flamenco girl eat Halloween up!


Literally! (What a cute little Spanish girl she is.)



And have you met our new puppy?



He likes to crawl away from us as much as possible.



Looking for a doggie treat.



Instead Mom made him pose for a picture!



Renae and her friend "Rowie." Inseparable on Halloween night.



The puppies had it nice . . .



"Do you see my loot Daddy?"



A cowboy always needs a flamenco dancer by his side.



Waiting her turn for some of the goods . . .



A cowboy, flamenco dancer, "pirate," and adorable puppy.



In love.

Happy 1st Birthday Sammy!

My big 1 year old.

I can't believe I gave birth to Sammy a year ago . . . in Spain of all places! If you would have told me at the age of 21 that I would be willing to have a baby in a foreign country, while speaking a foreign language, I would you have said, "Estas loco!" But I have to say that having Sammy in Spain is one of my most proud and happiest memories in my life. The whole experience was one big adventure for me (and you know me-I'll do almost anything for an adventure!). The frustrations of dealing with totally different systems and expectations for birthing Moms, the joy of having an ultrasound at EVERY APPOINTMENT, meeting my good friend Bea in the process and having her help me understand everything I needed to bring to the hospital, even something simple as taking the bus to my appointments was fun for me. Call me crazy. But I loved it.

I think there are some things in life that you say, "If that ever happened to me, I would die." But then you find yourself on the other side of that situation saying, "I did it! I actually made it! I'm so proud of myself!" Perhaps this is how Moms who go through birth without drugs feel. See-I can relate! :) I remember holding Sammy while I was in our hospital recovery room thinking, "I did it. I had a baby without any complications, while speaking Spanish, and I was able to understand almost everything that was said. I can't believe I did it!"

So to get all spiritual applicationish on you . . . be encouraged that the thing you are about to face that you never thought you could . . . you can do it! But not by yourself. Today I was reflecting over this day a year ago and I was reminded how many people were praying I'd have a normal delivery, with no surprises or complications. Jesse and I had been praying about it for awhile. And so many people (especially my Mom!) were praying that Sammy would be born while my Mom was still there-and he was! I know that none of this was by chance. I could not have done any of it had God not set it all in motion. God is so good, and so faithful.

And just to reminisce . . . I had to repost this video. It's for my own sake-you don't have to watch it! :)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Renae's 3rd Birthday Bash . . . a month after the fact!

It's a Pocoyo party!!!



Ice Cream toppings and a Pocoyo video playing in the background.



Pocoyo himself . . . in cake form.



Renae enjoys a bowl of ice cream in the backyard (Pocoyo water cup in tow)

Love this.

And this.

Enjoying the coloring table

And coloring with cousins.

We put Michael in charge of the piñata . . .

. . . and he eventually followed through.

Some of the partay guests

Little Brother enjoying time with the Grandpas

Aaaaaand I love this too.

Sigh.

Renae wasn't so sure why Pocoyo was hanging from a tree.

"Really? We're going to beat Pocoyo?"

Ready to go . . .

Swing Renae! Swing!

Taylor takes a turn.

Watching the demolition

Caedmon the champion busts him wide open!

Collecting the goods!

Opening presents . . . Renae had to try on her new crocs.

Pocoyo books from Bea, Jose and Jaime!!!

Notice the backpack? It went on and never came off . . .

Still has the backpack on . . .

Renae was so kind to share her stroller with Daddy . . .

Renae passed out cupcakes to everyone.

Nana gave Sammy a sneak peak of his 1st birthday.

This is pretty much how Renae spent the rest of her party.

Payton helped her know what to put in the stroller. A bear of course!

Sammy and Reagan . . . just chillin'.

"Here Sammy, have one of my chewed up crackers."

Renae is networking with the guests.

These 2 girls sure do like hangin' with each other.

Helping Renae with presents . . .

Helping Renae push the stroller . . .

Staying close incase Renae ever lets go of the stroller . . .

Chasing her down!

Whew! That took awhile to do! Now I remember why I hardly blog anymore.

1. I have no camera.

2. When I do have pictures to post, they are usually from Penni's camera which makes really pretty, high quality photos . . . but they take FOREVER to load.

3. Posts like this take 1.5 hours to upload all the pictures. No lie.

4. I think there was another reason but I can't remember.

We are celebrating Sammy's 1st birthday next week. I can't believe he's almost 1!!!! I'll try and get his pictures posted sooner than I did Renae's party. No promises though!

****All pictures except for 2 were taken by my wonderful mother-in-law. Thanks Penni!