New Mason Quadrapeds

Big Announcement

There's a new member of the Mason family (almost)...















Meet our new puppy:

He is a Boxer (yes we copied Jamie). His name was Fritz for about half the day, but then I remembered something I've heard about not naming your dogs one syllable names because they get confused with all of their one syllable commands like stay, sit, come, etc. So now he doesn't really have a name. Abbey has been getting the name Freddie confused with Fritz for some reason, so who knows maybe he's a Freddie.

We weren't planning on getting a dog. I had mentioned a time or two that Jamie and Andy's boxer puppy was cute; so when driving home yesterday evening we saw a sign that said 'Boxer Pups for Sale'. Brandon flipped a U-turn and here we are, the proud owner of a dog.


When we went to check them out last night the owner let all four puppies out at once and in their excitement to see us, they jumped up on Abbey and Mylie. Abbey screamed and climbed up Brandon. Mylie freaked out and cried for the rest of the time we were there. They have now warmed up to him (for the most part), especially Abbey. She loves him! She said good night to him about 4 times tonight and asked if he was going to church with us tomorrow.


If you think he looks sad in this picture that's because he is. He misses his brothers and sister.

He's scared too. He keeps going under the deck to hide. Poor puppy, it's hard being taken away from your mom and dad and brothers and sisters.


So far he's a good little puppy. He hasn't pooped or peed in the house... yet. He seems pretty mellow, but I'm sure once he get's used to his new home he'll hyper up a little.

Oh What a Night (mid-September back in '08)

For reasons I still don't fully understand, I got the idea that it would be fun to have a sleep-over in the tent with Abbey and Mylie. We had a ... time. The girls finally got to sleep around 10:30. Around 3 am, Mylie started an epic tossing fit (in a strange half-sleep state that was nothing less than eerie). We later determined her not to be epileptic, but to simply be searching for nannies (she sleeps with at least 3) - besides, she comes by this behavior naturally: her mom is world renown for her sleeping 'death rolls' that have been registered by seismologists. Speaking of Emily, she slept comfortably in her own bed and decided to make her grand appearance at 7 am, when I got up to go to work. Anyway, here are the photos.

Yeah, that about sums it up.

(for some reason I'm logged in as Emily, but this was Brandon.)

Off My Chest

OK, I'm just going to say it:

I've never seen a black-and-white photograph that I think wouldn't have been better in color. Embrace technology, people.

Brandon

Firsts

(Sorry Nettie, I copied your title, but it fits)

Abbey's first day of preschool was 2 weeks ago (yes I am behind). She loves it and it's fun to hear all about it when she comes home. I wish I could peek in a watch her for one day, it's fun to observe your kids when they don't know your watching.

I'm a preschooler!

Mylie wishes she was a preschooler!

This is Abbey and her friend Ashley, who we carpool with to and from preschool

Finding their name tags. Her teacher, Miss Cindy, is on the left. She has converted her basement into a preschool.

Minutes after this last picture was taken, I left with Mylie kicking and screaming because she wanted to stay and play.

Another first... I ran my first half marathon on Saturday. It took place over the mountain in Huntsville. When we got there it was a freezing 38 degrees, but once the sun came up it turned out to be a perfect day for running. Brandon and the girls came and cheered me on about half way through. It was fun to see them and it gave me an extra boost of energy.

About Mile 8

My friend/running partner Nannette. I never would have done it without her.

Me with my cheering squad.

It was a perfect day weather wise and the scenery was beautiful. I finished in 2 hours 9 minutes. It was a fun and rewarding experience and I hope to do it again some day.