Mason's Birthday

So for Mason's birthday, we went to Chuck E Cheese and we let him take two friends. He's such a rad kid that he let McKay take one and he took one. They had lots of fun that I didn't get pictures of because the camera was sitting on my desk at home (which makes Adam so mad when I got this camera specifically to be in my purse). After Chuck E Cheese, we came home to open presents and have cake and ice cream. It was a fun night!I snapped this photo right at the exact second he noticed there was money in Gramma Janna's present. It's so perfect!

This one is pretty good of my dad in the background. He was happy about the money too!! While we were at Chuck E Cheese, my brother Tim stayed at the house to take a little nap. I asked him to wrap the presents while we were gone. We came home and he had set up a little scavenger hunt for Mason. Mason loved it!! I don't think I have ever seen so many pictures of him with a genuine smile or excitement on his face. Also, as they ran from room to room, the big boys kept fighting over who would read the clue to Mason, which made Mason feel pretty cool.
I think that Carson was the one who enjoyed the cake and ice cream the most.

My sister is nuts!

Ok, so she is a good kind of nuts, but still nuts. She is planning on spending the summer in Africa helping this awesome little village. Here is the link to her blog. You should check it out. We are still trying to find a way to raise the money for her to get there. Right now, I'm just spreading the word. I think she is crazy and brave and amazing for wanting to do this. I'm proud of her.

Five years ago..

I cannot believe that this child of mine joined our family 5 years ago. I think Mason was the sweetest little baby that every came to this Earth. He never cried and he was always happy. That changed drastically right around the 14 month mark, but he still adds a lot to our family.Mason has the quickest wit. He loves to make people laugh, but it's always in a surprising way. I never expect the things that come out of his mouth. He is also painfully shy, so I don't think a lot of people get to experience the fun, hilarious Mason.

He has quite the temper. You don't want to be the one to make this kid mad. He holds a grudge and he's fairly inventive with revenge, for someone so young.

He is a little pack rat. I always find weird things hiding in his clothes drawer. Here is what was there just now...

He is very sensitive and all about fairness (which is funny for someone who holds a grudge like this kid does). He loves to tattle because he sees the injustice of it, but he likes to look like the good guy just a little bit more.

He is constantly on the verge of tears. He cannot hide his emotions at all.

He likes to sound smart. Just the other day at dinner, Adam and I were talking to McKay about school and during a pause, Mason chimes in with "Well, he makes a good point." What 5 year old says that??!!

I adore this child and I am so glad to be his mom. I love you Mason! Happy 5th Birthday!!

Bowling with the Kaas Family

We decided we needed a little fun in our life with all the school and work and school and homework that goes on around here. The kids decided that bowling was what they wanted. It was sure a fun night!
McKay loved to be the one to help Carson bowl.
I freaking love how adorable these tiny bowling shoes are.

Carson would stand there and wait for the ball to make it all the way to the pins... then he would turn around and go. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Stinkin cute!

I'm not a huge fan that there is a picture of me from this angle but it shows I have some serious bowling flare, which I think is funny. Humor always wins with me when choosing if I should show a nasty picture of myself.

On the way home, we stopped at Blockbuster so Adam and I could get a movie. When we were pulling out of the parking lot, a limo was pulling in. McKay said "Mom look. That looks like one of the delivery cars that takes you to the movies if you are fancy." That made me giggle.

Some random cute photos

Here is some of the goodness that has been hiding on my camera. My cousin Peggy's kids came and hung out one night. This was the delicious dinner they enjoyed.

Carson is all about the temper tantrums these days. Dan decided to join him one time.

This is how Carson decided he wants to sit on the toilet. Every time he pees, this is the stance.

Our friends Justin and Melissa came over for a little Super Bowl party and Carson made a new best friend. Their little girl Violet is so darn cute. This was the kiss that sealed the deal for him.

25 most awesome things you will ever read.

So I got tagged a few times on facebook for this 25 Things About You business. I don't normally do it but I was bored tonight so I dove right in. For those of you on facebook, you get it twice. For those of you not on facebook, why is that?
Here's my 25 Random Things About Me.
1. I love to wash laundry but absolutely hate to fold it and put it away. My clothes are always in a pile on my dresser. Makes Adam crazy.
2. I have a very bad filtering system between my brain and my mouth. Adam and I love to play the game "how many times did Melissa make things awkward or uncomfortable" after we leave a gathering.
3. I always had dreams of being swept off my feet when the time came. I had no idea it would be by my best friend.
4. My backbone gets stronger and stronger with each passing year. I don't let people be mean to me like I used to.
5. I am easily entertained. I think I'm a fun person to see movies with for this very reason. I can make the worst movie entertaining.
6. I love being back in school and can't wait for the day I actually have a career.
7. I hope to always be able to put my kids above school/career.
8. I actually enjoy doing homework.
9. I hate perfume but love me a good smelly lotion.
10. I think my husband is the best gift giver I have ever encountered. Plus he's a great secret keeper, and they work well together.
11. I love my family. Most of my best friends are relatives.
12. I love that Adam is good at making friends because I'm not. That's where the rest of my best friends come from.
13. I have a hard time making conversation because all that I have to talk about are my kids. I'm sure people get sick of that.
14. I love Minivans. It's sick and wrong but I love 'em! They are just so stinkin' practical.
15. I love candy and cookies and doughnuts and rootbeer floats. I have a serious weakness for the sugar food group.
16. I hate the term LOL when typed but think it is funny to use in a spoken conversation.
17. I was so happy when my kids got old enough to turn the tv on by themselves in the morning. Yep, I let the tv babysit my kids at 6:30 in the morning. I am really more of a danger to them at that hour than the tv is.
18. I am so politically unaware that it borders on scary.
19. I think I am a loyal friend. I forgive easily and even if we don't talk for a few years, I still consider you a good friend.
20. I am not creative even a tiny bit but I have huge dreams of someday being that amazing mom that lives on your street that makes you think, "Man, she is so creative!"
21. I hate playdoh. It makes a type of mess that freaks me out. Fingerpaints, markers, crayons, sand...all fine. Playdoh...so not fine.
22. I love to read the emails that have stuff like this in it, but I refuse to do them myself. I'm just not that interesting.
23. I sometimes get a little teary eyed if I sit and watch my kids sleep at night. It's a good thing to do as a mom.
24. I get really happy if I do/say something that makes someone give a good hearty laugh. It doesn't happen all that often so I usually re-tell the story to Adam and anyone else who will listen. It's usually not funny by then.
25. I love to stay in my pajamas all day but it embarrasses me.

There you have it.