Calhoun's on the River

After we finished the pictures at the UT Gardens (rain prompted an early retreat), we met the whole Wortham clan at Calhoun's on the River, where Mason ate his weight in french fries. Then we took a long walk along the riverbanks, and M would have nothing to do with the little water sprinkler play area they had down there. He was not swayed by all the toddlers giggling and playing in the water. He clung to me like white on rice. He is usually so fearless that I am surprised when something strikes him as scary. Weird. Anyhow, I snapped a picture of him with Chris that is one of my favorites; he looks like he's telling his daddy a secret.

Twelve Months Pictures...Proof That More is More

Photo Shoot 2: the University of Tennessee Gardens. Good grief! How cute is this kid?!

Twelve Months Pictures...On Location

Well, we actually did his Twelve Months pictures twice, but this was our first shoot. Chris and I took Mason to Cades Cove for the first time, and he was not impressed with the drive, but he LOVED wandering around the fields and cabins and creeks. These are some of my favorite pictures yet.

Summer Highlights: Part 2

Mason got his fair share of smoke inhalation from barbecues during the summer months. And any cookout with his cousins is sure to be good fun and a break for Mason's mommy and daddy because all the cousins want to play with Baby Mason (bless his heart...he'll never outgrow that name!). Kristin bought the mother of all water slides this year--big enough for all the cousins, which is saying something. Mason, of course, loved it. Nevertheless, every family gathering ends with someone in tears; this time it was Gracie. I love this picture--classic Gracie meltdown.

He also had a lot of fun at Brad's house playing with Braden and Zoe and Elsie--especially Elsie, who has the biggest, sweetest smile.

Dollywood with Donna

We made a last-minute trip to Dollywood with Donna the week before we all had to go back to school. This was M's first visit to Dollywood, and he was quite happy with the spread ole Dolly has up there. I had little doubt that M would have a great day because he has already figured out that Aunt Donna will do ANYTHING he wants (for visual proof, see the picture where she is helping Mason drink out of a 44-ounce Coke). We met up with Tash and her boys, Brody and Brandt, and another teacher from MHS and her son. Brody was 4, and he was so sweet to M, offering to be his ride buddy all day. They were quite a cute pair! I was afraid M would be scared by the rides, but, of course, he was not at all (although Chris was terrified when he got the first picture we texted!). He was only indignant that they didn't last longer. Donna also introduced him to cap guns, and I thought we'd never get out of there.

Needless to say, he had a serious nap on the way home--complete with snoring and a goodly amount of drool.

Geez...the Hospital Again

So this visit was expected...and looooong feared by Chris: the circumcision. We went to Children's Hospital on August 13th for the surgery with Dr. Hill, whom we really liked, and everything went well. Chris went on to work after the surgery, and I came home with M. Although the first few hours were horrific and M. was in a lot of pain every time he peed, he recovered in true Miracle Mason fashion and was pretty much back to his normal running and climbing that night. He got a giant balloon and a stuffed skunk from the gift shop for his trouble.

Summer Highlights: Part 1

I will attempt to fill in everything that happened during Mason's second summer on Earth with a few pictures and captions, and, yes, I will do better next summer.

1.) Chris and I took Mason to the park a lot on warm summer evenings so he could feed the ducks. As soon as we said "park," Mason was heading for the door! And, yes, he is munching on the stale bread we brought for the ducks in the first picture. Just think of it as a crouton.

2.) Mason visited Mamaw Baker and was very impressed with her cool chair and walker and with Mommy's tripod. Mamaw was just as delighted with his discoveries as Mason was. Unfortunately, he marred the visit by throwing up on her carpet...hence the lack of apparel.