Mason is FIVE

Mason turned five this past Thursday.  I don't know where the time has gone because it certainly doesn't feel like it has been FIVE years.  

He was super pumped when he woke up.  He immediately ran down stairs asking for his presents...he is just like his Momma.  

Birthday boy and little bro.  Brody was so excited this morning that he woke up at 3am.  Ugh.  Teething probs.

While we can (don't think this will work when we are in school), we like to take the boys for Gibson's the morning of their birthdays.  It's always a fun treat.  He was eating it up.

Mrs. Neugebauer sent us pictures throughout the day.  I think they made it special for him. =)

And Mason got to pick dinner for the family.  He picked Mellow Mushroom in East Memphis because it looks like a space ship.

Mom and Dad met us at our house after dinner to bring him his gift.  

 He got a big boy bike and thinks he is so big now.  He's already asking to take off the training wheels. 

Singing happy birthday.  

Putting together his Lego Batmobile.  It takes a team to put legos together!

We had his birthday party Sunday afternoon at Menagerie Farms.  It is a great spot for kids' parties.  They have a big farm with all kinds of animals and activities for the guests.  I think everyone had a great time. 

All the kids listening to the instructions. 

First event up was riding the ponies.  The birthday boy got to ride the entire time. 

Reese. 

The farm dog just loved Mamaw and her blanket.  

Anderson and Griffin loved riding the ponies...I think they need one of their own. =)

Anderson

 Griffin waving to the crowd. 

Brody just chilled back and relaxed...not even holding on. 

He finally figured it out.  

Next up was feeding the fish in the pond.  

It was a ton of fish and honestly, it grosses me out....but the kids loved it. 

They dug for "gold" and then traded it in for toys.  

We all took a hayride around the farm. 

They let Mason off at the small pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect birthday pumpkin.  (it was getting chilly and he is so indecisive!)

Then we fed the goats.  

These animals were excited.  They kept sticking their big heads out of the fence. 

They had John, Mason, and myself race to see who could fill up a bowl with goat's milk the quickest.   The kicker was John and I were on the same team.  Mason was on the staffs' team.  Who do you think won?!  I couldn't get a thing out and it was disgusting.

Mason got us with the milk.  Gross. 

Time for cake.  

These cute things were hungry too.  

We were so happy Mamaw was able to come.  What a trooper after having surgery.  

The Grandpas.

You should've heard their conversations...

What a fun day for a sweet, yet silly, boy.

He is so smart these days.  I catch myself multiple times a week Googling info that comes out of his mouth to make sure he is right.  He also knows at least 20 more Spanish words than I.  He asks questions that I can't answer, but often wonder why I haven't thought to ask the question myself.


He loves superheros, ninja turtles, pizza (referencing TMNT again), puzzles, bubble gum, PB&Js, books, animals, making paper airplanes, the number 61 (always uses this number), his brother.

He doesn't like going to bed (although this kid NEEDS sleep...unlike his brother), pickles, "bad guys".


All in all, he is one pretty awesome five year old.

Last Week as a Four Year Old

Our neighborhood has a great tradition the month of October.  We "boo" each other with goodies left on the doorstep.  It is fun for the kids because they get to drop off the candy, ring the doorbell, and run.  Mason loved it. 

John went out of town last weekend and the night before he left, I snapped this picture of him reading a bedtime story to the boys.  They have really gotten into reading them together in Mason's bed. 

Mason is famous.  Ole Miss produced a video about a Chucky Mullins campaign.  He is the cute little boy in the power blue jersey.  I cannot explain how proud he was. 

Time for a checkup.  No cavities. 

We get donuts on a Saturday morning if Daddy is away. 

We have created a monster.  Mason thinks all other teams besides Ole Miss are "the bad guys".  Here he is booing someone. It is very hard to explain how we like everyone but cheer for our team when playing someone else to an almost five year old. 

Getting rowdy on a Saturday night. 

Sunday afternoon Mom and I took the boys to the zoo.  The weather was perfect. 

Mason took this picture.  Mom looks great, Brody looks exhausted.  Ha. 

Brody and pictures these days...

We fed the giraffes which was a first for us.  It is definitely a must-do if you are ever there.  

Grizzly bears. 

Ice cream break. 

We dropped off Mom and saw Pops. 

He is always so entertaining. 

But this is never good at 5:30pm.

Mason's last night as a FOUR year old. 

John made it back in town for Mason's birthday.  A family selfie reading to the boys before bed.  Mason couldn't wait to wake up as a five year old. 

Another Hotty Toddy and a John Update

This is never a good thing to see when you get home.  

 While Mason slept, Brody wanted to swing in this awesome fall weather. 

Brody isn't very helpful in taking pictures these days.  

Point taken...

We had a big game this weekend.  Gameday (and Katy Perry) was coming into town on top of playing Alabama.  The company our group hires to set up our tents sent a picture at 9am of our "spotters" holding our place for our tents.   It was a crazy weekend. 

We got to Oxford bright and early (actually, it was dark outside).  Melissa and I were ready with our sign...of course, there was no hope of getting close to any cameras.  Too many people....and we are old.  =)

We were the only representatives in the Brower household.  I just thought there were too many people   there to bring the boys. 

 Best part of the day?!?!  We won.  We won.  Can you tell we are excited?!

There's a first time for everything.  We bought the paper. Who knew it was only a buck?

Breakfast with the boys. 

So my Mom had to have her gallbladder out two weeks ago.  Well apparently she gets it from her momma.  Mamaw had to go to the hospital this week for her gallbladder.  Problem is, she is 95 years old.  No one wants to be put to sleep at 95.  The doctor's explained the seriousness of the situation and all of our family came in town.  

Mason decided he wanted to write her a card.  He was so proud as well as Mamaw.  

Sometimes technology can be a beautiful thing.  My cousin TJ is studying abroad with the U of M in Korea.  Obviously, he couldn't make it back and they have a very close relationship.  Skype came through for the win.  You can see how happy she is in this picture.  =)

Of course, she made it just fine through the surgery.  She is the strongest lady I know. 

Sunday night, I went to see Katy Perry with the girls.  We bought these tickets months ago.  I was ready to go to sleep, but I pushed through and headed downtown. =)

Leann and I waiting on everyone else. 

All of us with Katy. 

Just entertaining ourselves since she didn't go on until 9:30!!!!  It started at 7....it was a VERY long night. 

But it was a great concert.  

In other news,  John had a CT scan and follow-up appointment last week with his oncologist.  Although it is unlikely the cancer will reappear, it still makes me a tad nervous waiting on the results. Just like we thought, everything looked perfect.  No signs of cancer.  Now we can breathe.  

Since it appears we are heading in the right direction, John is going to be able to get his port-a-cath out at the end of the year.  It does not function properly, and he just doesn't like it being there.  (and it will be on this years insurance!  ha)  

Next appointment will be in three months (no scan needed).  That appointment will be the one year mark since diagnosis.  Thankfully, a lot can change in a year.