"Camping" and more!

I think I'm due for a new post, so here it goes!

I guess I'll start off with Ethan's first "camping" trip. (By "camping," I mean sleeping in a tent in Grandma & Grandpa Roth's backyard:).) This is a bad stage to do real camping with Mason, so we decided this would be a fun way for Ethan to get a taste of it for now. So on Sunday, we all went over to Grandma & Grandpa's house for supper, and then Mason & I went home while Ethan & Dad stayed to sleep in the tent. Ethan had so much fun!! When the guys got home the next morning, he told me all about it: he got to watch stars while laying on the trampoline, he got to play with a flashlight outside in the dark, and he got to sleep in a tent. Someday, we'll go on an actual camping trip...until then, this will have to do:).

As for the boys, they have been growing and changing so much in the last few months. Ethan is turning three next month, but sometimes I think he's turning 30! He is such a caring and considerate little guy. He loves giving Mason hugs and kisses, and always tells him when he's doing a good job. Ethan is usually very good at sharing, and takes it upon himself to make sure that Mason always has a toy to play with. And often, when he's eating something, he'll ask us if we want something to eat or drink. He's such a sweetheart! He definitely has a strong will, though, so we have our fair share of challenges. However, overall, he's a great kid! Mason is a sweetie too...he loves to give out hugs, which wins over many hearts! It's pretty cute when a 13 month old walks up to you and then lifts his arms up and wraps them around your neck before walking away to play with the next toy. He can also be a little monkey, though...he knows exactly what he's doing when he gets into trouble, and smile & laughs when we come to take him away from the situation. For example, he loves pressing the buttons on all the TV equipment, as well as the air conditioner. He knows he'll get in trouble, so he runs as fast as he can to quickly press a button before we chase after him! One time, he got ahold of a lotion bottle and ran with it over to a corner so he could play with it. When I chased after him, he looked up at me laughing because he knew he was being a little sneak! These boys give us a run for our money, but they are so much fun! I can't imagine our lives without them.

Now for some pictures!

Showing off the new lion glasses Auntie Rosanna gave him

Mason showing off his tongue to Auntie Joanne on the trampoline at Grandma & Grandpa Roth's house while the tent was being set up

Ethan "helping" set up the tent

"Don't worry, I can get down all by myself!"

Can you feel the tension? These two don't have the best relationship. Mason chose to be brave anyway, and touched the cat for the first time in a long time. For some reason, he has developed a fear of cats, but absolutely loves Charlie (the dog), who is MUCH bigger than him. Go figure!

Enjoying an apple right off the tree! Ethan was pretty excited about that:).

At the end of a long day, Dad & Ethan finally head out to the tent for bedtime.

Having fun in the tent

A while back, Ethan spotted a fly on the wall and decided to knock it down by throwing a pair of socks at it (all his idea!!)...it was pretty cute:)!

Ethan giving his little brother zerberts...you can't really tell by the picture, but Mason is laughing really hard!

So proud of himself for getting on the truck all by himself!

Playing with water together on the deck

Our little golfer!

Mason was really excited to join in, but didn't quite know what to do. So he just ran around with his golf club!

Such a pro!

The brothers chatting about their next shot

Mason had lots of fun:)

Reaching in the hole to get the ball out

Putting with Dad

Mason sitting in what Ethan calls the "nest" (aka, the expandable tunnel all tied up)

A few times, as a special treat, we have had pizza & movie nights. We set up a little table for Ethan in the living room, and let him eat pizza while watching the Curious George movie. One day, Ethan set up his elephant & the pizza toys and told me "he's watching George!"

I was organizing the closets one day, and the kids found the box with Halloween costumes. We put the pumpkin costume on Mason, and he looked so cute in it!!

My littlest guy!!

The boys playing one of their favourite games with Dad...jumping on the exercise mat in Dad's lap!!

Ethan has been using the camera a lot lately, and this is a picture he took of himself...I think he did a pretty good job!

My littlest monkey...Mason loves climbing in/on his toys. Pretty much everyday, he climbs into this toy and plays with the toys in the bin (that he's holding on to). Then sometimes, he'll climb from this toy into that bin! Monkey:)

Climbing out of the toy...with no regards for safety

Ethan showing off his new sunglasses

Ethan found his horse costume in the Halloween box and wanted to try it on...even though it was really warm that day!

Mason systematically pulled out most of the toys in the bin he had climbed into, and was throwing them on the floor and into this toy. He's a character:)

This is one of Mason's favourite toys...its a Winnie the Pooh slideshow projector, and when you turn it on, it plays a slideshow of a Winnie the Pooh story (on one setting, it even reads the story for you). When he wants to play with it, he'll bring it to me and hold it up so I can turn it on (so cute!!). Mason loves aiming the projector at a wall, couch, toy, etc. and looking at the pictures. He holds it and walk around the house shining it on everything!

My little monkey, playing in the laundry basket (with very staticky hair!).