Tim is home!

Last month, my parents flew my sisters and me out to welcome our baby brother home from his two-year mission! It was such a wonderful trip, especially since we were all together as a family again (minus husbands). I can't believe Tim's mission is over. When he left, I was 6.5 months pregnant with Mason. Now Mason is a babbling, extremely mobile toddler, and Oakley is right there with him!

On Wednesday, Sean and Cameron drove us to the airport (Cam stayed in the car while Sean helped me through security, thanks Cam!! You saved the day!), and Mason and I got checked in for our flight. For anyone flying with a toddler, Alaska Airlines checks your car seat AND stroller free! Huge blessing. Anyway, turns out our flight was delayed an hour. Great. Mason had fun watching planes and trucks drive around the runways.

We finally got boarded (they also let us board first!) and Mason had fun looking out the window and opening and closing the window screen thing. The flight was not full at all, so the awesome flight attendant let us have our own row!

Mason did really well on the flight. He didn't sleep, and got bored with things pretty easily, but I anticipated that because that's what happens in Sacrament meeting every Sunday. I had printed like 50 pictures of different animals, and that helped pass the time (Mason loves animals). We also ate lots of snacks.

 

Mason's first plane ride: success!

PS Dum-dum lollipops saved my life on the flight..

When we got off the plane, my cousin Sammy picked us up from the airport! She lives really close to San Jose, so we went to her house to play for a few hours! Mason had SO MUCH FUN with her boys. They are twins, and are a year older than Mason. They were so good together!

 

"I'm bouncing! I'm bouncing!" Mason thought they were so cool!

And has since picked up the throwing-your-head-against-the-back-of-the-couch trick. 

  

Pushing the "airplanes"

 

Looking at cars or something

My parents and sisters picked us up from Sam's house, and we went to dinner at Chili's.

Then it was AIRPORT TIME! Carly and I were in one car with the babies and she kept saying "I'm so nervous!" I was just excited, I didn't have the butterflies at all until we were waiting at his gate haha.

He's home!!

Carly and I drove back to my parents house, while everyone else drove to the Stake President's house so Tim could get released from being a missionary. While we drove, Carly and I took turns recounting the series finales of Glee (me to her) and Parenthood (her to me). The babies passed out in the back seat and of course woke up when we got home and the dogs started barking.

The next day we just had a lazy day at the house. Mason woke up at like 6am (not happening!) so I pulled him into bed with me and he fell back asleep.

 

Love the picture my sister snapped of me and Mason. Also why are sleeping babies so cute?!

  

Babes up early, so are moms...

  

Then, I actually got to take a nap when Mason napped (first time in forever!) and that was pretty much marvelous. Carly and I stayed home with the babies while Mom, Dad, Jenny and Tim got their new cell phones. After dinner, we put the babies to bed and played Phase 10! Just like old times!

 

These two played a lot of peekaboo throughout the weekend. We LOVED hearing them giggling at each other!

Carly and I were out playing fetch with the dogs (she threw the ball and I watched the kiddos). Sandi lost a ball but found it! Then she wouldn't drop the ball for anything. She is so funny!

On Friday, Mason woke up around 6:45. This time, no falling back asleep. But he did hang out in bed with me looking out the window.

 

If you can spot the tractor in the picture on the right I'll make you cookies.

 

Jenny snapped this picture of Mason. He's such a crack-up!

We drove up to the Oakland Zoo! Mason loves animals (I know I said that already but he really, really does) so we made a day of it! Everyone except my dad went (he had to work). Poor Carly was sick that day, but the babies had so much fun!

 

Mason was in a bit of a silly mood...

Every time we walked up to an animal enclosure that Mason could see the animals, he would gasp in excitement and try to climb out of the stroller. We were buckling and unbuckling the babies all day but it was worth it. Mason LOVED watching the giraffes, elephant, chimps, and tigers. I love experiencing things through a child's eyes! My favorite was the fruit bats. I had no idea how huge they were! Most were hanging and wrapped up in their wings, but one was only hanging by one foot and had his wings sprawled. It was funny!

 

Mason kept saying "Ooo! Ooo!" to every animal.

 

Petting zoo! Oakley loved it. Mason just wanted to run and climb on the rocks where there were signs saying "Goats and sheep only, no humans." Sorry kid...

 

This giraffe was seriously awesome. He just sat there front and center and loved the attention!

 

 

Do you see the baby on the mama's back! That baby was only a couple months old! There was another mama carrying a baby, but that baby was still on her belly; he was only a few weeks old!

We got home in the afternoon; Mason slept in the car so he was up. Dad got home from work and we headed to dinner. Where we had to wait. Forever. I think we got to the restaurant at 6:30 and didn't get seated until 7:30 or later. They also had this live mariachi band that wasn't very good... but at least the food was good. Mason and Oakley shared a kids meal and Mason scarfed everything on his plate down. Kid loves Mexican food! After dinner (well technically before dinner too), we watched Interstellar with Tim. If you haven't seen it, watch it. In fact, come over and I'll watch it with you. It's SO good!

 

Before bed, Mom let the dogs in. Mason was scared, so my dad told Tim to hold him and show him zoo pictures. 

It did the trick, despite what Mason's face shows...

On Saturday, Mom and Tim woke up feeling yucky, but Carly was feeling better. We headed over to the Gilroy outlets to take Tim shopping for new clothes! Mom also spoiled the babies, and I spoiled Sean with some new work shirts. My best friend from high school, Tyler, met us there since he had the day off. It had been over 3 years since we had seen each other, and he got to meet Mason! He still hasn't met Sean but maybe someday lol. Tim and Jenny headed home early, while Mom, Carly and I went to Costco to pick up a few things. I really wanted frozen yogurt, and Carly needed lunch, so we sat at the food court while Mom checked out. The babies enjoyed the froyo as well...

I don't remember what else happened Saturday night but it was so good to spend time with my family.

By Sunday, Tim felt better and Mom was all better, but now it was mine and my dad's turn. We both felt really icky, and then I felt excruciating pain in my lower abdomen. Turns out I had a cyst burst that morning (I have had a few burst before so I knew what was going on). It was terrible. I couldn't eat or stand. My dad gave me some of his Oxycontin and it saved my life. Buuuuut then I got really sleepy during Sacrament meeting. I don't think I slept through Tim's talk (hard to know since I had Mason as well).

After Sacrament meeting, Jenny and Dad took me to the airport. Dad helped me carry everything to be checked. After I went through security, I was at the gate looking for my boarding pass and realized I had left it in the bin, along with my license! So I'm carting Mason around the airport with a huge backpack stuffed full of treats and toys for him, going back to security. Luckily they had it and as soon as we got back to the gate it was time to board! Lucky me. The plane was full this time, so no own row for me. But Mason fell asleep during take off (miracle of miracles) so that was awesome! He slept most of the flight.

Sean picked us up and we headed home! It was so good to see my family, especially Tim, but also nice to be back with my husband. Mason was really excited as well, because he got to switch to forward facing finally :)