Family Photo Fun

Sometimes I have this awesome idea to get updated family photos. 

 Sometimes this is how they turn out.......

And sometimes you get a couple that work.

Thanks again Cami!

Giddy Up Cow

Mason makes a fine cowboy if you ask me!

My little Showman

I don't know where this kid came from. I wish I could carry around a video camera constantly just so people can experience how hilarious he is. He has this random face he does and he know he's funny stuff! Luckily we have a little dose of him here for you!

Homemade Baby Wipes

Our Home Teachers paid us a visit today. As we were talking he mentioned how his wife makes her own baby wipes. I was so intrigued! So I jumped on my new favorite resource for things like this, Pinterest. Most amazing place ever. If your not on, get on! Karen introduced me and I haven't been the same since. On with this baby wipe business. These are now on the list to make ASAP. No more buying baby wipes. I love this tutorial because she gives great tips. I love the idea of this especially if you have a child with a sensitive bum. You control what you wipe that babies bottom with! Try them out and let me know how you liked them!

Homemade Organic Baby Wipes

Craigslist WIN!

I was looking in the free section of craigslist the other day and we saw an ad placed for a free kayak.  The guy said it was in his driveway and the first person to pick it up would be the new owner.  Lance zoomed over as fast as he could.  He was the first one and this picture is from the maiden voyage in the concord river.

Fine Cuisine

One day I was watching Mason in the video monitor. He was eating something but I could not figure it out. I went in and found him picking the fuzz off his diaper then eating it. Hmmmm.
Mason has quite the palette. For some reason he enjoys eating hair. A lot! I have to hide my brush or he devours the hair from it. Sick I know. If he gets his hands on a dog or cat, he likes to grab a handful of fur and in the mouth it goes. He also enjoys sand by the handful, spiders, bugs, any kind of food from the floor, dust bunnies, and the worst dog waste! Yes you may squirm in discussed!
I caught him once again eating his diaper.

-Dickey Clan

A day at the zoo on Lance's day off

First year medical students had the day off in order to study for the big anatomy exam tomorrow.  Lance felt pretty confident that he was going to do well so we took Mason to the Franklin park zoo.  Lance's sister Cami and neice Ivy came along for the trip too.  Fun was had by all. We especially like the gorilla exhibit.  Although Mason seemed to be partial to the Lemurs.

1 Year 1 Month and 7 Days

I know I know, I have been terrible at this game! I'm finally sitting down and getting to the fact that my baby is 1! How does this happen? You always hear that your kids grow up fast but my heck this has been crazy. I feels like we were just at the hospital waiting for him to get here. Now he's 1. I keep telling myself whenever he does anything that's totally his own quirk I need to write it down. He is hilarious. He makes me smile and laugh everyday. The other day I was looking at his baby pictures and I was flooded with all these little memories we have already made that include him. I couldn't help but smile. 

 A few little things about Mason:

1. He LOVES food! He is better then a Hoover. He always has to have both hands full when he eats. He will go around the house picking up everything and eat it. Doesn't matter if it's edible or not.
2. Whenever anyone starts laughing he thinks it's about him and has to turn on a show. He's very good at the courteous laugh. 
3. He's a talker. He's constantly jabbering about something. I know what he's trying to say sometimes but others I don't know what he's talking about. He says things like: cat, dog, go, daddy, momma, and bye bye. He's not that quiet about what he has to say either.
4. He started walking at 10 months and hasn't stopped. He is one quick boy!
5. He's in this hiding faze where if he knows he's doing something naughty he thinks you wont be able to see him if he stands against a wall or runs to a corner. It's funny at how they are doing something they shouldn't at such a young age. 
6. He is one hot commodity out here in MA! With out fail every where we go someone has to comment at how beautiful and cute he is. My favorite was when an older gentleman came up to me at the grocery store and as sincerely as anyone could said," I just have to tell you, he is the most beautiful little boy I have ever seen. He's just a waiving, smiling, and giggling throughout the whole store." I guess there was another time that Lance and I were at a store one day and a lady said," I'm guessing you guys aren't showbiz mom and dads? We said no and looked at each other confused. She pointed to Mason and said cause THAT little boy could make you ALOT of money!" I of course agree with all of them. Good work Brittany! 
7. He is just plain HAPPY. With the exception of certain moments he is one happy boy.
8. He loves kids. A little to much. He shows his love by going up to them with a frightened look, grabs the shoulders, then shakes and yells at them. Then tries to kiss them with a wide open mouth (while still yelling). 
9. He loves to read. If we read him a book he just sits there and giggles throughout the whole book.
10. Still loves Baby Einstein. Yeah I know pathetic. He really loves them. I keep telling myself he's learning something.

We played his Birthday pretty low key. We enjoyed the delightful company of the Jones Family, and Tim.

Cami made a delicious dinner for us, and I shamefully brought a not so good store bought cake. I know, but give me a break, I didn't have a my own place where I could make a huge mess in the kitchen. I will make it up for his 2nd Birthday.

 Lance and I failed and forgot our camera. Cami saved the day and got some awesome pictures for us!

 Mason, thanks for making us smile everyday! Your daddy and I can't imagine a day with out you!

The White Coat

 There is now one thing we can mark of our list for this little adventure were on. Lance received his white coat. Although it's the beginning, it still feels good to know were on our way!

Ready or Not, Here We Come

It's finally here! Moving day! We have been waiting for this day for 3 years. I'm going to miss so much. I think that I just block everything out of my mind and try not to think of all the family and friend activities that we will be missing. It's going to be hard being away from everyone. I don't think it has set in that we will be living in Boston for the next 4 years.
I'm really excited about all the new adventures we will have, the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, the Dollar Store presents, and all those other things you do when you can't even afford Ramen Noodles. Everyone I talk to say that those poor years were the funnest! I'm excited to get creative!
I have to say thank you to all the friends and family that have supported our family as we prepare for this journey. We literally could not have done it with out you. Wether it was watching mason or giving us a little advice, we really appreciate it.
If anyone needs a little vacation DON'T hesitate to come visit! Our home( when we get one :) is always open.



-Dickey Clan

Hiking the Crimson Trail with Dad

Mason loves to splash in puddles, so sometimes when it's summertime and too hot for a descent puddle to form, we improvise and synthesize our own puddles using grandma's mixing bowls.  It took no longer than four seconds for Mason to figure out that more than just splash in the puddle.  He wanted to live in it.

Imposter!

There are many Mason lookalikes running around town.

1st: Pauly D from Jersey Shore

2nd: Kuepi Doll from the older years

3rd: Heat Miser from A year Without a Santa Clause (a classic)

Dr. Dickey

After waiting for 2 years to find out what path our life would be on, we finally got word! Lance has been excepted to Boston University Medical School Class of 2015! We are SO very excited. It's been frustrating living in limbo for so long. Now we can finally make plans for our life. Next step is trying to figure out all the fun stuff that goes along with moving across country!

Olive oil as a facial cleanser?

I know this sounds absolutely crazy, but I had a friend say it's amazing! I will be trying it out and reporting later!


How to Use Olive Oil as a Face Cleaner | eHow.com

My Forever Family

 What a special week it has been for our family. I have been overwhelmed with the love and support we have received from friends and family. I don't know of a better way to bring so many families together then through adoption. We have joined together 3 different families for this special little boy who love him more then anything. He's one lucky kid! So before I write anything else I need to say Thank You! And I'm sure the Birth Family would same the same to all of you, for welcoming and loving this child with open hearts and arms. I know it means more then words can say to them.
 We were able to finalize the most important part of the adoption Saturday.

Law and Order

 Who else can say they legally became a Family on Valentines Day? 

It took 6 months to get here and it's weird to think it's all legal. The first thing Lance said as we walked out of the courtroom was, wahoo I'm going to Preston! Up until this day we had to ask permission to leave the state.

 This day went just as you would probably imagine it. The whole process was only about 15 minutes long. I'm sure the judge likes these court proceedings better then others he gets to deal with on a regular basis. After everything was said and done we introduced our parents to the judge. Lances dad introduced himself and the judge asked him, "Did you go to South Cache and graduate in such and such year?" A giggle went through the courtroom. In high school Lances dad beat Judge Judkuns for State Championship in Wrestling. Good thing Judge made his ruling before he remembered who he was!

 I couldn't have asked for a better day! It's fun to think this wont be the last time we do this! Now there is just one last thing to do: be Sealed Forever! That's the real day to look forward too! 5 more days!

6 Months

 I can't believe we are here already. At the beginning of the adoption you feel like this point will never get here or that something terrible will happen. But it literally came in the blink of an eye. I feel like it was just yesterday that we were sitting at the hospital with Britt waiting for Mason to arrive, then taking him home from the hospital. They say your kids grow up fast and boy they weren't kidding! I can't even turn my back without Mason doing something new. I wish I could have a constant video camera on him to catch every expression that comes across his face, and every moment of progress. I now understand how people can say that their kids are THE CUTEST! I truly believe my kid is THE CUTEST! I can't get enough him. I sit here and think how on earth I could love or have any other child as amazing as him. People tell me it's possible but I will just have to wait to understand that one.
It's crazy to think on February 14th 2011, Mason will legally be ours. I feel like he has been that way all along and keep forgetting we still have things to finalize. So I don't know what to think of that day yet. It will be another amazing part of this whole process that I will only be able to understand when it happens. Evidently we got assigned the judge that Lances dad beat wrestling in high school. I hope he doesn't hold that against us! I will definitely be posting about that day and week for those who can't be with us for all the festivities. Sad Face!
Back to my little miracle. There are so many things I love about him, let me count the ways!

1. His laughter: he laughs at the most random things on earth! I love that I'm able to act totally stupid and he thinks it's the best thing ever. He can also go from laughing to crying and back and forth like a light switch. He's contagious.
2. His LOVE for Baby Einstein: don't mess with him when he's watching this! Sometimes I will go to snuggle and give him kisses and he looks at you in disgusts, turns back to his show and pushes you away while he watches.
   
3. His noises: He has so many of these. My favorite is when he sucks in and does this high pitched squeal. I have no idea how he does it but you know he's excited when he starts pulling that one.
4. His LOVE for his food: when you pull out the bottle he giggles and squeals in delight. Then when you strap him in his bouncer to give him his baby food he starts kicking, throwing the hands in the air and again squealing in delight.
   
5. His sleeping: I got lucky with him! He is a really good sleeper! With the exception of a few nights here and there which is expected, he's a champ. He sleeps through the night and has 3 naps during the day sleeping about 7 hours all together. LOVE IT!

6. His joy when we say hello: he loves when we come home. He also loves it when we just pop
out of the room for a minute come back and say hello. He couldn't be more pleased when
we make a big deal of it. Theres nothing better when you have to leave him for the day and
you worry about the whole time. Then as soon as you walk in he is so sincerely happy! It's
the best part of the day.
7. His jabbering: when he goes to sleep he talks and sings to himself. It's my favorite when he
starts singing really load then just rolls over and goes to sleep.

But most of all I just love the total package! I could go on all day on what I love about him. I can't wait to see his big personality keep growing but I guess I won't have to wait for very long.

Cinnamon Rolls

 Here is the DELICIOUS roll recipe from the class I went to a few weeks ago. I have tried most of these variations and can say they are all amazing! If you have any questions about them let me know! Also please make them the way the recipe says first then tweak if you'd like! I have found no tweaking necessary

A tip if you don't want to cook them all right away, make them up completely(rolling,slicing, everything). Put them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.Place in the freezer for 25 minutes. When partially frozen place in a freezer safe container. If you would like a fresh one for the morning. Take it out place in a pan, cover and let sit overnight. Bake when risen. Just like Rhodes Rolls.

The Best Icing Recipe is seriously The Best! You can put it on right out of the oven so it melts with the rolls or put it on them when they are a little cool and have more of a frosting consistency.

New Project!

I saw this on Good Things Utah and loved the idea! So here's the link for these awesome pillows! I also saw another amazing idea of some pillows made from old sweaters! Love it! Click on the link for directions.
Cute Ruffle Pillows You Can Make Yourself

He aint gonna let no RSV get him down!