Family

This last week my oldest brother, Dustin, deployed to Afghanistan for his 3rd tour. It's times like these that make me REALLY proud to be an American. It's because of willing men like him that we get to enjoy the freedoms that we do. The first time he went, I think I was a sophomore in high school. The second time I was a junior at BYU. Each time I've known it was scary, but not until now...now that I have a family of my own and a husband that I wish I got to spend more time with...have I even begun to understand what it must be like for his family. Even still, I know I don't understand at all. I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to have my husband a million miles away, and 4 kiddos to take care of by myself. All I know is that it takes a special kind of person to be willing to serve his country, and an even more amazing kind of person to watch him go.
Here is a pic I stole off Eleanor's blog the night Dustin left.

The next day, I met my mom in San Antonio for a surprise birthday weekend for my Aunt Peggy. Alexis, Aunt Sheri, and Mandy all came too. Peggy is the owner/coach of Stars dance and tumbling. They're a pretty big deal...check 'em out. So....after we had all arrived in San Antonio we showed up at her gym. She was definitely surprised, and had no idea we were coming. The rest of the weekend was filled with shopping, lots of food, mani/pedis, and LOTS of family. When my mom and her sisters are together, it's guaranteed to be a good time. The weather in Texas was BEAUTIFUL. A wonderful change compared to mostly dreary Erie. Mason definitely got his fill of playing outside. (So much that that's all I got pics of).

They also have a little puppy that Mason loved to play with. He didn't really like to give up the ball for her to play with. He mostly held on to it and chased her around. He also liked putting things in and out of her doggy door...and only tried a couple of times to go through it himself.

My cousin Chase had a basketball game while we were there that everyone got to go to. This last pic is Mason FINALLY getting to play on the court after the game was over.

My family is my greatest blessing, and I am so lucky to have them all :)