Happy 3rd Birthday Mason!

How can it be that you are already 3?  

Happy Happy Birthday to you Mason!

We love you more than words!!

Basketball Baby!!

Brady definitely inherited my love for basketball!  We spent most of the winter cheering on our favorite teams...UNI Panthers, Kansas Jayhawks and many others!  We also were able to go and watch my hometown team (my uncles is the coach and my cousin, Rachel was the starting point guard) play at the state tournament.  Brady had so much fun cheering for them!

We had to get in our UNI gear for some pics the day that they played in the tourney.  

He had to show off his UNI bracelet...so silly!

Cora Jo

I know it's been a while but I will post some recaps!  First, to start our year, Cora Jo Petersen was born on January 15th.  She is so adorable and we all love her so much!  Here are some random pics of the sweet pea!

Mason is obsessed with her!  It's too funny!

Christmas in Kimballton

Friday mid-morning we headed back to Kimballton for the Petersen family Christmas.  It was so fun having everyone together on my dad's side.  We always sing Christmas songs (and Happy Birthday to Jesus), do a fun grab bag and eats lots of yummy food!  Then on Saturday morning we headed up to the Nursing Home to see my Grandma Parker and the Parker clan for a great breakfast and family time.  After that it was back to my parents' for our Christmas complete with more gifts (we were way too spoiled this year) and more great food!!!  Then Saturday afternoon it was my turn to get sick...aghh!!!  Oh well, all is well now!

These two were ready for the Petersen Christmas...they are inseparable!

Gift Time!

These two were so excited for new tablets...they both had broken their other ones so were so happy to get new ones...which is why we never get them super expensive ones...

This guy was super pumped for more UNI gear!!!

Christmas in Gowrie

After a quick breakfast we loaded up and drove to Gowrie.  Once everyone was there it was time for a yummy brunch and gifts!  We were all so spoiled and the boys were so excited to play with their cousins and their new toys!  Our time in Gowrie was somewhat quick...we headed to Kimballton Friday morning...we were on the go, go, go!!

Mason had so much fun opening gifts this year.  It was so fun to see him get in to it this year!

4 Cathcart boys!!

Christmas at Home

We had a wonderful Christmas and we hope you did too!  We did start the Holidays with some illness.  Brady came down with a nasty virus and it changed our Christmas Eve plans a bit but all that mattered was that we were together!  We started Christmas morning at home...here are some pics!

The boys excited to head to the basement to see if Santa came!

The boys enjoying the gifts from Mom and Dad...

Mason with his gift from Santa

Brady was so excited that Santa came!

We had a great time opening gifts...after a quick breakfast snack, we headed to Gowrie...that's up next!

Scenes from the Basement

Honestly, I don't know what we'd do without our basement.  Life with 2 boys somewhat requires it.  Anyway, a weekend tradition has been to pop some popcorn (complete with M & M's) and watch a movie.  This is one of the rare times that the boys sit still for longer than 5 minutes and they also sit close together and get a long really well...oh if only they were like this all the time!  Ha ha!

They also love to play in the tents they have!

Thanksgiving & An early Birthday Celebration

We had a wonderful (busy) Thanksgiving.  Lots of travel, that's for sure but it was great seeing both of our families.  We started up in Gowrie on Wednesday afternoon.  We had a great Thanksgiving on Thursday, we also decided to celebrate Brady's birthday at each family's this year as he is having a friend party on his actual birthday.  Here are some scenes from Gowrie...

Making ornaments with Nana

After a delicious lunch, it was Birthday time...we sang to the Birthday Boy

 

 He got a cool new bike...I told Andy he could re-use that red bow and put it on a new Lexus for me...ha ha ha! 

 

Andy insisted on taking a picture of the inside of the cake...it was a chocolate cake with a layer of choc chip cookie dough...amazing!!!  And yes, the recipe is egg-free

He is anxious to ride this baby outside!

After the Birthday celebration we headed home, unpacked--repacked and I did some Black Friday shopping.  Then that morning we headed back to Kimballton.  Friday night we had the Petersen Thanksgiving and it was another great meal and lots of family time.  Then Saturday we had mom and dad's Thanksgiving.  More great food and Brady's second birthday celebration!

 

 

For this 'birthday cake' I did a trifle with chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, whipped cream, caramel and snickers...it was to.die.for!!!  He loved all the attention that's for sure!

Cool new game--he plays it EVERY DAY!

He got a new scooter!!!  He had to try it out already too!

All in all, a great Thanksgiving and I did a terrible job taking very many pictures...FAIL!  I will try to do better!!!