Christmas Shopping

Chase and I decided a couple of weeks ago that for this Christmas, since Mason is only 6 months old and won't remember this Christmas and since the grandparents on both sides had already told us they were buying everything we needed and wanted for Mason, we weren't going to buy him any gifts. We went to toys-r-us yesterday to buy Mason's cousins their presents and well Chase and I took Mason down the baby toy isle and let him test the toys. We found a couple that Mason just couldn't get enough of, so of course we bought them! We had already gotten him excited about the toys. We couldn't just take them away.
Chase and I also decided that Sunday before we head to Knoxville on Monday that we would have a family Christmas with just him, me, and Mason. That got me excited to have that special time with just my new family. Mason will also get to open his new presents from us next to his own tree! We will be sure to take pictures and I will post them sometime next week. Merry Christmas!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

This is the first year in a long time that I am truly excited about Christmas. It is Mason's first Christmas and mine and Chase's first Christmas as a married couple. We got our first Christmas tree last week and the whole family decorated it. I always thought since I grew up with the colored lights and tacky ornaments that when I got my own tree I would do the white lights and red and gold ornaments, but when it came time to decorating, I knew Mason would like the colored lights better. So our tree has the colored lights and tacky colorful ornaments. I have it on all the time, and I am absolutely loving it! It is funny how your outlook changes. This is actually the first Christmas that I won't be around my mom, dad, brother, and sister's family. We are heading to Knoxville this Christmas to be with Chase's family. It is weird for me not to be with my side of the family for Christmas, but I am excited for the new adventure with my new family (Chase and Mason of course). Below are some photos we took for our Christmas cards. I wanted to get one with Mason and Tucker, but that was a disaster. Tucker isn't exactly the most well behaved dog, but Mason enjoyed playing with him! We hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
The Malones

Mason's First Thanksgiving

Mason had his first Thanksgiving yesterday. We went to my sister's house which I feel may be a new tradition (we usually go to my mom and dad's) since we all are starting to have our own families and soon we all won't be in one location. Like always it was good family fun, good eats, and Mason enjoyed playing with his cousins (cause frankly he gets bored with Chase and I).

Our D.C. Trip

Recently, I had to go to Washington, D.C. for an interview ( I am trying to do a pediatric dentistry residency). My mom was nice enough to go with me so I could take Mason. I was about to have several interviews in a row, and I really didn't want to be away from Mason that much. We went a couple days before my interview so we could actually be tourist. We went to most of the important monuments, took Mason to the Natural History Museum to see the dinosaurs, and went by to see the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives Museum (Mason slept through this one). Mason even cooked with our chef one morning at breakfast! While I was at my interview Mason's mimi took him to see the pandas at the D.C. zoo. I really liked the city and the pediatric program (it has been one of my favorites) plus the city is only a train ride away from New York City (which is great for Chase's career) so it may be where the Malone Family may be moving in a few short months!

Big Bounce

Mason loves his bouncer. We noticed one day that Mason loved working his legs so we decided to put him in this bouncer that one of Chase's students got for him. Mason loved it. I don't know if it is the thrill of being independent or the thrill of going up and down but he gets tickled every time he is placed in it. His daddy can tell him to do a "big bounce" and Mason automatically bends his legs real hard. In return he bounces up into the air! He loves it!

Our 4th Family Member

I forgot to mention a very important member of our family. Tucker is our dog. I got Tucker my senior year of college and even through all of the changes that have occurred over the past year, he is still the most loyal companion not only to me but also to Chase and Mason. It is quite awesome to see the friendship begin to develop between Tucker and Mason. Mason only recently really discovered that we have a dog, and ever since then he can't seem to get enough of Tucker. Ever since the baby has entered our lives Tucker has been deprived of attention, but I have a feeling that soon enough from looking at him and Mason that he will have more attention than he can handle!

Party Animal

Mason attended his first birthday party at our neighbor's house for their son who was turning 1. We didn't really stay long because as you can see from the last pictures Mason decided it was a little too much excitement for him!

Mason All Dressed Up

Mason made an awesomely scary Dragon for Halloween! Well at least the cutest!

Family Pumpkin Carving

I have never been excited about Halloween before now. I never really got in to dressing up and going house to house for candy, but all that changed this year. I was super excited to get to dress Mason up and take him around our neighborhood to show him off. We also had our first family pumpkin carving. We didn't get around to it until the Sunday before Halloween, but we had a lot of fun finally carving it (well I guess Chase did all the carving).

Chase carving the pumpkin


Mason getting his first taste of pumpkin


Mason with his first pumpkin


Mommy and Mason

Daddy and Mason