Of Fall Festivals and Fire Trucks

We hit Elephant Playground for its first Fall Family Festival with all the youngins (no, really, ALL of them, and their parents, caregivers, etc, etc. It was a zoo!) on the Upper West Side on Sunday. They had bouncy castles. They had carnival games. They had face painting and crafts. But, the real draw for us was this: A REAL FDNY Fire Truck (complete with firemen) for the kids to climb on. The NYPD also brought a police car for the same purpose, but it was merely dwarfed in the shadow of the truck.



Mason even got to drive for a bit.

He wasn't too happy when the fireman informed him it was someone else's turn (you should have seen the line!!!) But, luckily, we entertained ourselves on the outside.



And then moved on to the police car.

After that, we staked out our spot on the basketball courts and waited for the Little Maestros concert. Mason LOVED that. Photos and videos of that to come later.

We capped off our time at the festival by standing in another line, this time to meet and have Mason's photo taken with Elmo. In classic toddler fashion, he kept pleading to see Elmo while I pleaded with him for patience, and then, we get to the front of the line, and he's scared.

For the $5 we paid, I figured we better get a picture out of it...so, here WE are.

Catching up

OK, so it's been more than two weeks since we last updated. But, hopefully the novel before makes up for it. We spent a week in Colorado, doing everything from fishing to football, watching zoo animals and walking down aisles. At the end of the day, there just wasn't enough time to keep up with the blog, so now we present the story of our trip...

Day 7, Part II: CU-FSU

Sooo...Rob and I met at a Colorado football game. We both hold degrees from the University of Colorado. When we heard that there was a Colorado football game at 8 p.m. Saturday night, we jumped at the opportunity to go and mostly to bring Mason to his first football game at our Alma Mater.

Thanks to Mom's old boss in the Sports Information Department, we had two tickets, two press passes and an evening of fun.

Grammy, Papa, and Uncle Clint (and his Ash-House-Buddies) all also made the trek up to Boulder for the game and some pregame festivities. Mason got to take part in his first tailgate with Uncle Clint and Co. He ate some pretzels. He played some football. He got a little coaching from Clint, who had him running lines on the nearby field before we left.

Mason got settled in well before kickoff and took in the scene.

Then he waited for Ralphie's Run.


We had a great time. Mace lasted until the end of the third quarter, with a slight interruption just before half. Mommy took him up to the fieldhouse to get away from the crowds and noise for a bit, but he grabbed my hand and led me back. "I want fuuuball," he says. I guess he has it in his genes! He got a second wind dancing to the marching band's music during halftime and watching Ralphie's second run. I think he liked that even better than the first one.

A random aside (speaking of genes): Deb, a Colorado State grad (though not a rabid fan like her girlfriend) bought Mason a stuffed buffalo as a gift for being in her wedding. He carried it around with him all day after the wedding. He was playing with it in his high chair as the photographer caught him in action. He kept throwing it down on the floor and Tim, the photog, says to him: "The way you're treating that, I'd think you're a Huskers' fan." Mason looked back and him, and exclaimed in no uncertain terms: "NOOOOOOOO!"

What can I say. That's our boy!

Day 7, Part I: The wedding

Alas, the reason for the trip finally arrived. Deborah and David tied the knot at the Trading Post at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It was a BEAUTIFUL location and a wonderful day for the wedding.

Mason killed in his tux. Never looked better -- looked like a million bucks, according to Dad-O -- and luckily we only paid $20 for the thing. Can you believe it? Grammy and Uncle Kirty helped the little one clean himself up before we headed out the door.


We were able to snap a few pictures before the ceremony, although Mason was far more interested in seeing the tractor in the parking lot and throwing rocks into the pond than sitting still for very long.

When the big moment arrived, Mason RACED up the aisle, quite literally. I guess he really wanted the car that I promised Dad-O was holding. He went so fast, in fact, that I didn't get my camera turned on in time to take a picture. He didn't exactly wait for the flower girl, who had a slight melt down at the back of the aisle, before toddling up halfway, dumping her whole basket of flowers in one spot and then finishing the length. All-in-all, though, I think they did pretty good for being three-months short of 2-years-old.

After the wedding, there was some waiting around for pictures and Mace did his best to look like the cool dude that he is.

Next up was the reception at The Fort restaurant. The food was delicious. The location was beautiful and it was just a good time kicking back with friends.

Mason and Ava were especially fond of the tee-pee in the courtyard (and the pea gravel on the ground...that $20 tux is pretty dirty...but, kids will be kids. That's why it's not worth spending more than $20 on a tux for a 1-year-old, right?)
And, from the looks of this picture, I think Ava was pretty fond of Mason...

Day 4-5: Family time

Dad-O arrived late Tuesday night, so after spending Wednesday morning waiting for a rental car, Mommy and Mason drove over to Aurora to meet up with him, Auntie Nay Nay and cousins Asani and Eli.

After feeding the fish, and wrestling Uncle Rob/Dad-O to the ground, we loaded Mason, Asani and the double stroller into the car and headed for the Denver Zoo.

Good zoo, that Denver Zoo -- and pretty much the way I remember it from my youth and many field trips. It's especially good for the little ones, as the animals are all in close proximity for viewing.

Mason went CRAZY for the elephants and both boys begged to ride the "choo-choo." We happily obliged.

The gorillas were lots of fun, but my personal favorite was probably the giraffes. They were inside by the time we got there, so we were really close. We HAD to wake Mason up from his nap to see them. We tried to wake Asani, but he kept turning his head away and trying to get comfy on Uncle Rob's shoulder. We were sure to snap a picture for future reference.

Thursday was spent with the Great Grandparents. Great Grandma and Grandpa Seeley were around in the morning. They brought Mason a new book "Going to Sleep on the Farm" and Mason even sat still long enough to let Great Grandma read to him a bit -- just like she did to Mommy when I was younger.

After that, we headed over to Great Grandma and Grandpa Woodman's for lunch. Grandma made her famous grilled cheese (I just can't make 'em that good, golden brown and perfectly melted cheese) and chocolate milkshakes.

We capped the afternoon off with the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, where Mason and Ava, the flower girl and niece of the happy couple became fast friends.

Days 2-3: Mountain men

Mace took to the cabin like white on rice. He had lots of fun toddling around outside picking up sticks, watching Papa work and playing with all those cabin-only tools.

Mommy and Grammy walked Mace across the mesa to the neighbors so we could play on the park in their backyard. Yes, it really was a park! The playground was pulled out of a Winter Park park when the city put in new play equipment and reconstructed in Jim and Sue's backyard. I guess that's an advantage to having acres of land around you.

After naptime, though, is when the real fun started. We packed up a fishing pole and headed to the lake.

Of course, Mason was more interested in the sand, the water and the rocks than in actually fishing!

He didn't seem to mind the frigidly cold water, either, as he slid right down into it, sitting with his legs crossed as it lapped against him and the shore.

Day 1: Comin' Round the Mountains

After church and some running around by Grammy and Mommy, we headed up the hill for the mountains. We did, however, have to make one quick stop to deliver some chairs to Great Grandma and Grandpa Woodman.

Mason tested them for comfort and found a little time to horse around and hand out hugs before we headed up.

We made a quick pit stop in Winter Park where we ate some good Mexican food and Mason got a chance to ride an elk...don't try this at home.