{2014 Summer-time Bucket List}

+ make homemade ice cream

+ bbq at home on Friday nights

+ go camping

+ go to canton - first monday

+ get our puppy

+ watch fireworks on the fourth of july

+ work on a project or two from my Pinterest DIY board

+ play in our pool

+ have a water balloon fight

+ go on a weekend getaway, or 2 or three

+ have a picnic

+ go fishing

+ patio dinner with live music

+ roast marshmallows

+ have snowcone dates with my little love

+ go to as many ranger games as we can

+ find a strawberry farm

+ plant succulents

+ drive-in movies

+ road trip

+ make a pet rock

+ take sunset pictures

+ beach trip

+ explore ranch next door

+ go to the lake

+ have a garage sale

+ ride bikes
+ hang lights in our tree by back porch

What is on your Summer-time bucket list?

{It's the Little Things - my boys}

{Texas Tuesday - Osuba, Waxahachie TX}

Hey Y'all!

Happy Texas Tuesday!!

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What is Texas Tuesday? A chance for you to show off the awesomeness that is TEXAS!! You can blog about anything; restaurants, vacation spots, venues, concerts, your hometown, shops, fashion, sports, etc. The linkup is not limited to Texans, we just ask that the post is about Texas. 

We don't make following any of the hosts a requirement, but we do ask that you include our button and at least post about a Texas related topic. Any links that are not related to the link up will be deleted. (button code is in grab box below the image above)

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Last Saturday Nathan and I got to go on a date with some of our friends. We were going to go to Toshios, a favorite of ours. But, due to an unexpected water leak in the building they had to close for the weekend. We were bummed, but it ended up being a good thing. We tried a new Japanese/Hibachi Restaurant called Osuba in town and absolutely loved it.


When you walk into Osuba the hostess will ask you if you want to sit on the normal dine in side, or the hibachi. We went for the hibachi. The restaurant was impressive; very nice. I wish I would have taken more pictures. While looking at the menu and waiting for our server we watched the other Hibachi tables...so cool! Nathan and I ended up sharing a meal. It had steak, teriyaki chicken and shrimp, fried rice, vegetables, onion soup and a salad. I am so glad that we shared because it was so much food! 

The chef put on the greatest show and was hilarious. We were laughing the entire time. And the food? Oh man was it delicious! I didn't try the shrimp, but it must have been good because Nate ate both of our portions. The chicken and the steak had such great flavors! We will definitely be going back!

Have you ever been to a Hibachi place? Surprisingly, this was my first time. But definitely not the last.




 

{Gunner Gage Hall}

Age - 7 weeks // Birthday - 5/2/2014

Weight - 18ish pounds

We have known about getting our pup since before he was even in his Mommy's Tummy! An employee of Nate's Dad offered us a pup when he had them available and we quickly said yes! The semen was frozen and implanted a few months ago. And our little Gunner boy was born on May 2nd, 2014. He texted us a picture of the babies and of course I cried! We've been on pins and needles waiting for him to be available.

And the hardest part? Keeping it a secret from Mason! We wanted to surprise him. And that we did!

We are 110% in love with him and think he is the perfect addition to our family. I forgot how dang hard the puppy stage is, but he is worth it. So worth it.

Gunner is from a very prestigious bloodline. His Grandfather was one of the most well known Labs in 1978. I mean, he came with a book. Yes, a book! It has all of his family's history and bloodline and DNA and whatnot. It's impressive! Pups of this bloodline are usually not sold for less than $2500 buckaroos. And he gave him to us for FREE! Crazy, huh? We are so blessed!  He told us that it's our choice to have him neutered or not...but that if we did we were basically taking money out of our pockets. Once he's officially registered with the AKC we will have people wanting to breed with Gunner and we could get some pretty serious stud fees! 

Gunner is doing well and I think he loves his new home. He is as sweet as can be and really smart, too. He cries any time Nathan, Mason or I leave the room. He loves his sleep and equally loves to play. 

We are smitten!

Do you have a pup? Tell me about it!

{Things I keep in my purse at all times...for my 4 year old}

4 year old must haves by crystal-stowell-hall featuring sun care

Marimekko Yellow notepad A4, $18 / Apple - iPad mini with Retina display - Design, $450 / Sun care / chino shorts / uniform polo / aviator sunglasses / Vintage Monster Truck Grave Digger Photo Print, Wall Decor, Playroom...

Wipes // I may not be changing diapers anymore...but I still use wipes! And lots of them. Boys are messy. 

Sunscreen // Mason is very fair-skinned and we live in Texas. Need I say more?! 

Band-aids // Boys are mischievous and adventurous and you never know when you might need to cover a skinned knee.

Ring Pop // Keeps Mason occupied for a while and a little quieter when needed too! 

Note pad & crayons or a pen // Mason loves to draw. Comes in handy on longer than normal car trips or sitting in a waiting area, etc.

Change of clothes // boys are messy.

Some toys // self explanitory

Sunglasses //

iPad // we never leave the house without it! 

What do you keep in your bag?

{Mason meeting Gunner for the first time}

Mason meeting Gunner for the first time from Crystal Hall on Vimeo.


Nathan picked up Gunner around 6:30 am Friday morning and got back home around 7:20. We went back and forth on whether to wake up Mason or not. We decided not because Nate had jury duty and I didn't want Mason to be tired and cranky from waking up 2-3 hours before his normal time. It was so hard, though! I wanted to put the puppy in the bed and let it wake Mason up!

But I refrained!

I held Gunner in my lap while i worked and Mason snoozed. Gunner snoozed too! Mason woke up around 9:15 and I heard him getting up so I videod it. So damn cute!

Gunner played with Mason for a while, nibbled on his toes and pulled his pants down...but Mason didn't care. He has said no less than 57 times within 2 hours that "I love him" or "I can't believe we have a dog."     Gunner is snoozing away, again, and Mason is so anxious for him to wake up. It won't be long before Mason is wanting Gunner to sleep...I am sure!

{Five on Friday - what we've been up to}

Happy Friday friends!! How was your week? Ours has been eventful, but not. We were all so busy and exhausted from the wedding and now that it's over we are able to breathe and just relax and get things done.

Linking up for Five on Friday...

Sunday night/Monday morning we woke up to our AC not working. It was on, but not blowing cold. Nate went outside and the unit wasn't even running. So we turned it off and tried to keep the windows and doors closed all day until Nate & his Dad could look at it after work. It wasn't too bad. We kept all of the fans going in every room. At 6:00pm when the guys got home it was only 76 degrees in the house...that's 18 hours after we turned the unit off completely. I am so thankful for the man that built our house and insulated it so well and went with the good windows!!! Anyhow, the guys started working on it as soon as they got home and Nate's dad thought it was just the capacitor. A few calls later and they were meeting someone to pick one up for $10 bucks! By 8pm we were back in business and back to having AC. Praising Jesus it was such an easy and inexpensive fix! 

Tuesday we got a King size bed!!! {cue the angels singing} We've been in a queen for several years now, but have wanted a King. I slept like a baby last night! And sometime in the middle of the night Mason joined us and we still slept good!! 

We got our puppy this morning!!! He's a 7 week old yellow lab. We are in love! I can't wait to see Mason grow up with the puppy! He actually hasn't even met him yet because he is still snoozing. And therefore he is not named yet! We have it narrowed down to a few...but want Mason to meet him first. Oh my goodness he is a cutie! Look....

We actually have a pretty low key weekend ahead of us!! It's been a while since I have been able to say that! I can't wait to just be at home...hang out and relax and maybe grill some meals! I think tonight we are having dinner with some friends in downtown Waxahachie...but the rest of the weekend is open.

We are planning an adults only beach trip this September with this gem and 2 other couples. We are looking at houses on the beach!! We already have plans to go on a charter fishing trip...guys against girls. We are going to Galveston, TX. Anything we should do while there? Guess I better get to dieting....

{Mason is Four}

Height - 41 inches
Weight - 34.8 lbs (as of a week and a half ago)
Size - 4T pants and tops
Shoes - 10

Nicknames - Mase, Masester, Mr. Masester Meister, Punkin, bud

Oh Mason! You are growing entirely too fast. You are getting so independent {& opinionated} and you throw out the "but I am four" on the daily like it's your job! You throw less fits, but you have more attitude than ever. You are also in a stage of talking back and telling us "no" more often than not. And then you will turn around and have the best manners 30 seconds later. It's a rollercoaster, I tell ya.

Most of the time you are the sweetest little guy and your big heart melts me. You are very passionate about everything you do and never do anything half-ass. If you're going to do something, you do it big. You're getting more adventurous and mischievous by the minute and when it gets quiet I come running. That's usually when you're doing something you're not supposed to. You love to be in your room or outside. You never want to leave our house. It's a battle any time we have to go somewhere! 

You're still very attached to Mama..and that's okay by me! Bedtime is a warzone. You always want Mama to lay down with you and it takes you almost 2 hours to fall asleep every single night. Your mind has a really hard time shutting down. I shouldn't complain, because you are so intelligent and inquisitive. 

You enjoy riding your bike {& you're getting so good at it}, your jeep and anything else that has wheels. We spend our evenings outside playing with friends, drawing with chalk, playing with the kittens, etc. Your favorite toys right now are Mama and Daddy's old cell phones & keys, legos, anything police or fireman related, Spiderman/Super Hero, and still monster trucks. You're pretty much addicted to toys. And you love to dress up in your Police costume, Fireman costume, or Spiderman costume...and you almost always have on some funny glasses, a mask or eye patch, etc.

You're still the pickiest darn eater! You'd rather 'graze' all day than to eat a full meal. Your favorites are mac n cheese, grilled cheese, bread, vanilla wafers, squares {cinnamon toast crunch}, bananas, apples, applesauce, yogurt, milk & sweet tea. You still hate chocolate and peanut butter and will not touch anything that has the slighted brown color because you think it's either chocolate or PB. 

When you finally get to sleep at night you sleep pretty good. You're a night owl...love to stay up late and sleep late. Just like your Mama. Lately you have been going to sleep around 10 and sleeping until 9:30-11 am. 

You may keep us on our toes, but we love you something fierce. Cannot imagine a world without you in it. 

The other day I did an interview with you, just for fun. Your answers slay me. You can't be serious for anything!!

What is your name? - Mason Buttaway
How old are you? - Five
What color is your hair? - Green
What color are your eyes? - Red
What is your favorite color? - Green
Favorite food? - Grilled Cheese
Favorite drink? - Grape soda
Favorite song? - Gangnam Style and the Ninja Turtle song
Favorite animal? - a Bear
What do you like to do with Mommy & Daddy? - Play
Favorite store? Toys R Us
Why do you like being a kid? - {laughs} because I love to play. And I love you and because I want a mom and dad.
Are boys gross? - Yes. No. Yes they are a little bit. But not big kid boys.
Why are boys gross? - Because they toot. And I toot too. A lot of boys toot...but not girls. They don't toot.
What do you want to be when you grow up? - Fireman, policeman, and a doctor
Who are your best friends? - You, Daddy, Big Tanner and little Tanner
How old is Mommy? - Four
How old is Daddy? - Four
Do you want a brother or sister? - uh huh. a white one.
Where is your favorite vacation? - Mason, TX and the beach
What is your favorite restaurant? - Mexicans
What makes your heart happy? - When stuff gets me warm.

Can't wait to watch you in your fourth year. I'm sure it will have it's own challenges, but it sure has to be easier than the threes. We love you to the moon. #masonlane #mywild

{It's the Little Things - Mom's Bodyguard}

Me: Mason, do you know what your shirt says?

Mase: No, what Mom?

Me: It says "Mom's Bodyguard"

he smiles big

Mase: But, you and Daddy will still protect me too, right?

Me: Of course baby. Always.

he pats my leg

Mase: Do you know why I love you and Daddy so much?

Me: Why baby?

Mase: Because y'all take care of me and protect me.

Me: Do you know why we love you so much?

Mase: Why?

Me: Because you are Awesome.

Mase: I'm not just awesome, I am really awesome. Remember that time we went to Wendy's and we came home and I built that truck all by myself? That was Awesome!

And that is reason 98712322154564967812 why I love this boy!

{This man}

This man!

He stole my heart back at the ripe age of 15 years old. And then 13 years later just when I thought I couldn't possibly love him anymore he went and became the Father of my child. And BAM! My heart swelled even bigger and my love for him grew even deeper. 


Nathan Cye, thank you for all that you do for us. Thank you for loving us so wildly and for always putting us before everything else. Mason looks up to you in so many ways and will gladly tell anyone that you are his best friend. I am so happy to be on this parenting journey with you and can't wait to spend all of my days loving you. Happy Father's Day my love.


I can't even begin to tell you how accurately the pictures above describe them and their relationship!! 

{It's the Little Things - little guy...big duties}

Nate's middle brother is getting married this Friday and everyone is officially in wedding mode; including Mason. He is taking his 'ring bearer' duties quite seriously!! When we took his Tux to the tailor to get fitted he was so upset that we were leaving it there. He was worried it wouldn't be back before the wedding.

Yesterday he went with his Uncle to the barber to get a clean cut before the big day. He says he is going to be a big boy and help Jaxson {the 19 month old other ring bearer} down the aisle. I can't wait to see it all come together. And I will take video because inevitably Mason will do something hilarious....he just can't not do something.

{Texas Tuesday // Texas Style Thanksgiving}

Hey Y'all!

Happy Texas Tuesday!!

{only a day late...blogger had it out for me yesterday. I had 21ish drafts and half of them are gone. gone. ugh!!! and I couldn't get anything to publish all day}

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.masonsmama.com/" title="Next To Heaven"><img src="http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/chall1018/TexasTuesday-wborder_zps74a59233.jpg" alt="Next To Heaven" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

What is Texas Tuesday? A chance for you to show off the awesomeness that is TEXAS!! You can blog about anything; restaurants, vacation spots, venues, concerts, your hometown, shops, fashion, sports, etc. The linkup is not limited to Texans, we just ask that the post is about Texas. 

We don't make following any of the hosts a requirement, but we do ask that you include our button and at least post about a Texas related topic. Any links that are not related to the link up will be deleted. (button code is in grab box below the image above)

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Things I am Thankful for...TEXAS style...


Texas sunsets and sunrises
Texas Country/Red Dirt Music
Texmex
My Texan born and raised sweet little boy
Texas Sweet Tea {yes, there is a difference}
Texas Coasts
Austin, Fort Worth, Luckenbach, Fredericksburg, Abilene, Waxahachie {and many other places}
San Marcos Outlets
Gruene Hall
 Texas is a conceal/carry state
Texas Bluebonnetts Canton First Monday
Texas Longhorns {the animal, not the team}
The Guadalupe and Summer nights
Fort Worth Rodeo and Stockshow
Texan Hospitality
Texas Rangers Cowboy boots are acceptable attire...everywhere you go! Texas State Fair
 
This list could go on forever! Seriously....