updates :)

August 2, 2008

My cousin Amy got married this past weekend to Nate Lahrs in Lawton, IA. It was a beautiful wedding and Amy was a gorgeous bride. Tori was a jr. bridesmaid and walked with Amy's brother Adam. Tori & Adam have an awesome friendship. Tori enjoys Adam alot and I think their friendship only grew.

July 26-29, 2008

Madi & I along with Erin & Keri Schuelke went to Chicago for the weekend and had the best time ever. I have never laughed so hard being around those two Schuelke girl's. Thanks for all the good laughs you guys.

Never a dull moment with Madi & Erin.

The girls are climbing the walls of an elevator we are waiting for at a mall.

Here is Madi at a street sign with her name on it.

A quite moment with the girls sitting in front of a flower bed.

And Tori says Madi has no strength. haha
This is taken at one of the museums we went too.

If you ever get to Chicago you have got to go to a restaurant called Ed Debevic's. In the center is our waitress and they dress in the most ridiculous outfits, give you a very hard time (she said I was high maintenance because I ordered french & blue cheese dressing--can you imagine me "high maintenance") they also get up on the tables and sing and dance. It was a very fun experience and I highly recommend it.

Keri, Erin & Madi pausing for a moment

July 4, 08

Tori and her dance squad group was in the parade for the 4th and you can see Mason in bottom left corner looking for Tori.

Mason found Tori and ran out to try and get her to "stop Tori"

Final home softball game--yippee

Tori had an awesome season of softball. Here she hit a ball to center. She did an amazing job on her hitting this year & her pitching. Always glad when it's over but in the same sentence I miss it.

Hard to keep the updates going during the summer because of all the activities so hopefully I'll get better when the kids start school again. I'm looking forward to that. The girls start school on the 20th and Mason will start 3-day preschool after Labor Day.

Hope all is well with everyone.
Much love,
The Pecks

P.S. Almost forgot to mention that TORI GOT A JOB!!! She loves the quick money from tips being a waitress but "it's so hard being on her feet for 6hrs".

Summer is fun

Chad & Megan, along with their daughter Jazz came this past weekend and it was great to see them. The nieces & nephews love seeing Aunt Megan & Uncle Chad.

L 2 R Mason, Tori, Madison, Aliza, Taylor and Ethan. The kids love getting together and get along great. Mason and Aliza are always off in their own little world away from others.

Peas in a Pod these two.

Aliza is the boss and Mason is the puppy always doing as he is asked. It is so cute to see these two together. They are litteraly best of friends. Mason will ask if "his Aliza" will be there and he is always talking to her on the phone (pretending).

Chad, Megan, Dawn & kids along with myself & kids went to the waterpark on Sunday after the Smith reunion and we had a blast. It was a hoot watching the biggest kids of all (Dawn & Chad) going down the slides. Once Chad got Dawn convinced to go down the slides there was no stopping those two. It was fun getting together and talking about old times, the three of us get together and we do alot of laughing. I love you Dawn & Chad.

We are finishing up our softball season with our last game on Monday. Tori has done an awesome job of pitching this year and we are very proud of her. We haven't been taking Mason to most of the games because it is harder this year to keep him still and entertained so we have been getting a teammate of Tori's little brother (thanks a ton Trevor) to watch him and it is allowing Marty and I to watch the game more closely.

Rain has kept us away from the pool a lot this summer so far but hopefully that will all end here shortly. Mason is a fish and I have to keep a close eye on him because this year he is more confident and disappearing on me but thankfully for a lot of friends he is always being watched by someone.

Much love to all,
the Peck's

Misc. posting

Mason in his Power Ranger suit helping me clean. I hope he keeps enjoying that.

Mason's little friend Cambry from preschool. This was on their last day and they had it at the park so Mason's patience for the picture was very limited.

I have been trying to grow Mason's hair out since Christmas. It is completely out of control. He has several colics that even hair gel can't tame. I'm about to give up and buzz it again. Plus I think buzzing is so much cuter.

Video update

A while back I had posted a video of Mason's preschool program and I had many comment that they would like to see the entire performance (of one song) this time. So here it is. He did do better and he wasn't necessarily the one everyone watched this time. Throughout the program he would cover his face every time there was a flash and he would say "stop taking pictures of me" so everyone could hear. Last program of the year so we will have to see how he does next year in the 3 day program.



Mason will be attending Vacation Bible School next week everyday from 9-11:30 so that will be interesting. I'll have to update you on it later.

Much love to all,
the Pecks

2nd Annual Family Day May 14, 2008

We celebrated what we call "family day" on May 14th because it was the day that we came off the plane with Mason for the first time and the 5 of us were finally all together. Some adoptive families celebrate "gottcha day" or "adoption day" but I wanted a day that was significant to all 5 of us were the girls could take part. It works for us and we love it.

Out to eat celebrating.

Mason opening his gift. A critter net and critter keeper. I though maybe it would help with his fear of bugs but so far it hasn't.

Mason on the trampoline with Madi showing his "superhero" stance.


Madi & Mason enjoying some time on the "jumpoline" as Mason calls it.

Madison will probably kill me for this but I like the picture.

Hope this finds everyone doing well.
Much love to all
the Pecks

Mason's 4th Birthday

I cannot believe my baby is 4 already. He has grown to be such an intelligent young man and he marvels me everyday. We celebrated his birthday with family on Memorial Day and had a great time of just sitting around outside with some long over due nice weather.

I got this taken before everyone arrived.

PaPa Darrell showing Mason his new bigwheel he got and all the buttons to push for noise. It even plays music like on a radio, has blinkers and an engine noise. Mason loves it.

Aunt Dawn and the kids got Mason a new batman suit. Mom was not thrilled because I had requested no suits due to the fact that I am putting them on all day but he loves it and it makes him happy plus I did have to throw away the others because there was nothing left of them anymore.

Batman patiently waiting for everyone to finish singing "Happy Birthday" so he could blow out the candles. (yes we opened up gifts first because PaPa had to get going cuz he had a long drive)

Hope all is well with everyone.
Much love,
the Pecks

Our very own superhero "Batman"

Batman on his new "Batmobile"

Batman taking a break and watching the Spiderman 2 movie

Batman proudly showing off his suit

What on earth is he doing?

This video is testament to what I have been trying to explain all along about what a goofball Mason is. He has never been one that liked to participate in singing at his preschool programs and I finally got it for all to see. I had to turn my camera off because I thought maybe that was what was distracting him. Oh how wrong I was, I'll do the whole song next time. I was so embarrassed and the other parents were laughing--as I am sure you will too. Enjoy.

It has been 2 years ago already that Marty & I were standing before a judge in Krasnoyarsk Russia asking to be the proud parents of Mason James Paul Peck. This little guy has brought so much joy to so many, not just family but everyone he comes in contact with. He is so bubbly, outgoing, funny and the biggest goofball of anyone. People will say how lucky he is to have been "rescued" from the life he could have had but really it is I who has been "rescued". I had been so focused on having our 3rd child that I completely lost sight of everything. We had been wanting a 3rd child for so many years and after 3 miscarriages, months of infertility and the insanity of focusing on that 3rd baby and nothing else I finally convinced Marty about looking into adoption. It is not a journey for everyone because it takes so much patience but just like they say about the pain of labor--you forget all you went through to get there. I cannot imagine my life any other way then having this little boy that brings so much joy to me everyday. We do so much laughing during the day and every moment is treasured.Mason is our very own Superhero. Here he is with a collection of a few of them.

Yesterday was Tori's 15th birthday. I know we all say it over and over again but where does the time go. We celebrated her birthday at her restaurant of choice with family and then she is having a big sleep over on Saturday with all her friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TORI!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

Today the girls, myself and my mom are going to Omaha to see the show Annie. We are so excited. We are going to stay the night and then go shopping Saturday morning. I try to treat the girls every once in awhile by spending time with them without Mason and this is something we enjoy doing together. I LOVE YOU GIRLS.

Much love to all,
The Pecks

Sick little man

Marty took Mason to the doctor today because he was continually getting worse over the weekend with high fever, running nose and a terrible barking cough. He has slept with us every night since last Thursday. He was diagnosed with influenza B. He is such a sick little guy, it just breaks my heart. You get so use to fixing all the boo-boos and this one I could not take care of on my own. We are all on medication because of the severity of how contagious he is. For the most part we all feel pretty well. At least the weather is getting back to normal Iowa weather with temps only in the 40's and rain so we wont be missing anything fun outdoors.

Much love to all,
the Pecks

Finally a beautiful spring day

FINALLY A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY---AND MASON IS SICK.

Iowa weather is so unpredictable. A week ago we had 5 inches of snow and today we have 69 degree temperatures. It's nuts. But unfortunately Mason has come down with a fever since yesterday. He just breaks my heart. We did go out on the deck for a few minutes to get some air and I have a few windows open which feels great but he is so sad he can't play out there.

I love this picture so much. There's so much innocence in his eyes. My precious son.

Much love to all
The Pecks

Quick update :-)

Mason from day one of being home has attached himself to this pillow (we have a few to switch out) and we are currently trying to limit the time he has his pillow available to him. He is only now able to have it in his room so several times a day he will go stand in his doorway (which is in the family room) and get his "pillow fix". Sometimes he will try to sneak out of his room and tease me with it. He is such a hoot.




This morning Mason had asked Marty to get him some juice and fruit snack and I overheard Marty ask Mason if I wouldn't do it for him. I didn't pay much attention to their conversation but the next thing I know I am getting his juice and fruit snack--no big deal I do it all day so I didn't think much of it but Mason went up to Marty and said "told ya". Apparently Marty told Mason he didn't think he could get me to do it. He is such a smarty pants. He is always up to something and thinking all the time.

Tori sprayed color into Mason's hair. It's purple and he did not want it washed out--bit of a temper tantrum but I did win and thankfully before Marty go home. We are also in the process of trying to grow his hair out and the next time I blog I will have to show a pick of the mess of hair he has. I'm tempted to go back to buzzing the hair but I'm trying to hold out a little longer.

Mason showing off his Superman Easter basket. He is so into superman, batman & spiderman. He plays the part of them all day and I have to continually tell him there is someone in trouble and they need saving from "which ever he is at the moment"
Mason showing grandma his Easter eggs he collected. We had a nice Easter spending it with family. Went out for Chinese food though and that was really odd but nice seeing the family.
I cannot believe tht it has been 2 years already that we were on our way to Krasnyarsk Russia to pick up Mason to be with is "Forever Family" He has grown so much and brought so much joy to this family. I can't imagine life without this little ball of entertainment.

Much love to all,

The Peck's

Months of updating.

Tori tried out for dancesquad again for next year and made it and decided to add varsity cheerleading to her already busy schedule and made that also. Now we just need to find time for a job. ;O)

While on Christmas break Madi got her braces. Above is her with her head gear on she is "suppose" to wear everynight.
Mason got this pony for Christmas from PaPa Darrell. I could have killed my father-in-law but I still love him dearly. Everyone knew about the horse so they got cowboy gear to go along with it and this is him in his full set up.
Mason being a goofball like always. He is quite entertaining. I'm homebound because of surgery on my ankle in January and this is one of the many moments I have caught on film. We don't get out much so I depend on him for laughter throughout my day. Everyday he tells me "you're my best friend mommy". It's priceless. He is no longer taking naps during the day because it was taking him 30-40 minutes to fall asleep and so far he is doing great. I'm a little lost without the naps but it's all good.

My brother was home for Christmas so we decided to get family pictures done.

Myself, parents, brother & sister My sisters family: Dawn, Taylor, Deno, Ethan & Alize

My brother Chad, wife Megan & dog JazzOur family
Our 3 gorgeous kids

UPDATE :D

Hello to everyone. It's been awhile since I updated so I thought I would with a bunch of pic's.

Peck's first annual Christmas cookie decorating. The girls decided to start something new this year and it just happended to be my favorite things of all time BAKING--NOT!!







Here Mason is squeezing the frosting out with all his might and as you can see it was only a bit but he was so proud.













Even Marty got into the cookie decorating. After much force. :O













While making the dough Mason got into the flour and quickly he became SANTA. HoHoHo
















Tori had her first high school winter formal (with date Daniel). It was fun seeing her all dressed up.

















I think the best shots are the ones they take themselves. Just goofing around.












Madi & Mason. Yes that is Mason in the wig, hat, glasses & DRESS. Marty is so worried about his little man. But it's all in fun.









Sadly we had to put our beloved Gunnar down a few weeks ago. It's been different in the house without him. He was 14yrs old and had a great life.









YES I WAS GONE WHEN THIS WAS BEING DONE!!!
The girls & a friend thought it would be fun to put shaving cream on the kitchen counter to play in. Obviously it got out of hand and ended up on them.












This is the first professional pic we have had done of the kids. I'm so proud of them.




MUCH LOVE TO ALL
from the Peck's