where has the time gone?

FEBRUARY
Madi Ann turned 14 February 19 and we celebrated by going out to her favorite restaurant "Martini's". You make me so proud Madi :)

Here is Mason licking the plate from Madi's cheese cake she got. What a dork!

MARCH
Harley Hog Wild had to say goodbye after a very quick injury he just couldn't recover from. He has been deeply missed.

APRIL

We went to my brothers for Easter as we do every year and had a great time. Here is Uncle Chad with all the nieces and nephews.


We added a new member to our family. Her name is Nora and she has been such a blessing and has filled that void after losing Harley.


April 24th Tori turned 16. It's so hard to believe and cherish those special moments because there will come a time where they think they don't need you anymore. Tori has really turned into a beautiful young lady and I couldn't be prouder.

My baby is growing up so fast. It has been 3 years already that Marty and I had been over in Russia getting our Little Man. I look back at the past 3 years and it's hard to believe that is all the longer it's been cuz it feels like he has been with us forever.

I'm so proud to be your mom Mason James Paul Peck :)

Sorry for the delay in the updates. I'll say the same thing I say every year at this time...I'll try to do better.

Love to all,
The Peck's

sorry folks

Only have a minute but wanted to let everyone know that I haven't forgotten about ya. Mason is doing amazingly well and can't wait to tell you all more about it. I'll really try to get to it before Easter and we head out to Denver to see Chad and Megan. Look back in the next few days.
Love to all,
The Pecks

My Beautiful Baby Boy

Friday I was flipping through the channels while Mason & I were coloring in the family room and I came to "The Baby Story" and it was showing the lady delivering the baby. Mason turned to me and asked if the baby was coming from the mommies tummy and I said "yes." Next he asked if all babies come from their mommies tummies. Instantly I thought "here I go" and I explained to him how the girls came from my tummy but explained to him how he came to me from Russia. I thought how am I going to explain to him that he was born from another mommies tummy. I'm not ready for him to know that he has another mommy out there. I know the day will come but should it be at the age of 4. I wasn't so sure. Mason knows he is adopted and he has his very own "Story" and we talk openly about it to him and he will tell others that he was in Russia looking for a mom and dad and we were looking for a little boy and god searched for the perfect match for each of us and when we saw each other we fell instantly in love with "Pavel" better known now as Mason James Paul Peck.
I know I will have to tell Mason more someday about his Russian family because he does have a birth mom, brother & sister that someday he probably will want to meet and I will never hold him back from that. I don't know the circumstances as to why his birth mom had to give him up, but I am so grateful to her.
I'm rambling. It's bath time so we better get it going.
Thanks to all for listening.
Much love,
The Peck's

PS: I would like to congratulate Kristen, Mike, Marina & Alexander. They are a family we were in Russia with and they are on their way to Chicago today to get ready for the arrival of their new son Xavier coming from Korea. CONGRATULATIONS YOU GUYS!!! Wish we could be there. You guys are amazing parents and I know Marina & Alexander will make great big sister & brother.

"Can't fix stupid"

I've got to tell you this story--example of his wit and sense of humor.

Today Mason was to take snack for preschool and I had every intention of making "jello beans" in orange, black (cherry) & green for Halloween. This weekend quickly passed by & I completely forgot about it until last night at about 6:30 so I decided to go to Walmart and create a party mix (marsh mellows, goldfish, pretzels & M&M's)

Meanwhile Marty asked where I had gone to.
Madi replied "she forgot about Mason's snack so she ran to Walmart".
Marty "can't believe that"
Mason "can't fix stupid"

Constant laughter 24/7.

Much love to all,
The Pecks

Mason's preschool "Chapel Time"

My little boy is maturing. He actually performed this time and I was just beaming with pride. He wasn't the "kid to watch" this time. I was so excited for the next song, I got out the camera so I could show dad what a great job Mason was doing. I just knew it would get better.



Oh boy, I got way ahead of myself

He is a goofball and I love that goofball. He is my son--I'm the lucky mom that has constant laughter surrounding her 24/7.

My goofball, my son, my Mason.

Much love to all,
The luckiest mom in the world.

Overdue update :o)

Sept. 28th we went on our annual trip with Todd & Trish Larson to the Kansas City Speedway. We always have an awesome time. Maybe to much......

Marty passes out in front of the spot-a-pots during the busch race on Saturday.

Our newest addition is getting so big. She's potty trained so I can't complain about that but she is into everything like a puppy does and then you add Mason to the mix and it's enough to drive me CRAZY!

When we 1st got Bailey I took her to work and she slept on my desk. Precious.

Now she has gotten so big. She also sleeps with us every night.

Madison's Volleyball

Volleyball is all done but we are just getting started with tournament team so here we go again.

Mason's 1st day of pre-school.
All is going well with preschool this year with Mason now going 3 days a week for 2.5 hours. It's a welcomed break for me. Teachers have said that he has really matured this year so that was a pleasant surprise--cause I'm not so sure!

I don't know, what do you think!

I'll update more soon because I have more video of Mason at the 1st Chapel Time for preschool again. Oh what an entertainer.

Much love to all,
the Peck's

Just an update

My two beautiful girls goofing around with the camera. Something they do quite regularly and I haven't figured out the fun in it but it's a moment where the two get along so no complaints here.
I must admit that I have got two very good girls. Other than the fighting between the two (especially in the mornings now that school has started up). I feel very fortunate.

I thought this picture of Mason was so cute that I had to share. Mason starts school on Wednesday, the 3rd. I'm really going to miss him but I'll also enjoy the time to get things done.

Well I gave in much sooner than I expected but we ended up getting a new puppy. Our family was in such a blue mood all week after the loss of Jada that I quickly gave in. I did some searching and found a family in Nebraska with a litter that was ready to go. Marty and I got up last Saturday and he said "what do you think" & I said "let's go". Our Boston Terrier I think had taken it the hardest not having Jada around so I also did it for him. Jada had been with our family for 12 years and Harley has been with us for 11 so it was definitely a mourning process for him also.

Harley being introduced to the newest addition "Bailey Von Clown".

Isn't she precious.

She is 7 weeks old and doing amazingly well. She is already whining at the door to go out and has had very few accidents (depends on whose watching her--girls) Marty has already gotten a pheasant breast out on fishing line and she has already started pointing at it. It is so neat to watch. Her instinct is amazing. She already pointed and chased down her first bunny so Marty is really pleased with her.

Harley seems to be adjusting to her well.

Hope everyone is doing well. I know it's been an adjustment getting the kids back into the routine of school again but it's been nice.

Much love to all,
The Pecks

P.S. Tori is already quiting her job. It was nice when it lasted. :0(

Our beloved Jada Bug Clown

Sadly last week we had to put our lovely German Shorthair dog "Jada" down due to Cushings Disease. She was much loved by us all and everyone that got the experience to hunt with her. She is deeply missed. We were blessed with her for 12 years and it will be a lot for another dog to live up too.
We love you Jada Bug

Much love
the Pecks

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