Mason's First Beach Trip

A few weeks ago, Mason had his first beach experience.  He was very excited!

He liked watching the waves

and getting sandy toes.

Then came the first time his little toes touched the ocean

and it was cold!!!

more sandy toes

pretty baby

Mason just loves hanging out with Grandma...2 pairs of beautiful blue eyes

Big surprise of the day?  He didn't even eat any sand!  I got all psyched up and prepared for all the inevitable sand-eating, and he showed no desire to eat it like he does with grass and leaves at the park.  But he did like picking up the sand

and then letting it ago, watching it fall.  Again and again and again.

Cute little Mama's boy

Mason loves fun aunt Tracy.

It was a great beach trip!  We look forward to many others!

Marcos Graduated!

Yea!  Here are some pictures of his graduation ceremony, some of which are borrowed from Jennifer (thanks!).

Commencement ceremony at the SaveMart Center.

Marcos in the middle with his head turned waving his program.

Grandpa Louie helping entertain Mason through the 2 1/2 hour ceremony.  It was reeeeeally long! 

Hooking Grandpa's teeth.

Grandma Elizabeth helped entertain Mason, too.  It was a group effort!  He did surprisingly well, though.

The Biology graduate!

The Graduate's proud wife and offspring.

The Graduate's proud parents.

Graduate's offspring eating tassel.

Thanks to everyone who came to support Marcos!

And to top it off....he got a perfect 4.0 his whole senior year.  Way to go Marcos!

Best Friends

It has literally been a couple of years since I've seen my best friend Katie.  We finally got to visit last weekend when we went down to San Diego for Amy's wedding.  It was fantastic!  I just love her.

And our sweet boys got to meet!  Nathan is 3 weeks older than Mason.  Mason was actually born on Nathan's due date!  Both these boys were early birds.  I couldn't believe how much more hair Nathan has!  To be fair, Mason has more hair than it looks, but it's super blonde.  But who am I kidding, I was nearly bald until I was like 5.  Sorry Mason.

Mason is always pretty shy around new friends.  He lays low until he's watched the new friend long enough to figure them out more or less.  Social Nathan, on the other hand, was perfectly ready to play and take Mason's toys....as Mason passively allowed him to do so.  lol

Mason still keeping a wary eye on Nathan.  And then Mason decided that standing on the couch was more fun than watching Nathan take his toys. lol

 Madilyn, Grandma Hatch, and Morgan.  Katie's twins are so big now!...and not really in the mood for pictures. :)

Me and Katie with our cute boys.  Too bad we don't live closer.....they could be best friends just like us! :)

Yes, I finally did it.

I joined Facebook.

Which is a huge deal, because I've always been leery of opening that door.  So why did I finally join after all these years?

Because apparently people don't talk anymore, so I never have any clue what's going on with my family and friends.  Allow me to demonstrate:

Strike 1:  I didn't find out about my best cousin and his wife having their first baby until 1 WHOLE WEEK after!  And that's only because I specifically had to ask someone, "so.....have they had their baby yet?  Wasn't her due date like a week ago?"  Apparently it was announced on Facebook.

Strike 2:  I didn't know that Marcos' cousin Caralee who I love moved back to Fresno from Denver, until I saw her last night at a family gathering....and was like, "What are you doing here!?"  Apparently I would've known, had I looked at her Facebook.

Strike 3:  I found out last night that Julio and Kelly (good friends/family) had their baby.  3 MONTHS AGO.  And what's worse?  I didn't even know she was pregnant.  WOW.  Really?  Apparently nobody actually talks anymore because they assume that if it's on Facebook everyone knows.  Fair enough.

Well......Melody's not going to be left in the dark anymore.....so in a hurried fit of annoyance I made a Facebok last night.  It felt like opening Pandora's box of friends and family....a little overwhelming at first.  And I really don't even know how to use it yet.  Don't even have a photo up yet.

But at least I'll know what's going on!  

And I'm not gonna lie.....it's kind of exciting. :)

4 Years

Marcos and I were married 4 years ago today.  This year seems to have flown by....but at the same time it feels like it's been a lot longer, because of all the huge things that have happen during the 4th year of our marriage.....such as.....

Melody getting her Bachelor's in Speech Communication.  (Six months pregnant I might add.)

Driving back home to San Diego to attend my favorite cousin Mike's wedding in June.  (Seven months pregnant I might add.)

In August, the real adventure began!  Our little stinker was born.  And our hearts learned to love in a way they had never experienced or imagined....like how the Grinch's heart grows 10 sizes and breaks the magnifying glass.

In September, family came from far and wide to be there for Mason's baby blessing.  It was a very special day, and we were so thankful for everyone who came to support us.

In October, we got to dress up our cute little pumpkin for Halloween and ooooo and ahhhhh over his cuteness.

In November, we drove down to San Diego for Thanksgiving to spend time with family and so that Marcos could go to a medical school interview.....which even though the interviews were a huge blessing, they were challenges Marcos and I faced this year.

 Also around Novenber, Amy and Ryan were engaged, so Marcos took some engagement pictures of them.  Such a cute couple!

In December, we got all bundled up and went to the annual Clovis Christmas parade.  Mason liked all the lights, but then promptly fell asleep.

 In March, we drove down to San Diego again so I could throw my sister Amy (right) a bridal shower....with the help of my family and many others.  It was so much fun!

In May (a few weeks ago) Marcos graduated with a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Physiology and Anatomy.  More pictures to follow!

 And just this last weekend we drove down to San Diego again for Amy's wedding.  (I have tons of pictures from last weekend's events I'll get to eventually...but here's a cute picture of me and Tracy at the wedding.)

Marcos, we have been through sooooooooo much this past year.....this isn't even the half of it!  But I'm so thrilled everyday to be married to you....like I was telling you the other day, our marriage doesn't feel like work to me.  It feels fun and natural.  And I love that and look forward to what this next year will bring for us!  Happy Anniversary!