{Dallas Zoo - Mason's 2nd Bday}

Last year for Mason's 1st birthday we took him to the Fort Worth Zoo so that was our plan for his 2nd birthday. We know the Ft Worth Zoo has always been nice.
But, people started telling us how awesome the Dallas Zoo was and how they've vamped it up.
We were torn and wasn't sure which one to go to.
We had been telling Mason about riding the train they have near the Fort Worth Zoo and he was super excited...so we felt obliged to take him there.
Until we heard there was a "Tram" exhibit at the Dallas Zoo. We knew that would pass as a train ride.

So...we decided we'd go to the Dallas Zoo this year and then we'd have the two to compare for future visits. Mason's Nana was able to come with us, which was nice.

Mason, Daddy & Nana



 And? We LOVED the Dallas Zoo. Good choice! Everything was so nice and clean {much to our surprise, honestly}. And there was much more things for a toddler to do. Lots of hands on exhibits and a play area with slides and such.


Petting Zoo - The "Doat" as Mason calls it.


We rode the carousel as soon as we walked in the door - so of course that started our Zoo trip off on a good note. He bounced around on different animals before he settled on the "Rhinoceros" - of course. Side note - Mason loves Rhinoceros' and gets so excited about it. The ride lasted about 2.5 minutes and Mason loved it. He didn't want to get off. 


Mason about jumped out of Nate's arms when we saw the Rhinoceros!!!

The bird exhibit - oh my! Sounded like a good idea...but eeekkk...not sure I will ever go in that one again. I love birds, but from afar. These birds started going crazy and one swooped down to my head. I think he saw my shiny bobby pin and thought it was something yummy. I may or may not have freaked a little!!!

Mason wasn't too sure about the birds either!


Our favorite exhibit? Had to be the Elephant/Zebra/Giraffe area - hand's down. It was the coolest! And such a nice area of the Zoo. You can feed the Giraffes at the Dallas Zoo and they get so close. I took a Gazillion pictures of them! It's safe to say that I want one :)


 Mason and Daddy got to ride a camel. Mason thought it was just about the coolest thing. And the guy was so sweet. They were chatting and Daddy told him that it was Mason's birthday so he gave him a free picture {normally cost $5 bucks a pic}.



It was such a nice, relaxing day. There were tons of schools there, but we never had to deal with crowds. I love doing things like this with my family!!!




We got there a little after 9 when the Zoo opened and stayed until a little after 1ish. Then we went for lunch at Hunkys. Nana got Mason some ice cream, which he loved.


It was a great day and I am pretty sure my sweet little boy enjoyed his 2nd bday very much so. We talk about our trip almost everyday and he gets so excited each time.

Slideshow of the rest of the pictures...



{Candice Jolly}

Okay - so, it's no secret that Mason loves Monster Trucks now and is totally addicted.
I mean he loves them.
Eats, sleeps and breathes them.
Seriously.







Well, the Sunday after we went to the Monster Jam at Texas Stadium we bought him this:





And it rarely leaves his hands. 
When he's eating? This truck has to be right beside his plate. When he's bathing? Well, Candice Jolly gets a car-wash. When he's sleeping? His little hand is clenched around this truck.
I told him one time {on the day we bought the toy} that a girl drove this truck 
and that her name was Candice Jolly.
He hasn't forgotten that.
He asks for this toy by her name now, "Mama, where's Candice Jolly".
All of his other trucks are referred to as "Monster Trucks". But this one? He only calls it by the driver's name.
Smartie pants!

OH how I love this boy.

{Cousins}

Mason got to play with one of his little cousins {that live on the same street as us} the other day and they had a ball. Harley wasn't too sure what to think about Mason at first...but she warmed up and they had too much fun.
And? They were so cute together.










Sweet little hugs!

{Our biggest battle lately...}

Toddlerhood is filled with many tantrums and battles. That we are learning!
Our biggest one right now? Getting this boy to come inside!
He wants to stay outside 24/7.
Come in to eat? Nope.
Come in to bathe? Nope.
Come in to watch TV? Nope
Come in for Skittles? Nope
::Kidding on that one. Okay, maybe not::

We have to carry him in kicking and screaming every.single.night.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Baby boy, we love being outside too - especially when it means cute photos of you.
But, we can't live outside!!










Funny story for this next set of photos...
There was a "Tick-tet" {cricket} in the yard and Mason was scared of it.
He would look at it...and when it would jump he'd take off running for me.
It was hilarious!







Daddy gives Mason {almost} free control of the "tractor".
He loves it.