CHRISTMAS IN PARIS!

FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS,(WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LAST YEAR) IT HAS BEEN OUR TRADITION TO TAKE OUR KIDS TO DISNEYLAND IN PARIS FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK. THIS YEAR WE HAD PLANNED ON STAYING HOME, BUT BEING IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT AND SO CLOSE TO PARIS, WE JUST COULDN'T RESIST SPENDING OUR CHRISTMAS IN PARIS AGAIN. WE ALL JUST ADORE THE CITY, SO AFTER WE OPENED GIFTS AND HAD BREAKFAST, WE HIT THE ROAD! OF COURSE YOU CAN'T TRAVEL TO PARIS WITHOUT STOPPING BY THE EIFFEL TOWER, IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL AT CHRISTMAS TIME. THE KIDS LOVE THE DISNEY MOVIE RATATOUILLE, SO THEY KEPT LOOKING FOR "GUSTEAU'S RESTAURANT." LOL! THE DRIVE WAS A LITTLE OVER 4 HOURS AND WE JUST THANK THE LORD FOR CAMPING HIS ANGELS AROUND US TO ALLOW SAFE TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE LOVELY CITY. WE PRAY YOU AND YOURS HAD A VERY MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND PLEASE HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Mason Holiday Newsletter 2009

Make a Smilebox greeting

And the winner is....Alston!

At the game Tuesday, Alston competed at half time for a basketball prize. He competed against another boy who was a couple years older. Alston's extracurricular activity is basketball and he is on the team of 10-12 year olds so he enjoys playing with/against older players. He is very talented and skilled in basketball already. He practices everyday! He is the spitting image of his Dad and says he also wants to be a Professional Basketball player when he grows up. Anyway, the boys had to dribble a basketball around cones and who ever was the fastest won a red and black basketball. You can see who won by the photo and he is so proud! Congrats Alston!

Our Teenager...

On November 21st Alton Jr. (aka A.J.) turned 13. Yes, he is an official teenager. He's so proud to say it and we're still in disbelief. Where has time gone? As you parents know, kids grow so fast! Alton Jr. has always been very mature for his age and even skipped a grade, but to actually be a teenager is a whole different story. He did the cutest thing and emailed all of his family members and close friends his bday wish list. He has been looking forward to this birthday!..Usually he just makes a list for just us and his Nanna always gives the kids a monetary gift and clothes for their bdays. He was pleased that his was increased by $50 since he's a teenager now! Right now he is all about the bling, hats, and shoes. A typical teenage boy I guess, but very expensive. We celebrated his bday for days, which seems to be a trend for our family. His Dad played the day of  A.J.'s bday and the team and fans sang Happy Birthday to him at half time and gave him a gift (basketball backpack). Alton was the MVP of the game with 15 points (even though we lost) and the team presented me with roses. Here in Holland they also congratulate the parents on the bday of your child, which makes sense to me. What's up America? Lol! The other celebrations included..."Cosmo bowling" which is where you bowl in the dark with glow in the dark bowling balls, disco lights and they play music. We also took him out for dinner at the Hard Rock cafe. Our family has had a blast celebrating with him and we've enjoyed Alton Jr. so much as our son. We thank the Lord for blessing our 1st born with another year!

A.J.'s Youtube Birthday Video(Please visit our youtube channel "Maysun6" to view a short video montage we made for A.J.'s bday)

THE MASON'S VISIT THE MELSON'S FOR KAELYN'S 1ST B-DAY!

This past weekend the kids and I traveled to Belgium, (Alton had an away game and was unable to go with us), for Kaelyn Melson's 1st b-day party. When we got the invite we didn't hesitate to attend because we have been looking forward to meeting Kaelyn and we just love Belgium.
Alton and Kevin played together in Groningen Holland 2 years ago. Kevin and Reggen would babysit Aniah for us from time to time and also attended her 1st b-day party. At the end of the season in Groningen, the Melson's found out they were pregnant and they say Aniah inspired them to have their own child because she was such a good baby. We hadn't seen each other since then, but we have always kept in touch. We have been blessed to be close to each other again this season (2 hours by car) and we had such a nice time at the b-day party and meeting Kaelyn was such a joy. Aniah was somewhat jealous at times because she is use to being the smallest and her siblings just wanted to hold and spoil Kaelyn rotten. However, she was very over protective and loving to Kaelyn.
Reggen did a very good job with custom decorations for her princess and the snacks and cake were divine.
After the b-day party we went back to their flat to continue the celebration and reminisce. Kaelyn napped for a bit and our kids utilized her toys and their laptops. We took several more pix and got all caught up. We all hope to spend this Thanksgiving together! Happy 1st b-day Kaelyn Melson!

ANIA IS 6! (LATE ENTRY)

OUR OLDEST PRINCESS TURNED 6 ON OCTOBER 6TH OF THIS YEAR. WE TOOK HELLO KITTY CUPCAKES AND PINK LEMONADE TO HER CLASS THE DAY OF. AFTER SCHOOL SHE WAS SURPRISED TO FIND A NEW BARBIE WAITING IN HER SEAT! THAT EVENING WE HAD A FAMILY DINNER AT "MY BIG FAT GREEK RESTAURANT," HER CHOICE. SHE'S LOVES WHEN THEY BRING OUT THE FLAMING FETA CHEESE AND EVERYONE SCREAMS...OPA!!! DURING DINNER SHE GOT PHONE CALLS FROM HER FAVORITE MEN IN THE WORLD...HER DADDY AND HER PAPA, WHICH BROUGHT ON TEARS OF JOY, ESPECIALLY SINCE DADDY PROMISED HER ANOTHER CELEBRATION IN AMSTERDAM AND WE STILL HAD A PARTY COMING UP THAT WEEKEND. SHE WAS HAPPY TO REALIZE THAT SHE WOULD HAVE 4 CELEBRATIONS THIS YEAR. AT THE END OF OUR DINNER THEY SURPRISED ANIA BY SINGING HAPPY B-DAY TO HER GREEK STYLE AND GAVE HER A HUGE PIECE OF BAKLAVA,(THANKS ALOT)! THAT WEEKEND WE HAD A PARTY AT PETER PIPER PIZZA. ANIA RECEIVED A HUGE BOX FULL OF CLOTHES FROM HER NANNA, AND THE NEW DISNEY AFRICAN AMERICAN PRINCESS (PRINCESS TIANA). ANIA JUST ADORES HER AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE MOVIE IN DECEMBER. ANIA'S "BFF" MADISON SLEPT OVER. IT WAS BOTH OF THE GIRL'S FIRST SLEEPOVERS AND THEY HAD A BLAST. I ACTUALLY HAD 2 ANIA'S IN MY HOUSE. BOTH GIRLS ARE EXTREMELY GIRLY AND LOVE TO TALK! THEY CAMPED OUT IN OUR PLAYROOM WITH SLEEPING BAGS, DOLLS, SNACKS, MUSIC, MOVIES AND MAKEUP. I HELPED THEM DO EACH OTHER'S NAILS AND MAKE UP AND ALSO LET THEM DO MINE. YIKES! ANIAH JOINED IN THE FUN AS WELL BUT FELL ASLEEP DURING THE MOVIE, LADY AND THE TRAMP. THE GIRLS STAYED UP UNTIL MIDNIGHT. ANIA THANKED ME WITH MANY KISSES ALL WEEK AND WEEKEND FOR THE "BEST B-DAY SHE EVER HAD!" (DON'T THEY SAY THAT EVERY B-DAY?) LOL!

~WE HAVE SO MANY MORE PICS FROM HER B-DAY THAT I WILL UPLOAD AS SOON AS I FIND OUR CAMERA...OOPS!

ECLIPSE JET

I AM VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MY HUSBAND IS CURRENTLY THE 2ND LEAD SCORER IN THE HOLLAND LEAGUE WITH A 17.8 PPG AVERAGE SO FAR THIS SEASON. HE IS PLAYING SO WELL AND WE ARE VERY PROUD! THIS SATURDAY WE PLAY OUR FORMER TEAM IN GRONINGEN. WE ARE 3/2 AND THEY ARE 5/0. IT SHOULD BE A VERY EXCITING GAME, NOT ONLY BECAUSE WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO BE THE FIRST TO BEAT THEM THIS SEASON SO FAR, BUT ALSO BECAUSE ALTON USE TO PLAY FOR THE TEAM. WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE OLD FRIENDS BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE OUTCOME OF THE GAME. OF COURSE WE ARE PRAYING FOR A WIN IN OUR FAVOR. GO AMSTERDAM!

Alton's 32nd b-day celebration...(Aug. 2, 2009)

This year for Alton's 32nd birthday celebration, we stayed home in Scottsdale. I rented a cabana at a local lounge and invited a few friends for hors'deurves , drinks and of course birthday cake. The theme, (yes I know, me and my themes)...was mafia, so Alton and I dressed in classy, elegant black and everything was big. I designed a 2 tier cake decorated in red, black and white. After the party we went back to our house and got in the pool and jacuzzi. We had a great time and I can only pray that the Lord blesses my hubby with many more birthdays to come!

Mason's back in the Netherlands...

This season Alton is playing back in Holland for Amsterdam. He is the captain of his team and is playing the 1 and 2 guard positions. The season started off great with winning the first game....Alton had 13 points and 5 steals. They lost the second game...Alton had 15 points and they also lost the 3rd game...Alton had 16 points. Althought it's still early in the season we pray for lots more wins and a successful season as the team undergoes lots of changes with staff, sponsors and players. As a family we enjoy the city so far. We have visited Amsterdam several times before, but I'm sure it will be different living here. We are mostly happy about being close to a few of our favorite European Countries...Belgium, France and Germany. Of course we plan to travel and visit friends we haven't seen for awhile. To support and follow the team please visit http://www.amsterdambasketball.nl/ .

Schools out for summer pool party!

Here are some pics from the end of school pool party that the boys hosted at our home. We had a blast!