First Snow

this season, and Mason's first snow ever! It was pretty minor, just a dusting which melted within 24 hours but it was still pretty to see.
We had a great time staying in and being silly in the basement!

Fall Fun 2011

We enjoyed a great fall weekend getting into the Halloween spirit. It started with the arrival of our weekend visitors, Mom-mom and Jez. We welcomed them with a dinner and bonfire in the backyard...with s'mores, of course. On Saturday we attended Ian's Halloween inspired birthday party. We visited a local farm's pumpkin patch on Sunday, where they also provided hayrides, face painting and other fall activities. Then we ended the weekend by carving our pumpkins...and yes, that is the welshman carving his first jack-o-lantern; to prove it, he is holding a cloth to his wounded bloody finger.

Mason and Me

While Daddy took Hunter to his friend's annual Octoberfest celebration. I decided to stay home and get some quality time alone with Mason. Something I haven't had much opportunity to do since maternity leave. Mason has such a big personality now and it was such a treat to have uninterrupted time alone with him. We took a walk outside with Mason facing forward for the first time. He was so quiet that I thought he had fallen asleep but each time I peeked he was wide-eyed just taking in the views from his new seat! We got lots of time playing together and I even got out a toy he hadn't seen before to help him with sitting up on his own. We tried a new vegetable (green beans) for dinner and then played some more. Exhausted, he eventually rolled over close to me, popped his thumb in his mouth and closed his eyes. I got the point and put him to bed.

When Hunter and Daddy got home with Mimi and Opa from Octoberfest, we had a bonfire and cooked s'mores and I got to hear all about how Hunter fed the horses apples and ran around the farm. Drank apple cider from a German stein and all kinds of other fun things!

It was a great day for all!

Hey Mr. DJ!

This video pretty much says it all, but I'll set the stage by telling you that Hunter LOVES to "scratch records like Uncle Scott". He was quite disappointed when everything was boxed up for our move and he couldn't play them for several weeks. On this evening, Ryan unpacked the essentials and let Hunter scratch a little bit which absolutely made his night!
We just love this!

BONFIRE

Our first of many bonfires at the new house! Ryan and his dad worked all day to make this fire pit by moving these giant rocks from all around our property. I captured on file the last rock they moved..."rock" is an understatement. They named her Big Bertha, they moved her from in front of the house to all the way around back. It took a sled, a hill, gravity...and I still thought the rock was going to kill them

Here, we are enjoying the fruits of their labor...and s'mores!

Sitting up tall

Mason is starting to sit up on his own. He still bucks backwards sometimes so needs a pillow (or hand) ready to catch his fall should he tumble back, but his core is definitely getting strong!

Yummy Yummy...FEET?

Mason has found his feet and is enjoying them tremendously. Whenever they are bare he cannot resist stuffing them into his wide open mouth!

Football Season is Back!

Mason's 5 Months Old

Mason is extremely alert and mobile these days. He has figured out how to roll himself back and forth to get closer to an object he desires. Of course, it takes him awhile, but he is one determined little guy when he wants something! He is still extremely vocal and will cough or grunt loudly to get our attention...he especially does this when big brother is stealing the show.

Mason still has a healthy appetite. We've moved on to vegetables and a couple of fruits and he hasn't turned anything away yet. He opens his mouth wide whenever he sees a spoon moving in his general direction...which is hysterical to watch.

He is still a sweetheart, giving big smiles and giggles to anyone who looks or talks to him. His latest favorite things are his feet - he sticks them in his mouth as soon as his pants come off.

Mason seems to be going through a growth spurt every couple of weeks lately and we notice it not just in his overall size, but his features seems to really be changing a bit too and maturing a bit. He's definitely not an infant anymore and is definitely starting to develop a little personality. We just can't get enough of him!

Special Visitors

Memaw and Papoo came to visit us all the way from Georgia. While their visit was a short one, we certainly enjoyed our time with them. Hunter, though he's only met them a handful of times, talks about Memaw and Papoo all the time because of the pictures we keep around the house. Needless to say, he was beside himself with excitement when they were here. He showed them every single one of his toys and gave them a tour of the house. He had a blast! Mason was a bit more subdued, but he seemed to enjoy the cuddles.

We love and miss you Memaw and Papoo!