Update

I know I'm a slacker and Halloween is way over, but the pics were so cute I had to post them. Mason was the cutest pumpkin ever!!

A ton has happened in the last few months! I had surgery on my foot and we had some 6 month and family pictures taken of Mason. I love our photographer! He does such an awesome job! His name is Justin Hamblin and his website is www.hamblinphoto.com if anyone is interested.

Mason is getting so big. His first 2 teeth are coming in and he started crawling this week! I can't believe he was born 8 months ago. It seems like it was just yesterday. I swear time goes by way faster after you have a kid.

I've been scrapbooking calendars for Pete's and my parents for Christmas- They took forever to do but turned out really cute! We love you all and are so thankful for our friends and family especially at this time of year. We hope you all have an awesome Christmas!! See you in 2009!

Baby Shower Fun!

This past weekend, we had a baby shower for Corie. We had a great time! There was so much good food and it was great to see old friends. Corie, Lisa and I have been best friends since Jr.High. We have kept in touch by going to dinner once a month for the last few years. I truly look forward to it every month and have loved growing up, getting married, and becoming mothers together!! Good luck Corie!! Can't wait to see little Jonah!

I was in charge of decorations for the shower-- I had so much fun makin this diaper cake! I am totally not creative by myself so I found a cake online that I liked and copied it. I think it turned out really cute!

Mason's Laugh

Auntie Jessica was over the other day and she had Mason laughing harder than he ever has before. I've tried to get him to laugh that hard again but I just can't do it. I guess mommies just aren't as fun as aunties!!

Update

So I'm such a bloggins slacker. The last month has been crazy! I say this in every blog but Mason is getting so big! He had his 6 month appointment on Friday. He is 17.9 lbs (46th percentile) and 27 inches (74th percentile) I think he is going to be tall like his daddy! He also started trying to hold his own bottle and is rolling all over the place. He is such a smiley kid- we are so lucky to have such a good baby! When I was pregnant, a lot of people I talked to were so negative towards kids. They would tell me how much our lives would change and how there's no going back... etc. Our lives have definitely changed and there are definitely hard days but having a baby is so much fun!! He fills our lives with so much joy, and the older he gets the more fun he becomes. Here are some pics and videos of how we ended our summer

Mason watching his dad play volleyball.

He was so cute kicking his legs in his crab floatie. Man I'm going to miss 88 degree weather!!

Ben got us the coolest program for Mason. Its called You Baby Can Read. The DVD's and books help teach babies whole language and phonics using a combination of sound, sight and interaction. The beginning of the DVD's shows a 9 month old baby who can recognize words- like the dad holds up the word laugh and the baby laughs. Its amazing!! Anyhow- Mason loves to watch them while sitting in his bumbo chair.

I love this picture. My 2 favorite boys having snuggle time!!

He recently started sleeping with his bum in the air. Babies are so silly!

It was a big day when I went to lunch with my cousin Aaron and Mason sat in a high chair and entertained himself with this teething ring!

I somehow got roped into driving all the way out to Tooele one Saturday to take a 5 generation picture. Mason met his 96 year old great great grandma for the first time while we were there. She adored him, of course- and I ended up being kind of glad I went because it will be fun for him to see this picture when he's older!

We found this jumper on the KSL classified ads. I think it is the best thing in the world!! He plays in it for hours at a time. In this video, he is watching his You Baby Can Read DVD.

Mason's New Toy

Wow 2 posts in one week- this never happens!! Anyhow- we got Mason a play gym the other day and he adores it! The monkey in the middle plays music and lights up and the little wind chime is his favorite. The monkey speaks Spanish, which is both perplexing and hilarious to me. Its so nice to have something to keep him occupied for a few minutes- he is becoming such busy little guy! Here are some video clips of him playing in it today.

Bear Lake

Last weekend we went to Bear Lake with my family. We hung out on Matt's boat and we both got to ski/wakeboard for the first time this summer. It was a little chilly, but awesome to be out on the lake. I know I say this in every post, but Mason is getting SO big! He had his 4 month appointment last week and weighed in at 15 pounds 2 ounces. He also rolled over for the first time this week AND started rice cereal. Everyone keeps saying "oh you just wait- before you know it he'll be (crawling, getting teeth, talking, etc.)" I feel like everyone is wishing his babyhood away and it makes me so sad! I wish he could stay little forever. My only consolation is that he gets cuter every week =P

Getting some sun with the girls..

What a cute daddy!!

If only I could water ski every day- I would be in the best shape!! I'm still sore a week later!

So sleepy after a long day at the lake!

Before rice cereal...

After rice cereal..

Mason's Baby Blessing

So we blessed Mace last Sunday. It was awesome to have the family over, and Pete gave a beautiful blessing! Since it wasn't fast Sunday, I didn't get to bear my testimony - but I thought I'd take the chance to do it anyhow. A few weeks ago the young men's president bore his testimony and said they teach the youth to say "I have a testimony because...." I've been pondering that lately and come to the conclusion that I have a testimony because the gospel just makes sense to me. It gives me a pattern to follow so I can partake in the great plan of happiness. I've been thinking a lot about the great plan of happiness since Mason was born, because it allows family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. I have always thought the "happiness" part pertained to the next life, but I've come to realize that if I follow the pattern set out for me, I can live happier in this life too. Every time in my life when I have been truly trying to live the gospel, I have found happiness and peace. When I have chosen to fight against what I know is true, my life is in turmoil and I am miserable!! I think about how much I love Mason and want what's best for him- that must be how Heavenly Father feels about me. I like to think that he knows what I'm going through, and that it's all a part of his plan to make me the best person I can be.
I love the Family Proclamation to the world! It so boldly declares what I believe. I am so thankful we can give little Mason a loving mom and dad. What a happy thing our baby has been in our lives! The "rules" seemed so hard growing up- No dating until I'm 16?? Etc.. Looking back now, I'm so thankful for the rules because I can see the effects of following them. I know they come from a parent who knows us completely and wants us to live the happiest life we can.
When Mason was born, somebody asked me if I felt overwhelmed-- I'm really not overwhelmed by taking care of him day to day, but when I think about raising him in this crazy world with all the temptations that will surround him--that part is overwhelming. My favorite scripture has given me comfort- Ether 12:4 says "By faith all things are fulfilled. Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with a surety hope for a better world, yea even a place at the right hand of God. Which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast- always abounding in good works and being led to glorify God." I want my soul to be anchored in the gospel- I want to be sure and steadfast. I truly have hope for a better world..
Love you all
Sum


Changing light bulbs before the blessing. Stunting is like riding a bike- you may get a little rusty, but never forget how to do it!


My mom made the most amazing outfit for him!! Even Pete said he looked like a little stud!

Jessica and I made these letters for his nursery. We were reminded how much we LOVE crafting!



Grandpa David holding him after the blessing. So sleepy.....


The fam

Playin with Uncle Ben after the blessing

Summer Fun!

Wow! Time has been flying by!! I can't believe it has been almost a month since we've posted. Life has been a little rough lately, but amidst all the turmoil little Mason is our ray of sunshine! He is growing SO FAST!! He had his 2 month checkup on the 16th and he was 10 lbs 12 oz!! I feel like he's not little anymore and it makes me sad! He is so full of life and always has a funny expression on his face! I can tell he's taking in everything and learning a lot about his world. He does something new and cute every day!

He started smiling for reals last week!

We've been having so much fun golfing with Grandma Linda and Grandpa David!!



The first few weeks of June were still pretty chilly- this particular evening we went golfing and I forgot a hat to keep Mason's head warm and a burp cloth. We improvised with a pair of his pants and the golf towel...




Mason LOVES his bath time!! He was extra sleepy this day!



Mommy and Mason have been hanging out at the pool!



Pete has a new partner for Volleyball and they have been tearing it up!! They took 4th place at the Liberty park tournament and 2nd place last week in the "A" division. It is so fun to watch!! We look forward to Saturdays all week!