Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins...

We picked 'em, we celebrated 'em, and then we carved 'em up.

What more can I say?

Ian LOVES riding the tractors at the pumpkin patch!!

My nephews Parker and Brady and my Papa

Ian's buddy, Addi

Our littlest pumpkin=)

Brady, Mom, Dad and Zack picking out their pumpkins

Ian was a great pumpkin picker!

"Hey!  He's touching me!!"

"Uhhh...still touching me!"

"I don't know about this?!?!" =)

Steph was REALLY sad she was already married because she really wanted to go home with THIS guy!!

Love this picture of the cute Creager's

Ian carting around his pumpkin

One last departing ride on the tractor

Just before going to the pumpkin patch, we visited a "Pumpkin Festival" being held at a park near our house. Ian had a great time there with his cousin Brady!

Riding the train,

climbing up the inflatable slides,

and just running wild!

I love this picture of Mason and my parents.  Look at that little face!!

A few days after we picked the cream of the crop, we attended a "carving party" held at the home of Mike's cousin Jamie and her husband John.  They layed out plastic sheeting on the living room floor and we went to town carving up our jack-o-lantern masterpieces!

Mike's niece Kaitlyn, and his sister Angie

Trying to find something on my phone for Mike's cousin

Mike's cousins, Adam and Jamie

"Time to get serious Mom!!!"

My little helper

The end result...

And one last special detail to add before I wrap up our pumpkin tales...

Every fall, since 2007 (the first year we lived here), Mike and I have gone to the same pumpkin patch near our home to pick out our Halloween pumpkins.  

The first year, it was just the two of us.

In 2008, we had Hayden.

In 2009, our precious Ian.

2010 was a special year because Ian was finally OURS!!!

This year, we had little Mason.

Three years, 

three different baby boys, 

one tiny shirt.  

I wonder if we'll have somebody new with us to wear it in 2012?

Some "Firsts" for Baby Mason

Here are a few "firsts" that Mason has experienced lately...

His first taste of baby food.

This kid is an eater, and he loves his baby food!!!

His first teeth.  I don't have a picture that showcases his little jack-o-lantern smile, but he has two cute little chompers in there!

His first ride in the Johnny Jumper...

Not too sure of it at first, but before long...

He was loving it!

And last but certainly not least, one of my favorite Mason Firsts...

One that was LONG (pun intended) overdue!
His first haircut!!!

Holy expletive batman!!  Did this hair need to be chopped or what?!?!

First snip

Little ponytail for birth mom.

Hey!  What are you doing back there?

Okay...this isn't so bad!

Man, I look GOOD!!!

Getting Behind

I have gotten behind in my blogging. 

I have so many wonderful things to share with you.   So many fun things to tell you about and cute pictures to share.

Soon.

Right now, I am just not feeling it. 

Right now I am struggling to find peace with my grumpy toddler who seems to want to turn everything into a fight these days.  And I am trying to get as many snuggles in as I can with my baby M, and trying REALLY, REALLY hard not to think about the day he doesn't come home to us again.

Yesterday I was a superhero...
today, not so much!!!

A Bedtime Conversation

Me: "Hey Buddy... Baby is going to start spending a lot more time with his Mom and pretty soon he isn't going to live here with us anymore, okay?"

Ian: (in a quiet voice as he hangs his head and sticks out his bottom lip)

"I'm really gonna miss him...

I'm gonna cry and miss him".

Me:  "It's okay to feel that way honey.  I am going to cry and miss him too".

Fall Leaves

Last week, on a particularly beautiful and sunny fall morning, Ian and I dropped the baby off for a visit with his Mom and then we headed up into the canyons for a hike.
On the way out the door, Ian exclaimed, "Mom WAIT!!!  I need to get my football so we can play hike!" =)

We went to Silver Lake near Brighton Ski Resort.  

It was a great hike because most of it is a boardwalk, and it is pretty even terrain, so it was perfect for a toddler with little legs.

And the weather!!  

Oh, the weather was just beautiful!  

Seeing our beautiful mountains in the fall with all their colors brightly shining in the sun, never fails to take my breath away.
It was gorgeous!!

 We took our time and collected leaves, pine cones, rocks and sticks as we walked around the lake.

I basked in the sereneness of it all and as always, I took a minute to recognize how lucky I was to be able to be there that day with my beautiful little son.   

And of course, being the little social butterfly that he is, Ian made some new friends along the way.
They were even holding hands by the end=)

When we got home, I stuck our leaves inside the pages of a book to dry and yesterday, we turned our treasures into this...

We hung the leaf mobile in Ian's room and he shows it off to everyone who comes to visit.

It was such a fun project, and one that I look forward to turning into a yearly tradition with my little man.

 

Family Photos 2011

Back in August, we had Mike's cousin Holli Evans take some family photos for us. Even though it was about 200 degrees outside, we had a really great time and just love how these photos turned out.

Especially the ones of Ian!

He is just the cutest little stinker and these photos captured some of my most favorite parts of his personality. 

Thanks Holli!!

 

I am so grateful I will have this one when I no longer have the sweet little man in it!

My beautiful Ian

A rare glimpse of my little man's shy side=)

There are no words for how much I love these two!!!

Man, that smile!!!!

Sweetest boy ever!

I heart Mikey!

What A View!

I sure am going to miss looking down to see this each day!!!