Conference Weekend

General Conference this fall was even more special than normal because Heidi (Mason's incredible birth-mother), her parents, and older brother came to visit!  We hadn't seen her since last October Conference when Mason was only three weeks old.  They came for a quick visit on Friday afternoon.  Spencer was at school and Alan was driving a bus, so it was just Mason and I at home.

Heidi looked great and it was so fun to see her interact with Mason.  Mason was a little unsure of all of the new people at first, but he loves attention and warmed up to them quickly.  He and Heidi will always share a very special bond and we are SO grateful that she wants to be part of his life.  Heidi and her family are extended family to us now and what can be better than having more people to love this sweet little boy?!

I didn't get many pictures because we were planning to see them again on Sunday and take more then.  It didn't work out though so I will have to wait until our next visit to get more.

I'm going to print this one for Mason's room.

Mason loved his Birth-Grandpa's (Paul's) beard!  It was really cute!

The rest of the weekend was a pretty normal conference weekend for us.  The weather was nice, so I took the boys to a park during the Priesthood session Saturday evening.  This park isn't good for babies, but Spencer was good to take Mason down the slide a bunch of times.

We watched the Sunday sessions at Darwin and Debbie's like usual.  Spencer played legos on the pile of mattresses downstairs between sessions.  He actually got tired of Conference Bingo this time around and I'm going to have to come up with something new for next Conference.  We've been using the same two bingo cards for the last three years I think, so I guess it's about time!

I was pretty distracted by a very busy baby and had a hard time focusing on the talks, so I'm especially grateful for technology and that I can listen to them again and again when I'm not distracted.  There were some really great talks this time!  I'm so grateful for a living Prophet and apostles!

September sunshine

Here I am way behind again, so here's a big catch-up post.

Grandma and Grandpa came over the Sunday after Mason's birthday for dinner and more presents.  He likes pulling things out of bags and loves the stuffed lion they got him!

Alan got him to try ice cream again.  He was not impressed.  Haha!

Bum scoot!

We have had the most gorgeous weather this fall!  We play outside in the front yard for a little while after Spencer gets home from school every afternoon.  Mason is big enough for the car now!

He still eats everything and likes to play in the pokey bark chips, so I have to watch him closely.  Bum scooting on the grass was too hard, so Mason finally learned to crawl!  He's pretty fast now and has worn holes in his shoes from crawling around on the driveway and sidewalk.

The Edy Ridge Fun Run was at the end of the month.  It was the first time in seven years (since the school opened) that it was rainy on fun run day.  The drizzle didn't keep Spencer from running fast though.  He met his goal of 10 laps in 25 minutes!  Alan is hoping Uberthons will get to time this one next year.  They timed quite a few fun runs for schools this fall.

Mason stayed semi-dry in the stroller.

Mason also learned to clap a few weeks ago.  The best part of this video is the finger sucking at the end!

I don't know why, but Spencer climbed into an empty clothes hamper one afternoon.  Mason thought it was hilarious and kept hitting Spencer on the head.  These random, funny moments are what make being a mom so awesome!

Mason is SO busy and into everything this days that I've given up trying to get much done while he's awake.  So, we've been taking advantage of the nice weather and have spent a lot of time playing at parks lately.  "The Truck Park" is definitely the best for Mason right now.  A big sand pit full of Tonka trucks is a lot safer and less stressful than helping climb up play structures.  It always takes Mason a few minutes to get used to the feel of the sand on his feet, but he loves it once he does.  Oh, how I love these sunny, fall days!  Fall is Oregon is awesome!