Mason got some money for his birthday and HAD to have this Mac truck from the Cars movies when he saw it at Wal Mart. He had the exact amount of money he needed and thought it was so cool to pick out his own present.
Our first Halloween tradition of the year is putting up our Halloween tree. Mason helped me find a branch for it at the park near our house and then put on all of the ornaments.
Mason is finally big enough and calm enough for Kiki to be comfortable laying on him while he watches a show.
General Conference Weekend! The peace in the fort lasted for the first session. Haha!
We hustled to a soccer game between the Saturday sessions. We love it when Spencer plays at Middleton because the playground is right next to the field. Mason has fun playing and I get to watch the game instead of trying to entertain him. Plus, it's a gorgeous view that these pictures don't do justice.
Sunday sessions at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was a nice day so we walked to their park after the 2nd session. I love Sunday afternoon walks, especially in the fall! It was a great weekend and I received some much needed personal revelation. SO grateful for a living prophet and a Heavenly Father who knows and cares about our individual lives.
Preschool field trip to Lee Farms pumpkin patch. Mason was SO excited for this! We got to see lots of farm animals, try some fresh apple cider, pick a small pumpkin, take a short hay ride, and play in the sandbox/playground area. Mason did NOT want me to take pictures, but he had a great time and came home exhausted.
Our little family went to Papa's Pumpkin Patch the very next day so Spencer and Mason could get their jack-o-lantern pumpkins. The patch was expanded this year and there were too many choices. Spencer had a hard time choosing! The weather and the activity were perfect!
Spencer wanted to light the candles for Debbie's birthday cheesecake. I thought I had pictures of Debbie blowing our her candles, but apparently not. Boo. It's so great to have grandparents so close!
He said he wanted to water color, but actually just wound up making different colors of water the whole time. Fun science experiment!
In the fall, the backyard stays mostly shady and cool so we wind up spending more time in the front yard. Mason is getting better at shooting baskets and makes one occasionally.
After looking at the Halloween decorations at Target, Mason told me to "press his button." When I poked him, he immediately made a scary Halloween face just like the creepy decorations at the store. He's so funny!
This is what happens when you won't leave your big brother alone while he's trying to practice the piano.
Spencer has early release from school every other Wednesday. Since Mason got invited to a friend's Halloween party that afternoon and I heard that a new cookie shop had just opened and was giving away free cookies, I took Spencer on a quick date. The cookies were huge and so yummy and Spencer was great company!
Halloweenathon! Spencer and I run the 5k, but we couldn't stay for the kid's race this year because Spencer had a soccer game right after our race. We're a little lame and never run in our costumes, but a lot of people do dress up and it's a super fun race on a beautiful course. Mason got to hang out with Alan while we ran and did a good job staying out of trouble. He's growing up!
I had to help with our Ward's Harvest Party/Trunk or Treat that afternoon and evening. I was too busy to get any pictures except for this one. Alan, Mason, and I were pirates and Spencer was Ron Weasley (again!). I didn't win the chili cook-off this year (haha!), but there was a great turn-out and it was a fun party.
This trampoline was definitely our best purchase of the year! So many fun times for these two!
My lasagna garden helper. We got it done early this year before it got super cold. That was a great choice!
Alan and I do not love carving pumpkins, but I do love traditions so we keep doing it.
"Scary Face" and "Harry Potter"
Mason had preschool on Halloween and he was so excited to have a costume parade and carnival. The parade was really cute and Mason had a great time playing the games. I helped with the pumpkin golfing game and Mason was bummed that he never got to come to my station though.
This might be the first year that I dressed up for trick-or-treating since I was a kid. It was only because I had dressed up for the carnival and just stayed that way. Mason chose to be Batman that night and Spencer (the dress-up hater) stuck with Ron Weasley for the 3rd year in a row. Haha! Spencer's friend T. from across the street joined us as Darth Vader. I didn't take any pictures, but we did treat-or-treat to Great Grandma and Grandpa Larsen and Aunt Peggy at their apartments before dinner. It's always good to see them!
Way too much candy like usual! Toby's Mom was the cutest and gave Mason an award for being the best super hero. He was so proud! Toby came over for a bit after we finished walking around the neighborhood for a trading session. Spencer is a good one to trade with because he has to trade all of his peanut-contaminated chocolate. It was a fun Halloween and I was so glad when it was over and I could go to bed! ;)
