A Mason Post

There have been so many moments since Mason was born that I have felt a total panic at how quickly he's changing and growing and becoming not-a-baby-anymore.

The frequency of those moments has been increasing as he sheds more of the perfect baby fat from his chubby little cheeks. He's always been so easy and easy-going. Lately, though, he is realizing what he wants and trying out new ways to get it when he wants. It can be exasperating.

But then after a bedtime induced tantrum he sneaks out of his bedroom one last time to tell me "Sorry, Mommy, " with a hug and a kiss.

He loves to tattle on his sister and I actually think this is so little out of malice and more out of genuine concern that it's kind of adorable. After all, we call him Mr. Safety. He is constantly reminding Tim to buckle up, asking him to drive a little slower, and be careful. Kid is CAUTIOUS. He never forgets a safety rule.

We had a family night lesson a couple of weeks ago about Adam and Eve (He loves the lesson part of family night?). He seemed to get the whole story pretty well. A few days ago we were cutting snowflakes out of paper and since I had him sitting still I decided to quiz him on what he learned. Of Adam and Eve...

Mason: Heavenly Father said, "You can eat aaaany of the veggies, but don't eat the cheese!"
Crystal: And what would happen if they ate it?
Mason: Then they would have to leave........in a rocket ship.

So there you have it. I think he gets the idea!

"Excuse me, excuse me. Daddy? Um... wait a second, wait a second. Um, Daddy, _______________________" (Choose from the following):

- Slow down.
- Do you want to have a dragon fight?
- Can I watch a movie?
- I need some milk.  

Oregon Vacation - The Sights

During our stint in Oregon we hit a few "must-see" places. That is in quotes because I'm not sure how incomplete your vacation would be without seeing these places. But we liked them!

 Eating at the Rodeo.

 Oregon's shortest lighthouse.

 The Octopus Tree

Tillamook cheese factory.

Oregon Vacation - Beach Days

The last time I went to the Oregon coast was for a graduation trip with the ladies in my family. I love it there and I have been hoping Tim and I could make a trip for a long time. The stars finally aligned and we booked our flights a couple of weeks ago. (I don't think we've ever looked forward to a vacation for longer than 3 weeks.)

And guess what...we didn't get rained out!

My uncle generously offered his lovely beach house for the first leg of our trip. It is up on the hill above Rockaway Beach and had a gorgeous view of the coast. Nothing like waking up to the sound of waves crashing on the beach far below you. We actually spent one day in the water, just splashing around, but no one took any pictures because we were all wet. We also invited my parents to come with us. The more the merrier, I always say.

There are a lot of pictures I love and I feel like I need to post them all! For posterity! So here is part one - the beach days.

Three kids sounds like a lot

I'll be posting some vacation pictures soon. If I look a little...plump...

Due the beginning of January.

My sweet Mason turned three years old while we were on vacation last week. In fact, we were on our way to Oregon the day he bumped up a year and we've been hyping it up for a while now. "Guess who gets to go on a plane for his birthday!"

We've been butting heads a little more often lately as he decides he wouldn't mind a little independence. But he is still just the most unbelievably sweet kid you'll ever meet. Just now, I told him it was time for a nap. He responded that he DOES NOT WANT A NAP. I said too bad. So he started singing me a song about how much he does love his mommy. And now he's asleep. Can't imagine a better three year old.