Thanksgiving Weekend

Happy late Thanksgiving! I couldn't blog about our plans before Thanksgiving because we were going home and surprising family and I didn't want to give it away. It was kind of a quick trip but well worth it. Poor little M got sick on the way to Idaho. He got the croup but we made the best of the trip. I felt so helpless. To not be able to make your child better is one of the worst feelings in the world.

We had Thanksgiving dinner with Travis's side of the family and the day after I went Black Friday shopping with the girls and then out to breakfast where we met up with my parents, the husbands and kiddos. After breakfast we finished our shopping and headed to my parents house and dipped chocolates. It was lots of fun. I haven't dipped the day after Thanksgiving for 5 years and I'd really missed it. Saturday morning I went back to my parent's house and finished the dipping with my mom and was able to have some one on one time with my parents. That afternoon we were able to go visit M's great grandparents. We had a nice visit but had to cut one of them short so we could take M to the doctor because we were flying home the next day. The doc gave him some medicine (that he hates taking) and the next day he slept for almost the entire flight home and then the drive home from the airport too.

more pics

Talkin' to Grandma on the phone

Look what I can do

Just some pics

Watching my favorite show at Grandma's house Chillin' with my cousin

Chillin' with Dad

Found Daddy's scarf. It's a bit big for me.


But I look pretty cute in it

FHE

This is what we did for Family Home Evening the Monday before Halloween. I wish I had gotten a picture of M doing his cookie. Well, eating it anyway. He didn't do a lot of decorating but he had fun anyway.

Happy Late Halloween

Happy late Halloween. Just kidding. I've been meaning to put a picture of M in his Halloween costume and I haven't gotten around to it until now. He's supposed to be a monk but when we took him to the ward trunk-or-treat some people thought he was a character from Star Wars.

Climber

This stool is just one more thing that we can't keep on the floor. M stands up on it and then he panics a little when he wants to get down but doesn't know how to. We now keep the stool on top of the fridge. Not the most convenient for me but if it's safer then it's worth it.

Warning!!!

I just wanted to warn everyone NOT to share your chocolates with M. If he eats chocolates the same as he eats his chicken nuggets he'll take one bite out of each chocolate before finishing them off.

My little noise maker

I was doing so well keeping M out of the drawer under the stove until I walked in the other day and Travis was in the kitchen with M and this is what I found. This was the better video of the two that I took even though Travis is telling me it isn't as cute and not to tape him. Just ignore him and focus on the kid.

Helping Daddy

This is how Mason helps Travis get ready for work. It kind of sounds like he's saying "Ta Da!"

Conference Weekend

Here is Mason. He couldn't wait for conference to start. He was up at 3:00, then 4:00 and Daddy finally let him out of his crib at 4:30 and brought him out to the living room. We don't really let him watch tv this close but we did think it was kind of cut that he put his chair right up to the tv.

Between sessions we made soft pretzels. They're super yummy. Growing up we had crepes for breakfast every conference weekend. I still like the idea but we end up with lots of leftovers and Travis gets tired of them and they get wasted. So, for the time being, pretzels will be the Smith's conference weekend tradition. This is what they looked like.

Talking on the phone

I've been neglecting our blog lately. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything. Mason doesn't always make things easy. Anyway, here is our little copy cat. He thinks he needs to talk on Mommy's phone but apparently one phone isn't enough. He needs one for each hand.

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

This is what Travis comes home to almost every day. Mason really loves his daddy. I love to watch how excited he gets when he hears the key turn in the lock and he knows his daddy is home. I think it's his favorite part of the day and I wouldn't doubt that it's Travis's favorite part of the day too.

Finally

So I've been working on this quilt that was going to be for Mason's crib since the first part of August and yesterday I finally finished it. I know it isn't anywhere near perfect but I think it turned out pretty good. Now I'm thinking of saving it for future children so they can have something new because I'm pretty sure if the next one is a boy he will get a lot of hand-me-downs and it will be nice to have something that Mason hasn't claimed for himself.









Here's a bit of a closer shot so you can see the pattern a little better. I quilted around all of the white circles. I thought it was going to be a pretty quick quilt to do but there seemed to be more and more circles to quilt around as I worked. It was worth it. I wish it were a cheaper hobby though.

My Little Bookworm

So, we decided to get a little chair for Mason. If the TV was on he thought he needed to right up against it to see. We could pull him back and sit him on his bottom but that wouldn't last for very long. Today we got this Spiderman chair for him and he loves it. He was so cute when we got it home. He went and sat down in it and started looking at his book. We didn't really have the TV on today but he sat in it quite a bit. I think it was a good investment.

Green Eggs and... Spam?

Just for fun (and I have a hard time thinking of what to make for him) I decided to make green eggs and yes, spam. We don't have ham very often but we did have some spam in the cupboard. I know it doesn't really look all that appetizing but what can I say? I think he liked it. So, here it is, green eggs and spam.

Black Hole

So, I've been wanting to post something on our blog for a while but I never know what to blog about. We don't get out too much here and if Mason is doing something cute or funny he tends to stop when we pull out the camera.

We've decided that having a toddler in the home equals black hole. Things go missing and we're lucky if we ever see them again. For example: A while back I was doing my make-up for church and I let Mason play with my make-up bag. This was early this summer and I haven't seen the bag since. I think it got taken out with the trash unseen. When we do find things we find them in the weirdest places too. Sometimes we find things in the garbage because that's one of Mason's favorite places to put things. We had to buy a new garbage for the kitchen that Mason doesn't get into it. We've also looked everywhere we could think of for lost toys and such only to find the missing object a week later under a pillow in the living room. I guess I need to watch him closer.

Farewell Ratties

So a while back I did a post about poor Flower. On Sunday she passed away. She was the last of the rats. She will be missed. She was a good rat but I think she was really sick and I'm glad she isn't suffering anymore. She actually stuck around longer than I thought she would. Anyway, it was a good two and a half years.

Five Years

Today is our five year anniversary. I decided to make something for Travis this year instead of buying something. (I did buy the marbles but they were only a dollar.) Travis told me about this marble game that his Great Grandpa?? made for the kids and it sounded like one that my dad made for us when we were kids. It's not real pretty but it works and Travis said he loves it. I don't know how long it will last though because Mason decided that he thinks it pretty cool to but he doesn't understand that it's made of cardboard and isn't very sturdy.

I also made a special breakfast this morning. Special for us anyway. Blueberry and plain pancakes with cool whip, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, and honeydew. It was really yummy. Mason really liked his. He thought it was cool that the raspberries fit over his fingers.

I love my little family. I couldn't ask for a better husband and little boy. They mean the world to me and I am so blessed to have them both in my life.

Hugs all around

Last week when Travis got home from school, Mason went up to him and have him a big hug. He really likes his daddy. It was so sweet. It got better though. Travis and I both were sitting on the floor and Mason would run back and forth giving us hugs while squealing and laughing. He did this for quite a while. Unfortunately we had to stop because dinner wasn't going to make itself.

Fillmore

This post is partially for Travis. He wanted to share one of the Fillmore! cartoons but the settings for our blog wouldn't let him. This is just a sample. Check it out.

Our Little Boy

Isn't he a stud in his sunglasses and sports coat? Mommy thinks so.

If you'll notice, the seat is slightly raised because my son decided to put a little purse in his fire engine. I wonder where he was going with my purse.

Here he is again with on of my purses. Kind of scary that he likes to put things over his head and that they are quite often a purse.

One of the Greatest TV shows

I wanted to clue everyone in one of the best television shows ever. You may very well have missed out on this gem as it was a Saturday morning cartoon on ABC (produced by Disney) from 2002-2004. But don't let that fool you. I find this show much more entertaining than much of what one finds on "prime" time television. Fillmore! is about a former delinquent student Cornelius Fillmore who now is a crime solving member of X Middle School's safety patrol. Together with his partner Ingrid Third, Fillmore solves crimes that take place at the school and sees that justice is served.
Fillmore! is perhaps the perfect blend of cop action and intelligent cartoon. The pop culture references are refreshingly subtle, not overbearing, and thus quite rewarding. Sadly, Fillmore! is no longer being produced. Episodes are available for viewing on Youtube, however. I highly recomend it.

--Travis

Knock, Knock

On Monday morning I had some laundry to do. Travis was at school, so I was home alone with Mason. I grabbed my laundry and left Mason in the living room. The washer and dryer in our apartment building is just in the basement so Mason would just be alone for 2 minutes. I went and started my laundry and came back up. I went to turn the knob and it was LOCKED. I panicked. Mason had locked me out and he was inside alone. I started knocking on the neighbor's door and they weren't home so I went to the next neighbor and knocked. No answer. Then I thought to myself, "Do I have my phone?" I checked my pocket and it was there. I had to call the landlord and have someone come let me in. I think our apartment is pretty childproof, and Mason was fine when I got back in. Needless to say, if I ever have to do laundry or check the mail I will take him with me, wait for Travis to get home or put Mason in his pack-n-play or crib. I also take my keys with me just in case.

Messy, messy, messy...

Anybody notice a pattern? If Mason can reach it he thinks it needs to be spread out on the floor. His favorite thing to pull down are the shoes from the shoe rack by the front door sometimes making it hard for Daddy to leave for school/work or come in afterwards. Mason sure does know how to make a mess but you can't help but love him. And there are a lot worse things he could and probably will be getting into so for now I will count mysef lucky.

Getting Daddy's attention

Mason started doing this to get our attention. Mostly Daddy's attention. He's still a little bit of a daddy's boy but doing much better in that department. Just had to share it with you all.

Feed the piggy

Every penny counts.

Poor Flower

Yes, poor Flower. She isn't doing too good these days. She is the only rat we have left and as you can see she has a tumer that started on her neck and is now at least twice as big as her head. I guess we'll see how much longer she makes it. I didn't think she would stick around for as long as she has.

Playing Catch-up

I thought I better get another post on here. I don't want to be one of those people who only post three or four times a year. I figured since we didn't have a blog on Mason's birthday yet I would focus on him today.

Happy Birthday Mason

3 1/2 months and already in charge of the remote

That was a yucky burp at 6 months

pizza crust for Super Bowl Sunday at 9 months

Happy 1st Birthday. Do you think he liked his cake?

This picture is actually a month old but I really like the outfit.

The beginning...

So the Smith family has finally entered the world of blogging. For a while there, some of our siblings (on Annie's side of the family) were really pushing for us to start a blog and then finally gave up so, surprise. We aren't a terribly interesting family but we're happy and we love each other.

About us:

Travis and I met at my brother's mission welcome home at my parents house in July (I think) of 2001. We went out a few times and then he went to college and we e-mailed a couple of time but ended up loosing touch for a while. Three years later I came home from a friends wedding in Arizona and had an e-mail from Travis. We went out that weekend and if you ask Travis he will say it was the worst second first date he'd ever been on. After the date I invited him in and we sat in my living room and visited for a while. Once I was in my comfort zone things were much better. We were engaged about six weeks later and married after a 5 1/2 week engagement. In October of '07 we found out we were pregnant and had a beautiful baby boy the following spring.


I am now a stay at home mom and love almost every minute of it. What mom likes poopy diapers and when the kid is cranky and refuses to take a nap. Good thing there are more good things about being a mom than bad. I like to cook and try new recipes. I like to keep a clean home but sometimes have a hard time accomplishing that because by the end of the day I get kind of tired from chasing around a very energetic 14 month old. I like to sew but have next to no talent in that department. Quilting is fun but you have to have room for it and Mason has kind of taken over the apartment so we are lacking there. I love spending time with my little family. We go to the park and for walks when we can and just enjoy each other's company.


Travis is trying to finish his PhD in political science. I asked him what that was one time and one time only. It was like a foreign language. I think I'll stick with changing diapers and he can go to school. Travis really enjoys reading. He has a lot of books that have to do with his field of study. When he's lucky he can sit down, relax and read a book for pleasure and not have to think about it much or take notes.

Mason is the little man of the house. At just over a year old he is the boss. I was demoted the moment they took him from my belly. Mason loves to go outside which kind of surprises me sometimes because for a long time he hated the grass. He would throw a fit if you put him down on it. He wouldn't crawl on it and when he learned how to walk he wouldn't walk on it either but he is warming up to it and is able to enjoy the outdoors now. He has a bit of a sweet tooth and unfortunately hates to brush his teeth. He loves playing with his toys and daddy whenever he can. He likes to talk on the phone or pretend to anyway. He loves getting on the computer with daddy and talking to Grandma Smith over the web cam. We've had to do a lot of baby proofing obviously and he still manages to get into things that we didn't even think to baby proof. Basically, if it's below the waist you better not be too attached to it because Mason will claim it and you may never see it again. I could go on for a while on Mason but then what would I blog about next time?