Settling Back In

Mason has been having some issues settling back into the routine of life around home. He's been in time out more times than I can count to. I think someone told him that 2 year olds are difficult, and I think he's been practicing. But, he is still cute, sometimes. Good thing, too, or I might ship him off to boarding school!

Cody, Wyoming

We traveled to Cody, Wyoming, to see my parents and brother and spend Father's day together. We went that particular weekend because of the pow wow. I could have stayed there for days watching them dance. Days and days and days.

I made a big breakfast for the dad's to enjoy.

And we took Mason to the rodeo, at least for a little while before he left to go hang out with Grandma and Grandpa for the evening. The rodeo was a bit late for him, so they got to hang out with him for the night while we enjoyed the cowboys.

And of course we had to take in a gun fight with dinner at The Irma. It poured rain, but the show went on anyways.

And we spent some time at Beck Lake - a little fishing for Chris and a little chance to visit for the rest of us.

And we took Mason to see my grandpa's dam.

And we enjoyed the sights, and cool water of the Wind River Canyon - probably the most beautiful place in Wyoming, except the Tetons, which I've never been lucky enough to visit in person.

Drying Off Isn't So Bad Either

I let him just run around the yard to dry off. He really really loves being outside. Better buy a gallon of sun screen!!

Summer + Water = Fun

Today after nap time, we took Mason out to check out his water table. Dad was nice and filled it this morning and then the hot summer sun did all the work of warming the water up. As much of a mess as he makes in the bathtub, I knew that Mason would have a great time, splashing around, without mom constantly yelling about keeping the water in the tub. Boy, was I right! He had a blast!!

Count Down to Vacation

We are meeting my parents in Cody, Wyoming, for a little vacation. My mother grew up there, and my grandparents lived there, so I spent many summers and holidays there. Last fall we were just joking about meeting up there and playing tourist for a few days, but the idea really stuck with me. So, off we go. We are going to the pow wow and to the rodeo. We we'll have dinner at the Irma, where I begged my grandmother to take me every summer. Towards the end of dinner, there was always a real live gun fight (in the middle of the restaurant), and some handsome man always saved the pretty lady and the bad guy always always died. God how I loved that part of dinner. We'll go to the reservoir, that's created by the damn my grandpa built, and we'll stroll up and down main street, window shopping. And of course we will have to stop by and see the house where I spent those summers and holidays, high in my grandpa's cherry trees, with red stained fingers. I'm sure who ever owns it will start to wonder if they should just invite us in. And, we will stop and formally introduce Mason to his great grandma and great grandpa. I, personally haven't been back since my grandma died, some 10 years ago almost. Seems like a life time ago, that's for sure.

For now, I am simply counting down the days and hours and minutes until we leave. I miss my parents. I hate that Mason doesn't know them and doesn't get to have fun memories of them on a daily, or at least weekly, basis. I just hate it. So, we make the most of the times we do get to spend together, and we try to hold tight to those memories until the next time.

Belleview Children's Park

We took Mason to this great little park today in Englewood - just up the street from my first apartment when I moved to Denver 11 years ago. My friend, Katie, told us about it, so we went to check it out. Mason seemed to enjoy the animals, though he wasn't quite sure what to think of them all. But he had a good time petting them and enjoying a picnic lunch under the shade of a tree. There is a train that you can ride around, but when it came out of the tunnel and the train conductor blew his whistle, Mason cried, so we decided to skip it. Maybe next time when he's a little bigger. We played in the water and enjoyed our Sunday together.

The goats are always my favorite - I'd love to have a few . . . they'd certainly cut down on the lawn mowing we need to do!!

SO HOT HERE

It's been in the mid to upper 90s all week and weekend. I am so over it and so ready for fall. I don't like to be hot. I don't like it one little bit. When you are cold, you can always add layers and put more things one. But, when you are got, there comes a point when you can't (legally) take anything more off!! So, we've been spending lots of time in the pool and the shade. I don't know how any of Chris' family in Phoenix make it out alive each summer! Gah!!

Quick Updates

Mason tried yogurt this weekend and while he's not totally sold on it yet, he really seems to like it. It's one of the few cold things he has, since he practically insists that all fruit, veggies, meat, oatmeal and formula be warmed up (or he pretty much won't eat them) so that was a pleasant surprise. So, we can add yogurt to the growing list of things that are Mason Approved.

I have been trying to get used to carrying him without his car seat since he's only got about 1 inch of growing before he grows out of the infant car seat Grandma Donna got us and will go into the big boy car seat that is in the basement, waiting for him. Before we leave for Montana in August I will for sure have switched seats. He still has to ride facing back words, but it's a little higher and I think he'll appreciate having a better view, even if it is watching the world back words. The drive from Denver to Missoula and back is a long one. Here's hoping we don't all kill one another!!

Happy Fathers Day

Mason and I woke Chris up this morning and then took him to breakfast to celebrate Fathers Day. We ran a few errands and even caught a short nap while Mason slept this afternoon. He got his gift already - the toolbox that about killed him - so today was just a few cards to show Dad how much we love him. I asked Chris if he was begging to think he'd never get to celebrate Father's Day as a Father, and he said it had crossed his mind. I know he's just as head over heels in love with Mason as I am, and he's an awesome father too!

9 Months Old

Mason is 9 months old today. Time seems to be flying by, and I feel so completely powerless to stop it. I picked up a pool from Target this weekend and it was a nice day today so I filled it and tried to let it warm up while Mason napped. He enjoyed splashing around, but I think the water was still too chilly. You can't see them, but he's covered in goosebumps!! So, we drained the water and we'll try again next weekend.

Chris has been teaching Mason a few new tricks. He sticks out his bottom lip and hums, while raking his fingers down his lips. It's hard to explain, but it's cute. And he's also learning to blow raspberries with his lips too. He talks up a storm (just like his momma) and loves the sound of his own voice. Chris got me a digital tape recorder for a stocking stuffer at Christmas, and I like to play it back for Mason so he can hear himself. He cracks up and thinks it's just hilarious.

Happy 9 month birthday my son. Momma loves you more than anything.