Halloween

We finally made it to Chase's first Halloween! With him almost being one I knew that my little stink would not wear a normal costume. He rips and pulls at anything he doesn't want on his body. That list of things would include but not limited to bibs, hats, socks, and sometimes even his shirt. So I figured we better make him something I know he would wear. Of course I turned to his trusty football jerseys. Yes, he had to support the red & white in addition to the always necessary (according to Dad) burnt orange. Plus it saved me from spending $20+ bucks on something he would never wear again.

Here he is standing up all on his own. Honestly he isn't leaning on the fence. He can stand while dancing and playing but still won't make any effort on taking any steps. The sucker was his bribe to stand for a few seconds so I could get a picture.

Here he is practicing his hiking skills. Down... set... hike!

Taking a break, that standing stuff is hard work!

This is the trick or treat football bag I hand stitched and glued for him. Don't I do good work?A family pic from a work party.
Us all bundled up because it was freezing outside at the ward trunk or treat party. Chase wasn't really into getting the candy he mainly enjoyed looking at the trunks that were all decorated with flashing lights. The trunk or treating was the extent of Chase's Halloween experience. We figured we would save us all the trouble of getting him dressed up only to drag him out into the cold to collect candy that he doesn't even care about. Hopefully he will enjoy and understand it more next year!

Deanna Rose Pumpkin Hollow

Chase and I recently went to the Pumpkin Hollow at the Deanna Rose Farmstead with our good friends Jana and Kylie. We had a lot of fun and can't wait to go back next year. There were a ton of activities for kids that Chase had a fun time doing but I think it will be more enjoyable for him next year when he is a little older. We started off on a horse drawn hay ride which Chase absolutely loved. The horses immediately caught his attention and he loved playing with all of the straw.

Chase and I taking a break on the pumpkins.
He loved climbing on all the pumpkins!

This was the hay stack slide we went down. It was really neat because it was all supported by hay and stacked so it was as if you were climbing up stairs.

Chase taking a break outside the corn maze to play with the ears of corn. I knew he was truly a Cornhusker at heart!

Chase loved this scarecrow. I just stood him on the bail of hay and he knew exactly what to do. He rapped his tiny little fingers around the face hole and pulled his head through the opening. Isn't he smart and talented?!?!?

This is one of my favorites. He found a giant corn stalk at the opening of the corn maze and played with it there until I made him put it down so we could move on to the next activity. He was just waving it around and babbling away. I really wish I could understand his baby babble.

Just a cute photo spot but not a great picture of us.

My other ultimate favorite, Chase with his girlfriend Kylie. They loved sitting in the hay playing together during the horse drawn wagon ride to and from the pumpkin patch.

Another Photo Shoot

Another outfit and another beautiful day so why not take more pictures of the cutest kid ever?!?!? I know that comment may be a little biased but I do think these pictures are pretty worthy of that title. Sorry there are sooo many but it was too hard to chose just a few. I am glad that we get to have fun together and explore the great outdoors all at the same time. Yes, he really does have a good time and this is not a torture for him. It's kind of funny because I take all of these pictures right outside our apartment and I always get people asking if I want to be in one with him, but the problem is I'm always in sweats with a ponytail. Not a great combo for pictures! Maybe one day we will get a new family pic too!

I have no idea what he's doing but I love that crazy face! If you look closely you can see his snaggle tooth on top. For some reason his two front teeth didn't come in first and he has just one side tooth on the top, hence the reason why we call him snaggle tooth!
Okay, so I can't get the kid to eat food half the time but put him down in front of some rocks and he's ready to eat away.

Chase with his Radio Flyer walker wagon. He loves cruising around with that thing. Maybe I should send this on to Radio Flyer and he can become a real model and make some money for his mom!

He just looks too precious for words.

I swear he is saying here, "Wait a minute mom, I swear I didn't do it!"

Just taking a break. That walking stuff sure is hard work!
One of my favorites. I love that he is in the foreground and his wagon is in the background.

He can even do it with one hand. Hopefully this means he will be walking soon!

Another fun black and white photo. I just can't get enough of that face!

Oh, how I love that face!

Chase and I finally took advantage of the beautiful, fall weather and had some camera fun. The big grins you see aren't for mommy and the camera it was totally for the large, annoying dog that lives nearby. It was helpful however in keeping him entertained and looking in one direction and not trying to crawl to the nearest leaf or mound of mud!

I am all of a sudden on a photo and edit craze lately. I took some pictures of my sister Bri and loved it! I was able to experience more with my free Adobe editor and learn some new tricks. I love the stage Chase is in and can't help but want to capture it all. Although it may get annoying for Chase I plan to use him as my baby model. I have several outfits and outings planned for future photo shoots. I can't believe my baby is almost one!

Change in Hearts

I just wanted to take the time to write about how much change Chase has brought about in Jonathan. It melts my heart to see him take time in the morning before he goes to work to play with Chase and how he immediately goes to him when he comes home before even kissing his wife!?!?! The other day when all the news reports were out about the boy floating 7K feet in the air in a helium saucer he actually had concern. He called me to tell me that when he heard the news he was thinking about what he would actually do if it were Chase and how he felt for the family of the little boy. Anyone who knows Jonathan knows he would have normally thought... what a crazy kid, I bet he is having the time of his life and never once been concerned. It's amazing what children can do to the hearts of their parents. I often sit and watch Chase play and think what on earth did I do before I had him? I am thankful that I get to stay at home and hopefully never miss a smile, cry, or even those big old gas releases he has or heaven forbid not see him potentially crawl into a flying, helium saucer and float 7K feet in the air!

Arizona

Just recently we added two more states to Chase's list of places traveled. Colorado and Arizona were states nine and ten. While our time in Colorado was brief and spent in the airport where Chase met many new friends Arizona was a fun filled trip!

Our main purpose for the trip was to attend Lily's baptism. The baptism was wonderful and she even sang a duet with a friend. Papa Dave gave the traditional Holy Ghost talk at a Family Home Evening all in Lily's honor. I was glad we were able to be there for her special day and I can't believe how grown up and beautiful she has become.
This picture was taken at My Big Fat Greek Restraunt. It was a lively place that made for an enjoyable family evening. The best part was when they lit a cheese appetizer on fire and scared Chase to tears. It was a huge flame that came out of nowhere. We didn't try it but supposedly it's a great treat. There was even a time when all the servers got in a line and were clapping and dancing. We were all watching and enjoying ourselves and Lily even joined in, that is until they started dancing right towards Chase in his high chair. They were coming at him pretty quickly and once again he was scared to tears. It is sooo funny how insecure he feels when he is on his own. Had I been holding him during either of these instances he would have been all smiles instead of tears.

One of my best friends from high school was able to come and visit Chase and I. Even though it was a quick visit it was great spending time and catching up with Shauna.

These creepy critters were found by me in addition to another little one in Emily's pool. She never had problems with scorpions before I came to visit. They all just had to make my trip a little more exciting! We had a blast swimming and laying out by the pool. The sun and relaxation was just what I needed. Chase even improved upon his tan. He was as dark as Emily's sun drenched AZ kids! He also enjoyed taking baths with his cousins and the cuddle time with Grandma Ree.

This is Chase's girlfried, Isabella, from the airport. She was also ten months old and such a cutie pie. She made the many hours at the airport more bearable for Chase and myself. Chase was invited by the pilot to come sit in the cock pit. You can tell from his expression that he loved being in there with all of those lights and buttons. He even got his first pair of wings. Who knows maybe one day he might actually be a pilot.

Needless to say it was a great trip for both of us and we can't wait to go visit again!

Lefty?

I have been noticing that while eating and playing Chase has been really using his left hand. Although neither Jonathan nor I are left handed, I think Chase may be breaking the mold. I think it is cute and love the fact that left handed people are proven to live longer! That just means my little man will grace everyone with his joyous presence for longer than normal.

I know when I was a little girl I tended to favor my left hand, but my mom would always switch everything to my right hand. I think she thought back then that there might be something wrong with you if you were left handed. I think I turned out ok even though I am still a lefty in some aspects. Especially gymnastics, my favorite activity when I was younger.

I guess we will just have to wait and see if he is left handed for sure but until then it is still up for debate.