9 - count 'em, 9!

Our babe is now 9 months old and growing/changing by the day! He is SO much fun and we love seeing his personality emerge more and more. We're pretty sure he is turning into a mini Matt - and its pretty darn cute! He is getting closer and closer to taking steps on his own - he now tries to walk from one object to another w/space in between - he usually lets go with both hands, stands for a whole second, realizes what hes doing, and then plops himself down. He'll wave bye-bye when he feels like it, but otherwise is much more interested in mobility than he is in "cool tricks" like clapping, sign language, etc. We'll get there :) He had his nine month appointment on Friday and is now at a fabulous 17 lb 12 oz and 28 inches and gets to take a daily multi-vitamin w/fluoride now. Wahoo!

I tried taking some pictures yesterday, but didnt have much cooperation, so I may try again. I had to show off his new short 'do -- thanks to Katie!

Couponing Gone Wild

Wow.

Woman cited for gathering coupons
By Randall Jeppesen
OREM -- An Orem woman has been cited after going too far to get grocery store coupons.
Police were called to approximately 300 West and 100 South in Orem after a woman was seen going through various mailboxes. A witness wrote down the woman's license plate and called police. Officers tracked it to a 28-year-old. At her home, police say they found she had a large stack of ads and coupons along with mail from various locations. The woman told police she was after the Albertsons double coupon ads. She was cited for theft.

Ok, I am all about getting a deal... but lets not go overboard! Crazy!

Friends Rule

We were so excited that the Barons stopped by their old stomping grounds while out and about attending family functions the last few weeks! We were thrilled to get to see them! Little Austin was born just 2 weeks after Mase and we've been dieing to have them together ever since. The boys really enjoyed each other... or at least watching each other! It was so great seeing Mandy - and Matt got to see Andrew too - hopefully it won't be so long until we're together again...

(No pictures of the parents? What? We'll have to fix that next time...)

Couldn't resist a bathtub picture!

Sweet Pioneer Day!

Since we currently live in the lovely state of Utah, we get a perk that comes with it -- a state holiday - Pioneer Day! The LDS Pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847 - and as I was lounging in the pool this hot Pioneer day, I was grateful I wasn't a pioneer who came across the plains and mountains! Brutal... I can't imagine it.

We didn't waste any time enjoying Matt's day off of work!! We went for a walk around the neighborhood in the morning, to the pool at midday, and for a 10 MILE bike ride in the afternoon! We topped the day off with ice cream and hot dogs on the grill.

Back to that bike ride.

Did I mention I hadn't been on a bike in 6 years? And that was only one time I was on a bike when I was 19 - before that I hadn't been on one since I was 15. Not sure about Matt... but I'm sure it'd been a good amount of years for him as well. Well, we inherited two bikes from Matt's parents (WAHOO!) -- they are moving back to TN (boo) and we managed to come away from their house like bank robbers :) (thanks you two!) So, we promptly decided we needed some apparatus for Mase and we'd be on our way. A really cool front-mounting seat and a helmet later, we were on our way! It was sooooo fun! Obviously it was, since we couldn't seem to stop ourselves as the miles ticked by. Mason really enjoyed it too and I think all the people we passed loved Mason as well ("awwwww!"). An even better indicator that we loved it: we hopped back on the next day and went another 8 miles. hahaaha We're biking fools!

These shoes are made for walking

Thanks to Grammie Thomas and a gift card, Mason is now sporting two (TWO!) new pairs of shoes! Since starting his walking venture, it became necessary for some good shoes so he could go cruising outside. He looks pretty stinkin cute in them, if I do say so myself. I never realized just how extensive (you can also switch the T with a P) the world of baby shoes was - oh my heavens, there are three bajillion different kinds and styles! We were lucky that Matt and I eventually agreed on what to buy. He will be set for the next few months (months? ouch).......... in style! ;)

He is a sightsee-er when he walks outside:

walk-walk-walk, pause, look, walk-walk-walk

Canyon, Camp out, and Rafting - Oh my!

I looooooooooooooove driving these mountain roads in the summer. This is Provo Canyon, just 15 mins across town from us. Pictures don't really do it justice.

This past weekend we had our second annual Young Women (the girls in the youth group at church) "Camp Out" -- I put it in quotes because we stay in a cabin in the canyon :) No tents for us! Much thanks to Tara's family for letting us stay in their cabin!

On Saturday we braved the Provo River --- more like the girls braved it - I ended up as a boat captain... and lets just say, I'm no river guide! Luckily, the river isn't much more than a lazy river... we survived. I think I might do it again in just a tube, although your bum will definitely be numb by the end!

Numero Uno

We got our first cherry tomato from the garden yesterday! Hooray for summer!