Phin's First Halloween

This year was by far my favorite Halloween.  I think a huge reason for that is Phin...it is fun to experience holidays and traditions through his eyes.  On Monday night we got around to making our Haunted Gingerbread (Graham Cracker) House.  Seth was a good sport and humored me in this tradition.  He made all the cuts for our gingerbread house and did a great job of designing the house.

I cemented the house together and then we decorated the house together.  My favorite part was Mr Bones on the side.

On Halloween I took Phin into Seth's work around lunch.  We did some reverse trick or treating and took treats to many of Seth's co-workers.  Then Phin and I visited the school that I worked at last year.  We took treats to the students in the Functional Skills unit and read them our favorite Halloween book Big Pumpkin.  Seth's work sent everyone home early so he was able to go trick or treating with us along Main Street in Bountiful.  We even headed over to Smith's Marketplace for free doughnuts and cider.  When we got back we took some photos of our little alligator and all of his loot.

Phin kindly donated his candy to us...Seth calls it the Goblin tax and is seriously thinking about writing a children's book about just that.  

The teacher of the functional skills unit spoiled Phin with two new Halloween shirts and some Halloween socks.   Below are a few of pictures of Phin sporting his "My First Halloween" shirt.

When we got home we popped our Papa Murphy's Jack-O-Lantern pizza in the oven.  Phin decided he wanted to wear both of his Halloween shirts and pooped all over his first.  So we changed him into his "Peek-A-Boo" shirt and let him have his first taste of Halloween with a lick of a tootsie pop.  Happy Halloween!

Kate's Blessing

Last weekend Seth and I divided and conquered.  He headed to the blessing of our niece Eliza and I headed up to Idaho with Phin for the blessing of our niece Kate.  After the blessing we enjoyed a Cafe Rio inspired lunch back at Sarah and Joe's.  We also lined up all of my parent's grandchildren for a picture.  

We also got another picture of our summer babies.  I love how Phin has his hand on his tummy and appears to be sticking his tummy out...yes he is my big boy.

 Phin and James also did a little tummy time together.

Phin managed to roll from his tummy to his back finally.

We had a wonderful time in Idaho.  Thanks for having us up Sarah, Joe and Kate.  

Family Halloween Party

Last Saturday Seth's side of the family held their annual Halloween Party.  We attended dressed up as an alligator and his handlers/zoo keepers/crocodile hunters.  

Seth and I ran a haunted house decorating station and we learned a few things...next time we will have all of the houses pre-assembled...then the little ones will be able to get right to the fun part of decorating them. 

 After dinner we watched the fun at the bobbing for apples station.

Then we participated in mummy wrap...here is Phin with his Mummy (and Daddy).

Then most of the group played pop the balloon.   Seth tied one to Phin's ankle and played with him.

Phin was the last one standing...but I think he had quite a bit of help from his dad.

We are grateful for all of our family members that love Phin...we love this picture that Aunt Abby took of Phin with the Bride of Frankenstein (Aunt Emily). 

Cascade Springs

The first weekend in October we took a Fall drive up to the Alpine Loop and then on to Cascade Springs.  The fall colors in the canyon were stunning.  I loved the mixture of aspens and pines.  I can't believe neither of us had ever been to Cascade Springs.

Beth, Philip and Baby Eliza joined us on our outing.  Here is a picture of Seth taking their picture.

After visiting Cascade Springs we drove to a great look out spot for a picnic.

What a lovely Fall day.

4 MONTHS

Phin turned 4 months last week.  It took us a few days to get his 4 month pictures...it has been pretty cold in our neck of the woods and I wanted to get his picture outside.  We just had Phin's 4 month check-up today.  He weighs 17 pounds 10 ounces and is 26.5 inches long.  That puts him in the 90th percentile for weight and the 92nd percentile for height.  

He is now wearing size 3 diapers...although we are trying to finish off some size 2 diapers.  He is wearing a lot of 6 month clothes and even some 9 month onesies.  He is holding his head up great..  He isn't really bearing much weight on his legs...but the doctor explained that he has a 6-9 month old body...and the strength of a 4 month old...so it may be a little while.  On his 4 month mark he rolled over for the first time...but from his back to his front.  He seems pretty surprised when he ends up on his tummy.  We have been trying to put him on his tummy more so that he will learn to roll that way...but he doesn't love it.  He really prefers to be in a position where he can see what is going on.  His nicknames this month have been STEVIE WONDER and LITTLE DUDE...both bestowed to him by my brother Jeff.  When Phin is trying to go to sleep he will often move his head back and forth on your shoulder like Stevie Wonder.  

I have been taking Phin's picture every week.  Here is a little collage from week 1 through week 16.  It is kind of fun to see how my little guy has grown.  You can also see the hair on his head progressively disappear.  It is starting to come back...but with a lot more blonde than red.

He found his hands this month and will often sit and hold them together and just stare.  He also loves to hold on to his burp clothes and just look at the edges.

He is still a pretty good sleeper...although we have had a few nights where I have had to get up with him.

He is laughing quite a bit more often...usually when his daddy is playing with him.  He loves the trampoline at Bart and Collette's house.  He giggles the entire time that Seth bounces him.

The static of the trampoline shows off the hair that he does have quite well.

 

FRIGHTMARES

Last weekend we took Phin on his first trip to Lagoon.  

We dressed him up in his Halloween Costume so that he would stay warm...and so he would wear his costume more than once.

Phin was able to ride a few rides.  The first one we took him on was the animal train.

We loved having our friends Amy, Dallin and Zoey along for the day with us.

Next up was the carousel...Seth and I both got dizzy...Phin didn't seem to mind it at all.
 

Then we headed to Pioneer Village and walked through the corn maze.

Then Amy and Dallin watched Phin while Seth and I went on Rattlesnake Rapids...I was a little skeptical about riding a water ride...but I have to admit it was fun.  We didn't have to wait in any line which was also pretty awesome.  Then Amy watched both kiddos while we rode the Tidal Wave with Dallin.  We headed over for the Spook-A-Boo Alley after that.  Below are a few pictures of Phin with the cast members.  I think he looks pretty cute in the elephant glasses he got in the first room.

After riding the bumper cars, Amy and Dallin took off and we spent a little time trying to get some good pictures of Phin in his costume.  We kind of woke him up from a nap...so he wasn't super smiley...but I think we got a few good ones.

I know Phin will probably not remember his first trip to Lagoon...but I will and I loved the entire day.