Zoo Lights

Last night Mason and I joined our friends Lanae and Carmendy for a trip to Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo in Portland. We took the Max, the train in Portland, to get there so we didn't have to deal with parking. Mason was so excited to be on a train. He kept saying "Train! Train!" Over and over. 

Carmendy on the train. She's such a cutie. 

Hauling a heavy toddler across a big city is no easy task. I felt like I had lifted weights at the gym for a few hours. We finally made it to the zoo. There was a tiger walking around greeting people, and Mason was enthralled by him. He gave him at least 5 high fives and fist bumps. 

We walked around with our hot chocolates enjoying all of the lights. They do a great job. 

Mason kept yelling "Hippo!! Giraffe!! Alligator!!" At people as they walked by. Just in case they missed the animal lights right in front of them. He's very helpful. 😝

This crocodile opened and closed his mouth! 

We had a great time. Then it was back on the train for the long trip home (Mason didn't mind). 

This picture is of the huge Christmas tree in downtown Portland. Just as I was taking it our train pulled up across the street, 10 minutes early. As we ran across the street to catch it, tiny children in tow, the doors closed and pulled away. Dang it! Good thing there was a giant Christmas tree to distract the kids while we waited for the next one! 

 

Christmas shopping with mom...

Mason's Santa Experience

We took Mason to Macy's in downtown Portland to see Santa! We went with our friend Lanae and Jorge and their daughter Carmendy. Carmendy was very good for Santa, but Mason was not impressed!! He cried and cried and did not want to stay with Santa. Luckily there was a train that kids could play in after they visited Santa, that made up for the traumatic experience. We had a fun evening in downtown Portland, going out to dinner and seeing the giant Christmas tree in Pioneer Square. After dinner there was a man outside playing drums on 7 or 8 different buckets and Mason LOVED him. We stood by this guy for almost a half hour so Mason could dance to the drums! 

On a cold day...

...blankets out of the dryer are the best! 

Rainy weekend activities!

It was raining all weekend (like it does here) so we took Mason to the children's museum in Portland this weekend!! He had a blast! They had a Blue Man Group exhibit where the kids could play drums and learn about sounds, a pet hospital where they could practice using stethoscopes on stuffed animals and a construction zone where Mason loves pushing around rubber rocks. We will definitely by going back soon! 

Life changes

I recently decided to leave my job and stay home with Mason. This was an enormously difficult decision and came with a lot of heartache. This job was the reason we moved to Washington, I left a position that I really enjoyed in Utah, and I was hoping it would be a positive change. Unfortunately I found myself in an extremely negative environment. I hoped it would improve, but it got to the point where my unhappiness with my job was effecting every aspect of our lives. I decided to leave my position and enjoy being a mom for the time being. I'm hoping I can find something else that I enjoy soon. Trent has been so supportive during this tumultuous time and I am so grateful that I have him to lean on. I am sad to leave a field that I love, but I'm going to keep a positive attitude, look towards the future and choose to be happy! And spend a little more time with this adorable stinker.

Thanksgiving

We had a full house for Thanksgiving this year, and we loved it. My parents flew up Jerome, Kelly and Devon came from Boise, Lizzie flew over from Lewiston and Kathleen and Danny drove down from Canada to celebrate with us. It was so much fun to have everyone come see us! Mason loved having all of these people to play with him, and the dogs were happy to have all the extra attention. I had a lot of help cooking the meal and a lot of help tackling leftovers, which was much appreciated. I borrowed a few of your pictures Kathleen, I hope that's ok. :) 

Mason loved coloring, reading books and watching movies with his Grandma Kelly.

The puppies loved Danny!! 

Aunt Lizzie taught Mason a lot of important life lessons during her visit, like how delicious whipped cream is...

And the words to annoying pop culture songs.

We had a lot of fun with everyone. Now it's time to start getting ready for Christmas!