The movie experience

Friday was girls night out. Some of the lovely ladies from our ward and I enjoyed a evening of dinner and a movie without children. Yep, Mason stayed home with his dad for over FIVE hours. Three of them he was sleeping, but still!!! That's the longest i've left him. I did call and check up...don't worry. Our evening started out at the California Pizza Kitchen. Mmmm...pretty good! Then we were off to see TWILIGHT. Oh how fun it was! We waited in line (with all the teeny boppers), Rushed to get good seets (with all the teeny boppers), and cheered, giggled, oooohd, awwwwd, and sighed (with all the teeny boppers) when our favorite characters came on to the screen. All in all it was a pretty good movie! I'm not too sure about the soundtrack though. Of course the book was better. Don't tell Bowen that. According to him the movie is always better...he just says that to get a rise out of people. We had a lot of fun! It's definitely something that we need to do more often! Afterwards I came home to my loving husband who had not only had put Mason to sleep, but also did the dishes and put away the laundry. Man, I love that guy!!!

Turkey Day is almost here!!!

I'M SO EXCITED FOR THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Well, we're getting ready for that time again...THANKSGIVING! This year we're headed to Alabama to visit Popsy (Bowens dad). All the sisters and thier families will be there too! Yay! It'll be so much fun to see everyone! I hope the plane ride goes smoothly with the little man. This will be the first time most of them have met Mason. We get to meet the newest addition to the family as well, Amelia. She is so adorable! Both Bowen and I are just trying to get alot done at work before we take off so we don't have a pile of things to do when we get back. I'm pretty sure it'll be the case regardless...oh well. It'll be a very nice vacation. Woohoo!

Here is just some random pics that were taken in the past week or so...

Bowen surfing off into the sunset.

Apparently Bowen thought Mason needed a corn chip. This is the face he pulled when he tasted the salt on it.

Can hardly wait!

Yes on 8

I love Sundays! Today was exceptionally great! Bowen and I were volunteered by the bishop to go and hang YES on Prop 8 flyers on peoples doors. Well, we drove to the addresses that were given to us and they were all in gated communities. Not wanting to just give up and not do our political part, we took those flyers and walked around La Jolla putting them on peoples cars. It felt good to know that we were standing for something right and wholesome. For all those that aren't familiar with Proposition 8, I'll give a brief rundown. Prop 8 is a simple and straightforward voter initiative. It contains the same 14 words that were previously approved in 2000 by over 61% of California voters: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Because 4 evil activist judges in San Francisco wrongly overturned the people's vote, we need to pass this measure as a constitutional amendment to restore the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. I never thought that I would be spending my time trying to convince people that marriage between a man and woman is the right way to do things. Gosh! I'm nervous for this election. But even if it doesn't turn out the way we want, we can at least say we contributed. Please, Please, Please...get out there on Tuesday and vote! Ok, that was my political spill for the day. Back to family and good things :) The little man got his 4 month immunizations on Thursday. He wasn't too much of a happy camper the next day and had a fever. So we just took it easy and rode through that little rough patch. Today he was pretty much back to normal. At church he was happy, smiling, and of course, flirting with all the girls. He's such a ham! After church we went to Kari and Dave's house for some lunch and had a Jerky's meeting. I'm getting so excited for this business! So I'm trying to organize the HUNDREDS of pictures that I have on the computer and I came across this video that I'd completely forgot about. It' was pretty funny! Mason sure loves that sheep! I had a cold at the time, so I sound like a man. Oh well.

More Halloween

Tonight we went to the Archers (a couple from our ward who is expecting thier first baby next week) for a little Halloween get together. We had yummy caramel apples, watched Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin, and enjoyed everyones company. Mason, of course, was a little ham and cranked up his cuteness for everyone. It was a Tuesday evening well spent.

Happy Halloween!

Well, it's here again! One of my favorite holidays! HALLOWEEN!!! Boo! We had a ward halloween party last night at the church. So much fun! Our little family went as a pumpkin, witch, and redneck/hillbilly. Today I was putting away the costumes from last night and stuck the mullet wig on Mason. Voila! baby Jo Dirt! HA HA!!! I couldn't stop laughing!

Visiting Uncle Mike in L.A.

Welcome to HOLLYWOOD!

This weekend we went to visit Mike Oneil (Bowens long time friend from Bradenton) up in LA. It was so good to see him! He's going to school at UCLA and in a high demand dental program. Mason was so excited to see him and constantly smiled every time mike would talk to him. We had a HUGE BBQ and he cooked enough meat to feed a small African nation. It was so was yummy! The next day we went to a little 50's diner for Brunch and then headed to HOLLYWOOD. There we met up with my friend Stefanie from highschool who's going to fashion school out here. It was so good to see her! She finally got to meet the little guy. We saw the famous Chinese Theater, Rodeo Drive, Melrose, Beverly Hills, Bel Air...you know...all the tourist sights. So fun! It was short, but awesome trip! Can't wait to go back!

Mason and Bowen in front of the Chinese Theater

Me and Stef. Thanks for showing us around!

Fall beach day

Last Friday we spent the afternoon at Mission Beach. We met up with some of the guys from Nassco and they had a surfing afternoon. Mason and I played on the beach and enjoyed the sunset. It was a lot of fun...until the sun went down then it got cold. So, it was time to go. But I got some fun pictures.

Cute sandy little toes!

Grandma Steph comes to visit

This weekend Grandma Steph came to visit. We had soooo much fun. She came bearing gifts! My very favorite was homemade bottled peaches for Mason. He absolutely LOVES them! After a brief rest from the flight Mason and I treated her to lunch at The Cottage. Mmmmmm....so good! Then we went to the matinee The Secret Life of Bees. It was the cutest movie! The book of course was better, but the movie was great! There were some ladies that were sitting behind us that were making the funniest comments about the movie that made it that much better! Mason really enjoyed it as well. His eyes were as big as golf balls throughout the entire movie. I think he liked the gigantic people and bright colors :) We stopped by Bath and Body Works to get some good smelly lotion.With our purchase we received a stuffed animal sheep. It was the funnies thing! Mason loves that sheep! For some reason it always ended up standing on Masons head. Where did that sheep come from? Crazy sheep!

On Saturday we packed up the car and headed to the famous Julian Apple Festival in Julian CA. It's an old gold mining town that became famous for their yummy apples...which means apple pie, caramel apples, and apple cider. There are so many cute shops as well. The highlight of our night was the melodrama put on by town locals. You had to be there :) I think we may have started a family tradition to visit that cute little town once a year.

Enjoying lunch at the Cowgirl Cafe.

Sunday we enjoyed the Sabbath, Julian apple pie and ice cream, and each others company.

I've been kind of sick so it was nice just to take it easy and get some rest.

The next day was spent at Seaworld. We had fun seeing the polar bears, penguins, The Seymour and Clyde show, flamingos, hundreds of fishes, and the Dolphins. After a long day of walking one needs a good foot rub. So, onward to get a pedicure!!! Ahhh.....so wonderful!We had just enough time Tuesday morning to grab some breakfast and take Mom to the airport. Goodbye Grandma!

Enjoying La Jolla

There is so much to do here in LJ. We're getting to know more and more people which makes it so much fun.

Mason and I stopped by the Quiksilver/Roxy store to visit our great friend, Heidi. Just look at him already checking out the longboards. Well for now he's just posing in front of them!On another outing we stopped by the candy store. It was deliciously decorated for Fall and Halloween. We just had to take a picture!

Go Chargers! Woohoo!

Two weeks ago we took Mason to his very first Monday night NFL game. The San Diego Chargers played the New York Jets and absolutely stomped them! We had GREAT seats! Mason enjoyed the 2nd and 3rd quarter, but slept the rest. How? I have no clue. It was LOUD! It was so much fun. Hopefully we can do it again soon, but I don't think I'll be able to top that Family home evening again :)

Bradenton comes to La Jolla

Well, we've really had an eventful couple of months. Its been a while since I've been on here! Let me tell you what's been going on.

In September my wonderful mother-in-law, Melinda, and cute niece, Caitlyn, came to visit. Although the trip wasn't NEARLY long enough we still had so much fun! Caitlyn got to meet her cousin for the very first time. She was sooo good with Mason. He definitely ate up all the attention she gave him! His grandma couldn't get enough of him either ;)

During their stay Bowen launched his first ship. We all watched as the TAKE 7 took off into the water. We were so close to the ship it looked like it was going to run us over. So cool! Bowen worked sooo hard to get it ready for launch and now he's working harder than ever to get it ready to turn over to the Navy.

We spent another eventuful day at the San Diego Zoo. It was so much fun seeing all the animals. I forgot to pack a hat for the baby but mom saved the day and got him one so his little head wouldn't get sunburned. After lots of walking, seeing animals, and icecream (just for KK), we headed home.

We also had a good time walking around La Jolla. We saw the seals, played on the beach, and of course we went to The Cottage for brunch. (It's a must) I hope they had fun staying in our humble little apartment and enjoying what we call home. Love ya!

Are you ready for some football?!?

Well, now that football season has officially started. It was decided upon, by the head of the household, that we needed cable so he could watch his games. Ok by me :) It looks like Mason has been roped into the football craze as well! But every time Bowen yells at the TV Mason jumps out of his skin!

uh oh

Ok, so Bowen decided it would be a good thing to give Mason some icecream. This was the end result... Look at those big innocent eyes! You know he's thinking, "I didn't do it"

One AMAZING year!

Today Bowen and I celebrated our one year anniversary. I can't believe it's already been a whole year! Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday we were in New York...ahh...the memories. Now we're here in SD and loving it! Ahh...more memories. I don't know what to expect from my husband on these type of occasions. Well let me tell you, today he surpassed anything that I have ever imagined. Bowen surprised me with....drum roll please....A NEW CAR! WOOHOO! Not just any car, a BMW! Oh my goodness! Let me tell you I'm still trying to catch my breath! It has been quite an eventful and busy year! The Lord has abundantly blessed us in every aspect. How many people can say they found the love of their life, got married, moved across the United States, started a new job, had a beautiful baby boy, and became owners of their own business (which by the way is coming along quite nicely), all in one year??? Thank you for all the love and support that our friends and family have shown us. Your always in our prayers :) I think of all that's happened and know that this is just the beginning of a wonderful happy life together. This really has been One Amazing Year, but I look forward to an infinate amount of amazing years to come!

Already 2 months!

I can't believe it's already been two months since Mason has arrived! He's growing so fast! Just in the past few weeks he's started cooing, drooling, and smiling more and more. I don't know if it's just hormones or what, but it almost makes me want to cry he's so gosh dang cute! He's also started to reach for his mommy and daddy.

Tonight he had his first Pacific Beach, Garnet Avenue experience. For all that aren't familiar with that, let me explain. Garnet Avenue is the "place" to go out. It's a whole long street of shopping, restaurants, and bars. Well, dad was in the mood for wings so guess where that took us? Yep, you may have guessed it, HOOTERS. LOL! He slept through most of it, which was fine by me! (I actually finished my meal! Whoa!

We've started the rounds of immunizations, so our little bubba hasn't been his usual happy self the past couple of days :( He's a trooper though.

JERKY'S is coming along quite nicely. Our actual reason for going to Pacific Beach tonight was to scope out potential locations for the restaurant... Another day's work.

Well, since the boys are in bed I may as well head there myself. I need the beauty rest for the beach tomorrow ;) ha ha!

Mason's first Utah trip

Well, hello everyone!

My have we been busy the past few weeks...but isn't that life?!? On the 17th of July we flew to Utah for Chasey and Lyndsay's wedding. It was very beautiful and they looked so happy together! Over the course of this wonderful event, Mason got to meet his Grandma Melinda, Pop Pop (coach), Great Grandpa and Grandma Jones, and Ralph and Gertie Weidler (yes, they are part of the family too!) and lots of the other New York family. It was soooo much fun to visit with everyone and catch up on what's going on in each others lives.

Since we were all in Utah we decided to have Mason blessed. So on Sunday July 20th, 2008 Mason was blessed in my home ward in Delta Utah. He looked so cute in the blessing outfit his grandma and grandpa Brown bought him. To top it off he was swaddled in beautiful blue blanket Great Grandma Jones made for him. Afterwards we had a dinner a the Palomar. There he was able to meet everyone else from aunts and uncles to cousins and family friends. The next day Bowen had to fly home to San Diego. I guess someone in this family has to make a living :) He was so wonderful to keep on top of all the Casa Linda responsibilites along with working full time at the shipyard. I have such a wonderful husband.

Speaking of Bowen...as of today we are now an official corporation. Jerkey's Jamaican Grill is the name. We're opening up a Jamaican restaurant hopefully by this time next summer. The first location will be right here in Pacific Beach. So, I'm counting on all that are able to be here for the Grand Opening! ;) As we venture further into this learning opportunity I'll update as we go. Here's a picture of Bowen making his very yummy Jerk Chicken and Rice & Peas. Back to the Utah trip. After Bowen left we had about 2 days to rest and catch up with friends and other family. The 24-26 was the Dwayne Bayles family reunion. Jerolynn was in charge this year and she did a fabulous job. We had sooo much fun riding four wheelers, taking the paddle boat out on the lake, laughing, and making fun crafts! Thanks Jer! After that we just hung out for a couple days and recovered from all the traveling and adventures we'd been on the past 2 weeks. Finally it was time to go home to San Diego. I think both Mason and I were very ready to see Bowen. We missed him very much! It's soooo nice to be home! This is where we're supposed to be. Now we're just trying to figure out some sort of a routine. For now...Lots of love, The Summers Oh yes, while Mason and I were gone, Bowen neglected his military neatness. When we got back he was a long haired, bearded heathen. Well, after some encouragement this was the end result...Reno cops 911...ha ha ha! Ok, not really the end result. But I had you going!!!

Look what the stork dropped in!

Hi there!

TA DA!!! Mason Merrill Summer is finally here! After about a day of laboring and in the end having to have a c-section, he's here and it is completely worth it! He weighed 9.35 pounds, 21 1/2 inches long, and is cute as a button. Bowen is the most supportive husband. He constantly stayed by my side throughout the whole ordeal! There's so much more to say but for now here are some pictures for your enjoyment!

...The following story was written after the above post, but I felt this was the right place to insert the story.

The story of Mason's birth

It's amazing what it takes to bring a life into this world and Mason was no exception! I had a standard text book pregnancy. At all of my appointments my midwife said everything looked good, my baby boy was healthy, and the due date was June 19th. Well, on June 19th I had my 40 week appointment and from the looks of everything it seemed little Mason just wasn't ready to come out just yet. A few tears rolled down my cheek. Maybe out of disappointment...or relief? What a BIG change this little guy was going to bring into the newly married lives of Bowen and I! There had been months of preparation, baby showers, reading parenting books, blogs, and magazines. The crib and carseat were ready and all of his clothes neatly folded in the dresser. All we needed was this little boy to arrive. But, I headed back home from that appointment to wait...and wait...and wait...

Luckily my Mom, Dad, Chellese, Margie, and Marley were all here so time passed pretty fast. On June 25, 2008 a week over due, I scheduled an appointment to be induced. I believed it was time to meet our little guy. So at 10 that morning we headed to the hospital. I was given the medicines need to start contractions and an IV to keep my fluids up. After a couple hours I still felt fine. Minor contractions had started but it was no big deal. I knew Bowen was getting hungry so I sent him out with Margie to take a break from the hospital and get some food and go hit some golfballs at the driving range (which was really close to the hospital just in case). Mom stayed with me and kept me company...thank goodness...because not too long after they left, the contractions kick in HARD! This was a pain unlike anything I had ever experienced! I knew my body was trying to get this little Mason out. After an hour or so of these ridiculous contractions Bowen still wasn't back so I called him, and called, and called...I think even Mom called too. Come to find out that after he left the hospital he forgot to turn up the volume on his phone. You should have seen the look on his face when he came running through the door to find me in the state I was! Priceless! It had only been about 2 hours since he'd left but to me it seemed like 2 days! No worries though, Mase still wasn't here. FINALLY after hours of those darn contractions I received an epidural. AMAZING!!! I felt 90% better and was finally able to rest a bit. By now it was well into the night and still no Mason. I was slowly progressing, so we kept on going. The next morning around 7:00 am, there was a slight change in Masons heartbeat. It was starting to slow just a little bit and so the nurses and doctors we a bit concerned. I still wasn't fully dilated and Mason was, well, just too big to push out. We gave it a couple more hours but it was no use. My body had stopped at 9cm and I was just too tired. So the Operating Room was prepped and I was taken in to have a C-Section.

I was completely numb from my ribs down. What a funny feeling...or non feeling! They draped the curtain so I couldn't see what was going on, and then Bowen joined me by my side. I was so scared but just having him there was all the comfort I needed! He held my hand and kissed my cheek and said everything was going to be okay; and I then knew it was. Luckily the Doctors had quite a sense of humor and that actually made it better too.

After only a few minutes Mason Merrill Summer was born!!! I could hear him cry as the nurses wiped him down and scored his APGAR. "Is everything okay", I asked. They swaddled him in a blanket, put a little hat on his little wrinkled head and let Bowen hold him. He brought him over to where I could see him, touch him, and fall even more in love with our new little boy. "We did it", I said, "He's finally here!" We were able to keep him with us while the doctors stitched me back up. Before everyone could come and see me I had to go to a recovery room to let the anesthesia wear off a bit. While I did that, Bowen took our precious little Mason to show our family who was anxiously waiting to see him.

As I lay there drifting in and out of sleep waiting for feeling to return to my feet, I thought about the past day of events. "Did I really just have a baby?!? Wow! I'm a mom! Bowen is dad!" About 2 hours of resting it was finally time for me to head to my room. I still wasn't able to walk..and they wouldn't have let me anyway. ha ha! Bowen rejoined me and so did some of the family. They brought Mason back in and I was finally able to hold him for the first time. I just wept with happiness! I was so excited to finally hold my beautiful baby boy!

Mason ended up loosing some weight and had a bit of jaundice so we had to stay and extra day (4 days total) and 4 days too long. All I wanted was to go home. Finally it was time! Bowen pulled the car around and a nurse wheeled Mason and I out to meet him. I couldn't believe how sore I was. But it didn't matter because Mason was here and healthy.

On our drive home Bowen put in the Treck cd Margie had bought us. There is a song called "I must have loved you before" on it. Both Bowen and I just started crying. We were so relieved to have this little boy safely with us. We knew Heavenly father had truly blessed us with this little spirit. We knew that we knew Mason before we came to this earth and that he had agreed to come down at that time and be with us. I'm so grateful for my precious little boy!

3 More weeks!

Aloha!!! We're winding down the days until this little guy gets here!!! We're at 37 1/2 weeks! I just had an ultrasound last Thursday and everything looks great! Mason was being shy (like usual) and had his arm across his face. But from what we could tell, he's got little chubby cheeks and weighs about 6 1/2 pounds. As we get closer to the date, Bowen and I get more and more excited...a little nervous...but mostly excited! I still think that Mason is going to be born with a football in one hand and a golf club in the other :) This summer is going to be quite fun and busy! We've got my mom, Stephanie, my sister-in-law, Margie, and my niece, Marley, all flying out this week. How exciting it is that we get to have family so close! Well, it's taco night and I'm off to shred some cheese! ha ha! Until next time.... Love, Bowen, Shaelyn, and Mason (soon to be)

Count down

We are officially at 33 1/2 weeks along now and my tummy is REALLY starting to grow. Mason (that's his name!) really enjoys kicking my ribs and getting the hickups right before I go to bed. lol! That's ok though because we know he's happy and healthy :) He also like to play the game "find my feet" where he pushes on my belly with his little feet and I try to grab and tickle them. Bowen is getting really exctied to become a daddy. I find him feeling my belly more and more lately, waiting for Mason to kick; which only makes me more excited too! We've definitely had a fun week this past week. I had my routine check up at the doctor and she said everything is going great! I'll have one more ultrasound at 36 weeks to confirm Masons position, length, weight etc.... We also have scheduled a time to go and take a tour of the hospital where he will be born. Bowen was officially given the title of Manager at work. I made celebration brownies and hung a congratulations poster. I'm sooo proud of his accomplishments! We played pretty hard this weekend as well. Saturday morning was Walk for a Cure breast cancer 5K. Afterwards, we went to the driving range and then met up with some friends for Family Beach Day. The moms and mom to be watched the husbands surf while we played with the babies and talked about our husbands. ha ha! We finally were sunburned enough to go home after a few hours. We had just enough time to clean up and take a short rest before we had a BBQ to go to. It was kindof a celebration party for all the NASSCO guys who had received recent promotions. Good Times!!! All I can say is thank goodness it's the day of rest today!

Extra activities

We just finished a season as CHAMPIONS of the San Diego Top Gun Flag Football league! What an exciting 10 weeks that was! We had our wins and losses...but mostly wins. And thank goodness for that! As one of our players would say...ahem...Bowen, "I hate loosing more than I love winning" And trust me it is the truth! It's a lot more of an exciting 20 minute car ride home after a win!!! Bowen was the quarterback for the Animal Clan, and a pretty good if I may say. I was the official filmer/keep the other girlfriends company while they watched their boyfriends/team mom/wife. What a privilege it was to watch these boys transform in die hard football crazed men! We're already planning this next season and all that we have to bring to the table :) On a more humble note, we both are enjoying our callings in the church. I am a Sunday school teacher for the CTR 6 year olds. You never quite know what is going to come out of their mouth. So, I'm constantly prepared with lollipops to keep em' busy! Bowen is the first counselor of the Young Men. Every other Sunday he teaches class and Wednesday evenings are filled with mutual activities. We both enjoy getting to know the youth of our ward and how special each an every one of them are! As far as furthering our minds goes: Bowen is preparing to take his GMAT test on May 10th. He's been studying like crazy and we both hope that he does well so he can start his MBA courses. I've always wanted to learn spanish. Plus I think it'll come in handy some day (like when we go to Puerto Rico or Spain...hint hint Bowen) So, every Tuesday i have a class and it is going muy bien!!! I'm learning a lot, but don't ask me to translate just yet.

Welcome!

Hi everyone! Welcome to the Summer family blog! Hopefully this will be an easy way to keep everyone updated on all the new and exciting things going on in our lives. Bowen and I are currently living in the beautiful San Diego area and loving every moment of it! Our days are full of living, loving, and laughing! It's such an exciting time! Here's an update of what's been going on in the past few months... Bowen is an area manager for NASSCO/ General Dynamics; a HUGE shipyard downtown. Right now he and his team are working on the TAKE-7 Naval ship where he's in charge of the cargo holds. He seems to really like the responsibility and leadership that naturally comes to him . I am the Residential Manager for the Casa Linda Apartments in La Jolla. (That's where we live.) I take care of the property, collect rent, schedule and follow up with contractors, and make sure my tenants are happy. I'm currently in the process of "upgrading" everything, so it's kind of busy around here! I'm also working two days a week at our corporate office, Radelow/Gittins, downtown. Basically, it's a secretary job. I enjoy it! The people I work with are great + it's a little extra mula $$$! As most everyone knows, we are expecting a little boy June 19th! We've been sooo busy getting ready for this little miracle to come! And he's coming FAST! Time has flown! Already, family and friends have been sooo supportive in helping us. THANK YOU!!! In between work and play, there's more play! Saturday morning consist of surfing, beach, surfing, oh and surfing! We are truly blessed to live in such a wonderful place!