Our Favorite Kid.

Our baby is 8 months old! Time is going by ridiculously fast and I wish it would just slow down! This is SUCH a fun stage. Landon cracks us up every day. Some of the recent highlights include:

Learning a few tricks: Coughing on command--so hilarious. Rolling under the bed--of course he still manages to keep his head sticking out so we know where he is (how considerate!). Rubbing his dinner all over his hair (most often with avocados)--good for his skin, right? Doing the worm--ok, ok, it's his version of crawling and he's almost there!

Laughing his head off: Landon loves to laugh. Sometimes all you have to do is look at him and he'll laugh and laugh. So fun!

Finding his voice: Our neighbors can attest! This kid screeches!

Being a trooper: This kid has now been on several hikes with us and many, many outings. He is such a good sport, so fun and he loves to be out and about with Mom and Dad.

He is such a joy. I would not trade anything on earth for the chance to be this little guy's mom!

Per the request of some of the grandparents (and great grandparents--that's how you know you're REALLY slacking), here are a few pictures of our favorite kid:

Just Havin' Fun!

Alas, I've shirked in updating the blog again! What's new? So, a timeline in pictures will have to do.

Landon & Dad

Fun day at Eddie Park. Landon LOVED the swing!

 This picture so awesome. It just is.

3.14 -- We celebrated pie day with the neighbors! Dutch chocolate. Apple Struesel. Pumpkin. Oreo. Yogurt. Cherry. Oh happy day.

Jeff came at the end of March & we explored every inch of LA! Starting with Universal Studios.

I. Love. Lucy.

 Jeff, Landon & I hiked the Hollywood sign. Ok, Jeff & I hiked the Hollywood sign. Landon was just along for the ride.

Santa Monica Pier as a family! Highlights: Incredible view from the top of the Ferris wheel & super crazy performers 

 Having some fun dyeing Easter Eggs! The one on the bottom right is supposed to be Santa Clause. Could you guess?

Good times. More pics of Landon & life to come!

The 30 Day Cereal Challenge

Yes, the main purpose of this post is to guilt me into sticking to it...

Anyone who knows me well knows about my love of cereal. Basically, cereal for every meal would be fine with me (and it frequently is when David is gone). It's a staple of any day. It's a cause for celebration. It's a means of relaxation. Some of the cereal greats include, but are NOT limited to:

1. Grape Nuts
2. Oh's
3. Cracklin' Oatbran
4. Blueberry Morning
5. Marshmallow Mateys
6. Cinnamon Life
7. Crunch Berries
8. Reese's Puffs
9. Honey Nut Shredded Wheat
10. Cinnamon Toast Crunch

I can't even say that those are in any particular order.

But, I decided about 10 minutes ago that the time has come to reign in my love of cereal's crunchy milky goodness. I'd like to learn to love it less.

So, I've decided to take the 30 day Cereal Challenge. It's simple. NO cereal for 30 days. This may sound simple to some. For me, it's gonna be tough -- but HERE WE GO.

Love this kid!

Landon tried his first rice cereal the other day. Needless to say, the majority ended up anywhere BUT his mouth, but it was fun! We will probably try again in a few weeks if he seems more interested.

Christmas Break. Part Three.

This is the last and final installment of Christmas Break!

PART THREE: Branson, Missouri

A few days after Christmas, my parents took us on a trip to Branson, Missouri. We had a blast.

Major highlight of the trip was stopping at Lambert's on the way there. This restaurant is the famous "Home of the Throwed Rolls" where they chuck the rolls across the room to your table whenever you raise your hand for one (my kind of restaurant!). 

Technically, it's all you can eat, so if you ever finish your plate, they'll bring you another. Portions are HUGE so it's a rare feat. But guess who did it this year...

BEFORE. Notice the Chicken Fried Steak itself is as big as David's face.

SWEET VICTORY. 16 oz. Chicken Fried Steak plus sides GONE!

These are pictures of our amazing 'Lantern Tour' of Marvel Cave. All lights are off except these cool lanterns. The views were great and our tour guide had some great stories. 

We went go-karting (something we used to do as kids) at a really cool track. "These guys are so competitive!" 

Had two days at the Silver Dollar City theme park and saw some of the most AMAZING Christmas lights. I have honestly never seen anything like it! They had TONS of lights. And, their production of  'A Christmas Carol' was stellar! I love that they keep Christ in Christmas. 

We tried on hats and played with other fun oddities at the 5 and Dime Store. Yes, this is a hamburger hat in case you were wondering.

Other highlights: Seeing how pork rinds are made (seriously so cool), watching a glass blower create some beautiful pieces, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers, visiting the fish hatchery, ANDY'S frozen custard (yeah!!) and trick candles on Ben's birthday cake.

It was a great time and a great trip. We love our families are so grateful we got to be with them this Christmas season!

Christmas Break. Part Two.

I am blogging in a timely fashion. Miracle! 

Christmas Break. PART TWO: St. Louis, Missouri

After an amazing time in Boise, we hopped on a plane to see my family in St. Louis, Missouri. It was the first time the whole fam was together since we've been married & had a kid. SO GREAT.

Time to introduce Landon to Uncle Mike & Aunt Janae. 

Here he is jamming with Mike. We made a lot of music during this trip (complete with drums, piano, guitar, marimba, banjo & vocals).

 Aunt Janae! Not the best picture of Landon but a good shot of the little hair he has left. 

Uncle Jeff. Wish 

you could see a close up of Landon's shoes--my new favorite.

A trip town memory lane took us all to Penn Station for lunch. AMAZING. DELICIOUS. I will be missing this sandwich.

David & I went to the St. Louis Temple. What a wonderful experience--so glad we got to go. Not the best picture of us, but I am sacrificing for posterity.

I saw this idea online for holiday pizzas. Had a blast making a wreath, Christmas Tree & Candy Cane!

 Getting ready for Christmas dinner.  I don't know what's going on with my eyes in this picture, but, once again, sacrificing for posterity.

Landon & David in their new Christmas Jammies! Check out the reindeer feet...they're SO cute.

Landon, David & I played Baby Jesus, Mary & Joseph in my parents' Christmas program. Landon did a good job keeping the crying to a minimum (although I had to sneak him the binky).

Trying out Jeff's new mini bike behind my parents' house. SO FUN. Wish we'd had more time. Got some air (kind of unintentionally by riding through a ditch).

 

The newest addition to our family...the SNOW CONE MACHINE. I love surprise family gifts on Christmas! My only sadness was realizing I has inadvertently added Black Cherry syrup instead of Grape! Grape is definitely better!

And...had a family picture taken. 

Landon's face is priceless. He really is a happy kid, but apparently he'd had enough! :)

Other highlights: Zoo lights at the St. Louis Zoo, Ted Drewes famous frozen custard, outdoor ice skating in the park, my mom's cooking (AMAZING), Lazer Tag & climbing wall, getting defeated in Ping Pong by Jeff, David beating his high score in Hoop Shoot & a wonderful Christmas day with the WHOLE family!

After Christmas, we took a trip to Branson with my parents & two of my brothers. I will post of few pics of the trip in PART THREE: Branson, Missouri (and that will be the end!)

Christmas Break. Part One.

Christmas Break. Two words that bring joy to my heart. Why? Because the first word is Christmas (no brainer!) and second word is BREAK!! (Meaning David was home ALL day to play with me and Landon). 

What an AMAZING break it was! 

PART ONE: Boise, Idaho

We kicked the break off with Landon's first ever plane ride. He did SO well! The guy behind us who looked so grumpy when we sat down even complimented our kid. Way to go!

 Then--on to Boise (David's home town and our old stomping ground) for 9 days! SO FUN.

A stroll down the street in David's neighborhood. Check out these lights!

 Our happy boy sitting under the tree! (Sporting his BSU colors)

 This is Landon and his closest cousin in age. She's actually quite a bit taller than he is but the camera is playing tricks, I guess. CUTEST KIDS EVER. (I am not biased)

 Me and Landon heading out for a walk. Check out Landon in his Marshmallow suit! (The dentist gave me this little snow suit...kind of a funny story)

 A slow duck day for Daniel & David but still a success! My husband is so cool.

 And...one of the highlights of our trip--meeting up with the cousins at KNEADERS for bottomless French Toast!!!!! They have one in Boise, and YES it is as good as I remembered it. Sooo good.

Other highlights:  Texas Roadhouse with old friends, trying out Goldie's for breakfast downtown, FABULOUS dining thanks to David's mom, game night with Dan, Carrie & the girls, poppy seed bread, family caroling party, baked brie & going to an uncrowded Walmart!

We wish we could have seen more friends & had even more fun, but we were on to more FUN. 

To be continued in PART TWO: St. Louis, Missouri