Landon is Five

Well if feels like just yesterday we had moved and I was eight months pregnant with my second sweet little boy, but lo and behold five years have quickly flown by. Landon decided that even though we had a nice scheduled c-section date that he was going to make an early arrival. I remember it was Memorial Day weekend, Sunday to be exact when I starting have some contractions. I tried not to worry and just got through them, Monday morning came and it was clear that Landon was coming sooner than thought. We called Jeff's mom and gave her a headsup that she might want to come earlier, like that night would be good. We called the Dr. office and they moved me up to having the baby on Tuesday morning. Since it was Memorial Day we decided to take the kids for a picnic at the park. I remember the kids and Jeff playing frisbee while I sat on the bench trying to make it through the contractions. Jeff's mom got up here at about 11 o'clock Monday night and Jeff and I headed straight to the hospital. I figured if I was in such pain,and I wouldn't be getting any sleep anyways, why wait until Tuesday morning, we were going in that night. We headed to the hospital, got checked into a triage room and then off to the operating room to meet my little guy. And little he was, my smallest little baby weighing in at 6lbs. 12oz. He was small from the beginning and not much has changed. I had been carrying him low and he dropped early so when he came out he had two little bumps on either side of his head. He looked like a Mickey Mouse baby. He was also a little jaundice and after the rough time we had with Ethan when he was born and all his juandice the Dr.s put him under lights early on and thankfully it never got too bad. Landon what can I say other than it really is hard to believe fives years have already gone by. It's hard for me to believe that you are now the same age as your sister was when we moved here. I can't believe you will be starting Kindergarten this fall, but I am excited for you and the adventure ahead of you. Landon made a lot of progress at Preschool this last year and we are so proud of him. Here are some things about that we love about our Landon:

-He is a total snugglebug -He loves firetrucks, buses, and garbage trucks -Loves Legos and got some for his Birthday. -Loves dogs -his favorite stuffed animal is "puppy"

-Is the first one asleep at night -Landon is small for his age -Can ride is bike at warp speed -Is competitive -Loves his brothers and sister

-Favorite thing to eat Chicken Nuggets -Likes to have books read to him -Is more adventuresome about trying new goods than his siblings -Loves to be outside -Had fun riding the bus to preschool

-Rubs his legs when he gets excited & nervous -Loves to go to the park -Has a fiesty streak to him -Has the loveliest Hazel eyes -Nickname is Landon Man

Landon you are a joy to our family. We are so glad you are a part of lives. You have so much personality packed into your small little body, you love life, you have a contagious smile & life and you find so much wonder and happiness in the things around you. Happy 5th Birthday Landon Man.

Owen's B-Day

Pictures from Owen's Birthday !!

Owen and Landon were in heaven playing with Owen's Birthday balloons (when they weren't fighting over them). Their favorite thing to do was to bend down holding the balloons and then let go and when the balloons would hit the ceiling they would both crack up. It was fun to see them being silly together.

I made Owen a sheep cake since his favorite stuffed animal is a sheep and they are always together. I made this same cake for Landon's first birthday and loved it. Really easy and cute, even though putting all those marshmellows and chocolate chips on does take some time.

Some of Owen's Birthday decorations. I found that cute banner at Target in their party area for $5.00 and couldn't pass it up.

Owen also got a little Red Rider tricycle that is not in the picture. He is still a little to small for it, but I figure by the time it's nice enough outside to ride it he'll grow into it. I decided to take some pictures of Owen with the cake in nice daylight since we wouldn't be eating is cake until the evening when it was dark and the indoor light is so bad (look below and you will see what I'm talking about). Owen kept wanting to touch the cake and kept trying to pull the marshmellows off.

Owen blowing out his candles. It took a lot of tries, but he actually ended up blowing one of them out. Madie helped him blow out the other one.

Owen is 2

I can't believe this little guy is already two. It makes me so sad, because it is going way to fast. I can't even begin to tell you the joy and happiness he has brought to our family. He has a very sweet and happy personality and is full of wonder and curiousity. He loves his siblings and he knows he has all of us wrapped around his little finger. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of fits and tantrums thrown in there, but overall he is a silly, happy, little guy. I feel so blessed to have him in our home and such a nice little bookend for our family. He is a busy little bee and is constantly on the move. Here are just a few things about our little guy.

-Loves sheep. His favorite stuffed animal is a sheep a.k.a. Baa. We actually have two one was given to Madie and one to Ethan years ago, but they are both his now, and he is usually caring around one or both.

-Loves to look at books. I often find him in his room going through the books on his shelf or in his book basket.

-He loves to draw and I have found him on numerous occasions with pens and pencils drawing on the table, homework assignments of his older siblings, and once even the coach with a red ink pen.

-He loves to play with cars. "Cars" cars are his favorite and him and Landon are often fighting over who gets to play with what car.

-Owen loves to sing and dance. He loves when music is on and two of his favorite songs to dance to are "Moves like Jaggeer" and "Tonight Tonight". (I know maybe not your typical kid music, but they do have a pretty good beat.

-If you haven't noticed Owen loves to put his hands in his pocket.

-If the dishwasher opens Owen starts running. He loves to help unload the dishwasher and even attempts to put away the dishes himself.

-Owen likes to do puzzles and play with blocks.

-He is starting to talk alot and put words together.

-Owen is obsessed with the temple. He says "bemple" for temple and if he sees a picture of the temple he goes nuts and everyday at naptime he wants me to sing "I love to see the Temple to him".

-He has figured out how to climb up on the bed in is room and he loves to jump on it.

-If the bathroom door is left open it isn't too long before Owen is climbing up on the toilet, turning on the sink, and making a huge water mess all over the counter. I try really hard to keep the door closed.

-Owen is a super picky eater the only thing that is a sure winner at any meal time is fruit. I often joke that he could be a fruitarian.

-Owen loves buses, fire trucks, and the garbage truck. If he hears the garbage truck coming he runs for the window and is always happy to see the bus picking up and dropping off Madie and Ethan.

-After many tears Owen is finally loving nursery. We attribute a lot of that to his favorite teacher Lexie.

-Owen is still in love with is pacifier a.k.a yeah yeah. We have started taking it away during the day and only giving it to him at night and at extreme meltdowns :)

-He loves to ride his peddle bike around the house.

-Landon and Owen love to race each other around the house.

-It looks like Owen is going to be a "lefty". He shows a lot of dominice and seems to prefer doing things with his left had. I guess only time will tell.

-Owen thinks he is a big boy now and insists on drinking out of a big cup. He also likes to try to get his own water out of the water dispenser, which results in a big mess for me to clean up.

-Owen loves technology and has been found more than once playing on the phone, messing around with my ipod, and using his big brothers leapster.

-Owen is a master of eye language and knows how to melt you with his sweet face.

-Even though it's cold out, Owen loves to be outside.

-Landon and Owen constantly fight and bug each other.

-Owen loves to get kisses and hugs, and he has the most kissable cheeks and neck.

-Owen is chubby enough for 24 months clothes, but I still have to roll up his pants a good inch or inch and a half because the poor boy is short.

-When Owen is mad he runs away and then lays face down on the floor. It's pretty funny.

We sure love our Owen. Happy 2nd Birthday Owie Boy.

Birthday Boy

My sweet Ethan is officially 7. Every year I say the same thing, that I can't believe that my kids are getting older, but it's true every year I really do feel that way. Ethan's Birthday always feels like it sneaks up on me, because school barely starts and there's his Birthday. We went out for the annual Birthday photo shoot and had a some fun one on one time.

Here are just a few things I love about Ethan:

-He loves to draw and I mean LOVES to draw. He usually chooses to do that if he has any free time.
-he loves to read and is very often found with his nose in a book or magazine.
-he is a great brother.
-he's playing soccer this fall.
-Ethan's swimming skills really improved this year and it's fun to seem him enjoying the water so much.
He is a wonderful builder. He loves TRIO blocks and is very creative with the things he makes.
-he loves to create books and his imagination comes out in full swing through them.
-Ethan is still as obsessed as ever with super hereos. I am starting to wonder if he will ever outgrow it.

Here are some pictures of my oh so handsome 7 year old.

My Little Lady

I just love this girl, so much. She turned 9 all the way back in April and I just took her out to get some pictures, I know that's pretty bad. She brings so much joy, happiness, and fun to our family. It's so amazing to watch her growing and maturing. She truly is turning into a "Little Lady".

Landon @ Four

This handsome little fellow turned four at the end of May, but don't let this cute little face fool you he isn't all sugar, he has plenty of spicy moments. He is defintely the middle child. He loves Lightening McQueen, lollipops, being outside, riding his bike, looking at books, snuggling, he knows all his ABC's and the sounds they make, he loves to wear hats and does almost everyday, he is always trying to keep up with is older brother and sister, is often bugged that his baby brother tries to play with his toys, but most of all he is loved. Happy Birthday Landon, it's hard to believe you are already four.

Her Wish

Madie has been bugging Jeff and I about getting hers ear pierced since her eighth Birthday, it took a year of convincing us, but she finally got her wish. One of her presents this year for her Birthday was to finally let her get her ears pierced. She did great while they did it and didn't even cry (which I was kind of expecting).

I think she looks pretty cute with them in. She choose to have the April birth stone for her studs.

Birthday Girl

Madie had her Birthday last week so on Friday we celebrated. She had a movie themed party. There was pizza, popcorn, drinks, cupcakes & ice cream, and licorce party favors. Madie choose Tangled as the movie the girls would watch. It was a fun party and it was nice to get to know some of her "school" friends better. It's hard to believe this sweet girl is already nine. Madie is a great girl and deeply loved by her family. She is a wonderful helper and big sister and is a good friend. Happy Birthday Madie !!!!

He's One

It's official my baby is One. We celebrated his Birthday over the weekend. Jeff's parents made the trip up to celebrate his special day and it was so fun to have them here. We didn't tell the kids that they were coming so they had a fun surprise Friday night when the doorbell rang and there was Grandma and Grandpa.

Owen was super funny about the cake. He took a little nibble of the frosting and then a small bite of the cake and then he didn't care for eating anymore of it. He was super content just playing in it and getting it all over in his hair. I thought he would go crazy for it, oh well he'll start wanting treats soon enough, and then there will be no turning back.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BOY !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

I just want to say Happy Birthday to the one I love. Happy Birthday Jeff !!!You are one amazing man. You are a great husband and father and the Bestest Friend a girl could ask for. I am so thankful to have you in my life.

Birthday Boy

Ethan came into this world three days over due weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz. He was born via c-section, blue and with the cord wrapped around his neck after a failed attempt at a v-back. He spent the first two weeks of his life under lights (one in the hospital, and one at home), because of a bad case of jaundice. Ethan was a very fussy baby and cried all the time. Ethan is a very picky eater and it always takes him forever to eat at meal times. He has always been a smart little cookie though. He knew his ABC's and recognized the indvidual letters before he was two, he has a photographic memory for words and was reading by four. Now at six he can read chapter books and knows how to spell a lot of words. He has a late birthday which means he missed the cut off last year for Kindergarten so he is one of the oldest kids in his class this year. Ethan never was a little boy that was obsessed with cars, but he is totally and completely obsessed with superheroes, Spiderman being his favorite. He is a sensitive and contemplative little boy. He has an inner comedian that comes out at the funniest times (just ask our home teachers and our dentist). Ethan has the most beautiful carmel colored eyes with long eye lashes, a smile that lights up a room, a kind heart, and he loves to give hugs and kisses. There were times I worried that I wouldn't make it through babyhood with Ethan because he was such a hard, fussy baby. I know that it was all worth it though, because Ethan is a special little spirit and he is turning into one amazing boy. He has taught me a lot through his tender little heart. There are times I feel unworthy to be his mother, and times I know I am not doing as good of a job as I need to with him. Ethan I know I am sometimes not as patient as I need to be, but I hope you know that you are so loved. I couldn't ask for a better son. I am so proud of you and the great person that you are. HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY, sweet boy. I LOVE YOU !!!!