It's time!

It's time to get a mini-van, people.  We have held out for several reasons, but it is definitely time.  We love our little Rav 4.  It is sporty and cute, which is how I like to describe myself (hehehe). Bygones.  We are in the process of selling said Rav 4 so that we can purchase a mini-van.  Moms I know all rave about their mini-vans and I'm sure I will begin drinking that Kool-aid in no time.  Jared is really dreading this, but he won't even drive it really.  He still drives my cute and spunky Civic and will until the day that it goes no more.  I think secretly he is jealous.  Not sure how long it'll take to sell our car, but as soon as we do I will be cruising around O-town in a cute and practical mini-van.  Watch out world, especially those in parking lots.  Little nervous about parking such a boat.

February is Fun

Valentine's Day cookies!  Our new friend, Rachel, came over and helped us decorate them.  They were delicious.

February is Fun!  It is even fun to say.  I can hardly believe that the month is nearly complete.  This month, we enjoyed Landon's birthday, Gigi's birthday, Valentine's Day, President's Day, and every other day of the month.  On President's Day we went to Downtown Disney as a family (Jared had the day off) and it was great.  I have no pictures because I forgot the camera.  We bought some Disney souvenirs since we failed to do so on our visit to the Magic Kingdom, rode the water taxi, and ate at the Rainforest Cafe.  It was so fun and we all had a great time.

Valentine's flowers from my love, Jared.  They were so pretty.  I only get flowers once a year folks and I love it. 

Helping Daddy wash the car.  We have three fabulous helpers.  They are always willing to help out and it is great.  They have spent all month helping me in the yard and it is starting to look like someone actually lives here. 

Grayson's first time washing the car proved to be a messy experience.  He wouldn't be Grayson otherwise.

Grayson had fun filling the stroller with toys.  He spent about an hour the other night filling it with cars, trains, and books.  He was very busy and was happy with his creation.

Some friends from Church let us watch their little boys, Landon and Theo, last night.  We had a blast.  We ate pizzas, built a tent, watched a movie, and ate cookies.  (I love how Grayson looks like he is "caught in the act.")

Ethan insists he is only cool, but I still think he's cute

This morning
Ethan: I love you soooooooooo much!
Jared (sleepily): What?
Ethan (whispering in his ear): Always and forever.


Playing Mario Brothers
Ethan (singing): I'm awesome, I'm awesome, I'm awesome, awesome, awesome.

Upon finding out our friend, Rachel, is coming for dinner
Ethan: Oh.  I'm going to give her a smile and a big hug.

See, he may be cool, but this is evidence that he is also still cute.  Even if he refuses to admit it.

To TV or not to TV

That is the question.  Ethan loves TV and let's admit that he comes by it honest.  I love TV.  Since I do not want him to become a couch potato, I limit the amount of TV he is allowed to watch each day.  Currently the rule is one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon.  Often we are out and about in the morning for different things, so he hardly gets the morning time.  If that is the case, I'll give him an extra hour in the afternoon so he can watch a movie versus a show.  There are days that are exceptions, sick days and work days--I simply can't control how much he watches when I'm not here. 
He always complains (a trait he has picked up that we are constantly working on) and he always tries to get more time.  I think I'm pretty generous with the time he is given, but maybe I'm stingy.  What are the TV rules at your house?

Landon's 1 year well-visit

Landon has started to attempt to walk.  He is doing so in a very Evil Knievel sort of way.  There has been very little standing on his own.  He had just started letting go after pulling up and he usually falls flat after one step.  I think he has made it to two or three before falling today.  We'll see how well this method works out for him.  For now it is funny, at least it will be until he falls and hurts himself.
We went in for his well-visit today and he is 24.5 lbs and 29.5 inches long.  He is not off the charts, but he is a big boy.  We love him.  Pretty soon he and Grayson are going to be the same size.  We went to the grocery store today and I was pushing one cart with Ethan and Grayson and a second cart with Landon.  This is my normal and it is a little crazy.  Biggest tip is to go shopping when it is NOT busy.  I love that at least half a dozen people ask if they are all mine everytime we go out.  I love saying yes.  I love my boys and wouldn't trade our organized chaos for anything.

One more thing before I forget...

Yesteday we walked up the street to the produce market.  We love going here.  They have so many fun fruits and veggies the supermarket doesn't seem to have.  It is quite the learning experience, colors, textures, names, places, etc.  On the way home, knowing he is going to eat some of the fruit he picked out, Ethan says, "I'm so excited.  I'm going to scream like a little girl." Which he proceeded to do.  It was hilarious.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  We had a pretty "sweet" day today.  Grandma popped over in the morning and brought the big boys some candy in a heart shaped box with Spiderman's face on it.  They thought that was super cool and super delicious.  We also made some heart shaped cookies for FHE with our new friend, Rachel.  Grayson was really flirting with her, but she is married and next time Brad will have to come and fight him off (he had to work so missed out on our fun). 
After Grandma's visit, we head to the library for storytime and to swap out our books and videos.  It was fun and hectic as always.  I even slammed Ethan's fingers in the car door and I felt the worst I have ever felt.  He is fine except for some bruises.  Poor little guy. 
My dear friend's, Gena's, parents were in town and they came by for lunch and visiting.  It was wonderful to catch up with them.  I spent so much time with them growing up, it felt great to see them again.  It's probably been four years at least since I saw them last. 
Overall, it was a wonderful day.  It got better when Jared came home early with flowers, card, and my favorite chocolates and chocolate covered popcorn from Farris and Fosters.  I get the same thing every year and I love that!  I look forward to it all year and I don't share if I can help it. 
I really caught a great fella.  He is amazing and "I love him more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow."  Those who really want to know how amazing he is, can check back in late March when I do a special post for his birthday : ) 
This post was all over the place, but the gist is my heart is full.  I have so many people in my life that have changed me for the good.  I am truly blessed.

Facebook Vs. Blog

For a number of reasons, including a goal to eliminate distractions from my life, I have closed my Facebook account.  If you want to keep up with us, please visit our blog regularly, email me, or call me. You can always leave a comment on the blog if you'd like.
Gotten a little bit of feedback and so far, many of you have been very supportive of my decision.  Thanks for that.  Seems so silly, but it was something I'd been going back and forth on for awhile.  I decided just to do it and I already have freed up at least an hour or two a day.  I just couldn't seem to monitor my time on my own, so this is working out so far.  Hopefully I can continue.

Landon's Party

Landon's party started on Thursday morning.  He enjoyed his first donut accompanied by the birthday song.  He is just waking up and a little confused, but as it turns out, he loves donuts.  They are his new favorite for sure.

 Ethan and Grayson were with my Mom and Dad over the weekend, so Mommy, Daddy, and Landon were able to really enjoy one another.  We had so much fun spending time with just Landon.  We never get to do that, so it was pretty special.  I also made time to make his cake.  It is a Puzzle Cake (Wilton makes them) and we decided to do a turtle.  Turned out pretty cute and it tasted delicious. It is a bunch of individual cupcakes of various shapes that is decorated to look like a cake.  To serve you simply pull them apart and everyone ends up with a fun cupcake to eat.

 Singing happy birthday.  Landon loves music and always claps along.

Look how cute and clean he is as he begins to eat his cake.

He managed to stay relatively clean compared to other children, but it was still pretty much everywhere.  He loved his cake. 

We thought he looked so cute with all that cake on his face and the way in which he was enjoying the cake.  Here is my attempt to capture his sillyness on camera.  He kept laughing and making silly face at us.  He is going to be a clown for sure.

 Opening presents.  Landon scored some fun loot.  Happy Birthday to our sweet little man.  Now that he is one, it seems he is growing up so fast.  He has said three words this weekend, with a possible fourth that may or may not be a fluke: Uh-oh, Dada, Hi, and Up.  He is going to grow so quickly now.  I cannot stand it!

Landon is 1!

You read that right.  Landon is 1! This mom just can't believe it.  He doesn't have a well visit until the 15th, so I don't have his official stats.  We did go in for an ear infection on Sunday and he weighed in at 24 lbs and 10 oz.  He is our little man for sure.  Landon loves to laugh and brings such joy to our family.  He especially loves laughing at his silly brothers.  He also enjoys crawling really fast, snuggling, tickle fights, and swinging outside.  Landon's favorite foods are spaghetti, bananas, and bread.  Landon is not quite walking on his first birthday, but loves to cruise around the furniture and has discovered he can let go and keep his balance.  He has tried to take a few steps, but is very wobbly and doesn't quite make it.  He has grown so much this year and I have the pictures to prove it.

On his "birth" day snuggling with Daddy.

One of his first smiles caught by the camera.  I promise he is smiling and not pitching a fit.

Getting his first haircut and gnawing on James who is "vain, but lots of fun."

Sitting like a big boy in the bathtub.  Bathtime around her is Ca-Razy, but very fun.

My little punkin.

10 month photo.  Taking 1 year photos on Friday.  Will post when we get them back.