Christmas 2011

 

The most wonderful time of the year came and went in the usual warp speed and already I can’t for next year.  Christmas was perfect!  Dinner with family at our house, followed by a relaxing morning of opening gifts, and dinner with more family.  The days were celebrated with the best family moments.  No doubt the big gift of the year came to Landon….his own 2 seater fire engine with a working hose, lights, siren, and shovel. We love you Fireman Landon!!

Merry Christmas!!

Gingerbread House Party

Last day of school prior to winter break, I joined Landon and his class in the annual Gingerbread house making party.  The abundance of decorative treats were being popped faster into their mouths than onto the houses…gotta love this time of year!  Landon’s edible masterpiece may not last too long in our house, he’s way to excited to eat it!!

Yee Ha, it’s party day!

Preparations were under way days and days before to have Landon’s corral ready to party!!  With dark clouds looming in the distance, we were so fortunate the weather held out on us long enough to celebrate Landon’s 4th.  The cowboy theme was a huge hit with the kids, spraying their water guns as they ran chasing one another!  Thank goodness for my mom and Jimmy coming over and offering their assistance…couldn’t have done it all without you!

The cowboy menu and don't’ forget the hot cocoa station we prepared, as well!

S’more Trail Mix Goodie Bags

  Cowboy Hat Cupcakes

Target Practice with water guns

Ole’ Lan Town

  Panning for Gold

 Photo-op of Bella

Ga-a, Papa, and Nana

Landon’s buddy, Liam

Happy Birthday, Landon!! We love you so very much and can’t wait to see what this year has in store for you!

Day of the Arts

Landon’s preschool prepared, practiced, and rehearsed for the holiday program that was presented to the school and families.  He got a little nervous the morning of, not certain if he wanted to go to on stage.  Arriving to his classroom with his buddies and feeling the day’s excitement, he was ready to perform. 

 

Pre-performance….such a gorgeous little man!!

Singing their little hearts out to “We wish you a Merry Christmas”, “Five Snowmen Fat”, and “Buenos Noches”.  As they took their bow, I couldn’t have been more proud of Landon and his amazing performance!

Landon turns 4!!

Landon.  You are the love and richness of our life, the gold lining around my soul, the light in my eyes.  Landon, you amaze  us daily with the vast amount of knowledge you process.  You have been asking when you will be a grown up and dissatisfied with not being one yet, you call yourself a “little grown up”.  You have a zest for humor and love to play pranks and tell jokes, especially knock-knock jokes.  You love to sing and dance.  You have discovered that you love playing charades and delivering an impromptu monologue with the right audience.   We are so curious to see if you will grow up to be a fireman, as you take your fire fighting very serious.  You set up all your gear in the family room, ready for your immediate use.  You have a healthy sense of fear of fire and are quick to educate me on fire safety.  You have never met a fireman or seen a fire truck you weren’t drawn to.  Loved to be cuddled, kept cozy, and snuggle, yet insist we kiss you too much…..you are just so kissable!  You have taught me so much about life and the discoverable brilliance of each amazing day.  You get into character at the drop of the hat, deciding you are a fireman, dentist, police man, pest control, etc and then quickly jump back to being “just Landon now”, that’s our favorite.  Landon, you have a heart of gold and are so anxious to help people, insisting that kids at the store without a parent are lost and you need to help them. You want to work with mom and dad so you can help, as well. Landon, you are amazing and will grow up to be someone even more amazing.  You are inquisitive, perceptive, and incredibly insightful.  Your thoughts are so pure and untainted, I swear you out smart me daily with your abilities to comprehend situations, compromise, and find solutions.  You have such an advantaged palate and zest for flavorful foods.  You love watching our small pepper garden grow, exclaiming, “their growing up, Mom!” with such thrill.  You love the beach, the ocean, the waves, the sand in your toes.  You love your animals and get sad and worry about them when you leave them.  You love your family, love when we get together, and love the small family parties at our house.  You love playing with your buddies and told us you and your friend, Isaac,  have decided you are best friends.  You can meet someone new and instantly tell me they are your best friend, you love to love.  Landon Ryan.  My words can fill an infinite amount of pages that will never fully show you, your heart, your thoughts, and, your spirit.  We love you so very much!  Happy 4th Birthday, Angel Baby!

Birthday Dinner…..”Landon, what do you want for your birthday dinner tonight?”.  Landon’s response, “ Squid salad”.  Ra Sushi hear we come.  Landon wanted his Ga-a at dinner with him, so the four of us dined on squid salad, sushi, and fried bananas for dessert!!

              

Such a sushi pro!!

Happy birthday!!

Photo-op

Too cute not to post…..I find it so difficultt to get a great photo shot of not only of just Landon looking and smiling at the camera but three times as difficult to get that out of a pic with all of us.  Heading out to my dad’s Christmas, I thought I would give it a try and capture one!! The party’s Santa was played by my brother Jake, he was absolutely unrecognizable to us when we came in.  Landon is soooooo not a fan of visiting Santa, this year or prior years (we tried this year and he immediately made us walk right out).  Uncle Jake dressed as Santa totally freaked him out, even without the beard.  Never the less, family photo #2 of the night!!

Chef Jackie

My cousin, Jackie, came from Albuquerque to Scottsdale to attend Arizona Culinary Institute last year.  Today we celebrated her amazing achievements at the ACI graduation.  Following the ceremony was the most delicious reception held at ACI….scrumptious foods, champagne, and we topped it off with great family moments!!  Congratulations Girlface (our nickname for each other since she was a little girl), we love you and are so proud of you!   

 

Uncle John, Aunt Holly and Landon waiting for the ceremony to begin.  I prepared Landon his own little culinary feast snack bag to hold him over till the reception.  His mouth is stuffed full of tiny marshmallows. 

  Congratulations graduate!!

Aunt Holly, Jackie, and Uncle John

The amazing foods were served in the massive, restaurant kitchens of the school.  The setting was amazing!!

Sipping sparkling cider

So many food details around every corner….it was like our own version of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory!!

 

Landon touring the school and kitchen with his Ga-a and Uncle John getting those amazing belly laughs out of Landon!!

Mom!!

Happy Birthday to my mom, the greatest woman in my life!  I wouldn’t be who I am without you!  I love you!

My sis Jenna, mom, and me! 

Winter Wonderland

Every holiday that comes I swear that one is my favorite, at least for the moment, until the next one arrives. The Christmas season has officially arrived now that the trees are up and the house is aglow with lights!!  Love, love, love this time of year, from the sweets to the Christmas movies to the gift wrapping and the holiday music, I love it all, especially the way that my sweet Landon’s face lights up when we talk about and see  all things Christmas!