We Built a Great Birthday Party!

Landon's construction themed birthday celebration started this morning. The jumpee was delivered early so Landon could take advantage enjoying the fun. Our closest friends and family were here to celebrate our boy's special day! Kids enjoyed coloring the 4 foot house we had on the patio and jumped their hearts out, while everyone feasted on Mexican food and a construction dig cupcake cake!

Such a big boy!!! He can jump all day!

Just a glimpse of our construction decorations...courtesy of the wonderful Papa!

The little artists! The house is covered with creative drawings. It was a huge hit!

The day was wonderful.....Landon, Scot, and I have so many wonderful people around us. We are so fortunate to have them in our lives with all their love and friendship. Thank you to everyone for your generosity, the day was perfect!

Look who's 2!!

Where has the time gone? Our precious baby boy is growing at warp speed. I find myself getting choked up and tearing at the littlest things he does that seems he in gaining more independence!

Landon is 2 and this time of year I am flooded with emotions and memories of the insane wait for his arrival. I remember everything like is was yesterday and sure, I don't think of these memories on a day to day basis, but I definitely can feel them.

I'll share with you some precious, first moments with our son.......December 14th at 8:41 am, our angel was born. There is this small moment in his first minutes of life when he is crying as the nurse is looking him over, I reach down to touch his tiny hand, he grabs my finger, and I swear he is looking right into my eyes. I am so consumed with love for him, I know in that one moment I would give my life for his safety and happiness! I can still see Scot sitting with baby Landon in his big arms, just staring at him with this look I have never seen on Scot's face. It was the look of a daddy! Holding Landon on my chest and whispering Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star into his ear, I looked over at Scot and said "you have to do this", it was the most surreal feeling being heart to heart with my son!

We will do anything at a moment's notice for our boy.....our miracle baby! He is the closet thing to heaven, our angel from above!

Happy Birthday to our Sweet Angel Baby!!

Next Stop, North Pole!

So wonderful to have a glimpse into a white Christmas. We returned home today from Flagstaff and from our own winter wonderful, full of snow, crackling fireplaces, warm cider, and amazing family and friends. Friday morning the Z's, Duley's, and Cicalse's headed north to brave the recent snow storms and take our boys to Polar Express. We stayed at our friend's Erin and C.R.'s cabin, relaxing, eating, playing in the snow, and watching the beautiful, delicate flakes blanket the ground. Landon immediately took to his winter wonderland, giggling as he touched the cold snow and sunk inches into the powder. Taking him in from the snow, left him kicking and screaming for more. Friday night we layered the kids (and parents) into pj's, snow hats, boots, and thick jackets to ride on Polar Express. I fell in love with this family holiday tradition instantly. It felt like so many Christmas memories, wrapped and tied with a bow, to feel the festive air. We sipped cider, cocoa, and visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Then waited ever so patiently for the magical train lights in the distance to appear and blow the whistle...."All Aboard!". You could see on the faces of each family the delight and how they all had their own family tradition to enjoy the evening ride. But this night was our night to make new family traditions. We nibbled our cookies, enjoyed the company of our friends, sang carols, Landon, Brody, and Cash walked down the train aisle, and took turns sitting with each other. Alas, Santa arrived with a "Ho Ho Ho", a magical jingle bell delivered to all the children....moments later our sweet Landon was sound asleep on my chest clutching his jingle bell, hopefully with visions of the North Pole.

Branden with Brody, Scot with Landon, and C.R. with Cash




Polar Express has arrived!




Story time!

We were sad to leave today, but our sweet snow angel, Landon, got sick...hopefully just a cold! But next year, we will be back for more!!

Baby Chloe

My sweet new niece...weighing in at 9lbs 12oz and has a head of red hair. So adorable!!

My sister-in-law, Melissa was a champ!!

Congrats to the new parents! I can't wait to meet her!

Happy 50th Mom!!!

My mom turned the big 5-0 this past weekend! Sure, she would say "we don't need to do anything", we all begged to differ. Hey, you only turn 50 once Mom!

My brother, Anthony and I created a letter scrapbook for her. Having our family who live near and far write to her with their birthday wishes and fun memories about her. It became quite a tear jerker and I know she will cherish each page. My grandmother, aunt, and cousin drove in from New Mexico to surprise her. I kept them hidden in my house until later in the evening for the big jump out of the closet and yell "surprise!". We were concerned she may have a heart attack, you know, being 50 and all. Luckily, she survived the big surprise!!


Aunt Holly, my sister Jenna, and the birthday girl...mom!

We took her to a Behind the Scenes Tour of the Phoenix Zoo. Tickets that Anthony and this girlfriend, Kori, got at a silent auction. With 2 private zoo keeper guides, we rode all over the zoo, through the employee areas, seeing things you don't get to experience in a general admission. Going to the zoo will never be the same again....experiencing the elephant barn, feeding them Crystal Light and cookies right into their trunks, walking in exhibits and feeding ancient, giant tortoises. Such a wonderful tour!!







Feeding the tortoises


Aunt Holly, Mom, and Cousin Lauren




Elephant cookies

Anth and I pampered my mom (and our guests) with a homemade brunch, complete with an omelet station and belini bar. Mom was assigned to relax, drink champagne, and don't lift a finger!



Slaving in the kitchen

Just a snapshot of our amazing weekend with family! We laughed so hard, we cried, we ate and ate and ate, played games late into the night, and complained about smelling like elephant!

Happy Birthday Mama! I love you so very much!!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!!!

Yeah...Christmas time! This is a season I just LOVE...Christmas trees, lights, holiday music, and the month our Christmas angel, Landon was born. Could it get any better?! Nope. We have a list of our family traditions that are a must this time of year and we are thrilled to get them started.

I was just dying to get the decorations out and the trees decorated. So that we did this weekend. Lando initially thought the disassembled, fake Christmas trees were cactus...he kept frowning and saying "ouch". Once the lights, ribbons, and ornaments were on he just loves to stare at them saying "wow". Good hubby had the light up by Monday. Let me specify, we have become spoiled now and he hires someone to put the light up on the house (such a wonderful treat for both of us being so crazy busy all the time).

This weekend Landon went to his 1st gingerbread house making party, which helped sealed in the festive air. The moms attempted to assemble the houses while Landon and Brody decorated and ate as much candy as their cheeks could hold. His creative house is now on display for all the enjoy!

It's Never Too Early To Give Thanks!

Thanksgiving came a little early this year in the Z house. Since I had to work this year on Thanksgiving, and Scot and I enjoy hosting the holiday at our home, we all decided to celebrate over the weekend. The day seemed much more relaxing that our usual hustle and bustle to prepare the food. My mom and I started early afternoon on our Thanksgiving culinary feast and not a feeling of stress in the air. Family started arriving late afternoon, Corn Toss was initiated in the backyard, and all the family chatter filled the home. Love it when we can all get together!! Sure, this was a much smaller event than some of our previous years and didn't fall on the usual Thursday, but the day felt just as festive!!!

I initially started writing on this post my "Top 10 Things to be Thankful for", which then seemed ridiculous to categorize my life. Here's what I am so grateful for....my life. I have been blessed with everything I always and never knew I wanted. Life is wonderful, magnificent, and beautiful. Each morning I wake up and every night I go to sleep, I am without regret, remorse, and I am filled with contentment. I am thankful for each and every moment!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Toddler Trick or Treatin'

Halloween was such a great time!! We invited over Landon's friends and their parents for a little trick-or-treat fun.....candy, lots of food, and bubbling witches brew for the adults. Chef Landon led the pack door to door, eagerly awaiting the giant candy bowl that he would dive into for his tasty treat. He and his friends, Brody and Cash, had no problem getting into the trick or treat game....the 3 friendliest boys on the block and had all the neighbors admiring how adorable they are!! Yep, 3 little charmers. After my neighbors were tapped out of candy from these boys, it was on to the Z house for running, playing, and eating, until the kids wore the parents out.


Chef Landon and Pirate Brody, devising a trick or treating route to maximize the candy in optimal time!!


And we're off....Chef Landon, Pirate Brody, and Monkey Cash (he boycotted his costume this year).




You don't mind he takes the whole bowl, do you?!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!!

Not his Halloween costume!!

A picture is worth a thousand words. As I was getting dressed this morning, so was Landon...dressing up like me, that is. Yes, that would be not one, but two of my thongs he put on.

The big dilemma is, do I let him wear those out to run our errands? (I probably would, if they weren't my thongs.) Heeeheeee!

Follow the toddler!

Never a dull, boring moment with Landon near. Our boy is so happy-go-lucky, full of belly laughs, screaming giggles, and ear to ear smiles!! Ohhhh, we just can't get enough of him. From morning to night Landon is full of energy and life....you just can't have a bad day when he is around with his contagious toddler fun.

All his energy has been translated into a cardio workout for us, daily. That's right, we rarely, ever, sit down......he keeps going and going and going and we LOVE every second of it!

Scorpion King

Ugghhh...scorpion season can end at any time. Thank goodness for pest control. This massive creature was near death, twitching it's revolting body, but Scot finished it off with his car and now I'm off to set it on fire....just to send the message to it's fellow creepy crawlers: "NOT WELCOME!"

That's our boy!!

Sushi night for the Z's....As most who know us, know we love food and we are making every effort to expose Landon to a variety of cuisines. Just as Scot and I can't get enough of sushi, neither can Lando. We headed out to Ra at Kierland, Friday night. Loud, hip-hop music blaring, people roaming everywhere....just the place Landon wanted to be. Thinking this was mingling hour, he walked up and down Kierland, talking to strangers, petting the dogs, intrupting happy-hour conversations, and getting his groove on to the music. Quite the social butterfly! Dinners consist of his usual, shrimp tempura, edamame, and California rolls. Feeling brave and no longer a novice in his sushi dining, his palate became tempted by mom and dad's rolls. He was quick to grab a Crunchy Calamari Roll, dip it in the eel sauce, and yumm, ate it right up! He quickly claimed the calamari rolls as his own and placed them on his plate. Such a proud moment for his sushi loving mom and dad!

Back on the blogging saddle....

Here I go....to give you the Cliffs Notes version of our activities. Hours and hours have gone into planning the baby shower of the century, with my mom. My oldest bro, Vince and his leading lady, Melissa, are thrilled for their upcoming arrival of baby Chloe this November. My mom and I had been planning and scheming for weeks to make this shower special for them. They arrived from Connecticut and it was as if they had never left.....well, until the day I had to say "good-bye", then the tears started. Landon's cousin and our first niece, and I feel like, we will miss out on so much, until we see them again. I had to pack in all my unsolicited labor and delivery and baby advice, as I will miss out on all the crucial nosey sister moments. Needless, to say, I miss them and am so thrilled to meet Chloe....I just know I'll be her favorite aunt!

Outside activities are under way with the arrival of great weather. There is no way a week will go by, without some park time. Our boy can't get enough of it. He is being a little too daring, wanting to play with the big kids on the 4 story jungle gym elevation. Yikes, mom and dad still a little nervous to let him tackle all the big kid adventures.... jumping off of the 4 story jungle gym or the massive rock climbing wall. We'll work our way up to that!

So what's Landon into these days, you ask? Barney, Barney, and more Barney. We can probably recite every song the giant, purple dinosaur sings, and name each character with our eyes closed. He loves the show, so naturally, as good parents do, we limited the amount of Barney Lando can watch. Sure we may get a brief tantrum or two, but sitting in front of the TV all day watching imaginary dinosaurs, when you are under two....needs limitations. OK, so it's not Barney all day, Landon is all boy and we can't get enough of him. Cars, trucks, trains, dirt, you name it, he's into it. Still heading to gym class every week, and I notice each week he it getting so much older. He follows along to his teacher's instructions, grasping everthing she says, and his memory is unbelievable.

This is the great month of Halloween and the Zee fam is in decorating mode this week. October starts our favorite time of year and we can't wait to see Landon's reaction to all the decorations and, of course, getting into trick or treating. His friends from Little Gym are coming over this year, along with his Uncle Anth and Aunt Kori....we plan on making a big deal out of trick or treating now that Landon is getting older.

Here's a few randoms from September, as we dive right into October.....

Hangin' at Fairmont's LV Bistro, one of Uncle Anth's restaurants.

Bowl head!

Grandma introduced whipped cream, and now he can't get enough!

Mom in a box...

A vicious game of hide and seek this evening turned into Mom in lock down. HeeHeeHee!! These are the most fun of times...just being totally goofy with your family.

P.S. Yes, the Zee's still exist. We have been a little behind on blogging, but I do vow to post, this week, what we have been up (gotta wait for a day off).

Bath Time with Landon Van Gogh

Zee Bathroom Gallery now showing impressionist painter, Landon, creating his newest watercolor masterpiece. He creates the world's most revered and expensive works of art. His fantastic creations are appreciated by his parents and his reputation is growing amongst the artist community and is an important contributor to toddler art. Amazing work!!