Haunted Zee House

As most of our friends and family know, Scot and I absolutely love the this time of year and are on the brink of obsession with Halloween!! We took this weekend to get the house decorated, inside and out, taking special pride in the fact that this is Landon's 1st Halloween. We wanted everything to be perfect...spooky, but not too scary! Here's a snapshot look of our hard work.

Every year we set up "Halloween Town". If you have ever visited our home to catch a glimpse of our town, you would see how much detail it has.....lights, noises, movements, multiple elevations! Landon loved staring at it....his Halloween obsession is beginning!

It may seem a little creepy, but we have 5 foot coffin propped near our front door. On Halloween night we add a strobe light and fogger, for the extra effect. Surprisingly, Landon was quite curious of it.

Landon meets Scully the Skeleton, our Halloween doorman. He is quite friendly, but is quick with his sarcastic comments!

You can never have too many skulls!

Don't forget the front yard......our cemetery complete with ravens and bones!

The count down begins for the goons, ghouls, and ghosts to trick-or-treat!

The City of Lights, Family Style!!

We headed off to Las Vegas for a couple of days. Scot and I taught Landon two important life lessons while in the City of Lights: 1. What NOT to do when you grow up and 2. The fine art and luxury of room service. Our perspective changed, in an adult city, we found the fun family sites to visit. We took Landon to see the beautiful fountains (he was not to fond of the one at Paris), water show, dolphins, white tigers, lions, and of course every kid needs to visit FAO Schwartz. Landon had his 1st taste of ice cream, courtesy of his Tata.

In the arms of grandparents, is where time stands still.....

Happy Grandparents Day to the most wonderful grandparents Landon could ever have!! You are giving him so much love, guidance, and offerings and have shown him things in life that Mom and Dad cannot as parents. We love you so very much!! Thank you for all you do!

Who's the Boss?

Each day Landon's independence grows and with that has come his ability to control his environment and everyone in it. He is beginning to understand that he can use his voice to vocalize exactly what he wants. In the grocery store this afternoon I may have experienced his 1st tantrum, luckily it was short lived and easy to resolve. Landon has a true dislike for anything that confines him, stroller, high chair, and more recently, the shopping cart. While shopping today I noticed Landon getting squirmy and was fidgeting with the safety belt. Suddenly, he lets out a blood chilling scream, with his fists in the air, and his face scrunched up......incredibly cute, but shocking (I wish I could have recorded it and shown it to him when he is older). I picked him up and he gave me his adorable smile.....very satisfied that Mom has reacted appropriately.

Landon has also learned to be the pack leader with the dogs, especially Kenzee. Landon was enjoying his snack and was generous enough to share with Kenzee. When she kept begging for more Cheerios, he pushed her away and points for her to go!! HA! HA! HA!

Again, Landon bossing Kenzee. They were playing with his socks, when she stole the sock from him he was quick to snatch it back!

As Scot and I say.....This is Landon's world and we're just living in it!!

Just another Saturday...

Family excursion this morning...the park. As most parents know, heading out of the house, for even the shortest trip can be an adventure. After Landon's breakfast, nap, Mom and Dad downing a pot of coffee, came the ever struggle with sunscreen and shoe application (never a favorite of Landon's). Off we went to the park. Our son, Mr. Personality, charmed everyone, including Mom and Dad. He sat back in his new car toy (thanks for the inside tip Turnbow's) taking in the sites and enjoying the waterfalls. He waved at the people as the train passed back and forth. A trip to the park is never complete without a taste test of the grass, leaves, and bark. YUCK! You would think that with the 5 course homemade, gourmet meals we prepare, his palate would not be interested in dirt and plants.

Teaching Mom to be cool!

Everyday Landon amazes Scot and I with his new discoveries and ever expanding personality! Landon is incredibly laid back...takes in the sites and carefully decides which items are worth his time. Yesterday during our music time, I decided to spice it up with Salsa music. Landon sits on the floor staring at me in disbelief as I dance. He gives me no smile, grin, or laugh, then our smart boy shakes his head "no" (his new found form of communication) at me. At 8 months, he is already finding his Mom an embarrassment!

Landon's newest addition to his Toy Land! His room is beginning to look like a carnival.

Oh Boy!

Landon is currently introducing Mom into an entirely different level of "boyhood". I understand the boy toys and messiness, hey, I grew up with classic brothers. But what's with the bumps and bruises already? Since the scooting started, he has lost his patience. When he sees something, he wants it now and will proceed through any obstacle (gates, dogs, shoes, and now doors). Here's the quick play-by-play: Typical Wednesday morning, Landon and I are playing on the floor in his room. What catches his eye?..... the tile (oh, to be a kid again and find amusement anywhere)! So, off he goes as fast as his scoot will take him. He attempts to move the door out of his way and SMACK right to his little head. As you can now picture, I run over in a panic (mentally processing what to do for a head trauma) and pick him up to survey the damage (of my poor mothering skills.....the guilt sets in as the red mark grows), I expect tears, crying, maybe a wail. He just looks at me, like I'm crazy for interrupting his mission, and smiles. Well, needless to say his injury was not nearly as bad as I assumed it would and his little mark was gone within an hour. Landon is clearly much braver than his Mom. I need to start preparing myself as he gets older......football, driving AHHHH! Keep the Aspirin ready 'cause the chest pain may set in! Thank goodness for Scot, he's the calm , levelheaded one!!

Check out his right eyebrow!!! Brave Landon!

Busy Days!

Feeling way behind on updating our blog!!

We spent last week with our family from New Mexico. We filled our days relaxing, swimming, becoming experts on the Olympic games, and of course, playing and playing with Landon. Landon's Uncle Anth, Aunt Kori, Uncle Jeremy, and Aunt Jenna were able to come by for family fun and good food. Landon was completely smitten with his Nannie, Aunt Holly, and cousin Jackie. He was lovin' the attention and decided to take up waving that week, so he was always waving "hi" and "bye" to them.

Hope to have all of you back in town for Thanksgiving!! Love you!

Children's Art Museum

We took Landon to the Children's Art Museum today. It was so much fun and it was a complete hands on experience, which is great for our busy little boy!! Landon created his 1st painting. He was so excited to get messy and have paint all over his hands.

His little mind was on exploration overload, seeing all the new colors, touching interesting textures, playing with new toys, and trying to understand art. He was so intrigued by everything around. Scot and I loved to watch his expressions change constantly.

His new found skill of crawling helped his exploration process and he loved having the opportunity to move around and see everything from his perspective....the floor. Landon's favorite exhibit was the pretend grocery store. He kept trying to eat the plastic foods and was so excited to pick up all the boxes. We definitely plan on making more family trips to this museum!