Photo Discovery

Finally having some time to play with the Christmas gift Scot gave me.

I'm still a novice with the program and the DVD tutorial was 10 hours long, so I took on the Adobe Photoshop head on. The capabilities are endless. Here is just a few of my test runs......

Already?

Here it is our potential preschool!!!! Scot, Landon, and I went for an interview with the owner today.....so bittersweet. The school seems to have all we are looking for....it amazingly balanced calmness and structure. How do they do that with toddlers? Landon felt right at home, they allowed him to blend into the class, which he did with ease. The teacher, with her Scottish accent greeted us immediately, but was quick to tend to her students ( we loved that she didn't neglect them and their time with her). The interview was conducted in the middle of the classroom, the children unbothered by our presence, and us feeling quite comfortable with the curriculum.

Will this be the golden ticket into Landon's educational jumpstart? Stay tuned.

So Much Love In So Little Time!

Landon's sweet blankie, only became his magical best friend about a year ago. Blankie contributes the enchanting sprinkle of calm and tranquility throughout his days and nights. This small square of blue fabric provides him his comfort zone into a blissed out state of mind.....only Blankie can only give that with any instant cuddle. Being a toddler, no doubt is fun and exciting, but I'm sure it is also turbulent with so many unexpected and unknown twists and turns that Landon can't predict, I'm glad his sweet Blankie can be there with him.

Before


After

I had a pink Blankie with a satin trim and used to suck on the edges. Scot's lovey was a blue blanket he trailed behind him, just as Linus on Charlie Brown. What ever happened to them?

Bisto Blog

To all my fellow blogging friends, I invite you to share a recipe that your family food critics give 2 thumbs up to. I have learned to appreciate the culinary arts (sure I'm still a novice, but that's not important) and am always looking for new ways to grow and try new fun family recipes. With a cupboard overflowing with recipes and cookbooks, I still struggle with what to make for dinner....before having a child I could dive into several courses to prepare for my loving husband, but with a 2 year old in the kitchen with me now, I still try to keep the dishes interesting, but a little simpler, and tantalizing to my toddler's palate.

Here's my contribution of a new recipe. Last night's dinner was a success around my family table. If you would like to join in, feel free to post a recipe on your blog or in my comments section!

Salmon with Brown Butter, Almonds, and Green Beans


4 Tbl unsalted butter
1 1/4 lbs skinless salmon fillet
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 lb fresh green beans
1/4 cup sliced almonds
2 Tbl capers

Heat 1 Tbl butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Cook until opaque throughout, 3-5 minutes per side; transfer to plates.
Meanwhile, fill a 2nd skillet with 1/2 of water, bring to a boil, and 1/4 tsp salt. Add the green beans, cover, and steam until just tender, 4-5 minutes; drain and transfer to plates.

Wipe out the green been skillet and heat the remaining 3 Tbl of butter over medium heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring frequently, until the almonds and butter are golder brown (not burned), 2-3 minutes. Stir in the capers. Spoon over fish and green beans.

When I Grow Up...

Harmonica player...

Artist...

The next Tony Hawk...


Pianist...


Basketball player...

Photographer...

Doctor...

Just don't grow up too quickly, buddy!

Our lil' beast!

Beast class at The Little Gym started this week. This is Landon's 2nd semester as a Beasts. He has been at this studio with the same group of boys and teacher for 1 year now (we initially started him at 4 months old). The boys in the class Brody, Cash, and Landon are definitely the 3 musketeers. Over the course of 1 year they have learned to socialize with each other, follow each others lead, entertain each other, and just down right be boys!!! Sure other kids have come and gone with our classes, but Lan, Brody, and Cash have always stayed at each others side! Landon has grown so much and you can just see new milestones be reached, challenged, and tried during these classes. He loves being there....we we're only off for a few weeks, and he and all the boys were thrilled to be back on their stomping ground. Each of us moms took turns noticing how big our boys were getting, all the while getting misty eyed as they wanted to attempt new and old skills independently. So bittersweet to watch them grow! The teacher Miss Rachel has been with the boys a year now....so ohhhs and ahhs right along with us, remembering when they weren't walking or nearly so demanding as to how class will be run for the day. Yes, some classes the boys just demand bubbles or balls or just want open play time.....Miss Rachel, so eager to please the boys usually will adjust our class lessons or go over our time limit. Scot, Landon, and I absolutely love The Little Gym and adore the families we have become so great friends with!

Listening to Miss Rachel

Landon's favorite part to swinging on the bars.....falling on the big mat!

If one does the obstacle course, you're sure to find the other two!

Cracking each other up!!!

Imagination Movers

Landon just can't get any more adorable!! Lando rockin' out to the Imagination Movers.....a favorite in our house. He runs, dances, sings, and jams on his guitar to their catchy tunes. Musician, perhaps?!

Out with the old, in with the new.....

Look out 2010, here we come!!! On New Year's Eve I usually feel a little nostalgic and melancholy. Another year so quickly passed, a reminder that time is going by in the blink of an eye. A year of beautiful memories and challenging stepping stones leading us into the open and empty pages of a new year, waiting to be filled with a myriad of new memories, moments, and testaments.....

Toasting the night away!!


Good cocktails with great company, our friends, the Pelokes!!

We rang in the New Year at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Keeping entertained with adult company, great drinks, amazing food, a gorgeous villa....even better, Scot and I just enjoying each other's company!! We had a brilliant night to lead into a brilliant new year!

A beautiful 1st morning in 2010!

Cheers to 2010!!

Merry Christmas!

A Merry Christmas it was at the Z house!! Our newest tradition, that Scot and I decided is a yearly must now, is to actually take this wonderful holiday and ......RELAX! The hustle and bustle of daily life, added with holiday preparations took its toll. Our Christmas day was a day to soak in family time and not rush, and we made these simple pleasures all possible. The three of us slept in until 8:30, groggily awoke from our Christmas slumber, prepared coffee, cooked monkey bread that Kori prepared for us (yep, we didn't even have to cook), and lazily opened our gifts listening to Christmas music. We refused to get out of our pj's and took a walk while wearing them. Sure, we eventually got ourselves dressed and joined the living for a family Christmas dinner, only to return home again that evening and rejoin our pj's. Ohhhhh, what a wonderful day!

Warmest holiday wishes from our home to yours!

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!!