Happy Birthday Landon Jack!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANDON JACK!

One year ago today!  

Dear Landon,
I cannot believe that you've been here for an entire year.  Where has the time gone?  It feels like time has flashed before our eyes, but at the same time I can't remember what life was like before you.  You are our world, and we wouldn't change that for anything.

Just the other day your dad looked at me and said "The saddest part of this age, is he won't remember any of this.  All the fun we have."  He's right, you won't have any recollection of these times, but we will and I hope that one day you'll look back at this blog and smile knowing how much fun we've had with you this first year.

It seems like just yesterday your dad and I were walking your puppy brother- I can even smell the damp, warm summer air; wondering what you'd look like, what kind of person you'd be, and curious about the magnitude of love we'd feel for this tiny individual.  You have far surpassed all of our expectations Landon Jack.

Here you are now, our blonde hair, blue eyed child.  Not at ALL what we expected.  We had hoped that you'd get my green eyes, but you thought you'd out do us and go for the gold with the most beautiful, huge, blue eyes I've ever seen.  Certainly, we thought, you'd come out with a head full of dark brown hair and as time passes it instead gets lighter.  I sometimes still giggle when I watch your dad hold you, because the two of you couldn't contrast in your features any more than you do.

I'm not even sure where to begin with your personality, as it fills the entire room.  You are about the most curious child I have ever seen.  You want to know how everything works and you work so hard to understand something, and out of no where (although I have to assume you've been working it out in your head for a lot longer,) you've figured out the puzzle and you're on to the next one.

You absolutely adore your puppy brother.  One sight of him, and your face lights up like a Christmas tree.  You love chasing him around the house, stealing his toys, (eating his toys) and taunting him with your food, which he so desperately wants.  I assure you one day, he'll love you just as much as you do him.

If you're not chasing your brother - you're on the go, and I mean GO.  Whether you're driving your wooden car around the house, or you're tearing every book out of your bookshelf you have to be doing something or going somewhere it's what makes you the happiest.

You're laugh is absolutely contagious, and it can stop a stranger in their tracks to stop and smile.  Sometimes we aren't sure what or who you're laughing at, we're just happy to stop in the moment and laugh with you.

For the past 365 days, we've looked forward to seeing your face in the morning.  We've enjoyed seeing your smile, hearing your laugh and anticipating what sort of adventure you've got in store for us.  We look forward to the years and years of adventures we have with you.

Landon, you are by far the best thing your father and I have done, and we thank our lucky stars that you picked us to be your parents.  I could have never imagined we'd have collected as wonderful memories in a single year, as we have with you.

Happy birthday sweet boy,
I love you more than words can express,
Mom

The Beginning of our Crazy Summer

This summer is going to be a crazy one, we have so many huge events coming up in not only our lives (ohhhh, you know, just a 5 year anniversary TOMORROW!, a first birthday, and a 30th birthday!!!)  but we have some pretty spectacular weddings as well.  We are going to be some busy bees the next few months!!

So, naturally we thought we'd kick the summer off by going to Hilton Head.  Kevin's Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom has a beautiful condo down in HHI and they were kind enough to let us use it for the weekend.  The even better part was that my sister and her husband made the long drive down from Ohio to meet us, and we had the best time!  It's always nice to spend some QT with your family outside of the holidays or family events... So, a big THANK YOU to Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom!  

It was the first time Landon has experienced the ocean, and it was no surprise that he loved everything about it, the water, the waves, the sand and all of the action that every beach has.

Are we there yet?  Because I'm not napping this entire 5 hour drive!

His first encounter with the water. 

Who needs all that water when this water in a bucket is awesome!

HELP!  My mom and aunt are so mean and buried me alive!

Clearly the best part about sand castles is destroying them. 

Nottttt so excited about the slide... however

The swing is always a winner. 

Sisterly love.

All that fun in the sun will wear ya out! 

Swimming with dad and pool side block building leads to...

Just driving home with a few friends in our lap.

I'm also happy to report that since my last blog post (and in HHI) Landon has since learned how to sit himself down once he's stood himself up.  This is a great victory in our house because it was causing a lot of tantrums.

We are still not walking yet, and although I look forward to the day I'm mildly dreading it.  I have a feeling that although we think crawling is bad, walking will be ten times worse!

Last weekend Landon may have had the best day of his life.  We went to the Virgina Highlands art festival where...

Mom gave me strawberry ice-cream, in a cone just my size.

Dad bought me a new fluffy friend.

I took a nap in the car with said friend. 

After nap time I played in Emelia's pool. 

And then, I had the best time flinging myself into a pile of pillows!

Here are some of our other favorite photos since the last blog...

Just pondering life...

I can tuck myself in mom, seriously.

Wait, is this how I'm to bathe from now on??

Chocolate popsicle for the first time (He prefers the strawberry ice-cream.)

Ohhhhh, so this is a water place too???

Just playing in puddles with dad!

And silly time with mom.

Story time for our stuffed friends. 

FINALLY, I'd like to wish my husband a VERY special Happy Anniversary (tomorrow.)  Writing this blog reiterates how fast the past 5 years have gone by and how much we've experienced!  I am one very lucky gal to have you by my side through the thick and the thin, I can't imagine a better partner in crime!