Come One, Come All!

Party themes are picked out in advance in our home and I was beyond happy to have "The Greatest Party on Earth" for my two biggest boys! Their birthdays are one month a part so this year I decided to combine their birthday parties together right smack dab in the middle of both their birthdays. It was a celebration we will remember with fun and joy!

 Invitations made by me. I kept it simple this year which made the production line much quicker.

I love my new birthday wreath. It makes the door festive and fun. I've put it out for both birthdays and now will continue on with tradition each year. It was so easy to make too!

 You can't have a carnival without tickets and cotton candy!

 Never took a picture of the food once it was all out! Our concessions stand was simple and kid friendly food with hot dogs and nachos.

 My new favorite party favor... CANDY!

I'm in love with canning jars to drink out of and paper straws just make me happy. We continue to use them daily in our home because they just seem to make the simplest drink more delicious.

We had a blast with all the games! The Sack Race was my favorite with all the crazy faces these kids were making.

 A classic Ring Toss...

 Trevor and his tossing skills!

 Ball Toss

 Can you tell we are baseball players?

 Pin drop in the jar. I always laugh when kids do this because they can never to it!! They touch it to there nose and then drop the pin lower or they just bend super low to get the pin in!

 The Balloon Pop ended up stressing me out giving a dart to each kid to through. I didn't want any eyes poked out!

Some of the party goers... we had about 25+ in all! Crazy but fun.

 My boys cannot have a party without a pinata so here we are, once again. I found this creepy clown which seemed to fit, because the kids had a blast knocking it out!

I cannot believe how grown-up my boys are getting. This is our odd year, Shane 7 and Trevor 5. Trevor's cupcakes were so easy and the kids loved them topped with cotton candy. Shane requested a classic chocolate cake.

As always, they were spoiled!

 I kept the decorations VERY simple this year!

 Doesn't this candy bar make you happy! I'm happy to send home children home on a complete sugar high!

For as long as I can remember, after the party is over we make a wish and release our left over birthday balloons! I love the joy and excitment this brings to Shane and Trevor. Some times they share their wishes but this year they held them tight as the released their balloons into the black evening sky.

 Here we go, wishes ready to make.

It was a crazy day. Our house was full of family and friends, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm typically exuhusted after throwing a party but I wouldn't have it any other way. My boys have come to love their birthdays and usually wake up the next day with ideas of next year's party theme! Boy are they my children!!!

Farewell to My Babies

My babies, Shane, Trevor, and Landon. I'm blessed to call them my boys. They keep me on a constant go. They consume my life. They ARE my life and are my greatest accomplishments. Although they give me the greatest joys of my life in a few short hours I'll be boarding a ship waving them good-bye going on separate vacations. The boys cannot imagine going on a ship for 7 whole days they prefer their vacation without Mom and Dad at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We are all ready for our vacations, but I know we will all miss each other. I'll miss my crazy boys, my babies and who they are at right this moment, because I know they change and grow all to quickly.

Shane has sure grown up this last year. He is a confident first grader enjoying the life of school and reading. At school his loves are teatherball and wall ball. At home his loves are baseball and riding bikes.  His heart is kind and he shows kindness to those others may forget about. Shane is the big brother ready to help and boss his younger brother around. He's a leader, a rule follower, and silly boy.

 Trevor is my independent boy. He is smart and loves that he finally gets to go to school too. He loves learning and won't go outside to play until all of his homework is complete. Trevor is adored by everyone around him in his quiet manner and quick smile that will win anyones heart over. Trevor loves baseball and building Legos. If we let him he'd still live off candy and watch movies on Dad's iPad all day long. Trevor is still my lovey and warms my heart each time he expresses his love for me.

 My sweet baby Landon. The boy who changed our house and brought so much joy into our family. His smile lights up the room. He is the happiest baby and completely adored by his brothers. He is growing up right before our eyes and I wish he would stop. Right now he lives off of veggie burgers, blackbeans, pears, and veggie straws. He loves crawling away and being chased by his family. In his 10 short months he has blessed our family more than we ever could have imagined. He is our Baby Love!

 Now these boys don't always just smile at the camera. This is my Shane, too cool for pictures! He makes everyone feel welcome where ever he is and can make be laugh so hard I cry! Shane will always be my first born the child who made me a mother.

 Crazy Trevor, loves to make me laugh but loves to make himself laugh even more! He can make Landon laugh like no one else can. He will forever be my lovey.

 All this boy needs to do is be in my arms and I feel his love. He laughs and smiles all day long. He hasn't been my snuggliest baby but he loves to hold my hand as I hold him. Landon will forever be my baby who I adore.

Vacations are needed. We will all enjoy running on the beach, quiet naps, yummy dinners, memories with loved ones while we are apart. A week apart will give us time to miss each other and excitment to be together again soon.

The Dunes

We have a new love and addiction in our family, it's all about the sand now! Each of my boys loves everything about the adventure and excitement found at the sand dunes. Since January we have gone 3 times as a family and Damon has been able to sneak away without us 3 additional times. This week-end was suppose to be our last trip of the season but with the hot weather we decided to stay home. Instead of being out in the sand today I've decided I should look at all the pictures we have taken!

 The boys love going off in the sand showing off and exploring their independence. Shane and Trevor could be out there all day puttering around.

 Sometimes, the kids get stuck but they don't come crying to us...

 Instead, they all come together and fix it on their own like MEN do! It's so cute seeing them out there.

 I'm not sure who likes it more, my little guys or my biggest guy!

 Between the cooking, entertaining of the baby, and relaxing out in the sun, the best party is watching Damon out there with the boys. I love how they ride around and follow each other.

 We spend most of the time in good conversation and enjoying each other.

 Little Landon loves any type of commotion! He loves being outside and watching the kids go.   We did strap him in his car seat and take him for a little ride in the Razor. He got really quiet and I looked over to find him sound asleep!

 My happy and carefree baby!

 The second trip Trevor flipped his quad. It didn't stop him long and he was back on again ready for adventure!

 Now you have to leave it up to me to have a photo shoot in the middle of the sand dunes at Dumont! I couldn't help it.

 I have yet to drive anything. I'm too busy relaxing. Trevor and Shane like to take to out on rides around camp!

For now, there is no more sand at the the dunes. We will take a break from the sand and soon enough enjoy the mountains of Utah. Adventure is something I've gotten use to and I'm sure I will always experience with my boys.

just SMILE!

This is what a five year old looks like when he is told his birthday party it taken away. Seriously, how hard is it to just stand there (right where I tell you) and SMILE? Birthday photo shoots happen once a year so it shouldn't be too much to ask for to just stand and smile. Unfortunately for me, my patience was thin and we were all tired today which never makes for a good combination.

Don't worry, the party was given back once there was a sweet 5 year old smile and the world was good again!

I'm STRESSING!!!

Look at this face, those lips, those eyes, and sweet chubby cheeks! I'm starting to stress, my baby is growing up! I know this is inevitable but still I do not like it one bit. My stressing began a few days ago when I realized he is sleeping through the night. Most moms are excited and believe me I thought I would be the norm but turns out I'm not. I cried thinking I wouldn't be getting up in the night with a sweet baby again, this is it! I know there will be times when he is sick or teething but the normal cuddle with my baby in the wee house of the morning are gone. I now see why my mother in law liked to wake up with Landon when she was visiting. She said it was so I could get some rest (which I always welcomed) but now I know it's really because she missed those sweet moments during the middle of the night feedings too. Now I will just have to continue the helping once my own babies have their own babies. For now I will continue to soak in and love the little bit of baby I have left.

Another sign sweet baby Landini is growing up is he is getting over baby food. He munches his own puffs and pushes my hands away when I have a spoon of pureed pears waiting for him. Instead he now devours home canned pears chopped up that he can stuff into his mouth with ease.

He continues to love our (him and mine) favorite blankets. He isn't swaddled up in them any; that was given up months ago. Instead is holds them or lays on them. He still needs them to sleep and will moved the fabric in between his fingers as he is eating a bottle.

My sweet, not so little, baby like to clap his hands and play Patty Cake. He loves to laugh and giggle as he shows off his new tricks.

The drawer opening and messes are here too! Locks have been put on the bathroom cupboards. A few weeks ago Landon found my ribbon drawer and was in heaven. He was so proud of himself as he pulled out each strip of ribbon. Lucky for me he hasn't found that drawer again!

I was a bad mom and kept him in his baby carrier way to long! He was in this carrier the same amount of time Shane AND Trevor were in it combined! I just didn't want a baby in a big boy car seat. I wanted him safe and confined in the carrier while we were out. Well, once his head and legs started going over the edges I knew I couldn't put it off anymore. This was the last day he was in his carrier and he still loved it. Oh and notice my not so baby, baby is feeding HIMSELF too! Trevor never learned this skill. I think Trevor's philosophy in life is "why do it for yourself if someone else will do it for you?" It's worked well for him, but Landon is a determined little guy. Him feeding himself is convenient but sometimes I still make him lay in my arms so I can love on him.

Landon loves looking out the window like a big boy too. Not longer is he content in the swing (that was one thing I was happy to get rid of!) or playing under his gymnie on the floor. Instead he crawls around pushing things around, finding the one small Lego his brother's missed or pulling himself up to the couch trying to reach for the remote. I do have to say I love his huge grin when he accomplishes these things and how proud of himself he is.

I've tried to tell myself to not stress. I just spent the last day thinking of what LAST cute baby pictures I could take of Landon over the next few months. I've bought outfits and a hat for multiple photo shoots.  I'm hoping to preserve these moments instead of forgetting them. I'm trying to convince myself that life is about change and that I need to embrace my baby growing up because it's a good thing. I'm trying to get use to the thought of all my kids one day growing up and moving on.  For now I'll just enjoy my quiet moments with my baby. The hand holding as I feed him and the buying of baby food and diapers. I'll embrace the bottles to wash, snotty noses to wipe, and the cheerios all over the kitchen floor because one day this moment will be a memory that I will forever cherish.

Sunday Best

Who could resist loving on this cute little guy in his Sunday Best? He really is a good baby and that even means at church. However, lately he doesn't like to sleep in my arms. Sad, I know! He fights going to sleep so during those times I'm in and out of class. He continues to live his Rock Star life with his Landon Fan Club. The little girls love him and the Young Women adore him. Sometimes he is stolen out of my arms. Most moms would welcome the break but me, I miss the sweet baby.

I love seeing clothes that his brothers would wear too. This outfit originated on Trevor. Trevor was only 5 months old when he wore them and not Landon wears them at 8 months old!

Love this boy EVERYday not just when he is wearing his Sunday Best!

Light of Our Life

This little baby is our joy. He lights up any room with his beautiful smile. I cannot believe how fast little Landon is growing. This is my third child and I'm still trying to figure out how to freeze time! Damon is constantly telling me how Landon is our family's greatest blessing and he really is.

He brings in so much joy and love into our home. His brothers adore him and Landon only laughs a belly laugh for his brothers. When this baby enters a room the love he shares fills the room. He will rub my hand as I feed him or hold my finger. He giggles with joy whenever his Daddy comes into a room.

Little L has blessed us and I keep waiting for the joy to wear off but it never has. He is loved beyond measure by his family. We adore him and his cute chubby cheeks. He lights up any room with his sweet smile and continue to be the light of our life.