Growing up

I seem to only blog when I realize how fast life is going. My boys are growing and that isn't excluding our Little L. He is now happy to be party of the big boy club with his brothers and couldn't be happier. Surprisingly he can hold his own when it comes to his big brothers too! With Shane being 6 years older than Landon and Trevor being 4 years older I never thought they would all enjoy playing together, but they do. Seeing them all giggle and play puts me in my happiest spot.  

 Part of Landon growing up is his quest for being just like his brothers. When he is able to sit at the dinner table just like them he couldn't be more thrilled.

 Having such a large gap between the boys I had forgotten how crazy they become at this age. As for crazy goes, Landon doesn't even compare to Trevor at this age. Trevor got into everything he could but Landon just gets into some things! As much as messes bother moms this third time around, I welcome it. I love having a baby to keep me on my toes. I love being blessed with one more little buy to get into the art cupboard and pull everything out to color in the color books and maybe little on the tile too. Life seemed to be a blur with Shane and Trevor but with Landon I make sure to stop and cherish this phase because before I know it  he will be out of this stage too.

 Landon is turning into a little talker. He says Mom, Dad, Shane, Bruba for brother, ball, dog, apple, and more. This morning Damon decided to get himself McDonalds for breakfast and Landon gets a hold of the bag dumps everything out and says, "french fry!"

 Landon had his first try of pudding and needless to say, he loved it!

 As much as I don't like Landon growing up so fast I love seeing the little guy he is becoming. Lately he likes to scrunch up his nose to make whoever is around him laugh. He adores being adored.

Although I have done this 2 times before I never get use to the fact that they grow all too quickly. Today Landon is another day closer to growing up but I will always cherish today!

Glamis

To honor our fabulous Presidents we decided to do the all American thing and go quading during President's Day week-end. For some reason the men folk decided to drive us to California almost to the boarder of Mexico to different sand instead of going to Dumont. Six hours later we were at a place full of sand that pretty much resembled Dumont which is only 2 hours away! The kids loved the different texture of sand and dug and dug and built castles. This place is much crazier than Dumont! The kids spent more time digging than riding until the last day when people cleared out and they could make their own track by camp.

 Landon cons whomever he can to take him onto a quad so he can "drive it." He would sit out there for hours if we let him. I am blessed with his Little Mommies that continue to adore and smother him with love. He now calls Ella "Lala" and screams for her if she leaves which makes this little girl very happy!

 The weather was perfect and with sand more like beach sand I kept looking for the beach! The kids lived off of Popsicles and with an ice cream man driving by almost every hour they were constantly having something to cool them off. After the second day Shane wasn't too fond of all the trucks going by because he had just gotten a snow cone from the ice cream man when a huge truck drives by, honks his horn which was beyond loud sounding like a real train, which causes him to jump, which causes him to drop his snow cone. Tears came and once we found out what happened we couldn't help but laugh because I'm sure it looked so funny!

 Happy boy being serious about his driving abilities. I don't know what he will think when he is actually old enough to drive something and it moves!

 Larry and Lynette came out to see what all this sand business is about. It's loud and fast but I think they had a good time. Lynette brought enough food to feed an army and Julie and I usually bring enough to feed 1/2 an army so we spent a lot of time cooking and eating.

 Landon warms up the rides for them and then always sees everyone off for a ride with a wave. He loves standing out there seeing everyone leave on their toys. He makes car noises, claps, and cheers everyone on as they leave.

 These 3 loved playing soccer in the sand when they weren't busy digging in the sand.

 Mr. T loves going out and having fun. He loved having Grandma there to watch him ride around and around so he could show off for her!

 Ready for a ride. I'm always shocked at how well all these kiddos get along. They have so much fun together with no arguing. Don't worry Dads the girls in the back was just for the picture and then they hopped off so we were being safe!

 My biggest kid loves the dunes. It's always nice to go on an adult ride with no kids but I never seem to get a picture of that. We went to vendor's row for a ride only to find no funnel cakes like Dumont, what a rip off!!

 Here they go, off for a ride! Before everyone goes on a big ride there is excitement that fills the camp. Engines are revving and it is loud. Sometimes I go on these group rides but most of the time I stay back to relax, watch movies, and chat with Julie as Landon naps and I couldn't be happier.

Us girls were just informed that the only reason we are invited is to cook, sheesh! I love staying back and cooking but it's really nice to have helpers in the kitchen too. This trip we tried our first attempt at biscuits and gravy and it was oh so good!

Landon needs his snuggle time with Zoe. Everyone was nice to let Landon watch "GeeGaw" which somehow translates to Mickey Mouse over and over again.

While the women are busy cooking away in the kitchen the men are usually fixing some type of toy. After many trips to the dunes I have learned that you should always count on something breaking every single time.

Damon, Landon, and Larry enjoying the sand.

These two best buddies love each other! They have so much fun together playing and relaxing. I cannot believe they will both be baptized in the next few months!

If Landon isn't on a quad or digging in the sand he is busy watching everyone from the window or door.

As much as I like the sand dunes I could live without the sand part! The kids love to dig and play in the sand which means they come back into the trailer with sand in the hair, pockets, and shoes. This is the sand swept up in one day!

Glamis was a great trip but I don't see us headed there for a 6 hour drive anytime soon. I think we will stick to Dumont.

Dreaming

I'm getting pictures organized for Project Life and am a tad bit behind because I'm working on July! I'll catch up soon but looking at all this summer fun is making me wish it was summer again! I love all the carefree days of summer. We play, eat Slurpees, swim, eat ice cream, do projects, and eat some Popsicles! With a one year old last summer I didn't do much sleeping in but that helped me maximize our days.

 I'm looking through all our wonderful lazy days of fun and dreaming for summer again. If my calculations are correct, there are roughly 92 school days until summer vacation! Now that sounds do-able.

 These pictures crack me up! The joy on their faces is priceless.

Before we know it we will be back to fun in the sun!

One Little Word

Last week while at some lunch with a few friends I was reminded of the One Little Word Project. You pick a word to focus on for the year instead of a New Year's resolution and for me it is much more do-able. Although I've only done it one lonely year (2008) it made an impact on me and I believe I'm a better person because of it.

I've contemplating their selections and ideas were running through my head but nothing struck me as "this is it!" until I came across these pictures I took while in California. Now do you see that love, the joy, and happiness in my children's faces? This is something I want to cherish forever.

 CHERISH. I want to cherish each day I am given. Cherish my children. Cherish my husband. Cherish my dear friends who are always there for me. Cherish all that is good around me so this year my one little word is cherish.

 Life seems to have the fast forward speed I do not ever get use to. It seems each day is a blur but each day I want to hold dear to my heart because I cherish the moments I have with those around me.

 I want to cherish the moments and not rush it away with hopes of a quieter house and less messes. I want to cherish these boys and the love that fills our home.

 Cherishing Shane is an easy thing to do. He has a heart of gold. He has compassion and love that most 7 year olds do not obtain until a much greater age. He is charming and full of life. He protects those who need protection and love to his family.

 My Trevor is so easy to cherish too. I cherish this 5 year old full of life. He loves school and learning. He is my boy who does not demand attention but when it's given he is full of love and joy. I cherish how he continues to keep my on my toes with his wit and zest for life.

 Cherishing my baby is pretty much the easiest thing for me to do. However, he is in the get into everything-draw on the walls-smear yogurt in his hair-stage, and this I need to cherish. I cherish his little personality as he is growing. This little guys adores attention and loves people. He is my little charmer that will do anything for a laugh. He is a perfect mix of Shane and Trevor. I want to cherish his snuggles in the morning and chasing him around the kitchen as I cook dinner at night. I want to cherish this stage of life forever.

Although life is hard, life is good. I'm excited for a new year and the journey ahead with those I love and will cherish forever.

The Night Before Christmas

We have not traveled for Christmas since Trevor's first Christmas 5 years ago. It's hard getting ready for Christmas and vacation. Really only hard on this Mommy, but it was a task I was willing to do in exchange for the beach and the hopes of warmer weather.

As always, we love the spoiling that goes on at Grandma and Grandpa Young's house. On Christmas Eve Lynette and I decided we didn't want to cook so we opted for Andrea's for the best clam chowder and fish around. We walked around the Harbor and the boys talked Grandpa into ice cream and then hot chocolate. We came home to play with Grandpa's train. Each of my boys have loved this train as we visit at Christmas time. I'm sure Landon's mouth is stuffed with some sort of candy since it is Christmas Eve after all!

 Trevor could not wait to make cookies for Santa. I added a Santa Tracker app on my phone and Trevor loved seeing where Santa was and how many more hours until he came to our house.

 Landon "helped" with the cookies by eating a pear!

 If we are at Grandma and Grandpa Young's house on Christmas Eve the kids all sit around the piano and sing Christmas songs as Grandma plays the piano. Trevor loved singing all the words to each song and kept requesting more and more songs.

 We aren't sure how it happened but someone their jammies fell off the sleigh and made it to Grandma and Grandpa's doorstep.

Once the cookies were baked we hurried and decorated them because the boys were EXCITED to get to bed!  

 Shane decided each boy should sleep with a parent so Shane slept with Damon and Trevor slept with me. I loved it! The excitement of Christmas with them and being there was so fun! I guess Shane woke up at 1:57 a.m. wanting to see if Santa came.

 These little moments just melt my heart. Landon loved sitting and listening to Grandma play the piano. He does "help" a little too.

 Cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Trevor had to count out 9 carrots so each reindeer got one!You'd think the long note was from Shane but nope, Trevor was so excited to write to Santa all by himself.

 Sorry Santa but Trevor got thirsty! I had to refill his cup twice because Trevor and Shane kept stealing his milk!

Now the waiting begins. These little boys were beyond excited for Santa to come.