Spring Break in Florida - Days 3 and 4

On Saturday, our second full day in Florida, we drove down south a little ways to go to a beach and meet some good friends of ours, the Reeces.  They lived in Minnesota for a year, but then got sent to Florida on a rotation for General Mills.  We were so excited that we were going to be close enough to see them.  We love them, and their daughter, Kayla, and Miley were such good friends when they lived here.  It was so sweet to see them hugging each other, holding hands, and just being so happy to see each other.  The beach was awesome.  It was huge, and there was a great little playground right now it where the kids were able to play as well.  My parents came with us too, so it was nice to be able to hang out with everyone.

After being at the beach for a couple hours, it was getting close to lunch time and nap times for the younger kids.  We went to a really neat place for lunch called the 15th Street Fishery.  They had delicious food, and a dock right outside where you could go feed these huge tarpon fish.  Our kids loved that.  It was a little nerve racking, because they wanted to lean right over and there was nothing to stop them from falling in, but all the adults were good about keeping the kids close.  :)

After lunch, it was time to head our separate ways.  It was sad to say goodbye, but we know that they will be coming back to MN at some point, so that is nice.  Unfortunately, the concept is a little lost on Miley...

The day definitely wore Landon out!

The rest of the day, we just relaxed and hung out.  We snacked on leftovers and things for dinner that night, and again had a great time playing games once the kids were in bed!

On Sunday, we spent more time at the beach!  It was definitely a beach going vacation, which is just what we wanted!  I didn't get any beach pictures, but I did get a couple of pictures of the kids dressed up in their St. Patrick's Day green during some of our down time at the house...crazy kids....  :)  Miley was practicing some dance moves, I am pretty sure.

That afternoon/evening we did dinner at Sweet Tomatoes, then relaxed for the rest of the night.  Our trip was half over at this point!  So sad, but nice that we still had three full days left!

Spring Break in Florida - Days 1 and 2

This year we got to take a REAL spring break and go to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida!  It was such a nice break from Minnesota and the cold.  This winter has lasted forever, and shows no signs of letting up soon!  We got to meet my parents down there, and stay in a house that belongs to my mom's family.

On March 14th, we headed to the airport.  We had just a short 45 minute flight from Minneapolis to Milwaukee, then we didn't have to change planes, so while we were waiting on the plane for everyone else to board in Milwaukee and using the bathroom, the pilot asked if Miley wanted to come sit in the cockpit.  She is scared of EVERYTHING right now, and all the instruments must have intimidated her, so she would not step foot in there.  I asked if I could grab Landon, thinking that he would enjoy it.  They said yes, so I brought him up, and of course, he thought it was awesome.  Maybe he will be a pilot someday??  :)  The flight attendant offered to take a family picture, but since Miley would get in, we got one of Cameron, Landon and me.

We then made the 3 1/2 hour flight from Milwaukee to Ft. Lauderdale.  The kids were great.  Cameron even got Landon to sleep for a little bit, and Miley was happy with books, My Little Ponies, and watching movies on the iPod.  I don't know how we would make it through some trips without technology!

Once we got in, we only had time for dinner, a walk to the beach, and then we were all pretty wiped out so we went to bed.

The next day we hit the beach first thing!  It felt so great to just be where it was sunny and warm, where we could actually be OUTSIDE!

We went to dinner at Olive garden that night, and once kids were in bed for the evening we stayed up late playing games with my parents.  A wonderful first full day of vacation!

More to come....

Landon at Two Years Old

I am once again, waaaaay behind on this blog, but I have to talk about what Landon is up to now that he is the big 2!

Here are his stats from his 2 year doctor appointment:

Height:  34.5 inches - 63.22%

Weight:  25 pounds 3 ounces - 16.77%

Head Circumference:  19.25 inches - 60%

Definitely growing, but still a skinny little thing.  Fortunately, this was an easy-breezy appointment with no vaccinations.  Gotta love those. 

If I could sum up what Landon is interested in right now it would be all things boy - balls, trains, trucks, cars, etc.  He is always pointing out construction trucks wherever he sees them, and loves playing with his little ones at home.  He loves books that have to do with trains and trucks.  He is also always point out balls and saying their names (football, baseball, etc.) and will happily watch games on TV with Cameron.  He loves playing with his little basketball hoop, and is quite good at making baskets.  We got him a little t-ball thing for his birthday, and we are excited to play with that with him once it warms up a little outside! 

Even though he loves all his "boy" things, he still will play with Miley and likes to play with some of her dolls.  He has taken a particular interest in her baby doll lately and likes to play with it, and pretend to put it to bed, tucking it in and giving it  kisses.  Pretty sweet.

Landon has really taken off with talking.  He uses mostly one word when he wants something, or is telling you something, but is starting to string a couple words together at a time.  It is nice, because we can definitely communicate with him and understand what he needs.

He seems to favor his left hand.  He uses it when eating, and uses it a lot when throwing balls, etc.  It will be interesting to see if he turns out to be a lefty?

Landon is the world's biggest daddy boy.  If Cameron is around he wants nothing to do with anyone else.  He is his little shadow.  If he needs something done, he wants Cameron to do it for him.  If I even try to help him with something, he will tell me "NO....daddy!"  It gives me a nice little break in the evenings when Cameron is home.  :)

Landon loves to sing his ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, etc.  

Speaking of the ABC's, he knows them pretty well.  He can point out letters and tell you what they are.  He loves all of his different ABC books right now.  They are probably the ones he chooses to read the most (besides truck ones!).

He loves puzzles and can put some of them together by himself!

He is our particular child.  He likes to have things a certain way, and gets upset if they aren't right.  We jokingly call him OCD because he likes to be pretty clean, and is the kid in our family (ahem, Miley) who likes to help clean up....pick up toys, sweep, wipe himself off when he is eating, etc.

We can never get enough of Landon and his sweet little smile and personality.  He definitely keeps us on our toes, but is also the best snuggler and will melt your heart with his kisses and hugs.  I just wish he would stay this small forever!

Look Who's Two!!

I am VERY behind on this post, but I had to get it up!!  Landon is officially TWO (as of the 17th).  Can't believe this little guy....

....grew into this cute boy....

...and now looks like this!!

Seriously though.  These two years with Landon have gone so much faster than it seems like it went with Miley.  He really is such a little joy to have in our lives, and makes us laugh daily.  Very cliche, but we really can't imagine life without him.

We were able to have a little celebration during our cabin weekend, but when we got home on the evening of his birthday we were able to open all f our family presents.  It was quite the experience....take 2 very sleep deprived kids, an older sister who was a little jealous of all the gifts for her brother, and wanted to open everything, and we had quite a few tears and meltdowns.  Landon, however, was thrilled with all of the cute gifts he got.  He is one lucky boy to have so many family members that care about him.

For the most part, it was a nice relaxing birthday, and we just got to spend it celebrating our little boy.  I hope to soon do a post all about Landon soon, and what he is doing and has learned, but I just had to get his post done before March!!

Happy birthday, sweet boy!  We are so lucky to be able to call you ours!