Weekend at Mimi's!

We recently went on a cruise with Margo, Duke, James, and Liz. While the adults were away and playing, Landon spent his long weekend with Mimi and Papa. Papa was out of town for most of the weekend, so Mimi didn't have to share her precious Landon. Ha! They had a busy weekend full of fun, including a trip to the Yellow River Game Ranch, the pool, Chick-fil-A, and the mall. Here's some pics from their fun weekend:

I think Landon wore Mimi out! But they sure did have a blast!

18 Months Old...

Oh. My. Goodness. I cannot believe my sweet Landon is already 1 1/2. Where has the time gone? In honor of this birthday (I celebrate every milestone!), here are some tidbits about you at 18 months:

Things you LOVE:

- being outside

- following Daddy around and "helping" with the yardwork

- riding on the lawnmower

- playing with friends, Mommy and Daddy, everyone

- riding the train and carousel at the mall (especially with your BFF, Sutton)

- dancing to the "hot dog" song on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

- eating (enough said)

- jumping in bouncy houses

- riding in the wagon

- dogs

- bubbles

- spoons

- ice cream

- balloons

- brooms, vacuums

- water, playing in water

- helicopters, trains, tractors, cars, trucks, airplanes (get the drift?)

- pulling hair

- tossing your food on the ground

I do not particularly like the last two!

Things you do NOT LOVE so much:

- diaper rash
- Dr. Phil (you literally cry and run away when his show comes on!)
- the doctor's office (again, enough said)
- the church nursery (you're getting much better, but you still cry when I leave you there)
- getting in trouble with Mommy or Daddy
That's pretty much it!

You are such a sweet boy! You blow kisses to everyone and hug them too. You love to play with your friends, and it's so fun to watch you being so social! You're growing so fast, and everyone comments on how you don't look like a baby anymore but a little boy. You're saying new words everyday, and it's adorable! Even though you love to test Daddy and I, it's fun watching you learn about your surroundings and what you can and can't do. You shake your head yes and no, and I love communicating with you. When you're proud of yourself, you'll grin and clap your hands. You love to run around the corner and say, "Boo!" to whoever is there.

18 months already! You'll be 2 before we know it! I cherish each and every day with you. You always start our mornings out with a smile and end it with a sweet kiss at bedtime. You truly make our world a brighter place, and I don't know what I'd do without you. Happy 18 month birthday, Landon! We love you!

Beach Trip!

Landon had a blast at the beach! He loved the sand, and to Mommy's delight he did not eat it! Landon spent the mornings with us at the beach, then he would nap after lunch and hang out with Mimi and Papa. My rule: Always go on vacation with the grandparents! It's much more of a vacation that way! Here's some of the highlights!

Show me your muscles!

The beautiful manta rays that were swimming right by the shore (Beautiful, but yes, I was scared!)
Landon and Papa with Tucker and Dave

Mimi and Landon in their matching britches!

Landon talking "parrot" to the huge parrots
Daddy and Uncle James love getting their pic taken!

Daddy, Uncle Steven, and James at our nightly hangout spot, Tootsies

Yep, he even wants to sweep on Vacation at Margaritaville!

All the boys!

We love Mimi and Papa for taking us on vacation!!!

Cruising the beach with Uncle James

We're already ready for the beach next year! Landon will have to make do with a sand table instead of the whole beach!

Spring Pics!

I've been waiting for a while to show off these pics, but I was using them as a present for Mother's Day for Mimi and Grandma and for Grandpa's birthday. We had a great time with our photographer, Tammy! She did an amazing job, and it was VERY affordable! (Visit her at www.tammysphotgraphicmemories.blogspot.com)

This is when we knew the photo shoot was OVER!

He's quite the spoiled model, and when he's tired of posing, he's tired of posing! But he was ready to swing and play on the playground!

Troublemaker!

Landon keeps me on my toes on a minute by minute basis! Oh my goodness, I don't know how people have children so close together AND keep their sanity! If I had another one right now, I'd be headed for the looney bin! Here's a little list of some of the crazy things Landon has done just within the past week:

- threw RED pasta on the floor and the cushioned kitchen chairs (still scrubbing it!)

- ate some of a candle (vanilla flavored if you're wondering)

- took off and threw one of his shoes at Kroger when I wasn't looking. We went aisle by aisle til we finally found it in the frozen veggie aisle (blame the spinach!!). I was NOT leaving without our Nikes!

- refused to sit in the bathtub (granted, his hiney hurt from the diaper rash), fell, and gave himself a bruise over his right eye

- ate sand at the park (ew ew ew!)

- spit out french toast stick and smeared it in the carpet

- threw his snack cup in Old Navy (a sweet child saw it and alerted her mommy)

- played in the toliet water at Stacey's

- unrolled toilet paper in Mommy's bathroom

- grabbed Mommy's coke and spilled it on the floor

- set the DVR to record random shows

- and don't forget the hair pulling (watch out Addison, though it is getting better!), hitting Mommy, and throwing whatever is in sight when he's angry

We're in the full throws of the toddler stages, and I pray all the time for patience. What cracks me up (and melts my heart) is how whenever he gets in trouble and cries, he only wants to hug me. Alas, how can I be mad at this face???

Here are a few more pics from the past few weeks...

The Kennedy and Jones men posing for a photo op in their blue checkered Polo shirts! Aren't they handsome?

Landon and one of his BFF's, Sutton at the park

One of the girlfriends, Ayla, and Landon at the park (yes, we like the park!)

Eating lunch with buds Henry and Aaron

Jumping in our bouncy with Addison (she doesn't let the hairpuller out of her sight for a second!)

With Mimi at Snellville Days!

Big Boy Eater!

One of Landon's favorite "toys" in his fun, little world is a spoon. He loves to carry one around, and he's gotten picky about his spoons too lately. Instead of being content with one of his plastic child spoons, he'd rather have one of Mommy's silver spoons. It's bigger and makes more sound when you bang it on something!
Landon has long been a holder of the spoon while eating a meal. However, for the first time ever last night, Landon reached a new milestone with his spoon. Landon dipped his spoon in his oh so tasty Gerber chicken meal, got some noodles and peas, raised it to his mouth, and he...took...a...BITE! I was so excited, and I started cheering and clapping! Of course he loves getting praised, so he did it again and again. It was quite a momentous occasion, yet it made me a little sad because it's one more thing that he's learning to do independently. I'm so proud of my little boy! (This pic was taken after I moved the Gerber tray away. It was empty, and Landon wanted to throw it on the ground. Not cool.)

If you missed this pic on Facebook, this is what it looks like when Landon eats lasagna WITHOUT a spoon or fork. Clearly, he loves it! Maybe we'll be trying it soon with a utensil!