All Grown Up, Almost

During our trip to California Landon showed us how he could climb out of his pack and play. He has threatened us before our trip but thankfully it never happened. So, when we got back to Michigan we decided it was time to move toward a "big boy bed". We didn't really feel we had the money to go from toddler bed to twin bed and Landon's crib was a hand me down that did not convert into something out of this world, like some newer cribs do. In other words we decided to go straight to a twin. We were so excited with our find of a bed frame and box spring at an estate sale. We then used Christmas money for Landon to buy him sheets that he had a say in. The sheets were on sale too! While in CA there was a cute store called Vintage going out of business and that is where we bought his quilt. Grandpa and Grandma O sent him a Valentine's monkey to add to what we have been calling his zoo. (What to Expect in the Toddler Years said to get them a new toy for the transition. Thanks Merle and Sue, I did not have to buy it for him!) Landon as you will see in the pictures had a ton of fun helping Mike get the bed together while I went to Costco to buy the mattress thanks to the help of a nice family in the branch with a truck. When I came back we finished putting it all together and my heart melted to see my little boy laying in such a big bed. It took him a while to go to sleep but he slept the whole night in it and has taken a great 3 hour nap. No he is not really all grown up but it is just another step in that direction.

It Finally Showed Up!

Up until yesterday morning we could see our grass and everything else for that matter. We had not really had snow since the beginning of January. That is until yesterday at about 10:00 am when it started coming down and didn't stop a ton. Mike shoveled once but by the time the missionaries left last night you couldn't tell. So here is Landon and Mike at it for today. Love Miles next door he has already shoveled our sidewalks and it wasn't even 9:00 am. Good luck everyone who has to shovel out the more than 6 - 10" that we and other states received!

Spike

Landon's hair was a bit crazy when he woke up Sunday morning. So we decided to pay a bit of homage to Uncle Riley by sticking up the middle. He loved it and received several fun comments at church. What a sport he is.

A Flying Leap

On Saturday we needed to go to Ann Arbor for an adoption event. We left early to run by Cost Plus World Market and hoped to have time to go to the Hands On Museum. After the shopping we had no time for the museum, but we still had about an hour or so to spare. So the handy dandy Matilda (aka the GPS) took us to the Briarwood Mall where we found the contraption below. We were headed through the mall to find the play area, and we turned down the wrong hallway. There was no turning back once Landon caught sight of this jumping machine. So we caved in and paid the $7.00 for 5 min. Yes it was a rip off, but he had so much fun! Did not see him laughing out loud but at the end of it all he wanted to go again. We still went to the play area for a bit where he ran around and had a lot of fun. Out trip to Ann Arbor was well worth our time.

The Boys Go On An Adventure

We have been promising Landon for a long while that he could go on the bus one day with Mike. Today was the day. We dressed him quite warm as it is with the wind chill close to 0 today. While I was out taking pictures of them my hair froze since it was still wet from my shower. Here are the pictures below. I did not ride with them as I drove the car to pick Landon up after the big adventure. He had story time soon after. It wouldn't be a big deal if he missed it but today was a good one so I am glad we did not. While on the bus Landon saw a school bus and wanted to go on that one instead. What a character.

Almost ready to go on the big adventure.

Heading to the corner. We live only about 2 houses away from the stop.

Landon insists on having his hands in his pockets. So no gloves for this little one.

Here comes the bus. Thank goodness we did not have to wait too long. My hair might have fallen off.

I am not sure if he understood what was happening, but he got on happily.

Away they go! Mike said he was well behaved and enjoyed himself. What a cute guy!

Tender Mercies dotted with a Book

Hallie's brother gave her the 2010 Greg K. Olsen calendar for Christmas. One of the month's pictures is below entitled Take My Hand. I think it is one of the most beautiful pictures in the calendar. So I decided to look up the print on his website to see how much it would cost. While at the website I saw a poem he wrote to go with the painting. To me the poem was just as beautiful as the painting.

TAKE MY HAND

Take my hand and follow me,

There are things ahead for you to see.

Little wonders are all around,

And tender mercies to be found.

We’ll take our time, no need to run,

Breathe deep the air and feel the sun.

The grass is soft beneath our feet,

Sounds are soothing, the air is sweet.

Sometimes we’ll stop and just be still,

Our hearts will tell us God is real!

Small graces along our path appear,

They let us know that Heaven’s near.

So take my hand anew each day,

The walk is lovely and I know the way.

Greg Olsen -2008

I would really love this picture to be in Landon's room. To top it off after our little one was sitting in a chair until he could become "sweet" I went to get him and said, "what do you say?" and he in turn said, "I Love You" which he had never said before. I just started crying. He said, "Mami crying?" I said, "Yes, but they are happy tears". About a minute later he threw a book at me. Tender Mercies dotted with a book.

11 Years, A New Love of....

Oh my what a crazy day our 11th anniversary was. It was all good and revolved around two good things: family and food. Today started out early. Landon woke up at 6:00 am, the 7:00 couldn't last forever. However, he did sleep for 12 hours so we can't hold it against him. He woke up in good spirits and was off to being busy as usual.

At around 8:00 am we went to the Village Grille to have breakfast. They just added on and are now serving breakfast and we have to say we really enjoyed ourselves. Landon ate really well and there was only one other table of guests, so he couldn't get into too much trouble.

Yesterday we went to an estate sale. Mike was a good sport when, after the appointment we were helping the missionaries with fell through, he said he was willing to go with me to the sale we saw a sign for. By the end of our tour around a pretty good sized house we bought a bed frame and box spring for $15. I thought that was good idea but had no idea how to get it home. Thanks to my WONDERFUL Visiting Teacher, who let me use her minivan, we were able to return this morning to pick up our goods. Landon was a big helper and almost a perfect listener the whole time (P.S. Mike may be jealous because I have a new love in my life... the Toyota Sienna).

At noon we dropped Landon off at Bettina and Cameron's house who so kindly offered to babysit Landon so we could go to the Love and Logic Seminar in the afternoon. (I know, really romantic right?) On our way we stopped by what is pictured below. I heard of them through something somewhere and as usual signed up for their emails. Our yummy destination was kind of in the vicinity to where the seminar was so we made a pit stop. Boy am I glad we did!

The Chocolate Michigan Bumpy Cake. YUMMY!

The Cupcake Station. We arrived late to the Love and Logic Seminar so we could go get these.

Buy one get one free is what drew us to this store today. We bought a dozen, no two the same. We have tried two and so far they are dang good!

After a really good time at the seminar we trotted back to the car that was parked a bit away due to nearly 500 people being at the seminar. We passed an eatery called Salsarita . It is similar to Cafe Rio and Baja Fresh. Which we LOVE. So we grabbed some take out and headed back to pick up our bundle of joy.

A table for our little big boy. Landon loves to help. Here he is helping Mike put together a table Mami bought on her magical alone shopping trip to IKEA. Thanks Mike!

Landon loves sitting at his little table. He is coloring away now and having so much fun with it. So glad I bought it.

I found myself saying at the end of the day, "It was such a busy day, we need to decompose, er uh, decompress!"