Landon's 2nd Birthday!

Each year on Landon's birthday we fill his room with balloons so that when he wakes up he knows it is a special day.  Even though it technically wasn't the exact day we did it anyway as we have been talking about a train birthday party for a few weeks now.  He was excited to see his balloons even though he was poopy and that is all he would saw.

 Landon has so many loves at this age between Bubble Guppies, Mickey Mouse, sports, cars, Jack the Pirate, Thomas the Train, etc.  However, we decided to do a Thomas and Friends birthday theme. We also struggled deciding where to have it as you never know on the weather in February.  The cheapest/easiest way was the Big Apple in Kearney.  I could invite all the family, we could all play with him and not have to pay admission for everyone.  Plus, it was a very central location for everyone.  Landon had never been there before so I was excited to see his reaction. 

The train ticket invitations I designed.

My birthday boy!

He loved all the balls.  Him and Uncle Scotty were stashing them in baskets to shoot.

Daddy even had fun!

Ahhhhhhhh, look at all the balls flying!  

Aunt Carissa even joined in the fun!

So did Papa..

and the Grandmas!

Shooting everyone below!

Then Landon found the giant slide; which turned into his favorite.  He went down it probably 15 different times.  

Landon loved all the balls!

Uncle Scotty is silly; definitely a kid at heart.

The traveling grandparents!  They were at my cousins state bowling tournament in Lincoln in the morning and then of course made it to the party!

Mommy even joined in the fun!

A family picture attempt....let's just say that it didn't work out so well.  He kept going down the slide and then would say again...again...again... no time for a silly picture. He had things to do!

 

We finally were able to get him to sit down to sing Happy Birthday; however, he didn't even want to eat any cake.  All he wanted to do was play!

Weeeeeeeeeee!

Landon looking at all his presents.  Funny story is while at the Big Apple we couldn't even get him to even open his presents; he was too busy playing.  So...mommy opened them all for him while we were there.  When we got home he was excited to see everything he got.  He even got a black kitty clock from Grandma and Grandpa Dudo that didn't make it in the picture.  That will go in his big boy room!

The three stools from my parents.  They are in the process of making him a stop sign table for his big boy room.  

Landon's party was a huge success!  It was so fun that all the family got to join in and play along with him.  Landon is blessed to have such amazing family. Especially Uncle Scotty who kept going up and down the slide, up and down the slide, up and down the slide!  We will all sleep well tonight!  

Party Hut

First of all, thank you to my friends for letting me steal the great pictures you caught in action.  On Friday, 9 mommies and 15 kids took over the Party Hut for a February play date.  It has been a long time since everyone has made it together.  It helped that we had the day off from school.  The kids had a blast running around and jumping.

Landon, Monroe and Will

Landon, Ady and Monroe

All 15 kids

Jadyn, Paisley, Aubree, Hayden, Monroe, Will, Jake, Landon, Faith, Brynlee, Grace, Hudson, Lily, Adi and Braxton.  (Ages 3 months to 9)

Slide

I can do it mommy!

The hardest part about the Party Hut was I had to carry him up a few of the stairs.  He had these mastered!

We took over the place!

Once again truly blessed to have great friends!

January Photo Dump

Landon loves his picture taken!

My kids at school earned their Snow Day.  They wore their pi's, had a snowball fight, read by the fire and made this edible campfire snack. It is always one of my favorite days.

Landon's new hat!  

One weekend we went to Super Bowl to watch my cousin's bowling tournament. Her team (Ravenna Bluejays) is headed to state next weekend.  Can't wait to watch her on TV.  

Family footprints.  One day after school Landon and I were inside playing and the next thing I knew I received a text message from Kurtis with all three of our feet perfect in the snow.  Super cute!  

Landon's microwave has turned into a carwash.

Landon's new train toy from our neighbor Mark.  

Cuddle time with mommy and watching our favorite shows.

I had two onions at home and two onions at school but the bug hit us anyways.  Landon woke up Sunday morning with a 103 fever.  He ended up staying home with daddy Monday and heading the doctor.  They said it was just a virus that had to run its course.  I then stayed home with him Tuesday and Wednesday as his fever kept lingering between 99-102.  

The funny story is I have been keeping him away from church with all the junk going around.  I went with Shelley and her family to our church for a soup supper fundraiser the night before he got sick.  Landon and Grace were running around and the next thing I knew he was licking the glass door going into Kid City. What a coincidence that he then got sick.  

Bowling in the house.  Definitely feeling better!  

Landon playing with his friend Grace.  He loved all her toys.  A bunch of us girls got together one night and Grace and Landon played so well together.  We didn't end up going home until 10:15 p.m. but he was a trooper.  

Wearing mommy's Aurora shirt!  Looked more like a dress on him.  

2 Games...2 Nights!

It's basketball season so let the games begin.  Thursday night, my parents, Landon and I headed to Hastings to watch Aurora play Adams Central.  Let's just say it was a pretty crazy game: the other coach was absolutely physco who yelled the entire time and was halfway on the court almost the whole game, my brother got a technical for a minor disagreement with the refs, the other team was playing starting varsity players against freshman which resulted in a loss .  I don't know how my brother coaches because I'm a nervous wreck the entire game just watching.  Landon absolutely loved it though; except when everyone started yelling.  Then he got scared.

Coach Phillips

Go..Go! 

Watching ball with Grandma and Papa!

After the game we were waiting for Uncle Scotty to clean up and get things packed so we played a little basketball ourselves.  Landon was in heaven!  He loved playing ball like a big kid.  I think we have a future basketball star on our hands. 

Teaching him a few tricks!

 

Trying to dribble

 Then on Friday we headed to Ravenna for their home game.  Once a year the band does a fundraiser supper before a home game so my parents, Kurtis, Landon and I headed out.  My Aunt makes all the food and pies so it's a must go event.  We also met my Grandparents there.  As soon as we walked in the door and Landon could hear the dribbles and band it was over.  We couldn't get him past the gym doors to go eat; he was too excited for basketball. So needless to say he had a not so nutritious meal that night of game food.  The rest of us enjoyed our sloppy joes, salads and homemade banana cream pie!  After eating we headed to watch the game.  It was very hard for Landon to sit through the girls game especially after he was able to dance and play on the court during halftime.  He didn't want to sit after that.  Once the boys game started though we were good to go.  It was a very intense game and a ton of fun!  

Go Big Blue!

Halftime dancing; he was the hit of the show!

By 9:15 p.m. he was done; binky in, quietly playing with his trains and all gamed out!  There was still 3 minutes to go but we decided we probably should head out.  The game was within 3 points so it was hard for me to leave but we did.  Ravenna ended up winning though 54-43! 

Our next game is this Monday night again in Aurora!  

Mommy Night Out

It all started when Asia turned 32 and I mentioned I had never been to Fuji's before.  We decided that for the January play date the mommies would go out and leave the kids home with the daddies. Here are 6 of the 9 moms.  For my first time at Fuji's I had a wonderful time and definitely want to go back with Kurtis.  My school kids, family and friends always talk about it; we just have never gone.  The atmosphere was so fun and of course the meal was amazing.  After eating we then headed out to Bandits for another drink and to chit chat. I ended up crawling into bed around 12:15 a.m. which is way past my bedtime.  Luckily Landon slept in until 8:30 the next morning.  The moms decided we need to start doing this once a month and I totally agree!  

Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve we just laid low at the Dudo house.  Good thing we didn't have plans because Kurtis came home from work that afternoon feeling under the weather.  He had horrible sinus pressure, headache and the sniffles.  Landon and I ended up letting him sleep most of the evening and we played and watched football. We were all in bed by 11; however, at 12:00 I could here, "Mommy, mommy, mommy" coming from his room.  He must have known it was the new year (or just the fireworks woke him up).  I gave him his New Year's kiss and went back to bed!  

Happy New Years from the Dudo Family!

I feel horrible...as I was reading all of my friends' blogs they had all these cute family pictures and I realized we didn't even take one on Christmas as a family.  I'm always the one taking them!  So, on New Years that is the first thing we did when we got to my brother's house.  

New Year's Day we headed to Aurora to watch the Husker game with Scott and Carissa.  We were very pleased with how it turned out.  Not with a win, but better then expected. Of course Landon had to have Uncle Scotty play the guitar while we were there.  We were trying to sing him to nap time; didn't work :)  

December Photo Dump!

Playing trains/cars with Uncle Scotty!

Landon loves to hide.  

Arrrrrr, I a pirate!  

Where's Landon?  He has to sleep with it all.

Hand delivered flowers at school from my husband just because!

The K-State block I made for my Secret Santa!

Mastering the names of all my extended family members.  He's doing awesome; Dylan is his favorite!

Christmas morning.  (Kurtis always has to be a goof when taking pictures)

New toy from Grandma and Papa Phillips.

Football in the house with Daddy. He loves to tackle!

Bubble Guppy zipper tags.  He had to have them all on there.

My favorite picture of them all!  We have loved the quality time together this Christmas break.