Family Time!

Saturday we headed to my brother's basketball tournament at GICC.  We didn't make it to the first game but they played in the championship game against GICC which was a blast to watch.  

Of course my son didn't want to look at the camera.  

This was one of the most intense games I have been to. It is so fun to watch my brother's excitement and love of coaching these boys. They ended up losing by 1 point in double overtime.  :( It was an awesome season though as this was their only lose.  Way to go Huskies!  

 After the game we all headed to our house to celebrate Landon's birthday.  

Avery was screaming at this point and Taylin made this awful face like "what is that noise?" 

Then we're happy!  

Uncle Scotty wasn't feeling the best but he still was able to get some cuddle time in.  

Little Taylin waving at her Aunt!  

Happy 3rd Birthday Landon!

Our week started out pretty rough...On Sunday, Landon spent the day outside playing in the snow then went with Kurtis to the Danger walkthrough.  When he got home that evening his cheeks were bright red and he just wanted to lay on the couch.  Late that evening he came down with a low grade fever in the 99's.  Kurtis stayed home with him on Monday and then we decided he would head to daycare Tuesday.  However, in the middle of the night he woke up with a higher temp of 101 and he was talking in his sleep about the most bizarre things. Kurtis then stayed home with him Tuesday.  Well...his fever still wasn't back down Wednesday around 3 in the morning and he was supposed to go to backup daycare that day; however, I decided to stay home with him one more day to hopefully beat the nasty bug.  

Wednesday was his birthday and the poor kiddo laid in bed until around 1:00 that afternoon.  He ate lunch in bed and even opened a couple presents in bed.  Around 1:45 he finally decided to venture downstairs to play.   

The only thing he ever talked about wanting for his birthday was a knight hat and a guitar.  Too bad he already has two guitars so he got his knight hat!  

We also got him a matching game that we enjoyed paying in bed.  

Thursday he did head back to daycare.  Mikki gave him a Dreamlite turtle for his birthday.  He absolutely loves it!    

We didn't have any big plans for his birthday. The night of his birthday we were going to go bowling as a family of four but with him being sick we decided to just stay home.  Daddy went to church and we played, took baths and rented Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.  My parents were going to be in town on Saturday for my brother's basketball tournament so we invited them and my brother over for lunch and cake.  My grandparents were then in Hastings for my cousin's tournament so they stopped by to drop off his present and join the festivities.  Of course I had to decorate a little to make it feel like a mini party; especially because we didn't really celebrate on his big day.  

I used his own toys to decorate!  

Hung up a Turtle banner and called it good.

He was sleeping with me Friday night so we put his birthday balloons downstairs instead of his room.

He got Jungle Book from his Aunt and Uncle,  

cars from his Great Grandparents 

and a Ninja Turtle trike from his Grandparents.  

Landon loved his cake! 

Happy 3rd Birthday to our sweet and spunky little boy!  

Life as a 3 year old...

Landon loves Ninja Turtles, cars and all sports.  

He still has his favorite TV shows and now we are adding movies to our list. 

He absolutely adores his sister and baby cousin Taylin.  

Landon is a wonderful helper.  He loves helping mommy with laundry, giving Avery a bath, and unloading the dishwasher.

His vocabulary is unreal.  It is crazy some of the things he says and knows.  

We'll make comments to him like "Your so silly" or "Your ornery"  His response is "No, I'm Landon."  

He is registered for preschool in the Fall. 

Finally has moved away from Crocs; however, still hates jeans.  

Finally doesn't mind getting his hair cut.

However, he still hates tags in his clothes.  

Loves to color pictures.  

Blue is his favorite color.

Would eat chicken nuggets or spaghetti every meal if we let him.

Loves chocolate milk.  

Adores his puppy.  

Biggest accomplishment...WE ARE POTTY TRAINED!  

That was our ultimate goal before he turned three and we made it.  He is still in pull ups but is dry every time!  

Valentine's Day!

 The day before Valentine's Day I met Kurtis for lunch at Applebee's so we counted that as our date. :)  Then on Valentine's Day the kids and I headed to Kearney for the day as we had off from school.  We ended up meeting my parents there.  They took us out for lunch at Culvers and then of course we went shopping.  Our Valentine's Day was very low key. 

 When we were at the mall the photography business had mini shoots for $12 so I figured why not!  We had to go to Old Navy to buy Landon a V-day shirt so he somewhat matched.  Still gotta love his yellow and blue shoes!  They turned out pretty cute!  

Our Valentine's treat to the kids and each other was to go out for ice cream as a family but we never got around to it, so it looks like we'll have a belated day out!  

Progressive Dinner

It was our annual progressive dinner; however, we did it a little differently this year.  Usually we start at someone's house for appetizer, move to another for the main dish, then another for dessert and games.  However, many of us had babysitters at our houses so it didn't leave us many options.  Instead we decided to all just bring the different parts and we enjoyed our evening at the Jakob's house.  

For appetizer the Schumachers brought Jalepeno Cheese Dip.

The main course Rachel, Beth and I did enchiladas, rice and beans.

Audrey brought chips, guacamole and cheese dip.

Then the Cremers brought Banana Cheesecake and Chocolate Cake.

It was all amazing!  

Avery tagged along with us.  She was so good all night.  She loved watching us play our crazy games.

We played Heads Up which was hilarious.  It is a game app on your iPhone which is mixed with charades.

Definitely a wonderful night spent with amazing friends!  

Fun in the Snow!

Last year Landon hated snow boots and would not even play in the snow.  I have learned with Landon just to let things happen at his own pace and not force him to try things and this year he loves them both!  We were able to put snow boots on him (He kept saying he was cool like his cousin Roan) and he would play in the snow for hours if we let him. 

All bundled up as Leonardo!  

Our neighbor Mark bought us a hockey set.  Landon and daddy played ice "snow" hockey together!  

Then of course we had to make our yearly paths.  Usually we make paths in our yard for Wally but since he is at Grandma's for three weeks we made them for Landon. He called them his train tracks!  

Our play date for the month of January was a mommy afternoon out.  All of us mommies went to the nail salon and got manicures and pedicures.  It was a very relaxing afternoon!  

Thanks Abby for letting me snatch your pictures!

The next weekend after getting our nails done we had a surprise 30th birthday party planned for my good friend Ashley.  My parents were on their way back from Aurora after spending time with my brother so they stopped by and watched the kids for us so we could enjoy our evening out with friends.  This is really the first time we had gone out just the two of us sine Avery was born so of course we had to take a picture. 

SURPRISE!!!  

The Newell crew that was at the Miletta Vista Winery.  

Happy 30th Birthday Ashley!  

3 Months!

Our sweet little girl is 3 months old! 

*She is interacting more with others each and every day.  Her smiles are because someone else is smiling at her or loving on her.  

*She still loves to be held and cuddled with.  

*She is starting to make cute little noises.  

*Avery will stick her tongue out if you stick yours out.  She is learning to mimic.  

*She is about ready to roll over just needs a little more umph.  She'll get on her side and is so close. 

* When she is laying on her back she'll scoot herself in a complete circle.

*At exactly 3 months old she slept through the night for the first time.  She did it the next day too, so we'll pray that it continues to happen.

*She'll still has some fussy moments at night but they are now controllable.  Definitely not like they used to be; now they are just typical baby fussy times.  

*She likes to fall asleep on her tummy. 

*She's a gusher!  She'll eat and of course not too long after she'll gush.  Landon had to start rice formula because of it; however, our doctor told us to hold off on it for her.

*She is starting to not be a fan of her carseat.  Once she's asleep in it she is fine but if we are in the car the car has to be moving for her to be happy.  If we are stopped at a stop light she knows the difference. 

* And of course...she still has LOTS of hair.  This is the #1 compliment we always get from others.     

We had to go to the doctor to check on her stuffy little nose and gushing issues, so when we were there she also got weighed.  She is now 11 lbs. 8 1/2 oz

Of course the big brother wanted in on one!  He absolutely adores her to pieces.