Where has the time gone?

We’ve been so bad at updating our blog lately. Part of it because we have been so busy (but really no different than before) but also because we’ve gotten so far behind where do we start again. Finally we realized we are only digging a deeper hole so we might as well update what we can and know we probably will be missing some things.  So here is our ever so quick recap of the summer and what we’ve been up to lately. 

August:

Carter 4 months

Carter’s first trip on the boat

Movie night to celebrate Landon filling his potty chart

September:

Carter 5 months

Carter gets Roseola

Cousin Kaydence turns 1

BBQ with Pilorins, Rietkerks (minus their 2 new additions 1 week old twin girls) and Wells

Landon’s first ride on motorcycle with Papa

Dressing like Andy

Landon goes camping with Nonni and Papa

October:

Carter 6 months

Kauai with Kelley Family

Apple Hill with Wards

Landon goes camping with Nonni and Papa

Update on Landon:

A little over 2.5 years old

Wearing big boy underwear!!  (except at night)

A complete sponge which is good and bad.

He’s talking up a storm and comprehending so much.  He knows the correct way to use “just kidding”

He knows his colors, most letters, and numbers to 10 (but can count higher)

He loves camping and tractors. It’s all he talks about

Shani’s proud mommy moment:

                Shani holds her head and stretches her neck

                Landon: what’s wrong mommy

                Shani: Mommy has a headache. My head hurts

                Landon: I adjust you??

                Shani: that would be great!

                Shani lays down on the floor and Landon “adjusts” her neck

Update on Carter:

6.5 months old

Has two bottom teeth

Scooting/army crawling across the room

Big boy! 17.5 lbs and at least 28.5 in long (last height was measured at 5 mo)

Slowly starting solids: egg yolk, raw elk liver, sweet potato, banana, avacado, pear, apple

Smiley, happy, alert boy

Loves his big brother!

Happy 10th Anniversary...

of our Engagement!

Yes, that's right.  10 years ago John proposed.  10 years ago Shani said yes!  Most people might wonder what day they got engaged, maybe some can remember easily.  For Shani it's pretty easy as it's her brother's birthday.  For John, he's just that great!  We get home from being over at Shani's parents house and Landon tells Shani about a "surprise" in the backyard.  Shani didn't understand and thought he was talking about the laundry that was hung out there.  But sure enough there was a surprise... a very thoughtful one.  John had re-created our engagement.  He set up a tent with rose pedals and rocks leading up to it.  He found someone selling a picture of the creek that runs along where we were and had it sitting next to it.  Inside the tent was a hand written note (similar to the one he wrote 10 years ago), the rock that we actually took from our engagement as a souvenir, and  diamond bands that Shani has been wanting for her wedding ring!  We've been so blessed to be married to our best friend for 9 years (engaged for 10 :-)) and have two wonderful sons!  Life is great!

our engagement site (Big Sur)

Engagement replica

10 years ago

Our family now

beautiful canvas print of Mill Creek

Our Little Fish

Since Landon has been so fearless around the pool we decided to put him into swim lessons.  No, not the mommy and me lessons, but the "real" lessons.  Private, one-on-one, 15 min, for 5 consecutive days lessons.  It might seem a tad harsh considering he isn't even 2.5 yet, but hey we wanted our boy to be somewhat safe when near water.  Well it paid off!  Miss Kassy (swimtolive.com) was an amazing swim instructor and has taught our son to swim!  No we don't mean just jump to you and momentum takes him swim, we mean full on kicking and getting somewhere swim.  It's totally crazy.  The first day he didn't cry or fuss at all.  Days 2-4 he cried almost the whole time but was great and still did everything she asked him to do.  The last lesson both of us were able to go watch and he only whined a bit at the beginning and was good the rest of the time.  We are so proud of him!  It's really neat because she also teaches them to float on their back to get a breath if they can't make the whole swim, then spin back around and swim to the edge.  She is so patient and encouraging to the kids.  We highly recommend her and can't wait for next summers lessons! Here are some pictures and video of Landon swimming.

  Landon before lessons (notice how he is comfortable under water but sinks)

 Landon one week after his last lesson (looks like Papa helps but doesn't actually touch him)

We get asked frequently how well Landon is adapting to his baby brother.  We've been so blessed that we are able to respond "so well!"  He has just been the greatest.  We've had no jealousy issues, no aggression, nothing.  We do know how this may change once Carter starts getting more active and playing with Landon's toys or the fact that Carter will probably be bigger than Landon one day, but as of now they are great together.  Here are a few cute pictures of our sweet boys!