Landon-Less Fun This Summer

Before 2013 comes to an end, want to make sure I throw some blog love to the fun we had this Summer, without Landon! I am usually so eager, and quick to post the latest pics of him ('cause he changes so much), that I forget to post about the fun we have when we are "off-duty"! So, here's 3 quick updates from Summer 2013:  

CHICAGO GIRLS WEEKEND

In July, Haley, Sarah, Jess, and I "met in the middle" for a fun weekend in Chicago. The reason for the trip? Justin Timberlake and JayZ at Soldier Field. There were many many more highlights than just the concert! We kayaked through downtown Chicago, shopped, went out for great dinners and plenty of drinks, toured around snapping photos, enjoying a new city, and even snuck in a little pool time! No one can make me laugh like these girls...we were all so lucky to have the weekend "off" to spend time with each other! #sisterswithnomisters

KATE'S BACHELORETTE IN VAIL

Less than one month later, I got to fly to Colorado to celebrate Kate's bachelorette party in Vail! It was the perfect weekend: girl time, sleeping in, sunshine, great food, spa time, pool time, party time...all set in one of the prettiest places on earth! I just love my girlfriends, and am so happy that I got to spend a special, fun weekend "off-duty" to celebrate our Good Time Kate!

MIKEY & KATIE'S WEDDING

And, last but not least, Sean and I attended Mikey & Katie's wedding in August (thanks Grandma Donna for watching Lando!) It was a beautiful wedding, at a gorgeous site in the hills near Santa Cruz. As much as we love having our little guy with us on the dance floor, it was nice to enjoy ourselves without the standard "do you have him? where's lando? when was the last time we changed his diaper? do you have his sippy cup?"....type night! Oh, and did I mention there were CAKE POPS!? 

Landon Lingo: First Installment

Our 2 year old is an overnight talker! He is stringing words together, asking lots of questions, and answering most of ours! He is all of a sudden a miniature human, capable of pretty legit conversations! One of the longest sentences is something like "Mama, I ride the really loud and scary roller coaster at Disneyland" or "Dada, I eat all my blueberries and I get a special treat".

Along the way, there have been words that he mispronounces, that we think are pretty adorable. For one, he says "muse-kick" instead of "music" and our current favorite is "juh-man-ahs" for "pajamas". Since my example doesn't do it justice, I got this one on video last night:

Disneyland 2013

Just before Thanksgiving, we took Landon to Disneyland for the first time. It was an incredible trip and pretty special to get to spend time at the Happiest Place on Earth with our only child. He may never get a trip like this again...where he drove the agenda, the food choices, the rides, and the fun...all by himself! Sean and I saw the park through a toddler's eyes for the first time, and it made it brand new for us! Tons of pics to share below, but honestly, this photo pretty much sums it up. It is now my all-time favorite photo of my and my little love. Something tells me I should submit it to Disney for their next marketing campaign.

In addition to taking photos throughout the trip, Sean and I started an email thread where we'd jot down little notes & memories. You know like funny things he said, or little moments we didn't want to forget. I'm so glad we did this...and encourage other Mommies out there to give it a go on their next trip! Here's the run down of those captured moments:

1. "We are in Race Cars Land" - said as we entered Radiator Springs in California Adventure
2. "It's our turn now!" - said in every line (long or short), many...MANY times!
3. "Mama, where is my button?" - said after he saw a boy with his "first visit" button on his shirt (Mama left his in the hotel room)
4. "We crashed!" - while on the Peter Pan ride
5. "Mama! No talking...only singing!" - said to me while he cupped my face in his tiny toddler hands
6. "Elephants Not Scary!" - said after riding Dumbo for the first time!
7. "I like that taxi monster ride!" - said after the Monsters Inc ride at California Adventure
8. Sean: Landon, did you bump Mama in the cars? Landon: Yeah...that was silly!

Sappy Moment Alert: The last time Sean and I were at Disneyland was on a double date with Dan & Carlene at Christmas 2005. Now, here we were...8 years later, married and with our 2 year old son, standing under the same huge Christmas tree on Main Street. Time flies when you're having fun (and happily married & busily chasing your son around)!

I think he liked "driving" this car outside Mr. Toad's Wild Ride more than the ride itself!

Highlight for Landon: "Race Cars Land" and meeting his favorite character: LIGHTING MCQUEEN!

This photo is deceiving. Landon looks like he's happy, but he is .02secs away from completely melting down. He was NOT a big fan of the characters. This was the first and last attempt we made to get photos with his friends. 

"Mama, look...there's the roller coaster!"

Showering Mama Jazzy

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, we celebrated Jazzy, the Mama to Be! We had a great party at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Downtown San Jose! We enjoyed drinks, delicious Italian food, yummy dessert, and a color coordinated candy bar full of Jazzy's favorite sweets! It was a wonderful afternoon, full of love & sweetness! We love you Jazzy!