Landon's 1st Year

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I'm in love with this book. It's been amazing watching this little boy grow and develop his own personality. We love him :) 

Brown Family 2012

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I love taking pictures. (Evidence - over 8,000 photos in a year.!!!!) However, there are some photos that wouldn't make sense to others, or that are just for me or my family... So, this year, and hopefully years to follow, we have decided to make a family yearbook. So, if you aren't able to come see the real thing, you can check it out online. 

(PS - Loved making this book! This is totally my kind of scrap booking.)

Landon.

OMGEEE!! Where has the past year gone?! I can't believe my baby is a YEAR OLD! This just doesn't seem right to me. I've taken his photos once a month on the 3rd to see how he's changing, growing, and becoming his own person. I just love this little boy. I'm wrapped. Unless he's screaming (high pitch, tone only a dog should be able to hear scream) for food (like R-I-G-H-T now).

You may want to know what he's into right now.. well, if not, I'm going to tell you anyway :)

-Food. Ha. I think he could eat his sister under the table if given the opportunity. 

-He also adores his sister. Wants to know what she's doing, how he can get in on it, and playing with her. I'm so thankful they do get along so well. 

-Blocks/balls are his favorite toys. Especially a stack of blocks that can tumble. 

-He is a momma's boy to the nth degree and I'm totally okay with that - most of the time.

-Our pets. When Neko walks, or rather saunters, into the room Landon starts making a 'kkk' sound and has a cheesy grin across his face. If he could master the art of a friendly pet he would have a few less scratches from the cat. Hopefully someday Neko will hang with Landon as he does with Audrey.

He can be an ornery little thing.. I've caught him on more than one occasion in the cat's litter box. Ew. I know. SO.GROSS! But, he is also so funny. The faces this boy duplicates gets me every single time. And he's learning to blink/wink. OMG. Melting. Love this little boy.

Newborn

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

6 Months

7 Months

8 Months

9 Months

10 Months

11 Months

 (12 months to come!)

Saying bye to her elf

Even though this blog is title "Landon" I feel the need as a mother of TWO to mention my eldest. My mini-me. My personality clone. This girl loves school. She has been lost the past two weeks for Christmas/New Year break - she needs to get to school! She has enjoyed being able to have a more relaxed schedule and stay in her sweat pants (who can blame her!). I love listening to hear play and use her imagination. Granted, the story line rarely varies, but the things she can come up with makes me smile and laugh. It's been a joy to be able to literally hear her grow up and see her change. She loves all things princess and is excited to go back to Walt Disney World soon. (I just realized how much of a random hodge podge this paragraph is becoming!)

Preschool Christmas Party

I feel extremely blessed to be able to call these two my children. They light up my life, make me laugh, have a purpose, but also a determination to do all that I possibly can for them. 

Christmas morning!

Oops! Almost forgot...

So, now that it is JANUARY, I thought I'd update on items I used from my DECEMBER Birchbox.

First, I was so excited when I opened my pretty wrapped box, and saw a full size mascara. If there is one thing I have a weakness for, it's mascara. To plump up my lashes, make them long, luscious, and fake me looking awake! But, seriously, if my lashes where like my son's, I'd probably nev... no, I would totally wear mascara :)

So, the mascara ... first, it has a mirror on the body of the tube. Genius! I love the brush too.. I haven't had clumping.. It just seems to really coat my lashes without making them like spider legs. Did I mention it was a full size mascara? LOVE! <3 (ModelCo Fibre LashXtend. Get it!)

Next item --- perfume. It's Nicole by Nicole Richie.. Eh, it's okay. Perfume is a tough one to really sell to me. I prefer something light, sweet, more fruity than floral. Somehow I have managed to collect a drawer full of perfume .... some of those really should go to file 13..

Last -- a shampoo. First, I have a serious case of OCD when it comes to my shampoo/conditioner. I can't do one without the other. So, now my conditioner is a little less. Blah. It's a low sud shampoo, and if I'm going to use a low suds shampoo, it better do something for the curls/waves. This one didn't. I like the low suds Redken shampoo that I blogged about in the past.

I still have nail polish remover pads to try out and some skin care. More to come!

December 18

There are some days that I dread seeing them on the calendar.. today is one of those days. I'm reminded of what happened 30 years ago and how little I really do know about the individuals that gave me my genes. Today I try to avoid driving as much as possible, I stay home and reflect. For most of us, we are busy getting ready for Christmas. It's a week away... but there are individuals all around us that are also thinking of those we miss this holiday season. 

This year, I am also thinking of the families that lost dear ones in CT. I pray God's love, compassion and grace will envelop those families that are hurting. The innocence of the first snow, the magic of Christmas lights, the carols, the time of reflection. 

To those of you who attend holiday parties -- be smart. So much can be lost in the blink of an eye... 

Make memories while you are able to do so. Take the time to form and keep family traditions this season. Revel in the wonder of this season.

Babblings.

Anyone else ever start a blog then wonder WHY am I writing about this? Who really cares? Or how many bunny trails can one person seriously go down???? 

GUILTY! :) 

I feel the want to write, but our lives have been so eh recently. Short version --- BOTH of our vehicles were out of commission with the need for new water pumps.. Shannon's had a few other things that needed done (timing belt, inspection, oil change, some light thingy... I know a lot about cars!) While I have been stranded at home for two days, since he needed my vehicle, I began to think about getting a horse and buggy for a back up. Ya know, JUST IN CASE. Ha. Totally not going to happen... maybe it was a thought from cabin fever! Pro - I could wear my sweats and not feel guilty about it, I was also able to work on some of the craft items I need to finish, and I got SOME cleaning done.

Love these two!

So, while I'm here, let's do an update on the fam.

Shannon's car is fixed! HA!! This year's Christmas to each other is knowing we put money into our vehicles, we are driving safe vehicles, and general maintenance is done. He recently had a very positive review from his job and we are so thankful for the blessings that have come from his position. 

My men at Thanksgiving

I love this photo :) Audrey at the Greencastle Parade

 Audrey is loving preschool. Still. Phew. Now that it's Christmas time, our elf, Jumpin' Jack, has made his return. Every morning she looks for him. It's been cute to see her reaction when he does something crazy (like cut some of my yarn and swing from the fan. Crazy elf!)

Handsome boy @ Parade

Landon is on the go. All.The.Time. Love him, but I really liked him not being mobile. He went from army crawling, to hands and knees crawling in a weekend. He crawls like a bull dog. It makes me laugh. I love him :) He has 6 teeth, loves to eat almost anything that's put in front of him. Right now, his favorites are little crunchies, yogurt drops, noodles, cuties (clementines)... Really anything he can pick up and put in his mouth. Which means I need to vacuum more. Blah. (Did I mention he is almost a year old!? Where in the world has the past year gone?????!!!!!)

First Thanksgiving!

And the author, me. :) I have been busy making stuff and I love it! I love being able to create, use my imagination, and use talents. But, my favorite is seeing the recipients reaction. I love the smile of - wow! this is amazing! (gloating a little! some pride is good, right?!) But my favorite is seeing photos on facebook of people wearing items I have made. Man. I love that! I'm so thankful folks WANT me to make things.. that keeps me busy. I am anxious and excited to finish off my list so I can get started on new concepts and put my new knitting needles to use!

In case I forget to mention in the next 11 days ---  

Merry Christmas to you and yours from us! :) 

November Birchbox Part 2

I realized in the busyness of my normal daily activities that I forgot to post about the rest of my box... As I stated previously, I really wasn't impressed with this box :( So, here goes my opinion of the rest of the contents ---- 

Skin Transformer sounds like it should be on some type of movie my husband would watch.. With an item like this, I think I would need to use it for an extended period of time and consistently. Most of the time, I have an almost one year old (HOLY COW!!!) climbing up my legs. I'm lucky to get my teeth brushed some mornings. I'll continue to use my sample, but I don't see this item becoming part of my routine :/

Stila shimmer I mixed this with my foundation. I'm sure if I hadn't been lazy and done things in two steps I'd be able to see the product. Regardless, it's something that is nice to add for a date night or a holiday party.

Texture spray -- ok, this I really liked! I used my curling hair products and needed to vamp my hair for a date night. I could feel the texture and the volume in my hair. Really liked this. I also have a dry shampoo from Oscar Blandi and really like that also. Only downfall - a shower WILL be required unless you want a serious sexy, bed-head look for the day :)