Rewind...

The new year begins in two days.  How exciting!  But I will hold on to these fun memories of the end of 2013 for many years to come.  And if by chance I should forget, I can always look back at these entries from our family blog.

 

For Halloween this year my mom made a monkey (Curious George) and banana costume for the boys.  It was a hot night, but we had so much fun trick or treating with our munchkins.

 

 

After almost an hour, Landon was ready to head home but not our little man Connor!  Boy did he throw a fit when we brought him inside! 

 

This year we had to give a shout out to the UCF Knights on our pumpkin.  Woot, woot!!!

 

Thanksgiving was spent with the Kennedys this year.  We stayed at our great family friend's brand new beach house in New Smyrna Florida.  We rode our beach cruisers, discovered a few awesome playgrounds, and relaxed.

 

Landon helped auntie Alaina cook breakfast one day.

 

This park was so pretty.  The cove in front of Connor is home to many manatees and dolphins that the boys witnessed splashing and playing around.

 

It's tradition to have someone 'tickle the turkey' before it goes into the oven on Thanksgiving morning.  They boys would only observe.

 

We found another fun playground right on the beach as we cruised on our bikes Thanksgiving morning.

 

Meme, Titi, and Landon make the best sand castles. :)

 

 

Our winter break started over a week ago, and down to Coral Springs we went to hang with the Campagnanos.  The trip went by quickly.  One day we took the boys to The West Palm Zoo.

 

 

 

They loved seeing all of the animals.  And Connor- well he refused to be strapped into his stroller the whole time we were there!  He just walked and walked and walked around everywhere.  He's getting so big.

 

 

I love this picture.  Landon is amazed at the sight of the very large alligator behind the glass.

 

 

And that brings us to Christmas morning.  It was classic.  Landon is 3 1/2 (today is his half birthday :)) and he was so freakin' excited!  It was TOO cute.  Luckily Paul caught it on video.

All he kept asking for was a roller coaster... and the very first gift he picked to open was a new Hot Wheels roller coaster!  It was definitely a hit.

 

 

When we got back we took the boys to Sea World.  They have fun holiday shows and the park is all decorated.

 

 

We saw the cutest Elmo/Sesame Street show.  Even Connor sat and paid attention the whole time!

 

Sadly we didn't get to explore the new penguin ride at the park because the line was 90 minutes long. :(  Maybe next time...

 

 

Today I took them to the Science Center.  We met our friends Kelly and Mason there.  It's such a great way for them to learn and explore new things!

 

Planes, trains, and automobiles!

 

Dinosaur exhibit

Energy!

 

And tomorrow we're off to Jacksonville for Christmas part 3.  We'll ring in the new year there, too.  2014- here we come!  XOXO

Back to Reality

The new school year is in full swing, and I'm writing this at 11:30 on a Tuesday morning.  You guessed it- one of my babies is sick. :(   Connor seems to have caught the same virus that Landon had exactly one week ago.  The only symptom is a fever (and Landon had a sore throat) so it's not too bad.  And now I have extra time to post some pics and have extra snuggles with my baby. 

Our big boy is no longer being cared for by Iara, the sitter that has watched him since he was 3 months old.  Now he is a PRESCHOOLER!  He just loves going to school and has already learned so much!  He is constantly singing songs and telling us all about what he is learning.  Although he misses Iara dearly I know that this was the right decision for him.

A few LJ stats:

39 inches, 39 lbs.!

FULLY potty trained.  Yup!  For about 1-2 months now he wears underpants to bed, too.

Knows the months of the year and the days of the week

Can say the Pledge of Allegiance (correctly!)

Can identify almost all letters and many letter sounds

Can count to 20 (we're working on going to 30)

He's a little athlete already

Participates in Soccer Shots- an organization that teaches soccer/teamwork skills

Can consistently hit a baseball being pitched to him

Still LOVES to listen to stories/books; favorite right now is Curious George

Loves to go for walks

Is still afraid of fireworks and is not a fan of thunderstorms

Threw up for the first time last week. :(

He dressed as a farmer for school at the end of a unit they were learning.

In the midst of getting back to the reality of work we have continued to make fun memories.  

Ft. Wilderness Campground in Disney

Can you believe how big he looks?  

Poolside relaxation

 Swimming practice

 Playground fun

 Open gym days

Visiting the Orlando Science Center

Spending Labor Day weekend in New Smyrna Beach (a little adult time before the kids arrived)

 The boys adore Uncle Lawton!

A few CJ stats:
Today he is 16 months old.
At his 15 month check up he weighed 22 1/2 lbs. and was 32 1/2 inches (long and lean)
full of energy and usually running around
loves to be read to- favorite book is The Little Blue Truck
talking more these days; says "mo," potato, bubble, "peez" for please, nana for banana, doggy, Daddy, Mama, eat, hi, and a few others I can't think of right now :)
squeals and points when he sees planes
loves to go for walks
understands everything we say (ex. it's time to brush your teeth!  and he runs into the bathroom and gets onto the step stool)
Has 10 teeth and 4 more are pushing through right now
favorite meal- Steak, sweet potatoes, and asparagus
An all-round happy guy!

 And just this past weekend, between the illnesses, a little UCF tailgate action!

 Go Knights!