Pregnancy pic

Yep, I'm big and pregnant. I am at 37 weeks in this photo. I have gained all 30lbs back that I lost last year and then a little more:) With all of my pregnancies I've only really taken one "remember my pregnancy" photo and it is around 37 or 38 weeks. So it was about time I take a picture of this little bundle of joy who is soon going to join this family.

 

I had to get a pic with the kiddos touching "Baby Blueberry" too. When I was pregnant with Landon, it was Ben and I in the picture. When I was pregnant with Katelyn it was a picture of Landon touching my belly, so it only made sense to have big brother and big sister in this picture!

I just love that the kids call their little sister Baby Blueberry. When we first told them we were pregnant they wanted to know how big the baby was and according to BabyCenter.com, it was the size of a blueberry so that is what we told them. Ever since then this little one has been known as Blueberry:)

*On another note: I am set to be induced on May 29 at 4 a.m.! So unless Blueberry has other plans, that is the day she'll come.

Mommy Preschool Graduate

 

A year of Landon attending Mommy Preschool, which was just a few women in the ward who had three year old boys switching off having "preschool" at their house for a week, has come to an end! It got kind of demanding after one of the the ladies dropped out of the rotation so it was just up to one mother and I to switch off, but I'm glad we kept up with it b/c Landon (and Katelyn when it was at our house) had a great time.

Each week focused on a new letter as well as numbers, shapes, colors and animals. Landon knows all his letters and most of their sounds so this summer we'll work more on learning to write them. Finding crafts and activities for the kids to enjoy took some creativity too but usually that was their favorite part--well that and the treats. 

We ended the year with a "Year End" party where we had an alphabet bug hunt, count the roll of the dice game, a fun summer craft and yummy cupcakes. Next year Landon will be in an actual preschool setting in a school so he'll get more structured learning to prepare him for kindergarten. But who knows, maybe Mommy Preschool is just around the corner for Katelyn:)

Katelyn's salon trip

Katelyn had her first real hair cut on April 17th. She had been asking to have her hair cut for months and every time we buzzed Landon and Daddy's hair she said she wanted hers done too.

She never wanted to take her eyes off the mirror.

 Her look says "I'm not sure about this Mommy."

Finished product: We cut an inch and a half off but you really couldn't tell. But her hair is much more manageable (if only she didn't have a double cowlick to boot!), isn't near as knotted and it does have more curl to it now. And I was so worried her curls would be lost! 

 I love the below video because it shows how stone-faced she can be when she's around strangers--even though before walking in the doors she was beyond excited!

Birthday part 2

On Landon's actual birthday we let him choose where he wanted to eat which was "Old McDonald's." And then opened presents and ate cake. I think if I am going to keep insisting on making the kid's birthday cakes, a cake decorating class is a must! As wonky as it looked Landon loved his baseball cake so I'll call it a success:)

After blowing out his candle he said he wished he could turn five.

Thanks to all who sent Landon presents, he had a blast opening them.

Enjoy the birthday song video. Landon didn't crack a smile while we sang to him.

We love you, Buddy. You are getting so big. Watching you learn and grow is the best thing for a parent. You make us smile everyday and you can be a big help. Katelyn is your best friend and you both adore and terrorize her! Trains, cars, construction toys and sports are the joys of your life right now. Those big blue eyes and great big grin sometimes help get you out of trouble because a mom just can't resist giving into them:) Mom and Dad are so proud of the big boy you are becoming and can't wait to watch you grow even bigger. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Birthday Part 1--Atlanta

This year we did not throw Landon a birthday party, instead we took him to a Braves game which he said was even better than a party:)

The pictures are in reverse: On our way back from Atlanta we stopped at the Chattanooga Choo Choo train. The last time we were there Katelyn was just a baby.

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We stopped at the Atlanta Temple too. Both Landon and Katelyn thought the Angel Moroni was Jesus.
And here is the grand finale: Daddy and son at the Braves Game. Ben said Landon had an awesome time. He loved watching the practice warm ups and he got TWO, yes TWO ball players, one Brewer and one Brave to sign a ball!


And before the game Landon got to open his first birthday present: A baseball glove and ball. Now he and daddy get to play catch!

Easter

The kids seemed to understand that Easter is about Christ but they still think the Easter Bunny is pretty cool.

Easter Sunday hat. She called it her "Garden" hat.

All ready for church.

Thanks to the Easter Bunny and grandparents the kids got to find TWO baskets each. They were pretty excited and thought it was neat that the Easter Bunny left a letter for them telling them they had to be better at listening to their parents if they wanted candy next year. And the Easter Bunny told them to remember Jesus on this special day.

Trip to the park

On Saturday before General Conference started we took the kids to the park before shopping. There was a community event going on that we were not aware of but lucky for us they had a fire engine there. Landon and Katelyn got their own badge and fire hat. That sure was a hit.

A pregnant mommy with her two kiddos. Landon and Katelyn loved their hats but not so much the strap that went under the chin. They kept pulling at it and finally had their daddy hold the hats for them.

Here's a little taste of our adventure at the park:


And then we headed home to watch the first session of General Conference. I had printed off some photos of the First Presidency and Apostles on flowers, let the kids color them and put them on popsicle sticks to make their "General Conference Garden." It didn't entertain Katelyn as well as it did Landon who wanted to make a very colorful bouquet.

Katelyn's flowers (had a tiny bit of color on them, she was more into the tape)

And Landon's colorful garden.

When the Prophet and apostles speak Landon searches his flowers to find the speaker. He calls the prophet Thomas M. Monson--he doesn't get the S part :)