Wow...I have some catching up to do

A lot has happened since I last posted...

April 12 Landon moved up to a big boy car seat and he loves it!

April 19 was Landon's 1st birthday. I can't believe it! It went by so fast! We celebrated his birthday on April 17, with an All Star Sports theme. We had pulled pork over rice, salad, vegies, bread and cake for dessert. He got a lot of new toys and clothes which was great. His favorite toy of the night was a toy broom. He loves it! So funny. He did great with his cake too. He tried to pick up the whole thing and eat it, lol.

May 15 We took the kids to the Fullerton Arboretum. They loved it! They were so interested in the plants and animals all around them. It was a nice, relaxing afternoon.

June 5 Makayla had her first dance recital. She did amazing, and loved every minute of it! We are so proud of her! She looked adorable in her costumes!

June 7 We went bowling for family night. It was the first time for both kids. So fun!

June 15 We took the kids to the Downey Firestation where my Uncle Jay works as the Captain. We got an awesome tour and the kids had a blast climbing in an on the truck.

June 18 Took the kids to the doctor and found out that Makayla's cold had turned into a mild bronchitis and that Landon had another ear infection. My poor babies!!

July 4 We didn't do much this year since it was on a Sunday, but we went to visit our old ward for Ansley's baby blessing. (Justin and Amber Jackman's little girl). Then we went over to the Jackman's for a BBQ and just hung out. Then we went to my parent's house for another BBQ. Overall, it was a great day. Makayla had fun doing the poppers.

July 9 I took the kids to Pretend City in Irvine. This place is awesome! The kids loved it! It is a little city for kids with a grocery store, doctor's office, firestation etc.

July 15 We took the kids swimming with some friends from church. It was Landon's first time and he loved it! He wasn't scared at all! We all had a lot of fun!

July 19 We took the kids to Disneyland. This was Landon's first time and he loved it. Thanks to Marsha we were able to get hooked up with park hopper tickets, so we also took them to California Adventure which was a lot of fun. We also stayed to see the World of Color water and light show which was awesome. It was a long day, but so fun!

August 9 My younger brother, Justin came home from serving a full time mission for the past two years in Mexico City, Mexico. We were so excited that he came home. We all went to the airport to pick him up, and of course I cried when I saw him :0) Justin got to meet Landon for the first time, which was really neat. It's great to have him home, and we will miss him when he goes back to BYU next week, but he will visit often.

August 11 Was my 25th birthday! We didn't do much during the day because I was babysitting, but that night my mom watched the kids so Michael and I could eat dinner and so I could shop.. It was nice to have time to shop and try things on for myself. I ended up finding 6 new tops that I really like. We celebrated my birthday on August 8 and I got money, a skirt, makeup, chocolate and a new camera from my honey!

August 14 Michael and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has been that long! It has gone by so quickly. Michael was so sweet. He planned out the whole day for just the two of us. His mom watched the kids so we could have the day alone together. First we ate lunch at a Mexican place in downtown Brea. Then we shopped. Then we both got 1 1/2 hour massages, which were amazing!! Then we shopped some more and had a wonderful dinner at the Melting Pot. So good! We had a private table decorated with rose petals and candles. So romantic. Overall, it was a wonderful day. I love my husband so much and feel so blessed to be married to him for eternity!

The kids have been learning so much lately. Landon is saying new words all the time like "shh" and "bubbles" "pop" "door" "up, down" "bonk" "trash" "don't do that" "don't touch" etc. He is so smart! He sure keeps us busy. He is constantly getting into everything. Opening doors, playing in the toilets etc. He loves fans! We bought him a little one with foam blades and he loves it! He knows and will point to his nose, eyes, head, belly button, tounge, feet etc. He always tries to run away when it's time for a diaper change. He loves his baths. He loves the way it sounds when he talks while plugging his nose. He will give you loves and try to get something you have, like the remote or food lol. We are so proud of him and love him so much! Makayla is talking non stop! We asked her where we should go one day and she said "Walmart...Target" lol That's my girl! She's been learning how to rhyme and has made up some like "Joe/Moe" and "Fatch/Match". The other day Landon had a stinky diaper and she said "Landon, you smell funky" haha. She loves to play with play dough and clay. She loves to pretend she's a mommy and has babies, or pretend that she's a baby. She loves to play board games and does amazing at matching games. She really has a great memory. She has been working in her school workbooks and can write some letters on her own, like O, M, T, L, I, A, etc. She pretty much wrote her first name by herself last week. We were so proud of her!! The more we practice the better she will get! We have flashcards that she's been learning with to help her learn how to sound out and recognize sight words, and she is doing really well. I'm amazed at how much she's knows and understands at 3 1/2. She is supposed to start Preschool in January and she is so excited. We love her so much and are so proud of her. Well, that's about everything...Pictures to come soon!

Shawna's Bowtique

Hey everyone! So I have some catching up to do that I will have to do another time. Just wanted to let you know that I have a new blog: ShawnasBowtique.blogspot.com. Come check out the hair clips, bows, flowers and headbands that I recently started making and selling. Hope you enjoy!

Our home - Before and after

Before:

Landon's room
Makayla's room
Our bathroom
Our room/office
Kids bathroom
Backyard
Dining room
Laundry room
Kitchen
Downstairs bathroom
Living room














After:





















Landon's room-I recently scrapped off the popcorn/cottage cheese ceiling so we still need to fix that, and finish painting.
Makayla's room-Painted. Just needs some decorations hung on the walls
Our bedroom-Painted. Also needs decorations on walls
Our bathroom/office-We left the paint as is. Will repaint later. Added towels and rug
Kids bathroom-Took down wallpaper, painted and finished
Backyard-Michael pulled out all weeds/plants. Just need to finish landscaping.
Dining room-Took down mirror, wallpaper, painted, new flooring. Need new chair rail
Laundry room-Took down wallpaper, painted, new flooring, finished
Kitchen-New flooring. Eventually update counter tops and cabinets
Downstairs bathroom-Gutted. Took down wallpaper, tore out mirror and vanity. New flooring, new sink, painted and new flooring, all finished.
Living room-Tore out old carpet, painted, new flooring, needs a few more decorations.

As you can see we have done a lot to this place, and we did most of the work ourselves, with the help of family and friends of course! A big thanks to everyone who helped! We will continue to post as we make changes to our house.

Close up pictures of new tile floors and laminate wood floors

Updates...

I have been wanting to post for a while but wanted to have some before and after pictures of our place. Here is what we have been up to...

Feb. 5 We signed Escrow docs for our condo

Feb. 6 Big Day!! Since she was little she has loved her pacifier, or as she calls it an "uh-oh" We have been trying to get rid of it for awhile but she just wasn't ready. So, we decided together that she was a big girl and didn't need it anymore. So we wrapped them all up (seriously like 20 of them) and were going to give them to other babies that needed them. The first few days, mostly nights were rough, but after 3 days she stopped asking for them. She is officially done with pacifiers! Woo Hoo!

Feb. 9 Makayla's 3 Birthday. We went to lunch with Amber and Jasper Jackman. Then later that day I took her to get her nails done for the first time. She loved it, and did a great job sitting still. Then we had her choice of chicken tacos, bean & rice for dinner. Overall, she had a great day. I still can't believe that our baby girl is 3!!

Feb. 11 We officially bought/own our first place/condo

Feb. 13 We celebrated Makayla's 3rd birthday at my mom's house since we were getting ready to move. It was Disney's Enchanted theme, her favorite movie. We had pizza and salad for lunch and cake for dessert. I made a small castle cake for her. It took forever, but turned out pretty cute. She got a lot of clothes and some great toys. Overall, she had a great party.

Feb. 14 Valentine's Day - We went to church and spent the day with the Trimmell's and that night with the Ibey's. Michael and I exchanged gifts earlier on the 12th. He surprised me by making an appt for me to get my hair done. When I arrived at the salon there was a card, balloon and vase of roses, so sweet! He told me not to get him anything so I got him some red heart balloons and some big chocolate bars. We also got the kids some little things. It was a great day!

Feb. 28 We officially moved into our new home. During the weeks before we moved in we did a lot of work!! You'll be able to see that in the pictures! We still have more things to do, but it looks amazing! We tore out the carpet downstairs and put in laminate hardwood floors. Tore out the tile in the entry way, bathroom, kitchen and laundry room and replaced it with some really pretty Italian porcelain tiles. We gutted the downstairs bath and put in a new pedastal sink, mirror and medicine cabinet. New paint downstairs and upstairs. We eventually want to update the kitchen cabinets and countertops and the bathrooms upstairs, but that all comes with time. A little here, a little there. It's been a lot of work, but we love it because it's our place!

March 11 We went to the La Habra Children's Museum with Amber, her sister Nichelle and Jasper. The kids loved it! We will probably be going a lot since it's down the street.

March 17 St. Patrick's Day. We had green pancakes for breakfast. Daddy forgot his lunch so we stopped by his work to drop it off. Then we went to the library for story time. Then for dinner we went to the Trimmell's and had corned beef and cabbage. Good day.

March 22 Landon got his first tooth - On the bottom left if looking at him.
He's been doing a lot of new things lately. Making a "huh huh" noise for a dog barking, shaking his head no, coping me when I say "uh uh uh" lol moves are back and forth for airplane, learned how to drink from a straw, and has been "talking" a lot! Like having his own conversations with everyone in his own baby language, it's really cute.

April 4 Easter. I got the kids matching Easter outfits for church that they also wore on Easter. They looked so cute. We spent the morning with the Trimmell's and then the afternoon and evening with the Ibey's. The kids enjoyed getting baskets full of goodies and toys and had a blast with the Easter egg hunt. Landon actually did pretty good. This was his first Easter and I think he enjoyed it. Overall we had a great day full of great food and good times with family. We are all grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ who died for us and made it possible to return home to our Heavenly Father. He is the reason we celebrate Easter. (Forgot to mention that the kids also dyed easter eggs.)

April 2-12 Michael is on Spring Break this week so we are/will enjoy having him home. He does have to work a few days, and is leaving tonight to go to Arizona to help his parents work on his grandma's house, but he should be back late Friday, early Sat.

I think that's about it for now...Here are a bunch of pictures (Pictures of house to come in separate blog)