The Amazing Jim

Some days I like to think that I am creative. But, when I think about all of the creative and amazing things my dad has built and created I realize I pale in comparison. Any creativity that I did inheirit came from him and his father!

My dad enjoys building model cars. Not your ordinary take the parts out of the box, build per instructions and place on a shelf.  NOOOOO!!! Where is the fun and creativity in that?!  Here are a few of the models/diaramas that my dad has built....  (note: these are pre 2009 so I'm sure he has done some cool stuff since then)

Some of his models have won awards and been featured in magazines. So of course these awesome creations can not be composed in an ordinary room!!

He built a Nautilus Submarine Room!!! Here is a video for a full tour...

AMAZING! right?! He built it all! Standing in it is crazy! It is so life like! He even painted the floor!!  My dad has built and dreamed up some crazy stuff but this is breathe taking! I can't believe it!  When and if I ever find pictures or videos of the other amazing things my dad has done I will sure to post them too.

Greatest Dad(s) on EARTH!!!

Every year for Father's Day I have the kids make something for Nick. This year was no exception.

Landon made Nick a card and decorated a bag at Jaymi's summer camp. And Landon, Leia and I made Hero boxes. I found the idea and printables on pintrest! (LOVE that site! And marked an item off my 52 Things to Do in 2012 list! AWESOME!)

Landon decorated the box and we assembled all the ingredients!

And then we made 3 more!

One for Papa...

and one for Grandpa Bob and Gpa!

Landon liked helping them open their boxes and showed them what was inside.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAD!

Summer Fun

Landon had a busy summer!! On Mondays he went to the summer movies with my parents. Every week they get to see a different movie! The first day took some convincing to get him to go and stay but after that he would practically run out the door to go.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays we would go to Jaymi Jarman's house for summer camp. He played with other kids, made a craft, had snacks and did story/music time. I think this might have been his favorite this all summer!

On Saturdays the first half of his trip was soccer..

He loves playing soccer

 and he is surprisingly good.

Monday and Wednesday nights he had karate! 

This helped with his listening a little bit, but I'm not sure he understood the whole "only used in defense" motto..

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays he has swim class

He can swim by himself now for short distances.

He has really improved since last summer!

On Saturdays for the second half of the trip Landon had T-ball. This might have been his least favorite.

I don't think there was enough action for him.But he still had fun!

Landon was VERY busy!! And most nights he was worn out! Mission Accomplished!!

52 Things To Do in 2012 -Update

At the begining of the year I posted a list of 52 things to do this year. I thought I'd give an update for me and you to see how I'm coming along with this list....

1. Send out Christmas cards
2. Lose baby (and infertility drugs) weight  Not even close!
3. Have a baby -shouldn't be to hard to accomplish =D Easiest one of all ! HA!
4. Blog more
5. Finish 10 things from my Pintrest boards  I'm close on this one. Mostly it has been recipes, but I think that counts!
6. Take maternity pictures
7. Read 5 books 3 books down
8. Be better about cleaning the house still a work in progress
9. Take Landon to Disneyland before he starts school (this might be the most challenging one)
10. Finish the nursery by February I'm not sure it was finished by February but it did get finished before my shower, so I'm counting this as complete!
11. PURGE! PURGE! PURGE!
12. Finish one year of scrapbooking for the Family and Landon
13. Payoff all credit cards
14. Make Christmas stockings for next year
15. Take a photography class
16. Learn how to use Photoshop
17. See 5 movies in the theatre 2 down
18. Go to 1 play/musical I have plans for this already.
19. Finish scanning pictures
20. Start Nick's genealogy
21. Make a plan to build our dream house
22. Save up for our dream house
23. Take Bella for a walk at least once a week
24. Visit family in Utah & California
25. Take Landon to the Phoenix Children's Museum
26. Take newborn pictures of Adele
27. Use my Nook more
28. Decide on a stay-at-home "job"
29. Be better about cooking at home
30. Get the boys to eat more vegetables  This might be the MOST difficult one!
31. Teach Landon to ride a bike with 2 wheels
32. Be better about taking my vitamins
33. Turn the TV off more
34. Spend more quality time with family and friends
35. Spend more time outside
36. Practice newborn pictures on Harper
37. Start working on Christmas gifts EARLY!
38. Go to the library more
39. Visit a National Monument or National Park I've never been to before
40. Work with Landon on reading
41. Close the shop at the Brass Armadillo
42. Eat healthier
43. Work on linking family photos with genealogy work
44. Start getting Landon and Adele ALL the signatures of the Disney characters in Disneyland!!
45. Get Landon and Adele's picture taken with all the Disney characters they get signatures from
46. Start an ornament scrapbook for the kids for their annual Christmas ornaments
47. Start a new family tradition
48. Be more patient
49. Get all the stuff out of storage! This one REALLY didn't happen. In fact the whole house is going into storage now!
50. Repaint hall bathroom (with paint I already have)
51. Finish painting the master bedroom The house is sold and now some one else's problem!
52. Finish this list!!

Every Flavor Beans

When Josalyn and her family visited Disney World they also went to Harry Potter Land.  I had her bring me back some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans 

Here is a list of the flavor beans that were included. Some are yummy and some are yucky!!

Landon, Nick and I tried them all.

....making sure the garbage was close (just in case)...

I found three like beans and at the same time we would try it and THEN I would tell them what flavor it was!! HAHA! I made sure to alternate between good and bad flavors.

The sausage was the WORST!!

Nick liked the Black Pepper one and the Grass flavor was surprisingly pretty good.

It was fun trying something new. I was surprised Landon was willing to do it at all and that he held on for as long as he did. There was only 2-3 each of the yucky flavors and the rest were yummy flavors.

Thanks Josalyn for bring those back for us!! It was good family fun!!

Two Months Old

Leia you are TWO MONTHS old!

Sleep: You are a very good sleeper. Most nights you will sleep for about 6 hours before getting up to eat. I still make sure you are completely asleep before I put you in your bassinet. During the day you sleep off and on. It is in the car seat that you sleep the most. You will sleep in the car seat for as long as I leave you there.

Feed: I stopped pumping when you were about 5 weeks old. You needed more than I could produce and had to supplement with formula anyway. So now you are 100% on formula. I started you on Soy based formula, because you were a gassy on the milk based formula. But soy based doesn't seem to make much of a difference. We're keeping you on soy based formula for now.

Weight: You are now 8 pounds 11 ounces!!! You gained over 2 pounds in the last couple weeks! you are only in the third percentile but you're still on the chart!!!!

Length: You are now 21 inches long! And in the fourth percentile. You'll be a shorty but that's OK with me!

Diapers: You are still in newborn diapers. But they are starting to get a little small. We will probably finish off the box of newborn diapers we have and move onto size ones.

Clothes: You are still wearing newborn clothes. They all fit pretty well, some are getting a little snug. I'm hoping that you will start wearing 0-3 months soon. I'm getting a little bored of your wardrobe right now.

Hair Color: You are definitely a red head! Your head is finally getting big enough to fit some more of the headbands I have for you! Can't wait for more hair so I can put bows and ponytails in.

Eye Color: Your eyes are still blue, but I am still hoping that they will turn green like me and Daddy's.

Milestones: You finally smiled last week! And some times you make little giggle sounds. You can lay by yourself for about 10-15 minutes at a time. And you like looking around at things and people. 

Your Favorite Toy: You are still not playing with toys right now. But you enjoy your play mat, looking at the toys and listening to the music. We will be starting tummy time, I'm sure you'll be great at it.

Firsts

First yard sale 05/19/12

First Labor Day 05/28/12

First cooing

First smile 05/31/12

Not too many firsts this month, the next few months are going to bring many more. Can't wait to see what new things will happen next !!