"1"

Can you believe an entire year has flown by already?! It's amazing to think one year ago we were just bringing this little babe home and he was entirely new to the world. There wasn't much he could do and now there isn't much he can't do. Landon is no longer a little babe but is entirely a little boy. He is busy busy busy. He climbs up and down stairs, climbs up in chairs and knows how to get down off the couch or bed on his own, he can get anywhere he wants to be. He is still working on walking but has no trouble getting around. He'll stand for long periods of time on his own and then decide he can get somewhere quicker by his speedy crawl. He loves to give kisses, or zerbits for those you who used to watch The Cosby Show. He loves bath time and gets upset when it is over, he jibber jabbers to us and himself and can say mom, dad, and DAh! for the dogs. He has quite the personality and his constant smiling makes him quite the joy at home. The last year has been the most challenging and rewarding.

As parents we feel like we've got a pretty good routine down and have managed to continue to do the things we love. Landon attended his first Utah JAZZ basketball game last weekend and thought it was great, we take him out dinner, bundle him for trips in deep snow to the cabin, pack him to friends' houses - he goes where we go. It's hard to think about the first months and the little sleep we had - it's amazing people live through it and do it again and again. But I think we finally get it. The big smiles and hugs and gentle tugs on our pant legs to be picked up warm our hearts. It's hard to think about what filled us up so much before. Landon is truly a great kid, we hope to see all of you soon so you can get to know him :) Thanks to all of our friends and family for the support and trips to SLC this last year!

We had a birthday party for Landon and invited friends over for a cupcake, or two, or three. Enjoy.

Landon had a few buddies over for his birthday. From left to right: Ryker Clark (10.5 mos), Kate Thomas (13 mos), Landon Phillips (12 mos), Drake Busse (10 mos). They all loved playing the piano - they each took an octave.

Landon actually gets opening gifts now. There just might be something cool under all that wrapping paper.

Hair's the Thing....

It was quite a big day today. Landon will be one year old next Tuesday on the first of February. Rob and I have been in agreement this last year that no baby under 1 year old can have a haircut. It just doesn't seem right. Well, with Landon turning one, and mom tired of swooping the hair out of his eyes, we have given in. We went to Cookie Cutters where Landon got to sit in a hot rod, steer the steering wheel, and watch Elmo - all at the same time. Sensory overload most definitely. He seemed to enjoy it though, and sat nice for the stylist. They even put a little product in his hair to help with his "spike". His hair looks much blonder he looks different - like a little boy, which he is.

Right after styling.

Yes, we saved some of the hair. Landon sat so well. He wasn't quite sure of what to think when the stylist spritzed his hair - he wasn't a fan.

Landon's hair before.

Landon at a play date with Baby Kate Thomas. They are buds. Clearly Landon was in need of a hair cut. If only he could have gotten away with Kate's up-do, no dice.

Christmas Time

We had a wonderful Christmas in Salt Lake City. Grandma and Grandpa DeVoe came for the festivities. Landon of course made out like a bandit - lots of great gifts from family and friends! And best of all - a great time with Grandma and Grandpa!

On the Catwalk

Melissa's friend Mary Jane Isaacs likes to take pictures as a hobby. She took these pictures on a Saturday morning in her basement studio. They turned out great and she really captured Landon's personality. He is so expressive and she captured all of his faces. You'll see what I mean :)

Time Flies and Landon Has Grown

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. It's amazing how time flies, especially when time is measured in clapping, waving, talking, eating, walking. Landon has seemed to have grown these past months. Not in height or weight but he is beginning to get it. If you wave to Landon, he will smile and wave back - his hand is backwards but he's waving. If you say "Landon, clap your hands", he smiles and beats his hands together so very proud. He stands at the back window and yells to the dogs, he eats much of what we do - has two bottom teeth and four top teeth working their way in....ouch! He crawls so fast we actually have to sprint to grab him, he can turn around and get down off of the couch - next up, walking. I don't think we are too far off. He can balance for a second or two on his own and then realizes what he's done and sits down.

This post is a collection of pictures from the last few weeks.

Our Christmas picture from the cabin after cutting down our Christmas tree. Even the dogs are looking - nice!

The "Men" getting ready to cut down the tree. We of course cut down a Charlie Brown tree that was growing into another one so that the good trees can survive.

Christmas tree decorating!

Landon at the head of the Thanksgiving table - no worries, he didn't have any wine. He did shove an entire Crescent Roll into his mouth. Like father like son - their favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner.

Landon stuffed after dinner with a little mashed potato on his nose. We spent Thanksgiving at the cabin. When we got there it was zero degrees or below- the thermometer in the cabin didn't even register. Landon and Melissa snuggled up next to the wood stove for about 2- 3 hours until it reached about 50 degrees. Then it was time to play. (The sleeping temp ended up at about 80 degrees with windows open.)

Landon gets into everything, any drawer is fair game, as well as the stuff in it.

A hike at the property before the snow came.

How Melissa found Landon one morning in his crib - looks like he's in jail.

And a shout out to Grandma DeVoe in our white turtleneck.

Last but not least. Our first true blowout. Landon went straight in the bath - twice.

Love to you all!

Pianos and Prodigies

Landon has become quite the piano player. He plays the highs, the lows, and everything in between and all at the same time.

Melissa discovered his love for the piano a few weeks ago. She was in the office and all of sudden heard notes playing, she couldn't remember leaving the radio or the t.v. on and quickly realized that Landon was standing and tickling the ivories.

We'll see where this goes.