HaPpY 4th of JuLy 2012!

Happy 4th of July from our family to yours!

It's always unbelievable to me when I create these photo collages just how much the kids

change over the course of a year! They are getting so big!

We had a lot of fun plans for this July 4th, but Landon had a different idea.

Poor boy woke up with a summer cold so we cancelled our fun plans and stayed home to rest.

We leave for our annual camping trip to Bass Lake in just a few days so we want to make sure both kids are healthy and rested!

HaPpY 4th of JuLy to all of our friends and family near and far!

Hiking Baden-Powell

On June 9th, 2012 Travis took Landon on his first real hike, and boy was it a big one! Practically in our backyard, and just a short drive away is Mt. Baden-Powell. Travis had hiked this trail once before and had been wanting to take Landon up the mtn. for a while. We weren't sure how Landon would do, so Travis went into the hike with low expectations. He was prepared to turn around at the moment Landon started to show signs of fatigue.

The hike is an 8 mile hike round trip, 4 miles up and 4 miles back down.

They needed to get an early start not knowing how long it would take Landon to get to the top...IF he could get to the top!

*On a side note...As Landon was leaving the house to go on the hike I did one last check over his clothing, and his hat and shoes. I realized that his feet had grown quite a bit in the past few months and his hiking shoes no longer fit! His heel was hanging over the back of the shoes by over an inch! I knew those wouldn't work and would be really uncomfortable for him. So we, at the last minute, switched him into his slip on tennies. Not ideal for hiking, but it would have been a bummer to call off an entire planned hike because of something so last minute. So hike the mountain he did, in his Vans! No blisters or problems, thankfully!

Starting the hike at 7:30 a.m.

Excited and ready to go!

Landon picked up a "hiking" stick as soon as they started on the trail. He was using it to hit things and swing at the weeds. He was especially interested in poking the sticks down all the holes he saw in the ground. Travis said he used it for everything but a "hiking" stick. Daddy did promise Landon that he would buy him his own set of hiking poles if he was able to make it to the top of the mountain. Landon was also promised a Dr. Pepper as soon as they were done hiking!

Exploring the trail, and checking out the scenery!

Taking a short break

I almost had a heart attack when I saw this picture! SO high up and Daddy let him stand SO close to the edge of the mountain! Yikes!

Mile marker 3!

At three miles in he was 3/4 of the way done with the hike up! Only one more mile to go!

Landon and Daddy take a quick picture while resting.

Landon resting at the top of Mt. Baden-Powell. Inside this metal stand is a book inwhich those who have made it to the top can write their name, and or the date and any other info they wish to leave. Landon got to sign the book, and added his age as well!

Travis and Landon rested for a while at the top and ate lunch before the hike back down. Landon was very anxious to get back to the truck and get to the store to get his celebratory Dr. Pepper!

Doing what a 5 year old does when they've climbed a mountain! Goofing around!

So beautiful and so proud of our boy!

This is the story of how my boy climbed a 9,407' mountain in an 8 mile round trip hike on a sunny day about a month shy of his 6th birthday! It took him 4 hours to get to the top. 3/4 mi. in he was tired of carrying his waterpack and passed that onto Daddy. Sure do love that boy and his strong sense of adventure!

Getting Big...

05-22-2010

06-05-2012

He's growing fast!



Little League Closing Ceremonies 2012

And just like that the 2012 Little League Spring season is over!

We got cheated out of a few games due to some late winter snowstorms, but overall had a great first experience with tball for Landon! On Saturday June 2 we headed out to the ball field for Wrightwood Mountain Little League's closing ceremonies.

All the times were scattered throughout the outfield, waiting with their coaches for the announcer to call their team name!

"The NATURALS"

The whole team ran to the infield... 

 

...gathered around the announcer, and got to say their name into the microphone introducing themselves to the audience one by one!

 After they all got to say their names, the ended with one final team cheer.

Then they ran back to their waiting area in the outfield and were presented their 2012 medals by Coach Scott. 

 2012 Wrightwood Naturals

 (L to R) Nathan, Kathryn, Landon, Trenton, Coach Scott, Luke, Connor, Ethan, Dermott, and Maddox! There were a few players missing from closing ceremonies.

So proud of his first baseball medal!

We really lucked out with Landon's first ever baseball coach. Scott Gomarko was great with the kids, and really taught them a lot about teamwork. Scott's son Connor was in Landon's preschool class and also on the team. It was great for Landon to play with so many of his preschool buddies.

Dermott, Connor, Landon, and Ethan.

Preschool friends and tball teammates!

I must admit I was a little sad with the baseball season ending, but with Summer here I know I will be thankful for the clear schedule and lack of commitments! Overall Landon had a wonderful first season, and was an excellent baseball player. We already have plans to keep him playing and are anxious for Fall ball to start!

WAY TO GO NATURALS!



Photo Dump

1. Landon was starting the quad as I was leaving the house so he and Dad could go on a ride

2. Enjoying the early days of Summer

3. End of year preschool party, Hawaiian Luau theme

4. Sweet summer feet

1. Heading to gymnastics (Brynne) and the last tball game of the season (Landon)

2. Team Party on the field after the last game, pizza + cupcakes + warm summer nights = perfection

3. First swim of the summer

4. Family tradition, Summer Bucket List 2012

1. Laundry day, and I'm out of hanging room

2. LAST day of preschool

3. LAST tball game of the season

4. Painted my pantry white...now what to do with the 'dated' cabinets

*All photos from my phone*

Up next, Kindergarten!

Today was Landon's last day of preschool. I know I talked here in an earlier post about our struggle with making the decision to hold Landon back a year before sending him to Kindergarten. It seemed to me, such a big deal at the time, but as usual things have a way of working out.  It ended up being such a blessing to have Landon take preschool this year. His teachers Miss Kathy and Miss Shirley were amazing! AMAZING. He grew in every area possible, and is now so ready for Kindergarten. There were more than a few moments of sadness for me this week. Today was particularly hard. It's not that I am sad to see Landon move onto Kindergarten, it's just that I know that from now on he will be in school 5 days a week! Homework, 5 days a week. Packing lunches, 5 days a week. Man, I HATE packing that dang lunch each day. I never seem to pack the right thing, and 90% of the time the food I pack him comes right back home, untouched. Lovely.

We are a family on the go. I am a super active Mama and we always have something to do. It just makes me sad that starting in August he will be gone to school every. single.day. I know I will adjust quickly and learn to love the quiet time, but for now it's hard to wrap my brain around it.

The school did a wonderful job on the graduation program.

The kids all had cute caps and gowns to wear, and they had been rehearsing all week to preform a few songs as well. The stage was set up so cute!

When the kids all walked in I was so nervous for Landon. He can be pretty uneasy, and anxious in situations where people are going to be watching him perform. And boy did his face show exactly how nervous he was.

Once he got on stage and got comfortable he did great! Mama was so relieved!

The kids all preformed a few really sweet songs. You could tell that they had worked so hard on memorizing the words, and learning the hand movements.

After the performance portion the kids were called up onto stage one at a time, where the received not only their "diploma" but also a special surprise from their teachers. Miss Kathy and Miss Shirley had written a poem for each of the kids and they read them aloud.

Miss Shirley read Landon's poem..

"Landon has a gentle spirit

he really is a very good friend,

He works so hard on everything he does

from the beginning to the end."

After some nice words spoken about the school year and this particular group of kids, as well as a nice tribute to the teachers that the parents all co wrote, Landon was dismissed to meet up with his family in the audience. Just like that he's done with Preschool!!

Auntie Amy and Uncle Nate came along with Ryder to watch our boy "Graduate." I know that meant the world to Landon. He LOVES his Auntie so, so much.

Ryder was particularly excited to be up past his bedtime and gave Landon some sweet congratulatory hugs!

So proud of our sweet boy! And Brynne was THRILLED that Landon was finally done with Preschool because that means that it is now her turn! It's going to be a long summer with lots of "Is it time for me to go to school now?" questions...

We took our graduate home and had a fun surprise waiting for him!

Needless to say, we are SO proud of Landon and so excited for him to start Kindergarten this Fall.

And needless to say, Landon was thrilled with his surprise!

We love you Landon, and can't wait to see you grow by leaps and bounds over the 2012-2013 school year!