Fall 2013 & Winter 2014

The last six months have flown by. In a nutshell, this is what we’ve been up to:

Home 
We moved into our house!! And no, I don’t have any good pictures to show yet. ☺ Landon was a big help helping painting, unpacking, and building (bookshelves, chairs, table, etc… the list goes on and on). As you can see in the pictures below, he also went through a phase of attaching things to himself – in the picture below where the baby tub is tied to his boxers with a belt, he is pretending to be a trailer truck. He is quite inventive.

Fall
We actually had a bit of nice fall weather. My family came out to visit and they were especially helpful in getting all the home projects done that I wanted. Took a trip to the pumpkin patch with them and enjoyed the last bit of heat before winter set in with full force.

Halloween 
For Halloween I was hoping Landon would want to be Peter Pan, since that costume was already made, but he was totally over Peter and had moved on to Bob the Builder. No biggie, we still got tons of use out of it. Halloween gets more and more fun each year as he gets older! He had a blast trick or treating, and wanted to keep going but was just so tired. By the end he was laying down in the wagon falling asleep. One of the things I look forward to most each year is the Halloween party Scott and I get to enjoy sans Landon. This year there were six snakes in the photo room. Don’t be deceived by the smile; I’m having a panic attack on the inside.

Thanksgiving/Baby Ultrasound 
Celebrated Thanksgiving just the three of us, just how we like it. Also, per tradition, went to see a movie in the afternoon. Landon didn’t want to see Frozen because it looked “too scary,” so we went to Austenland instead. One of my favorite books! The movie was also good, definitely as cheesy as we expected, but funny, and fun to watch since Scott knew a lot of the people who worked on it. Baby ultrasound! As much as we would have loved a girl, we both just knew it would be a boy. He’s been consistently measuring two weeks bigger/ahead of where I am. Although this usually means nothing, it’s interesting to note. Boy it goes by fast the second time around! And yes, we have the name picked out, but decided to keep it a secret till his birth. Not that it’s some bogus made-up name; it’s just more fun driving our parents crazy.

The Accident 
December came with a good haul of snow, which Landon thoroughly enjoyed. We couldn’t wait to go back to WA for Christmas and New Years, and make our semi-annual getaway to Victoria, BC. But, unfortunately the night before we were planning to leave, we got in a car accident. Huge, huge bummer but much to be thankful for, as it could have been a lot worse. Long story short, traffic in town stopped abruptly in front of us, and Scott put all his weight into the breaks in an effort to stop in time. We still hit the car in front of us and on impact Scott shattered the top of his foot, breaking and displacing multiple bones. It was classified as a Liz Franc injury; one that puts athletes out of their careers for good. He had surgery on Christmas Eve morning, followed by some scary complications, so we also spent most of that night in the ER. It’s been two and a half months and he just barely got the cast off and started physical therapy. Fingers crossed he will be able to walk by the time baby comes. (Thankfully, our car was fixable and now it looks amazing with a whole new front.)

Christmas 
We couldn’t believe this year Landon actually wanted to see Santa. He was so nervous but just had to tell Santa what he would like for Christmas. Christmas ended up being quite a bit different than we planned because of the accident and surgery. Scott was heavily drugged and out of it most of the day. Landon still had fun opening his presents, building his new train table and jamming out on his drums.

Visits 
After New Years, Scott’s family came to visit. Landon especially loved swimming in the hotel pool with them. Landon’s been doing well in gymnastics and loves going each week - although he’s quite the little spaz and has a hard time focusing and listening to his teacher. He also loves to sit in on Scott’s work meetings, even when he can’t keep his eyes open very long.

Fun Outings 
Landon and I went to the Dino museum. Lots of hands on things to play with at the museum, although Landon was a little freaked out by dinosaurs. He kept reminding me (and himself) that “They were alive a long long time ago… now they’re dead.” But, the dino noises in the background such didn’t make it seem like they were dead. ☺ We also couldn’t pass up the monster truck show in SLC. Landon was in heaven!

Superbowl! 
We had some friends over for a big ol’ superbowl party. Even though we’re not sports people in the slightest, we had the greatest time watching the Seahawks win!!

Faces of Landon 
Top left: L loves to put out fires in the house.
Top right: Helping Mommy clean! He enjoys doing the spray, emptying garbage cans, and unloading the dishwasher.
Bottom left: Most of Landon’s pictures look like this – he will smile at me, but just can’t take his eyes off of whatever thing he’s playing with.
Bottom right: Took an ink pad to his face… “This is my makeup.”

Left: Sporting his "listening to the Holy Ghost ears" from primary.
Right: Helping mommy shop at Trader Joes. (His latest thing when I ask him to smile is to immediately spread his legs apart as far as he can.)

Basketball 
[As you can see, these are the only pictures we managed to take on the good camera during the last six months.] During February, Landon was in a basketball class a couple times a week. He wasn’t super thrilled at first, but that might be partly because he doesn’t do sports much at home. He does what daddy does: make music! They jam out all the time and he loves to go to the studio and “record” songs with Scott and Brenden. By the end of the month though, Landon had definitely improved his dribbling and shooting skills and enjoyed it more and more.

Valentines Day 
On Valentine’s Day this year, we recreated our V-day from 10 years ago. Scott also treated me to a pedicure and massage, which was very sweet and very much needed.

Pregnancy Photo Shoot 
I was so diligent with Landon, taking pictures each week to document his growth. Not so good this time around. At least we got a few memorable picts at these amazing photo spots at Scheels. [35 weeks]  

Warming Up 
We are finally getting a glimpse of spring here, with beautiful warm weather! Play dates at the park, scootering around the neighborhood, and a trip to the zoo. Landon’s favorites at the zoo: the tiger and the new pirate ship play area. We just love being outside!

Family Photo Fall 2013 
Last one of just us three! ☺
Scott Update: [Since there wasn't really a better place to fit this in.] Despite being unable to walk, Scott has still managed to get a lot of work done, with the help of amazing friends. In January he released "Stormtrooper Secrets: Hip Hop Twerk" which hit a million views in less than 48 hours. The song he wrote for the video, "Beat Calls," made it to the top 40 on the hip hop charts, right along side Macklemore, Jay Z, and Eminem, which was pretty surreal. More importantly though, are all the jobs that have come because of the video. Right now he has a team in the Philippines shooting some sweet videos for his You Tube Channel. There are many other videos in the works including one for Ford, and the next Scott & Brendo album will be out sometime before fall. Love my talented hubby!

Family Pictures and the Latest Happenings Around Here.

Getting family pictures each year is like pulling teeth, but after they're done I'm always so thankful we went through all the effort and hassle to make it happen.

Little things I don't want to forget about life at this point...

Involving Landon:
Landon wakes up at four in the morning and now, instead of just crying he shouts, "Mommy, where are you?" He has also realized he can turn on his light. After we tuck him in, turn out the light, and close the door, he jumps out of bed, flips on the light and plays for 30 minutes before crawling back to bed and falling asleep. (With the light still on, of course.) He usually sleeps from about 8 - 4. I feel like I've tried everything, but nothing works to get him to sleep longer. Any suggestions are welcome!

Landon's curiosity and eagerness to learn. He's always asking me, "Wazzat?" (What's that?) when he doesn't know the name for something. He can count to 20 perfectly (seven and seventeen were being skipped for quite a while), and recognizes about two thirds of the alphabet letters. One of his favorite games involves sitting at the computer with Word open. Scott will type a letter or number and Landon will name it. He doesn't sign anymore but he talks in full sentences, and communicates so well.

Landon is very polite. He usually starts a sentence with "Oh! Excuse me..." He even tends to say, "You're welcome." to me before I've thanked him for something.

Landon's sense of direction is amazing. He recognizes locations when we are driving and can tell me what's near, even before it's in sight. (Library, Pizza Pie Cafe, Target, etc...)

Landon loves to sing! It's probably one of the most adorable things he does. He most often sings "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," which sounds like this: "Twinkle twinkle little star, how are you? ee eee aaaahh. Up up so high, like a diamond in the sky, twinkle twinkle little star, how are you agaaaaaain." He also sings, "Ring around the Rosie," "The ABC Song," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," "If You're Happy and You Know It." and "The Clean Up Song"

Some other things Landon loves to do is help me cook, wash dishes, (AKA turn the kitchen into a swimming pool), play dough, mega blocks, play the piano or drums, and have friends over. I watch a one-year-old once a week and Landon just loves when he's here. Trevor will let out squeals of excitement in the morning and Landon will go over to him and say, "Trev, shhhhh. Daddy's sleeping." He's also getting much better at sharing.

I take for granted the fact that Landon really doesn't get into things. When his best friends come over (two year old twins, that live downstairs) I'm reminded of just how much of my child Landon is. If I'm not keeping a constant eye on them, the girls rummage through my jewelry box, color in books, etc... Things I know Landon would never do when he's playing on his own. I've even caught him after the girls dump a bunch of toys out, following after, cleaning up. :)

Landon loves the moon. Whenever we are outside and it's dark the first thing he says is "Find moon." He always says hello, goodbye, and how are you to the moon. And he usually tries to reach out and grab it, only to end up saying, "Uh uh uh, hmmm... too reach." (too far to reach)

He has moved on to watching other movies besides Cars 1 and 2! Although we still watch those and Mater's Tall Tales often, he also loves Up, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, A Bug's Life, Ratatouille, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Thomas & Friends, and Sesame Street. I'd say he's ready for a trip to Disneyland. :)

Landon definitely has his "terrible twos" moments, and I'd be lying if I didn't mention that at times, between tantrums, lack of sleep, and everything else that always seem to build in those moments of trouble, I'm concerned I'll have a nervous breakdown. Even so, I love him to pieces and being his mom is one of the greatest blessings in the whole wide world.

Involving Scott:
Right now, Scott has moved more toward writing music than filming. It's always a difficult question to answer when people ask him, "What do you do?" His current answer is, "I'm a YouTube Rapper." (And he's a darn good one, if I don't say so myself.) Scott started a YouTube channel as a joke, with a video of kittens flying in slow motion to a song him and a friend wrote. It went viral in a few weeks, and people loved the song. He just released a second video, a slip n' slide that launches people into kiddie pools, also put to a song him and Brenden wrote. This video hit half a million views in two days. Between making those videos, they've been busy writing music for a big YouTuber's channel. It's been great exposure for their music (Scott & Brendo is their band name) and their fan base is growing rapidly all across the world. It's always been Scott's dream to do music as a career but it's even more risky than photography or film. The fact that it's happening is surreal.

Here are some links to check out Scott's work:
Cute Kitten Fly in Slow Motion to Hip Hop Dubstep
Slip n' Slide Launches People into Kiddie Pools (1000 fps)
Scott & Brendo songs on iTunes
Scott & Brendo Facebook page (Regular updates on new songs, videos they are featured in etc... Go like it!)
Devin Super Tramp YouTube Channel (This is who Scott and Brenden have been writing music for. Their music is on "The Blob," "Dogs in Slow Motion," "Paramotor Sky Races" and "Unicycle Freestyle."

On the side, Scott is the video guy for The Color Run. (The first and most successful of all the color runs going on right now.) He was just in San Diego this weekend shooting two back to back 5K runs for them. Scott ends up going to CA at least once a month for some film related project.

We honestly don't know what's in store for us in the next year, let alone five or ten. Scott's line of work is unpredictable and ever-changing. I used to be scared by not knowing, but now we look at it as a big adventure. It's exciting to think the possibilities are endless and there are surprises and new opportunities around every corner.

Involving Me:
Why is it so easy to write updates about Landon and Scott, but then when I get to myself, I have no idea what to jot down? Life is mostly the same I suppose. I do the mommy thing, running of the household thing, wifey thing, and once in a blue moon, squeeze in the me time thing. The days pass by, the seasons change, and we keep plugging along.

I just finished reading Palace of Stone, the Sequel to Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. Great book. I always feel a touch better, and less stressed, after finishing a good book. I've also been designing a few things; Thanksgiving decorations to replace the Halloween, the new blog layout (figured it would be incentive to start posting regularly again). This week, Scott's even going to babysit so a friend and I can get pedicures. Can you believe I've NEVER had a pedicure before?! I can't wait.

I just love this time of year, with holidays back to back. Landon and I like to hit up Tai Pan Trading at the mall, and look at all the Christmas decorations. (Of course we also have to go in Landon's two favorite stores, The Disney Store and Yankee Candle. He is obsessed with smelling candles. All the ladies that work there know and love him.)

Things are good. I love the stage of life we're in, love our apartment, neighbors, and Utah in general. Looking forward to snow, Christmas music, hot cider, and visiting family!

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

I have this fear that in my old age I will become a tragic victim of Alzheimer's or some other ailment that renders me without a memory of the past. Consequently, I take pictures of everything. Everything. Scott's been known to get on my case about it, and the other day Landon even said, "Come on, Mommy," when I got that snapping urge.

But I always want to remember how delicious hazelnut hot chocolate is, especially when coupled with an amazing book. Or how breathtaking all the flowers are in spring. Or the beautiful moment when my boys are cuddled up before bed. The little things matter. And I don't want them to float on forgotten.

Long Lost Vacation Pictures

While rummaging around in Scott's closet the other night, we came across a CD with pictures from our first trip to Disneyland together (with Scott's family).

Facts you should know: 

• We were 19, awkward in pictures, and had interesting taste in clothes.
• The Disney photographer taking the family picture below, thought it best to capture the moment when only a couple people were ready.
• I can't freakin wait to go back.

Becca's Life in Pictures

Here we gooooooooo! Chubby lil thing - I was almost 9 lbs.
Can you believe I never needed braces!?
2 years old, chillin in the pool.
My fam was driving through Idaho and I wanted my mom to take a picture of me in front of the "pretty castle." I didn't even know about this until we recently found this picture. When Scott and I first went out to BYU-Idaho, we had our picture taken in the EXACT same place. Crazy!
An angel in the church's Christmas program.
First day of first grade. I don't think I could be any more stylish.
Always have loved to cook!
First day of fourth grade - and first time ever having short hair.
This crazy cat would kneed my head and eat my hair.
I just had to put this in - opening my Christmas gift - a new CD player. Also note all the VHS movies behind me.
Dance Team - HUGE part of high school.
First accident - not my fault! Some lady backed into me in a parking lot with her big ol SUV. You think she would have realized before crunching into the side of my car this much...
First weeks at BYU in 2005. This cat followed us around campus. 2006: First time making Thanksgiving dinner with roommates. Totally grossed out by the turkey.
2007: Scott and I went to the little town of Wallace, ID. (They claim to be the center of the universe??? Strange...) Anyway, this is also the town where Dante's Peak was filmed.
Bubbles! While engaged, Scott and I worked as appraisal photographers, so this is us testing out the company cameras.
I LOVE Disneyland. This is during our honeymoon, three years ago.
Haircut after we got married. Not really a fan.
Baking again! In our cute lil Rexburg apartment in the fall of 2007.
I don't even know.
Woooooo! Could I have my hair any shorter?! This was during my student teaching, fall 2008.
Fall 2009, school picture.
Helping Scott photograph a wedding, this past winter. It was COLD.