Warm weather has arrived

With temps supposed to be in the 70's today, I broke out the short sleeve shirts.  I put one on Landon and he kept pulling the sleeve down saying, "Doesn't fit.  Too big."  He was not impressed with the short sleeves, and was not willing to put a sweatshirt over the short sleeved tee shirt.  He wanted his long sleeves back.  I wonder what he's going to do when the shorts and sandals come out?  

Fun with Nolan

I know, I'm a few days late, but I've been busy!  On Saturday, Landon and I met up with Auntie Jo Jo and Nolan to visit Grandpa at the Fire Station.  Before helping set up for the Texas Holdem tournament, we let the boys sit in the fire trucks.  I think they had a good time!

After the fire station, we headed up to Annie's to spy check on how our products were selling.  Can you believe we got suckered into buying one of our own bars!  How funny is that! 

Feeling better...

Landon is feeling much better!  With Daddy in Indiana, Landon and I sure did get in some good bonding time this past weekend.  Gosh, I love this kid more and more every day!

Watching the train go by

Double Ear Infection

I thought we were getting by so good this winter.  Knock on wood, no illnesses, not even a cold.  I picked up Landon from daycare yesterday and could tell he was not feeling well.  It was supposed to be a busy night, finishing up the details of our 5 dozen wedding cake and engagement ring cookies.  And  then, as I got Landon out of the car, he got sick :(  Landon got sick several more times throughout the course of the evening.  Well the cookies got done, I stayed home from work today and Landon spent this morning running around as if nothing happened.  

By this afternoon however, Landon was tugging on his ear and saying it hurt.  He went through a half an hour period of screaming.  I know that scream, it doesn't come out very often.  In the car we went and headed over to Urgent Care.  Upon getting there, Landon was acting fine.  I asked myself why I was over reacting and bringing him in.  Then the Dr. saw us.  Landon's right ear (the one he was complaining about), was so swollen, the Dr. could not even see the ear drum.  Landon's left ear (the one he never even complained about), well, the ear drum had already burst, so it was not causing him pain any longer.  This kid has such a high threshold for pain, I tell you.  In the end, the Dr. thought it was the pain, and infection in the inner ear making him dizzy that caused the vomiting.  Poor baby.  So, we got ear drops and amoxicillan and am hoping for a better nights sleep tonight.  Mommy is tackling this one solo as Daddy is...

...trying not to break anything in Indiana.

Basement update

Sheet Rock is up!  I really feel like things are coming along fairly quickly now.  This week we have hired a crew to come in and mud.  While Jeremy and friends could tackle this task, it is just way more efficient to hire this job out.  They are so good at what they do, when they sand, I am seeing very little dust upstairs.  This is what I was most worried about.  Hopefully, I will be taking some time off and painting in the next week or so!

Landon's love for Jillian

A few weeks ago I needed a change up with my workouts, so I ordered Jillian Michael's 30 day shred.  OMG - that is a workout!  When the movie came, Landon was so excited, new foofie, new foofie.! Yes, he says foofie instead of movie.  Not sure why, he can say his M's just fine.  Anyway, Landon insisted on watching the workout DVD.  I put it in his DVD player and he was mesmerized. 

Landon will still bring the case to me and say, "I watch Jillian."  Maybe he wants to put his new kicks to use!

Happy 6th Birthday Eryn!

My niece Eryn turns 6 on March 23rd.  Her Birthday Party was held at her parents house this Sunday afternoon.  We had such a great time and it's hard to believe that she is 6 already!

Yum, this was the most delicious cake EVER!

We got Eryn a pair of Nikes and some books!

The loot!

Landon and his Aunt Jo Jo.

Cousins Nolan and Landon

Elefun

On Tuesday, Landon and I went to visit my friend Mindy and her new baby Girl Harper. I forgot my camera, but you will have to trust me, she is adorable!! Mindy's middle guy Chase was playing with this game, Elefun. I thought Landon would like it, but he really showed no interest in it. I guess he was too busy playing with all the other different toys! The next day I went back to work, and look what I found. Did I mention that I work at the best place ever?! I brought it home and Landon and I played that night and the next night, and this morning. He LOVES it!

The butterfly's come out of the Elephant's truck, and you are supposed to catch them with a net. It requires lots of hand/eye coordination, and the colored butterflies also make for a great practice naming our colors.
It's also fun to take the trunk off and watch the butterflies swirl about!
Apparently the net makes a nice hat. Two are always better than one!

Here is a fun video of Elephun making it's debut at the Merrill house.

No rest for the weary...

I thought the weekends were supposed to be for resting and relaxing?  Hmmm...not in this house.  Jeremy and I woke up this morning at 6:45 am (remember we set the clocks ahead one hour), to the TV on in the living room.  It seems as though Landon woke up and decided to find some toons on TV!

While the boys chilled out at home, I met my sister in Calmar to put some miles on.  How awesome is it to finally be able to walk/run outside again!  Look at these temperatures.

 Once we got our workout in, it was time to get to work.  We have a big cookie order due this week and I had to get my bake on!

 Cathy made chocolate chip oatmeal and peanut butter.  I made gingersnaps and a toffee cookie, and Jodi made some sugar cookie clovers.  I had to sample to make sure they were absolutely perfect, and, they are!

I was so excited to get done baking so Landon and I could head outside and play.  It was a little windy today, but who can complain when it's 60 degrees! 

My day lilies are coming up.  Good things are just around the corner!

Baby's got some new shoes

We went to the shoe store this morning to look for some new running shoes for me and a birthday gift for some little lady I know who is going to turn six next week (wink, wink).  We scored on one of two things, and I did not get new running shoes.  Someone else did though...aren't they just the cutest!

March showers bring ?

We've had gray skies and showers almost every day this week.  The one positive side to that is that almost all the snow is gone!  Ok, two positives, we get to wear rain gear!  My sister saw Landon and said, "You must have been the most interesting dressed kid at daycare today.  I can't believe your Mommy let you out of the house looking like that."  Sometimes you have to set fashion aside and dress for the elements!

The one down side to the rain and snow melting - the mighty Turkey is out of its banks and in my back yard.

Hoppy Easter photos

Ok, so the bunny was real but what do you think about the chick?

These photos were taken by Tina Hageman at Two Flowers Photography.

Putting visitors to work

Guess who came to visit us this weekend?

Yay!!  Rosco and his parents Jon and Brooke.  They came up for a quick visit, and Jon ended up helping Jeremy hang drywall.  My brother Randy was over for most of the day on Saturday and helped hang drywall as well.  We now have two bedrooms that are completely drywalled and the soffit in the family room is done.  The basement is really coming along.

 

 

Spring is in the air...

I had the day off today as I have to work tomorrow.  Landon stayed home from daycare and we had a fabulous day!  The birds are chirping and Spring is on it's way!  You will see my post below has this household in the mood for spring cleaning!!  And, do you remember these guys!  Our Canadian Geese are back.  That must be a sign that spring is in the air...

It was another early morning in this house.  Ugghh, I wish I could get Landon to sleep past 4:30 am.  At least daylight savings time is just a week away.  Maybe that 4:30 am will turn into 5:30 am.  Then what's going to motivate me to get up?  This morning I got in a good hour workout before 6:00 am.  I admit that does feel refreshingly good!  Then it was off to work for a quick bit and then to get groceries.  We had a lot done by 11:00 am, and Landon was in need of a nap.  We had one more big thing on the agenda and that was to snap a few photos with some live bunnies and chicks.  Landon was not cooperating and refused to change into the outfit I picked out.  So, we compromised.  Do you know how well that works with a two year old?  You guessed it - he won.  He wore exactly what he had on.  That's ok though, I think the pictures turned out super cute.  Check back later to see for yourself!

Then it was off for home where Landon took a four hour nap and I got the house clean.  It was way too nice outside when Landon woke up, so we headed up to Calmar to pound out a few miles around NICC.

Can you tell who was more excited to head out for a walk?  Me neither!

That fresh air feels amazing!  Landon did not want to stop, but Elke was exhausted.  After 1 1/2 miles she laid down in the middle of the road.  I was not sure how I was going to get her back to the car.  After some coaxing, she got up and finished the last 1/2 mile.  That a girl!

Coming home meant a bath for Elke - that's always fun.  Then it was off to get some fish.  We met my sister and parents at the Farr Side (local bar), and devoured some yummy goodness.  On our way out, my Dad took Landon across the street to show him where his name is on the Veteran's Memorial.  Can you find it?