Running!

Yup - Arlan has started running, lord help me!!! He doesn't manage it for very long, and sometimes I think he's only running trying to keep up with himself, as he usually ends up faceplanting :-/ But he's doing it, and proud of it too!!

Arlan's fave "game" right now is kicking a ball around. Doesn't matter what size - the big soccer ball, or a small 'hockey' ball. It's amusing to watch him; he'll kick the ball, then walk right over it (the small ones) and then stop, looking down like "Where is it??", then he turns around and is all happy to see the ball and starts kicking it again!! Too cute.

We're just hanging out at home. Trying to move Arlan to one nap a day. Two is really too much for him, as he's having trouble falling asleep at night (some nights not until 9 pm). But one isn't enough, as he doesn't extend that one nap, still keeps it a 1.5 hours and then he's grumpy later in the afternoon. But it's time to get rid of that morning nap I think - poor kid.

Anyways, I hear he's awake from that one nap, so I'd better go get him. Until next time...

Finally, home

We were all glad to get home on Saturday I think. The boys were happy to see their own familiar beds, and I was VERY glad to sleep in mine. John had to go to Olds to play (which is why we were home Saturday), but the rest of us were in bed, sleeping, at 9 pm!! LOL
Landon had day camp all this week again. The first two days were pretty ugly, but these past 3 were just fine. He even left me to run to his instructor when I dropped him off yesterday morning. But he is glad to be done daycamp too. I don't know why exactly he disliked it so much - he just said he wanted to be at home, and I guess that's maybe all it is. We've liked the tired Landon though - he fell asleep on the couch on Tuesday night, at 7:30!!

Other than that, we've just been sniffling our way through the week. We all still have our summer colds :-( Arlan had one bad night while we were camping - with a croupy cough, had me worried. That's the night Landon had a sleep-over with Drew and Bailey as I wasn't sure if Arlan would sleep much, but he did after a short 'episode' at about 9:30 or so. If the boys aren't better on Monday, I'm taking them in. It'll be 3 weeks at that point, so it's time to check ears and chests I think.

I've started running more regularly over the past weeks. Liz got me going, as I ran twice with her when they were here. I've also started running once a week with the mom of one of Landon's friends from swim class. I might even work myself up to a 10K this fall ... hopefully either Thanksgiving weekend, or the Hallowe'en Howl in late October.

So that's the scoop from here. Until next time...

Landon's FIRST camping trip

Landon most DEFINITELY loved camping!! He's been asking to go to Uncle Greg's trailer since we got home!! Well, actually, he wanted to come home (he told us on Friday "I really really really really really really really want to go home" ... but when asked further, he wanted to bring the trailer home with us!!).

Rhonda and Clay came to visit and camp with us too, which was awesome!! It was great to see them again. Drew and Landon played together lots (Drew will be 5 in October). Bailey (who's 8) found herself a little friend in the trailer right beside them (Wrangler's trailer ...) and so we didn't see them much. They were actually "working" at the Clearwater Lake store for the cool and rainy days!! So cute!

Grandma and Grandpa came out on Friday, despite the rain. Grandpa helped Landon and the others roast some marshmallows during a lull in the sprinkling. Then we headed to White Bear for the lawnmower races (this is done every year in Whitebear to kick off the Kyle Rodeo weekend). What a treat ... I've never seen anything like that, that's for sure!!! They had 'smoke-shows' (burning rubber!! LOL), and raced garden tractors. Landon's highlights were going for a ride on the back of the monster truck, and going for a ride in the ambulance (depending on when you ask him, each of these take their turn as favourite). I should clarify - the ambulance ride was with Aunty Yvonne, who was on call for the lawnmower races. She and her partner Doug drove Landon around White Bear for a few minutes while the rest of us had supper in the bar :-D John and I also enjoyed learning that what 'they' say is true, White Bear really DOES have the best wings EVER! LOL















Here's just a good shot of Landon playing with trucks - really concentrating. I like this photo. He played with his new-found friend Kris's trucks the entire time we were there. As it turns out, Kris is the son of another friend from University that I hadn't seen in, oh, 16 years or so!!! So Rhonda, Tracy and I had a good time catching up with each other too!! We were able to get to a drive-in movie together too (along with my sis) which was great ... we saw The Hangover - a great movie to watch with friends.

Landon has entered into the "lookatme!" stage -- with everything he does!! It's either "watch this!" or "Look at me!" or "I'll show you". yay

LOTS of firsts for Landon this week: 1) camping, of course; 2) sleeping in a tent -- his preferred sleeping arrangment for the week was sleeping with dad in the tent; 3) sleeping in the bunk (of the trailer); 4) flying a kite; and 5) having a sleep-over with Drew and Bailey (which might've been his preferred sleeping arrangement, but we figured one night was enough!!). It was a great week, and we are all looking forward to doing it again next year!! I can HARDLY wait!!

On Thursday it was windy, so Landon got a chance to fly his first kite. He really enjoyed it actually -- a great activity for him, running!!! LOL

Arlan's first camping trip

Arlan LOVED camping at Clearwater - even though it was chilly (and a bit rainy I hate to say).
He made a little friend -- Wrangler was camped beside Rhonda & Clay, who came down to join us for the dreary week!!


YAY - SO much fun!! This time mom was thinking "Arlan learned to walk just in time"
Arlan enjoyed the playground too - although he didn't spend nearly as much time there as Landon did.



The view is MUCH better up on Aunty's shoulders!

Checking out the dock at the beach when we first arrived. We spent one day on the beach of the three full days we were there. The next was windy and cool, Friday was rainy :-(

August long weekend wedding :-)

Ok - this isn't really about the "Life and Times of Arlan and Landon" as they weren't there, but I love the pics!! LOL Landon and Arlan spent August long weekend entertaining Grandma and Grandpa on the farm. They were very busy -- Landon helped Grandpa shoot gophers, pick up the paper (which involved going to the bar to drink [root] beer and eat chips, and clean out bins). Arlan showed off his new walking skills, and perfected his stair- and couch-climbing abilities.

John and I had a weekend AWAY!! GLORIOUS! Friday we drove from the farm to Winnipeg, where we met up with the Tremendons, and continued out to Kenora for a fabulous wedding (hence the pic of the people kissing). I've a couple pics of us gals (the Tremendons), and one of "the guys" too :-) What a great looking bunch we all were!! Especially the bride and groom (congrats again to Trish & Phil!!!). The outside pics are taken at Trish's family cottage ... a great place for a wedding, that's for sure!

The wedding reception and dance was on the MS Kenora. The water shot is just that - a shot from the boat. An absolutely glorious place for the reception - we all had an absolute blast.

Sunday we went back to Winnipeg. We lunched with Aunty Margaret, checking out her new pad (VERY nice). Then over to Pam & Kevin's for the night. We went OUT for wings, visited with Wes a bit, and then sang to "American Idol" on the Wii!! TOO funny.

Monday was a long drive back to the farm!! I was glad to get back to see my boys though. Unfortunately, neither they nor I lost our summer colds over that long weekend :-( But we all had lots of fun.

More of Visits with cousins

We enjoyed a wonderful BBQ at Uncle Rob's brother-in-law's brothers house (got that?) on Saturday July 25. It was a beautiful day, and a wonderful time. Even Arlan got into the festitivies!!! LOL

I love these pics -- Arlan's modeling one of the hats that was purchased that day, and checking my messages for me (one of his favourite things to do!).

Landon had so much fun playing with Isabel and Isabel's "other cousin" Jake ... and this water rocket! They spent plenty of time shooting that thing off!! There were also MANY trucks for Landon to hoard, er I mean play with. He found an ambulance and wouldn't put it down in case someone else touched it. He would climb the play- structure and slide with it clutched in his hands!!

Visiting with Thomson & Izzy

Aunty Liz, Uncle Rob, cousins Thomson and Isabel came to visit!! They arrived July 24, and thankfully we had pretty nice weather all weekend long.

Arlan absolutely LOVED all the action - he was in his glory, giggling and smiling and turning circles. I think he must've thought "I learned to walk JUST IN TIME!!" LOL

We spent some time hanging out -- watching a few cartoons.

But we also managed to get out and "play" a bit too. Everyone (but me) did some shopping and bought cowboy boots and hats (now I'm the odd-one out ... or is that the 'not-so-odd' one out???). We also headed downtown to Prince's Island Park to play at the splash pool, and to feed the birds (right beside the big sign that says "Don't feed the birds" which we all somehow failed to see). Landon had a blast in the water, and even Arlan enjoyed exploring a bit too, although he was a bit more timid.

Quickie...

A quick post to appease Nikki LOL

We are home and settling back in after a busy few weeks. Liz, Rob and the kids were here the 24 through 28. Then John, I and the boys headed to Sask where Landon and Arlan spent August long with Grandma & Grandpa. John and I continued on to Kenora for a wedding, spending 1 night in Winnipeg on the way back to get the boys. Then to Clearwater Lake (at Kyle, SK) for 4 days of camping -- our first time out with the kids. We had Greg and Yvonne's trailer, which was good because we had more rain than sun :-( We got back home yesterday. Today was washing clothes and grocery-shopping.

I will upload pics and tell stories with them hopefully in the next few days. Landon has day camp all this week, so I might get some time. However Arlan seems to be liking only 1 nap a day these days, so I might not get much time *shrug* We'll see I guess.

Until next time...