Just to make you smile...

I have no idea whose child this is, but I love it!

Oh happy day!

A couple of weeks ago we finally got our double jogger! It's a BOB Ironman Doullie (even the name sounds fancy). We love it, the kids take drinks and snacks and we get our workout :)

I can not tell you how excited I have been to get this! I can finally go running when Rob's out of town! AND Rob and I have been able to go running together again! I may look silly, but I think I'm even going to start using it for errands.

And it's done!

Thank you Rob, Dad Dykema & Dad!!! They put in numerous hours, my Dad-in-law and Rob even took the day off on Tuesday to finish it up. As you can imagine, Madisyn loves it, but to my surprise, Landon loves it too! I'm sure they'll get hours and hours of enjoyment for years to come.

Very overdue birthday thanks!

I have to thank my wonderful husband for my best birthday ever! First of all, the day before my birthday he gave me a card with money in it... I looked at him very confused like, "Thank you... but what am I supposed to do with this?" He then explained to me that my gift had not yet arrived, but that the money was for us to go shopping the day after my birthday because he had gotten the day off for both of us! The day off together was enough for me (seeing as my love language is quality time).

The next day (my birthday) Madisyn surprised me with a dozen roses from "Madisyn and Landon" :) And that evening Dan and Allison came over so that Rob and I could have a second birthday dinner (we had also "celebrated" the Saturday before and were going to celebrate the Satuday after!). Again... quality time (so cherished with two kids!). Thanks guys!

The following day Rob and I first went to drop my car off at Grand to get detailed (another surprise!), and we were off to shop our day away (you need to understand that shopping is not one of Rob's favorite things to do, infact it would be on his list of 5 least favorite things to do... true sacrifice!). We purchased (although much of it was for the kids, I just enjoy shopping for them), ate an enjoyable relaxing lunch together, shopped a little more, and picked up the kids early.

Then, as if all that wasn't enough... a few days later my "gift" came in. It was an personalized engraved Tiffany & Co. necklace.

Honey, you are truly amazing! Thank you for everything!

WELCOME LEVI WILLIAM!

We were blessed by the arrival of our nephew and cousin Levi William Klamer last Saturday, May 3. Thankfully he didn't wait any longer (especially for Kate's sake), since he weighted a whooping 9 lbs. 13 oz.! All credit to Kate, who went through it all without an epidural! (And she looks great right after delivery!)


Dave, Joshua & Levi

Landon update

A month overdue, I finally have a Landon update...
He's been walking for about three weeks now, and he's now onto a full run at times. He doesn't do real well with shoes, but he's learning.

His vocabulary now includes, "hi", "nana" for nigh night, "num num" for food, "bubba" for bubbye, "atta" for all done, you get the point. So basically you need one of us to translate ;) He's trying though and he often shows signs along with it. When he's asked what a bear says, he "roars" but it's the softest nicest "roar" you've ever heard. We're working on that though!

Here he's helping me with dishes... have to teach them early!

He and Moby have found a special love for each other. It's very cute to see the two of them interact and play. Landon is especially gentle with him (even though his personality is not-so, exemplified by abruptly throwing things off of his high chair tray when he doesn't want them or yelling when no one is listening to him). :)

Here are a few pictures of one of his girlfriends, Thalia. She came all the way from Ypsilanti to visit! Landon was just enamored by her! Thanks for making the trek Chris and Clayr!

Where does she come up with this?

"Madisyn, guess what?! Aunt Shell is going to come over today after your nap."

"And Mr. Golden Sun?"

"What?"

"And Mr. Golden Sun?"

Later she started singing, "Mr. Sun, sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me!"

Family pictures!

We finally got Madisyn's three year, Landon's one year and family pictures (our first!) done last weekend. Besides feeling terribly crummy that day and Landon not wanting to cooperate (I think he was still suffering from his single, possibly double, ear infection), and Madisyn giving completely cheesy smiles the whole time, Tina got some great shots!

I was SO excited that they turned out despite the craziness at our house while she was here. Two of my coworkers had suggested her and I really love her style of photography. Here are a few shots from our photoshoot. If you want to see the rest, click on "client proofs" on her website and click on "Dykema".

This morning...

Madisyn is pretty aware that we're planning on getting a swing-set (although I try to tell her that "we'll see"). Here's our discussion this morning regarding the topic.

"Mommy, can we get a swing-set with a yellow slide like that one?" - i.e. ANY swing set, since they all come with yellow slides
"Well, we'll have to see, maybe we can talk to Daddy."
"YOU can talk to Daddy."
"I think I need your help, maybe both of us can talk to Daddy."
"Do you NEED my help or WANT my help?"
*chuckle under breath* "You're right baby, I WANT your help."

We've been trying to teach Madisyn the difference between "need" and "want" lately, I guess she is learning :)

Landon's room

We've had it finished for a while, but I finally got around to taking pictures! Feel free to give me ideas of how to fill the room. (above is the "before" picture)

This is my favorite bedding ever! Monkeys :)