Landon turns FOUR!

Oh my goodness - how is this little bugger four years old??  Landon is seriously the cutest most challenging little turkey and I couldn't imagine my life without him!  This kid keeps you on your toes, but it such a little lover at the same time!

The last time he went to bed a three year old!

I thought it would be fun to have him open his door to a little surprise this morning, so I hung these balloons late last night.  It was so cute - I could hear him open his door this morning and then just start giggling!  He was sad when I took them down tonight, but once I told him he could pop them, the sadness was over!

Time for presents - all he cared about this morning, haha!

When we asked Landon what he wanted to do for his birthday his one requests was to go to the top of the Space Needle...so that we did - and then some!  Unfortunately daddy had to work for some of today, so the boys and I did most of Seattle by ourselves, but he was able to meet up with us for lunch - yay!  I was pretty impressed with myself getting around Seattle with two kids and not losing either of them or getting us lost!  When I worked downtown years ago, I could get anywhere and even get there by bus (what a concept)...now, I don't know my left from my right down there!  But we did it!  And I think we had one of the best days ever and I'm certain it'll be a day Landon won't forget for quite some time!

**Warning - I brought my big girl camera along, so many photos ahead**

First stop Starbucks!  He was enjoying that donut, just a little!

Next Stop - carousel - both boys enjoyed this immensely!

Third Stop - The monorail!  Even though we just rode it last week (for their first time) - they were still just as excited to ride it again!

I hadn't researched anything and it's been YEARS since I've done the Space Needle...so I had no idea that you buy tickets for a certain time of day to ride up.  Oops!  The nearest time we could get was an hour after when we arrived.  So after buying our tickets we went and explored a bit!

Finally time to head up to the top of the needle!  The boys were amazed by the elevator ride alone!

What a beautiful city we live in (or near) - I love it!  So pretty, so amazing, just breathtaking!

He loved it up there!

After lunch and after saying good-bye to daddy, we walked down to the market!  We didn't hang out there long since it was SO crowded, but we saw what we needed to!

Zane loved watching them throw fish (so did I)!

The gum wall - you can't go to the market and not stop by the gum wall!  Landon was so grossed out by it (I have no idea why, haha)!  Thankfully, they posed for a few pictures for me!  I have never seen that alley so crowded with tourists before - it was pretty insane!  Who would've thought that gum would be so intriguing!

Back home for cake!  Landon told me he wanted a star cake for his birthday - so a star cake he got!  It isn't perfect by any means, but I was proud of it and he loved it, so that's all that matters!  His birthday party isn't for a couple weeks (I needed time to plan it after Christmas) - so I have time to come up with another cake idea for that - or I'll probably stick to cupcakes - they're an easy way out!

LOVE this photo!  He was SO happy it was his birthday and LOVED being sung too!

I hope all your wishes come true baby!

Oh Land-o how we love you so much!

Gingerbread Village and more...

I asked Zane what he wanted to do on his Diabetes Anniversary and he said he wanted to go downtown to see the Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Hotel - which ironically is a big fundraiser for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)!  You got it buddy!

The weather was LESS than ideal to say the least...but we are true Seattlelites and did not let the rain get to us!  In hindsight, I should've had the boys wear their rain boots, but we all survived - wet feet and pants and all!

Zane and I have been to the Gingerbread Village one other time, but it was a loooong time ago...PD (pre-diabetes) which also means PL (pre-Landon)!  So it was fun to go back!  I'm always amazed at what these culinary artists are capable of!

The first thing we did after finding parking was hit up Starbucks...Zane asked if he could have a caramel frappicinio (a once in a blue moon treat) - because it was his special day, I told him of course!  I had him run over to a table and check his blood sugar while I ordered...he reports back to me with a blood sugar of 43...extremely low!  Good timing for that sugary drink :)

We then walked over to the Sheraton where we had to wait in line for a VERY long time to get to the Gingerbread creations...the boys did amazing in line!  Sure, they got restless from time to time, but they were respectful and they waited very patiently.  It helped they got to see the jolly ol' man himself partway through the line!

It was finally our turn to see the creations and it was worth the wait!!

After the village, we headed over to Westlake for lunch and then our friends Kristin and Luke met up with us for a monorail ride over to the Seattle Center!  This was Landon's first time on it and he was IN LOVE!  He's already informed me that for his birthday he wants to go back to Seattle (he's OBSESSED with downtown Seattle) and ride the monorail and go up to the top of the Space Needle!

Luke & Zane met up with Star Wars while at the Seattle Center!

Seattle

We spent last Sunday up on Capital Hill hanging out with some friends of ours who happen to live there.  I must admit I have not spent a lot of time there and definitely haven't been there in quite a few years, so it was a lot of fun.  I love how you can walk everywhere!  Our friends said they don't drive anywhere unless it's out of Seattle - crazy!

It was a gorgeous day, so we headed out to find lunch and then to Volunteer Park to eat it and let the kids play!  Afterwards, we headed to a very cool bookstore where the kids spent a lot of time perusing books (and each even picking out one to purchase) - while the kids were hanging out making friends in the kid book section, the adults were enjoying some coffee in the cafe on site - very cool.  We then headed to a very cool kid and dog friendly pub near their house called Chucks - did you know beer taste better in a mason jar?  True story!  We then had dinner on their roof top deck and took in the great views and beautiful sunset...then it was back home and back to reality!  What a great day though!

The entire time we were out walking the boys would all sprint the entire block and once at the intersection they would all sit down and wait for the adults.  It was very odd - but so funny at the same time.  No idea where they got this idea, but it did keep us parents laughing!

Waiting for lunch - just a little hungry after all that running!

Enjoying a beverage in-between looking at books and running amuck in the kid section!

The beer that tastes better in a mason jar! 

They had some games at the pub for the kids to keep themselves busy with...

the boys chose CandyLand - it just happened to be princess CandyLand!  Didn't bother them a bit!

We had a great time - thanks for having us over Bergman's!