Landon Scott Basler

Hey everyone :)

Well it was another crazy but enjoyable week for the Baslers. Two weekends ago Landon went for a sleepover with Nani so that Tanner and I could celebrate Tanner's 23rd birthday with our friends, which was a really fun time. Last week we Tanner and I took Landon to Funset Boulevard in Appleton, and wow did he have a fun time! With how unfortunate the weather has been lately, it was nice to come across an Entertainment book coupon for something fun to do indoors & get to out of the house. We played in the ball pit, climbed around the playground, rode the train & even rode the carousel :) He had a riot! But it sure tired ALL of us out! Then this past weekend Tanner had to work both days so Landon and I did fingerpainting, fortbuilding & LOTS of coloring in his new coloring books that his Nana got for him :) Then Sunday night we watched the Superbowl with my parents (Landon's "Nana and Gramps"). Tonight we have family & Landon's 2 year photos with Colleen (Capture Life Moments Photography), who also did our wedding, engagement and Landon's 1 year photos. Tomorrow we will be going out to dinner with Bob, Jackie and Carly to celebrate Carly's 10th birthday (where the heck does the time go, honestly?!). Thursday is Landon's SECOND BIRTHDAY. Am I the only one blown away by this?! I feel like it was just yesterday we were in the hospital preparing to welcome our new little guy into the world, and here he is today walking, talking and continually making our lives joyful and exciting :) So to celebrate, Ali and I will be taking Landon to the Children's Museum in the morning, and then Tanner and I will take him out to dinner somewhere to have a little Basler family birthday fun :) His party is this Saturday with all of our family and friends, which I'm sure will be just as much fun as it was last year. I will be bringing Landon in on Monday for his 2 year check-up, at which he'll receive his yearly shots & we'll get an updated height and weight. We did measure him a few nights ago, and he came in at 3 feet tall! Such a growing boy he is!

And of course with the start of another year comes new challenges - we will be putting together Landon's toddler bed in the next week or two. I think I'm more attached to him sleeping in his crib than he is! I am just trying to wrap my head around the fact that my baby isn't a baby anymore, but a fast growing toddler! We've also exposed him to a potty chair, which he currently is boycotting. He used to love playing with it (it's Elmo themed and makes funny noises when you "flush") and used it once or twice, but has recently decided to yell "NO!" anytime we ask if he wants to try his potty, and then proceeds to hide behind the couch pillows. So I guess that will take some time, which is just fine with us! I've also been thinking about scheduling him for a first trip to the dentist. Any input on how this went for any of you with your children? I'm a little nervous about what to expect, but I also want to be sure we're proceeding properly with taking care of his little chompers.

Well, that about covers it for the Landon update. Tanner and I are being kept very busy with work, but we do have a ski trip planned for two weekends from now at Ski Brule in Iron River, Michigan. We'll be heading up with 8-10 of our friends to a cabin that we've rented out. I can honestly say I haven't been this excited for a vacation in a long time! A break from the hussle and bussle of everyday life here in Neenah will be just what we need :)

Okay well that about does it for us - we hope, as always, that all of you are well and enjoying this frigid winter as best as you can! We look forward to those of you we'll get to see this weekend for Landon's party. Take care!

Love,

Tanner and Carly :)

Long time no posts, everyone!

Wow has it been a long time - and a busy year at that! I've FINALLY gotten back in the swing of updating after what has been a hectic but very good year for the Baslers. Since the last time I wrote Tanner and I have moved, gotten married and even acquired our newest Basler baby, Scout. We spent the summer of 2012 getting married, taking a phenominal honeymoon trip out west, spending time with both of our families, and of course enjoying watching Landon grow older. The fall brought us even busier schedules & the winter has been just the same. So thank you for bearing with our long break!

Landon has been absolutely wonderful this year. From taking his first steps (which has now become running & jumping, among other things!) to the start of the dreaded potty training, Landon has grown into a very happy, energetic & curious little toddler. He's mastered many words and is working on stringing them together into few word sentences. He also waves & says goodbye, knows how to put his shoes on & take them off, can let us know with words when he's hungry or needs a diaper change, and even tells us what TV show he wants to watch (always a toss up between Spongebob & Elmo). Landon loves to dance, wrestle, hop, throw & kick a ball, and his ultimate favorite - watch football! No joke, everytime he even sees the Packers logo he starts chanting "Football! Football! Football!" and will sit and watch the entire game with us, cheering "Go! Go! Go!" when the players are running around the field. So adorable!

Although he has been great to us, of course we still have encountered the usual "terrible two" habits as well. Landon has discovered the words no & mine and we are working on his sharing, since he REALLY doesn't enjoy sharing his toys. While this is a normal process for toddlers to go through, we have started bringing him to Miss Mary's house 3 times a week instead of 2 so that he is getting more time with youngsters his own age, which has helped a lot with his sharing & manners. Although I didn't want to sacrifice my one full day a week that I got at home with him, I knew it was for the best when it came to his social skills. He has also grown much more patient & understanding when given a small scolding and explanation as to why he isn't given his way all of the time. Aside from Mary's house, Landon also gets to enjoy one day a week with his Nani (my grandmother), and another day with his grandma Jackie. He enjoys those days just as much because he gets 110% of the attention, which is also nice because it helps him to be more expressive knowing he's the star of the show for the day. Plus I mean come on, who doesn't love getting spoiled by their grandmas now and then - I know I still do :)

As far as things lately, we are taking our new lives together day by day as not only parents, but newlyweds as well. I am very fortunate to be taking this life journey with Tanner by my side - he is a phenominal father, husband & best friend and I don't think I'd get through all of the ups and downs without him. We are going to be starting the hunt for a new rental home yet again come May/June of this year, which we are excited about. We enjoy the home we have now, but it is just too big for us to really maintain to our liking. We hope to find one in Neenah as to stay close to family & friends, and because it truly is a great place to raise a family. We have also been asked countless times as to when we're planning a brother or sister for Landon and our answer is simple - you'll know when we know :) We do fully intend on expanding our family one more time, but are planning to wait until we get Landon potty trained and we are settled into our new home. So although that means a bit more waiting, just know that it is in our future. As for now, we are planning Landon's 2nd birthday party which is coming up in only TWO WEEKS. Crazy right?! Where DOES the time go? Tonight we will be going to dinner with my family for my brother Josey's birthday dinner. This weekend Landon will be sleeping over with Nani on Friday night so that Tanner and I can spend time with friends celebrating his 23rd birthday. Then the rest of the weekend will be quiet family time just us, Landon & our two furry baby girls :)

Well I think that about covers the update! From now on I'll be able to keep you up to date on our more day to day life rather than such a broad overview. We hope all of you & your families are well, and hope you all take care! Below are some photos that are from the summer/fall of 2012. Hope you enjoy - talk soon :)

Love,

The Baslers :)