(Landon's Christmas Letter)
January 17th, 2008, was the most glorious day in the world: I was born. Now I'm almost 11 months old and I'm so unbelievably smart that I'm already using words like "glorious" and "unbelievably." I've seen a lot in my short life so far and it has wizened me up to the ways of the world. When I was born, my mommy had a hard time leaving me alone because I'm so darned adorable, so she decided to stay at home with me every day. At first I have to admit I was pretty boring... I don't know why she wanted to hang out with me so much because all I could do was lay there and poop in my diaperJ But now I'm way cooler and my mommy takes me to the park to play on the swings, story time at the library, and even to a play group where I can hang out with my friends! But wait! That's not the best part! The best part is when I see my daddy come through the door after work. He's as tall as our house and he lets me play with these big huge banging things (drums) in his music room. I'm a natural, so they say!
When I was 2 months old my mommy's side of the family came to see me. They were crazy! They kept trying to make me do stuff... but I told you! When I was that young, I only liked to lay there and poop! And have you ever seen 4 red-headed girls in the same room? It was too much to handle at my tender age. My mommy has a mommy and daddy too and I call them My Lola and Papa Dirt. They came to visit with my three crazy aunts. Papa dirt is one handsome guy (but only because he was born fortunate enough to look like me). When I was 5 months old I went to visit all of them in Charlotte and it was so HOT! And since I was so much older I was way more entertaining to them. They couldn't get enough of my cute little tummy or the way I danced in my new "Exersaucer" with all the cool toys on it. Did I mention how many animals Papa Dirt and My Lola keep in their house? WHOA! Every other Sunday, Mommy, Daddy, and I go to Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd's house to play and eat good food. I love going over there and seeing my Daddy's side of the family!
Do you want to hear how amazing I am? I started sitting up the day before I turned 6 months old! Shortly thereafter, Daddy taught me how to crawl when I was only 7 months old. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of mischief! Thanks Mommy and Daddy! Wait, I'm not finished... I started pulling myself up on the coffee table and couch when I was 8 months old, and I've become very experienced with the treacherous terrain and the knee over hand action of these amazing things called the stairs. I'm not really SUPPOSED to climb them, but I've gotta keep Mommy on her toes. I also found a huge white shiny bowl with a lid that makes a really loud noise when you touch the knob (toilet). There’s water in there too, but Mommy doesn’t let me play in it L When I was 8 months old I started swimming lessons with my friend Sutton. I hated it at first when my Mommy put me under the water, but now you might think I'm related to a dolphin with the way I splash around everywhere! At 9 months I got to dress up in the greatest costume for Halloween. I was a giraffe! I loved it! But then, the next morning, woke up with this sharp thing in my mouth... Don't worry! It was just a tooth! And I have 3 of them now!
This month, Mommy and Daddy put up these tall trees with bright lights and shiny balls on them in our house and I hate to admit it, but they scare me! Mommy keeps telling me they're for this thing called Christmas... She sings and plays happy music all the time. I think it might be a conspiracy. How can you be happy with two scary trees in your house? But even if it is, I still get to go visit My Lola and Papa Dirt in Charlotte for Christmas day! Oh... and those crazy aunts...
Love, Landon
He turned 11 months old on the 17th and we got pictures with Santa, which I'll have to post later.
He had his first Christmas with his Aunts and My Lola and Papa Dirt (Grandma and Grandpa Woodhouse). 
He got his first 5th tooth (if that even makes sense). He had his first haircut.
And he even took his first steps.
Landon loved the mashed potatoes, turkey, and green bean casserole.
Playing cards and board games with the big kids
Riding Alia's horsie
Playing with Alia
