It's been more than a month since I last posted, so there's lots to post. THe biggest thing that's happened since the last post is that we are now in the USA! It took us a lay over in Houston, but we're here. We've been going non-stop since we arrived. The first week we spend just getting moved in. A wonderful man in our church is letting us live in a house that he owns. It is perfect for us. Landon and Patrick have their own room and the yard is HUGE. Landon wakes up asking to go outside. I think he'd sleep out there if we let him:) The next week we spent in Gustav's aftermath. We weathered Gustav (the hurricane) in Baton Rouge with my parents and then returned to Alex. My brother and sister-in-law were without power for several days, so they lived with us about a week. Our third week was spent adjusting back to our normal stuff and packing to go on vacation with my family. We went to Broken Bow, OK. It was a wonderful trip and Landon loved the outdoors!! Following are pictures from the past four weeks.

Over Labor Day (and just before Gustav hit) we went to visit my parents. They raise cattle, so Landon got to see more tractors than his little heart could imagine. He was in heaven just climbing from one to another.

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

With Gustav, Landon learned about rain. He liked being out in it, but hated water in his shoes. He preferred to walk around bare footed.

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

A little bit of what Gustav left behind at mom and dads. This is one of 4 trees that fell. THe other didn't do so much damage.

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A few pictures of Patrick...We can't decide who he looks like. He doesn't look like Landon anymore. A couple of people have said that he looks like my dad. Patrick really is the sweetest baby. He's always got a smile for you and just last night started laughing out loud. HE's turned into a great traveler, too.

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He has no trouble getting his thumb in his mouth

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

THis was one of the things Landon loved doing at our cabin in OK.

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The outdoor activities pretty much centered around throwing rocks in the water, but we were able to get in a couple of hikes. Everything was so beautiful!

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Scott and I took a little canoe trip on afternoon. He fished and I paddled.

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Our family vacation picture. We will soon be adding a family member...my brother and Mary Michel are engaged and planning to get married in May.

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The grandparents

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Landon has started fake laughing. It's hilarious because he just keeps doing it.

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As I'm typing and adding pictures, I'm realizing that I don't have pictures with any of the Byrds. I've been terrible about having my camera with me! I know that Jennifer (sister-in-law) has taken pictures, so when I get them from her, I"ll post those. THere are some great ones with LAndon 'chopping' trees with a chainsaw!

Homecoming

Well, we're now 2 weeks away from being in the States! Scott says we have 'senioritis'. It does feel a little like that. I've got lists and lists of things to do before we leave, lists of things not to forgot (like the one million diapers we have to have for the trip), and lists of things to buy in America. I feel like I need to make a list of all my lists so I don't forget that I've made them!!

Anyway, we are so excited about being home for a while. Don't get me wrong. We love Turkey and we love our friends here. I'm sure we'll be excited to come back in February, but right now, we just really need some time with family and friends in America. We'll be living in Pineville, just around the corner from the Walmart. I'm so excited about this because not only do we get to be so close to Walmart, but all the other restaurants and things around there, too! Sonic, Burger King, Little Caesars, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, a BBQ place, a catfish place, and the list goes on. Can't wait!! We'd love to hear from all our friends while we're there, so give us a call - we'll still have our Skype number: 318.550.3566.

The boys are doing well. Both growing so much. Landon has become a jokster (as much as a 2 year old can be). He has this imitation laugh and everything. When he thinks he may get in trouble for doing something, he just looks you right in the eye and laughs. It's cute, but a few more days of it and I'll be tough mom again:) Patrick is really starting to coo and laugh at us (maybe he's learning from Landon). He's such a good baby and is even giving me a good 6-7 hours of sleep at night. WOOHOO!!

Landon got my boots out of the cabinet and put them on

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Landon still likes to put on the Mr. Potato Head glasses and now likes to use the tongue, too.

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

This is what Patrick can do

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books