30 things at 30!

In honor of Jay's upcoming 30th birthday (April 8), I decided to throw him a surprise 30th birthday celebration this past Saturday night. Jay was expecting a quiet evening for just the two of us as I told him he was taking me out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. Instead, he got a fun-filled evening with 10 of his closest friends!

We sent Jay on a scavenger hunt all around Des Moines with a list of 30 things he had to complete. Most of the list contained items that were significant to Jay's life or significant to Des Moines night life. These items ranged from requesting a song at Blue Moon (dueling piano bar) and getting up on stage to help them sing it, to running up and down the steps at the Capitol building. We rented a limo bus for the evening to drive us around to all the locations, and we even had t-shirts made for everyone in the group (thanks Katy!) We ended up running out of time at the end of the night, so Jay was not able to complete all 30 items....but he was a great sport and got as many things done as he could (even the embarrassing ones!) All in all, it was a great night and I think Jay will forever remember his 30th birthday!

#1 - Sit on the Easter Bunny's lap at Valley West Mall

#2 - Take a group photo by the pool at Jay's old house

Jay helping our chef at Taki

#10 - Take a picture in front of the infamous curb behind the old K's Merchandise building (don't ask....its a long story!)

#12 - Get out on the dance floor and dance to one song at Miss Kitty's

#15 - Ride the mechanical bull at Uncle Buck's

#21 - Eat a raw oyster at Waterfront

This was the look on Jay's face after eating the raw oyster!

A random picture from inside the limo bus

#26 - Jump in Saylorville Lake wearing a speedo (must be at least waist deep)

Group photo at the Miller High Life Lounge

11 months old!

Jack is 11 months old today! He is still as active as ever....always on the go! Jay and I are exhausted most days just from chasing him around. On the plus side, Jack is a very good sleeper....probably because he wears himself out! He takes both a morning and afternoon nap (usually totaling 4 hours) and he sleeps at night from 8:00pm to around 7:00am. Mommy and Daddy hope this sleeping schedule continues for a long time!

He is still putting everything in his mouth. He has 6 teeth now, so that means we see teeth marks on most of his toys and books. He loves his books....not for reading though....he just wants to chew on the corners!

Jack is an easy-going and happy little boy. We feel very blessed! It's hard to believe that in just 1 month he will be 1 year old!!

It's getting harder and harder to get him to sit still these days!

Happy boy!

Weekend in KC

Jack and I just got home from a long weekend in Kansas City. We went there to visit Brittany and Avree....and to help Aunt Brittany celebrate her 25th birthday! We had a relaxing weekend and enjoyed watching Jack and Avree play together. They are both at fun age!

"I only look innocent!"

Not sure what happened here....but I am guessing that Avree just pinched Jack!

Happy Birthday Britt!

Bath time!

Phoenix!

The Johnson family just returned home from a wonderful week in Phoenix visiting Jay's parents. The weather was a little chilly our first day there (in the 60's)...but it warmed up after that and we ended up having great weather the rest of the week (sunny and in the 70's!) We were so happy to get out of the house...anything would have been better than the cold and snow we left behind!

It was a fun and busy week for everyone. Jay spent a lot of time golfing with his dad.....I even played a few rounds of golf too! Jack went swimming a few times and also went on a lot of stroller rides. The rest of his time was spent chasing after his cousins, Joe and Abby! Jay and I managed to squeeze in a date night and went to our first NBA basketball game to watch the Suns play the Hornets. On our last night there, the whole family went to a spring training baseball game to watch the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants. Sitting outside watching the baseball game really made us excited for summer!

We were a little sad to leave the warm weather, but happy to return home to grass rather than snow in our yard! The spring-like conditions here in Iowa this week made our transition home a little easier!

Jack loved the swimming pool!

Jay teeing off on the hole behind his parent's house

Jack showing off his shades!

This is how Jack crawled in and out of the pool!

My handsome boys!