Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all our family and friends! The Johnson family celebrated Halloween this year with pumpkin carving (something I haven't done in over 10 years!), trick-or-treating, and spending time with family. Jack had fun watching all the kids come to the door in their costumes. We walked around to a few houses in our neighborhood so Jack could have his first trick-or-treating experience, but he is still a little too young to understand what is going on. We tried getting all the Johnson cousins together again this year, but unfortunately Ava and Tyler couldn't make it over to Grandma and Grandpa's house because of an illness. Jack still had fun playing with Joe and Abby though!

Pumpkin carving with Daddy!

Our little tiger!

He loves pumpkins!
Its hard to get pictures of Jack without his tongue sticking out!

Still happy to be surrounded by pumpkins

We had to stop by Brooklyn's house to trick-or-treat!

Jay with the kids

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson

Johnson cousins

Grandma and Grandpa McCulla

Jack is 18 months old!

My little man is 18 months old today and he is doing great! Jack is a very busy boy. He is always on the move but he rarely walks...he is always running! He still loves to climb and is often found on top of the kitchen table, end tables, and couch. The best way to describe him is 100% boy! Some of his favorite things are: Curious George, Barney, running, climbing, swimming, eating raspberries and goldfish crackers, and hitting. (He started hitting in the last few months and Mommy and Daddy are trying everything to get rid of that habit....we are hoping he will grow out of it very soon!) He is finally starting to talk and he will attempt to say just about anything we ask him to. His favorite things to say are: daddy, mama, dog, water (or "ater" as he likes to say), let's go, apple, tractor, boo-boo (also known as blankie), football, touchdown, hat, grandpa, pumpkin, and ball. It is so much fun hearing him talk and learn new things. We are having so much fun with him and we doing our best to take advantage of these last few months of him being an only child!

Jack with his beloved blankie I think he is making his motorboat noise in this picture

Stephanie's Nashville Wedding

Steph and Chris were married this past weekend in Nashville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding at the Cool Springs House in Crockett Park. They could not have asked for more perfect weather....it was a sunny, fall weekend with temperatures reaching 70 degrees! Steph looked amazing in a beautiful dress made by her aunt. The wedding ceremony was flawless and all the guests had a great time at the reception. We enjoyed every part of the weekend except for the long drive back to Iowa on Sunday. Fortunately, we had Angela and Chad with us to keep us company....and to keep us entertained! We were so excited to get home on Sunday night to see Jack....3 days away from him is a long time!

Getting ready

The beautiful bride!
Buck and Princess!

The bridesmaids (notice my baby bump!)

The ceremony

Steph and Chris exchanging rings

You may kiss the bride!

All smiles!

The wedding party

Another cute couple!

Cutting the cake

On the dance floor

Carroll's Pumpkin Farm

Jack and I visited Carroll's Pumpkin Farm in Grinnell this morning with Steph, Kaiya, and Grandma. Jack and Kaiya had fun checking out all the attractions. Jack was mostly interested in the tractors....imagine that! The kids also had a lot of fun jumping on the giant pillow....Jack was all smiles! After we left the pumpkin farm we met Great-Grandma and Grandpa McCulla and Uncle Dennis for lunch in Grinnell. Jack was so exhausted by the time we left that he was sleeping before we reached the interstate!

Jack and Kaiya on the tractor

Milking the cow
Feeding the goats
Jack and Grandma on the wagon ride

Steph and Kaiya

On the giant jumping pillow

Kaiya rolling down the giant pillow and Jack trying to follow

Steph and Kaiya chasing each other in the trike barn

Riding in the wheelbarrow

Cute kids!

Jack with a mouth full of goldfish crackers and Kaiya not wanting to smile for the camera!

Happy boy!

Jack and Mommy!

Emmersen Faith

My beautiful new niece, Emmersen Faith was born on September 26, 2010, weighing in at a whopping 5lbs 15oz! I finally got a chance to drive down to Kansas City this weekend to meet her. Emmersen is such a good baby....she rarely fusses and sleeps a lot! Avree is very proud of her new sister and is always trying to help out. Emmersen is still too hard for Avree to say....so instead, she calls her "baby Em." So cute!

Adorable!

Surprisingly, Avree wasn't too interested in holding her baby sister this time. She wanted to be playing with Jack!

Avree and Jack were having a lot of fun playing in the basket. They were being so cute and funny together that I just had to grab my camera!

Avree saying "cheese!"

Avree is trying so hard to keep Jack from getting up.
Not sure what is going on here!
Jack trying to show off his strength. Avree is not impressed.

Silly kids!

Weekend in Ottumwa

This past weekend, the Johnson Family visited our good friends, Ryan and Amy Van Maanen. They recently moved into a beautiful house on an acreage just outside of Ottumwa. On Sunday, we visited Amy's grandparent's farm so Jay could ride horses. We also thought Jack would like to see the horses, but he was more interested in all the tractors!

Bogey was a muddy mess after swimming in the pond!

Jack was having fun trying to walk in Alyvia's cowboy boots!

Jack and Mommy in the big tractor

Cowboy Jay!

Amy and her two oldest children on the horses

Jack and Miley playing in the tractor

Jack's turn for a horse ride!

He cared more about the tractor!

Jay showing off his riding skills, bareback!

Jack found another tractor!

I think its nap time!