Christmas morning!

Jay and I were especially excited about Christmas morning this year as Jack is starting to understand the concept of Santa and presents. Jack had so much fun unwrapping and playing with all his toys. The big gift for the kids this year was a new play kitchen, which Jack was very excited about. The rest of Jack's gifts revolved around Toy Story, dinosaurs, and trucks. Kate didn't care too much about her presents, but she was full of smiles watching Jack run around and play with his new toys all morning!

Jack had a hard time when we explained to him that Buddy (his Elf on the Shelf) returned to his home at the North Pole and would not be back until next Christmas. He shed a few tears and then said "bye-bye Buddy....I'm going to miss you!"

Daddy and the kids!

Jack was very excited about his new kitchen!Toys and wrapping paper everywhere!

Kate and Daddy

Grandma Pony with Jack and Kate

Christmas with the Johnson Family

We celebrated Christmas with the Johnson family on Christmas Eve. We had a nice dinner followed by opening presents. It was a noisy, and some what chaotic evening with all the cousins running through Grandma and Grandpa's house and jumping on their beds! The kids haven't yet learned the difference between "inside" and "outside" voices! I think Great-Grandma Johnson was anxious to leave at the end of the night so she could have some peace and quiet time!

The family

Kate and Jacob

The Johnson cousins

Katy helping Jack unwrap his present

She cared more about eating the bows and wrapping paper than playing with her toys

The Johnson boys in their red sweater vests

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson with the grandchildren

Christmas in Pella

The Johnson family headed to Pella on the 23rd to celebrate Christmas with the McCulla and Kniff families. We had a great night filled with dinner, presents, and a visit from Santa. The kids had so much fun running around and playing with their new toys. Jack was very excited to see Santa, but he was cautious not to get too close. He just danced around Santa and demanded that he "give Jack presents!"

The Johnson Family

We tried so hard to get them to smile at the same time...this was the best we got!

Happy girl in her Christmas dressGrandma and Grandpa with the grandchildren

Christmas dinner

Visit from Santa!

Little snow angels!

Reading a Christmas book from Santa

Jack was very excited about Woody!

Ornery girl learning to climb steps!

The kids all snuggled up to watch a movie before bedtime

We celebrated Christmas in Grinnell with Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa McCulla on December 18.

The McCulla gang

Santa!

Katy's Baby Shower

Our good friends, Katy and Corey, are expecting a baby boy in January. Katy has done so much for our family in the past and I was excited to return the favor and show her how grateful I am by throwing her a baby shower. The shower went great and everyone had a good time. We spent the morning eating, playing games, and catching up with friends. Katy received a lot of great gifts and I think she is almost ready for her little guy's arrival!

The whole group

All the expecting ladies

Katy and her mom, Jan

Me and my two Katy's!

8 months old

Kate is 8 months old! She seems to be taking after her big brother a little more every day by how active she has become. She is crawling all over now and is usually heading toward her big brother's toys! So far, Jack doesn't seem to mind, but I imagine this will change once she starts taking toys out of his hands. (This is something she will learn from big brother, as he is very good at taking toys out of other kid's hands!)

Other than being more active, Kate has not changed much. She is still eating and sleeping great, and she is still the sweetest baby ever. She still has a permanent smile on her face. We have even noticed that she will go several days in a row without crying! She makes this whole parenting thing seem so easy!

Florida!

The Johnson Family returned home today from a week in Fort Myers Beach. It was a nice, relaxing week for us all. We were a little nervous about traveling with two small children, but luckily our flights were uneventful. Now that Jack no longer qualifies as a lap child, he had his own seat on the plane. We were able to bring his car seat on board and it was so nice to have him strapped in! We didn't have to worry about him kicking the seat in front of us, switching back and forth between our laps, or constantly wanting to unlatch the tray table. It was amazing! This was Kate's first time on a plane and like always, she was perfect!

We spent most of our days relaxing at the pool or on the beach. Jack was happy to be swimming again! He also had a blast on the beach. He enjoyed splashing in the water and jumping in the waves. Jay spent most of his time on the beach building sand castles...only for Jack to come by moments later to destroy it!

All in all, it was a great vacation. We were a little sad to leave at the end of the week and return to the cold weather in Iowa, but we are already looking forward to our trip back next year!

The Johnson family at Bonita Beach

Fun in the pool

with Luke and Kaiya

Grandpa and Kate

Kate's first time at the beach

with Steph and Saige

Grandma and Grandpa with the kids

On the jetski!

The World Championships of Sand Sculpting was held at

Fort Myers Beach while we were staying there

My favorite

Jack and Kate at the sand sculpture exhibit

Double-fisting the sand before putting it in her mouth!

Sunset on the beach

Jack and Daddy

So cool in her shades!

Jay and the kiddos enjoying some pool time

She loved the water!

A relaxing day at the beach

Nap time in the sand

Family picture at Fort Myers Beach