9 months old!

Jack is nine months old today....it just doesn't seem possible! He is still a happy, busy little boy who continues to grow and change every day. Taking his first steps was his biggest accomplishment this past month. Mommy and Daddy are excited for him to learn how to walk and at the same time, I think we will regret the day we ever said that! It is hard enough keeping up with him crawling all over the house, I can only imagine how that will change once he is walking. He is using his voice more and more every day....but it's all gibberish, of course! He has also taken more of a liking to Birdie and Bogey in the past few weeks. He has been crawling all over them, stealing their toys, and tugging on their hair. Birdie and Bogey don't seem to mind at all....in fact, I think they like the attention! They are both so good with Jack....there is definitely a reason Golden Retrievers are called the best family dogs!

First steps!

Jack took his first steps yesterday! He is not walking yet....but he is getting close. This kid is fearless!

Weekend in Minnesota

The Johnson family made a last minute decision to travel up to Minneapolis for the weekend with Brian and Tricia and a few of their friends. We headed to the Mall of America on Saturday afternoon for a little shopping and then to the hotel on Saturday evening for a night of swimming and hanging out by the pool. On Sunday afternoon, Jay and I went to the Vikings playoff game at the Metrodome. We had a great time at the game and we are happy the Vikings came up with a big win against the Cowboys.....34-3! Skol, Vikings!

Jack with two Vikings cheerleaders at the mall

Swimming at the hotel with Daddy

He loved the water!
Jack was having fun playing in his crib at the hotel

The Johnson family proud to show off their Vikings jerseys!

Outside the Metrodome A few drinks with the guys before game time

Go Vikings!

Cabinet locks

Jack is still getting into everything these days. In the past few weeks, he has discovered how to open the kitchen cabinets. It has been a never ending battle for me. Jack opens the cabinet and starts pulling out anything he can find....I pull him away and put whatever he pulled out back into the cabinet.....I take him into the other room or try to find anything that will distract him....he doesn't fall for it and ends up crawling back into the kitchen.....only to open the cabinet door once again. Seriously, this goes on all day long! The cabinet locks I ordered earlier this week cannot come soon enough!!

Swedish pancakes

For many years, Great-Grandma Johnson has been making swedish pancakes for the entire family. Jay and I are starting to take over this tradition so Great-Grandma can have a break! She would much rather relax and enjoy the time with her grandchildren rather than standing in front of the stove all night. So, Jay and I hosted the Johnson family this past weekend for swedish pancakes. It was another first for Jack....and he LOVED them! He just kept shoveling more in his mouth!

More Christmas pictures...

Here are a few more family pictures from Christmas. We are blessed with such wonderful families!

Jack loves candy canes!

An intense game of Pegs and Jokers!

8 months old!

Jack is 8 months old!! This has been a very busy month for Jack....he is always on the go! He is crawling like a champ and loves walking behind his walker. The basket of dog toys is still a favorite....along with cords, strings, the remote, fireplace, house decorations....basically anything he is not supposed to have! He is still a great baby though. He rarely fusses and he always has a smile on his face. We are lucky parents!

It's getting harder to make him sit still for these pictures!