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

Our little caterpillar

Katy started crawling a few weeks ago! It is very similar to the way Jack started off crawling....she looks like a caterpillar! She doesn't move very fast, but she is able to get where she wants to go. Let the good times begin!

7 months old!

Katy Mae is 7 months old today! She has become quite the active baby in the last month. She is not crawling yet, but she wants to so bad! She can get up on all fours but then she cannot figure out what to do from there. She usually falls to her tummy and then spends the next five minutes turning in circles before she gets mad! As much as I do not like seeing her frustrated, I do hope its a while yet before she is crawling! Other than getting upset about her immobility, she is still a happy little baby. She spends most days with a permanent smile on her face. She has so much fun watching Jack run around and play. She also loves bouncing in her jumperoo. She has started using her voice a lot too, which is fun to hear!
Kate is still eating and sleeping great. We have been doing solid food for over a month now and we still have not found anything she does not like. She doesn't get a bottle too often, but when she does, she will drink 10-12 ounces! Its no wonder she still has the nickname "Chubbs!"

Happy Halloween!

The Johnson's had a good time celebrating Halloween this year. Jack was dressed up as a monkey and Kate was a flower. Jack enjoyed being in costume and loved telling us what a monkey says. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's house yesterday afternoon so all the cousins could play together in their Halloween costumes. Last night was beggar's night and we thought Jack would finally enjoy trick-or-treating this year. We practiced saying "trick-or-treat" all night leading up to it, but as soon as we reached the first house, he froze! We only visited a few neighbors before heading back home to pass out candy. Jack had more fun sitting on the front step and watching everyone in their costumes. He also had fun passing out candy to the kids. Maybe next year he will finally enjoy trick-or-treating! Kate, on the other hand, was as happy as could be throughout the festivities. She had a permanent smile on her face!

My little monkey and flower!

A happy little flower!

Kate and Jacob

The Johnson cousins

Jack all ready to go trick-or-treating

Jack and Daddy

He had more fun passing out candy!

Waiting for more trick-or-treaters

Jack and Katy with their friend, Brooklyn, the bumble bee!

Kate's 6 month pictures

Center Grove Orchard

Carroll's Pumpkin Farm

I took the kids to Carroll's Pumpkin Farm today with Grandma Barb, Aunt Steph, Kaiya and Saige. Jack and Kaiya had so much fun running around and checking out the attractions. Jack was in love with all the tractors and he was so happy when "Grandpa Danny" let him sit in his tractor while we were stopped in the pumpkin patch. He also had a great time riding the trikes in the TMX trike barn, jumping on the big orange bouncy pillow, and playing in the corn in the grain barn. After lunch and shopping in downtown Grinnell, we were all tired from a long, but fun day!

Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa McCulla stopped out to visit