Sneaky Camera Work

I'm hijacking Steph's blog for a minute because I just snuck into the living room and filmed this:

Even the best laid plans...

Today is the day I decided I was recovered enough from surgery to start an exercise regimen. It has been a long time since I worked out. Before I even got pregnant with Caden I resolved that I would workout throughout my pregnancy no matter how crappy I felt, unfortunately when the first day of morning sickness hit my great plan went out the window.
After lunch I got Caden down for a nap, put on my new exercise shoes and convinced Ethan that doing a FIRM workout with me would be "so much fun." We got about 20 mins. into it and Caden woke up, and before I knew it my trusty step boxes had been turned into boats.

merrily, merrily, merilly, merilly life is but a dream!

The GRANDEST Grandparents

We were so excited to have both of our parents here for a visit the past 2 weeks! Ethan was thrilled to see Papa Jonsin, Gramma Karen, Papa Peters and Grommy Tommy (not sure why he has a British accent when saying her name). It is quite a mouthful for him to mention all four of them in the same sentence (which he does all the time now). At first we thought he might be confused at having 2 grandpas and grandmas around - but nope, he just thought it was a bigger party and loves all 4 of them!

We all had such a great visit! It is hard to live so many miles away and not get to visit as frequently as we would like - so we really had to pack in the fun and take advantage of every minute while they were here! Here are a few highlights!

Bowling:

Ethan was so proud of his bowling shoes, Clark scored an almost personal record of 176, and my mom and I were thoroughly entertained by the Senior League bowling next to us - they were awesome (the lady with the hot pink capris with the black fringe around the legs was a personal favorite).

Park:

Anytime we asked Ethan what he wanted to do he said, "park peez."

Learning a new trick from Grammy Tammy.

Caden's first slide.

Does this look dangerous to you? All I can say is it is a good thing Papa Peters has cat-like reflexes!

Lots of Play Time:

Ethan tucked Grandpa in and 40 seconds later said, "time to wake up Papa Peters." No time for napping around here!

Indianola National Balloon Classic:

On Saturday night we braved the crazy traffic and drove to Indianola for the hot-air balloon festival. We got there right in time as all of the balloons started the mass ascension. It was almost whimsical to see the balloons floating over the beautiful green Iowa fields.

We loved watching this giant jack in the box take flight. It went right over our heads.

After the balloons Ethan enjoyed the kiddie play area, especially the barrel train.

After going through this inflatable train Ethan was excited to see his grandparents! Before any of us could stop him he ran back and went through the train backwards, just getting the most out of his ticket I suppose.

Dinner at the Iowa Machine Shed (twice):
Besides having good food, this restaurant is a fun experience! We took a tractor wagon ride around the parking lot, admired the old tractors and farming equipment, and enjoyed the variety of bacon paraphernalia in the gift shop (who knew you could buy bacon flavored chapstick).

Learning about tractors from the expert.

Heritage Carousel:

I'm pretty sure Ethan had more fun taking a shower and playing in the gutter run off at the edge of the carousel, it doesn't take much to please this kid.

Iowa Cubs Baseball Game:

Grandpa caught this T-shirt for Ethan (much to the dismay of the woman pictured by Ethan's feet - she really thought she had it).

It's hard to watch a baseball game when this little grinner is around.

We LOVE our parents! I think it is so much fun to see our parents love our kids and see our kids adore their grandparents.

This little boy felt like the King of World for the last 2 weeks!

Thanks so much for coming, we miss you all!

Caden's Baby Blessing

August 1, 2010 was a special day for little Caden Clark Johnson, he was given his baby blessing at church. Clark gave him a beautiful blessing. He looked so sweet and pure in his little white outfit (that was literally bursting at the seams).

The day was especially great because both sets of grandparents were able to be there, and both of his grandpas were able to help bless him.

After church we had a wonderful dinner (thanks to both grandmas) with friends and family in his honor. The cute little guy was worn out and slept through the whole thing! He didn't even get a piece of his cute caterpillar cake.

Here's our attempt at some fun family pictures. I'm wishing we would have taken a few in the morning before being out in the heat and humidity all evening.

Now everyone give your best "Ee-ee" smile!

A cute little smile for his big brother.

Caden's blessing day reminded me that our little boy is truly a child of God with a wonderful mission to fulfill throughout his life on earth. We are so blessed to have his sweet spirit in our home.

On The Charts

Caden just had his 2 month check-up and we are proud to report he is back on the chart! When he was born he was so big his weight was literally off the chart. Now at 14 lbs. 12 oz. he is in the 99th percentile. He measured at 24 in. long in the 86th percentile and his head was in the 97th percentile.

We are glad he is a healthy boy. We are loving the cute little smiles he is full of lately!

A Law of 3

Apparently when you have 3 chins...

It is time to move up to size 3 diapers!

And now 3 cute smiles from our little linebacker!

Just Me and My Dad - Camping Edition

Clark and Ethan love to read this book. All winter long they have been planning a camping trip, just the two of them, just like the book.

Since Clark has tomorrow off he decided tonight would be the night! And since this is their first expedition Clark decided the back yard was far enough.

The excitement level in our house has been through the roof, you would think Ethan just won the Super Bowl. He has literally been bouncing off the walls, spinning circles on his bum on the kitchen floor, and running around for the last 3 hours just waiting to go in the tent!

All ready for the trek through the grass with his little lantern and of course Brown Dog.

When Clark decided this week was the week I don't think he realized quite how hot it would be. I just checked the weather at 11 pm, it is partly cloudy, 85 degrees - but feels like 96 degrees. It is so warm and miserably humid, but Clark is the best Dad and there is no going back on this promise.

We made yummy camping treat S'mores in the microwave before they headed out.

I got a kiss through the mesh windows and a loud "night night Momma," and now I am enjoying my A/C! This really may be the BEST camping trip EVER!

You gotta LOVE these boys!

Edit: Clark was smart to have their first expedition in the backyard. About 11:30 2 boys came into the house dripping wet with sweat. Apparently the tent/sauna isn't very conducive to sleep. By the end of their expedition Ethan kept saying, "Ee-ee sleep in white home please." Too funny! Still gotta love these boys!