Pre-Halloween Festivities

We had a fun Halloween Party with all the Johnson Cousins. There was Yoda, a Lady Bug, Tinkerbell, the Devil, two Batmen, an Angel and Wonder Woman. The kids seemed to have a lot of fun, jumping on the trampoline and giving us a parade of costumes. Jack's favorite activity was going into the grape vines and finding his favorite food - Grapes! Below are pictures of trying to pose the kids, Jack eventually decided that the best thing was to just lay back and wait until us crazy moms were ready to pick him up off of the tramp.

We went out and picked our pumpkins a few days ago. Jack had such a good time trying to 'taste' every single one, and then sitting in this pile of squash that was larger than he is!

Oza 6.29.92-10.22.08

Our dearly beloved Oza passed away yesterday. She was the sweetest little girl ever. The bravest warrior whose whole 7 pounds chased after the biggest tractors, elk and dogs. She was a wonderful mouse catcher and loved chasing after dandelions and helping mom do yard work. Oza had a very big heart and we love her so much.

Fall Days

Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I love when the colors started changing, the air becomes crisp and clean. I love being able to start snuggling up in a warm sweater, but it's not yet cold enough to bundle up in hats and mittens and scarves.
We decided to take advantage of the beautiful days and hike around the Aspen Loop. The dogs had a blast running through the meadows, Jack met horses and ran around as well.
I love these slow and lazy days.

Cow Spotting

Jack's word for all animals is moo. It doesn't matter if it is a cow, dog, bird, whatever. So the other day while doing our Saturday hike, I decided to stop by a cow field and let him see a real moo-moo. He was in heaven! He thought all the moo-moos out there were just so cool!

Things Jack Likes To Do

Yesterday we had a great afternoon. Stephen was getting off of work early, so we decided to meet in the park and go for a walk. I took both dogs and Jack, and we played until Stephen could join us. Jack insisted on holding Kika's leash, so Kika and Jack would slide down the slides together and climb up rope ladders. (I think Kika actually enjoyed it quite a bit, she would even go down the slide herself a few times). So after our day of fun at the park, walking and then later in the backyard I thought to myself, I have a pretty cool little guy, and I'd love to share exactly what Jack likes to do with everyone. So here's that list:

1. Find apples on the ground and eat them up (but don't try to take it away or wash it for the little guy!)


2. Find tomatoes in the fridge and eat them just like an apple (best to set the little one outside for this messy game)


3. Find 'treasures' on the kitchen table (like bills, pictures, cards, chocolate) and rip them up or eat them


4. Hold on to Kika's leash


5. Go down the slide (especially with Kika)


6. Move the firewood around in the back yard (it is as tall as he is)


7. Water himself and mommies plants with the hose


8. Help mommy find all the doggy poop in the backyard


9. Play hide-the-nuk in his stackable blocks


10. Climb on everything and anything that is above ground level- even if it is a tiny block, it may make him reach 1/2 an inch higher


11. Sit on mommies lap while reading books
12. Steal cell phones, pagers and radios


13. Jump on the bed with Daddy and Junior


14. Give his puppies BIG hugs and kisses


15. Splash around in the tub (and ofcourse pee pee in the tub)


16. Give big hugs and kisses to mommy and daddy, as well as an awesome high five

Yellowstone

We were finally able to go on a family camping trip this year. We went to Yellowstone and the Tetons. The weather was perfect, we really lucked out! And Jack did so good camping! The first night was cold! About 20 degrees. I had Jack in the only coat that was close to fitting him, a coat that was mine when I was 3, the poor little guy was drowning in it! Here Stephen and Jack are working hard putting up the tent and starting the fire. So hard in fact, that after all that work Jack fell asleep in his car seat (it was the best way to keep him out of the cold).

The next morning we went to see Old Faithful and the other geysers. It was so fun to watch them steam up and explode.

Jack ended up getting very hot in the car, so we took a little break to strip his clothes down, he wasn't a very happy camper at that point.

Our next stop was the Mammoth Hot Springs. We ended up letting the little guy ride piggy back and run around here. He loves stairs, and it was a good chance for us all to stretch our legs.

Our next campsite was great. It was a lot warmer, and Jack found Stephen's shovel, so that kept him occupied for a good part of the time. He kept losing his beloved nuk, and searching for it, the story of our lives:)

Our last day in Yellowstone we went to see the Upper and Lower Falls. Stephen wasn't feeling very good, and wasn't all that happy that I was making him go up and down so many stairs, but it is so beautiful, you just can't go to Yellowstone without seeing the waterfalls.

Finally some wildlife! There was a coyote sighting at our second campsite, but we didn't see him, so the only wildlife that we saw the whole trip was a herd of Bison. The very first day there was one Bison walking down the middle of the road, Stephen wanted me to take a picture, but I said we are going to see so much there isn't a point of it. Turns out I was wrong. So when we saw this herd on the last day, we took a lot of pictures.