Relaxing Day Trip

Saturday, we took a day trip to visit Grandpa and Granny in Dunlap, TN.  I know I've said many times how much we love it there, but it's totally true.  Their land is located at the base of a lovely mountain - so quiet and peaceful.  A great getaway from the demands of home and everyday life.  Wish we could visit more often!

Granny did her thing and cooked up a glorious lunch.  Chicken/dressing casserole, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, fresh green beans/tomatoes/fried okra (all from her garden), rolls, and homemade pound cake w/ fresh peaches and cream.  YUM!  After arriving with hungry stomachs and devouring that feast, we were good for nothing the rest of the day :)  A lot of front porch swinging, UNO playing, four wheeling, and horse petting were our activities.  Perfect in my book. . .

The only way to travel around the farm

Love this view

Meeting Walker

One of our favorite places

Front porch view

Let the four wheelin' begin

This picture makes me smile :)

Cade lovin' some time with Granny

Uncle David brought over fresh grapes. . . YUM!

The boys got busy helping Granny pick them off the vine to prepare for juicing

Sweet thing loved squishing them.  Grape juice + white shirt = oh boy

Another treat greeted us in the form of a newborn calf.  We were hoping it would make it's debut by the time we visited and we weren't disappointed.  We even got to see it brave the pond for the first time.  So sweet!

Mama was so gentle and protective as the calf ventured into the pond. 

Not too happy about how close we were getting

Back to the old grind here at home. . . Granny and Grandpa, we hope to visit again goon!

From London to Tennessee

The 2012 Summer Olympics are here and we Johnsons couldn't be more excited.  I love watching the swimming, track, and gymnastics competitions and hearing of all the beautiful life stories that led each competitor to this place.  Seeing the joy on each face as countries make their way into Olympic Stadium -  whether bringing 3 or 300 athletes, cheering on the good ol' USA with thousands of other strangers around our land, watching history in the making. . . it all makes my heart so happy.

Cole got into the Olympic spirit this year as well and was counting down the days until the Opening Ceremonies.  In the week prior, we learned about the Olympic rings, the torch, the original games in Athens, Greece, and a little about London.  We watched the trials and he memorized the strokes of swimmers (butterfly is his fav) and equipment names for gymnastics.  I also found a free downloadable Olympic Learning Pack that we used to make memory cards, practice addition/subtraction, writing, pattern making, and a bingo board to use while watching the Opening Ceremonies.  We were ready!

There were loads of things for ages 2-4 that I didn't print (counting, tracing, size sorting, etc.)  Loved finding this free resource!

When Friday evening arrived, we decorated the mantle with our own Olympic rings. . . 

which represent the coming together of the five continental regions (Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania) and the colors displayed on a white background are those used in the flags of each country

passed the torch around the house (super, super cute!). . .

Cade started us off. . .

passed it to Cole. . .

stopped for a pic with Daddy

and finished with Mommy :)

enjoyed gold treats. . .

and settled in for a good show.

Cole didn't stay up for the entire country procession, but we recorded the show and finished watching it early Saturday morning - can't miss the lighting of the Olympic flame and the firework display :)

GO U.S.A!!

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it."  1 Corinthians 9:24

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  2 Timothy 4:7

Thank You Note

For Thinking of Others Thursday, Cole wanted to write a thank you note to Gigi.  He spent the night with her last weekend and had a ball.

This thank you note was extra special, because Cole wanted to write it all himself.  He usually dictates to me and then signs his name, but he wanted to fly solo this time.  I grabbed a piece of blank paper, drew a few lines (we haven't practiced with standard handwriting lines yet) and he went to town.  He sounded out every word or just spelled them from memory.  So, so precious - I know Gigi will cherish her special delivery when it arrives :)

Translation:  Dear Gigi, Thank you for inviting me to spend the night at your house.  I loved watching the Lion King with you.  Painturo's was good too.  Love, Cole

The Artist

 Michael captured these pictures last Friday night while I was at neighborhood Bunco with the girls.  I must say, we have viewed the most spectacular sunsets since moving to our new home.  Unobstructed view + across from the lake = gorgeous.  Thomas Kinkade has nothing on the Maker of the universe.  Breathtaking. . .

15 Months

Happy 15 months sweet boy!

You seemed to have changed so much in the last 30 days.  You've become daringly independent, FAST, taller, stronger, and more vocal.  You are for sure strong-willed and have let this mama view that personality trait at least once a day.  You can arch your back, fuss, and stick out that bottom lip with the best of them, but then you flash the cutest grin ever and instantly have my heart :)  There isn't a dull moment with you around and I wouldn't have it any other way. . . love you Cade Elias!

15 Month Facts:

* You have 12 teeth.  All four molars finally made their way through.

* You love to play chase (yep, you've gone from walking to flat out running).  Whether you are doing the chasing or the one being chased, you laugh the entire time.  If only you would keep your eyes on where you are going instead of where you've been - sigh. . .

* You LOVED the 4th of July fireworks.  

* You ran a fever the night of the 4th and all day on the 5th.  It must've been a crazy virus b/c that was the only major symptom and it passed to Cole and Daddy as well.  Mommy avoided that one! :)

* When we say, "Praise Jesus!", you raise your hands high in the air and then clap.

* We turned your car seat front facing.  Not only are you big for your age, but with these 100+ temps, I just couldn't stand you not getting cooled off quickly when we entered a hot car.  Much better now!

* Your love for books continues to increase.  Peekaboo Kisses, Where's Baby?, Baby Animals Touch and Feel, Beginners ABCs, and Five Busy Bugs are your favorites.

You must also have one in the car or stroller at all times :)

* You pretend to talk on the phone.  You hold various objects to your right ear and say, "Hi!"

* You love to carry Mommy's hair dryer around the house.  Emptying her cabinet while she gets ready is also a fun way to pass the time.  Excited about when you clean up just as quick as you make a mess :)

 * You babble constantly and are beginning to form words:  hi, bye, hot (ha), cheese (tees), more, milk, shoes (toos)

* Balls are a new favorite toy with basketballs being the favorite.  You throw, roll, and kick them.  Future sports star in the making?

* You're tall enough to reach the door handles and can open most doors in the house.  Gotta make sure the deadbolts are locked on the front and back doors - you'd make a break for it I'm sure!

* You follow simple commands.  "Let's get your shoes on", "Take this to your seat (food/plate/drink)", "Wanna go upstairs?", "Go let Tank in", "Where's your _____?"

* You love to play outside and in the garage.  Unfortunately it's been too stinkin' hot for either these days.

* Daddy loves to surprise Mommy by dressing you in funny clothes.  Superhero and Pirate Cade have been a few favorites.

* Morning naps are a thing of the past.  You sleep til close to 8 a.m. most days and are ready for your afternoon nap around 1:30.  You'll sleep for close to 2 hours and then go back down for bed at 8 p.m.

* Bye-bye bottles!  You were still taking one at night before bed, but gave it up without a fuss.  It was probably Mommy that kept up this habit b/c it's one more phase of you transitioning from baby to toddler.  It's also one of the few times that you were still in my arms :)

* Front flips are fun :)

* You will eat most anything - fruits, veggies, pasta, bread - you love it all!  New favorites are pork chops, roast, , red grapes, rice, baked beans, doughnuts, graham crackers, and Cheez-its.

* You love to wrestle in the floor with Cole and Daddy.  I guess this is my welcome into the world of boys!

* You love your See-N-Say toy and replicate some of the animal sounds.  Your favorite is the lion - ROAR!

* One rainy day, I brought out your bouncer while I took a shower.  Couldn't believe what I saw when I got out :)

* You still sport a bruise or cut on your forehead/face at all times.  The most current is from a fall on the driveway at Papa and Gigi's house.

   Love you to pieces sweet boy!