Life lately {November}

Life with 2 (almost 3!) kids just doesn't slow down.  We like it that way around here.  We enjoy our busy, fun filled weeks.  I can't believe how quickly November passed us by!

When I take out a learning activity, no matter what it is, Lainey just devours it.  I love this about her.  I was busy folding laundry the other morning and let her do her thing with these letter tracing cards.  Back in September, she was really slow with these.  I don't mean that in a bad way, because it was new to her and even holding a writing utensil was not very natural.

It's incredible what can change in just a few months.  She worked much faster and traced, then wrote her letters more efficiently, even grasping her pen correctly.  It was so fun and encouraging to watch!


Wyatt is a riot right now.  110% boy, loves his momma, loves his trucks, trains and cars and LOVES to nap.  I cannot believe how big he looks in this picture.  I know he's 2 but he is just still my baby.

Wyatt did his annual croupy cough in the middle of the night a few weeks ago.  This time I had a few tricks up my sleeve and didn't panic and drive like a maniac to the ER.  Luckily he improved and we held out until our doctor's office opened the next morning.  He just took a day or two to recover so I am hoping mayyyyybe he will grow out of this tendency.  I was also thankful to (hopefully) get it out of the way before the baby arrives.

He's pretty much attached to my hip most of the time when we're home.  He's constantly grabbing his blankies and climbing into my lap for a snuggle and is more and more interested in things I'm doing in the kitchen, helping with chores, etc.


Our community group and our church held two different events this past year to pack shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child.  This is such a fabulous ministry to be a part of and support and it was really fun to involve the kids more this year, especially Lainey.  She carefully packed at least 8 boxes herself this year, meticulously choosing each and every item and making cards to put in them too.  Such a fun way to teach kids about the blessing of giving to those in need!


November brought us a couple of fun snow falls and our kids LOVED every second of it!





Love those red cheeks after playing outside!

And hot chocolate is a must!

And this is how we ended many, many November days.  To say we are excited and ready for her arrival is an understatement!

July Whereabouts

July was all about being outside for the Johnsons.  In fact, there are only a few pictures of the indoors included in this post (and they were for a good reason!).

We haven't had a long stretch of really hot weather here in Iowa yet, just 2 days at the most.  Maybe that's coming our way in August, we'll see.  There were even many COOLER days that felt unseasonable.  This all makes it really hard for me to believe that July is already over and August has begun.  Here's what we were up to in July...

I found a really great deal on a patio table at Target and we have enjoyed many meals and activities on the deck.  I bought a few learning activities for Lainey and I to do together since she and I usually have at least a good 1-2 hours to ourselves in the morning before Wyatt wakes up.  She is loving it.  I, on the other hand, love it too but it has tested my patience in incredible ways.  There was a reason I chose to teach upper elementary.  As you can see, she's over the moon proud of herself.

Most evenings we meet Daddy outside when he pulls in.  Lainey's been practicing riding her bike more and more.

You know how you "pin" all of those great ideas on Pinterest but you rarely follow through with them?  At least, that's how it is for me.  This one was a fun one thought we'll definitely do again.  Sidewalk Paint is 1 part corn starch, 1 part water and then a few drops of food coloring.  I NEVER let Wyatt do crafty things because they always end up in his mouth or on the floor but he had a BLAST with this.  They started painting the sidewalk, then went on to decorating the rocks in the landscaping.

Wyatt has indeed mastered the "cheese"... and being ridiculously adorable.

The highlight of July for Lainey was Princess Camp.  I signed her up for this 2x/week for 2 weeks dance and gymnastics camp to see how she'd do and how she'd like it because we had talked about enrolling her in a dance class in the fall.  Turns out, she loved it.  She wasn't always super keen about me leaving but every time I picked her up and peaked through the little viewing window she was having an absolute blast.  There's just something about watching your child enjoy something, all on their own, apart from you and having so much fun.  It was so great and a little bittersweet.  I'll be the first to admit I don't love being away from my kids.  I was so thankful she loved it since dance was a huge part of my life growing up.

Each day included a different Princess.  Let's just say she loved that!

She was beyond excited to put that leotard on for each day of camp.

What says "summer in Iowa" more than sweet corn?!?  We've gotten it twice now and each time it's delicious!

We've enjoyed discovering and exploring so many new parks this summer.  I can't say for sure since I don't know much about other big cities parks and rec systems, but Des Moines has really gotten it right.  There are TONS of parks with family friendly features for all ages ALL over in different metro neighborhoods.  We never have to drive very far to find a new adventure.  This picture above was from McHenry park on the north side.  There was a fun splash pad and a little man made creek.

We had a great time with some friends at the Indianola Balloon Classic.  There's something magical about hot air balloons!  The kids loved it and we had a great time.

Since it's August now, there are really only a few more weeks to enjoy pools and splash parks since school starts soon here.  We are going to take advantage every chance we get.  This particular day we went to "tot time" at the Indianola Pool with a few friends and it was so great!

Lainey's turned in to such a little fish.  I love watching her enjoy the water.  I don't usually get any pictures of Wyatt because most of the time I'm chasing him down.  He likes to explore everything BUT the water usually.

Loved sharing the summer fun in July with my family!  Looking forward to one more month of summer, then my absolute favorite is just around the corner... FALL!

The Great Outdoors

What a funny Spring it has been here in Iowa!  There have been a handful of beautiful teaser days amidst mostly miserable, chilly, windy ones.  On those nice days, we just couldn't justify staying inside!

How glorious to be out on the deck again!  It's so nice to let the kids out there while I make dinner.

Just shooting some hoops!

The windy days have been good for flying kites at least!

She's NEVER liked swinging until recently.  I'm trying to teach her how to pump.  Isn't it funny to teach kids something that seems so innate and natural?

We found a really great and fun park on the East side that is a natural playscape.  Lainey had a blast climbing and being super brave.  Wyatt was a little more cautious, which SO isn't like him!  It was funny to see them swap roles.

He did enjoy our picnic lunch of course :)

Just running free on a beautiful day!

Even though we woke up to snow one day this week, I am confident that it will really feel like actual spring here soon.  Looking forward to enjoying the great outdoors this spring and summer with my favorite little explorers!

Pumpkin patch #1

We headed to Ankeny to Williamson's Pumpkin Paradise with a few moms and kiddos this last week.  Even though it was prrretty chilly, it was the perfect hour spent enjoying some fall fun-tivities.

Had to bundle little mister up since he spent most of the time in the stroller.  Next year he'll be all over the place, I'm sure.

This little cow named Marshmallow kept trying to eat Wyatt's blanket.  Lainey thought he was so cute until he started moo-ing at her.

Brrr... they just look cold!

Wyatt was unimpressed.

I've been hearing about this corn pool ever since Wednesday.  She loooved it.

Wyatt and his buddy Ambrose were perplexed.

Queens of the hay bales!

Such a fun morning with some good friends!  We are loving all of the great fall activities ... this was our first pumpkin patch trip of the fall but we did another one this weekend too (another blog post coming soon!).  I love sharing these moments with my sweet kids!

June phone photo dump

A random (and kind of large) assortment of pictures from June... I sadly only got out my real camera two, maybe three times all month long, so these are once again, all from my phone.  My goal for July is to take a somewhat meaningful picture every day with my camera...we'll see how that goes!

We have found a new favorite park, Wilson Park in WDM, thanks to my good friend Julie.  Just loving being outside on these beautiful days.

Our church hosted a free concert on the steps of the capital with The City Harmonic and Leeland.  It was an awesome night in so many ways - great weather, great music, great friends and most importantly the message of gospel being shared looking over the city of Des Moines.  We had a great time.

Oh my poor son, I'm so sorry that your sister loves you sooooo much.

Reading her Bible and journaling in the morning just like Mommy!

There have been a handful of days when, for whatever reason, Lainey doesn't think she needs a nap.  She usually does pretty good but then hits a wall and passes out on the couch.  Not ideal, but pretty cute.

I know I say this each and every time I post a blog, but he is just the SWEETEST little boy in the world.

We have enjoyed lots of lunches in the back yard!

Learning the blow bubbles!  I was so impressed and she was SO excited she could do it!

On our 3rd anniversary we packed up the kids, picked up a pizza and had a picnic at a park.  We got to celebrate just the two of us a few days before so this was a perfect family night.

This is Wyatt's preferred position lately - he's mastered the sitting-to-belly move and will be cruising around in no time I'm afraid.  I just love the "sitting up and playing" (and not moving) stage - it's so easy and it seems like it has gone WAY too fast!  Crawling is exciting but it changes EVERYTHING!

He's easily amused.

Most days around 5:00 PM you can find us out here waiting for our favorite guy.  (See the lovely blue sign in the background?  Does anyone themselves or does anyone know anyone who wants to buy a well loved, great little house in an awesome neighborhood? :) 

The result of a fun morning.  Love her little clasped hands.

I know I'm biased but I think she's such a beauty!  She was having the time of her life at the splash park with this empty fruit cup.

The perfect afternoon!

He loves sitting and watching all of the action at the splash park!

We've had a lot of showings during the first week our house has been on the market and a few have been around nap time... sigh.

Puzzles are one of Wyatt's favorite toys these days.  Obviously not putting them back together but throwing around and chewing on the pieces... naturally.

We were on our way to Target on Sunday night and it was a little too close to dinner time.  It's dangerous (IE expensive!) to grocery shop on an empty stomach (and with a hungry toddler) so we stopped at our favorite Mexican place first.  YUM!

June totally flew by!  Excited to enjoy more of what summer has to offer in July with my sweet family!