Things That Sparkle

Tonight we went to see the lights at Temple Square. Being the Friday before Christmas, there were definitely many others enjoying the lights also. I was very happy with our parking spot tonight, and had to take a picture. Brad thought it was funny, but I was just so grateful we didn't have to park out in the boondocks like last year. This year we got a spot right across the street at the conference center, we only had to cross ONE street, and not have to go up or down any hills. Hallelujah, especially with a double stroller. It wasn't too cold, thankfully, but still chilly enough that I made sure both kids wore hats. Isabela didn't seem to mind hers too much, but Johnny kept tugging on his. I was just glad he didn't figure out how to unsnap it, otherwise I'm sure it would have gotten lost. We took a break from the cold and warmed up inside the visitor's center and took Johnny to see the Christus. It was much busier inside the visitor's center than outside, but Johnny seemed to really enjoy it, and so did I. We are all excited for Christmas, and are especially grateful for the blessings our Father in heaven has given us. It was so wonderful to be at the temple tonight where Brad and I were married, and have our two children with us. We are very grateful to be an eternal family, and I can't imagine anything I'd want more than to be with my family forever. Merry Christmas!

Johnny Boy

Today our lovable monster turned 19 months old! We didn't get around to taking a picture of him until right before he went to bed. Yes, he is chowing down on cheetos, don't judge us, he'd already eaten dinner.

We went a few weeks ago to the doctor for a check-up and he weighed in at 28 pounds. He is also already 34 inches tall, which explains how he can grab practically everything off the counter.

Johnny is such a sweetheart and it's so fun now that he's talking more. His favorite word is definitely ball. He uses it about 437 times a day.

Other words in no particular order:

Mom

Dad

book (boo)

no

bye-bye

more

woo hoo

football (fooball)

all done

oooo (when he wants to read his snugglepuppy book)

dog

woof woof (repeated very excitedly when he sees the dog)

uh oh

shoe

hi (most often spoken very loudly right in baby sister's face)

night night

yum
swish swish (wipers on the bus)
cheese

This little guy is growing up so fast, so I guess it's a good thing we have another baby!

There It Is!!

She gave her dad a BIG smile tonight to show him how much she loves her baby Einstein

I love that smile.

The Saucer

Today was Bela's first day in the Baby Einstein. Brad has been asking all month if she's big enough for it, but I felt two months old was a little young. He finally wore me down since she'll be 3 months next week. Even though she seemed to enjoy it, Johnny was hands-down more excited just watching baby sister. He kept running around her and laughing, and I had to constantly pull him off because he kept trying to climb in with her, as you can see.

Johnny just adores Bela, and I hope these two will always love playing together. It makes me so happy when he wants to hold her and give her kisses. His new thing is laying down right next to her (and sometimes on top of her) and pressing his cheek right up against hers. I love these guys so much!

I Heart Santa

I just love her cute Christmas outfit!! I've been feeling guilty lately, because Bela basically lives in her pajamas since it's been so cold here. Today Brad put her in this outfit, and we just had to take a picture. We're all excited for Christmas, and especially grateful that we'll get to see so much family over the holidays.

Candy

Johnny dressed up as a dragon for Halloween this year and went trick-or-treating for the first time ever. Even though he didn't fully understand what exactly was happening, he and his cousin Henry seemed to enjoy collecting treats from everyone.

This was actually a few days before Halloween. He just loved the costume so much he liked playing in it

Sweet side shot

I love the wings and mini-tail

Pictures

I was going through pictures on the computer and thought I'd post a few. It is so fun to see how Johnny has changed in the past year. He's definitely growing up and becoming a big boy.

Here's cousin Cooper taking such good care of Johnny while he was visiting Mesquite last October

Last Halloween (5 months)

Christmas with Uncle Stevie (7 months)

Easter Sunday and also technically the first picture with his baby sister because I was about 4 months along

His Daddy learned the hard way to not leave Johnny unattended with food

At Grandma Tate's birthday party in April (11 months)

Once he finally overcame his fear of balloons after his birthday, he became obsessed with them and whenever he happened to get one, insisted on taking it with him everywhere for the rest of the day (June - 13 months)

Testing out the new couch Daddy bought

Wearing Aunt Ashley's shirt during 4th of July weekend

What a silly kid. Johnny's such a happy boy, and is always laughing and bringing so much joy to our lives every day. He's a keeper.