Winter...technically

Going in for a wet kiss!

The first week of January...85' and no reason to not get naked and play in the water like it's summertime

John cried till the end of the ride...then cried because he had to get off.

The view of the Charlie Brown show was much better from the bushes...why even install benches?

Too scared to see Snoopy alone but John was a trooper.

John's first theme park visit with friends from our Mom's group went as well as expected. He was intimidated by the rides and characters at first but did just fine when we could do things together. It was a beautiful day at Knotts Berry Farm...can't wait to go back when he's a little older and more willing to do the Camp Snoopy rides alone. We have had a really nice winter so far with little rain and lots of warm days to play outside. Today is a rainy day as I blog but John is finding lots of things to do inside...for now :). He is developing into a little man and growing nonstop. I feel like we can understand each other more each week. He has some words down and signs for things he doesn't say yet but he talks more than ever these days. He can be quite stubborn but since he inherited that wonderful trait from me I really can't complain! He tends to be a more serious kid but when he gets the giggles (usually from his Dada!) it sets us all laughing.

Thanksgiving Mealssss

Playing at Heritage Park...a regular stop during the week for John.

At the Kershaw Thanksgiving

Playing in Big Bear at the Bremer Thanksgiving

It was a fun and slightly less busy Thanksgiving this year. Sometimes I forget that most people have just 1 Thanksgiving rather than 3 or 4 but we are lucky enough to have most of our family close enough to celebrate with each group (for now at least!). This year we had 1 the weekend before T-day, 1 on T-day, and 1 the day after T-day with lots of family and yummy food. Good thing the T-day meal is my favorite foods! John enjoyed the company and attention from everyone, and there was even a bit of snow to play with in Big Bear.

Falling In

Hugs for Maggie who is so patient and calm with Johnny Boy!

John loves to stand and sit in his water table...a fun thing he learned in the summer when it was hot enough to do that.

Mom: "John where's your big belly?" John: "Here's my belly!"

Playing in the rain puddles on the side of the house. John's first rain boots :)

First hair cut!

I took this the other morning because I just couldn't believe how big he was getting. I think he grew an inch that night!

John is staying active and playful as the days get shorter and cooler. Rain can not stop this kid from playing outside so I bought some decent rain boots and a heavy rain coat so we can splash around even when it's wet and gloomy. If it's not we will probably join a playgym for kids so he doesn't go stir crazy and drive me crazy :). I am looking forward to the holiday season this year because he is so active and interested in everything. We are even going to have our first Christmas tree, stockings and presents on Christmas morning at our house. But Thanksgiving first...hopefully I will have pictures of John playing in the snow (if there's enough) when we spend a couple days in Big Bear with Steve's family next week.

A Happy Halloween

John was more interested in the running from house to house than the candy he got once he arrived...he wouldn't even carry his club or candy bag :)

At the pumpkin patch

We made it out of the hay maze at the pumpkin patch but John hadn't had enough so he played in it for a while.

Big Bear

Life vest, dog, boat, and Big Bear Lake...a great combination!

Captain John at the wheel with his great grandpa Bremer

A little down time watching a movie with PJ...when they get older they will wonder why we no longer let them hang out on a bed together in a room with the door closed but for now :)

When they were in the wagon together John kept trying to push PJ out so we took him out and he still just wanted to push PJ...thank you PJ for being such a good sport!

Showing off his new Spider man slippers!

We spent this last weekend in Big Bear for my birthday (28!) with family and friends so John got an overload and playtime and attention. He had a great time playing on the shore, with his fam and friends, and with Maggie too. He is becoming quite a show-off and everyone gets such a kick out of it so he is always aiming to please. I started to sub occasionally at the local high schools that I have worked at in the past which John seems to love because he gets to spend the day with his Grandma Debbie while I work. He is so eager to get outside and play everyday first thing after breakfast and I don't know what I am going to do when it starts getting cold and rainy. I will have to get one of those books that has hundreds of ways to entertain kids indoors :) We will enjoy being out and about as long as we can!

Summer Ending

John has learned that if he dumps all the toys out the tub becomes a really fun car that Mom can push around the house...back-breaking for Mom but fun for John

Our wonderful city of Rancho Cucamonga hosts concerts in the park over the summer.

John went to his first one last year but was too little to run around and play.

Why do I garden? So that I can take adorable pictures of John eating an

ear of corn raw off the stalk!

Pool time with Dad at gma and gpa Bremers.

Older kids are returning to school this week in Rancho but John plays on! He is growing fast, eating tons, running, jumping and splashing away the hot summer days. He is so interested in everything that is going on around him and wants to be a part of the action. Playing outside, splashing in the water table and eating dirt, leaves, grass and probably bugs (ew!) are typical morning activities. John still takes a good mid-day nap after lunch which is nice time for me to relax, clean, pickle, jam, garden, eat, email and blog. Dancing is an afternoon favorite for both of us but he saves lots of energy for when Dad gets home from work to play outside in the cooler evenings. We have lots of company with gmas, friends, and family all week...we are so lucky to have so many wonderful people so close to play with.

Heating Up

I know that later in life John will be mad at me for all the naked photos

but they are just so dang cute!

Showing off at breakfast during our family vacation to Cayucos

Morrow Bay

Lots of pool time this summer!

Not their very first kiss but the first one we were able to catch on camera. John loves to spend time with PJ which is great because I love spending time with PJ's mom :)

It has been so fun to play with John as he learns new things and grows into a little boy. He loves the water...but prefers running around/in/through/over it to sitting in the pool. I guess it's a must move constantly stage for him but I am loving it. We had a vacation with Gma Joan and PopPop Mike to Cayucos (a sleepy little beach town by Morrow Bay) at the end of June. It was a semi relaxing time for Steve and I since John loves to play and it doesn't matter who with but not so restful since he doesn't sleep very well in unfamiliar places. John enjoyed the sand and family time though and we will hopefully make it a tradition...as long as Gma and PopPop want to. It is jam/pickle/apple sauce season so I have been super busy collecting and preserving yummy goods since May. Cucumbers are in so Bread and Butter pickles are on the production line and the apple trees are teeming with fruit this year. I am selling my stuff so spread the word! I am lucky to have lots of help close by and John loves when his gmas come over to play while I get some work done. He still hasn't talked but he does some basic sign language that I taught him which helps a ton in communicating and I can tell more and more that he wants to be able to say things as he babbles with his toys and books. I am in no hurry for talking because I am pretty sure he won't stop once he starts :)