Camping and Fishing

As August was ending, we realized that we hadn't gone camping over the summer, and if we didn't go soon, it would be too cold. We picked a weekend and drove up near Eden (UT), with Neal's parents and Dallin, for a quick weekend camping/fishing trip. We took Lydia camping last year, but this year she was old enough to really enjoy it! I know the pictures aren't very good quality, but they are all that we had.

We brought her pack-n-play to put in the tent, and she did great sleeping all night. 

 She was fascinated by the fire and was really excited when we pulled out the makings for smores. Daddy tried to help her roast the marshmallows, but she didn't want to wait for it and just ate them from the bag instead.

  

Waiting for the pancakes to finish cooking and enjoying our morning out in nature. 

After breakfast and cleanup, she went for a walk with grandpa to look for some moose (per her request). Luckily they didn't find any. :) When they got back we drove up by Ogden to a fish farm. Neal really wanted to take Lydia fishing and have her catch something.I told Neal I was fine with going fishing as long as I didn't have to clean or cook the fish.  Dallin really enjoyed it and caught a few fish. Lydia loved the water and watching the fish jump for the food, but wasn't a huge fan of holding the pole in the water. With Neal's "help", she did catch one little fish.  

Lydia turns 2!

Another post that is way overdue! Lydia turned 2 this past August. I can't believe that our little girl is already that old! Where did the time go?  She has learned so much this past year, she definitely is growing up quickly. In fact, she tells me almost everyday, "I growing up so big!" She is still a people person and loves to talk to everyone. Her vocabulary really expanded and she mostly talks in complete sentences. She knows her colors really well (actually she has for quite a few months now), can count to 10, and knows some of her letters. Her favorite song is "I am a Child of God" and she requests that I sing it every night. Sometimes she sings along with me, and I've heard her singing it by herself when I'm not right there. It's so cute to hear her little voice "singing" songs.  Helping me with whatever I'm doing in another of her favorite things to do, as she doesn't like to be left out of anything. She's actually is pretty helpful with sweeping, dusting, and throwing things away. She is definitely coming into the "terrible twos" and knows how to throw a little fit, but she is usually very happy and wants others to be happy as well. Each morning (well, almost every morning) when I come into her room, she'll look at me and exclaim, "Mom, I wake up happy!" At such a young age, she is also learning how to get on my good side. I was a bit frustrated and sad with how she was acting one day. Next thing I know, she came up behind me and gave me a big hug. Then she started giving me a back/shoulder massage with her little hands while saying, "Mom, it's ok. Be happy Mom." How could I stay mad and frustrated at her any longer? We sure love our Lydia and all she brings to our family.

The birthday girl!

Every time I asked her what kind of cake she wanted, she would reply, "purple." I didn't have a lot of time to make her cake, so it isn't the prettiest, but she loved it! Blueberries are also one of her favorite foods, so those had to go on the cake somewhere too.

So excited for her birthday! She loved opening her presents and eating cake and ice cream.

 Being outside is still one of her favorite things. She could be outside all day! We bought her a swing for her birthday (Neal hung it outside from one of the trees) and she loves it!  On her birthday we (Neal's mom, Dallin, Lydia, and I) went to Liberty park. I've never been there before, but it was really great! There was so much to see and do. We started out by feeding the ducks (which mostly turned out to be geese, although there were a few actual ducks there too) which Lydia absolutely loved! The loaf of bread that we brought did not last very long. :) 

After feeding the ducks, we went over to the water section. Lydia loves water and had a blast wandering around the little stream. splashing in the water, and playing in the fountain.

Next (and lastly) we headed to the playground area. I should have taken more pictures, but Lydia was having too much fun. I was surprised at the amount of equipment there: swings, slides, splash pads, and so much more. Dallin helped her go on the very tallest slide over and over again, and then they had fun on the teeter totter together. She also spent a lot of time on the swings and just running around. Unfortunately it was time to go home for lunch and naps. Next time we'll come and spend more time playing!

July 2013

July was another fun filled summer month. The Meyers (the couple we were house sitting for) came back home the very end of June. Neal's parents have a triplex down the street that we were planning on renting, but it needed some new carpet, painting, and repairs (turns out there was termite damage in the kitchen) so we stayed with his parents for the end of June and most of July. Lydia loved waking up and seeing Grandma, Grandpa, and Dallin everyday! Dallin and Lydia are so funny to watch, they chase each other, Lydia loves to tease him and take whatever he has with him (especially his red rope and Jessie doll), and often they would crawl around pretending to be different animals together.  

Fun at Grandma's house. :)  (top)Lydia with her crazy bed head and enjoying playing in the toy room.

(bottom) playing dance dance with Dallin, and having fun with sidewalk chalk

Helping mom do the dishes. Lydia is a good helper and loves to do whatever I am doing!

Neal and I also took Lydia to the Discovery Gateway center in Salt Lake. I hadn't been there since an elementary school field trip and it has changed so much! There was so much to see and do, even for the little kids. We stayed for a couple of hours and Lydia loved it! I feel like we could have spent all day and not gotten bored with anything. 

She loved the water tables and activities there. She really wanted to get on the horse but as soon as she did, wanted Neal to take her off again. I guess she preferred to just look at the animals and not get on them.

They also had a cute little house set up, complete with kitchen/dining room, and a living room with a vacuum, "babies" and their cradles, ironing board, a piano, and a reading nook with chairs and books, and more. There was also a grocery store, a farm, a post office, a construction site, and so many more things. Upstairs they had more science based activities and things to see/do. Unfortunately our camera battery died, so I didn't take many pictures. We'll definitely have to go back soon.

Baby Jacob Arrives In Style

Our son (Jacob Neal Johnson) arrived on Friday, October 4, 2013 around 3:00pm.  He weighed 8lbs 5oz. and was 20 inches long.  We are excited for the newest addittion to our family!