Grandma goes to Preschool

While Josh was at school, the ladies enjoyed lunch out at a cafe in Towson.

We visited Josh's classroom for the end of the morning. All of the kids were excited to have Grandma in their class!

Building a tall tower with Josh's classmates.

On the way out, Josh and Katelyn take a turn on the slide.

Taking Grandma to the Zoo...and Shrewsbury too!

Today we spent the morning at the zoo. It was a beautiful day and we were glad to be outdoors.

Josh, Grandma and Katelyn pose with the King of the Jungle

The prairie dogs were giving lots of hugs this morning

Josh learned how Chimps walk and demonstrated walking on his knuckles. The Chimps were inside this morning with all of their toys and swings, so they put on quite a show for us!

Baby Samson and the rest of the elephants were playing in the yard. We even got to see Samson practice some of his tricks like balancing on three legs!

Mommy, Katelyn, Josh and Grandma

Grandma and Katelyn watching the penguins being fed.

The giraffes were inside their house today because of the wind. They would peek over the top to see us while we looked through the windows to see them!

Katelyn laughed at the ostriches. Josh thinks the rhinos are really cool.

We went on the carousel as a special treat - Grandma's favorite! Josh and Katelyn each liked that they got to ride animals from the zoo!

"Two Grandmas?" Josh said as we pulled up to Pop-Pop and Grandma Crossman's house. We had a nice visit complete with a great dinner. Thank you!!!

Smile!

Visit by Grandma Carol

Grandma is here to visit for a few days this week. We have had a really good time together. Yesterday, we stayed home, read books, played with stickers, and went on a walk with Bailey and Betty.

Josh pushed the mower around the block.

Grandma and Josh pose with their hands in their pockets.

Josh and Bailey take some time out to wrestle...in someone else's yard.

Betty leads a round of ring-around-the-rosie

Katelyn and Grandma make some chalk drawings

Katelyn, the cat whisperer...and friends!

Millie the Cat is not what you would call the most friendly, fun-loving cat. She doesn't really like people and certainly not little people. But against all odds, Katelyn pursued Millie and in the end, there was petting! Now, there was lots of hissing, mind you, but Millie didn't run away and that is a miracle! Katelyn really loves animals. She gets so excited when she sees them and there is just a real connection to them. Career maybe?

First, Katelyn corners Millie on the desk

And this is the amazing part - Katelyn even gave Millie a kiss on the face!

Katelyn and Kate hanging out

Earlier in the day, we hung out with some friends...

Josh and Macy

Josh and Parker show off their BIG MUSCLES!

Avery, Katelyn, Madison and Rachael are monkeys on the stairs

Katelyn, Madison and Avery

Laughing with Parker and Macy

Parker and Macy came over to play this evening.

We were outdoors until it got dark - and we had a lot of fun!

Hey Josh, hands on the steering wheel!

Do you know how to spell my name?

Is this how it works?

Oh, this is much better!

How we spend our afternoons

Mowing...

...drawing...

...and just being really cute!

(Note: All of these activities are actually done by both Katelyn and Josh!)

Deep Creek Weekend

We headed up to Deep Creek for the weekend. It had been two months since our last visit, so the babies had changed a lot!

Jackson and Katelyn - our 18 month olds!

Nana brought up the top bunk that Daddy used to sleep on. Jackson, Katelyn, Josh and Grant liked trying it out - but no one was ready to spend the night on it!

Josh and Grant being silly - on the bottom bunk, of course.

Granddad and Grandma Squires came over on Saturday to celebrate birthdays

A little Sunday morning reading before we hit the road.

Thanks for a really nice weekend everyone!

Diapers and Dirt

On Monday, I didn't realize that a pot full of dirt had been moved up onto the deck. Josh and Katelyn were outside playing when I suddenly noticed it was very quiet. This is what I walked out to find. Yes, some nice play going on with occassional sharing happening. Who was I to stop an educational experience?!

As you can see, I forgot to clean up the dirt. It continued to provide even more fun throughout the week - why dig in it when you can roll in it?!

This led to a bath and then hanging out in diapers waiting for Daddy.

I just love kids in diapers - so cute! Now these are memories!

How do I even begin...

...to thank my amazing husband for such a wonderful demonstration of love and devotion to me. You made my 30th Birthday such a fun and memorable day and I appreciate you! Thank you to my family and friends who supported and helped Jeff make this day a success! I appreciate you too!

Highlights from Salt Lake City

We made the trip from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City for a four day visit with the Crossman Family.

Uncle Ron and Aunt Ronda

Our first game of Settlers with Richard, Robert, Kim and Raquel

Josh and Katelyn LOVED jumping (or bouncing) on the trampoline with Isaac, Lexi, Kylee, and Izzy

Josh's new BFF - Isaac

He followed Isaac around all day long!

We really loved getting to see Aunt Donna, Susan and Ballard - let's visit longer next time!

Bathtime for Izzy, Katelyn and Josh

Check out this view from the backyard!

Josh's first kite-flying experience. He had a great time and did a good job of not letting go!

We had a Johnson Family Reunion with my dad's aunts and cousins on his mother's side - Aunt Marta, Aunt Zenda (who will be 90 in September - she's amazing!) and Aunt Lila. We have so much fun with all of them and look forward to every visit. Please come East!!

Kim, Rebecca and Betsy

The guys enjoyed hitting around in the backyard

Pop-Pop and Katelyn - say cheese!

Great-Grandpa Crossman and Katelyn

We went to the Museum of Ancient History at Thanksgiving Point on afternoon.

Ryan and Jeff take a turn shooting hoops while looking through prism glasses.

Lexi looking super cute!

Grandma and Katelyn playing in the water and sand table

Lexi and Joshy digging for dinosaurs

Jeff and Isaac worked for a long time to make this pool

Ahhh...a shark!!!!

Great-Grandpa and Izzy read a book

Four Generations

Josh and Katelyn's Second Cousins -

Izzy, Kylee, Davon, Jaxon, Lexi and Isaac

Aunt Kathy and Raquel

The Cousins

Randy, Rebecca, Ryan, Raquel, Betsy, Jeff, Kim, Robert,

Katie and Richard