It's a Boy!!!

We can officially say, Cole is having a brother! We are so excited to have another little boy to wrestle and play with Cole, to snuggle and rock with his mommy, and to follow around and copy his daddy's every move! We had our 20 week ultrasound earlier this week and it was pretty much a sure thing! Our 2nd little guy seems very proud of what he's got! He gave us a peek a few weeks ago at a doctor's visit but it was still fairly early and we were waiting for the "real ultrasound". Now I'm excited to get out all of Cole's old clothes and things and get them ready for his brother! Yeahhhhhh!!!

Garden delight!

Just thought I'd share my biggest harvest so far from my garden. The only thing not shown is the large amount of sugar snap peas and green beans that are in my fridge. Tonight for dinner we had an almost fully home-grown meal. It was really fun!

VACATION!!!

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth. I haven't posted anything for so long, do I still have people who check out our blog? We just got back last night from out summer vacation. Adam's cousin, Julie, got married in Pennsylvania last weekend so we spent a few days with his family there. The wedding was beautiful, though someone there described it as Little House on the Prairie meets The Godfather. It's kind of true! Adam's aunt, uncle, and cousins have a more conservative family and come from a very "normal" christian family. Justin (Julie's fiance) comes from a very New York/Italian family which means loud and party it up!!! Not in a bad way, it just describes the difference, they're a great family and really fun to get to know a little bit! We also got to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Adam's other cousin Lori and her fiance Dustin since we won't be able to fly back in September for their wedding. It was great to get to see where Adam's Uncle David and Aunt Cathy live. They live in State College, where Penn State is located and are the regional directors for the Navigators (kind of like Campus Crusade around here). Cole got his first look at lightening bugs and caught some in a jar!We did some scenic hikes in the Nitany Mountain area and went to Bellville and tried to check out how the Amish people live. I felt a little weird knowing that we were going somewhere just to "stare" at other people but it was really interesting and such a different culture than what we live in! We saw some of them out on the road in their horse and buggies, in the field cutting hay with equipment pulled by horses, a lot of black suit pants and blue shirts on the clothes lines, and some really cute little Amish girls in their bonnets and aprons. They don't like to have their pictures taken so we don't have any pictures of that part of the trip. Cole got to get reaquainted with his Nana and Popsie (Adam's grandparents) and loved them so much! What a treasured memory!

After Pennsylvania, we went to visit my sister Missy and her husband Jason in Arlington, VA (right by Washington D.C.). We stopped at Gettysburg on the way there and looked at the monuments and battlefields. Then we spent a couple of days touring Washington D.C. We saw the presidential monuments (Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson), war memorials (Vietnam, WWII, Owagima (?)), toured the White House and capital, and hit the Air & Space Museum, Museum of Natural History (where the dinosaur bones and Hope diamond are), and the National Archives (where the constitution, declaration of independence, and bill of rights are). Adam hadn't ever been there so we wanted to hit the big things! Then we spent an afternoon at the National Zoo with Missy and saw the giant pandas, elephants (one was named Shaanti), and oranga tans. Another morning was spent at the D.C. Eastern Market (like a big farmers market) eating blue-bucks (buckwheat blueberry pancakes) and french toast and browsing through the fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables. We swam at the pool at Missy & Jason's old Condo and did some eating out! My favorite restaraunt now is Il Mee, a Korean BBQ and buffet near their house. It was soooooooooooo good!!! I had gone to a Korean BBQ last time I was there and loved it but it was closed this time and we found this one. It was even better and I can't wait to go back next time we're there:-) Cole even ate about 2 plates worth and learned how to use chopsticks (somewhat!).

Overall we had a great trip! It was really fun to kind of do two vacations in one and made it seems like it lasted longer. As always though, it's good to be home and get back to life as usual. Hope you enjoy all the pictures and have had a great past couple of weeks!

Tuesday at Granny's

Cole goes to my mom's every other Tuesday when I work. He has so much fun and always wakes up the next day wanting to go back! My mom got a new little play place with a slide on it and Adam said Cole's face just lit up when he saw it yesterday morning! He learned how to climb up and go down the slide all by himself and my mom said she couldn't get him to come inside all morning:-) He's just a fun lovin' kid!!!

Fly Fishing Fun!

Over the 4th of July weekend we went to my parent's cabin in McCall. Casey and Kim, Jenny, Chad and Troy, my Granpda Johnson, my cousin Sarah, my parents, and Adam, Cole, and I all stayed there. It was so much fun! We spent a lot of time lounging around enjoying the cooler weather, 4-wheeling, hot tubbing, and fishing. My family is really big on fly fishing. From my Grandpa - the great fly fisherman- to my sister Jenny - who backcasts into the weeds about 10 times before getting the line out in the water, we all at least enjoy getting out there on the water and throwing out the line! The guys spent about every available moment fishing and the girls went out a few times inbetween kids' naps, etc. We had some great catches and it was a blast! I think Casey and Kim tied for the biggest at about 19 or 20inches and Casey had the most (because he'd sneak out before breakfast to hit the river). My best catch was about 16 inches and was the biggest I've ever caught fly fishing. Adam had some good sized fish as well, and my dad even caught on left handed since his right arm is in a sling for the summer! I'm so thankful for such a fun place to go and for God's great country to enjoy! What a great weekend!!!

P.S. I had to throw in a new picture of our new nephew Troy. He is sooooooooo cute!!!

Watch out American Idol

Cole has really become quite the singer. Adam took him to Lowe's the other day and he said he sang "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" the whole time. And not just the twinkle twinkle part, he sings the whole song. Of course you have to use your imagination a little bit in some parts but he is really pretty good! He also loves to sing "Happy Birthday", "ABC's", and the theme to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Here's a little sample for ya, the camera makes him a little shy but it gives you an idea of our next American Idol!

Troy Dylan arrives...

Jenny finally had her baby, two days after her due date! She kept having contractions for the last couple of days but not dilating any further. She went to the hospital yesterday afternoon thinking she might be in labor and they sent her home. She was scheduled to be induced at 7:30am this morning but her water broke at 4am and by 8:15am, Troy had made his appearance into the world! He is 6lb. 8 oz, has lots of dark hair, and looks a lot like his mommy if you ask me! Jenny (and Chad) are slightly exhausted but I think after a nap this afternoon the adrenaline of becoming a parent has kicked in and they are SO EXCITED!!! Isn't life such a miracle!!!

Adam and I are now joining the rest of our siblings as aunt and uncle! It's great so far:-) We can't wait to be a part of Troy's life as he grows up! Cole thought is cousin was pretty cute... for a second, before taking off around the hospital room again! I got a flash of what my life is going to look like in a few months: I was holding Troy and Cole was running at me with a toy truck in his hand, looking like he could throw it at the baby's head at any second! Our poor little second baby doesn't stand a chance with his big brother! Man, is life going to be fun:-)