The past few weeks & Happy Easter

The the past few weeks have been a bit crazy. Josiah got sick a couple of weeks ago and we ended up in Urgent Care after what seems to have been an allergic reaction to the medicine.  He is on the mend now, but we had several days of laying low and drinking Elmo juice and snuggling with "ooh ooh" (monkeys.)

We had to get some time in watching the Masters as well. This kids loves to watch golf and even cheers for the players. He yells "get in the hole" when the hit the ball. Pretty funny considering we did not teach him that.

We took a trip to central Kansas.  Josiah did a little yard work with Nana and he really was helping her pull weeds. It was pretty funny to watch him because he was really going at it. Whatever he does, he does it with all he has!

Then we headed south a few miles to cousin Brece's house. They hunted eggs together... Josiah very focused, Brece... well let's just say just got distracted easily! But they were both willing to stop and pose for this picture.

Josiah even got in the spirit and hid some eggs all by himself.

We hope you all have a happy Easter and take time to stop and reflect on why we celebrate.  Jesus, God's only Son came to earth and had to die a horrible death, so that each one of us, if we believe in Him, are able to spend eternity with Him.

In Honor of Pop-pop

The past few weeks, well actually 8 months, have been difficult as Jeff's dad fought hard against brain cancer... on Feb 11, 2011 he lost that fight.  It was a sad day but we all were glad he would no longer be suffering.  We celebrated his life last week and we would like to honor with just a few of our favorite memories of Josiah's beloved "Pop-pop."

Pop-pop and Josiah's first meeting! Josiah is only a few days old!

Waking up on Josiah's fist Christmas morning.

 

 

Snoozing (aka snoring) with Pop-pop.

All the cousins (at the time) together for the first time with Pop-pop and Nana.

Experiencing Josiah's first Royals game. Although rainy and cold... we were there (Josiah is under the blanket... he didn't see much of that game.)

Father's Day 2009: Pop-pop holding Zach, Shane holding Simon, Skip holding Emerald, Jeff holding Josiah and Calvin. What a great group of fathers!

Pop-pop showing off this card lacing skills!  The grandkids were pretty impressed.

Thanksgiving 2010: Josiah and Pop-pop counting blocks with Nana's help.

Couldn't resist the feet picture... Josiah definitely has Pop-pop's feet... as wide as they are long.

Last week we all headed to Pop-pop's favorite breakfast place, Neighborhood's Cafe. Simon and Josiah checking out the cinnamon roll that was as big as the plate!

Thank you for being a great Pop-Pop to Josiah. He will miss the way that you loved them, but he will also remember forever when you would put your finger in you mouth, widen your eyes, and pull out your finger, making a popping noise. It was sure to always bring great laughter from him. 


We love you Pop-pop and are so thankful to have had the privilege to share so many special memories with you.
 

Art Blizzard of 2011

When it looks like this in the yard...

Don't let the sunshine deceive you it is about 5 degrees.

and this on the patio...

Snow is only a couple inches below the seats of the chairs.

Josiah does this...

He loved creating on blue paper.

...and just keeps going.

Yes - 9 pieces of finished artwork in one day.

Josiah has been spending a lot of time inside the past couple of days with all the snow. I needed to get some work done yesterday so I got out the art supplies and let Josiah have fun. This is his little desk in our office area.  He created all this pieces of art yesterday. First we did stickers... in case you can't tell, each sticker page has a theme... all the basketball stickers on one, all the football on another, etc. I think he may have his mother's need for organization!  Next we moved on to gluing... his first time and he loved it.

Snow Excitement!

Well, in case you didn't know we have had some wintery weather around here lately. The first big snow storm came in about two weeks ago and it was bitterly cold so we didn't get to go out in play in it.  Finally, during the second big snow this past week, we were able to get out for a little while and "play" in the snow....

Can't you feel Josiah's excitement in this picture... all the pictures we took that day looked like this. At one point he asked to "goff" (aka - golf!). I don't think he is a fan of the cold weather like this mommy!

We did eventually find something he liked, going down the slide! With slick snow pants on and a little powdery snow you slide down pretty quick and easy - but still no excitement.

Hope everyone is keeping warm and safe.  I think we will stick to inside activities for a while.

Away in the Manager

Our dear little Josiah can be so sweet sometimes. This holiday season, Grandma taught Josiah the motions to "Away in the Manager." While we were at my parents Josiah did a little performance... please ignore the singing (it's not a Call family strength!)

Sharing the Purple Love

Grandma, Josiah, and Brece

On New Year's Eve my family headed to the Little Apple, Manhattan, Kansas to watch K-State men's basketball team take on University of Northern Florida. In case you didn't know the rest of my family bleeds purple... this Gorilla was just excited to take Josiah to his first basketball game. It was fun to show him in person the game that his mommy loved to play for so many years.

Josiah was a little overwhelmed by all the noise, action, people, etc. But overall it was a fun experience.  Cousin Brece is an old pro at K-State sporting events and knew exactly what to do during the "Wasbash" and when the team shot free throws, "woosh!"

What a fun way to spend New Year's Eve than with family!

Weekend Getaway

In early November, we headed south... well south in Kansas anyway, to visit my Aunt Cindy and Uncle Keith. We had a great few days. Josiah got to go out in Uncle Keith's truck and see "moos" (cows) up close and personal. We played at the schools playground, and did some relaxing... it was a great little getaway!

Relaxing with Uncle Keith.

Getting some fresh air!

Choo-choo Look Who Turned Two!

Yes, like every blog post starts, I am behind.  So I am trying to get a little caught up so I can start the new year off up-to-date... whatever that means!

Our little boy, Josiah, turned TWO earlier this month. His birthday celebration started over Thanksgiving... so we spread it out over several weeks.  Josiah is very into "choo-choo" this year so that what most of his birthday celebrations centered around.

Josiah wasn't too sure when all the attention was on him while my family sang "Happy Birthday."

But he had no trouble blowing out the candles.

Mmmmmm, cake! He also had not trouble downing a piece of cake and anytime from here on out when you asked him about his birthday he would say "cak!"

Cousin Brece liked the cake too... even though this picture doesn't look like it!

On Josiah's actual birthday, we celebrated lunch with friends down at Fritz's in Crown Center. What better way to celebrate than at a restaurant where a "choo-choo" delivers your food.

Josiah and his friend Georgia waiting to be seated at Fritz's.

Watching the train go round and round at the gingerbread house display in Crown Center.

Doing a little coloring at the Crayola store.

Listening to some kids singing Christmas songs. (Georgia decided to direct the choir!)

Playing outside at Crown Center on the big wooden tractor.

...and the fire truck too.

That evening we celebrated at home with friends from our community group. We had another "cake" too!  This time a Rice Krispie train cake.

I ate the whole thing!

We finished off the evening by letting Josiah eat some of his cake... he ended up eating the whole train car!

What a wonderful birthday weeks Josiah had. We also celebrated with Jeff's family that weekend after Josiah's birthday, but Aunt Steph took those pictures because I forgot the camera.

Not sure what Josiah is going to do without a present to open come January. The kid has been so loved and has had a present to open almost everyday since Thanksgiving!

We love you Josiah! Can't wait to see what year 3 has in store for you!

Nice weather = A Happy Little Boy!

Deanna Rose Farmstead

Our little boy loves to be outside just like his daddy!  The past few weeks we have had some incredible fall weather. So we have taken advantage of it. One of Josiah's favorite places is Deanna Rose Farmstead. Now, being raised on a farm this isn't quite what I remember it being like as a child, but for Johnson County, Kansas its pretty great.  We spend a lot of mornings there as it is free Monday-Thursday!

Josiah sitting on one of the old tractors.
Grandpa has instilled a love for tractors in this kid.

Another pictures on the tractor... he didn't want to get off!

Feeding the fish is another favorite activity at Deanna Rose.

He isn't afraid of the different animals and will walk right up and pet most of them, including this friendly goat.

Another great (and free) place we frequent is the Overland Park Arboretum. This is only a couple of minutes from our house. It has great walking trails, a small pond, and a lot plants and flowers. Not the best picture but the only one of have of him there.

Powell's Pumpkin Patch

Last week Steph and I took the kids to the pumpkin patch.  We had a lot of fun picking out pumpkins with 4 little munchkins.

Josiah and his cousin Zach. These two have become quite the pair lately. They have learned to say each other's name and rarely let the other out of sight if they are together.

The best picture I got of all 4... I hope Steph got a better one. There was just too many pumpkins in all directions to look at.

Josiah just kept walking and walking.

Ahhh... finally the perfect one! Or at least one that looks good for a picture.

We had a wonderful afternoon with some of his cousins. Hope everyone else has been enjoying the wonderful weather.

About time..

...for a new post. There are plenty of new pictures of our little man! So here a brief over veiw of summer.

Marching for Babies... supporting cousin Zachary and all the other preemies out there.

Enjoying a little mulch one of the first days of Summer.

Hanging out with "Aunt" Mandy. We had a horrible time... as you can see!

Having Zachary over to play and spend the night. Bath time is a lot more fun with someone else to splash!

It couldn't be summer without an iccceee ceeeaam cone!

Grandma, Josiah, cousin Brece, and Grandpa all looking good at mom's cousin Lori's wedding over the July 4 weekend!

Moving into a big boy bed. Mom's back started hurting from lifting me over the edge of the crib. I did really well in the transition. I fell out a few times but am doing much better now.

Hanging out on the boat with cousin Brece on Call family vacation. (Didn't know 2 toddlers could "look" this happy all squished into life jackets!)

Taking in a Naturals baseball game while on Call family vacation in Arkansas.

Mom wanted me to try on jackets for the Fall. I wanted to try on my hat. This is the outfit we ended up with!

Well hope you enjoyed all the pictures and highlights of summer. I am sure there is something I left but this should get close. Here's to hoping Fall weather sticks around!