Chicago November 30th to December 1st, 2007

Grandma and Grandpa Stephens let us come up to Chicago to spend time with them. We packed our air mattress and slept on the floor of their hotel room at the Conrad. It was cramped, but hey it beats paying for a hotel downtown. Josh had a blast. The hotel had the neatest Christmas trees and Josh loved them. The hotel was also connected to the mall, so Josh got to play at the Lego store alot. He couldn't get enough of Chicago. He loved to explore and there was endless things to see.

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We had a blast walking in downtown Chicago. The buildings are amazing and it is always fun around Christmas because of all the decorations.

Here's Josh at the Shed Aquarium with Grandma. This picture is so funny to me because Josh is plugging his ears. After I saw him doing this I realized that it was really loud in that part of the aquarium. He's a smart kid! Josh and Grandpa had a great time.

Josh's nose must have been pretty itchy.

Josh loves the balouga whales. We watched them for a long time.

Josh watching the Dolphin show. It was his favorite part. He clapped at every trick they did and afterwards he kept signing the word "more."

Josh at the Shed Aquarium Museum Restaurant. We had the most awesome table. It overlooked Chicago and part of Lake Michigan.

Josh's favorite part of the restaurant were the fancy glass cups. I've never seen him drink so much and it was just cute because he is way too little for the cups, but he seemed like a pro.

Josh amazed at all the fish. The Aquarium was a big success.

Josh's 1st Time Playing in the Snow

November 21, 2007

I have a lot that I haven't posted and have been wanting to post clear back since August. So, basically I'm going to catch up and post pictures I told my mom I would post 4 months ago, oops. I start with November and make my way back to August. It will be fun to reminesce the summer and fall.

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This was Josh's first time playing in the snow. He really enjoyed it. Earlier that day we went to listen to Mitt Romney speak at John's Medical School. It's been neat living in Iowa during the most interesting presidential compaign in US history.

December 2007

Josh with Dad December 2007

Iowa has the most amazing ice storms. I've never seen anything as beautiful, but it is so hard to capture what it really looks like on a picture. After the storm was over there was almost 2 inches of ice covering everything.

These were the best Christmas lights I have ever seen. The ice covering the trees would glow at night if there were lights nearby. This picture cannot give it justice at all.

The day after the storm John, Josh and I went on a drive. It was amazing. Everything was covered in ice. I've never seen anything quite amazing. The sun was out and everything was glowing. The ice was also falling over everything and you heard constant cracking of the ice as it fell over trees and buildings and they were enourmous icecycles.

Josh went bowling for the first time and loved it and new what to do right away. Afterwards he played at the arcade and retended to drive a car.

Everyday that we were in Idaho. John, Josh, and I went to play basketball. Josh's favorite thing ever is basketball. He has been obsessed with the sport since he was only a few months old.

I am always impressed when John plays any sport. He is naturally gifted. I think it's amazing how high he can jump. It's hard to tell but John is about 3 feet off the ground. I can only get about 2 inches.

Josh guarding his dad and trying to get the ball.

Josh playing basketball with Uncle Jacob.

Our 2007 Christmas Card. All our pictures were mailed to the wrong address, so we didn't get them until the new year. So, they will be sent out late. If anyone else has late Christmas cards send them my way.

Josh's 2nd Christmas. He loved opening presents. He loved the box's just as much as the gifts and learned how to say "box". Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Stephens Josh got his favorite movie, Cinderella. He can now say "Cinderella." He even quotes a few parts from the movie. His favorite part is to quote, "Oh, that clock." He thinks it is so funny.


Christmas with the Edwards Family. When Josh opened his first gift at the Edwards, Josh exclaimed "Oh Wow!" He was so excited. He still hadn't even opened the box. Isn't great how little kids love anything and get excited over just a box. Josh got so many fun things thanks to our families.

Josh at 18 Months

November 3, 2007

Josh is an amazing kid! He loves to build with blocks. I was amazed with this tower, so I had to take a picture of it before he knocked it down.

Josh is the happiest boy. I love his smile and laugh. He is so fun and has become very cuddly, which I love.