CHA CHA CHA

Nathanael loves to practice singing, "Happy Birthday" to celebrate his 2nd special year!

Zachariah starts Kindergarten!

Zachariah was excited to start kindergarten this week. He goes 2-3 full days a week and is mostly excited to ride the bus! His first day report included that two classmates were stung by bees and he liked watching Clifford the movie.

Jamaica- hey mon!

Todd & I have a new passion....the people and mission of CCCD in Jamaica. From May 9-16, we took at team of 16 College students & Young adults from our church to work with an organization, CCCD (http://cccdjamaica.net/index.html). We had an amazing time making new friends, learning sign language, building a sistern and learning about Jamaica.

Tulip Time in Holland

Tulip Time in Holland is amazing....after over 10' of snow this season, it is awesome to see what God's hand creates each Spring. We had a family outting one afternoon to the Tulip fields. Todd was also demonstrating bravery to his boys as well at the Kinderplatz display...the fact that Nathanael can sit there so nonchalently just cracks me up!

"Handsome" Boys

Zachariah likes to dress up like Daddy (& cousin Thomas). This year for Easter, he wanted to be "handsome" and wear a tie....I have such handsome boys in this home!

March in Review

I (Bethany) am just realizing I haven't blogged in a while. In mid March, I started teaching at my new job and wrapped things up in late April. Then....it was off to Jamaica for a Mission Trip. Here is a few highlights since I last left off.

Syrup time in mid-March....so fun once the days get warmer and nights are still cool. We watched it being made a few miles down the street from our home. Then, a week later, we visited my SMC college friend, Hedy & family in Chicago. The kids all skipped school and played downtown at the Lincoln Park Zoo. A fun time!

With Training Wheels

Zachariah (age 5) tried riding his bike without training wheels today. He "got it" on one of the first tries. By the end of the day, he had starting up and turning down, too. Daddy got a movie clip of one of his first rides!

Walk this way!

Nathanael took his first steps last month (early Feb/14 months) and has taken the entire month to perfect them. He is walking about 60-70% of the time as of this week. Its official...he has moved from baby to toddler as he takes these steps!

Aunt Jen Cleans House

Since starting back to work full time, Aunt Jen has instilled a new method of cleaning house and mopping the floors. Just kidding, Jen!

Whoa!

Nathanael started go down the stairs on his own a little over a month ago. He was well-taught by his big brother and Ga. cousins. I remember when my brother, Byron, used to do this. I rarely have to use the gates anymore! Yippee....can you here him say, "whoa!"?

What is Nathanael up to?

This little guy loves to climb! He has a few new tricks this month - going down the stairs (fast), climbing on chairs and crawling over toys. These pictures make me crack up!

Five Parties for the 5 Year Old

Zachariah celebrated his 5th birthday on January 2nd. Actually, he started celebrating a month earlier while in Mississippi with his Grandparents (party #1). Then, he opened presents and had cake with his cousins and Uncle Byron who celebrate a near same birthday (party #2). Mommy and Daddy took him to O'Charlie's, too, where he loves to eat Cheetios. (party #3-not pictured) He also had a party at Preschool (Party #4) and the grand finale, nearly 2 months later was a Chuck E Cheese with friends (party #5). Whew....I hope we do not have to do that again for another year! Happy Birthday Zman!!!!

Christmas 2008

We had a great time celebrating the holidays in our home. Zachariah got up early to see if Santa visited and checked out all the presents before the rest of us woke up! Then we headed to my parents house (Bethany) in Blissfield for a few days.

Visiting Santa

Zachariah & Nathanael put their wish list in with Santa last weekend. We attended a fun craft morning at the Holland Civic Center. Zachariah tends to be a bit shy and Nathanael was pretty curious to check him out.

Happy 1st Birthday Nathanael!

You enjoyed your first birthday with three celebrations- which each set of grandparents! And, by the third celebration, you knew what cupcakes were all about. We love you so much - your sweet smile, spirit, "go with the flow" attitude and how much you look up to your big brother- already!

Turkey, birthdays and Visitin'

We just returned from a whirlwind trip to Jackson, Mississippi. We drove nearly 850 miles each way. I now know why people say they need a rest after their vacation. We are whooped!

Highlights for the adults were visiting friends, celebrating both boys birthdays and eating Thanksgiving outside in the woods! THE highlight for Zachariah was getting to go fishing with Ralph. Nathanael learned a new trick with his tongue & lips as well.

Here are some pictures from our trip:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ZeelandJohnsons/Thanksgiving2009#5275406617239394674

Indian Summer

We had a week of 70 degree temps in early November. The boys enjoyed their last few days outside and the fall leaves!

Happy Halloween!

The boys were Diego and a Pumpkin. We had two nights of trick or treating! One night at a nursing home and another night at a church "Trunk or Treat". For more fall pics, go here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ZeelandJohnsons/Fall2008Fun#

Fall Apple Pickin'

A few weeks ago, on a cool fall day, we took the boys to an Apple Orchard. I love how they pick apples bigger than their faces to eat! Here are some more pictures to view from our Michigan fall:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ZeelandJohnsons/Fall2008Fun#

Nathanael is Happy!

Just couldn't resist showing off this cutie pie. :) For all Grandmother's viewing pleasure. (and aunts, uncles & friends, too)