A day at the park

Well, since today turned out to be so lovely, Mom took me to the park right by our house. It is a good thing we went when we did too, because just as we were leaving, it started to get dark and cloudy like a storm was a-brewin'.

Beach trip, train show and good weather

This past weekend my family and I decided to take advantage of the good weather we've been having and so we took a day trip to the beach. I've been to Lincoln City, Pacific Beach and even to the beach in So Cal, so this time we headed to Seaside, OR. My aunt Mary, Marisa, Brian and Bodhi also we there; we had a great time! I wasn't too sure about walking on the beach barefoot, but eventually I got used to it. After we walked on the beach, we strolled around town and stopped by the carousel which Dad took me on twice. Yessss!!!




Also during the weekend, I visited the Train Show at the expo center. There were so many trains there; I could hardly believe it. I even got to ride in one with my dad!
The weather has continued to remain nice throughout the week so Mom and I took the MAX down to Gresham Station and walked around for a bit. I am hoping we go to the park as soon as we have another sunny day. Maybe early next week? I miss the park!

Where, oh where, have you been, Jonah?

Hello-

Yes, I was kind of MIA there for awhile, but I am back and wanted to share some of what I have been up to (okay, really I am just here to post some photos, which I know is the only reason you come to the blog anyway, so I'll make this quick).

A couple weeks ago I went to dinner at my friend, Ken's, house and had a great time playing on his piano. I think I may try to convince Mom and Dad to get me one so I can learn how to play it someday. I look like a real pro in the photo, don't you think? Also in the photo is my friend, Emily. She and her husband, Nate, were there too. Ken and Nate are friends of my Dad and they met while doing the MPA program at PSU.
We also had a bit more snow here, probably the most we've had all winter, just a few weeks back so Mom and I went outside again to enjoy it. I still didn't pay that much attention to it, but rather continued like any other day toward the MAX.

My dad turned 26 on the 29th of January and so because he had class that night and wouldn't be home until late, Mom and I thought it would be fun to ride the MAX downtown to see him for a bit in the afternoon. I had a great time watching out the windows on the way there, but on the way back I did get a little bored (for those of you that don't know, our ride to downtown Portland is an hour EACH way). Luckily, there were nice folks all around me to help pass the time.

Oh, and later that day I got to see Kate AND it snowed for awhile so all in all, I would say it was a perfect day.

The next weekend my aunt Carrie and her new husband, Mike, came to town for a short visit. We rode the MAX a few stops down to Gresham station and had lunch at Baja Fresh and then while I was napping, Dad took aunt Carrie and Mike to Powell's, the largest independent used and new bookstore in the world. Hope I get a chance to check it out real soon! I love books!

Then this past weekend we celebrated Marisa's birthday (that's Bodhi's mom). We went to McMenamins Edgefield for dinner and had a great time! It's really close to our house so if you come to town, we'll have to take you there. There's a movie theater, golf course, hotel, and lots more!

And finally, I got to enjoy attending a baby shower today that Mom and Sara threw for Isaac's mom, Katie. Katie and Chris are expecting another boy next month so we celebrated by having a frog themed shower. I loved playing with the balloons and little froggies all around and especially liked helping Katie open her gifts.

Well, that just about sums up the end of January and first part of February for me. Hope you are all doing well and getting ready for the spring. I know I am!

Love,
Jonah

I've got someone I'd like you to meet

No, I'm not trying to play matchmaker, something my mom thinks she's good at it, but rarely ever (okay, never) succeeds at. I just wanted you to meet my new friend, Addison Jane Fairbanks. Her sister, Ashley, and I go way back. So, naturally I wanted to meet the new sister. I wasn't too sure at first when I met 'Addy,' being as she is a baby and I don't see too many newborns, but as you can see in second photo below, I warmed up to her pretty quickly. I got to hold her for a minute and afterward I wanted to hold her again! I even gave her a little kiss just before we left because I thought she was so darn cute!


I also stopped by Nana and Papa's today. Nana and Papa keep everything, so Nana brought up from the basement an old rocking horse they painted for Mom when she was a toddler. It's just my size so I had fun riding it while I was there.


Well, hope all is well with each of you!

Love,
Jonah

Baby, it's cold outside

So far this winter, we haven't had any snow really stick where I live, but we've had a few snow flurries in recent weeks. So, since Mom gets really excited whenever she spots a single snowflake, we got all bundled up one day and went outside to "play in the snow."

I've also gotten the chance to play with my uncle Bill a lot these past few weeks. Often times I give Uncle Bill a call if I'm going to Nana and Papa's and ask him to come over too. This past Friday was my parents 5th wedding anniversary and so Uncle Bill and Nana came over to watch me so they could go out (Papa was sick). I had a blast! Uncle Bill is always a ton of fun and so right now I'd say he's my favorite babysitter.

I also went to a birthday party this past weekend for my good friend, Bodhi. He turned one just today and had a big bash at his house yesterday. I had fun playing with all his new toys, petting his cat, and eating the yummy cake his mom made. Here's a photo of us sharing the ball. I am getting pretty good at playing catch, so I have been really into playing with just about anyone who will play with me.

This is totally off the subject: I don't know about you, but I don't really like to eat the food my parents put on my plate (or high chair tray as it may be)... I mostly like to squash it or throw it on the floor. Mom keeps telling me 'No throwing your food on the floor,' but it's like I can't help it! On this night, however, my mom made a new recipe for Spaghetti and I really, really liked it (probably helped that it had olives in it - Yum!), so I had plenty! Doesn't this photo make you want some?

Happy New Year!

I just got back last night from visting family on Mom's side in Nampa, ID. We had a great time and I know I can't wait to go back again to see everyone! I really enjoyed getting to know my cousins and even got my picture taken with them, as you can see above.

My cousins, Andrea (3 1/2), Trasie (5 1/2) and Seya (19), live in Nampa with Mom's cousin, Travis and his wife, Senia. My other cousin, Dominique (6 1/2 mos.), lives in Morelia, Michoacan, in Mexico. Mom's cousin, Cameron, and his wife, Saray, brought Dominique up for his first visit to the states. I also got to see Mom's cousin, David, who lives in Boise and of course, Mom's aunt Jean and uncle Glen, whom we stayed with while there.


I also had a lot of fun getting to know Jean and Glen's dogs, Barli and Shatsi (sp?). Whenever I would wake up in the morning or after a nap, the first thing I would say was, "woof, woof," and so Mom or Dad would take me down to say hello to the dogs.

As you know, I'm a pretty big fan of trains or 'choo-choo's' as I call them, and my cousins got me all sorts of fun Thomas toys, which I am loving to play with already. I also have been interested in airplanes and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the planes at the airport and looking out the window as we took off and landed. What a trip!

Hope you all had a good time bringing in the New Year!

Love,
Jonah

My Happy Holiday

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, 'cause I sure did! We had my Grandma and Grandpa Dyk here for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and Mom's family came over on Christmas morning as well. I got lots of attention for sure! As for presents, I would have to say my favorites were my new cell phone that came with a blue tooth headset and my shopping cart. We even had some snow in the late morning and early afternoon! I was sleeping through most of it, but it was nice to see snow on Christmas anyway. Definitely not a usual occurence for the NW!

It was sure nice seeing Grandma and Grandpa Dyk again and I think they were both impressed with how verbal I've become. I am learning new words every day and will pretty much try to copy anything you say, although the longer the phrase, the less likely I will get it right. I can say some two or three word phrases pretty well such as, "I see you," or "Night-night, Daddy." We are planning to go down to Texas in a few months to visit my grandparents again, so I'm sure I'll be talking even more by then. :)



Even though Grandma and Grandpa Dyk (or Oma and Opa as I like to call them) had to catch a flight on Christmas morning, we had a lot of fun hanging out together earlier in the week. Grandma Dyk, Mom and I went on a walk around downtown Gresham one afternoon and got some bagels at our local bagel shop, Jazzy bagels. Yummy! We also drove around and looked at Christmas lights one evening. Then on Saturday we all headed out to Yakima to visit my great Grandpa and Grandma Northcott. They had snow at their house so I got to play in it for a bit. I wasn't too into it, but I did enjoy giving my great grandparents high-fives, watching Grandpa Steve make bread, and also playing with the dog, Jill.





Hope this message finds you all well and that you have a happy new year as well!