Christmas Day

Louie didn't quite understand why everything was wrapped in paper but he loves his Fisher Price Barnyard Set! He played with it forever and wasn't interested in opening any other gifts. So Christmas will spread out over the next couple months as he needs something new on a rainy day. After our family Christmas of opening stockings and only one gift for Louie, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's home for our extended family Christmas. We enjoyed a delicious meal together and began opening gifts again. Louie only had eyes for his barnyard set and played with it all day.

Celebrating Christmas Eve

A few weeks after Louie was born, we started a new tradition. We invite Grandma and Grandpa Johnson to dinner for Christmas Eve. Last year, we mainly loved on our new baby Louie and ate a decadent dinner. This year, we changed it up a bit. Park City celebrates Christmas Eve with Santa and his reindeer coming down the slopes preceeded by a torch parade. Well, Cody was a part of the torch parade to celebrate Santa's arrival. After Louie met Santa and one of his reindeer, we went home for warm chili.

"Baking Off" for Santa

Cody loves to "bake off" for any reason. This time it was for Louie to leave cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Louie was very intent on getting the frosting to stay on the cookie... and some happened to make it to his mouth as well. I think tonight we saw a glimpse of "like father, like son." I'm not sure if Louie was going to leave any for Santa Claus. Merry Christmas!

Louie's First Birthday

He loved the helium balloons! He loved his new choo-choo train from Grandma! He loved his new birthday hat! He loved playing with his cousins! BUT, he wasn't so sure why everyone sang Happy Birthday and stared at him when his cake was put before him!

A Proud Parent Moment

I don't know if I was more proud when Louie rolled over for the first time or when he received his FIRST PASSPORT! I had dreams of all the trips we would take, the stamps he would get in his passport, and at age 2 getting his own frequent flyer account. We started with his first international trip to Aruba. None of us had been there before and thanks to Aunt Becky, we were able to use her time share. Louie is a very good baby but even he was not a fan of a 9 hour plane ride. He was exhausted and WE were exhausted! Thankfully, we were able to recoup by enjoying the perfect weather on soft sandy beaches. My dreams have altered a bit (with his passport tucked away for safe keeping) ...I couldn't be happier with a 2 hour car ride to the best sand in Utah -- Bear Lake.

Happy Halloween!

Our little pumpkin went trick or treating with his cousins - Maddy, Jake and Dylan. He was intrigued by all the costumes and watching the kids run from house to house. Bless his heart, he didn't even know he got a bag full of candy...just a little lollipop for our pumpkin. Next year will be a whole different picture.

Louie's first trip to Washington D.C.

The first picture is me as a baby in front of the Washington Monument. For posterity, we took a similar picture of Louie. It's a fun comparison side by side! Washington D.C. is one of our favorite cities. We both lived here and had amazing opportunities for our careers, traveling up and down the East Coast and enjoying the arts. This is where Cody and I met and have many great memories with our friends. Cody gave Louie the tour down memory lane... Eastern Market, went to a Nat's game, walked around the National Monuments and a tour of the Capitol Building. Couldn't leave D.C. without a visit to my favorite Mexican food place - the Rio. This restaurant has been the venue for many conversations analyzing life and taking in too many calories of beef fajitas and queso.

Grandma and Grandpa Hunter's 50th Wedding Anniversary

It was great to get together with ALL of my side of the family. We live all over the U.S and rarely are all in one location. Our family played in Park City for a few days visiting the Olympic Museum (Louie proudly holding his gold medal - his binky), zipping on the zip line and watching the aerial ski jumpers practice and land in a huge swimming pool. For the next few days, we traveled to Bear Lake for boating, skiing and, tubing. We ended with spending a few days in Yellowstone. It was so great to see my family and PLAY.

More photos from Bear Lake

Here are a few more photos from our time at Bear Lake this summer

The "Little Skipper"

Somehow this nickname has stuck. Cody loves these boating pictures from the Meyer Family Reunion (Cody's mom's side of the family) at Bear Lake. Sometimes Cody will call him "The Little Skipper" but usually will call him "Skippy" or "Skip" when he's not calling him "Youis." Poor child is going to get a complex!

Grandpa Lou and Louie

I was in the kitchen prepping for lunch. Next thing I see is my dad holding a raw corn on the cob up to Louie's mouth. He was going down on that cob of corn with only 2 teeth. His gums were aching and Grandpa knew the trick to ease his pain.

Temple Sealing and Baby Blessing

The pictures say it all! We had an amazing day with Louie and our families. During the sealing, Louie was very well behaved and intently stared at the sealer who sealed us as an eternal family. So grateful we finally made it to this day... sigh of relief... we are sealed! Afterwards, Louie was given a baby blessing and name to be put on the records of the church... Louis William. He was named to honor both of his grandpas who developed a great friendship upon their first meeting and continued ever since.

Legal Custody of Louie

Neither one of us have ever been to court, sworn in or testified. Well, I know I havent. But Cody? HA! Anyway, we were a little nervous to go before a Judge and describe our parental relationship with Louie. Cody did a great job--calm and collected. I, on the other hand, did not. I had my statement ready and was doing fine until I said the word, "son" and lost it. I was so grateful when it was over! This was the last legal document we needed before sealing Louie to us. It can't get here soon enough.

Cody's First Father's Day with Louie

Grandpa Wayne treated us to steaks on the grill! It was a beautiful day to eat outside. Dylan (the youngest grandchild for 10 years) has recently taken an interest in baby Louie. He loves to make him laugh and smile.

First Boat Ride at Bear Lake

This is one of our favorite photos of Louie. He is here with Grandma Martsey and can barely get his cheeks over the edge of his jacket!

First Mother's Day with Louie

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson joined us for a Mother's Day Sunday Brunch. I couldn't quit eating the bread pudding with blueberries. Louie was happy with his bottle -- doesn't quite realize what he's missing out on... just yet.

Race for the Cure

Of course Louie wanted to help his Aunt Tiff walk for the cure. We are so blessed to have her in our family and cancer FREE.

The Boys Hangin' with the Easter Bunny

Louie, Sam and Charlie (all born within two months of each other) are trying to survive their parents' best efforts to capture their first moment with the Easter Bunny.

First Visit to Texas

Louie did great on his first plane ride. He slept for most of it--thanks to his bottle, woobie, and a little help from Tylenol! We had a great visit with my mom and dad in Texas. Louie was able to spend time reading stories with Grandpa Lou and playing with Grandma. He had never seen a cat before was quite intrigued by thisquiet and small animal--very different from the loud and large animal at home. Louie got his first (and will not be his last) taste of the famous Texas Blue Bell Ice Cream. He got to meet his Austin aunt, uncles and cousins over BBQ in Waco. Cousin Samantha was a wonderful playmate to Louie. We had a great time!

Murphy is a big brother

Murphy is quickly learning that life is NOT all about Murphy anymore. It is now all about baby Louie. The day we brought Louie home, we allowed Murphy to get a good sniff of his new baby brother but didn't think much more about it. As the days went by, Murphy became increasingly aware of how much time this new bundle of joy was taking from his play time with us. To get his favorite game of chase started, he would steal the baby's pacifier and run off with the ribbon hanging out of his mouth. Once we were clever enough to attach the pacifier to the baby, he began to take off with the burp cloth or baby's toy. Soon he realized how tasty the remnants were in those baby bottles. Thankfully, this was only a phase.
Now, Murphy goes where ever Louie goes. Murphy was my companion for those 3 a.m. feedings in the nursery. Murphy has never been interested in the baby's messy diapers--frankly, who is?! However, if the baby is taking a nap, then Murphy would prefer to nap by the crib; but is only allowed to guard the door. If the baby is laying in his bouncy seat, then Murphy lays with his back against it to enjoy the vibrations and music. If the baby is playing in his activity gym, then Murphy is there watching for the right moment to snatch a toy. Occasionally, Murphy will walk by and give the baby a lick/kiss on his head. Louie gives me a confused look as to say, "What the freak was that?"
Recently, Louie has begun to notice Murphy. This is very new. He is quite enthralled to watch Murphy play in the snow or run around the house with his treats. I look forward to the day when Murphy and Louie can explore and play together.

A Much Needed Break

Cody and I went skiing in Park City. I think this was the first we had BOTH been away from Louie. I was nice to get a much needed mental break from bottles and nap schedules.

Baby Louis is born!!

We are very pleased and happy to announce the arrival of Louis William Johnson. He was born on December 13, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. He was 20.5 inches long and 8lbs. and 9 oz. As friends and family know, we have looked forward to having our own family since we were married a few years ago and began the process of adoption in January 2008.

Never did we suspect what a positive and enriching experience it would be to adopt a baby. It is not to say the process isn't full of moments of total uncertainty, doubt and frustrations, but we think we had a one in a million experience. We were picked by the most wonderful birth mother in August. She was 5 months pregnant at the time and found us through our agency, LDS Family Services. We accepted and agreed to meet her. As exciting as it was to be "picked," we have treasured our relationship that has developed with the birth mother and her family. With certainty, we know it was meant to be for us to have this relationship and to adopt Louie. We recognize that the Lord was able to take two difficult situations, that neither expected to be in, and create a very positive outcome for all. There were many small moments during the process that continually reconfirmed that this was so RIGHT! In the realm of unknowns, these repeated small moments have been the best part of our experience so far. And now that we are enjoying the greatest gift of a baby in our home has made this an incomparable experience. Ultimately, Louie will be the beneficiary of this amazing relationship with his birth mom. From the beginning, we have always said he will know how much he is loved by everyone involved in the process.

Now we are home with our little Louie. The day he was born, the power went out and there was so much snow we couldn't get in the driveway. We received the ultimate Christmas present and enjoyed having time to spend with him during the holidays. Julianna and I had our world turned upside down...and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanks to the many of you who have been supportive during this process. We have received a mountain of emails of well wishes from friends and family. Please know of our gratitude for you. I have attached a few pictures.