Family Photo Summer '09

What I love about Daddy...

I love him playing Batman with me.

I love him playing with Mitzi.

I love daddy when we play tug of war with Mitzi.

I loved daddy when I was a baby.

I love daddy when he gave me my Rwanda shirt.

I love reading books with Daddy.

By Stone

June 21, 2009

Here are a few pictures of the last 4 years of love between Daddy and Stone...

Hanging at home, June 2005.

Lj's favorite picture of Stone, June 2005.

June 2006 at Megumi's Ramen shop!

Playing in the rain, June 2007.

I love the expressions on their faces here... Ooarai beach, March 2008.

Fathers Day pool fun, June 2008.

Books with Daddy, June 2009.

Happy Fathers Day!

Dad's are such a wonderful blessing to our lives and Lj is no exception. I am so thankful that Lj is the dad of my son, he takes the job of Daddy to Stone with all seriousness. He is a great example and always mindful of how he is teaching Stone through the example of how he lives his life. When it comes to teaching Stone how to love others, treat others with kindness and respect and to open his heart to the many people that will cross his path, Lj is a great example. I love that he takes a first hand role in Stones upbringing and he supports me and we are always a united front on decisions! There is nothing more special and heart warming than watching my husband be the dad of our son! I love you, Lj!

Daddy and Stone just a few hours into the father and Son relationship!

Fathers Day 2009... Reading books a favorite for Stone and Lj!

I am so thankful that Lj and I both still have our dads on this special day! Watching Lj sacrifice so much to be a great dad for Stone I am more aware now how much my dad (and I am sure Lj's dad) sacrificed for us!

Grandpa (my dad) and Stone in spring 2007.

Three generations of Littlejohn's...Lj, Stone and Pops in summer 2008.

A Busy Week

Grandma Nancy is here this week so that means lots of fun stuff happening.

Monday, we headed to Chitwood park to play on the new rocket ship... from an adult and child perspective this is a awesome park; lots fun things to do on the rocket ship and never dull moment!

Tuesday we headed to the dollar movie with Rachel and Natalie to see Madagascar 2... after the movie we headed to Pops where Reiko and Amy met us for lunch. Since this is Stones favorite place he wanted to take Grandma there!

On Wedensday, Stone got to enjoy his first ice cream from the ice cream man... of course he chose the Batman one. Lj and I have a love for the ice cream man since we got to drive a truck to make a little extra money the summer before we moved to Japan... Fun times!

Yeah, Batman!

We decided to head to the bowling alley with Aloys, our adopted student, on Friday for our free games and to cool off from the 97 degree weather! Aloys was a pretty natural bowler... he did great for playing his first bowling game ever!

Happy "brothers"! Aloys is such a blessing to our family!

Of course, no week is complete without lots of Legos and imagination adventures!

AHHH Shucks!

It was time to make dinner and since Stone loves to help out in the kitchen I employed his help to shuck the corn. He was more than happy to help. This is the first time this summer for us to get corn on the cob so he was interested to see how it all works!

Very concentrated on his task... I love having a helper in the kitchen.

Success... beautiful... 4 ears down and ready to cook! YUMMY!

Thanks Stone for all you great help! I love you!

A Deal Made Good

Stone said he wanted a new pair of Cowboy boot for his birthday... so a little deal was made.  He could get new boots IF he had a Cowboy themed birthday party. 

Holding true to the deal as soon as Lj was back from Rwanda we headed to Langston's in the Stockyards so Stone could choose his new boots.  He was so excited to finally get a real pair of boots!    

Blinded by the sun but showing he is 4 while holding his new boots!

New boots in hand meant the invites needed to go out. Lj did a great job making this invite.  I sent him the text and he had he invite back to me in 5 minutes... he is quite talented on the computer! 

Party time... the first activity was decorating a boot. Stone, Mac and Natalie had fun with glue and confetti!  

Next up, pin the badge on Stone.  The little ones were a bit confused to have their eyes covered but had fun none-the-less!  

The Three Amigos waiting for the rest of the friends to arrive.  Some were a little late due to naps!   

Next game after the rest of the crew arrived was There is a Snake in my Hat; the kids all tossed a snake in the hat, too cute and too many snkaes flying around!

The Snake game was followed by a water gun Shoot-Out.  I did not take into consideration the relentless Oklahoma wind so we had a bit of a time getting the bottles to stand but still had lots of fun.  

Games were done and it is time for the much anticipated cake! 

Lj always talks about how his Mom made all his cakes so I wanted to carry on that same tradition for Stone.  I learned that as Stone gets older the cakes are going to get a bit more complicated.  I tried my hand at a cut-out cake this year.  I had a great assistance making this boot cake.  My friend, Karen, who is an expert making cakes for all occasions offered to teach me a few techniques to make a cake for Stone.  She did a great job helping me decorate this cake and I just hope she will be willing to help again next year!  

Happy 4th Birthday, Little Man!

Present time... when asked, Stone said his favotire part of the party was opening presents!  He got some pretty fun toys!    

But he said his favorite present was the suitcase... We have a world traveler on our hands! 

4 Years!

I can't believe Stone is 4... time flies and stands still in the same moment when you are a parent.  This has been such a joyful journey with our far share of bumps in the road.  Being Mommy to Stone is the most rewarding job I have ever had the privilege to hold; he is the sweetest boy and he brings me so much joy everyday.  Each day is a new adventure to him and he loves to be on the go!  Life is definitely not boring with Stone around; he keeps us laughing and has been know to make us cry as well.  Every stage has been a new, fun and exciting change for us... I look forward to what year 4 will hold! 

Sweet new baby born at 2:30 am May 25th in Mito, Japan

Crazy and full of fun at 1! 

Ready to have 2 much fun!

3 and the superhero of all good! 

4 (Japan time) and ready for another year of adventures!

Long Time No See!

Stone and I took a little road trip today to visit family.  Our nephew/ cousin is in Tech School at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX.  It is alway a treat to see family; we have not been able to make the long trek to Boston since 2007.    

Our first stop was the mall... Stone wanted to sit in all the ride-ons in the middle of the mall.  The ice cream truck was a great reminder of summer 1999.

After the mall we hit Chili's for some lunch... Billy has turned into such a gentleman and treated us to lunch!  

After the mall we hit Target so Billy could get a comforter and just walk around a store.  He has not had the chance to get off base for a  few weeks.  We then went to the base so Billy could drop his stuff off and change.  We planned to walk the base for a while.  But due the weather; lightening with in 5 miles; the dorms were put on lockdown indefinitely so BIlly could not leave the dorm.  

Stone waiting for Billy before we got the call about lockdown... notice no rain?!

I decided Stone and I should hit the road to get back home before any bad weather really did hit so we headed to his dorm for a quick good-bye.  

It was great to spend the afternoon with Billy and I look forward to visiting him again once Lj is back in town!

This is too Sweet!

There is nothing better than swinging with a friend at the park... 

well maybe holding hands while swinging makes it better! 

These are a great idea!

A reusable sandwich bag just for you or your little one.  This site is a must if you are looking for a one of a kind gift! 

Party Fun

Stone has been partying it up with friends birthdays lately!  The first party was MAC's pirate party.  Stone was so ready to dress the part and sail the high seas... unfortunately, due to weather the sailing moved inside but that did not faze he little ones.  

Stone and Natalie are making telescopes so they can be on the look out! 

ARGH!  Shooting "cannon balls" to knockdown the barricade.  Stone loved this game... it too much fun! 

All the pirates ready to sail away with the yummy cake!  

I have to say this was a great idea to keep the mess contianed! 

The next party was Nadia's Care Bear themed party!  Stone had been ready for his one since he got the invite.  The invitation mentioned swimming and water play so had packed his swimming trunks and towel that day; but once again the weather did not cooperate.  I don't even think the kids noticed; there was too much fun happening! 

Nadia and Stone coloring a Care Bear.

Stone made a Fruit Loop necklace... not so many made it to the string because they made it to his tummy! 

Stone loved eating the donut off the string... white donuts are his very favorite so he will eat them any way he can get them! This was so funny to watch!  

The group of wild and fun party goers!  Stone was in Sonshine school with many of these friends so it was a fun way for him to see everyone outside of school!  

Stone has gotten a lot of ideas of what he wants to do for his party from all of these parties...he has decided the theme for his party will be Cowboys but we will have to wait a little while to have his party since Lj is off to Africa for work.