His backpack is so full of supplies, he had to carry his lunch.
And here he is at the school.
So far, he loves his class and his teacher despite all the homework he gets daily.
Virtual Launch Party for Not My Circus!
2 years ago
Sunday, September 25, 2011
First Day of School: 2nd Grade
Slow in coming (only 3 weeks in), but here is London on the first day of school. Hard to believe he's in Second Grade!
His backpack is so full of supplies, he had to carry his lunch.
And here he is at the school.
So far, he loves his class and his teacher despite all the homework he gets daily.
His backpack is so full of supplies, he had to carry his lunch.
And here he is at the school.
So far, he loves his class and his teacher despite all the homework he gets daily.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Johnson Family Reunion: Part 3
Okay, because I know you didn't get enough of the beach before, here's some more fun:
London was the expert shell collector of the group. Here is a particularly fine specimen.
And Quincy was his partner in crime. Look at that beauty!
Thursday evening (our last one thanks to Irena), we all took a nice walk on the beach. Doesn't look like a hurricane is about to hit, does it? However, even then, the water was coming in higher than usual. Definitely past the established tide lines.
Khyah came with us and she was Daddy's little girl. She did not want to let him go.
Before the walk, we had changed the kids into regular cloths. Woops. A swimming suit would have been much easier to clean later.
Yep. Definitely much easier.
Rob and Tiff and Cadence came on the walk with us.
In preparation for Irena, the local news stopped by to film. Want to see what they're filming?
"Water Is Dangerous." Yep.
But we went in anyway. I know, I know. But it sure was fun! And again, I couldn't get to all the beach pictures, and I KNOW you're dying for more. Isn't that what a blog is for?
London was the expert shell collector of the group. Here is a particularly fine specimen.
And Quincy was his partner in crime. Look at that beauty!
Thursday evening (our last one thanks to Irena), we all took a nice walk on the beach. Doesn't look like a hurricane is about to hit, does it? However, even then, the water was coming in higher than usual. Definitely past the established tide lines.
Khyah came with us and she was Daddy's little girl. She did not want to let him go.
Before the walk, we had changed the kids into regular cloths. Woops. A swimming suit would have been much easier to clean later.
Yep. Definitely much easier.
Rob and Tiff and Cadence came on the walk with us.
In preparation for Irena, the local news stopped by to film. Want to see what they're filming?
"Water Is Dangerous." Yep.
But we went in anyway. I know, I know. But it sure was fun! And again, I couldn't get to all the beach pictures, and I KNOW you're dying for more. Isn't that what a blog is for?
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Johnson Family Reunion: Part 2
While the pool was definitely rockin', what would be a trip to the beach without the beach? We attempted some boogie boarding, built sand castles, went for walks to the pier, relaxed to the sound of ocean waves, and in short had a very good time. We loved being right on the beach . . . all we had to do was walk out the back door and there we were.
Unfortunately, I took so many pictures, I'll have to split it up into two posts.
Khyah girl.
Mic testing out the water.
The boys working the sand.
Brandt debating if he wants to get his feet wet.
Khyah deliberating how long it would take to dig a hole to China.
Uncle Greg making the trek from the house.
Rick being embarrassed that I made him make a hang-ten sign.
Rick ready to take on the wave.
Rick, riding the wave.
Me, sporting London's goggles and the cool shark boogie board.
Me, again. Boogie boarding is WAY fun. Just sayin'.
Cousin Mic taking on the waves . . . because London and Brandt refused.
Uncle Rob and Cousin Zach. Cool dudes.
The guys. Out to conquer the world. Or at least a couple of waves.
I really love the ocean. I just can't express how I feel in words. Just something that fills my soul and brings me peace.
And more beach next time. :)
Unfortunately, I took so many pictures, I'll have to split it up into two posts.
Khyah girl.
Mic testing out the water.
The boys working the sand.
Brandt debating if he wants to get his feet wet.
Khyah deliberating how long it would take to dig a hole to China.
Uncle Greg making the trek from the house.
Rick being embarrassed that I made him make a hang-ten sign.
Rick ready to take on the wave.
Rick, riding the wave.
Me, sporting London's goggles and the cool shark boogie board.
Me, again. Boogie boarding is WAY fun. Just sayin'.
Cousin Mic taking on the waves . . . because London and Brandt refused.
Uncle Rob and Cousin Zach. Cool dudes.
The guys. Out to conquer the world. Or at least a couple of waves.
I really love the ocean. I just can't express how I feel in words. Just something that fills my soul and brings me peace.
And more beach next time. :)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Johnson Family Reunion: Part 1
From August 18 through the 28th, Rick's family came to visit for our First Annual (or something like that) Johnson Family Reunion. In the understatement of the week, it was quite the adventure. We weathered an earthquake, a hurricane, and barely missed a tornado (by a day). I guess you could say that when we all get together, the earth moves. ;)
Anyway, the majority of our time was spent in the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach . . . right up until we were evacuated because of Irena. Still, the days prior to the mess were beautiful! Warm sun, cool breeze, a house right on the beach with piles of sand to build castles. Not to mention the pool and jacuzzi. But words don't do it justice, so here come the pictures.
Day 1: Poolside
Here's the house we stayed at. Yes, it was painted teal. But before you laugh, know that the color made it easy to identify from a distance (like say, way up-beach).
Next, the most important element of the house. The pool. A significant portion of our time was spent right there.
Khyah found her comfort zone to be the first two steps. She had a great time dipping her face in (like her big brothers), splashing water at mom and dad, and bouncing up and down.
She would tell Daddy right where to sit and didn't let him move without her permission. "Sit down!" was a commonly heard command.
Brandt had a great time, too. He could be mister brave because the pool was just the right depth for him. Mostly. He thought the boogie board with the flames was pretty cool.
And he decided that jumping off the side wasn't exciting enough. He had to add some spin. And he was more than willing to do it multiple times so mama could get just the right picture.
And here is the more common view.
London had a great time swimming and racing and playing tag. He was quite thrilled with the shark boogie board.
And all of this wouldn't have been nearly as fun without the cousins. Zach practiced the cannon ball . . .
And he and Mic played all kinds of games with London and Brandt. I'd explain them to you, but I'm afraid I'm too simple-minded. But they must have been fun based on the laughter that always screamed from the pool.
And when Cadence wasn't sleeping, she got to go swimming with mom. A scream or two getting in, but she quickly warmed up to it.
And finally, there's no better way to cap off hours of swimming than to hop in the hot tub (or more appropriately, the warm tub).
In short, despite having the ocean right there, we loved having a pool to play in. More than once we caught the pool-less neighbors next door watching in envy. The pool totally rocked!
Next up: The Beach
Anyway, the majority of our time was spent in the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach . . . right up until we were evacuated because of Irena. Still, the days prior to the mess were beautiful! Warm sun, cool breeze, a house right on the beach with piles of sand to build castles. Not to mention the pool and jacuzzi. But words don't do it justice, so here come the pictures.
Day 1: Poolside
Here's the house we stayed at. Yes, it was painted teal. But before you laugh, know that the color made it easy to identify from a distance (like say, way up-beach).
Next, the most important element of the house. The pool. A significant portion of our time was spent right there.
Khyah found her comfort zone to be the first two steps. She had a great time dipping her face in (like her big brothers), splashing water at mom and dad, and bouncing up and down.
She would tell Daddy right where to sit and didn't let him move without her permission. "Sit down!" was a commonly heard command.
Brandt had a great time, too. He could be mister brave because the pool was just the right depth for him. Mostly. He thought the boogie board with the flames was pretty cool.
And he decided that jumping off the side wasn't exciting enough. He had to add some spin. And he was more than willing to do it multiple times so mama could get just the right picture.
And here is the more common view.
London had a great time swimming and racing and playing tag. He was quite thrilled with the shark boogie board.
And all of this wouldn't have been nearly as fun without the cousins. Zach practiced the cannon ball . . .
And he and Mic played all kinds of games with London and Brandt. I'd explain them to you, but I'm afraid I'm too simple-minded. But they must have been fun based on the laughter that always screamed from the pool.
And when Cadence wasn't sleeping, she got to go swimming with mom. A scream or two getting in, but she quickly warmed up to it.
And finally, there's no better way to cap off hours of swimming than to hop in the hot tub (or more appropriately, the warm tub).
In short, despite having the ocean right there, we loved having a pool to play in. More than once we caught the pool-less neighbors next door watching in envy. The pool totally rocked!
Next up: The Beach
Friday, July 22, 2011
French Weddings, part 1
I've been horrible at posting about all my travels lately, so today, I'm going to take the first steps to overcoming my blog neglect.
On July 2, one of my mission companions who is from France got married. My amazing in-laws offered to come take care of my family so I could be at the wedding . . .
in FRANCE!
My sister, Kim, went with me, and we had a blast participating in a beautiful French wedding for a deserving couple who looked so happy together.
So here I am, in front of the Mairie (Town Hall) where the required civil wedding takes place first.
No, town hall is not the cathedral you see. It's the little house-like building behind me.
And here they stand, with the civil authority to the right, and their required two-witnesses-each on either side of them.
Most of the ceremony went something like "according to law number this, and civil code number that, blah, blah, blah . . ." But towards the end, they spoke about the importance of children, and their duty as a married couple to raise their children with love and with respect to the laws of the land. Not an exact quote, but we thought it was very cool that they included that in a civil ceremony (the same ceremony that is used for all weddings).
Then, of course, everyone has to sign the papers right there.
When it was over, they came out to a bustle of bubbles that attacked any innocent bystanders who may have wanted to congratulate the newly married couple. (It was quite windy, and Kim, who joined the bubble-blowing children, may or may not have run off several guests with her bubble blowing skills).
And here I am, with the happy couple.
Not to let this post get too long, I'll work on adding more in the near future.
On July 2, one of my mission companions who is from France got married. My amazing in-laws offered to come take care of my family so I could be at the wedding . . .
in FRANCE!
My sister, Kim, went with me, and we had a blast participating in a beautiful French wedding for a deserving couple who looked so happy together.
So here I am, in front of the Mairie (Town Hall) where the required civil wedding takes place first.
No, town hall is not the cathedral you see. It's the little house-like building behind me.
And here they stand, with the civil authority to the right, and their required two-witnesses-each on either side of them.
Most of the ceremony went something like "according to law number this, and civil code number that, blah, blah, blah . . ." But towards the end, they spoke about the importance of children, and their duty as a married couple to raise their children with love and with respect to the laws of the land. Not an exact quote, but we thought it was very cool that they included that in a civil ceremony (the same ceremony that is used for all weddings).
Then, of course, everyone has to sign the papers right there.
When it was over, they came out to a bustle of bubbles that attacked any innocent bystanders who may have wanted to congratulate the newly married couple. (It was quite windy, and Kim, who joined the bubble-blowing children, may or may not have run off several guests with her bubble blowing skills).
And here I am, with the happy couple.
Not to let this post get too long, I'll work on adding more in the near future.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
A couple of weeks ago, London played his last soccer game of the season. Unfortunately, I did not take pictures during the game as I was too busy shouting, "You're on the same team!"
But I did take a couple afterwards.
Can you tell how stoked they are about the game?
And London was very proud to have "won" a trophy. All the rest of the day (and maybe the next couple after that), he was telling everyone we met that he now had TWO trophies and TWO medals for playing soccer.
And here they are again, showing off their cool trophies.
Though his team may not have "won" a ton of games (they encourage them not to keep score), London had a lot of fun and has already told us that he wants to be signed up next year . . . as long as he gets new cleats. :)
Aren't we the proud soccer parents?
(After all, I did wile my way into Rick's heart by showing off my soccer legs . . . though hmmm . . . perhaps we should just feel lucky they don't play co-ed at this age).
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Dr. Batman Socks Dances with Mary Poppins
Before Khyah was born, we found cute little baby scrubs and couldn't resist. Now, almost 2 years later, she is finally big enough to wear them. So I present to you Dr. Baby-Girl:
She was quite thrilled to put them on and knew she was dressed just like Daddy.
Then Brandt got some really cool Batman slippers for Easter. I happen to know that the Easter Bunny went all the way to France to get them. Anyway, he was quite happy to model them for you all to see:
Talk about stylin'!
Bored waiting for Mama to finish dinner, the kiddos turned on the demo setting of the piano and started dancing away. You should have heard the howls of laughter coming from the living room! I think Khyah was loudest of all. I couldn't resist sneaking in to get a photo or two:
And finally, I watched Mary Poppins with London boy today and he surprised me with his own inspired drawing afterward.
You might recognize the scene where Bert becomes a sidewalk chalk artist. :) The picture on the left is the one of the circus tent. The picture on the right is the one Mary Poppins et al jumped in. There's a bridge, and London tells me that if you follow the path across the bridge to the left, you will find the country fair.
She was quite thrilled to put them on and knew she was dressed just like Daddy.
Then Brandt got some really cool Batman slippers for Easter. I happen to know that the Easter Bunny went all the way to France to get them. Anyway, he was quite happy to model them for you all to see:
Talk about stylin'!
Bored waiting for Mama to finish dinner, the kiddos turned on the demo setting of the piano and started dancing away. You should have heard the howls of laughter coming from the living room! I think Khyah was loudest of all. I couldn't resist sneaking in to get a photo or two:
And finally, I watched Mary Poppins with London boy today and he surprised me with his own inspired drawing afterward.
You might recognize the scene where Bert becomes a sidewalk chalk artist. :) The picture on the left is the one of the circus tent. The picture on the right is the one Mary Poppins et al jumped in. There's a bridge, and London tells me that if you follow the path across the bridge to the left, you will find the country fair.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
