We love Hermann!

Last week was Moon Over Hermann. An evening Hudson has been waiting for all year! He would've loved to wait until dark to climb up, but 10:00 on a daycare night makes the next morning h-e-double hockey sticks for mom getting everyone ready, happily and in a timely manner. So we headed up after t-ball at about 8:30. We were the only ones there so it was nice to take our time and enjoy the sights. 

t-ball

Hudson has been playing t-ball for almost 2 months now and although his attitude has improved a ton, he makes it known that he does not care for it at all. He says it's just not fun. I think he gets bored. The nights he does the best are when he's fielding in the pitcher's position and he gets a lot of balls. It's the in between waiting time that he doesn't care for. One week my mom asked him if he liked it yet and he responded with, "I know I'm good, but I still don't really like it." But overall, I am very impressed with him. He still went every week (sometimes because of bribery) and he still participated with a smile on his face. He made new friends, one of whom is a girl that has really caught his eye. And since Daddy was his coach, I think they both learned a little about patience, how to work well together, and sometimes how NOT to work well together.

Coach Daddy had to field a runaway daughter who insisted on being close to the action.

And by the looks of that smile, maybe she'll be our ball player!

the weekend

We had lots of outdoor fun this past weekend and it all started with a long awaited water park playdate with our friends and neighbors. The boys were super excited, as well as the mamas (Harlow and Daddy stayed home). I learned that with life jackets on (and no 1 year old wild woman along!!), water parks are a breeze! I was able to sit back and just enjoy watching my boys swim around, jump in, dive and belly flop, all from the comfort of the side of the pool. I was both impressed and proud of their independence. And there is nothing better than hearing them laugh with their friends.

This little guy didn't even hesitate going down this slide by himself, into deep water. I told him he'd probably go under for a bit before coming up and he was all like, "Yea mom I know, I'll be okay." And he was, all 50 times he went down!

As he doggie paddled his way back to the edge. I noticed another mommy that was close by him, ask if she could help him to the edge, and he politely responded, "No thank you, I can do it." She laughed, I think at his sweet politeness, and praised him when he finally made it.

It was a very good brother day for these two! They divided their time swimmingly (ha, no pun intended!) between each other and their friends. I overheard Hudson telling Packy once, "Let's go play with our friends again for a little bit and then come back and jump in some more." And little brother followed. And I love hearing them ask one another to play. Hudson came to tell me that he really wanted Packy to go in the deep with him so I told him to go ask if he will. He did, and Packy said, "Oh sure, brother." I can't even count how many times my heart melted during our afternoon there.

And what's an afternoon at the pool without a couple good snacks.

They did this over and over. And then over and over some more. And then over and over again!

On Sunday afternoon we went to the Bavarian Blast parade. Harlow did a little modeling and posing for me. She can make some great faces. Her personality is exploding right now and I absolutely LOVE it!

And she loved this parade. Sister got it. She waved at the princesses, danced to the music, clapped for the dancing girls, she was into it. And after watching her brothers, she knew to get up from the curb and scurry out to the middle to pick up the good candy.

And then this happened.....all I had to say was "Johnson kids look here and say cheese" and all three looked and smiled at the same time. Nothing short of a miracle.

We love weekends!!

our birthdays

The parents of these three amazing kids turned another year older recently. The dad turned 34 and the mom the big 3-0!!! We celebrated with family and each other on a little weekend getaway.

Ready to head out to stay at an Inn in Northfield. Jamie teasing me with the classic arm out pose.

Hanging out by the river. It was so beautiful there.

Jamie tried telling me that I was a little tipsy because I couldn't figure out how to get the bridge the background in the picture with us. We had fun!

Coffee by the river, a walk downtown, shopping little shops, and lunch in a cafe. A perfect Sunday.

As a 5 year old, 3 year old, and 1 year old...they don't really care that they're parents are getting older, they just want to blow out candles and eat cake!

And thanks to my coworkers/friends, I was celebrated at work too. I opened my office door and the sight took my breath away.

Each baby agreed to take a quick picture with me on my big day. Each showing off their individual personalities perfectly!

And lucky me, I got to spend the night with my mom and "sisters" (missing one, Maddi) at the Beyonce concert! Not sure if that made me feel younger or older??

Speaking for myself, in these thirty years, I couldn't ask for anything more.

She is too much....

Full Circle

I waited over a year to have these pictures complete....

iPhone upload

Trying so hard to blow bubbles. 

Playing with the iPad....naked. No big deal. 

Could she look any bigger? Seriously!

She wants to be a t-baller too. 

We had a deer in the house. 

Cutie-pa-tootie. 

Cool girl in her shades. 

Swimming on the deck. 

Pretty, pretty princess. 

She had to have that freezy and Daddy wasn't fast enough. 

Daddy thought he was in Mexico with a margarita. 

Who's kids are climbing the fence? Oh, they're mine. 

Cheering on the big boys. 

Lunch on the deck. 

This kid loves broccoli. 

She was hiding from me, then jumped and thought she was so clever. 

An afternoon at Flandrau. 

Brody and Hudsy blinded by the sun. 

This girl is just too much. 

Happy mornings with her. 

We were roaring like monsters. 

Hudsy is loving swimming lessons.