Angels baseball

Hudson completed his first year of baseball over the weekend. He was on the Angels team with a few friends, two cousins, and a few kids he got to know. We went into the year almost forcing him to play. He knows my rule is that we try everything and if you don't like it you don't have to do it again next year, but you try and you finish. Well, even I thought about going against my rules after the first practice. He didn't want to go, he certainly didn't have the natural talent, and I could tell he didn't enjoy it. I remember calling my mom from practice feeling like a bad mom for even making him try. But after that first day, he didn't question if he had to keep going, he just did. Sometimes he wasn't happy about it, and he definitely complained, but he kept going.....and he improved! He improved a lot! The first few games he struck out at every bat, then all of a sudden he got a hit, and the hits kept coming! His fielding and throwing still needs some work. Every once in a while I had to give him a "pep talk/make threats" that if I saw him playing in the dirt one more time he would not get a treat after the game. It usually worked. He would still never admit that he liked it, or that he had fun, but I can tell he did, at least a little bit. And I am more than proud that he kept with it. And even that he made statements about "next year".

The cousins; Hudson, Alec, and Alex.

It was all their idea to pose like this.

And this was my idea. How cute are they!?!?! Hudson usually had his jersey tucked in during the games, as it was waaaaay too big, but it was so hot I told him he could leave it untucked because he'd probably be cooler. Just an FYI :)

The Angels team (kindergartners and 1st graders) and their coaches.

Checking out the cool medals. Hudson is the second one on the left.

Alec and Hudson with a couple of their biggest fans. And when I say "fans", I mean they spent most of their time playing at the playground and eating snacks from the concession stand.

weekend of the 4th

I'm FINALLY getting around to posting about the Fourth of July! At least I made it before August! Which unfortunately is right around the corner. 

Per tradition, we went to Maddi and Zevlen's in Faribault for the holiday weekend. This is a weekend we all look forward to! Time spent with family on the lake, doesn't get much better. 

This year Maddi had a little blow up pool for the kids to swim in while not on the lake. It was a great addition and they were all able to cool down in it, as it was a hot weekend! 

The boys were the most excited to get out on the boat and go tubing. 

I was still a little nervous letting them go by themselves so Maddi was happy to hop in with them. Hudson definitely loved it! And I'd say Paxton just liked it. He was just as happy to be inside the boat watching other people tube. This surprised most of us that know Hudson and Paxton well. Paxton is usually more of the wild one, more willing to try new things, never timid and content doing anything. It's Hudson who offers to sit back and watch, but not this weekend! He was always begging to go tubing or jet skiing. 

Jet skiing was something else he really only liked doing with Maddi. I think he felt most comfortable with her. And trusted her. When you see Zev whip around on that thing, you know better than to hop on with him! Although, Jamie and I both got on, and both of us were first timers! 

Love that genuine, happy, having fun smile!

I think Hudson was in heaven when we walked into the pool area of our hotel and there was a claw machine!!! All of his dreams came true. This kid loves nothing more than playing the claw game. And as if that weren't enough, it was defective and allowed many, many games for just 50 cents. His day was made. 

And what's Fourth of July without matching shirts, right?!? 

Cruising the lake with Dad. 

                                 

The kids got "rides" on the paddle boards. Again, another first for all of us. 

                          

                             

And Hudson talked Grandma into going on the tube with him! I'm not sure she'll ever get on again. You know she loves her grandson an awful lot! 

Like every year, we had an awesome time!!!! Thank you for EVERYTHING Maddi and Zev, Grandma and aunts! We love you. 

nashville/illinois family

(I hate that I am posting things out of order, but I took pictures with my real camera over the July 4th weekend and I haven't uploaded them to my computer yet, so that post is yet to come. Now we jump forward to the week of July 6-10.)

Our family from Nashville, TN and Johnston City, IL came to visit last week and I decided to take the whole week off to spend with them and the rest of the family and kids doing many, many activities. It was a FULL weekend!

Monday we headed up to the metro area starting with the Mall of America. We stopped by Lego Land, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Nickelodeon Universe, and did a little shopping.

All the kids made a "bear"- Hudson's was a minion (no surprise there- obsession!), Tucker's was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (I think another obsession!), Harlow's was a sparkling bear fairy, and Paxton's a flying dragon.

After building their new friends, we went to Nick Universe for some rides.

That's Tucker on the left, face painted as a ninja turtle.

Our hotel had the biggest swimming area with a HUGE pool that that teeny tiny little girl on the left had all to herself. 

Tuesday we went to Como Zoo. Despite the high temperatures, a lot of people decided to go to the zoo that day!

Wednesday we took a shorter trip to Mankato and had lunch at Friesen's Bakery. There was A LOT of delicious baked goods- pastries, muffins, cupcakes, cake but.....Harlow and I shared this veggie and hummus plate, which was still delicious, but a very different kind of health delicious.

After lunch we went to the Children's Museum. It was a first for all of us at their new location and it was really cute. I absolutely LOVED the Tree of Forts and explored the entire thing from bottom to top with Harlow.

Supper was at Dino's Pizzeria that evening. Aren't these two the sweetest!?

The kids ate all/most of their food and wanted to show off their growing muscles.

 I was actually a little surprised to see that Paxton does have a tiny little bicep in there!

Thursday we went to the Sleepy Eye waterpark, again, with a lot of other kids! This was the only picture I managed to get that day.

Friday we stayed local and went to Schell's Brewery and climbed Hermann the German. Harlow was over the moon excited to ride the trolley into the brewery!

She's so pretty.

We sure got used to having the extra family around. We already miss you Bill, Sandi, Mark, Dana, and Tucker! Thanks for visiting. Love you!

Thunderbirds Airshow

When the air show came to Mankato a couple weeks ago, all of the Johnsons went! Grandma Sharon wanted the whole family together and we had a great time and made some great memories. The boys were in awe of the planes, the tricks and the parachutes. They didn't stop talking about it for days and keep asking to go back. Harlow looked up from her ice cream or frozen lemonade every once in awhile. 

Thanks for a great time Grandma and family!