Visiting Santa Claus

Another year on Santa's lap, and the first year that Paxton didn't cry! And I had to hold Harlow back because she wanted to run full speed ahead right through that line and onto Santa's lap! The boys have been talking about what they're going to ask Santa for for weeks already. Thankfully, Paxton changed his mind at the last minute, with a little help of persuading from Santa. He had planned to ask for a phone and an iPad (he's only 3!!), but after Santa talked about Grandpa Greg's red combines, Pax decided that a combine is what he wanted most, particularly a red one. Hudson's wants have changed a little bit, but he's always wanted a costume. He first started out wanting a pumpkin costume, and because pumpkin costumes are hard to come by after Halloween, Santa's helper went searching and already found one, only in time for Hudson to change his mind to wanting an elf costume! And that's what he asked for, of all things! Santa also asked the boys what they thought their sister would like and they both agreed that she'd like baby dolls, no specific kind, Pax told Santa that she likes all kinds of dolls. And they all agreed that they've all been very good this year.

Thanksgiving 2013

With the craziness of getting to three places with three kids, these are the only pictures I managed to get this Thanksgiving, and I feel very thankful to even get these! When I asked Hudson what he's thankful for this year, he said a house because if we didn't have a house we wouldn't have anything. Paxton said he's thankful for his mommy. Good answer! I didn't ask Harlow, but I bet she'd say she's thankful for her mommy too, and probably milk, food, and her babies.

I am thankful for the three greatest blessings ever given to me.

But by the looks of it, I'm not sure Harlow is all that thankful for those two big brothers. Love that face!

christmas is coming

The holiday season is arriving a littler earlier than normal in the Johnson household, thanks to one 5 year old boy who is beyond excited! Hudson insisted that we get our tree last weekend and then insisted that we put it up. This is normally something we do after Thanksgiving. I compromised and said we could put the tree up but not decorate until this weekend. He agreed. He's fine with that since the boys have had their tree decorated in their room for days already. Lights shine through the entire night.

He's totally into Christmas. He was pretending to be Santa in his sleigh. I wish I would've gotten a picture a few minutes later, he taped a kleenex to his chin for a beard.

And we have to have lights outside!! Aunt Vicky got us the candy canes last year after Hudson saw some in a book that he just had to have!

After putting the lights outside, they warmed up with some hot chocolate and marshmallows by the undecorated tree and fire.

Hockey

Hockey has started, and with 2 boys, everything is doubled. 2 helmets, 2 sticks, 2 pairs of pads, 2 jerseys, 4 skates, and one giant bag (that I am certain I could even fit into!). It is a learning experience for all of us that's for sure. Practice twice a week, volunteer hours, fundraising, tying skates as tight as I can, where do all the pads go, pulling helmets off slowly and gently because apparently it really hurts. It feels like chaos sometimes, and I'm not sure if I'm fully prepared for what being a "hockey mom" entails, but if these boys (or maybe only one of them) want to play hockey, then I'm willing.

They got put onto teams last week (of course not the same one, that'd be too easy!). Hudson is #13 on the blue team and Pax is #8 on the yellow team. Can you tell by this picture which boy really, REALLY likes hockey?!?!? Yep, it seems Pax is a natural. He gets it and he likes it. His teeny tiny little body cruises around the ice and you really can't help but laugh. But he's good. Hudson, as completely expected knowing his personality, is a little more reserved, doesn't want to fall so he takes his time, moves his feet slowly and cautiously, but he's trying and gets more comfortable at every practice. And the fact that both of these boys had to use walkers to hang on too just weeks ago, I'm amazed at the progress they're making!

I got out on the ice with them this weekend, for the first time in like 15 years! My size 5 skates still fit me and I was pleasantly surprised that I could actually still skate (I was in figure skating through all of my childhood)! And the boys loved me skating with them! We'll have to go more often as I could tell it really helped Hudson's confidence, following Mommy around the rink.

And we all had fun! Mommy's sore feet and all!

Halloween.....days later....

So Halloween has come and gone and I'm just now getting around to blogging it. The boys had a blast (to say the least) trick-or-treating!!! They ran, full speed ahead to each house with a light on, always saying trick-or-treat and thank you, leaving 2 proud parents in the dust watching from the sidewalks. Harlow got in on the action too but we couldn't let her run wild, she would've been a runaway pig! 

1st ponytail

Her first ever ponytail......needs to be documented. That cute little thing turned my baby girl into a big girl. And she sat still for me to put it in, as long as I told her I was making her pretty, she was in her glory. All day, if you asked where her "pretty" was, she'd smile and point to her ponytail. And to those who begged me to cut her mullet, even sometimes threatened to cut it themselves (ahem...Maddi!!), eat your words, that mullet turned into the cutest thing EVER!!

I thought I'd also give you a glimpse of the after effects of that cutest ponytail ever! And a not-so-happy, very tired little sister.

ECFE Halloween

Last Friday, like every year, we wen to the ECFE Halloween Party. The boys played lots of games and jumped in the bouncy house, and Harlow ran around like a wild piglet, stealing the prizes to all the games.

Just like her brothers, the tongue makes an appearance with any concentration.

See- Paxton's tongue. Pounding the tees in the pumpkins is a favorite every year.

The whole crew- Hudson (Frankenstein) a little too cool to be sitting for a picture, Harlow (pig) cheesy and happy as can be, and Paxton (shark)being his normal sweet self.

Ahlness/Olson Wedding- Minnesota Farm Style

Maddi and Zevlen celebrated their wedding with friends and family in Minnesota on October 12th. Just the way it should be, at the Ahlness family farm. We got dressed up all over again, smiled and posed for pictures, ate delicious pork sandwiches, and danced until all three kids fell asleep.

The bridal party, changed into the evening dresses.

They were singing and dancing with the band, playing their tambourines.

Florida (September 13-15)

Our last few days at Carillon Beach, mostly spent in the pool and ocean. 

I miss it.

Florida (September 12)

Just a few pictures of the kids getting ready for the big wedding day....

Florida Videos

Florida (September 10-11)

I will get to posting all of the Florida pics from my real camera. So here's a start. The first couple days spent at the beach, in the ocean, and at our pool. The boys loved the waves.

It took Harlow a little longer to get used to the ocean waves. She preferred to stay up in the sand and beach chairs. And the girl was obsessed with airplanes flying over us. She pointed out each and every one.

The pool at our house was a loved by everyone! Paxton learned to do flips into the pool, and Hudson learned somersaults under the water. I have short videos of both that I'll have to post too. 

The boys found some fun pets to play with, little itty-bitty frogs. Sometimes they were living frogs, other times they were dead frogs, but they loved them all the same. Hudson even got into the business of selling them. Pretty sure he made some money off of Sheri who can't say no to anything. I think she paid 50 cents for a dead one. Good work Hudsy!