Happy new year!

Erik, Andrea , and Myles would like to wish everyone a happy new year!
Tonight Andrea and I will be going to bed before midnight as we are both getting over ear infections. While December has been a wonderful month full of happiness and family time, it has also been the month of viral and bacterial infections followed by antibiotic intervention. Lovely.

Minnesota recieved a blanket of snow tonight. It was preceded by rain that had been falling for the last two days. It is beautiful outside and gives me hope that global warming might not be as bad as 40 degree weather in Minnesota in December might indicate (the slab of ice that just busted off the polar ice cap might indicate differently!).

In any case, We are looking forward to the new year as we will be adding a new Member to our family in July as Andrea is expecting. Our due date Is July 19th. Andrea is enjoying her usual bouts of morning sickness in the evening and cannot wait for that part of the pregnancy to subside. Then the real fun begins!

Whatever you do tonight, Please be safe and have one for us!

Johnson Family Christmas

How did I get so lucky!

Not it's intended use!

First off, Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends! This Christmas turned out to be much busier than the last few. I worked Christmas Eve day and Andrea and Myles spent the day doing last minute cooking and shopping. After I got home from work The family went to Mass at St. Gerard's. Myles did pretty well and the Cars sticker book saved the day. We were able to make it through communion. Which, To be honest, is really more than any parents of a toddler could ask for. We made it home and ate dinner. Kudos to Andrea on a serious Christmas meal. We opened presents and Myles did quite well, as usual. We then all settled in for a "long winters' nap"and patiently awaited the arrival of St. Nick (played by mom and dad).

Myles woke up early Christmas morning to the sound of sleigh bells and ran to the window to look for Santa. He was briefly disappointed when he couldn't see him. When he saw the loot under the tree he got over it. He then proceeded to open everyone's presents and play with all his new toys.

Later on in the morning, We headed over to Andrea's parents, still in our pajamas, for more family fun. Ken made meat balls and I brought over some Belgium beer (duvel) that I highly recommend. We opened presents and had a good time. That evening, after finally changing out of our pajamas we headed to River Falls to My Aunt and Uncle's house to see our cousins. This is always a good time. There are 6 other boys under the age of 7 for Myles to play with. As you can imagine, it is quite the free for all. It was good to see my aunt, uncle and cousins as we get along great and have a good time catching up. We were very blessed to see lots of family and eat lots of great food. Thank you again to everyone for the wonderful time.

Merry Christmas,

Erik

Winter is here!

Winter is here! We just had our first snow storm of he season. I don't think we got more than two to three inches but for the way the winter has gone so far, it might as well have been a blizzard. Andrea had the day off and I was lucky enough to get to commute home in it. Thank God for four wheel drive. It might not be necessary, but it sure is more fun! I am mourning the end of outdoor cycling season. I guess it is truly time to hit the spin bike and use the gym we set up in the basement in the spare bedroom. It is just not the same. Oh well life goes on.........

Update 12-16-06

We went this weekend to visit Santa at the Northtown mall. Wow - was that ever a long line. I wasn't sure we would make it. But when it was our turn, Myles ran up and gave Santa a hug! After pictures, he told Santa what he wanted for Christmas. It was all about Construction trucks! :) Timing was perfect because we got all the good pictures, and then Myles melted down on the drive home - crying about how he wanted presents now. Well, the evening turned out to be a good one after he got over it. Hope everyone has a great weekend! Not much longer to wait for Christmas!
Love, Andrea

Myles' Trek to the North Pole

After a long layover in Iceland, and getting through immigration and customs at the North Pole, Myles made it to Santa's Village.

Myles, prepping to pitch his list of toys to
Santa.

Here is a picture of the newest member of the beer drinking team! Isabella Jurgenson: tale of the tape: 20.75 inches, and 7.14 lbs. Ain' t she cute........

Christmas Vacation - National Lapoons Christmas Vacation (Christmas Music)

This kind of goes with the previous post. It's is a good montage of what is so great about this extraordinary film...

Family update 12-12-2006

So far it has been a rough week for the little guy. Myles had the flu last week and then so graciously passed it on to me. We both recovered in time for Myles to come down with a serious cold/fever this week. We have been keeping him home and while I really enjoy the time with him, I would rather see the little guy feeling better. He is looking better today and I think we are on the mend. Andrea is working hard and we are diligently preparing for the holidays. The decorations are up and the house is looking festive. For those of you that are curious, I have watched Christmas vacation only once so far, and yes, Andrea humored me and sat down and watched it as well. It always gets me in the mood for the holidays and all the chaos and insanity they bring. It will be a busy week as I think Andrea and I have done very little shopping and The days seem to go by so fast.
Talk to you soon.
Erik

More Myles Pics.

Construction all summer in our neighborhood. Myles was in his glory.
Osseo Lion's Roar.

Chillin' in our backyard pool.

Don't tell Mom Dad lets you jump on your bed.

Anybody who knows us knows that Myles is who really runs things. I know u guys don't really care what I have to say. So, here are more pics of the little big guy.

Erik

30STM - From Yesterday 7min edition

This is one of my favorite new bands. I love the shots in the Forbidden City in Beijing. Andrea and I went a year and a half ago and saw the place for ourselves. Thanks Erica!

Not Ready To Make Nice Mad TV

Okay.... Andrea got really serious with that last post. But here is a good balance to that. She thinks it's funny. Let us know what you think...

Dixie Chicks - Not Ready to Make Nice

Andrea thinks this is a great song and demonstrates our familial dislike for our current President. If the south won't take you Natalie, we will.

Cycling-Moments to Remember

I think this is very cool and the song fits it just right.

Myles Update Sun 12/10

He is getting big. No doubt about it. The Man loves trucks, cars, diego, and His grandparents. Somewhere in there is a fondness for his parents. He is busy with the Christmas season and is busily awaiting the motherload of toys and attention that the holidays bring for kids his age every year. We put up the tree yesterday and Myles was really into it. He helped Andrea and I select a tree and helped us decorate. He is becoming such a little boy. Now if I could just decide to teach him to snowboard this year or next.......

Loon State Holiday Gathering

For those of you who don't know, I have become alittle obsessed with cycling over the last year and Have joined a local cycing club/team. Loon State Cyclists is a twin cities cycling club comprised of racers and riders that get together based on the mutual love of cycling and fitness. They are a great bunch of people.

Last night was the holidy party and a great time was had by all. Andrea was nice enough to hang out with Myles while I attended. For the loon guys that might read this, It was good to see you all out of the lycra and not so sweaty. Thanks for the good time, food and Beer.

Welcome to the Johnson Family Blog

Okay,
This has been on my mind for awhile. I have decided to set up a place for us to keep our families/friends updated on the goings on around the Johnson family. I don't know how often I will update as I have never done anything like this before. I imagine it will contain a little of everything and alot of nothing.
Enjoy,
Erik
Editor and Myles' recently appointed tackling dummy.