UWRF girls say good bye to Andie M

The UWRF gals all got together to wish Kristin a happy birthday (your 21st b-day... right?) and to say a sad good bye to Andie M. Very SAD!!! We support you and the family moving to Kentucky (KY......), but you sure will be missed! You MUST stay in touch! And since I don't do Facebook, that means you must post comments on this blog, email me, or text me. I now represent the only Andrea in the group! I sure did like having my UWRF Andrea twin!

Thanks Kristin for winning happy hour at Throwbacks! We sure did enjoy the beer and appetizers!

Missing you already, Andrea!
AJ

Here are my UWRF girls! From L to R: Jessie, Kristin, Brianna, ANDIE, Jen, Andrea, Laura (and baby!), Julia, and her cute son Nolan.

Kristin and Brianna

Laura and Julia

Nate & Kristen.... such a cute couple!

Brianna, Andie, and Jen

Saturday date night at Stellas

Erik and I had a very busy Saturday this past weekend. The day started off with Erik going on a bike ride with his friend Tom. Then we packed the kids up and headed to Blaine to see Mom & Dad's new giant camper. It was really nice! The kids then stayed at my parents for the day and over night. Yippee! Erik and I went out to lunch, and then started the long process of appliance shopping. We spent about 3 hours at Sears learning about a million different appliances and figuring out which ones were the best for us to buy. We also had to compare it to the best time to buy. So we ended up buying a new Fridge that will be delivered this weekend, and then mid August we will go back to buy the other ones we picked out because of a sale they will have then. I can't wait to have them all in my kitchen!!!

We then went home to relax before getting ready for a date. We headed out around 6:30 pm and went to the Uptown area. After parking, we walked around to try and figure out where to eat. We noticed that Stellas was very busy and there was some water show down on the street next to it. So Stellas it was! Bring on the fish and sea food! Even though there were 16 parties ahead of us, we were determined to sit up on the patio/roof top. So we waited.... and waited.... and waited.... and had a beer... and a beer... and a beer.... till finally they called our name over an hour later. Wow! Appetizers were necessary after the beer. But our food came pretty fast, and it was enjoyable chatting and people watching. So we didn't mind a bit!

After dinner we walked around for a while, popped into a book store, and went back to the wake boarding show in the street by Stellas. We hung out there for about 15 more minutes, before deciding to head home.

It was a good night! Glad we went out!

Andea

Here is the side of Stellas - you can see the roof top seating along the railing.


Even though it is July, I'm wearing jeans and had a jacket with me. Weird. But for most of the evening it was pretty nice!

Here is Erik in his new shirt and cute hat!

Can you say gut rot? Both Erik and I ordered the Walleye, and when it arrived we totally laughed at the giant portions. We could have easily shared one plate. Live and learn, I guess. It was fairly tasty, but I would recommend you eat something else.

Here is the show that was happening down below. This is the modified bike that was pulling a rope with a dude at the end on a wake board. It was not that great of a show, but by all the gawkers, you wouldn't know that.

This is the ramp and water that they ended up in.

Short video that I took from the roof top.

Please Pray for Stellan

One of the blogs I follow is called "My Charming Kids", and you can find the link on the left hand side under the blogs to read. It is about a local Twin Cities family who have had an amazing journey with their youngest son, Stellan. The short version of this amazing story is that this little 8 month old baby is back in the hospital due to a heart condition, and it isn't looking good for him. Can you please say a prayer for baby Stellan and his family? They really need your prayers.

You can see their web site here: http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

Andrea

40th Wedding Anniversary - Uncle Tim & Aunt Hilda

On Saturday evening we helped to celebrate my Uncle Tim & Aunt Hilda's 40th Wedding Anniversary! It was a wonderful event, and good to see so many people. Family came up from other states to attend, and I tried to talk to everyone (I was not successful, however)! The party was at a local park, and it was perfect! Right next to a playground so the kids could run around on it while the adults watched and talked. There was face painting, and balloon animals also for the kids. This was a very family friendly event! (you can also tell that there are more kids in the family now vs 6 years ago!) We all chatted away and anxiously awaited for the food to be ready. They had an amazing pig roast and very tasty side dishes. It was amazing! After about 3 hours, we had to take our tired & dirty kids home for a quick bath and then bed time. We were exhausted, but happy!

Happy Anniversary! We are so happy for you both!

Andrea

Tim & Hilda said a few words and got a little choked up - very sweet!

Myles getting his face paint - he was so excited to do this!

The final result - Sponge Bob on both cheeks!

Holly sat still long enough for one cute flower on her cheek.

Holly was obsessed with the balloon animals that the teens were making - she actually popped about 5 of them and thought it was super fun!

Myles played sword fight with these 2 teens - he had a blast! We considered paying them, but decided it was just good family fun for everyone.

Hmmm... Holly with more balloons.... she was obsessed with these ones as well (in fact, as I sit here making this posting, Holly is holding the balloon that she brought home. I dread the moment that it pops...)

Okay - kinda a gross picture, but I had to take this! It was a very tasty pig roast!

Here is the amazing cake that Renee made for the event. She is sooooo talented!

A great picture of my Grandma, 2 Aunts, and my Mom.

I took the opportunity to get a picture with my Mom.

Erik hanging out with my cousin Andy.

Finally, a lovely (not) self picture of Erik and I!

Adventures at Spring Brook Nature Center

Team Johnson decided that Saturday was a good day to pack a picnic and head out to explore Spring Brook Nature Center. While the kids have been there with their Grandma, we haven't had a chance to take them with us.

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The weather was a bit cool (I am totally shocked that we are wearing sweatshirts in JULY!), but it was still good for a hike on the trails and a picnic lunch. We started out inside the building to see the reptiles and look at the other nature things they have. It was fun to explore! We headed outside after that. The kids had a blast looking for things in nature, checking out the water, and talking to the ducks that came over to us. We walked for about 30 minutes, and they did pretty well. Just a little complaining from Myles, and Holly got tired so we had to carry her a few times. Oh well. Over all - it was super fun! I would highly recommend this wonderful diamond in the rough for some good family fun!

Andrea

Holly climbing on a rock (she insisted on bringing her Recorder out with her - there were times she was "making music" while we were walking. I half expected the rats to come running like the Pied Piper!)

There was this great window to watch the squirrels run around and eat seeds. It was cute!

Myles by the fish tank - He was amazed by the giant catfish.

The kids looking at the animals - I had to try to explain to Myles that they used to be alive, but now they are stuffed and posed for people to look at.... that was difficult to explain to a 5 year old.

Holly and Myles take a little rest during our hike.

Erik with the kids - what a cute family!

One part of the trail has this floating bridge that was fascinating for the kids, but freaked us out because we thought one of the kids would fall off into the water. I was glad when we finally got to the other side an were on land! But I did get some cute pictures on the bridge!

Here we are looking at some ducks in the water.

The ducks were pretty tame and didn't really pay much attention to us. It made for fun animal watching!

Potty Excitement

Tonight, while getting Holly ready for bed, she asked to go potty. I thought it was just a stall tactic, but decided to encourage the potty behavior. Well, much to all of our surprise.... she actually went potty! It is probably a fluke thing, but we were very excited! While rocking her before bed time, we talked a lot about being a big girl now, and she was smiling and giggling about it. So we are extremely hopeful that this is the start of potty training!

Sorry for the potty picture, but I was so proud of her that I had to take this picture!

Is anyone out there?

So, Erik and I have been blogging for about 3 years, and I started to wonder today.... "Does anyone actually read my blog?" We originally started this blog to update family and friends on what we were doing, and to share pictures of our kids. But maybe Erik and I are the only ones who look at our own blog. How sad would that be! But it isn't such a stretch since we have no followers, and rarely do we get comments on our post.

And this brings me to my sad, little plea. If you read my blog, could you either leave a little comment on this post to indicate you are a reader (please leave your name - don't just be anonymous) and if you really want to make my day, consider becoming a follower of my blog. I feel a bit pathetic asking for people to leave me a note in the comments, but as I refuse to join Facebook, I feel a little lonely and yet curious to know who checks out my blog.

Thanks in advance to all my family and friends who leave me a post or become a follower!
Love,
Andrea

Two years ago...

Two years ago, my sweet little girl was born! I had the choice of 2 different dates for the c-section... either Friday the 13th or 7/11. Hmmm... either my baby would be born on a superstitious day, or on a date that sounds like the local convenience store. I chose 7/11 for the grand date. So 2 years ago, we met our little convenience store baby girl! And what a grand day that was!

As a result, we were able to celebrate her 2 year birthday today. The weather was PERFECT today -not to hot, but lots of sunshine! Holly wore her cute little sundress that she got from her daycare provider (I have since learned that the provider's 3 year old daughter actually was the one who picked out the dress!). Holly initially was not super convinced that this was the right dress for her today (basically.... this means that she totally tantrumed about me forcing the dress on her and she failed at her attempts to rip it off her little body.) Once she came around to my way of thinking, the day got off to a good start. But then I brought out the cute princess birthday hat.... and that, my friends, caused her to totally tantrum because it wouldn't really stay on her head. Finally, my brilliant husband decided to remove the hat and hide it so that we didn't have to deal with it any more. Good move Erik!

Family joined us sometime after 11:00 am for some yummy grilled cheese burgers and a bunch of side dishes. Cake was had immediately after that since Myles was totally whining about it. Next was the gift opening. Holly seemed to like everything, and played with most of it all after her nap this afternoon.

Basically, it was a wonderful 2 year birthday party, and we are so glad that people could share it with us! Thanks everyone! And we love you Holly!!!

The group singing Happy Birthday to the sweetest little girl in the world!

Here is Holly's cake - not what I initially wanted, but I couldn't get the cute little animal one b/c the store ran out of the little animal toppers. Bummer. So I ended up going with a Tinker Bell theme. Table cloth, cups, plates, napkins.... all Tinker Bell!

Just a close up of the cake topper.

So here is Holly in the really cute Princess Birthday hat - it was sooooo cute and she was really into it. I'm super bummed that it kept slipping off her head.

Holly with her cake

The best part of having a birthday, is eating the cake!

Here is Erik, our 2 kids, and Patrick & Nicole all eating cake with ice cream!

Same group, different angle - Loving the new hat honey!

Mom (Grandma), Dad (Grandpa), and Erica (Auntie)

After cake, we moved inside for the gift opening - Holly climbed up next to Patrick

Holly opening up the main gift from Erik and I ... I wonder what it is....

Oh look! Mommy got Holly a noisy, music playing, sound making Rocket from the Little Einsteins! What was I thinking!

Grandma got Holly these super funny ducky slippers. I think she will wear them every day!

Opening more gifts. This was from the Lehners - a cute dress and some awesome bugs! Always a big hit at the Johnson house!

Holly with her beloved Rocket

Holly with Grandma - so cute!

Auntie Erica hugs Holly good bye!

Mommy holding Holly - I still can't believe she is 2 years old.... feels like she was born just yesterday!

The Popsicle Family

When it comes to Popsicles, Team Johnson can sure pack them away! Erik, Myles, and Holly LOVE to eat popsicles... almost daily! I would say I'm the weak link for this team when it comes to popsicles. I have maybe 3 per summer. But Erik has one daily, and the kids almost have one per day. So needless to say, we have stock in the tastiest brand of popsicles!

Holly having a cherry flavored popsicle! She ate about half of it before I found it melting on the coffee table.

Myles devoured his orange flavored popsicle, and wanted more. I think he has seen how is dad can consume the popsicles. Good thing we buy sugar free ones! They are like 10 calories per popsicle. Good deal!

After eating 1/2 her popsicle, Holly decided to pull all the stickers off her Birthday crown that she wore at daycare. She thought she looked so pretty with all those stickers on her shirt!

Celebrating our Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!! Yes, I know that it is now July 7th, but I didn't have a chance to spread the cheer to the country on Saturday so I'm doing it now! :)

Team Johnson (yes... that is a new phrase that I'm starting now!) packed up and loaded into the car on Friday morning for our annual trek to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to spend quality time with out extended family (Maternal side of Andrea's family). This is something that I look forward to every year since there are so many that I only get to see during this family gathering. Much preparation went into this 5 hour road trip. I hit up the dollar section at Target to get silly little trinkets to occupy our busy little kids in the car. They really do ride fairly well in the car - and can I say "I love the travel DVD player!!!!" It really helps to pass the time for the kids.

We got to Sioux Falls around 2 pm and hauled our stuff into the hotel room (thank goodness for hotel suites!). Then headed over to Grandma's house a few blocks away. We basically hung out there for most of Friday before retiring for the day back at our home away from home. Took the kids to the hotel pool, which ended up being a major let down. The pool was FREEZING - they didn't turn on the heater. Bummer. And it was to deep for Holly, so I had to get into the water to prevent her from jumping off the bottom stair and sinking to the bottom of the pool. After about 20 freezing minutes, an opportunity presented itself (not to be mentioned here) and we made a quick escape up to our room & got the kids ready for bed.

On Saturday we played and ate ALL DAY LONG at Grandma's house. It was great to catch up with family and have the annual picnic. But honestly.... it really is just 12 hours of non-stop eating. Food is every where. I haven't even weighed myself to see what the damage is. I'm hoping that by the time I do so, it will have gone away. We basically let the kids gorge themselves on junk all day. Holly ate chocolate cake and cheese balls for dinner on Saturday. What good parents we are! Myles played most of the day with his favorite cousin, Lily. I'm sure he will be talking about her for the rest of the summer! He loves that girl! I'll have to tell him someday that even though he is legally able to marry his 2nd cousin, it will be frowned upon by all. Maybe we won't have to worry about that since he did shove her down off the chair during the picnic - she may not want to marry someone who pushes her.

Saturday night was a long one at the hotel. Holly didn't sleep well, and as a result... we didn't either. Oh well. Someday she will sleep.... We went over to Grandma's on Sunday morning for a little while before hitting the road for the 5 hour trek home. We actually made good time, and got home around 3:30 pm or so. That was good timing so that we could run around and play outside for several hours to get our energy out before bed time.

It was a really good trip, and we enjoyed every minute of it! So wonderful to see everyone, and I'm already looking forward to next year!

Saturday picnic - not sure why Patrick and Nicole are smelling their hands......... what's up with that guys?

Another shot of people eating lunch

Here are Myles and Lily - they were so funny to watch, and had a good time playing. I'm so glad that they are so close in age because that makes them perfect for hanging out together during the family gatherings!

Erica and Pete after eating a yummy 4th of July picnic lunch!

My Uncle Ted had his 50th birthday, so we had to get a cake to celebrate it! And if you look closely, you will see that his shirt says "I put Ketchup on my Ketchup" and that is sooo true for this guy! The cake was very tasty, and most had a piece along with the 5 different kinds of Pie that were sliced up next to it.

Goofy Holly at lunch. She didn't eat much more than her hot dog. Maybe because by this time she had already eaten a pound of junk food....

My cousin Stacey and I - maybe I should have gotten someone to take the picture for us. Oh well - next year!

This is Erik with my cousin's husband, Jason. These two are so funny and get away with murder during these family gatherings!

My cousin William at the picnic - he brought his "friend" to the family gathering. I wonder if this friendship will result in a wedding someday...........

Myles climbing Grandma's tree

Here is the cutest picture of my kids with Great Grandma.