Team Johnson meets the wilderness

On Friday morning, Team Johnson left at 7:30 am with the kids for the great wilderness adventure up North! After driving over 3 hours, we finally arrived to my parent's camper. My mom was there to greet us, and the kids were thrilled to see her! After a brief tour of the camper and the camp grounds we settled in for the 3 day weekend. The pictures below outline our 3 day adventure:

Here is the camper that we stayed in for 3 days, 2 nights. There is a bedroom at either side of the camper, so the kids slept in one room and Erik & I in the other. It is really quite big, and was perfect to stay in for the weekend!

After we brought our stuff into the camper, Myles brought us down to the beach to show us around (he was here once before with my mom). It was a really nice beach, and there are about 6 cabins that line the beach. We are hoping to rent a cabin sometime next year.

Erik standing on the dock. It was such a nice day, and we were in awe at how beautiful it was down by the lake!

Myles was laying on the dock and looking over the side at the plants in the water. It was so cute that I had to take a picture of him.

Holly pretty much copies what her brother does. Luckily for me, when I suggested that she lay on the dock like Myles, she was all to happy to copy him! So I snapped her picture as well! What a cutie!

Myles taking a moment to snuggle with Dad - they are so cute! A moment later he was off playing with some other kids who were also staying for the weekend. It was great to have them there so that the kids could run around with them. They bonded initially due to their love of Bionicoles, but then ran around the beach and on the playground equipment.

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Later, Erik cooked a really yummy dinner on Friday night, but the kids barely touched it. Oh well, more for us! After eating, we went for a nature hike, and found some good walking sticks. Holly ended up jabbing herself under the chin with her stick and cried. Oh, the drama that can come with young kids.

Friday night we had a little fire. The kids were fascinated by it, and hung out for a bit. Bed time came fast and we got them in bed by 8:30 pm. Holly was chatting away until about 9 pm, so I had to tell her to be quiet a few times. By this point, Erik and I were exhausted as well, so we went to bed about 9:30 and threw in a DVD for 30 minutes before we decided that sleeping was better. And it was a good thing since both kids were up at 6:00 am. Ugh.

On Saturday morning, Erik and Myles went fishing off the dock. Myles got a few nibbles on his bobber, but didn't hook the fish. He was really disappointed. Erik caught a whopping large fish (or so he'll tell you - but it was more like a 6 inch baby fish!) but released it. What a nice guy! We won't mention about how it basically was hooked so good that it died.....

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After fishing, Myles and Holly again were playing with the 2 boys at the beach. They built a sand castle, and were getting buckets of water and pouring it down the trenches around their creation. Myles basically got soaking wet. I only had one other pair of pants, and knew that wouldn't last. So around 11:00 am, we packed the kids up in the car and headed into town. We went to.................................................Walmart! Shocking.... I know! Don't worry, I prayed for forgiveness after shopping there. :) We only got the bare minimum which was a pair of sweat pants and sweat shirt for Myles, and a cute pair of jammies for Holly (hers weren't fitting so well). Each kid got to pick out one small toy as well. We made it back in time to grill for lunch and then have nap time. Yeah for nap time! I even slept, while Erik went out fishing again. You'll have to ask him if he caught anything!

Holly picked out this ugly looking lizard toy at the store, and then brought it down to the beach after nap time. It got dirty in the sand, so here she is laying on the dock and dangling her lizard into the water to wash it off. She did this for about 10 minutes. It was really cute.

The next thing I know, Myles has his pants rolled up (with Daddy's help) and is walking in the water. Holly wanted to do the same thing... of course. They both got soaking wet. I should have just brought swim suits, but it was actually to chilly to go swimming for real. So we are on outfit number 3 at this point on Saturday! Good thing we went to the store!

After we changed clothes from "swimming", Erik ordered pizza from the main office, and we finally chowed down when it came. Yes, I know that most people don't get pizza delivered when camping, but let's be honest..... this really isn't camping!

Erik relaxing by the fire after eating pizza!

Holly snuggled into my lap as the sun went down, and we watched the fire burn. She was so cute! The kids actually slept pretty good each night. We would put Holly to bed first, and then have Myles sneak into the room later.

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On Saturday night, Myles was so tired that he fell asleep on Erik's lap! It was really cute, and we talked about how this might be the last time Myles falls asleep on our laps since he is getting so big & grown up. Amazing how fast the past 5 1/2 years have gone!

After the kids went to bed, we spent some time hanging out by the fire. It was so peaceful! But again, by about 9:00 pm, we were exhausted, so we went to bed to read for a bit. It didn't last to long before we practically fell asleep reading. So we just turned off the lights b/c we figured the kids would be up early again!

Here is a cute video of Myles and Holly in the hammock, down by the beach. They can be so funny some times!

Wedding Bliss - Cousin Margot

On Saturday, Erik and I invited my Sister to babysit the kids so that we could attend a wedding child free (which means "stress free"!). Erik's cousin, Margot, tied the knot with her now husband, Paul. The whole family was excited for the wedding, and you could feel that excitement in the room. We were a few minutes late to the wedding ceremony, so we didn't see them go down the aisle, but everyone looked so lovely. They played our wedding song at their ceremony - "I will be here" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Yes, I know it is not "our" song, but it feels that way to me! :)

After the ceremony, we mingled for a bit with family before heading into the reception hall. (Good move to have the reception where the wedding was!) We were assigned to table 10 (I know you were dying to know what table we were at), and were pleasantly surprised to find we were at the table with 2 of Erik's cousins and their family. Best table in the room! It was a total blast and we wouldn't have wanted it any other way! (Thanks Margot for the great table assignment!)

Dancing and a slide show followed dinner (and several free beers!). One awesome move that they did at the wedding was to bring out delicious pizza at about 10 pm or so. Yum! All of Erik's cousins hung out at the wedding for almost the entire time. We actually left before several of them. It was a very lively wedding, with great family. I would do it again in a heart beat!

Congrats Margot and Paul!




This was their wedding topper - I thought it was hysterical, so I took a picture.






Just a couple pictures of Erik and I all dressed up - a far cry from our usual shabby look! (Just kidding.... kinda... but not really....)




Cousin Brian growling like a tiger...



Lara and Kirsten (married to Erik's cousins)




Us gals with the Bride - Beautiful Margot!



Cousins kissing Uncle Steve!




The first dance for the Bride and Groom - they danced to our song "Wonderful Tonight".... (okay - again I realize that the artist who sings this song may argue that it is his song, not ours...)






Is this a wedding or a party? They had a balloon "artist" walking around making balloon animals & hats for the kids. Yet another great idea!




Erik & cousin Diane (whom is called Boo)



Erik & cousin Brian

Do Not Enter

Thursday night was a bit tough with Myles. Well, that's not accurate. The last 20+ minutes of the night was tough. Myles didn't want to stop playing a game on Erik's iPhone when it was time for brushing teeth & going to bed. I did all I could to prepare him. I gave him a 15 minute warning, a 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 30 seconds, 15 seconds, and literally counted down the last 5 seconds. Not something I usually have to do. A 5 minute warning is usually all it takes. Perhaps I was a bit psychic and knew I needed more. Well, it wasn't enough. He began to whine, then tantrum, then cry. We ended up taking 3 large toys away from him. In response, Myles grabbed his Magnadoodle and said "I'm making a sign that says you can't come in my room!".

So..... what exactly does a sign like that look like? I wondered too, and couldn't help but go look at what he set outside his door.

So, without further a due, I give you the sign:

I'm At Capella (Best Places to Work - I'm on a Boat Parody)

Myles goes to Kindergarten

Well..... the day has come. Myles started school today. Erik and I are both happy for him, and sad for us. The past 5.5 years has gone both fast and slow all at the same time. I know Myles is ready for school, and I'm ready for him to go to school, but I can't help but be a little sad about it. Sigh. Last night Myles was very excited as we picked out his clothes and got his backpack ready for Tuesday morning. And then this morning he was in high spirits as he got ready for school. Holly had a hard time going to daycare without her brother. She clung to me and cried. Poor girl! But when I got home, we took some pictures of Myles and got into the car to go to school. Erik and I drove him today, so that we could experience just a small part of what will be the next 13 years of his life! He did wonderful - only one small moment of hesitation. Other wise he jumped right in.

I will miss him today - weird since I've been a working Mom and typically can't spend the day with him during the week. But it is different today, so I'm sure I'll think about him all day. I can't wait to hear all about his first day and the friends he makes!

Congrats Myles! We love you and are so proud of you!
Mommy

Picture of his backpack and shoes waiting by the stairs.

Myles poses for his picture. He is such a big kid, but looks so small with that giant backpack on him!

Doesn't he look cute?

Daddy and Myles

Mommy & Myles

Myles wanted to do a silly face picture. He is so goofy!

This was Myles's idea - so he paused and posed for a pic of him getting into the car.

Myles enthusiastically heading into school!

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Here we are at the doors of school - there's no heading back now!

Walking down the hallway towards the Adventures plus room. That is where he will be until school starts shortly after 9:00 am.

The kids had to line up their backpacks. Hope he remembers his is the red & grey one!

This was his moment of hesitation. But Daddy helped him get through it.

I had to go take a picture of his classroom. I asked him if he remembered what room number he goes to, and he actually did! Good memory Myles!

The kids got to choose if they wanted to play inside or outside. Myles wanted to head outside. So the Adventures plus teachers lined the kids up, took names, counted the number of kids, and then they filed out of the room in orderly fashion to go play on the playground. I think this structure will be really good for Myles!

Apple Jack Orchard - Year 2

For the second year in a row Team Johnson went to Apple Jack Orchards to pick apples and had some good old family fun! We were fortunate enough to go with our friends, so we all had a blast together. We got there about 11:15 am, and headed straight to pick some fresh apples. While picking apples, we of course had to sample them.... like a million of them! Yum! We also did some of the fun activities on the apple farm, and ate a picnic lunch. After 90+ minutes, we decided we better head home for nap time. This is a great place to visit, and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

Andrea

Some cute tractor wheels that they painted and put the farm name on it.

Myles tried to crawl through them all... obviously he couldn't get through the smallest one.

Holly had fun on this wooden truck, until she fell off and cut her lip. After crying for about 5 minutes, she pulled herself together and had some more fun!

Preston and Holly picking apples - there were several different varieties of apples in the orchard. They were soooo yummy!

Here are Holly and Preston working together to get the best apples!

Mason with some apples in his bag - he was a good apple picker!

Myles proudly displaying his yummy red apple.

Me holding Holly's apple juice as we walked around picking apples off the trees.

Justin and Gwen tasting the apples - I can't remember which ones at this point, but they were sooo good!

Erik, Justin, and Gwen browsing the orchard!

Little Preston at one point had 3 apples in his hands with multiple bites out of each one. It was sooo funny!

The two little ones off to find another apple tree!

Myles and Mason pause for a picture - they are so funny together! Like two little brothers goofing around all day long!

Erik and I take yet another self portrait - I seem to be into these lately!

There was a cute little barn shed next to the apple trees, so we thought it would be cute to line the kids up for some pictures.

We then headed over to the apple cannon. The little ones didn't know what to make of it. Mason couldn't hardly wait to try it again this year. I think he even hit the bulls eye!

At one point, Holly decided that she didn't like the sound of the apple cannon, so Daddy cuddled her and offered her lots of kisses - so cute!

Even the big boys covered their ears while waiting for their turn.

Myles went back and forth, trying to decide if he wanted to do the cannon. I think he was thrown off by the sound as well. But in the end, he did shoot out some of the apples. I think he was glad he did it.

We took the opportunity to take a family photo. Don't be surprised if you see this picture on the Christmas letter this December!

There was a cute cow train that was pulled by a tractor thing (can't remember exactly what it was). So I got a picture of each of the kids in their cow. Holly sat in this one named Nancy! They all actually ended up in different cows by the time it took off.

Myles sitting in a cow named Jane.

Preston in the cow named Babe.

Mason in Sadie the cow.

Here is the cute video of the kids on the little cow tractor ride. They had a blast!