tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40653343724332220402024-03-05T05:25:59.977-05:00The Johnson JungleJen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-5219541462233937902010-07-11T23:36:00.016-04:002010-07-12T01:01:50.003-04:00Trip to CincinnatiSo, once again, a post that is very late. Pretty much the theme of my blog...;) Oh, well. As long as it gets done sometime I'm ok with it! :)<br /><br />In May, Brad and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary. We decided to take a few days and go to Cincinnati. To the zoo. With Ella. Hmmmmm...we're all about romance here, aren't we??? ;) We had some great family time, and that's what counts!<br /><br />We drove there on a Friday night while tornadoes were swirling all around us. Pretty uneventful, fortunately, and by the time we got to our hotel, the rain had stopped. It was pretty late, so while Ella and Brad relaxed and went to bed, I went in search of a local Wal-Mart to replace most of the toiletries I had forgotten...grrrrrr. <br /><br />The next morning, we woke up ready to face the day and head to the ZOO! :) Funny story (now) to how the day started...we went down to the lobby to get breakfast and decided to bring the food back to our room, which was just around the corner. Ella wanted fruit loops, so I let her carry the bowl. She was walking ahead of us, eating them as she went. She was about to go too far past our room, so both Brad and I told her to come back. She immediately stopped and started screaming like she was hurt. We couldn't figure out what happened and got her into our room quickly to try and find out. Her right eye was bright red and tearing uncontrollably. What the heck happened?? After much crying and drama, we finally figured out she was telling us she poked herself in the eye with a fruit loop! Seriously?? She really did too! Gave herself a corneal abrasion. That poor girl dealt with light sensitivity and tearing all day, outside at the zoo on one of the brightest days of the year. Good thing she loves to wear her sunglasses! <br /><br />This was a quick pic before we left. We got her to forget about her eye for a few minutes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4OmIYhjBUpsmhbgMKMVtTv55-TPMhLRFh_QJ7VYcRHhIzkq5huEtm6rOJmBfz4lRNXwDH3b6bKLuykSuRe6lzMhu577uk9kNEHmRRUDbh1P_ch17GkQSLaWY4TJr49oM6vDsE4tvMoWz/s1600/IMG_4369.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4OmIYhjBUpsmhbgMKMVtTv55-TPMhLRFh_QJ7VYcRHhIzkq5huEtm6rOJmBfz4lRNXwDH3b6bKLuykSuRe6lzMhu577uk9kNEHmRRUDbh1P_ch17GkQSLaWY4TJr49oM6vDsE4tvMoWz/s320/IMG_4369.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492860613212998722" /></a><br /><br />This was on the way to the zoo. An artsy family pic?? Hmmmmm....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ7GHbVRBv7oidTph536KRaXmlCdRkiW2ce8pjiYCoSADEzWkIZ11wcApAeM_pLKwAlC9y-65oziYbUvUgaD3539iYQD1ZrSo0Z1OQZpIeSpPRs4DBrXINyn6NA26vunnelkOqo5LENMF/s1600/IMG_4372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ7GHbVRBv7oidTph536KRaXmlCdRkiW2ce8pjiYCoSADEzWkIZ11wcApAeM_pLKwAlC9y-65oziYbUvUgaD3539iYQD1ZrSo0Z1OQZpIeSpPRs4DBrXINyn6NA26vunnelkOqo5LENMF/s320/IMG_4372.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492861791892471522" /></a><br /><br />Here's some pics at the zoo. Ella had a good time, but was really tame and quiet for a lot of it, which is unlike her. Is it wrong to say that it was kind of a nice anniversary present?? Minus the pain, of course! :( <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufinhOZiDwi2epWYSRnWgkDUwAmJjVG3hs5IJF66SW2N3xSkJoX50oV_75nVEpIOQjilCqEi2hUPrE2cbK6HgHtz4iif2PQVTf3VYDjKju2Dh_D_cF9I-sS0FsTxn8bmtQJa9O-QQIoJR/s1600/IMG_4375.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufinhOZiDwi2epWYSRnWgkDUwAmJjVG3hs5IJF66SW2N3xSkJoX50oV_75nVEpIOQjilCqEi2hUPrE2cbK6HgHtz4iif2PQVTf3VYDjKju2Dh_D_cF9I-sS0FsTxn8bmtQJa9O-QQIoJR/s320/IMG_4375.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492866896888303522" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNcVcDY3ih-3b3yDP75lLfgEs6EAfP-OszqaikqBnJaTPekncD5lNLHrJrGvLIfpeVjRHUCbvQ82FNDXGyPjrWqWMOob2BNuT1Xn0IWhuA0aU6ZekXe6MQjh8ibmkdnNd32xiB6GduZ_9/s1600/IMG_4379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNcVcDY3ih-3b3yDP75lLfgEs6EAfP-OszqaikqBnJaTPekncD5lNLHrJrGvLIfpeVjRHUCbvQ82FNDXGyPjrWqWMOob2BNuT1Xn0IWhuA0aU6ZekXe6MQjh8ibmkdnNd32xiB6GduZ_9/s320/IMG_4379.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492867573471837730" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhq3RmTX7j2ewjP-Mm5hg4b97lb_kFq1153DyHEVFh4cyLsNKwumXxdjzBKsGDC4ppxfZkmlHc2WiZnfpvfyaCz40e_iXjcnnZ5DODgsqJzSeHTugN2wXmGLHg1HrqLB-qe-MFFfNEBDZ/s1600/IMG_4381.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhq3RmTX7j2ewjP-Mm5hg4b97lb_kFq1153DyHEVFh4cyLsNKwumXxdjzBKsGDC4ppxfZkmlHc2WiZnfpvfyaCz40e_iXjcnnZ5DODgsqJzSeHTugN2wXmGLHg1HrqLB-qe-MFFfNEBDZ/s320/IMG_4381.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492867590142223042" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZZvFa0sTo-4UGt8V7oUJgEJyvgi3Gvu-sd4guHZmob82LTEpVwscu7-kmj5gK1QGI3WRLCrRIjO-DTLhGmMbbimgqSkBejXL9RFDYrjSvdCxw3ze2n1vf2NQXBUUsnSE-JBRQ8cdwVxi/s1600/IMG_4382.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZZvFa0sTo-4UGt8V7oUJgEJyvgi3Gvu-sd4guHZmob82LTEpVwscu7-kmj5gK1QGI3WRLCrRIjO-DTLhGmMbbimgqSkBejXL9RFDYrjSvdCxw3ze2n1vf2NQXBUUsnSE-JBRQ8cdwVxi/s320/IMG_4382.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492867598168780802" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9s0EtSCJDYuZUKoIty5xbFYgiJBT3Mx-fYI-p3x9OjtiS7Depxncy0ZPuhUjBMoy3glTJcOogxg01bD6pOy-F_t2kaPaHmNPAc-2nsdK6k9_ORzWg5oNIh6P1lflhlMVSS4MfLa6_0lF/s1600/IMG_4383.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9s0EtSCJDYuZUKoIty5xbFYgiJBT3Mx-fYI-p3x9OjtiS7Depxncy0ZPuhUjBMoy3glTJcOogxg01bD6pOy-F_t2kaPaHmNPAc-2nsdK6k9_ORzWg5oNIh6P1lflhlMVSS4MfLa6_0lF/s320/IMG_4383.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492867601159609954" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInx0IDpRkvS81EgWZ7GJ60CnvBnuGu8mX8Nk0S80FIc6x8q-nqwh7peornXTLRhCBTNS2o69g4sDx_P-KyX5Jk71pCdgbTAjqR4ZTB4FC8eulMo4SXmqLJjD4soRnqM22q_f_ilLZEexL/s1600/IMG_4389.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInx0IDpRkvS81EgWZ7GJ60CnvBnuGu8mX8Nk0S80FIc6x8q-nqwh7peornXTLRhCBTNS2o69g4sDx_P-KyX5Jk71pCdgbTAjqR4ZTB4FC8eulMo4SXmqLJjD4soRnqM22q_f_ilLZEexL/s320/IMG_4389.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492871901332667970" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />So, this was my bright idea. I had read in the brochure that you could feed some birds nectar and they'd come up and drink it right out of your hand. Riiiigghhht. I so wasn't thinking that in order to do this, birds would be flying around everywhere and could poop wherever they pleased. ICK!!!! We got into the closed-in area and got our cup of nectar, which my very brave husband held. Immediately birds started swarming him, and this is when I started to realize this wasn't the place for me. The birds would try to take the whole cup out of his hand, and then one landed on his back pecking at his head and REFUSED to get off. Brad's trying to shake him off, I'm freaking out and covering my own head, and Ella..is.....CRACKING up laughing...for the first time that day. She was seriously almost on the ground in hysterics she thought it was so funny there was a bird on Brad's head, and still talks about it a month and a half later! As soon as he shook the bird off, we dropped the nectar and got the heck out of there! As entertaining as it was for Ella, it was that disgusting to me! Ewww.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-Kv9tj8Xdl6i_iN01YBZ3f1blzozt5cJua328RHd_R0hxqwuW3Yngr1WG65vLxFZ7a5DVVQAsRe9azbJIjHcc_ONu8PAmWVpkPL6vjVoT48uCNW7p9n_GaEXwxXG0bIKjaxIDD-rhmAh/s1600/IMG_4385.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-Kv9tj8Xdl6i_iN01YBZ3f1blzozt5cJua328RHd_R0hxqwuW3Yngr1WG65vLxFZ7a5DVVQAsRe9azbJIjHcc_ONu8PAmWVpkPL6vjVoT48uCNW7p9n_GaEXwxXG0bIKjaxIDD-rhmAh/s320/IMG_4385.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492871513820436642" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVpPYAMqZl4hsFG6sNdFZSsQWx1I7CPIAJjG2SF3SWPKzO8sSJ-oP09ZIKLTkUXomiAccvgxC4VzkLqOu6NJh1SLeBEZs3sZaTN_G-Nuoy8XIjtlrZRiJcJJ82MqRT4JCdccnW8gzUvaD/s1600/IMG_4386.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVpPYAMqZl4hsFG6sNdFZSsQWx1I7CPIAJjG2SF3SWPKzO8sSJ-oP09ZIKLTkUXomiAccvgxC4VzkLqOu6NJh1SLeBEZs3sZaTN_G-Nuoy8XIjtlrZRiJcJJ82MqRT4JCdccnW8gzUvaD/s320/IMG_4386.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492871611611941330" /></a><br /><br />It just so happened that the day we were there they had a special program with "Barney." Now, I know I'm all about romance, and since it was our actual anniversary, I suggested we try and see it because it would make Ella happy. :) I have to admit, it made me happy too, because by mid-afternoon, I was ready for a little break. We shared a dish of ice cream while we waited for the show to start, and when he came out, Ella was in heaven! 2nd time that day that she really showed some enthusiasm...LOL. Luckily it was only about a 20 minute show, enough to make her happy, and just enough not to drive the parents completely nuts. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ut7wbgVic1vYcYsRNqLv7-mAMNxneHw5Qubmj3ItN5zS-1VoI-6kqm2ClJi6hB-QFUZkA3aFHHZq2FnAdi9NVUxz2-2jgIVpK5I11FskTZa4IQ07LZ_r0h4DDBRQvjUjov4ST_Cp4mYN/s1600/IMG_4395.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ut7wbgVic1vYcYsRNqLv7-mAMNxneHw5Qubmj3ItN5zS-1VoI-6kqm2ClJi6hB-QFUZkA3aFHHZq2FnAdi9NVUxz2-2jgIVpK5I11FskTZa4IQ07LZ_r0h4DDBRQvjUjov4ST_Cp4mYN/s320/IMG_4395.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492873822451680482" /></a><br /><br />After the zoo, we went back to the hotel for a little while to swim before heading to dinner. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jRE5nDjNHADqMfuvLzQPunrtYyKco_wMszO6gLJou4z4ijEZQ8jrzUMwzT5Rlmd1a50bJGD9mTKyb50d-iqefw5G1_3WG6F2-BBZ26Iq_MGahcoleuCNBnkQhlPdR2sXuIFmUo5562m5/s1600/IMG_4406.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jRE5nDjNHADqMfuvLzQPunrtYyKco_wMszO6gLJou4z4ijEZQ8jrzUMwzT5Rlmd1a50bJGD9mTKyb50d-iqefw5G1_3WG6F2-BBZ26Iq_MGahcoleuCNBnkQhlPdR2sXuIFmUo5562m5/s320/IMG_4406.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492874295020395090" /></a><br /><br />After swimming, we got cleaned up and ready to go again!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0O67Ce5kQXVNei1AVCPUqYJWEkmC5aH3l44pqWzxX-N9RtWl7j4bfUQ2y2RVNCpgs0hizIBKwk8saduchAUINVynBVVXoXfhK_qNUtcqyTR5A9cT_1KdqbMi-zLYDjW9HAWWItogB3zy/s1600/IMG_4409.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0O67Ce5kQXVNei1AVCPUqYJWEkmC5aH3l44pqWzxX-N9RtWl7j4bfUQ2y2RVNCpgs0hizIBKwk8saduchAUINVynBVVXoXfhK_qNUtcqyTR5A9cT_1KdqbMi-zLYDjW9HAWWItogB3zy/s320/IMG_4409.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492874780623193282" /></a><br /><br />We went to one of Brad and I's fav places for dinner...PF Chang's. YUM. Ella was so well-behaved for us, we wondered if we had the right child....Before dinner came, we kept her entertained with the chopsticks. (Oh, and if you're wondering, by the evening her eye was MUCH better. :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwnH_0BF5qF9epD0A9NpKyp8xBBSW8ysl24W97a7EUBxNlYkQ1uFyJTF5JdlsnR9apIVoKS-BIE8qHlRPSXl3KX36OL1-KnVTwCiYN6cbouTKIgLyUT-q55DP-Igmm2ZEb6mj8s1eBxCy/s1600/IMG_4412.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwnH_0BF5qF9epD0A9NpKyp8xBBSW8ysl24W97a7EUBxNlYkQ1uFyJTF5JdlsnR9apIVoKS-BIE8qHlRPSXl3KX36OL1-KnVTwCiYN6cbouTKIgLyUT-q55DP-Igmm2ZEb6mj8s1eBxCy/s320/IMG_4412.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492875838452599522" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknVTS4J5Hv_OoDD9utNIVaLV_jTf98mQYKQVNciL7yj-HMP7yIUCBrQZ-9H2voZ7x0bVz_yOMvME3DbpshjmBiub1FwB3QltmGI0Rtft5e7kygif7ysupisLdZxNKQ-i8XwXYroc6oiv0/s1600/IMG_4413.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknVTS4J5Hv_OoDD9utNIVaLV_jTf98mQYKQVNciL7yj-HMP7yIUCBrQZ-9H2voZ7x0bVz_yOMvME3DbpshjmBiub1FwB3QltmGI0Rtft5e7kygif7ysupisLdZxNKQ-i8XwXYroc6oiv0/s320/IMG_4413.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492875853164076914" /></a><br /><br />Outside the restaurant, there was a fountain area where some local college kids were playing some original music. We wandered over to listen for a few minutes, and Ella stole the show with her dancing. Hard to believe, I know! The guys were cracking up laughing at her, and she really won them over when she walked some money over and put it in their hat. :) Too cute. Perfect end to a perfect day. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokMtXZW44dztGWOG9c4JsWD1zfkEVBtRFq1GOpNABOF-W4AGqLrCcw1f6eYlbGqbKtNUXhkBOktVlW4bw3xhBpKjuWS73M4lWyy_Shrq9R0efR8_NFVoxkyxLvpDKt6-mpz9VqxYO4_YK/s1600/IMG_4414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokMtXZW44dztGWOG9c4JsWD1zfkEVBtRFq1GOpNABOF-W4AGqLrCcw1f6eYlbGqbKtNUXhkBOktVlW4bw3xhBpKjuWS73M4lWyy_Shrq9R0efR8_NFVoxkyxLvpDKt6-mpz9VqxYO4_YK/s320/IMG_4414.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492876879030353810" /></a><br /><br />The next morning we had breakfast drama-free, and headed out to finish up our time in Cincinnati. I selfishly wanted to go there not only for the zoo but for a first-time visit to IKEA!!!! :) I was pretty psyched about it, but didn't realize exactly how BIG this place was gonna be. Ella did pretty well, considering. We were there for 2 and 1/2 hrs and I could have easily stayed longer. Kinda had to rush through parts toward the end. I didn't find everything I was looking for, but we did have a successful trip and I can't wait to go back...without child(ren), preferrably! Thank God for Brad, he's such a trooper and keeps Ella occupied without complaint. Guess that's partly why we have such a good marriage. He knows to keep Momma happy! LOL<br /> <br />This was on our way out with our purchases. Ella's still shielding her eyes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-0iuelqZXeMQL9udJnT8uHH1nK17aho75iyaBthZUh2MghqUYo78sPcAWxoDc2m2N4Bg4tjV8_vRWPUpAXzfgcr45qdlS3Fyw-v4dBw7XBVxV3fCRGKYrUaufKnIleFGL9Cao3zMs_mQ/s1600/IMG_4419.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-0iuelqZXeMQL9udJnT8uHH1nK17aho75iyaBthZUh2MghqUYo78sPcAWxoDc2m2N4Bg4tjV8_vRWPUpAXzfgcr45qdlS3Fyw-v4dBw7XBVxV3fCRGKYrUaufKnIleFGL9Cao3zMs_mQ/s320/IMG_4419.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492878376004752018" /></a><br /><br />All in all, we had a great trip! These are such special times we are spending with Ella, and hope to get a few more getaways in before the next munchkin comes along! :)Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-531287372103728522010-06-12T22:02:00.018-04:002010-06-12T23:38:11.208-04:00Recent random picsThere's some more pictures over the past month or so I wanted to get posted on here, so this'll be a continuation of my catch-up from a couple of posts ago. It's funny how time flies so fast, some of these pics seem like they were so long ago!<br /><br />"Aunt" Jen's son turned 11 recently and we celebrated together at Bandido's. Ella was quite happy to have a partner on the bull ride. I'm sure Bren will be thrilled I posted this pic...;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv1ocRtsr2D6jEVIXWq-fkP4yVRK9TK30vrFIBeTghxmV9mSF5aVhJnkYy5qjg-NMHpuUCdz_kNGTIQ8IsPGEecCK2f4jwpji8ni5M6mP3g8jJzMkx1DOLQGdq5hPpGzhNfryrcFDDvQS/s1600/IMG_4290.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv1ocRtsr2D6jEVIXWq-fkP4yVRK9TK30vrFIBeTghxmV9mSF5aVhJnkYy5qjg-NMHpuUCdz_kNGTIQ8IsPGEecCK2f4jwpji8ni5M6mP3g8jJzMkx1DOLQGdq5hPpGzhNfryrcFDDvQS/s320/IMG_4290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482074857580190066" border="0"></a><br /><br />And...we couldn't wait for the zoo to open this year! We have a season pass, and we love it. It's so nice to just go over and walk a part of it for an hour or so and then leave if we want. I don't feel like I need to get "my money's worth" every time we go and wear Ella out. Although, if it was up to her, we'd go at least once a week! She absolutely loves to go, and I enjoy it too. <br /><br />I had to get the "usual" zoo pics. Funny how we have to do this <span style="font-style: italic;">every</span> year. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZsJ5nWioS0TX8RswcBJnDhHmxqI0KsU9RyLr_CQ9W3hZYuSx9y_W2eJ3s9km0owu_b3SI4sODtV6pHBCm93ophaJXizo-OSCVrzkIhgXLgd8_aLQv3wdei0hGJcTfopj1m8Zq0ydgSbc/s1600/IMG_4293.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZsJ5nWioS0TX8RswcBJnDhHmxqI0KsU9RyLr_CQ9W3hZYuSx9y_W2eJ3s9km0owu_b3SI4sODtV6pHBCm93ophaJXizo-OSCVrzkIhgXLgd8_aLQv3wdei0hGJcTfopj1m8Zq0ydgSbc/s320/IMG_4293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482075202802850114" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOogGLsSV9YWMd9tVeR10GUajM_Fa4_WEpq4p3rWKldcWjlH-2qmcdThRWXdGGxGVTH2b33BdadFi6Smn7ZtaGwHN3UZa5sAtroPHBQ_MAQ2yLw6N0_Z6nVOju7lPxSv64i2X-ijzmBdIp/s1600/IMG_4297.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOogGLsSV9YWMd9tVeR10GUajM_Fa4_WEpq4p3rWKldcWjlH-2qmcdThRWXdGGxGVTH2b33BdadFi6Smn7ZtaGwHN3UZa5sAtroPHBQ_MAQ2yLw6N0_Z6nVOju7lPxSv64i2X-ijzmBdIp/s320/IMG_4297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482075370737732530" border="0"></a><br /><br />This big lion is (or was) at the entrance of the zoo, and Ella looks so tiny next to it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOB4gyLd2kabDBr2wkUU8GdP7BoTBhjoO_u-enA2jt7XvIfsWesKFZA6H8ke4O2j-k5H60e_ZAF9sPRjZ_h4COkL4HqYuWLuTDaKiaEuCNlqbq7utdXNswrjj_EAtODVSnX965e4k-jC6/s1600/IMG_4302.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOB4gyLd2kabDBr2wkUU8GdP7BoTBhjoO_u-enA2jt7XvIfsWesKFZA6H8ke4O2j-k5H60e_ZAF9sPRjZ_h4COkL4HqYuWLuTDaKiaEuCNlqbq7utdXNswrjj_EAtODVSnX965e4k-jC6/s320/IMG_4302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482075378718450834" border="0"></a><br /><br />Our first visit, all of the kangaroos were gathered together in one area. Ella thought it was so cool. I, on the other hand, saw the size of their claws and there was nothing between us and them, and it freaked me out a little. Check out that guy on the very right...he was giving me the evil eye...I swear he was gonna charge at us any minute. Yes, I lived to tell about it, and NO, I'm not dramatic. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr419DwfG6aS1C8EM4dvq7moNOlrfNgRjJmRPr8Z-D3yJXHEPm4C1MeoEXla5dBz7aZoYAnReFhyYPlFx4n5ddDsc-LvRhf1PnKtrECA3QQiSCxTP7etze6NNhQShpqzNNeqkoYaFnLGJM/s1600/IMG_4295.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr419DwfG6aS1C8EM4dvq7moNOlrfNgRjJmRPr8Z-D3yJXHEPm4C1MeoEXla5dBz7aZoYAnReFhyYPlFx4n5ddDsc-LvRhf1PnKtrECA3QQiSCxTP7etze6NNhQShpqzNNeqkoYaFnLGJM/s320/IMG_4295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482075215552343890" border="0"></a><br /><br />Ella finally went on her first pony ride and was nervously excited. By the end of the ride she loved it and can't wait to go back with Daddy and show him how she can ride. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqmY9YcZEl3FpzauTyoZsKJSEkAkCbJcZCrwJgfsxnUPllrefdMurI-DtoH8-DBT9CdHLcS2ppMOYNO5geLc_GNNTMu3eBhIf7YNvbN4Gw9HJVtCIME9vjLcgYRpt9-u-w-R4_T8-N7rJ/s1600/IMG_4303.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqmY9YcZEl3FpzauTyoZsKJSEkAkCbJcZCrwJgfsxnUPllrefdMurI-DtoH8-DBT9CdHLcS2ppMOYNO5geLc_GNNTMu3eBhIf7YNvbN4Gw9HJVtCIME9vjLcgYRpt9-u-w-R4_T8-N7rJ/s320/IMG_4303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482086406412353586" border="0"></a><br /><br />Next up for us was celebrating Mother's Day. Here she is all dressed up and ready to go to a banquet with Grandma Johnson. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOV1I8pBuoC8ahJXzrjkYhLztgVRzrQUA19YTs7O82IDek_OJ7bEZCenIlAMYXaIuWmVIDF4TwXdVopNt6KbQTr0MSlA0rsCGkN_PPoPUmA_KTvpsxLZV4LZvrjYQFkvBEKA24Z3Drvnyz/s1600/IMG_4316.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOV1I8pBuoC8ahJXzrjkYhLztgVRzrQUA19YTs7O82IDek_OJ7bEZCenIlAMYXaIuWmVIDF4TwXdVopNt6KbQTr0MSlA0rsCGkN_PPoPUmA_KTvpsxLZV4LZvrjYQFkvBEKA24Z3Drvnyz/s320/IMG_4316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482086417547715538" border="0"></a><br /><br />The end of Ella's first pre-school year brought one more program. This one went much better than the <a href="http://johnsonjungle2007.blogspot.com/2009/12/ellas-1st-christmas-program.html">Christmas program</a> for her. She was excited about it, and couldn't wait to get up there and do her thing. Brad had <span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span> just got called back to work so he wasn't able to make it, but I made sure to take a few videos for him. :)<br /><br />She's walking up to the stage:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxccXBcxidk1Se7SNYF8goVk9INypCDSUT2kPSoK1oVhkQhTtBHxLZvI69wmTdXbk35il0MuaQLgQbqI0yjiX61MCVPBU4JJhyphenhyphenzqwjykm4hE9bZ5GqZfc18z8fLlsIFtiNO7951VdV7hrB/s1600/IMG_4321.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxccXBcxidk1Se7SNYF8goVk9INypCDSUT2kPSoK1oVhkQhTtBHxLZvI69wmTdXbk35il0MuaQLgQbqI0yjiX61MCVPBU4JJhyphenhyphenzqwjykm4hE9bZ5GqZfc18z8fLlsIFtiNO7951VdV7hrB/s320/IMG_4321.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482086429166430210" border="0"></a><br /><br />And here's a video of her doing one of the songs. You can't hear them sing very well, but she was into the motions! I like how the boy beside her is looking at her like she's crazy! ha<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz0SzZNrHjCs36cMV2xRN6hKpNOZT2kyNSyaDrdiuS_3XQ84sizBpBsEeZy1tXILsoXBeZdjZc4PNjImqkNyQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />I think that's enough updating for tonight. My eyes are getting very heavy.... I'll be back again soon!Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-43112276054258828862010-06-03T22:25:00.002-04:002010-06-03T22:39:38.364-04:00Typical.This is definitely a typical day in our house. Ella is <span style="font-style: italic;">constantly</span> talking about, looking at, and pretending to be a princess. She always wants to wear her princess dresses and do what princesses do...dance in them, of course! Her taste in music varies widely...she's a sucker for 80's though. :)<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzxQ1zuj_75uDwyrTl0HxF2lnX4Bpv31FhSM51xOMCa0DqNrie68WfNOv8sxl2tat-K98SfOrOQR3gbNOXOzA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-29565205168683440822010-05-31T20:18:00.015-04:002010-05-31T21:07:03.967-04:00Our Spring in a NutshellWe have stayed quite busy the last couple of months....here's a quick catch-up:<br /><br />Ella and I had a "girls day out" at Jefferson Pointe<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKUinCeC8UPKuklV9oYeJXz2hWa8ZiCdaQWm-u88LBFSmSDMK3VohY-sGFhL9vYEGBh8RRhdl0UXBkVwKLLpxV4qd_P0x2iPhSLmCWhVzl40qLfjAcGxhtwgTmkeA6BjKbvJ19B-gYQ87/s1600/IMG_4198.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKUinCeC8UPKuklV9oYeJXz2hWa8ZiCdaQWm-u88LBFSmSDMK3VohY-sGFhL9vYEGBh8RRhdl0UXBkVwKLLpxV4qd_P0x2iPhSLmCWhVzl40qLfjAcGxhtwgTmkeA6BjKbvJ19B-gYQ87/s320/IMG_4198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477594340185768850" /></a><br /><br />Of course, we had to hit Barnes and Noble<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-okXcpAd-QtPUVY6GZtsBgsryt-qb814yTSi1rWSn8mRmss9znQJNkEz-7g-q7eCuqhG4T3i4ZKbwMqTWmIKTAuv5pkznwT8DI1ho2WjI-9hqh3yhGAQtIbmYxEINZKQ2ZZh1wuEADct/s1600/IMG_4199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-okXcpAd-QtPUVY6GZtsBgsryt-qb814yTSi1rWSn8mRmss9znQJNkEz-7g-q7eCuqhG4T3i4ZKbwMqTWmIKTAuv5pkznwT8DI1ho2WjI-9hqh3yhGAQtIbmYxEINZKQ2ZZh1wuEADct/s320/IMG_4199.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477594776744466018" /></a><br /><br />We've had a few playdates....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4y_tlO_kykfNhtVhPf_LhSP8i6PL_7cIWshhxZeNMm_c_xMBW31HIIS4Ko8hkFWonEhvYNnsE6X3vapxmbMyYjUpBJf1ltWi0U6JI5lkESG0Y9hvh0cgMb4m4jQNw1GJwQB1oezJvBhp/s1600/IMG_4212.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4y_tlO_kykfNhtVhPf_LhSP8i6PL_7cIWshhxZeNMm_c_xMBW31HIIS4Ko8hkFWonEhvYNnsE6X3vapxmbMyYjUpBJf1ltWi0U6JI5lkESG0Y9hvh0cgMb4m4jQNw1GJwQB1oezJvBhp/s320/IMG_4212.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477595203141016738" /></a><br /><br />One of the highlights of the last few months for Ella is getting to see Yo Gabba Gabba!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWOcZJh1mBQue4grUEhWnaQ9TfxDmJEmRHJnQ5KcHxYNTq7pc6w0CBTEUivEoUcImWiAmssx_VzDnc5vBf8w2WFvaIVSJvo1Aizl1au1yIp4mGP83GqsRsIEq_3bpw0BJqMDh5tmuWmvP/s1600/IMG_4235.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWOcZJh1mBQue4grUEhWnaQ9TfxDmJEmRHJnQ5KcHxYNTq7pc6w0CBTEUivEoUcImWiAmssx_VzDnc5vBf8w2WFvaIVSJvo1Aizl1au1yIp4mGP83GqsRsIEq_3bpw0BJqMDh5tmuWmvP/s320/IMG_4235.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477595786032223938" /></a><br /><br />First offical Easter Egg hunt. Our subdivision does one every year for the kids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_3Sv3wnOax-zzktz5fbB1YV834CC_mGuK9XBPg04g02GPbE6gs8KmrgwK3zrw0GYDj-TxPu0dlaxKPUqWJOc0RVQrB3V4uuUWjrxj9pEKd1KNhUCdrC2ebZrWdmQqm9z7AGQwYPBimRq/s1600/IMG_4243.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_3Sv3wnOax-zzktz5fbB1YV834CC_mGuK9XBPg04g02GPbE6gs8KmrgwK3zrw0GYDj-TxPu0dlaxKPUqWJOc0RVQrB3V4uuUWjrxj9pEKd1KNhUCdrC2ebZrWdmQqm9z7AGQwYPBimRq/s320/IMG_4243.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477597105774143506" /></a><br /><br />Showing off all her loot. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvTbFHufy2ETSCr7AFA1ZFUmQo0Vy70q8g5hR0q11zP7Y0fa3LDwmbwoCHktap7KohGQVIMpJZb3je0rlNSe1V49mSfrJV974sVLEvxh8rEFJTLlIC9anbojOve-roqyBud_TY2s8mtAr/s1600/IMG_4246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvTbFHufy2ETSCr7AFA1ZFUmQo0Vy70q8g5hR0q11zP7Y0fa3LDwmbwoCHktap7KohGQVIMpJZb3je0rlNSe1V49mSfrJV974sVLEvxh8rEFJTLlIC9anbojOve-roqyBud_TY2s8mtAr/s320/IMG_4246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477597109863038978" /></a><br /><br />Coloring Easter eggs...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsdUcV-aXWazlZ35SwanIopcse8FJe1Qx-vo8ev_n_KEmaDWUiEAqV_ss3Ctdmvxu6qRwCC05tgeup7O6sutvlemY5uJ-EXvQe0QVJ1ciGibKqm0uYoUZo4zgsVFT3zUk-HgGfyP9fT2P/s1600/IMG_4252-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsdUcV-aXWazlZ35SwanIopcse8FJe1Qx-vo8ev_n_KEmaDWUiEAqV_ss3Ctdmvxu6qRwCC05tgeup7O6sutvlemY5uJ-EXvQe0QVJ1ciGibKqm0uYoUZo4zgsVFT3zUk-HgGfyP9fT2P/s320/IMG_4252-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477597871644838706" /></a><br /><br />Ella loves her cousins! Hanging out for Easter at Gma's house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14ALYj2WeiAgbMGiEjxtxzHWuncbKW191FrRHNYcuzcAmT2OlPYHbrI9RtNkCsx8qI5YzD5qBlzGW3lsV4rTZCyvcykOC3tC3qi-CHON-wWtkCztGNNsMzrvFd7IcBMFpCSc6hM7ytYFi/s1600/IMG_4256-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14ALYj2WeiAgbMGiEjxtxzHWuncbKW191FrRHNYcuzcAmT2OlPYHbrI9RtNkCsx8qI5YzD5qBlzGW3lsV4rTZCyvcykOC3tC3qi-CHON-wWtkCztGNNsMzrvFd7IcBMFpCSc6hM7ytYFi/s320/IMG_4256-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477598372745527682" /></a><br /><br />The Easter Bunny came!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8p7hqGGPtnd0ezW4j-WiJzkwW24aQE2vg5TdXxyvVLOd_-UFSgaVWpAykEn08epfxfIo9qAeVNfxdEr-xJrpHH_H6rVX3RkCwjM2CgIDD5REpeel6jIZEsxttOP2nyV9bIYa-TBdMq3b/s1600/IMG_4261.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8p7hqGGPtnd0ezW4j-WiJzkwW24aQE2vg5TdXxyvVLOd_-UFSgaVWpAykEn08epfxfIo9qAeVNfxdEr-xJrpHH_H6rVX3RkCwjM2CgIDD5REpeel6jIZEsxttOP2nyV9bIYa-TBdMq3b/s320/IMG_4261.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477599418800351298" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4nM_1bj1sZrcItyBvr2PSIwBmlNPfok0zY1qUvHp62FcXTN3DwMhQqZCcqIOubjbo-iR8ocuaOygplcFk7M9-Y0FRuRiWVtdmPRzFX-69KhEswNOTT9O93Vxk4v0Q2HwpRwskhopAF-X/s1600/IMG_4262-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4nM_1bj1sZrcItyBvr2PSIwBmlNPfok0zY1qUvHp62FcXTN3DwMhQqZCcqIOubjbo-iR8ocuaOygplcFk7M9-Y0FRuRiWVtdmPRzFX-69KhEswNOTT9O93Vxk4v0Q2HwpRwskhopAF-X/s320/IMG_4262-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477599423064569554" /></a><br /><br /><br />Off to breakfast at church. Posing with Emma. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKeIuUpEJoJnNsg2MMcs1V6916Dv848J5y83w2rSElS_rCTcLlLV4121ARf6C5PAat49Vcm4axbWvYP-etJ1D7oQpYAds6pSZ9g5uqLDdBVXFnxjFs1PTfFnry8vj5w7PDblRzDofKV8W/s1600/IMG_4269.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKeIuUpEJoJnNsg2MMcs1V6916Dv848J5y83w2rSElS_rCTcLlLV4121ARf6C5PAat49Vcm4axbWvYP-etJ1D7oQpYAds6pSZ9g5uqLDdBVXFnxjFs1PTfFnry8vj5w7PDblRzDofKV8W/s320/IMG_4269.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477599916209585154" /></a><br /><br />In our anticipation of the zoo opening, we spent an afternoon at Franke Park feeding the ducks and checking out the playground, of course! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kr-nXlmXVyG7PXXMExS6Dm5DPg5DAtXs-l1Gju35GufepAMTS47IsK4wO7ah9cr7BXlrBhpvW1DBzKQnTUY1w9w0zJCBbTYWCeQt4lcBkWRqCQmWLOH_abGHLEXJe0K-QwVka6e3BR9m/s1600/IMG_4274-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kr-nXlmXVyG7PXXMExS6Dm5DPg5DAtXs-l1Gju35GufepAMTS47IsK4wO7ah9cr7BXlrBhpvW1DBzKQnTUY1w9w0zJCBbTYWCeQt4lcBkWRqCQmWLOH_abGHLEXJe0K-QwVka6e3BR9m/s320/IMG_4274-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477600491754577794" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iB9K5J-YOIHCViQImIx1ytWD-_H9OR9gj-YGVKw_zmkSSs6aa2QclVkFMywpoCdZ504Asn5bhvc5q-TLZgq2kRW4pRnGlFxC1F2-1CLcsyU7JBHOqferv2zTmJib9NCEHvwFFOLhhrjo/s1600/IMG_4277-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iB9K5J-YOIHCViQImIx1ytWD-_H9OR9gj-YGVKw_zmkSSs6aa2QclVkFMywpoCdZ504Asn5bhvc5q-TLZgq2kRW4pRnGlFxC1F2-1CLcsyU7JBHOqferv2zTmJib9NCEHvwFFOLhhrjo/s320/IMG_4277-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477600496138316834" /></a><br /><br />Ella and I spent a day at Shipshewanna with my bff Jen. We hit a bunch of little shops and had a good day.<br /><br />There was some music to listen to at one of the stores, Ella was movin' and groovin'! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVMs8S2ex68bww9pJuyX9uFqj9GmiH5Bjv6yoarHeWor11WgvQ0VyN2oNeoSI1IrcrIkvAmsK-ysq53EB2aXZmNwIloyKt0niV-ofi0fQXeTEDhtvjAu_JiPr-ureYG1KvoE9KnOiFpgS/s1600/IMG_4279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVMs8S2ex68bww9pJuyX9uFqj9GmiH5Bjv6yoarHeWor11WgvQ0VyN2oNeoSI1IrcrIkvAmsK-ysq53EB2aXZmNwIloyKt0niV-ofi0fQXeTEDhtvjAu_JiPr-ureYG1KvoE9KnOiFpgS/s320/IMG_4279.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477603246104487890" /></a><br /><br /><br />There were quite a few shops that were kid-friendly, and Ella had to check it all out!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3SYuAOcmtwG_l4Y8KTZo8-qDRrvmYTjQhQOmm_NGsJ68Y1u2UBKe2fSwSGiM_dKGTkjEfCEUgCKStnxUzVPzsI3kmNL9T_5EZBJ6telxYBkbtW3U1pegb5-Sv8ymi6BakZkDf_0B-5xi/s1600/IMG_4286.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3SYuAOcmtwG_l4Y8KTZo8-qDRrvmYTjQhQOmm_NGsJ68Y1u2UBKe2fSwSGiM_dKGTkjEfCEUgCKStnxUzVPzsI3kmNL9T_5EZBJ6telxYBkbtW3U1pegb5-Sv8ymi6BakZkDf_0B-5xi/s320/IMG_4286.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477603263655288498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagRS8pWLD0xlr2pF4GeNW6OfwWSqPqb5pqRFSeMqCoz5tZl6_4gHyQbDNNQ0uIbjwmmZWZxJQGUQVp8leruNKt8rU6ZpGn7-Np-aojFbXGSKXfZ4fKgP3_VUWh0cElJ5WEqfx5RuqgTME/s1600/IMG_4285.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagRS8pWLD0xlr2pF4GeNW6OfwWSqPqb5pqRFSeMqCoz5tZl6_4gHyQbDNNQ0uIbjwmmZWZxJQGUQVp8leruNKt8rU6ZpGn7-Np-aojFbXGSKXfZ4fKgP3_VUWh0cElJ5WEqfx5RuqgTME/s320/IMG_4285.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477603259082941858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqQTZnFwNCynqUG42DC-FojpKEDjEhVVM72booXcW0YMobv7gCNIjjMtQ4Ph8xzkJ6VUQRuFHOMl7SZqhn6uqZZ4M-GC4_2UhQlTVQPzuwXAWxy4c3ZYzusMZzvb-_-SNHvylUclJvsxj/s1600/IMG_4281.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqQTZnFwNCynqUG42DC-FojpKEDjEhVVM72booXcW0YMobv7gCNIjjMtQ4Ph8xzkJ6VUQRuFHOMl7SZqhn6uqZZ4M-GC4_2UhQlTVQPzuwXAWxy4c3ZYzusMZzvb-_-SNHvylUclJvsxj/s320/IMG_4281.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477603250957534610" /></a><br /><br /><br />And, of course we had to hit the Merry-Go-Round! I was still pretty nauseous at that stage in my pregnancy, so "Aunt Jen" happily rode with Ella for me!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf4w6zdlP48JEt7Pheo-TgyMdnsTD1nIvK_f08ocEFragHUaye1b8voE0lYfE596NiWMKET1svR4vselXpUXzEyZBpJqw3p-PuHBa4fFsWCnuTyqBCJB8-EeJDUBtOyLf4OoPeIZksbVJ/s1600/IMG_4284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf4w6zdlP48JEt7Pheo-TgyMdnsTD1nIvK_f08ocEFragHUaye1b8voE0lYfE596NiWMKET1svR4vselXpUXzEyZBpJqw3p-PuHBa4fFsWCnuTyqBCJB8-EeJDUBtOyLf4OoPeIZksbVJ/s320/IMG_4284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477603253215385650" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ok, so I've realized I have a LOT more pictures than I realized, so I'm going to stop here and do the rest in another post. Sorry for the length, but that's what happens when you disappear for almost 3 months!!! :)Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-41387619845250630862010-05-28T21:48:00.003-04:002010-05-28T22:30:52.146-04:00Waaaayyy behind.....Gee, can you tell I was a procrastinator all through school??? I really thought having this blog would help me keep up-to-date on the happenings on our lives, but that hasn't really proven to be true. So, for those of you that actually check this blog, I apologize for the delay. I really have good intentions of keeping this caught up! :) <br />I'll start with the biggest news of the last few months in the Johnson house.<br /><br />Let's see...what could be new???? Ummm, maybe a BABY??!!! Yes, that's right, we are expecting baby #2! I am 20 weeks along now, almost HALFWAY! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_A3vLU-CkxU-2o9w4VInspA9ya3C5XQFPphbXaKfmyCP0F3MG7FlS9hAJX6ee5v89tJ2r7U2lKBTEqeqGHQm-9LLrYKDhjPuebj7euB4AymVRuoqMTi4K2UnbHPUbdDx5062sqrJtsqO/s1600/IMG_4346.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_A3vLU-CkxU-2o9w4VInspA9ya3C5XQFPphbXaKfmyCP0F3MG7FlS9hAJX6ee5v89tJ2r7U2lKBTEqeqGHQm-9LLrYKDhjPuebj7euB4AymVRuoqMTi4K2UnbHPUbdDx5062sqrJtsqO/s320/IMG_4346.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476512245583758674" /></a>So hard to believe. Oh, and by the way...it's another GIRL! :) :) I was NOT going to find out what we are having, I didn't with Ella and I loved the surprise. But, for some reason, a week or two before our ultrasound this week, I decided I just HAD to know. I tried to shake it, but the feeling was just there. I talked to Brad about it and he said he would like to know too, but would do whatever I wanted. Another reason we decided to do it is because Ella was very insistent that the baby was a girl and if anyone mentioned a boy or brother, she would get really upset. I decided we needed to know to prepare her if, in fact, it was a boy. Anything to make the transition a <span style="font-style:italic;">little</span> smoother.... So, that's how that came about. And, as my sister said...it's like opening your Christmas present early..Oops! But, I'm glad we did it because now I can shop 'til I drop at garage sales this Summer! Ha<br /><br />Well, I have many more blogs to post to get caught up, so I'll get to work! I'll leave you for now with a recent pic of Ella in typical Ella fashion: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhme8xPZSOCO0Um_O6IJzIFME_rByn1z2_pfQRCjD2mtyeGbZKx2ULEDdVFcXs7r37OHgxHUzQJftjNdNhXRyMJxkXSvmj0vtxHpdAk9ZWbXl4yR-EVncK7gJG1VH8T6D-YZZVk9XTvyIkE/s1600/IMG_4424.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhme8xPZSOCO0Um_O6IJzIFME_rByn1z2_pfQRCjD2mtyeGbZKx2ULEDdVFcXs7r37OHgxHUzQJftjNdNhXRyMJxkXSvmj0vtxHpdAk9ZWbXl4yR-EVncK7gJG1VH8T6D-YZZVk9XTvyIkE/s320/IMG_4424.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476513692480076722" /></a>Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-75223949166920388562010-02-22T22:23:00.006-05:002010-02-22T23:07:47.118-05:00Day TripThis past Saturday we took a trip to the Children's Museum....in Muncie?? Did any of you know that even existed? I didn't until a good friend approached me about going with her family. On the 3rd Saturday of the month, they offer free admission for everyone. So, of course, me being curious as well as cheap, this seemed like a perfect idea. :) We had been stuck inside most of the previous week due to a double ear infection for Ella, so we were all ready for a little get-away. <br />It's been so fun to see Ella develop her imagination and really start appreciating things like this. She had a blast! <br />The first stop was a dinosaur exhibit. Kinda fitting for us because recently Ella has been asking us for a dinosaur...she has now decided if she says "pleeaasse" really nicely, the Easter Bunny may bring her one. ;)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinldh1vpWri_CsgV1Td8_-RTd8GoG2rATFUhLVkiujhtBvwuD5oYv_6Jbh1eH1Ym4ldyGTl-LaAk7a-uk_ve5pyntIqx7E7G9LYe75gaINC08p4S_MhmvyAMqfDh-79UmYel0pM7PCSGWO/s1600-h/IMG_4140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinldh1vpWri_CsgV1Td8_-RTd8GoG2rATFUhLVkiujhtBvwuD5oYv_6Jbh1eH1Ym4ldyGTl-LaAk7a-uk_ve5pyntIqx7E7G9LYe75gaINC08p4S_MhmvyAMqfDh-79UmYel0pM7PCSGWO/s320/IMG_4140.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441276016100772434" /></a><br /><br />This is the only pic I got with her playmate, "Baby Ben", as she likes to call him. He's just a year younger than El and they definitely didn't want to stay together, which wasn't surprising. He sure kept his mom and dad on their feet chasing him around though! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD7I_3dCH9zcX7TEXPLE7VshTqM9aiT_WSy5_qGco7KZCytDytwWmhUYKFUCBzUzC7HgiHqvK0m0Ebn8Ke0SzQ1etbGsfprKUh0Vk-leY5eaWJF2OO0BTGZXoYr36__ecrCH9SeRORDiU/s1600-h/IMG_4141.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD7I_3dCH9zcX7TEXPLE7VshTqM9aiT_WSy5_qGco7KZCytDytwWmhUYKFUCBzUzC7HgiHqvK0m0Ebn8Ke0SzQ1etbGsfprKUh0Vk-leY5eaWJF2OO0BTGZXoYr36__ecrCH9SeRORDiU/s320/IMG_4141.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441276028203828802" /></a><br /><br />Another hit for her was the puppet show area. They had every puppet under the sun, and she had a great time both watching and participating. Here she is with her puppet of choice, a sheep.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyzJpNwx3dj4JYEi3Mdw7Q821YFqrr4cEef_EF8eeUMwd46stlSKpm9vnk1_70sGxWi549b7vP3p5SW5Lfcxrz-QQzywDhnwGDQY2Nx2OwDZvoNTAE6wmkcv-pYvG7M8M1uS-ZPJAeHI3/s1600-h/IMG_4144.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyzJpNwx3dj4JYEi3Mdw7Q821YFqrr4cEef_EF8eeUMwd46stlSKpm9vnk1_70sGxWi549b7vP3p5SW5Lfcxrz-QQzywDhnwGDQY2Nx2OwDZvoNTAE6wmkcv-pYvG7M8M1uS-ZPJAeHI3/s320/IMG_4144.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441276031940696210" /></a><br /><br />Ella and I taking a break in the "book nook."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3cdlc2Wqb9HLMAriNV1i0O-6yiE1qF_I6i6dkqs3zjh2EQm34tArda65l6cvT9wJyYC1BY2vEdQr8haO0fd8tMa7R6OyMxz7R93ZxFJr9NHKl7AODFtJiLZQG__Z02KLEqNuM2ZvxOOM/s1600-h/IMG_4147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3cdlc2Wqb9HLMAriNV1i0O-6yiE1qF_I6i6dkqs3zjh2EQm34tArda65l6cvT9wJyYC1BY2vEdQr8haO0fd8tMa7R6OyMxz7R93ZxFJr9NHKl7AODFtJiLZQG__Z02KLEqNuM2ZvxOOM/s320/IMG_4147.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441276035810574546" /></a><br /><br />Going down one of the slides, which are always a hotspot for her.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO08KoDE4aj7zZqfKVe6iZYJmL7gO8zGjltXpxEHLnMIUCNFYfp_qQ3G2u8Z6oPOytlNcb7LloUdf127CLnLDgFz2Z2rAAN6GRzNMKjKL1C1rsk8qYmR-iZelz5d0XH4o3WZv93rLzv9Df/s1600-h/IMG_4148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO08KoDE4aj7zZqfKVe6iZYJmL7gO8zGjltXpxEHLnMIUCNFYfp_qQ3G2u8Z6oPOytlNcb7LloUdf127CLnLDgFz2Z2rAAN6GRzNMKjKL1C1rsk8qYmR-iZelz5d0XH4o3WZv93rLzv9Df/s320/IMG_4148.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441276043629066850" /></a><br /><br />Trying to make her way through the ant colony.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXpGFVP2M2G0w3FpBD2X6l2608WlG7xCPKiIVQGrG1-ha0ehgWqtzcg7u0Sz3jaI_pDG42qaL_ZZMP0QScfefcoSZbcq2s-lg_fzE9u9jA867yZcuTDC-e_97Hig9QXNGS58YlogzEFr4/s1600-h/IMG_4168.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXpGFVP2M2G0w3FpBD2X6l2608WlG7xCPKiIVQGrG1-ha0ehgWqtzcg7u0Sz3jaI_pDG42qaL_ZZMP0QScfefcoSZbcq2s-lg_fzE9u9jA867yZcuTDC-e_97Hig9QXNGS58YlogzEFr4/s320/IMG_4168.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441276731901004594" /></a><br /><br /><br />There was a "barn" area with some farm animals and some information about being a veterinarian. In the upstairs "loft" of the barn there was some equipment to play doctor to some stuffed kitties. Ella sure knew what to do with the stethoscope!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbTp1WIar8B2Ecz5IX_aKZMzIU6pard1w_eV75LC57dHCVnFHw41jtVzbnRB20W_JM7wi8rviJmhXunrSj3jlOQg44bdwHLK9CWLZzw-_iqudHBzmUY32cSczcBtLQJfYcmGNhyphenhyphenSc9NhI/s1600-h/IMG_4149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbTp1WIar8B2Ecz5IX_aKZMzIU6pard1w_eV75LC57dHCVnFHw41jtVzbnRB20W_JM7wi8rviJmhXunrSj3jlOQg44bdwHLK9CWLZzw-_iqudHBzmUY32cSczcBtLQJfYcmGNhyphenhyphenSc9NhI/s320/IMG_4149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441276716961772834" /></a><br /><br />One of my favorite parts of the museum was a "mock town" that was set up. I'm such a kid I wanted to jump right in and participate! LOL One of the many joys of being a parent to young children, you can pretty much jump right in with them and it's ok! :)<br />There was a "street" that you went down, and on either side were different places to visit. Things such as a post office, grocery store, school, pet store, etc. And at all the places there were dress-up clothes to actually play the part of mailman, check-out person, etc. if you chose to. <br /><br />Here's Ella checking out the snake in the pet store.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3sX7NLuBs5th-XkdCBBU_97hkY6yLVW6R1QrWX89OTrtp4iGLnEmP8yt2SYFhUcSaGKOxVT3YtpAqn1_eFNohAb4tjut_HNLXi7AEVVwVY-LhX5G9jQ8UBX1r7gqZ_EyzkpWcE0BdgmF/s1600-h/IMG_4153.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3sX7NLuBs5th-XkdCBBU_97hkY6yLVW6R1QrWX89OTrtp4iGLnEmP8yt2SYFhUcSaGKOxVT3YtpAqn1_eFNohAb4tjut_HNLXi7AEVVwVY-LhX5G9jQ8UBX1r7gqZ_EyzkpWcE0BdgmF/s320/IMG_4153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441276720286911522" /></a><br /><br />Playing a student at school. Which, by the way, I am NOT ready to see her sitting behind a desk like this yet!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW1Ih81POnooKrIxSaqP4sloDIiKfujkxTrOXM1D8nSIyj7YcXmfT0IVJyzjPHkTrevDYZ2WsjwfsDULaCcDSm8CGEu2Azbzvj2CNgs4zUnQSRbVoL2YhKd15VRTzErcm_CFtHrdLa5Ig/s1600-h/IMG_4155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW1Ih81POnooKrIxSaqP4sloDIiKfujkxTrOXM1D8nSIyj7YcXmfT0IVJyzjPHkTrevDYZ2WsjwfsDULaCcDSm8CGEu2Azbzvj2CNgs4zUnQSRbVoL2YhKd15VRTzErcm_CFtHrdLa5Ig/s320/IMG_4155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441276727638211170" /></a><br /><br />And then she takes her turn at teaching. Lovin' the chalkboard!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUXYjmMrxB2O-aWkdZCUdDjFsSdoSjNazpKYQ8_e-gA2GFPCeTRIN9KhgtNsbYzAW1nTby1WYFk3-mu5xOiggi8egfpIrveFbp4ecHAT-nue6tS8qB8YfH4uWfCWBr3wMGK2n_kwq83o8/s1600-h/IMG_4171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUXYjmMrxB2O-aWkdZCUdDjFsSdoSjNazpKYQ8_e-gA2GFPCeTRIN9KhgtNsbYzAW1nTby1WYFk3-mu5xOiggi8egfpIrveFbp4ecHAT-nue6tS8qB8YfH4uWfCWBr3wMGK2n_kwq83o8/s320/IMG_4171.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441276735705493122" /></a><br /><br />Taking a break for "recess." I lost count of how many times she went up and down this slide!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4Nj0_Wgn8MkEIGYjsf7PQZ9DLDQm8Strg31Bv6cX34DZvStHua_1GeZ3NPg86zlb4hL9wTetNEWQEQBmhpbFAerbwxjj7E7rAFusz_KMt8L5UzObXFkz4v1kWU3rJZzJ7H00wP32I0C7/s1600-h/IMG_4157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4Nj0_Wgn8MkEIGYjsf7PQZ9DLDQm8Strg31Bv6cX34DZvStHua_1GeZ3NPg86zlb4hL9wTetNEWQEQBmhpbFAerbwxjj7E7rAFusz_KMt8L5UzObXFkz4v1kWU3rJZzJ7H00wP32I0C7/s320/IMG_4157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441277365551754018" /></a><br /><br />Then we came to the grocery store, which I thought was pretty cool. Ella's trying to decide which produce looks the freshest....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lxP8wR1SH4lIrIcHbVMv7zu7m9laBxBDWhSc_6zX9s9gOi-wR6WFtu3VgweH3AkNwjWzt6OJx2JqonJ1_reXDDfYhg39clYH3jjkLIgYptDag_WZ1VBdoM9Kqpp0r09qoNtWlL0afWfr/s1600-h/IMG_4175.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lxP8wR1SH4lIrIcHbVMv7zu7m9laBxBDWhSc_6zX9s9gOi-wR6WFtu3VgweH3AkNwjWzt6OJx2JqonJ1_reXDDfYhg39clYH3jjkLIgYptDag_WZ1VBdoM9Kqpp0r09qoNtWlL0afWfr/s320/IMG_4175.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441277351042598834" /></a><br /><br />paying for her items...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6t9s7kFjktXynZHFZacKWQVbVljP82dUb9Yv5BN43psZFS14O3OpClg3EqzRPXxKL-9mEF4NsQc4fHoYepT9jsJS0ZpXVGvl_lvOjb2VDhIR-S4MiCHodyUhIYEgzsEQYBsQ6D975SYcd/s1600-h/IMG_4176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6t9s7kFjktXynZHFZacKWQVbVljP82dUb9Yv5BN43psZFS14O3OpClg3EqzRPXxKL-9mEF4NsQc4fHoYepT9jsJS0ZpXVGvl_lvOjb2VDhIR-S4MiCHodyUhIYEgzsEQYBsQ6D975SYcd/s320/IMG_4176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441277354830978370" /></a><br /><br />And then taking her goods next door to the kitchen to put them away. The workers are constantly moving the food from the kitchen back to the store, it's pretty funny to watch. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichlkEC4NmEindIKEIKW0W8s85w3uH7m6HSmNdchIt2d1clOHEPYCkjNXG2YAknloqM15Dn-6BIJhT0hmsOFpLgrYPXBo3xehwJRtovR4ydLCSozVzv2l0SGOSOAdvqhR65x1Xz9BS9nJs/s1600-h/IMG_4178.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichlkEC4NmEindIKEIKW0W8s85w3uH7m6HSmNdchIt2d1clOHEPYCkjNXG2YAknloqM15Dn-6BIJhT0hmsOFpLgrYPXBo3xehwJRtovR4ydLCSozVzv2l0SGOSOAdvqhR65x1Xz9BS9nJs/s320/IMG_4178.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441277356079151650" /></a><br /><br />There were several other things to do there, it took about 1 1/2-2 hrs for us to get through it all with a toddler, but believe me, she was more than willing to stay longer. If you're interested in checking it out, the website is www.munciechildrensmuseum.com<br /><br />We'll definitely go back! :)Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-77163769930182800712010-02-21T22:56:00.002-05:002010-02-21T23:00:05.471-05:00Movin' on up<strong>Out with the old......</strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Kb8fRZfl3UTFdY6OxPq24zcILmQhVYNeD6C3OGvA3nEFFhFQrFdNozo43m23d9N7D6BS4hIMBaI2S2pI1SmHqrj44V8rl2-wYOCSF0VNrctuAkHuEDwyrYdIo1kd1kPRnpfHscYWXe_1/s1600-h/IMG_4131.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Kb8fRZfl3UTFdY6OxPq24zcILmQhVYNeD6C3OGvA3nEFFhFQrFdNozo43m23d9N7D6BS4hIMBaI2S2pI1SmHqrj44V8rl2-wYOCSF0VNrctuAkHuEDwyrYdIo1kd1kPRnpfHscYWXe_1/s320/IMG_4131.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440912123187794146" /></a><br /><br /><strong>AND...in with the NEW! :)</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAwJIVnh5-QYXx3WErU6DyRLy6_lGt6k5GCaMkSFGNyxWEBk8JYRtxTPSrFATMhwptP4UKeGntT8XMMGEblfL25Ii-T8QHjv5G_wxpJur97JKUA62AKjVzo4DLN8tZYm0GhL9N1FWexGs/s1600-h/IMG_4139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAwJIVnh5-QYXx3WErU6DyRLy6_lGt6k5GCaMkSFGNyxWEBk8JYRtxTPSrFATMhwptP4UKeGntT8XMMGEblfL25Ii-T8QHjv5G_wxpJur97JKUA62AKjVzo4DLN8tZYm0GhL9N1FWexGs/s320/IMG_4139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440912126141821538" /></a><br /><br />to put it mildly, we're excited! :)Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-80633063872544590752010-02-04T22:35:00.002-05:002010-02-04T22:58:10.155-05:00It's Playtime!There's a great place for kids in town called "It's Playtime." Our first time there was last Valentine's Day, (awww, romantic, huh? Complete with a fish fry for dinner! LOL) Ella was only 1 1/2 yrs at the time, and she did enjoy it, but man, she LOVES it now! We always save things like this for the winter when we're not able to hit all the parks around us. There's tons of things to do for the kids, ranging from slides to ride-on toys. Also, it helps enhance their imagination with tons of dress-up clothes and a small stage, as well as a kitchen. There's even a rock-climbing wall. <br />Here's Ella climbing up to the slide<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8u-jyq_NZfcTidXMvX5Y22wS5RgM-dPxLyqh_PC504iye2a-mGmyyKJAlZOtYN_wIgyI-JMkmN8YufrNJWmZpyvEhXkyj4XSXfB8xCRE_0Vch6deFNZJLvQ1UasEdu0YjKPjiR84kdXT/s1600-h/IMG_4090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8u-jyq_NZfcTidXMvX5Y22wS5RgM-dPxLyqh_PC504iye2a-mGmyyKJAlZOtYN_wIgyI-JMkmN8YufrNJWmZpyvEhXkyj4XSXfB8xCRE_0Vch6deFNZJLvQ1UasEdu0YjKPjiR84kdXT/s320/IMG_4090.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434598731737381682" /></a><br /><br />Heading down as fast as she can; just to run up and do it all over again!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCI_-WcKx0I9e-YSCzcSb969vszhVoEFKmBC0v9k-_Hkly5a4zGSPUYZmTf5V8wuY7Jze5eaDDN2cCFUT1IoiBWM2qtecBxZTGzxQN_H86bFOfv6vBYdhfdbvYc0Kg3YTtVC0rc37x0Jph/s1600-h/IMG_4092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCI_-WcKx0I9e-YSCzcSb969vszhVoEFKmBC0v9k-_Hkly5a4zGSPUYZmTf5V8wuY7Jze5eaDDN2cCFUT1IoiBWM2qtecBxZTGzxQN_H86bFOfv6vBYdhfdbvYc0Kg3YTtVC0rc37x0Jph/s320/IMG_4092.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434598735832041314" /></a><br /><br />She has a hard time deciding what to play with first. Runs from one thing to the next! If you want a good nap for your kid(s), bring 'em here!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4ezC3m1niXwu_zfbpnr882blooKjbTdBGJ0MZCQwDiRMGiyJKsAMj4JGEAeRuUg56pb8VVAtfKsm1-TvAwu-86oyBS6xeaLaW66FsJhnTnL4GjqF6QDkW8jDdmNkWJZxVaHLHaqaAf_n/s1600-h/IMG_4094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4ezC3m1niXwu_zfbpnr882blooKjbTdBGJ0MZCQwDiRMGiyJKsAMj4JGEAeRuUg56pb8VVAtfKsm1-TvAwu-86oyBS6xeaLaW66FsJhnTnL4GjqF6QDkW8jDdmNkWJZxVaHLHaqaAf_n/s320/IMG_4094.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434598741248579394" /></a><br /><br />These dogs are her absolute favorite. She never seems too happy when another child is playing with one of them, even when she's perfectly content with something else. We are working on the art of sharing... <br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd020VkMuIISe53KC27_oE7_oi0SrbEYiOmsoogwy9ASneLoVGAXZMDS4AFCY4rwkVZIOsUChVC30YiwaNvi6W1_pu9kbHFIXf4nTX4IPGibvYsRzsKgp3ZewU8vm8-SaT0NItaadtJ3W/s1600-h/IMG_4097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd020VkMuIISe53KC27_oE7_oi0SrbEYiOmsoogwy9ASneLoVGAXZMDS4AFCY4rwkVZIOsUChVC30YiwaNvi6W1_pu9kbHFIXf4nTX4IPGibvYsRzsKgp3ZewU8vm8-SaT0NItaadtJ3W/s320/IMG_4097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434598746646995442" /></a><br /><br />Every time we have went, the employees have been great at walking around sanitizing toys and putting them back in their place for the next child to grab. We did go last Saturday with a friend, and it was the busiest we have seen the place. But, even at full capacity, it did not feel too crowded for the kids. Just have to look a little harder to keep track of your little one, though they wear bracelets and there's only one exit, so it does feel pretty safe. :)<br /><br />Hmmm...I should get a cut of the profit for promoting this one! LOLJen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-47200804110417481622010-02-02T23:06:00.007-05:002010-02-02T23:23:06.521-05:00Happy Birthday, Grandpa!Last Saturday was my grandpa's 81st birthday, and we dropped by to visit and celebrate with him. Grandparents are so important to me, I don't know what I'd ever do without them. They all are so much a part of my upbringing and memories I have; it sometimes pains me to think about Ella not having my mom around as she's growing up. I know her other grandparents make up for it, as well as the rest of our family. We are very lucky. <br /><br />Here is grandpa with his Birthday treats. Anyone who knows him knows how obsessed he is with sweets! He can put anyone to shame when it comes to a plateful of cookies, pie, and cake. <br /><br />(If you look carefully, in the bottom, left-hand corner of the chocolate cake, there is a piece missing. Who would've done such a thing? Surely not my sweet, innocent grandmother....just want to see if you're reading this, Grandma!! :) She thought no one would notice!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtMG63Mah7nEwyaXEMfsBxhWU4-33mFWxpiA2iv19j72pNCVcrk5PsPV67guvDN9UYJQ-6lyoq1oXYxdyLW-uwsjf-TFera4CmGQ5WJmh-FidscgimAyZnp01qzui1ZQb2NHgxSd0Aeh6/s1600-h/IMG_4100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtMG63Mah7nEwyaXEMfsBxhWU4-33mFWxpiA2iv19j72pNCVcrk5PsPV67guvDN9UYJQ-6lyoq1oXYxdyLW-uwsjf-TFera4CmGQ5WJmh-FidscgimAyZnp01qzui1ZQb2NHgxSd0Aeh6/s320/IMG_4100.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433865298453691586" /></a><br /><br />My cousin and Aunt from Michigan came down to spend the weekend. We wished Grandpa a Happy Birthday, and got ready to dig in. Notice how Ella's got her eyes on the prize!! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl13I1QPs3tUqGhnW0CL4nbnvSDqsJA2ozyNQEJt700aF6uoiVAu9ZEfumXvdMlf8ydtec9vFqKQHvQzNhlEfr8BGLX6JxMBLMXY5Q0zDB4jgBRtNSDZ2LGrOVUGStwcvZfu1WrbLPW9y/s1600-h/IMG_4101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl13I1QPs3tUqGhnW0CL4nbnvSDqsJA2ozyNQEJt700aF6uoiVAu9ZEfumXvdMlf8ydtec9vFqKQHvQzNhlEfr8BGLX6JxMBLMXY5Q0zDB4jgBRtNSDZ2LGrOVUGStwcvZfu1WrbLPW9y/s320/IMG_4101.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433865304555474162" /></a><br /><br />Hope you have a fantastic year of good luck and good health, Gramps!! We love you soooo much!! <br /><br />*SMOOCH*Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-54803272063295673752010-02-02T22:49:00.002-05:002010-02-02T22:52:08.664-05:00Daddy, pleeeaaasseeee......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQSAZeVl0E_HEq1nib-m0YD9sjyQMo3PpB8DMDCaoWvQp-c8QAXMrCmveSi0-Opjyn6MJk19gMGoJI4zw2FNWsVmlqwWLnYfM-NkzfGEEbB8ceC11vytz0kq5_U3DEXdqADDV1YFskD5t/s1600-h/IMG_4088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQSAZeVl0E_HEq1nib-m0YD9sjyQMo3PpB8DMDCaoWvQp-c8QAXMrCmveSi0-Opjyn6MJk19gMGoJI4zw2FNWsVmlqwWLnYfM-NkzfGEEbB8ceC11vytz0kq5_U3DEXdqADDV1YFskD5t/s320/IMG_4088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433859753027745618" /></a><br /><br /><br />No words needed. She's going to get better at this the older she gets....Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-16009240982243844852010-01-30T21:24:00.004-05:002010-01-30T21:30:31.554-05:00Happy Birthday!Happy Birthday to my sweet husband! My world is a better place because you're in it. We make quite the team.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dvF6KIzGdqj38XunVyYeffdp7cTIWoq5wI-QRWltUE5JwQw6Wb4k32PP7uYOmvHcy_MKIZNmR71uxxl9r4lZAz9OH1MehmC6CGTyTaV77bf9Qr1Wk8U6D__kyP43Z7ddcE2C2TgX46C8/s1600-h/5-13-2009+10%3B44%3B03+PM.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dvF6KIzGdqj38XunVyYeffdp7cTIWoq5wI-QRWltUE5JwQw6Wb4k32PP7uYOmvHcy_MKIZNmR71uxxl9r4lZAz9OH1MehmC6CGTyTaV77bf9Qr1Wk8U6D__kyP43Z7ddcE2C2TgX46C8/s320/5-13-2009+10%3B44%3B03+PM.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432725062909131858" /></a><br /><br />Love ya! :)Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-37291204986465027512010-01-28T23:15:00.010-05:002010-01-29T00:46:36.504-05:00Ella's 1st slumber partyElla's cousins are so good to her, and she truly <em>loves</em> them all for it. She loves playing with them every chance she gets. The week after Christmas, we kept my niece, Allie, overnight while she was off of school. <br /><br />The evening started of with what else? The movie 'Up' and popcorn, in your jammies, of course!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_4eMs1lF1lH_XbhrFuRcGnPPJU8qqeUgbAT70jlEfGYDq0ltvCnS63XSX_zjbwhPeQI4oiXInkU59WfEhtRcM5PWQKPrG5DAVQVoVOSkT-OtE_ZJhfIgHVahchPLdah3bcKWuLlA-kTB/s1600-h/IMG_4019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_4eMs1lF1lH_XbhrFuRcGnPPJU8qqeUgbAT70jlEfGYDq0ltvCnS63XSX_zjbwhPeQI4oiXInkU59WfEhtRcM5PWQKPrG5DAVQVoVOSkT-OtE_ZJhfIgHVahchPLdah3bcKWuLlA-kTB/s320/IMG_4019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432012398531913314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc38cLEHhac__MyhA9sVj1K3PXjWUlG5UgGaWy7npW-EFqzS5W2OK2MX_7W9_l55yE_4Guf7VJuiacp0RaNsORuQl5nBbB8fj3iG18zhlMg3WTDxHfZkkbJ-9YV7l4oa5BdqlVhKjkHfAP/s1600-h/IMG_4023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc38cLEHhac__MyhA9sVj1K3PXjWUlG5UgGaWy7npW-EFqzS5W2OK2MX_7W9_l55yE_4Guf7VJuiacp0RaNsORuQl5nBbB8fj3iG18zhlMg3WTDxHfZkkbJ-9YV7l4oa5BdqlVhKjkHfAP/s320/IMG_4023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432012404291065826" /></a><br /><br />When it was time to go to bed, both girls slept in Ella's room. She thought it was so cool to sleep in her sleeping bag. Both girls were pretty excited about what the next day would bring. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5384I6SH23OytMwbFr9SNaiBgygAJPmdC9oNiwlOfjGwasNyoKJAQVkBuLlIEmuraqNXmu3OqH6ncZmfqTgTLqcaRtxsA4XyRqy3lu4KZjHkcTB71c73e0R2P5Lr-2NI6tuWTCLCZ03Cd/s1600-h/IMG_4026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5384I6SH23OytMwbFr9SNaiBgygAJPmdC9oNiwlOfjGwasNyoKJAQVkBuLlIEmuraqNXmu3OqH6ncZmfqTgTLqcaRtxsA4XyRqy3lu4KZjHkcTB71c73e0R2P5Lr-2NI6tuWTCLCZ03Cd/s320/IMG_4026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432012417469274802" /></a><br /><br />The next morning, as I was getting ready, the girls were having a blast using Ella's stroller to race up and down the hallway. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcyT5pPyfs5KEbYurVLfKOVdik0LKN2bhkyDYNlxba8xtZrZPs_JuA7-Ye0iFPyFIe7VhZ8zv7pdhyL7Xta1NOrnkdryenHQrejLYqcOEiKB3O4IJ9RySA4XXep7Os3MG4maHr-hVGnAU/s1600-h/IMG_4029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcyT5pPyfs5KEbYurVLfKOVdik0LKN2bhkyDYNlxba8xtZrZPs_JuA7-Ye0iFPyFIe7VhZ8zv7pdhyL7Xta1NOrnkdryenHQrejLYqcOEiKB3O4IJ9RySA4XXep7Os3MG4maHr-hVGnAU/s320/IMG_4029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432012421463701410" /></a><br /><br />Ready to head out! We had given Allie a gift certificate for Christmas to use at Build-A-Bear and I had promised I would take her, so Ella could get her first one with her. So, it was gonna be a fun-filled day of animal stuffing, lunch at the food court, and, of course, the Merry-go-Round. What kid wouldn't be excited?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlqJSZ3Z19f1lXH2Ows85pjNqx2dXc9svPMwOSH0UfCBk3UfiwharOtJyhBZauYmyOnjcCHb1riVma2Y2o85iJT4IH1k3m5OWn3kv9K3mbhV8ey3A3AZyWWzU0UECtYigRC4fBFWenD-r/s1600-h/IMG_4030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlqJSZ3Z19f1lXH2Ows85pjNqx2dXc9svPMwOSH0UfCBk3UfiwharOtJyhBZauYmyOnjcCHb1riVma2Y2o85iJT4IH1k3m5OWn3kv9K3mbhV8ey3A3AZyWWzU0UECtYigRC4fBFWenD-r/s320/IMG_4030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432012424098312546" /></a><br /><br />First stop was Build-A-bear. It took a lot of thought and contemplation on picking out the perfect animal. Allie finally decided on a dog, and Ella on a cat. Here they are waiting their turn to get stuffed. Ella's still not quite sure what's going on, at one point she was ready to run out of the store to play with her very unstuffed and flat kitty. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aTZsvmhPl7dUjMQXvciNp-eXZq7XeXSBuJb9s6Q0jc2RjND-AXCq1EJvuYZ0mx5I4gagii9h8P10kH3W3xni0fhN0_5XDjuY1xDCPgtZCVqE8yTRoqfHhfwbTMGNhCWCpXCNU3MTNCy-/s1600-h/IMG_4032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aTZsvmhPl7dUjMQXvciNp-eXZq7XeXSBuJb9s6Q0jc2RjND-AXCq1EJvuYZ0mx5I4gagii9h8P10kH3W3xni0fhN0_5XDjuY1xDCPgtZCVqE8yTRoqfHhfwbTMGNhCWCpXCNU3MTNCy-/s320/IMG_4032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432013351506691090" /></a><br /><br />Ella got a lesson on getting the heart ready to put inside the kitty as it was being stuffed. <br /><br />First, you pat it to get the heart pumping.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpbgIJGZzwz1ocsLmy1NLplStTA_EKPqu5KFaRqXxx6jcNEa6ESmtcT474tWRfKNblQIdbaz7Rg11RwD114C6qvjMz32R0mW-aWXfoCvVh4H8Tw5tYrQWyGtfpQhJkWJm4bighL-X-TTv/s1600-h/IMG_4038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpbgIJGZzwz1ocsLmy1NLplStTA_EKPqu5KFaRqXxx6jcNEa6ESmtcT474tWRfKNblQIdbaz7Rg11RwD114C6qvjMz32R0mW-aWXfoCvVh4H8Tw5tYrQWyGtfpQhJkWJm4bighL-X-TTv/s320/IMG_4038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432013354319567122" /></a><br /><br />Then, you've got to give it a big kiss to put some love in that kitty. :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7fRXX8eEyKQ2NW-V56OHIyUcGPi-OHLef4hfROvBE5Lry9KbTfXuyqjL0FAbHsM67tfJrl3Go_GigfbK0gzuKWK8RxMsDQOJkN3HgIkcmluOEjQrn6wxNFWRYvDfBWYHu52nyTXnX7OO/s1600-h/IMG_4039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7fRXX8eEyKQ2NW-V56OHIyUcGPi-OHLef4hfROvBE5Lry9KbTfXuyqjL0FAbHsM67tfJrl3Go_GigfbK0gzuKWK8RxMsDQOJkN3HgIkcmluOEjQrn6wxNFWRYvDfBWYHu52nyTXnX7OO/s320/IMG_4039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432013357186687586" /></a><br /><br />The girls gave their animals a bath, so they were ready for the real world!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXEVSQJyr5cUXBvflxRWCK35h276SBdg0N7XggQytKxHwxFq2XmnuAeIyrTXWncYjfXdmREsGm8CVW2tsjjZ4IgbfrPFGy_8CdvV2BLb6siOIl1yvKxX_DoAWG-bYvysRrPyabxZi3H-d/s1600-h/IMG_4042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXEVSQJyr5cUXBvflxRWCK35h276SBdg0N7XggQytKxHwxFq2XmnuAeIyrTXWncYjfXdmREsGm8CVW2tsjjZ4IgbfrPFGy_8CdvV2BLb6siOIl1yvKxX_DoAWG-bYvysRrPyabxZi3H-d/s320/IMG_4042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432020803054175778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHAKN1ddShUjYuiTYjCgvZdcrv7ak9fnID3IBhqvMW0Rq8IwIbtjK-EP2Wy61ZwLi-ghal8T01ZFC1FmFOqaQ2xsltbvwKU0ViCBOxgL_aIKqrYSv5LlBZg0v4EXjG0Zo3V0uUFPXnb3e/s1600-h/IMG_4041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHAKN1ddShUjYuiTYjCgvZdcrv7ak9fnID3IBhqvMW0Rq8IwIbtjK-EP2Wy61ZwLi-ghal8T01ZFC1FmFOqaQ2xsltbvwKU0ViCBOxgL_aIKqrYSv5LlBZg0v4EXjG0Zo3V0uUFPXnb3e/s320/IMG_4041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432020797034458754" /></a><br /><br />They made them birth certificates and the last step was to pick out some clothes. Allie had no problem finding something for hers, but Ella was not interested in clothes. At all. She prefers all her animals and babies at home to be naked, so I wasn't pushing the issue. Why spend money on clothes when they'd be lost under her bed in no time? And she's been perfectly happy with her naked kitty.:) <br /><br />While I stood in line to pay for everything, Brad took the girls outside of the store to some little rides that are in the middle of the mall. About every time we go to the mall, Ella loves to play on them. We have never paid for her to ride them, but she's perfectly content to just go from one to the other, playing around in them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQhE0_LlN530SMgMp7RuYwIaoiZjAsgs0zgqJW9R2xv8Z2gi50Ql_AWC0VC1bUsCwPS64LyrDUKnOl08BMnHQ9JzzJfltLIAI5SNMCdd6DpMoB5hqo-GXYjxeK5sLQ1d8f91Uf9lm2rL_/s1600-h/IMG_4043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQhE0_LlN530SMgMp7RuYwIaoiZjAsgs0zgqJW9R2xv8Z2gi50Ql_AWC0VC1bUsCwPS64LyrDUKnOl08BMnHQ9JzzJfltLIAI5SNMCdd6DpMoB5hqo-GXYjxeK5sLQ1d8f91Uf9lm2rL_/s320/IMG_4043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432013363705723218" /></a><br /><br />After lunch, we rode the infamous merry-go-round.....twice! Am I a nice aunt, or what? ;)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmKZAU432VYRSsRmWmXWNxLQwxd59AGnBZapqnvMuQqJgUyIUAJ1SA-2rUcwOgo-WjnHXTejnBGcznzJN9t_KJFHfYRmk9cQZdnJ1McoQwEapVwe9G7sATlQEapOI-dxdLBKbEgDtJ9qC/s1600-h/IMG_4044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmKZAU432VYRSsRmWmXWNxLQwxd59AGnBZapqnvMuQqJgUyIUAJ1SA-2rUcwOgo-WjnHXTejnBGcznzJN9t_KJFHfYRmk9cQZdnJ1McoQwEapVwe9G7sATlQEapOI-dxdLBKbEgDtJ9qC/s320/IMG_4044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432013367014462274" /></a><br /><br />Then, because it was a special day and because Allie had some money burning a hole in her pocket, we let the girls play some games at the arcade. It was purely all for the kids, Brad and I didn't enjoy our friendly competition of air hockey at all. (For the record, I believe I won....)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieRq8GnsWX2ZArCULAQZcLauu3F0ParoTVIndfmH-c1E4jIqn3M0T6Ew2Jlo33gKqbVza7bGnueERg-A3iXjrnxPy91VfRsEsAH-9f2Wa60FursNLfRofkFo8owHMqWcPuArul9LsNU1i/s1600-h/IMG_4054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieRq8GnsWX2ZArCULAQZcLauu3F0ParoTVIndfmH-c1E4jIqn3M0T6Ew2Jlo33gKqbVza7bGnueERg-A3iXjrnxPy91VfRsEsAH-9f2Wa60FursNLfRofkFo8owHMqWcPuArul9LsNU1i/s320/IMG_4054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432013803289235746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7Q7xClnj65rLJtjjskYPjTJN56AoSURPPPyyuXxfOzrwFAOn_Vtu2WkXB3y35CUUfpgvcaQt_CDouHZKQtqukGlLpLAm7T0vnKiKGg846geiO04zyDSnFvnfOv2BWutNUD3tXrk3WNOH/s1600-h/IMG_4051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7Q7xClnj65rLJtjjskYPjTJN56AoSURPPPyyuXxfOzrwFAOn_Vtu2WkXB3y35CUUfpgvcaQt_CDouHZKQtqukGlLpLAm7T0vnKiKGg846geiO04zyDSnFvnfOv2BWutNUD3tXrk3WNOH/s320/IMG_4051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432013797633456658" /></a><br /><br />After leaving the mall, we needed to stop at Sam's Club for a few things before taking Allie back. This last picture makes me laugh. The backstory: Kids get free cookies at Sam's..did you know that? Well, they do..and it's a great tactic for keeping Ella quiet for atleast half the store. :) So, they're munching on their cookies and Allie, being her sweet, thoughtful self, asks if she can buy something for her mom and dad. I'm thinking to myself, "What is she going to buy them here? An economy size package of TP or a gallon of peanut butter?" As we're walking through the produce section, she sees the watermelon and decides she would like to buy one. Ok, I decide, could be a lot worse things to spend money on. In the end, she also ends up with some flowers to take home; her parents were having a party the next day and she wanted to help decorate. Isn't she the sweetest little girl? I sure hope Ella is that thoughtful when she gets older.....she'll be the one coming home with the gallon of pb. ;)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5e0S22jxfwrCLJd9_pHMJ28E7KnuTLF_NgKrigr_x53FfT4h4-9jc8N5TObikQy1GvstLB6JS__E5T-1ca2agg49kFza7mVpFk348z4YwPEHQ5TLFJb-AO8kF5xdlnxy8gzOkwMk95aD/s1600-h/IMG_4055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5e0S22jxfwrCLJd9_pHMJ28E7KnuTLF_NgKrigr_x53FfT4h4-9jc8N5TObikQy1GvstLB6JS__E5T-1ca2agg49kFza7mVpFk348z4YwPEHQ5TLFJb-AO8kF5xdlnxy8gzOkwMk95aD/s320/IMG_4055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432013810570118098" /></a><br /><br />All in all, the girls had a great time. Ella still talks about it a month later. I'm hoping she has the opportunity to make many more memories like this with her cousins in the future. Family is so important, and I hope she always stays close to them all.Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-12658757444694308242010-01-26T23:23:00.015-05:002010-01-27T02:08:24.264-05:00Christmas catch-upBecause I've been such a slacker on this blogging,and it would take an eternity to bring you up to speed on the Holidays until current with our family, I'm going to pretty much just do a "picture post." You're going to see tons of pics, I'm warning you now!<br /><br />This is the picture we chose to use for our Christmas card this year....I just felt like being a little creative. :)<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrG6Oj8Sa1NctE6d5IUEFjMlgm1tw6gRvoS3GS7hxbX37k-fzhfLhRlexhKXXjgLJjUg5FaIeqR8LlveIRadABbuEbcmRKPgmjShnSc6G7lgvHAUlXifTV7D1lMLuqEg9ZwZTQH4A8FNL/s1600-h/PB243888.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrG6Oj8Sa1NctE6d5IUEFjMlgm1tw6gRvoS3GS7hxbX37k-fzhfLhRlexhKXXjgLJjUg5FaIeqR8LlveIRadABbuEbcmRKPgmjShnSc6G7lgvHAUlXifTV7D1lMLuqEg9ZwZTQH4A8FNL/s320/PB243888.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431310612045640434" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />The caption underneath the picture was "Finally a Silent Night". Most people loved it, though there were a few who didn't recognize the humor...let me know what you think!<br /><br />Ella's cousin Addie stopped over one day close to Christmas and the girls had a ball "dressing up!"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSejLREfIQxjYfQZhXw1QsmxsdT8H6GfjbLVnj1IK7R_UdW1ww0X_Np9vnrs17gT5bg3EzqpF0WlV836soXSM3FgZNJV-zYm0i6DQF0hrw8z7-Bq81kO22OdMIKVjhkrvVOLsYjQzglrVy/s1600-h/IMG_3739.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSejLREfIQxjYfQZhXw1QsmxsdT8H6GfjbLVnj1IK7R_UdW1ww0X_Np9vnrs17gT5bg3EzqpF0WlV836soXSM3FgZNJV-zYm0i6DQF0hrw8z7-Bq81kO22OdMIKVjhkrvVOLsYjQzglrVy/s320/IMG_3739.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274481235535490" /></a><br /><br />We took Ella to the Festival of Trees this year, and she loved it, especially all the dancing that was going on in the theater. Here she is posing with one of the trees.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01xRn7v0w3a-0VSeP3yX1iXyqlQf8fgl6_pMxPTQskVybVpoIvMh0qSeTgIbUJ1n0m1t-9d49qGugB9khyphenhyphen9Z1y7WzPxkQ6Lvhs3ygoNpi7juFnUj6KKdYvbk-gYESLvub031pMRJ-fiiQ/s1600-h/IMG_3724.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01xRn7v0w3a-0VSeP3yX1iXyqlQf8fgl6_pMxPTQskVybVpoIvMh0qSeTgIbUJ1n0m1t-9d49qGugB9khyphenhyphen9Z1y7WzPxkQ6Lvhs3ygoNpi7juFnUj6KKdYvbk-gYESLvub031pMRJ-fiiQ/s320/IMG_3724.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274479388074002" /></a><br /><br />Ella and I took a road trip to Valporaiso University with my grandma and niece to see my cousin sing in a Christmas program. It was beautiful and professional, something I'm not quite sure is suited for a 2 yr old. We were seated in the FRONT row, with an orchestra not 2 feet from us. I though it would be ok, all the music and action would keep her nice and distracted. Well, at the very beginning of the concert, when everyone quieted down from warming up and the conductor brought his hand up to silence everyone....guess who yelled out....yep, my darling daughter. I was beet red; the conductor turned slowly around to us while I sank further into the pew....and...he smiled. <insert a huge sigh of relief here> I was so thankful that he was understanding. I spent most of the performance praying that she would stay quiet! And, she did, for the most part. :)<br />Here's a pic of us in Randi's dorm room, before we headed to our hotel for the weekend.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmFvxwc3ia02IBAPnOryb97NLpswjsUqX1HcvFrNJOykx5YSg3OXtWPyEfYXj1v8dJCtLpisk7kz9tAAH29iCeAbxf8WZxTW1gyPDAJI-BTUDLB8h2qjEGxsN6HXI8NrhlmE83xYCCKgQ/s1600-h/IMG_3757.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmFvxwc3ia02IBAPnOryb97NLpswjsUqX1HcvFrNJOykx5YSg3OXtWPyEfYXj1v8dJCtLpisk7kz9tAAH29iCeAbxf8WZxTW1gyPDAJI-BTUDLB8h2qjEGxsN6HXI8NrhlmE83xYCCKgQ/s320/IMG_3757.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274487890112274" /></a><br /><br />We went and saw Santa Claus, she was pretty leery at first. It took a lot of persuading; she finally sat on his lap so she could shake his jingle bells.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoD2PYBrgwS6fMvUt0xubyWhmwlul3Zjr3cwfG0SVEMMm5iu72sVbq1q2Uz_JFYBSxOk8bSX0rMexd7gDWnYB-_4FAeMh3QJxEVrd6AqGRFuxPN7LK2MHE9SXVMEpZnNwFsDXF7JdhWKU/s1600-h/IMG_3794.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoD2PYBrgwS6fMvUt0xubyWhmwlul3Zjr3cwfG0SVEMMm5iu72sVbq1q2Uz_JFYBSxOk8bSX0rMexd7gDWnYB-_4FAeMh3QJxEVrd6AqGRFuxPN7LK2MHE9SXVMEpZnNwFsDXF7JdhWKU/s320/IMG_3794.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274489912034082" /></a><br /><br />This was from our Christmas program at church. Ella dressed up as Mary. I'm going to be nice and not show the picture of Brad as the sheep. :)<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7YU31KGSNBI5lJQAvL9RWH-bYKcWJDHcmXCrHyXWVAdgOgM9ksY6e7fcJDV3Z1DVfVT8tzPLPPuuZkL30iGxZ-CNpF0CjVE-r1Mq3Z_qp-lYHR7RoExBAkR4JOVTSTe4mrUwic0XMiY6/s1600-h/IMG_3822.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7YU31KGSNBI5lJQAvL9RWH-bYKcWJDHcmXCrHyXWVAdgOgM9ksY6e7fcJDV3Z1DVfVT8tzPLPPuuZkL30iGxZ-CNpF0CjVE-r1Mq3Z_qp-lYHR7RoExBAkR4JOVTSTe4mrUwic0XMiY6/s320/IMG_3822.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431276978508567218" /></a><br /><br />We have a Secret Santa exchange at work every year, and this year I was so excited to get this apron. It made my day! I wore it every chance I had until I had to sadly put it away until next year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-emBmDjbV-pIMFfPXN94h9XAyNaJN0VOxkGNHQk6jU62w4DlK96ULcL1CSOm_NljXQ6MoNq_tniHTjkwjN8vQ4px3j67i32I8R2yT2hO-U3sqsgSCuGO76Klnk0hvKHrcpq5hoeMfO1eW/s1600-h/IMG_3830.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-emBmDjbV-pIMFfPXN94h9XAyNaJN0VOxkGNHQk6jU62w4DlK96ULcL1CSOm_NljXQ6MoNq_tniHTjkwjN8vQ4px3j67i32I8R2yT2hO-U3sqsgSCuGO76Klnk0hvKHrcpq5hoeMfO1eW/s320/IMG_3830.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431276982226131106" /></a><br /><br />First Christmas present of the year! My sister and her family got Ella this great table and chairs set. It's perfect for her playdough she got for Christmas too! She uses it all the time...calls it her "table and rocking chairs."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2reyybaJtIBQrJC8pIVlrX9XW2_lPK7CtFAS45UTALghCBv-jA2nJvWtNP92HhgGOICTCs_b_rzT6FUufBOKlafRtXiLQLZCfO8SHKGm1hiMgVUXgpeTur0RoRbMPeeOoMXEs_nJErAF/s1600-h/IMG_3800.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2reyybaJtIBQrJC8pIVlrX9XW2_lPK7CtFAS45UTALghCBv-jA2nJvWtNP92HhgGOICTCs_b_rzT6FUufBOKlafRtXiLQLZCfO8SHKGm1hiMgVUXgpeTur0RoRbMPeeOoMXEs_nJErAF/s320/IMG_3800.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431274501207286834" /></a><br /><br />Ella and I did just a little baking together, here's a pic I couldn't resist. Definitely the fun part of baking!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmHN-MfJ5eLAP7kclxSaWD0NyKhotykcxK7WHuuvZitLqyp77tTzm8gZqSKOBMnQmRYZHotKqkN-wcMD1jk4BGozAhho0dMg9ZH_Dywqfo4BfSkeZFHA4xr8ys6P4r0nPO26uvCEoH0Cc/s1600-h/IMG_3844.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmHN-MfJ5eLAP7kclxSaWD0NyKhotykcxK7WHuuvZitLqyp77tTzm8gZqSKOBMnQmRYZHotKqkN-wcMD1jk4BGozAhho0dMg9ZH_Dywqfo4BfSkeZFHA4xr8ys6P4r0nPO26uvCEoH0Cc/s320/IMG_3844.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431276989481961698" /></a><br /><br />Christmas Eve was spent at Brad's parents. Ella had a great time hanging with her cousins and opening presents. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwsjddk9EiW3Fzp1ZZwNuQrOwxfQZ8vvdPBCWyn0foxvuyMwwGGTJWAKWHquhGLiR9YjWiKIopJ1q8mEWTAEPSSBkiw7M4npaDgmgCCwF0Pocx1P0oBmkdWuNuBImkAnxgSxXHclDEp1n/s1600-h/IMG_3859.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwsjddk9EiW3Fzp1ZZwNuQrOwxfQZ8vvdPBCWyn0foxvuyMwwGGTJWAKWHquhGLiR9YjWiKIopJ1q8mEWTAEPSSBkiw7M4npaDgmgCCwF0Pocx1P0oBmkdWuNuBImkAnxgSxXHclDEp1n/s320/IMG_3859.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431276995490443986" /></a><br /><br />Did ya get it all, El?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyMXR8ri42QFys0oNbu6UMOHNo35IStNAX0VmpHburiIPfqQBOAJPGCEOHojXF3xdA8x_OB_0DGn45251agy37S6nqzeJB_Widavq93yP8iLeqrOfjhvgsNuvPh8inn7beFdmyrDv4rfG/s1600-h/IMG_3875.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyMXR8ri42QFys0oNbu6UMOHNo35IStNAX0VmpHburiIPfqQBOAJPGCEOHojXF3xdA8x_OB_0DGn45251agy37S6nqzeJB_Widavq93yP8iLeqrOfjhvgsNuvPh8inn7beFdmyrDv4rfG/s320/IMG_3875.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431278835377520274" /></a><br /><br />Addie and Ella modeling the aprons and hats Grandma made for them. Aren't they cute??<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsQYiaRTpWrGMoC6SzxAqcaPNzTtrde5nDM1DMFI-6gsZ4eSY_-v8LWHRgiw9fhykeo4HePDhhnGMCyDRMIj4_FOoiVNoTuasqrTxDw-ANj_jto-eMN7QXI2ibtqnmtGVzIInXKOtah_5/s1600-h/IMG_3864.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsQYiaRTpWrGMoC6SzxAqcaPNzTtrde5nDM1DMFI-6gsZ4eSY_-v8LWHRgiw9fhykeo4HePDhhnGMCyDRMIj4_FOoiVNoTuasqrTxDw-ANj_jto-eMN7QXI2ibtqnmtGVzIInXKOtah_5/s320/IMG_3864.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431278834279438002" /></a><br /><br />Our humble little Christmas tree bogged down with presents. I got this tree when Ella was an infant and I didn't want a real tree in the house. It was just supposed to be temporary, but it's so quick to put up and easy to decorate, I can't part with it!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhYjTefoXVXSXPF8SoG0OE8QNAFnIKhcdR_xWaC8KPs_1V0Rvt1uldKvycttQYoDLFB-H6I4zlYwc73T8EFeLmIDbWggLAMXj160IR9rjTBSkp10B0f7FSLf6q_2ByodV3aq0dnltWqb0/s1600-h/IMG_3886.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhYjTefoXVXSXPF8SoG0OE8QNAFnIKhcdR_xWaC8KPs_1V0Rvt1uldKvycttQYoDLFB-H6I4zlYwc73T8EFeLmIDbWggLAMXj160IR9rjTBSkp10B0f7FSLf6q_2ByodV3aq0dnltWqb0/s320/IMG_3886.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431278840405463074" /></a><br /><br />Christmas morning at our house. I was sooo excited this year to see the joy on Ella's face; it is priceless time together that I'm looking forward to for years to come.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96N1ASIX8v6TgEysWLSMtOD2EhGAUE3bouL6je11EB_Y0UcE2egB_aJaHKrfVG_0CBpiIu0lMFp_8EwcIshVYQo-TwIXbWlUxuJKxsu2ruiiPnLZT10PztAgN3VJLpd6yI6dF3xTofWso/s1600-h/IMG_3902.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96N1ASIX8v6TgEysWLSMtOD2EhGAUE3bouL6je11EB_Y0UcE2egB_aJaHKrfVG_0CBpiIu0lMFp_8EwcIshVYQo-TwIXbWlUxuJKxsu2ruiiPnLZT10PztAgN3VJLpd6yI6dF3xTofWso/s320/IMG_3902.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431278848457507122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4hzvkjLee9sYYFrmz8J9i9E6XhqGwt6woNTq6_0YbmJlNK9msGdqnKLTJzT_v8_qH6leAJVbbzXgFf5NoW0GQCvf_WZP5l9OflxiR7mGIQ9fHqd0XiwSZrWzo1ZsJKiV1VDMghPFHQxQ/s1600-h/IMG_3889.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4hzvkjLee9sYYFrmz8J9i9E6XhqGwt6woNTq6_0YbmJlNK9msGdqnKLTJzT_v8_qH6leAJVbbzXgFf5NoW0GQCvf_WZP5l9OflxiR7mGIQ9fHqd0XiwSZrWzo1ZsJKiV1VDMghPFHQxQ/s320/IMG_3889.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431278845681444338" /></a><br /><br />Here she is using her new baby bathtub as a sled. Sitting behind her is a gift I received from my neice. She drew this picture of Ella from her 1 year photo and it was entered in a contest. I had seen it hanging in the school and was pretty impressed, so she wrapped it up and gave it to me. I was pretty excited; it's hanging in her room and it looks perfect. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTBgLMwwcQnu8cHPlbK5kk1A6-KXzGIDhys0cXfrGjkMYy_2uqnYbGE4AIDLN0slK1VXHHuZqXa4GW_14jCJWQxu07rttJ2qWMX8lKL-wMV-mJb0xvwb-uNfoNiZ6j5BXeI3DMSjqPHui/s1600-h/IMG_3935.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTBgLMwwcQnu8cHPlbK5kk1A6-KXzGIDhys0cXfrGjkMYy_2uqnYbGE4AIDLN0slK1VXHHuZqXa4GW_14jCJWQxu07rttJ2qWMX8lKL-wMV-mJb0xvwb-uNfoNiZ6j5BXeI3DMSjqPHui/s320/IMG_3935.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431280220904458386" /></a><br /><br />After our morning at home, we got around to head to my Dad's. Ella was very excited to put on her Santa dress.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpysQKVDx4uNF7PyXfjc9G5vMys17fHm2UsCW_vhWNJktX74HiD682XbQuOixOxQrFLiVdfqGmOJlmT_x5vzC0MeNpIxhJgV1KxPyOLSCv57oX7IWW6KZhPhaazWUVLCDuNnW674rJOGKG/s1600-h/IMG_3938.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpysQKVDx4uNF7PyXfjc9G5vMys17fHm2UsCW_vhWNJktX74HiD682XbQuOixOxQrFLiVdfqGmOJlmT_x5vzC0MeNpIxhJgV1KxPyOLSCv57oX7IWW6KZhPhaazWUVLCDuNnW674rJOGKG/s320/IMG_3938.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431280225378253106" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-nNOHScwoXJrH85jFlqqc4MB6RS7uY7pTOKc6Ou-cth5XDdspjeVIZhi5KxTj3xm9BHlVCZmrmRC7PWFuQDjif6njwcn19hdsSK4n6SAQcFiVN1jo3Qj7FJ6xDMYuINFPd8LKvYiLxUl/s1600-h/IMG_3833.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-nNOHScwoXJrH85jFlqqc4MB6RS7uY7pTOKc6Ou-cth5XDdspjeVIZhi5KxTj3xm9BHlVCZmrmRC7PWFuQDjif6njwcn19hdsSK4n6SAQcFiVN1jo3Qj7FJ6xDMYuINFPd8LKvYiLxUl/s320/IMG_3833.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431276984403125490" /></a><br /><br />So excited about her princess tea set! I don't understand how little girls are just drawn to princess things, I think it's just in the DNA.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXD-8PWesCTu0HsHaYPXfFvgAeHvnUqbVt7HGDwviphxv2lqQRUsxTKoBZS42URKZjWvj6QM_l4gt6pK88yJo0fnTZKlH4BBt6z1IahhmmN7-ImtlGxQzhw9P0gluSpVaQGArxd9sQi24/s1600-h/IMG_3945.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXD-8PWesCTu0HsHaYPXfFvgAeHvnUqbVt7HGDwviphxv2lqQRUsxTKoBZS42URKZjWvj6QM_l4gt6pK88yJo0fnTZKlH4BBt6z1IahhmmN7-ImtlGxQzhw9P0gluSpVaQGArxd9sQi24/s320/IMG_3945.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431311092720033586" /></a><br /><br />My brother, Ella, and my dad. 3 generations of orneriness. (Is that a word?)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uk69J0khRg78JClDUNN7IeQD-EBJ1zi-Gs3qpB97-wGfTsXBH-hpwUqftO52N25W-7IsjDNw4M7G7qxg2aHnN3i45fbJwWu3gSHgJWsltc5dlIpwVYKFJb7pp-QhHNBlNKu-kFUow4mK/s1600-h/IMG_3951.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uk69J0khRg78JClDUNN7IeQD-EBJ1zi-Gs3qpB97-wGfTsXBH-hpwUqftO52N25W-7IsjDNw4M7G7qxg2aHnN3i45fbJwWu3gSHgJWsltc5dlIpwVYKFJb7pp-QhHNBlNKu-kFUow4mK/s320/IMG_3951.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431280232324201602" /></a><br /><br />The day after Christmas; getting recharged. They were so peaceful sleeping together.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6jDdRKjEOLg69jCjMHQsG3MPbhdpfZ1N-PO5INRQqEFW34kNARLxwCUgOSMsV3AsobTBdaSUUXjRWK3FyJrp1AAb_z3IIZIuE4zEzWRqn9u26LxTgcXFICWis29a9oQaL5hBnJUUaZIg/s1600-h/IMG_3953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6jDdRKjEOLg69jCjMHQsG3MPbhdpfZ1N-PO5INRQqEFW34kNARLxwCUgOSMsV3AsobTBdaSUUXjRWK3FyJrp1AAb_z3IIZIuE4zEzWRqn9u26LxTgcXFICWis29a9oQaL5hBnJUUaZIg/s320/IMG_3953.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431280235398902546" /></a><br /><br />Off to my grandparents for a White elephant Christmas! So fun! Ella takes a moment to stop running around and/or eating for a photo op with cousin Megan. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCHs3sMtXtM7rlGAsURs8v4WboQo8FrR5BKe3E_B3ARgeY52S_Sid7KdHSXiMF5erL_u0q1eiXZMTLpsWPNwgvMe0xur266c1WsIg6iinH3BgThlAVByR8rrJaqKYDJ_GyXnhRGwWD2pZ/s1600-h/IMG_3963.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCHs3sMtXtM7rlGAsURs8v4WboQo8FrR5BKe3E_B3ARgeY52S_Sid7KdHSXiMF5erL_u0q1eiXZMTLpsWPNwgvMe0xur266c1WsIg6iinH3BgThlAVByR8rrJaqKYDJ_GyXnhRGwWD2pZ/s320/IMG_3963.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431281706537538978" /></a><br /><br />My niece Carlee (that drew the picture), and my cousins Megan, Randi (that sings at Valpo), and Kalee. Aren't they beautiful? :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPy6cwIYCoAceG9gn-BJ7KN4OMzvCwkSN-xjad6g5BZAKatICuuQ425e8R7emKW89Pt0HVcTibZPtY2Wt20nQMPBxJvr66cf2KlzKh1WAxXCOsZlUr3La9M355N1S4X1Yt8UplstCPKTj/s1600-h/IMG_3966.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPy6cwIYCoAceG9gn-BJ7KN4OMzvCwkSN-xjad6g5BZAKatICuuQ425e8R7emKW89Pt0HVcTibZPtY2Wt20nQMPBxJvr66cf2KlzKh1WAxXCOsZlUr3La9M355N1S4X1Yt8UplstCPKTj/s320/IMG_3966.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431281711054152562" /></a><br /><br />And so begins the opening of the gifts....<br /><br />My dad received a wig<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPjh21KcX2PI41shyphenhyphen1lLkv9ECsfAKpXnjpBHXcRIzfstWji2lBMEuSoIfSZKEy5glDWXR9E5adoaF2EpkxHI42qkjJjJpJZ_FTVb9nrRn9XL6yeb-Gzcxe3DmpcRouOKqn0KrgBjb2kEd/s1600-h/IMG_3989.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPjh21KcX2PI41shyphenhyphen1lLkv9ECsfAKpXnjpBHXcRIzfstWji2lBMEuSoIfSZKEy5glDWXR9E5adoaF2EpkxHI42qkjJjJpJZ_FTVb9nrRn9XL6yeb-Gzcxe3DmpcRouOKqn0KrgBjb2kEd/s320/IMG_3989.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431281717431037954" /></a><br /><br /><br />Megan got some great cowboy boots (compliments of me)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayBqQAsjhCp5kRfXMg92Pct4K5yaw95f3gRPLWXOP6k1TynEsz1jnEG1H3OM0s4v1dAAscvmQUmX0DuC-HjdYx_ZNGQCyYU-RKV2X9B-u9GfsJwXUhLsEGtyXfSdsWCKVjhVEt2mTrVJ7/s1600-h/IMG_3997.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayBqQAsjhCp5kRfXMg92Pct4K5yaw95f3gRPLWXOP6k1TynEsz1jnEG1H3OM0s4v1dAAscvmQUmX0DuC-HjdYx_ZNGQCyYU-RKV2X9B-u9GfsJwXUhLsEGtyXfSdsWCKVjhVEt2mTrVJ7/s320/IMG_3997.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431281729157541458" /></a><br /><br /><br />Carlee got some awesome potholders<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhS8QJqYrR1jyd1J9Yail8MJwjjlt1ymxqNb8p51R6wbyMyGVTisXNiszv_6laMrnxOF8HDLlzLUYR7smI3znPNQuoyRxHNF2GG5pXnCV91RRd03WVEUmYLUd6jZhJiNJPpV4_X-k6f8P/s1600-h/IMG_4002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhS8QJqYrR1jyd1J9Yail8MJwjjlt1ymxqNb8p51R6wbyMyGVTisXNiszv_6laMrnxOF8HDLlzLUYR7smI3znPNQuoyRxHNF2GG5pXnCV91RRd03WVEUmYLUd6jZhJiNJPpV4_X-k6f8P/s320/IMG_4002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431281732398830578" /></a><br /><br /><br />Everyone was jealous of my Aunt Bec's mannequin head!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4tYxg6S_uJqtnSpZsTq_985e3hRfPFpIUS8_HuNp6Po4c4TOt4GLxmZjSNshZqsVcJX2MmzunMyNT7k2qjoIewXzPMs69ollI5octg1ndWsTcqkXhyphenhyphenCwbwSjfYcfkOUUHp8UASiV-zlK/s1600-h/IMG_4004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4tYxg6S_uJqtnSpZsTq_985e3hRfPFpIUS8_HuNp6Po4c4TOt4GLxmZjSNshZqsVcJX2MmzunMyNT7k2qjoIewXzPMs69ollI5octg1ndWsTcqkXhyphenhyphenCwbwSjfYcfkOUUHp8UASiV-zlK/s320/IMG_4004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431306393516416882" /></a><br /><br />Ella and Megan's husband Josh sporting the "doo rags." I didn't even know what those actually were until then! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaO3KjRdzYmG3p47sXuQnUfX3tZA-HUHNT_LA2UFBqiyLORkyibD0FXobVN_Y-oLWBOnThJhPkwrEjcpmx5k3w0EWat2ysJ1wAurYIsMS34UAJFy4ilXwzA3lq_dgw7zX9O23QpdkC83L2/s1600-h/IMG_4011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaO3KjRdzYmG3p47sXuQnUfX3tZA-HUHNT_LA2UFBqiyLORkyibD0FXobVN_Y-oLWBOnThJhPkwrEjcpmx5k3w0EWat2ysJ1wAurYIsMS34UAJFy4ilXwzA3lq_dgw7zX9O23QpdkC83L2/s320/IMG_4011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431306396578380930" /></a><br /><br />We got a few days reprieve, then headed over to Warsaw to my grandparents (mom's side) to spend some time with them. A few of my cousins that I hadn't seen in years came by with their children. Ella was in heaven with all the kids!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1R_erAZS4sTeduqY08QWzQTUMpP3DrN0XhwnjDdpt-Wj8brTXy7oBD3NpQqUp8Bl8-It6SyYANPnccch8e3hozAwziGiUhFPRvYRk_EmUmhWgl0NQiAWBwY_6TvSEJb0picRiAkBlLVg6/s1600-h/IMG_4016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1R_erAZS4sTeduqY08QWzQTUMpP3DrN0XhwnjDdpt-Wj8brTXy7oBD3NpQqUp8Bl8-It6SyYANPnccch8e3hozAwziGiUhFPRvYRk_EmUmhWgl0NQiAWBwY_6TvSEJb0picRiAkBlLVg6/s320/IMG_4016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431306401747571538" /></a><br /><br />We had a great Christmas this year, and if you made it through all those photos and you're still reading, I'm proud of you! I warned you there were a lot! I'll try to do better at posting more often, so this doesn't happen again too often. ;)Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-25384184376600030862010-01-19T23:55:00.006-05:002010-01-20T00:18:12.993-05:00Coming soonI've heard from a few people now that I have waited too long to update....so I will have some new posts coming soon! (That means I atleast have a couple people reading this! ha) Since the holidays, I just haven't gotten back on track, but I will! <br />Because I can't post without a picture, I'll leave you with a family pic from shortly after midnight on New Year's. Yes, Ella stayed up...barely. Wasn't long after this photo was taken that she was out like a light!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieftWSj_gHS28yRkRHh3HBT4zNp72irRMi2LH4bxZX3dmApRp5ff69r71d4OKf-8SnYfTamsXrM4NPqj9LDo0WD2lkfOmKfsq36V9UewWIrIY_W9HCdL8wjxAt7U4JyANEje7yQFs4uH85/s1600-h/IMG_4062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieftWSj_gHS28yRkRHh3HBT4zNp72irRMi2LH4bxZX3dmApRp5ff69r71d4OKf-8SnYfTamsXrM4NPqj9LDo0WD2lkfOmKfsq36V9UewWIrIY_W9HCdL8wjxAt7U4JyANEje7yQFs4uH85/s320/IMG_4062.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428682346122467602" /></a>Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-34855531867105168092009-12-20T01:32:00.006-05:002009-12-20T02:29:19.630-05:00Ella's 1st Christmas programElla had her first-ever Christmas program Thursday morning at her pre-school. Her age group was going to sing 5 songs, and we had been practicing them the last few weeks. She was doing great at home, dancing all around and singing; her favorite being Jingle Bells, as you've seen previously. :) But, we found out that when they practiced the few weeks before in the sanctuary, Ella freaked out and refused to get up and sing with the kids. Oh, boy. I knew it was going to be interesting..... Here is a pic of Ella coming in with the other kids...the only one with a parent in tow. <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2jc0259ppGsKAvHKfMBAn6dEjpH0q0Ol-WZA10hiNnKAc_DA44TrL3m1Vrlg_NUgQgshivWj4c5Lgxn1CRYKPgFTIWthlLDBQm3r-BxWyrpxPvU1O_ZOBAZAoWcIft3YcSCKCWatjzj0/s1600-h/IMG_3764.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417206247764243314 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2jc0259ppGsKAvHKfMBAn6dEjpH0q0Ol-WZA10hiNnKAc_DA44TrL3m1Vrlg_NUgQgshivWj4c5Lgxn1CRYKPgFTIWthlLDBQm3r-BxWyrpxPvU1O_ZOBAZAoWcIft3YcSCKCWatjzj0/s320/IMG_3764.JPG"></A> And, about 2 minutes later, her teacher rescued her from a crying fit: <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiQMnyql4g1MU44AAgBSdCeypZ7URdTFU_4Q2SwqGpYVhhMTLw-qanFQavGTj7UmdvO9_qpJDTwSZaLeczcc_81eEfXTCwYqCwYWLBv_LBSUtjN8JTl3E141QxSHZFYos_JRJZ2PIKyxk/s1600-h/IMG_3766.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417206254302701970 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiQMnyql4g1MU44AAgBSdCeypZ7URdTFU_4Q2SwqGpYVhhMTLw-qanFQavGTj7UmdvO9_qpJDTwSZaLeczcc_81eEfXTCwYqCwYWLBv_LBSUtjN8JTl3E141QxSHZFYos_JRJZ2PIKyxk/s320/IMG_3766.JPG"></A> Shortly after, Ella came running back to sit with us. She continued to do the motions with the kids and was interested in what was going on, but just did not want to be front and center, I guess. Which I think is strange because she seems to love the attention! When the teachers started handing out bells to the kids, Ella realized it was time for Jingle Bells and ran back up there. She wanted to make sure she got her bell! I was so proud of her for staying up there for that song and getting into it. Hey, 1 out of 5 ain't bad, right??<br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-fb6c768feb91fb55 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="fb6c768feb91fb55"></OBJECT>Rushing back to us after her song, she decided to sit with Brad on the aisle, so she could "perform" close to us. When the Reindeer Hokie Pokie came on, she jammed in the aisle:<br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-d020a271f22cc9c7 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="d020a271f22cc9c7"></OBJECT><br />After the singing was done, Santa came to greet the kids. And, our 'fraidy cat is not too fond of him up close, either! Though when she realized he came bearing gifts, she tolerated him to get one and then got away from him! <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOAWzvqsHG3CAi21-_iB0OipNFMqN9NrqpTYW1NFSJou1NTVvVN7bntlrT-IVTACWZLVk90THwKe6BNkaUj2Np-9g6f2VCTwoRCfZDdqasg1BUEl9_piKujSLh9O9y9YqCzhBdbriOLc3/s1600-h/IMG_3776.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417206258192210674 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOAWzvqsHG3CAi21-_iB0OipNFMqN9NrqpTYW1NFSJou1NTVvVN7bntlrT-IVTACWZLVk90THwKe6BNkaUj2Np-9g6f2VCTwoRCfZDdqasg1BUEl9_piKujSLh9O9y9YqCzhBdbriOLc3/s320/IMG_3776.JPG"></A> <br />Then we made our way to cookies and punch, and to hang out for a short while until I had to head back to work. Brad's parents and my dad came to see her, so she had a great time eating cookies and spending time with them. <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinkYPYOdmAEQxugUYOQh-GI0ZMt4I1v8KldNd0vQ3U6Bvp08NPxtAExKTj1aTvsW9oQygQPxzmN7VJi4Jbc404TKO3vVMQ_JwbW4PqH0UEKMFelIjPVdFwCjKIMv4SsM-zz4JmLNBL2uf/s1600-h/IMG_3779.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417206258759495522 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinkYPYOdmAEQxugUYOQh-GI0ZMt4I1v8KldNd0vQ3U6Bvp08NPxtAExKTj1aTvsW9oQygQPxzmN7VJi4Jbc404TKO3vVMQ_JwbW4PqH0UEKMFelIjPVdFwCjKIMv4SsM-zz4JmLNBL2uf/s320/IMG_3779.JPG"></A><br />And, last but not least, I finally got to see Ella's classroom since I'm always working when she goes to school. She was so proud, and couldn't wait to show me her "cubbie" with her name where she keeps everything. <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh258n42f-2goAs-3htyJsI3npK7C1W-LvsfWa7tm1UhBKLtBI4BRhowgWMD_Czd31RAV7AxtOY9X8FOg9BLPybr8FLekW1S_P64OGva7jsgF2Q_2mEV6kZ5lWOGXTjLuM5rRu4pmFU56T4/s1600-h/IMG_3780.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417206266986772530 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh258n42f-2goAs-3htyJsI3npK7C1W-LvsfWa7tm1UhBKLtBI4BRhowgWMD_Czd31RAV7AxtOY9X8FOg9BLPybr8FLekW1S_P64OGva7jsgF2Q_2mEV6kZ5lWOGXTjLuM5rRu4pmFU56T4/s320/IMG_3780.JPG"></A><br />Brad's mom works at this church and keeps a good eye on her, so I feel very comfortable with her being there. Ella seems to really enjoy it and is always talking about "going to school." I'm so proud of her, and I didn't even cry! :)<br /><br />PS: If you noticed in the pictures, Ella has a scab on her nose....it's from her rubbing and scratching on it at night when she goes to bed! She just started it about 2 weeks ago, and it's getting pretty annoying! I couldn't figure out what was happening, and I finally realized it when checking on her one night what she was doing. I don't know if it's a comfort or what, but it looks pretty painful to me! Not to mention, an eyesore right in the middle of her face that could be prevented! I don't know what to do about it, I've thought about putting a bandaid over it at night, but figured she'd just pick it off, and someone suggested her sleeping in mittens, but I don't think that'd go over so well either. Anyone have any suggestions?? Kids are crazy! You never know what they're going to do next....Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-70246919883029357802009-12-13T23:00:00.001-05:002009-12-13T23:18:32.254-05:00Thanksgiving 2009This posting is a little late, but alas. <br />We had 4, yes 4! Thanksgiving meals this year. 2 of them I didn't have my camera at, and the other two I only took a couple of shots. My Grable side and Brad's family were the first two the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. Didn't take pictures at those, but trust me, there was good food, and plenty of it! On Thanksgiving day, we went to Warsaw to be with my grandparents and aunt and uncle. The meal was delicious, as usual!<br />Ella goofing off before dinner:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvDHeZGJS_jYaeg0Bg4vDLV_UNu51Fcl8Q15naWu0aetVlcYbutQMzZf1HMNaL8-vq2zRhYIJCbf-EbqLojgG1JYOZvaNMN-3OMkXInyE8aeWRPG3mfe6G-UyNSjh8_lXGSqaPugWvqnk/s1600-h/IMG_3691.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvDHeZGJS_jYaeg0Bg4vDLV_UNu51Fcl8Q15naWu0aetVlcYbutQMzZf1HMNaL8-vq2zRhYIJCbf-EbqLojgG1JYOZvaNMN-3OMkXInyE8aeWRPG3mfe6G-UyNSjh8_lXGSqaPugWvqnk/s320/IMG_3691.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414932875880863682" /></a><br /><br /><br />And one very satisfied customer!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRjnLOmwajaYYjsjwrVz22hE4d_FDLMGt-IuiSRgltc1Q_rhsij3mUBuHGnw_xLUolcYOmpuoIq2WBg_t5xafMerbWBEqDtJFYSqXiIyk6U6wcOaEVsOcPIK_UjX8BVT_xtYPtYnM0h7U/s1600-h/IMG_3695.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRjnLOmwajaYYjsjwrVz22hE4d_FDLMGt-IuiSRgltc1Q_rhsij3mUBuHGnw_xLUolcYOmpuoIq2WBg_t5xafMerbWBEqDtJFYSqXiIyk6U6wcOaEVsOcPIK_UjX8BVT_xtYPtYnM0h7U/s320/IMG_3695.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414932877067640162" /></a><br /><br />The following day we had dinner at Jen's. Ever since mom passed away, (5 years now, hard to believe!), we've gotten together for this, and sometimes Easter too. After all these years, we're just part of the fam! :) Jen and I do all the cooking, and I have to say, it's pretty darn good! We usually hang around most of the evening and play Wii and charades. Good times!<br /><br />Ella had a great time. Jen has a nephew that's a year older than her and they play really well together, and can make quite the mess together, too! <br /><br />A face only a mother could love:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ3r9TGcW1kPLjcePkrjss-l5GJp9ABWx5RNQSgapPqc1NXV_sJUIRmii4UcUrJ-isikWQj5ikyKLbOpnRfMsY_g-ueVgq7z_OGIO3FHkKNlQ5G0Iy30E8ejHoajUfn0YIu9RfxxbLk9v/s1600-h/IMG_3701.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ3r9TGcW1kPLjcePkrjss-l5GJp9ABWx5RNQSgapPqc1NXV_sJUIRmii4UcUrJ-isikWQj5ikyKLbOpnRfMsY_g-ueVgq7z_OGIO3FHkKNlQ5G0Iy30E8ejHoajUfn0YIu9RfxxbLk9v/s320/IMG_3701.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414941228087489554" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I think there might be small crushes developing between Ella and Isaac. After beating up on each other, they appeared to be spotted feeding each other grapes. Hmmm...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOUX_7FYggU5O6F1qOX7zpqS_9Ahk7G0Hl_WQtgph0PK7O7byGt2z_zKKTmF4n54b0MLt3TZUvsK3OlNhWR4USKcyFi0eOJBY7aFGwqHNIttTd5D8UA3-30YJML-SafsP-StCislSnEJ9/s1600-h/IMG_3707.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOUX_7FYggU5O6F1qOX7zpqS_9Ahk7G0Hl_WQtgph0PK7O7byGt2z_zKKTmF4n54b0MLt3TZUvsK3OlNhWR4USKcyFi0eOJBY7aFGwqHNIttTd5D8UA3-30YJML-SafsP-StCislSnEJ9/s320/IMG_3707.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414937383848367474" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx4R2sDR0ahVNpFc6USe5hwPuUmpHrU6R78ITadQZ1IJP0eTL6JLECbVMvHEJWT53mnKhyphenhyphenepJ-KTDZ0HUp6sVI_1HzhmUbkqORExzgjHIPzqYzukkWgwK-4ZCXSnq5mbTFzatUL_S5wJN/s1600-h/IMG_3713.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx4R2sDR0ahVNpFc6USe5hwPuUmpHrU6R78ITadQZ1IJP0eTL6JLECbVMvHEJWT53mnKhyphenhyphenepJ-KTDZ0HUp6sVI_1HzhmUbkqORExzgjHIPzqYzukkWgwK-4ZCXSnq5mbTFzatUL_S5wJN/s320/IMG_3713.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414937388625683698" /></a><br /><br />Aren't they precious??<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSxWdxXJNYqDKUXZw4rwCnqfhKF-gkePFzrlKe592mJacmkjOXE-9JrzmW7r2sab1t3HiPG1f8xcaSDcij5BOo90tBEL2ofBiKMcc8uM_xnCxw3_KXiLWk5prnfm0bi1wZQmUQ9MmjOqS/s1600-h/IMG_3706.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSxWdxXJNYqDKUXZw4rwCnqfhKF-gkePFzrlKe592mJacmkjOXE-9JrzmW7r2sab1t3HiPG1f8xcaSDcij5BOo90tBEL2ofBiKMcc8uM_xnCxw3_KXiLWk5prnfm0bi1wZQmUQ9MmjOqS/s320/IMG_3706.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414937376547342834" /></a><br /><br />And, because I write the blog and have complete control over it, I'm leaving you with an "action" shot of Brad playing Charades. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7rRtj1sSf5VszNqSzSZEOY_iIyz6yH8DeXOdTpEXz3H42i9KKFv2x3SQ5VBld48sedqIQIQjvoDfllKT_XSS-pnH3TbezbrwIHArz8veNkA2amSX0i3fSmlbksxvbYa6E4Xh80yQ1oeb/s1600-h/IMG_3719.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7rRtj1sSf5VszNqSzSZEOY_iIyz6yH8DeXOdTpEXz3H42i9KKFv2x3SQ5VBld48sedqIQIQjvoDfllKT_XSS-pnH3TbezbrwIHArz8veNkA2amSX0i3fSmlbksxvbYa6E4Xh80yQ1oeb/s320/IMG_3719.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414937392933411858" /></a><br /><br />Answer: Tammy Faye Baker. That was a tough one! On second thought, maybe I should've made a video......Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-46718291175427396482009-12-03T20:43:00.004-05:002009-12-03T21:38:49.634-05:00Jingle Bell RockElla started going to "pre-school" recently one morning a week, and she's loving it! I teared up the first time she came home with a "painting" she had done. Can she really be big enough to do this stuff?? I'm a sap, I know!! <br />This week they are learning a few Christmas songs for a "program" they're having in a couple of weeks. I can't wait...you think I got a little teary over a few colored streaks on an over-sized piece of paper....I'm gonna need a box of Kleenex for that!<br />Anyway, she loves the Jingle Bells song and was really getting into it tonight, I have a feeling this program could be pretty interesting with her <em>happy feet</em>. I don't think she knows how to stand still. Here's a video of her practicing...half-naked...good times at the Johnson house! <br /><br /><br /><br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-cb09fad92bfea99f class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="cb09fad92bfea99f"></OBJECT>Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-88960211109305391002009-11-30T21:00:00.000-05:002009-11-30T21:00:00.638-05:00Deck the HallsWe put up our Christmas tree last weekend because I wanted to get Ella's picture taken for our Christmas card this year. It's funny, the last couple years I haven't wanted to do much decorating, but this year, with the awe and newness of Christmas for Ella, it's just given me a whole new perspective. This is the first year that she's really starting to get into it and start to understand a little about what's going on. Right now she <em>constantly</em> says "Christmas tree", "Christmas lights", "Santa", and "Baby Jesus", but not quite sure how it's all connected yet or what it all means. <br /><br />Here she is loving on Santa.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBPIJsGFlE_SHz4PWesaBPVzWpJq6zHU3wkekRKRodlN1VitdGmfxZLRog5hDF0kRdN5YdtoORSoDkoocpFx6XWxigUHNoxPtuIt_aMOsulNXDRHmbDhqBUd-FO_hw0h6v5PocefhAMZC/s1600/IMG_3674.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBPIJsGFlE_SHz4PWesaBPVzWpJq6zHU3wkekRKRodlN1VitdGmfxZLRog5hDF0kRdN5YdtoORSoDkoocpFx6XWxigUHNoxPtuIt_aMOsulNXDRHmbDhqBUd-FO_hw0h6v5PocefhAMZC/s320/IMG_3674.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409780111297082098" /></a><br /><br />And...getting as close to the tree as she can without touching it....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFftxL3snwEXBcVPGzdBODUpmMAAGS9Oo1-s5lJjRHa9V6mZ3yJ0l5ML76hZfZ1j6qfSUNtS5VfIVq5nh9BmB0uwntOvvNfGJTm2-Cun_VUiYYRg5mLjRrlpsX56TsW59tZqsNVuW_q7C0/s1600/IMG_3677.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFftxL3snwEXBcVPGzdBODUpmMAAGS9Oo1-s5lJjRHa9V6mZ3yJ0l5ML76hZfZ1j6qfSUNtS5VfIVq5nh9BmB0uwntOvvNfGJTm2-Cun_VUiYYRg5mLjRrlpsX56TsW59tZqsNVuW_q7C0/s320/IMG_3677.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409780116685640530" /></a><br /><br />My grandparents recently down-sized, so I was given quite a few decorations that they no longer needed. They all remind me of my childhood, and I'm happy to have them. This porcelain tree I have always loved, and we had one at our house growing up too. So, I was pretty excited when I got this one. I couldn't wait to plug it in and show Ella, and she laid there for about 10 minutes just watching and naming all the colors. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj894nNekyBjj8xi8C6lSkboSHWKQscTVqu154nv19MDBmV9AhfMLE_mg2zDRzRA418-GDlEr_9A2nDg_BtGmCQI8ne6YFiCFQsqZeq60ck28C63BDx6tASqqE7bwR1Kc6UkqVFlh97y-TB/s1600/IMG_3684.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj894nNekyBjj8xi8C6lSkboSHWKQscTVqu154nv19MDBmV9AhfMLE_mg2zDRzRA418-GDlEr_9A2nDg_BtGmCQI8ne6YFiCFQsqZeq60ck28C63BDx6tASqqE7bwR1Kc6UkqVFlh97y-TB/s320/IMG_3684.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409780124647011506" /></a><br /><br />After a little decorating, we took a break and decided to pick it back up in a few days. In the meantime, we played dress-up. She calls herself the "white princess" in this dress. :) Her friend Audrey gave her this after she outgrew it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbvGH1fQnWD1kx7x9ADH4plt1RXiI7YB0Tj0skfOK8QpIJv35tgvmm2UwvNMbQSSfqyUEbxoeb0oTes2P7J-qRoz92yaLEy_lCxtH5AB7F25oS6hlO4E664RYR0UQfiJJc6g0q6mmKUhyphenhyphen/s1600/IMG_3686.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbvGH1fQnWD1kx7x9ADH4plt1RXiI7YB0Tj0skfOK8QpIJv35tgvmm2UwvNMbQSSfqyUEbxoeb0oTes2P7J-qRoz92yaLEy_lCxtH5AB7F25oS6hlO4E664RYR0UQfiJJc6g0q6mmKUhyphenhyphen/s320/IMG_3686.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409780123455760882" /></a><br /><br />And, tonight we finished up the decorating. Ella gets to display a few things in her room, which she thinks is pretty cool. She received an early christmas present on Thanksgiving Day; a music box that she really loves to sit and listen to. We've already heard "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" several times. ;) She also has her own <em>very little </em>tree that she got to decorate. The ornaments are little "s'mores", it was one of the first decorations I bought when I was out on my own. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVyanTfkwjrBev8kn4s8TEJFO823IvASYHFvqY8tJUtZecmTwNq1AKTo8krBbYLnaPANaWT4H8WSPFt2d26glxHSV2_M1hc0r9Rsfr_xrqgdlTUBommSxKXvNgyeoUqj5hoFa5TjmQ-n2/s1600/IMG_3746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVyanTfkwjrBev8kn4s8TEJFO823IvASYHFvqY8tJUtZecmTwNq1AKTo8krBbYLnaPANaWT4H8WSPFt2d26glxHSV2_M1hc0r9Rsfr_xrqgdlTUBommSxKXvNgyeoUqj5hoFa5TjmQ-n2/s320/IMG_3746.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409784335003884642" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeWvCp6oDrqTKv7EACZKDMptj2lezJIkFXBy7mttKqeSQWVnxTaPdzmxEVkN9xbKkVmU3S-MP5OFyiB2EcHyB2wwW9QOOTIoJpFpwHM6qU-BNGzzMDslKvOxV5TfIkFJ2DBUIQWkbH9vI/s1600/IMG_3748.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeWvCp6oDrqTKv7EACZKDMptj2lezJIkFXBy7mttKqeSQWVnxTaPdzmxEVkN9xbKkVmU3S-MP5OFyiB2EcHyB2wwW9QOOTIoJpFpwHM6qU-BNGzzMDslKvOxV5TfIkFJ2DBUIQWkbH9vI/s320/IMG_3748.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409780127925230994" /></a><br /><br />It's getting festive in our house....now, if I just had a fireplace to hang our stockings!!!Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-47858693612146826212009-11-30T00:56:00.000-05:002009-11-30T01:16:20.075-05:00Pig and PottyA couple of weeks ago Brad was asked to bring in a pig from his family's farm to church. It's not what you think...LOL. A few months prior, the kids had auctioned off some books and toys to the congregation to raise money to buy animals and send them to the poor, which are used for barter in other countries. One of the animals they were able to purchase for them was a pig, so he wanted to actually show the kids what they had been able to buy. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6ipEOkvmTcUq99qzmRG_koF36tiVHWXr5pDBLonUs62wcid9RUTq7vMjRokXTPa0XEIoa1MIa9kJCA_7qvdQbjgwzhGks-689Knw4yJCqD2XbHV7QShk5Ln912EwtYeRkIAIyQu5RSOH/s1600/IMG_3627.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6ipEOkvmTcUq99qzmRG_koF36tiVHWXr5pDBLonUs62wcid9RUTq7vMjRokXTPa0XEIoa1MIa9kJCA_7qvdQbjgwzhGks-689Knw4yJCqD2XbHV7QShk5Ln912EwtYeRkIAIyQu5RSOH/s320/IMG_3627.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409773907431077282" /></a><br /><br />I think the kids really enjoyed it; I know Ella did. She didn't want Brad to take it away, and when we got home from church we kept it in the garage for awhile until it was time to go back to the farm. Ella thought that was too funny. Cocoa wasn't so sure, as we had the pig in her crate. All the time Ella is <em>still</em> saying "piggy in the garage?" or "Piggy at church?" <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFqQwGkk9sKgxTB9QKCwoyLCGrQUumXGJf3p23SqjIAx3hU4HC7uZIoH95gdPO_gCpXP094htO6rKUPg4Xdw90keSTTCtMmx8YM1jDv3ifoBnpSp-nVqueWLNXqTF9cCLIowqQ6nkgXFt/s1600/IMG_3653.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFqQwGkk9sKgxTB9QKCwoyLCGrQUumXGJf3p23SqjIAx3hU4HC7uZIoH95gdPO_gCpXP094htO6rKUPg4Xdw90keSTTCtMmx8YM1jDv3ifoBnpSp-nVqueWLNXqTF9cCLIowqQ6nkgXFt/s320/IMG_3653.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409775044978312658" /></a><br /><br />OH, and one more little announcement:<br /><br />WE ARE POTTY-TRAINED!!! Woohoo!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGXxEKacpz_bouf6Qx-A7ZMkyv0AdWN1nQkIo-thjjA7zBhi7oyaZInRabzJC_tngfC2shlCUJKMPq1mBi2SoMCFDEJm_nnXLKnLFCSvarSnPDR9L5ZktaLudtLbhstGCzPFU-HnUDg9a/s1600/IMG_3655.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGXxEKacpz_bouf6Qx-A7ZMkyv0AdWN1nQkIo-thjjA7zBhi7oyaZInRabzJC_tngfC2shlCUJKMPq1mBi2SoMCFDEJm_nnXLKnLFCSvarSnPDR9L5ZktaLudtLbhstGCzPFU-HnUDg9a/s320/IMG_3655.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409775402791799826" /></a><br /><br />She had taken interest after we received some little potty seats from friends, so one day I just decided this is it; we're gonna give it a real shot. Literally, by the end of the first day she had the hang of it. It was almost too easy, and I kept waiting for the backfire. I have heard and witnessed so many horror stories with potty-training, I was actually pretty pessimistic at first about the whole thing, and really dreading it. Well, luckily she proved me wrong and doesn't even want to be in diapers anymore; but that may be because she knows she's going to bed when she gets one! ha I don't quite trust her through the night yet. But, I'm very happy with the progress we've made.....another milestone...WHEW! :)Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-76183900657348133352009-11-09T22:02:00.000-05:002009-11-09T22:50:57.147-05:00Block PartyToday Ella and I were hanging out, playing with blocks, drinking some milk, ya know, partying hard for 2 year olds! She's just recently gotten into actually <em>playing</em> with blocks instead of just dumping them out and scattering them around. Ella was so proud that she was stacking the blocks pretty high, and would cheer after every one that she put on. I, as her mother, thought it was really cute, so I got a video so atleast the grandparents could say "awww" along with me! :)<br /><br /><br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-800c54154b3eeccc class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="800c54154b3eeccc"></OBJECT><br /><br />We were still in our jammies, rockin' the bedhead. Like mother, like daughter! :)Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-54288125747245951332009-11-02T22:48:00.000-05:002009-11-02T23:50:12.938-05:00A Great Day in the Life of a ToddlerLast Monday we babysat for one of my good friend's little girls, who you've seen in an earlier post. Emily and Ella get along great and love to spend time together. (Aside from the occasional 2 yr old tiffs over taking each other's toys.) :) <br />I think they played with every toy imaginable in the first hour or two they were together. They do a great job of destroying a house. Here they are making laps with their strollers. They took turns following each other around. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosvEKofoS-ATwDo5xYDcqiL9e4RCRrIEiNu29dijufL_JQW3gJ3p_XemauLDSW8ABI_dFFM5INJt1JXd_OVnvPEvg29K9Szy2IThEBRTrUgpqMQPGUEPFeblhyphenhyphenXcr6AzCORoT2DhHxMbF/s1600-h/IMG_3544.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosvEKofoS-ATwDo5xYDcqiL9e4RCRrIEiNu29dijufL_JQW3gJ3p_XemauLDSW8ABI_dFFM5INJt1JXd_OVnvPEvg29K9Szy2IThEBRTrUgpqMQPGUEPFeblhyphenhyphenXcr6AzCORoT2DhHxMbF/s320/IMG_3544.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399720943576207506" /></a><br /><br />Next they moved on to destroying the bedroom. They're taking a quick break from all their work!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNp_d3s_Lmeckh4qLt215_VOQOiPFrnt60Lygv0oBsYk5zgECn1DM1sXgZOHG7DXNqdMS89TWaIJZXHcsAe0n3Bjmz_uawG7cZBFW1RXIXA2WCU-XpTGdikSvSgXW7mK5sLJlJepe-1ru/s1600-h/IMG_3550.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNp_d3s_Lmeckh4qLt215_VOQOiPFrnt60Lygv0oBsYk5zgECn1DM1sXgZOHG7DXNqdMS89TWaIJZXHcsAe0n3Bjmz_uawG7cZBFW1RXIXA2WCU-XpTGdikSvSgXW7mK5sLJlJepe-1ru/s320/IMG_3550.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399722000627351554" /></a><br /><br />Making Brad look pretty; it's a tough job! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc9wmqvnmCgKAy77vC3_7sDF-ZnFlB78Oq0A5OFpSZhN8XXkCIqYNQGhyphenhyphenbwSCCAITdJIweB7DTa0Z84AiqDydpxDjjrwkGNMFfIFmGZGtPqORExvhgXIaFlGndRd93St8RQViQ5pVU5cu/s1600-h/IMG_3551.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc9wmqvnmCgKAy77vC3_7sDF-ZnFlB78Oq0A5OFpSZhN8XXkCIqYNQGhyphenhyphenbwSCCAITdJIweB7DTa0Z84AiqDydpxDjjrwkGNMFfIFmGZGtPqORExvhgXIaFlGndRd93St8RQViQ5pVU5cu/s320/IMG_3551.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399722004158937282" /></a><br /><br />Quick pose for a picture.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweCBER6kKOa0c-OJlAYP1htGlyXfD49b3T3jM4nSXXLzUC_iMEmvrl194INItfRFo6ngpqmVWxaYe9Ji5d2pLqn5ySkdZF3d4P1N2TXeZntIZI4ALGlvv-HewgOvDth2I-RJi6yg9s78R/s1600-h/IMG_3552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweCBER6kKOa0c-OJlAYP1htGlyXfD49b3T3jM4nSXXLzUC_iMEmvrl194INItfRFo6ngpqmVWxaYe9Ji5d2pLqn5ySkdZF3d4P1N2TXeZntIZI4ALGlvv-HewgOvDth2I-RJi6yg9s78R/s320/IMG_3552.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399722005932661570" /></a><br /><br />Then we had to do some dancing. The characters had hats on, so of course they had to too!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_-_b2iOmYwgkY78Ze_hyphenhyphenS1Dgaov-Vk6uiHtKo6aFIe8s1XlaRpoKw447uAd_6akf2oeYSVJvf5tK79MRE5Xymgtc9fBRm5rZxHVaLPqFVAdx87ng-U7rrhCXX3luve0zs-gEE4EsJSyM/s1600-h/IMG_3554.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_-_b2iOmYwgkY78Ze_hyphenhyphenS1Dgaov-Vk6uiHtKo6aFIe8s1XlaRpoKw447uAd_6akf2oeYSVJvf5tK79MRE5Xymgtc9fBRm5rZxHVaLPqFVAdx87ng-U7rrhCXX3luve0zs-gEE4EsJSyM/s320/IMG_3554.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399722027168587202" /></a><br /><br />It was a beautiful Fall day, so we decided to take the girls to Jefferson Pointe to run around for awhile. We hit the play area in the food court first, and they had a blast! They're the perfect age for this.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7kiH49Gs9hHTadIoFJ0Tjp1-dmllH1oca3eoAjoQjZfMk6_dRWPOyhH-38vGDP4dAP2juGrAdlbfEfCfXARseRD90962xjldX-jtiz_bFIPtIKsp_8aKMeB7QcwQsEMfXpZkO0gtCvD0/s1600-h/IMG_3556.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7kiH49Gs9hHTadIoFJ0Tjp1-dmllH1oca3eoAjoQjZfMk6_dRWPOyhH-38vGDP4dAP2juGrAdlbfEfCfXARseRD90962xjldX-jtiz_bFIPtIKsp_8aKMeB7QcwQsEMfXpZkO0gtCvD0/s320/IMG_3556.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399722033756317202" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlmb4wpU3Zw-O8gBZrOEZKriIbbtIfSBtN4g9ObpIY9oRBzn4Ofemdu485JKGOS4gVT7EkPbuuWE10gXp_QTDEA2BbUxHXTUlN3z14dLPSVkCAmKBrxB-ayRqcHMzpkl7eWo0VZ3Wn9Bs/s1600-h/IMG_3561.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlmb4wpU3Zw-O8gBZrOEZKriIbbtIfSBtN4g9ObpIY9oRBzn4Ofemdu485JKGOS4gVT7EkPbuuWE10gXp_QTDEA2BbUxHXTUlN3z14dLPSVkCAmKBrxB-ayRqcHMzpkl7eWo0VZ3Wn9Bs/s320/IMG_3561.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399722532344486034" /></a><br /><br />Had to take a break for a snack...but not before lots of handwashing and sanitizing, of course! ;)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKvppdbXl1uw0My91Z2T7GVvlLfnoNEJeRWG5RAgMstyBWewujNr8IXgi3UkTu3XNCvEkBebPPQqkosFCKzmQ7VsTviV2mPL-PoC_Tda5N2el451L8YfdZkdbP7skMoCo2o1OdroxKQnU/s1600-h/IMG_3566.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKvppdbXl1uw0My91Z2T7GVvlLfnoNEJeRWG5RAgMstyBWewujNr8IXgi3UkTu3XNCvEkBebPPQqkosFCKzmQ7VsTviV2mPL-PoC_Tda5N2el451L8YfdZkdbP7skMoCo2o1OdroxKQnU/s320/IMG_3566.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399722536858788402" /></a><br /><br /><br />We headed outside and there were a lot of Halloween decorations set up. They were climbing all over this Haunted House. I couldn't get both of them to pose at the same time for a pic.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwHn1nJdbDSa_wWbQBgQmWXGVnOF0hOu4Id1y6NqJ2qi64xTAuoNwo8ujWCXY1WwN7mxXg-mzLYJjMCG7heoPlGC6V-PZal_52x6AipBPD7eV9GPas5Sm9y2gbYOJf3By8lctcGZcvRtT/s1600-h/IMG_3567.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwHn1nJdbDSa_wWbQBgQmWXGVnOF0hOu4Id1y6NqJ2qi64xTAuoNwo8ujWCXY1WwN7mxXg-mzLYJjMCG7heoPlGC6V-PZal_52x6AipBPD7eV9GPas5Sm9y2gbYOJf3By8lctcGZcvRtT/s320/IMG_3567.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399722541199743490" /></a><br /><br />Caught looking very guilty. Trying to stuff those little pumpkins in those little pockets???<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGNEqcGeqriXWN8HYkz53hX7yA44LFQ6W6ANILvnQN1Zq4tm_zmzMKWYZGl7O7l8fY9rqJeIS25-btjvZd94zvQHH-kI-20GGiCxN79jJH9mxkvos6dHolFPm0Z2qSOj1jWMPpVMemI53/s1600-h/IMG_3572.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGNEqcGeqriXWN8HYkz53hX7yA44LFQ6W6ANILvnQN1Zq4tm_zmzMKWYZGl7O7l8fY9rqJeIS25-btjvZd94zvQHH-kI-20GGiCxN79jJH9mxkvos6dHolFPm0Z2qSOj1jWMPpVMemI53/s320/IMG_3572.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399722543568513442" /></a><br /><br />Had to take a pic of the cowgirl/boy. I was laughing because Brad was back behind trying to hold both girls up to the holes, and was getting wet and muddy from having to kneel in the muddy grass. Oh, the sacrifices we make for a good picture.... I wasn't mean enough to ask him to retake it. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghhsBQaaeZsPSBuEvr9SRj_RqLELAbXDMI6nWctyvb3vTsM6xhCcZK2Oahsje6CpzoquQUF65MOBg8N0zAF4pxSiRn27EV0mdI3gw3P_DgOkljju9oA3OwUM8pbNUKO4-UPDv0vFTxj_X/s1600-h/IMG_3574.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghhsBQaaeZsPSBuEvr9SRj_RqLELAbXDMI6nWctyvb3vTsM6xhCcZK2Oahsje6CpzoquQUF65MOBg8N0zAF4pxSiRn27EV0mdI3gw3P_DgOkljju9oA3OwUM8pbNUKO4-UPDv0vFTxj_X/s320/IMG_3574.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399722549872819842" /></a><br /><br />And last, but not least, we ended up at Barnes and Noble. Ella loves to play with the train there. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5EDa_Oj_zssOMRy66iT5K9pU6XXMSiXLvW5MXks9wICCBqTVBOVLNLZH93uA93ro-QxGk50aAF0q7hrC2RDIM_v1XUKU1a6khAvwVB8iLf35YuKRFsYjl1Su7e9mCvCdL2ggjHmNcIiW/s1600-h/IMG_3575.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5EDa_Oj_zssOMRy66iT5K9pU6XXMSiXLvW5MXks9wICCBqTVBOVLNLZH93uA93ro-QxGk50aAF0q7hrC2RDIM_v1XUKU1a6khAvwVB8iLf35YuKRFsYjl1Su7e9mCvCdL2ggjHmNcIiW/s320/IMG_3575.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399723930856391250" /></a><br /><br />The girls were both so good for us, I love days like that! They were so tired and took a good nap then were up and at 'em again! Recharged for more demolishing of the house.....Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-89126374083603498622009-10-28T20:52:00.000-04:002009-10-28T20:57:30.661-04:00Gettin' PrettyTwice now Ella has gotten into my makeup, and decorated herself with my eyeliner. Here's a shot from the second time...but I have a feeling it won't be the last!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJSp4FfJUKE6CNRDXtigRg4bv1lw-A4JNAunqekTdSL8GzcLlYhblyEQ6MgycdYLZ-c3pC15gg9knt4N7HxsB73t02cDlTwpQLFL7-YneSI1wAiP8khxGnLpAv0QOkRwFsVQMUk7wCKlV/s1600-h/IMG_3494.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJSp4FfJUKE6CNRDXtigRg4bv1lw-A4JNAunqekTdSL8GzcLlYhblyEQ6MgycdYLZ-c3pC15gg9knt4N7HxsB73t02cDlTwpQLFL7-YneSI1wAiP8khxGnLpAv0QOkRwFsVQMUk7wCKlV/s320/IMG_3494.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397819473582450354" /></a>Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-6460752751920458082009-10-24T22:28:00.001-04:002009-10-24T23:10:45.174-04:00Zoo Halloween '09Last Tuesday evening we took Ella to Halloween at the Zoo. It was such a perfect evening, one of the rare warm fall days that we've had. I had never been there before, and had heard mixed reviews on it. We had received a coupon in the mail and decided to give it a go.<br />Ella had such a good time and was perfect while we were there. Believe me, that's shocking these days.....those Terrible 2's are hitting hard!! (But that's another blog post.) It was set up really well; very organized. There were thousands of pumpkins lining the walkway and people dressed up everywhere. All of that plus the few animals and other attractions really held Ella's attention. <br /><br />We had just entered the zoo and rounded the corner and we saw a pumpkin with Ella's name carved into it, so we had to get a pic, of course! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pWYUG76WF3lSBE53XrQpnlDnsWbAlDqy52GDH7MDypJ94SAdKxRox0rfvV2AHpm-x9EhpIJabSpkVhUE6FcdBwabkujF3Zk0rygxGPVUUDOmsMeESnNrPfDir0tOChkY4mHo2plpW59L/s1600-h/IMG_3508.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pWYUG76WF3lSBE53XrQpnlDnsWbAlDqy52GDH7MDypJ94SAdKxRox0rfvV2AHpm-x9EhpIJabSpkVhUE6FcdBwabkujF3Zk0rygxGPVUUDOmsMeESnNrPfDir0tOChkY4mHo2plpW59L/s320/IMG_3508.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396360571555780546" /></a><br /><br />Here she is, leading the way! If you can't tell, she's a ladybug this year. Our neighbor gave us the costume and it fits perfectly!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvSBpKzHur75kamOVSvWj3yXqhC3kTmZ_rXm6JswtuBPtxsKnsMvq4AHvCgB9Sf5nGqK2_A4BOwk_vSlzgPjQ7uwJ06wgV0VaCWA2xzIEGWnaI-3gspUVBkdg88PV1E0nFMDvg4Xrc7h9/s1600-h/IMG_3509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvSBpKzHur75kamOVSvWj3yXqhC3kTmZ_rXm6JswtuBPtxsKnsMvq4AHvCgB9Sf5nGqK2_A4BOwk_vSlzgPjQ7uwJ06wgV0VaCWA2xzIEGWnaI-3gspUVBkdg88PV1E0nFMDvg4Xrc7h9/s320/IMG_3509.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396364040315772866" /></a><br /><br />Here she is taking Brad through the maze. I'm surprised she kept her hood up the whole time. Maybe some of you remember the drama with the spider hat from last year??? If you need refreshed, look at the pic at the top of this blog! ;)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLRSD1Tm3PNo1g8VUXCN-huCbiQLIkRIrqY5mw8vYxMyM4Hdsa-8J56wesB71HIaW27L8vABV40rX5u4cBUNfrClvl-BzhyzAUMvwpu4LMUCSA8ye4Sto0OqpjgCggaTftND7k5_pAYLc/s1600-h/IMG_3514.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLRSD1Tm3PNo1g8VUXCN-huCbiQLIkRIrqY5mw8vYxMyM4Hdsa-8J56wesB71HIaW27L8vABV40rX5u4cBUNfrClvl-BzhyzAUMvwpu4LMUCSA8ye4Sto0OqpjgCggaTftND7k5_pAYLc/s320/IMG_3514.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396364044713036962" /></a><br /><br />Of course we had to make a stop and see the fish. I think they've made quite a few appearances on this blog....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhPz3k-i00JzPkWkgTRIfoZ35u_ruVLqCTJYYBs3S3SwaKsT2QdMiGIO2g2LIpHUczxshg_jH1liXG1rQrdm2fpMEZPP6vzMuABZGPghEgSt44boPNSTlX-tRXFvcHyAOpl1SOGQoCwPc/s1600-h/IMG_3523.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhPz3k-i00JzPkWkgTRIfoZ35u_ruVLqCTJYYBs3S3SwaKsT2QdMiGIO2g2LIpHUczxshg_jH1liXG1rQrdm2fpMEZPP6vzMuABZGPghEgSt44boPNSTlX-tRXFvcHyAOpl1SOGQoCwPc/s320/IMG_3523.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396364046096822178" /></a><br /><br />Ella is getting a "treat" from one of the stations. She really thought she was big stuff handing everyone her tickets. I can tell she hasn't been around candy too much because she would hand it right to me without a fight. :) I don't see it being that easy in the years to come...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUNg1pq37DfeCNqTvLt7WqUK8zSSKYtz0g4tDlJ-_Dm2AmQrukoMRkx4m_uQpVJSlS7GExI8GhRffc2vboBMmkeEMuMrIjjT5qY-23z2LfJaZ9ewtEvEQe5CvasnJYuotC_LCLOdhChxU/s1600-h/IMG_3527.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUNg1pq37DfeCNqTvLt7WqUK8zSSKYtz0g4tDlJ-_Dm2AmQrukoMRkx4m_uQpVJSlS7GExI8GhRffc2vboBMmkeEMuMrIjjT5qY-23z2LfJaZ9ewtEvEQe5CvasnJYuotC_LCLOdhChxU/s320/IMG_3527.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396364050309694786" /></a><br /><br />In the barnyard area there were quite a few animals made out of pumpkins and gourds. They were really cool and Ella got a kick out of them too. Good thing, because it took her mind off the horse I promised would be there....but wasn't. Oops.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaZe5gsv6NBqgts_SNWHhyFKFq95Ff3VJTanxWcTS-JtbkcUnLUN1gr8UOvAUukkKztdulEcJwK_sjrHGLV9eWcBwEZ7oAuRtI9r8552BRgqbLHevuGfCqSa2PDqvJafNqRfQDTWFXpWT/s1600-h/IMG_3530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaZe5gsv6NBqgts_SNWHhyFKFq95Ff3VJTanxWcTS-JtbkcUnLUN1gr8UOvAUukkKztdulEcJwK_sjrHGLV9eWcBwEZ7oAuRtI9r8552BRgqbLHevuGfCqSa2PDqvJafNqRfQDTWFXpWT/s320/IMG_3530.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396364057061100962" /></a><br /><br /><br />At the end of the night, she ended up with ten things, ranging from candy to a straw cup, and even Brad and I got a bag of chips and some coupons. She was so excited with her "loot", this is a pic we captured just as we walked out of the zoo. Don't think you can get a much bigger smile than that! Makes it worth it to see her so happy and appreciative!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8SJAVt6fNlfPFySzpZX0Ses6KZsTFARN5e1E7RW8RGGvMLyPtgoShuvweJYTB4n8fBo8L1bkYzrTPPaZtirq84nKqfTnmIiNl8e0ZTNoZEajw_1qKyljiRm4t76xceaJ4P9mZwZTFBw-/s1600-h/IMG_3536.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8SJAVt6fNlfPFySzpZX0Ses6KZsTFARN5e1E7RW8RGGvMLyPtgoShuvweJYTB4n8fBo8L1bkYzrTPPaZtirq84nKqfTnmIiNl8e0ZTNoZEajw_1qKyljiRm4t76xceaJ4P9mZwZTFBw-/s320/IMG_3536.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396364335169749730" /></a><br /><br /><br />And one last pic, a very happy, satisfied, and tired ladybug. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnRMeck3q1tvx9uGPYymWA6Y18qkqHotxBp_S_PMvKUwiM2Tqe7TLVHtDxSGMwBOpklX38JhYKjbM2L1rnxZLj7UyVVHFst6FqPmXDfe2led4-0a1yndcxQMA9eR1hdBbhZsY42k4oDqm/s1600-h/IMG_3539.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnRMeck3q1tvx9uGPYymWA6Y18qkqHotxBp_S_PMvKUwiM2Tqe7TLVHtDxSGMwBOpklX38JhYKjbM2L1rnxZLj7UyVVHFst6FqPmXDfe2led4-0a1yndcxQMA9eR1hdBbhZsY42k4oDqm/s320/IMG_3539.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396364331103757730" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I would highly recommend this to anyone who's considering going, especially the younger kids. We had a great time and will definitely go again next year.Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-80383789329140229892009-10-11T00:40:00.000-04:002009-10-11T00:50:05.569-04:00English as a 2nd LanguageTonight Ella was reading a book to herself and it was cracking me up. I tried to grab the camera and get a quick video of her, but of course she caught me and then had to show off for the camera. She is actually saying a lot of words and sentences now, but also likes to revert back to her own language, as you will see!<br /><br />Brad's grandpa asked him once if she was always this energetic, and here's proof that 95% of the time she is! And this was taken right when she should be going to bed....why do they always get crazy right before that? I think it's because if they stop moving they will drop!! :)<br /><br />Here is the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtNUuvYQhkU">video</a> Enjoy!!Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4065334372433222040.post-85339371415220245962009-09-29T01:25:00.000-04:002009-09-29T09:14:55.171-04:00Fun with FriendsLast weekend we had dinner with some frienda. Ella has such a blast playing with their 3 kids, and they are so good to her. She's just starting to really get into coloring, so when they got out all their gear, she was in Heaven! Here is a pic of the youngest child, Audrey, and Ella drawing and coloring on the huge paper. It was a masterpiece, I'm sure!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_7DZYI3XVW9ols0fg2Og_4eRUj7S9P4wjy6awcogxRS5PZYj9KOObU88KntLrAKK8PhU83phrsP7qVxjXz8SeSaT9EAKSLrg09ns1xRrPtTyF0wnz1SBTNnOXh7HxPiayoOyZG3VeJG8/s1600-h/IMG_3355.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_7DZYI3XVW9ols0fg2Og_4eRUj7S9P4wjy6awcogxRS5PZYj9KOObU88KntLrAKK8PhU83phrsP7qVxjXz8SeSaT9EAKSLrg09ns1xRrPtTyF0wnz1SBTNnOXh7HxPiayoOyZG3VeJG8/s320/IMG_3355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386758277692495490" /></a><br />Thanks Jason and Sarah!! :)Jen Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11575365348890317786noreply@blogger.com1