More Jamaica

In no particular order:

Mulu and I on a sailboat

papa and Mulu

Mulu showing off his breakdancing on the stage

Aaliyah and Aria by Zoe

Mulu and Aaliyah eating at the Kids Camp (faces painted after the festival)

the Johnson kiddos up in our room

Aria chillin in the pool

Mulu and I reading on the beach!!!!

Aaliyah with traditional Jamaican dancers up on the stage

Jamaica Mon!

We took a family vacation last May to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It was an amazing getaway for all of us. The Johnson Kiddos' Nana and Papa came with too - in a separate suite, which created a nice combination of together time and an opportunity for a separate vacation for them also.

We stayed at an all inclusive resort that was sponsored by Sesame Street - it was a perfect combination for traveling with three kids. Characters, activities, beach, waterslides, a pool with a swim up bar that offered as many ice cream drinks they could want (and nummy drinks for Mama and Daddy too), and 5 different restaurants (4 of which were very kid friendly). We had so many wonderful family moments as well as some one-on-one time with each kid and we even etched out some couple time too!

Here are some pictures from our adventures.

The very excited jet setters - ready to get underway

the Johnson Kiddos checking out the planes,

eager and ready to get this adventure going

airplane seat partners!!!

the rest of the gang

the view from our room

another beautiful view

Nana and the girls posing before our first night going out

Papa, Brian and Mulu relaxing by the pool waiting for a show

Mulu is 8!

In April Mulu turned 8. He had a friends party with a Percy Jackson theme. Percy Jackson is a seies of books that Mulu is currently reading and has him enthralled. It centers around Greek mythology and he loves learning about new monsters and heroes.

Here is the whole gang in their orange Camp Halfblood t-shirts

Mulu opening gifts

Getting the cake ready.

working on clues for their treasure hunt

and, when all else fails, throw all 8 year old boys in the trampline together.

Aaliyah is 5!

Happy Birthday sweet Aaliyah. She was "all about" having her birthday and her party and and celebrating her day this year. She picked a Princess Tianna party (from Princess and the Frog) and got all dolled up in her favorite dress and tiara.

Here are some pictures of her party.

All ready for the party to begin.

Aaliyah and some of her favorite people.

Her with Grandpa and Grandma

Her with Nana & Papa

Her cake

Opening some presents.

Mulu's 1st pinewood derby

This is Mulu's 1st year in cubscouts - which also means - his 1st year racing in a pinewood derby. He was very excited for this and worked very hard on it - even getting some expert advice from "a friendly Chuck".

This was also my 1st pinewood derby too - and was very surprised that the kit just came with a block of wood - he had to plan it, draw it, help Brian cut it out, sand it, paint it, and put the wheels & axles on it. I was surprised that a car actually came out (not downing his or Brian's skills at all).

He picked out his favorite match box sports car and designed his car after it.


Here is Mulu and some members of his den watching some races.

His car about to race - his is the far left as we look at it - white and red

posing after - with his car and a medal - he got third place in his den - very proud.

Holiday train show

After school one day the kids and I went to a Holiday train show at our local botanical gardens. Mulu started out being unimpressed with my idea of going - being 7 he was too cool for trains. I was able to convince him to go "because his sisters would like it" - and once there we all had a great time!

My new favorite photo of the Johnson kiddos - I sure am a lucky mom

Aria is currently - all about trains - so this was right up her ally. In this photo you can see one of the model trains that travels around the room surrounded by beautiful poinsettias and decorations.

You can see Aria saying "oh wow" as another of the trains whizzes by

Mulu checking out one of the trains - maybe he wasn't too cool after all

I tried to get an "action shot" of Aaliyah - but she is into posing now - here is her cute self

One of the marvelous gingerbread houses that helped decorate the room

And afterwards we stopped in the gift shop for Christams cookies and cocoa

First Snow!

Last winter Aria was about 15 months old - being this old allowed her to walk in the snow, participate in sledding and look around - but not old enough to remember. So when it snowed for the 1st time this year - it was all new for her. On this day Mulu was at school and I bundled up the girls to talk them outside to play in it for the 1st time this winter.

When I opened the garage door, Aria saw the snow and was amazed. In her deep, raspy voice she said "oooooh wow - - - - look 's rainin - - - - nooooo - - - 's not rainin - - - s' fuh ee (funny) what is it?" having a whole little conversation with herself. :)

We had fun playing in the backyard - pulling them around in sleds - taking bites of handfulls of snow. Although, being the particular one she is, Aria had a hard time with this "fuh ee" white stuff being all over her things - she had to clean off every surface - which doesn't work well when it continues to fall from the sky.

Here is Aria - all bundled up out in the snow


Aaliyah's 1st snow angel of the year



and the playground in our backyard still works!