Random-ness

So - besides big events and Holidays, the Johnsons kiddos have been busy with normal life too - here are some shots from the past couple months.

Crazy hair day at their school - straightened Aaliyah's (which we

won't be doing everyday) and color sprayed Mulu's - a big hit

all 3 Johnson kiddos helping mince mushrooms

Brian doing one of his favorite things - CHAINSAW!
and a lot full of trees with a wood burning fire place
gives him enough good reason to keep it up
our town had an open house at the firestation -
all the kiddos and cousin Charlie

Aria's turn with the fire hose

and Mulu lovin' every minute - he actually made the

front page of the local paper with this

Aria and cousin Charlie in the firetruck

just being adorable

Mulu had a fun weekend trip with his Auntie to Chicago

and got to go to an exhibit on Percy Jackson (one of his

favorite book series) - here is him posing with the

movie poster

Mama & Aaliyah moment at a picnic

Christmas

Our visit with Santa.

Mulu and the big man

Aria wasn't too sure at 1st - wanting Mulu to go with her,

but you can see she quickly warmed up

Aaliyah - the Santa pro

really? he knows . . .

need I say anything?

The Johnson family on Christmas eve

and Christmas morning - after Santa came

Halloween fun

Mulu being tough and not minding the pumpkin goo.

He did his cleaning and carving completely

on his own this year.

Aaliyah diggin in the goo.

and yes, that is a pumpkin tattoo on her forehead

(her own contribution, of coarse)

and although Aria would NOT touch the pumpkin insides,

she loved the drawing part

AND THE COSTUMES

Aaliyah - as a witch

Mulu as a vampire

and, for months, Aria specifically asked for

"a spider with a skirt" soooooo. . .

the trick-or-treating crew

our Johnson kiddos and Cousin Charlie & Caroline

Aria and Charlie waiting for the goods

Mulu and Aaliyah trying to be patient wating for the little ones to catch up

Aria's birthday

In September, our sweet Aria turned 3! She is a funny, sweet and smart little girl. She loves to read, draw, be outside, play with her brother and sister and sleep (she is often the one telling me when she needs to take a nap).

She really "got" that her birthday was coming up and was excited for the weeks leading up to it. This year for her birthday she wanted to have a cookie monster party and told anyone who would listen (the check out lady at the supermarket) all about it.

On the morning of her birthday Daddy made her special pancakes -

in the shape of an A for Aria & the #3 for her new age.

but as you can see in the picture, she wasn't happy about it

"cause das not what pancakes look like!!!!!"

some of the party decorations

and, of coarse, cookie monster cakes and the adorable birthday girl herself! and her Raggedy Ann doll that Grandma made for her Blowing out her candles - she knew what she was supposed to do

and tried her best to blow the candles out - but in the end

(and after a couple dozen tries)

she needed a little help to get the job done

and the party goers - watching her blow out the candles all the kiddos lined up in the hallway for cake & ice cream and, of coarse, an adorable shot with Cousin Charlie

1st day of school

Having settled into our new home, the two older Johnson kiddos were eager to start at their new school.

Here is Mulu all ready to go to his first day of 3rd grade!!

and Aaliyah is more than ready to start on this school adventure -

look out Kindergarten -

here she comes!!!

and . . .I got them to pose together!

let's hear it - all together

"awwwwwwwww"

Aaliyah playing on the carpet during free time

sitting on her teacher's rocking chair



Mulu hard at work, already, at his desk yes buddy, one more picture

New House!

Last June we moved into a new home. When we decided to buy it were luke warm about it, but wanted to get into the school district and, although we had seen MANY houses in the town, none seemed perfect. So we settled, I mean, decided on this one.

That was our thoughts going into the move, but since the day we moved in we have been nothing but amazingly thrilled with our new place. It is fabulously more functional than our previous place, the backyard is AMAZING, the layout is great for both our family and hosting gatherings and it instantly felt like ours. We have filled it up pretty well already, but do have room to grow as our family grows up.

We have some painting projects to do, but nothing that needs to be done right away. We are happy and unpacked and content.

Here are some photos of our new digs:

The Johnsons in front of our new home

The living room -

double doors go out to the backyard

the other side of the living room (and Mulu :) )

the dining area

the toy room

the other view of the toy room

Mulu's room

the girls room

our room

our backyard

our trails blend into a forest - I missed the height of the color,

but you can get the gist

the other part of the backyard