Blast from the Past

Six years ago on June 24th Andy and I tied the knot.  We talked a lot about what we wanted to do for our anniversary this year.  Some of the ideas were the typical, everyday ideas.  Other ideas included sky diving.  I didn't think it would be smart for Andy's first time on a plane to be flying out of it.  When it came down to it, we didn't make many plans other than to go out to lunch with my family to see Pete.  The morning of our anniversary, we received an unexpected phone call from our friends, Bennie and Stef.  They invited us to go out on their boat with them for the day.  As soon as lunch was over, we headed down to meet them.

 

 We don't get to see Bennie and Stef  (and now Liah) as often as we would like.  They live about an hour away, which isn't too far, but we all get busy.  They are the kind of friends where a year can go by and a phone call comes up and we are right back at it, talking and having a great time.  Those are the best kinds of friends.

Aiden and Liah are exactly one month apart and both have the most beautiful red hair.  They are so fun to watch together.  When Stef and I were sitting on the back of the boat with the two of them, they were hugging and poking each other's noses, communicating in their own way.  They would giggle and try to mimic each other in the water.

Back on the boat, Aiden was feeding Liah crackers and giggling.  At first she liked it, but Aiden, a girl gets full!

 

Alex had the time of his life tubing with Daddy.  I almost had a heart attack out of fear, but he held on tight and we didn't go too fast.  Almost the whole time I was looking back on them, Alex was talking to Andy.  Andy said he was so excited and talking his ear off.

Back on the boat, Aiden was trying his best flirtatious behavior with mommy.

Liah sat so nicely with her mommy.

We had such a great time on the boat with the Adams' and hope that we see them sooner than the next year.  The kids had such a great time together.

Life is good.

Family Time

It was our anniversary weekend and Andy and I have both been working so hard the past couple of weeks we wanted to go out with everyone.  We would have our own time later.  We tried the new, or semi-new, bowling place named Brunswick.  It was quite expensive, even with coupons, but well worth it.  We had a great night.  I bowled over a hundred, but Andy got three strikes in the tenth frame and ended up winning with a score of 166.  Luke came in second and I think I was third.  Aiden enjoyed pushing the ball down the handicapped bowling contraption and eating.  Alex loved throwing the ball down the lane and very slowly it would reach the pins.  Every time there was a celebration.

Every time he pointed and yelled at the ball.

After bowling, we headed over to the arcade where the boys enjoyed lots of Big Buckhunter and the girls (my mom and I) enjoys lots of Skee-do and Dance.  Although we didn't quite understand the Dance game until much later.  When we finally watched someone else do the game we realized how far off we were with what we had to do. Although we dominated the dance floor for most of the time, each of the boys took a turn also.  

After the games, Team One (My dad and I) and Team Two (Andy and Luke) headed over for a ten minute game of Laser Tag.  I have to say that I highly underestimated how fun it would be.  My dad and I lost, big time.  But, we had such a fun time running around, hiding and shooting each other.  We were the only ones in there and it was such a fun thing to do!  I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Okay, Andy, do you see where he gets his tongue-sticking out behavior from?

Horrible picture of me, but you get the point.

Aiden was not going to sit down tonight.

The next day we had a very brief visit from Uncle Pete.  He was in town for the first annual River's Edge Music Festival.  Sunday we went to lunch with him before he headed back to Florida.

Johnson Family Picture (We were going out on the lake after this, so I have my suit on, excuse the picture)

My kids love their Uncles!

Father's Day

Father's Day sneaks up on me every year.  I don't know why?  I have so many special and amazing men in my life to celebrate.  I assume it's so sneaky because I am so busy focusing on the end of the school year and transitioning into summer.

This year we talked and decided to head to Andy's parents for a Father's Day surprise!  When we got there, no one was home.  Oops.  Maybe we shouldn't surprise?  We called Andy's dad who was at the neighbors and took the gator out for a ride.  Andy wanted to go down to the pond to see if we could find some wildlife wandering around.

 

Before we could go though, Alex wanted to race Daddy on the go cart.  He was thrilled to be on that thing and have such a freedom of independence.

 

On our way down to the pond, we stopped to see how high the corn was.  The boys loved measuring themselves against the corn.

We were lucky enough to see a woodduck as Alex called them.   Venturing down here was such a special memory for me.  We were driving on a slope and Aiden was riding with Daddy and Alex with me.  There was one time when I ducked just a little to not hit a branch and Alex said, "Don't worry Mom, I'll protect you".  The rest of the ride, Alex had such a tight grip on me and kept saying, "Mom's it's okay" or "Here we go, Mom, hold on tight".  He is so sweet.

 

I have to say, this next ride scared me so much.  At first, Aiden wasn't holding on tightly and kept standing up.  He quickly learned to get a tight grip and sit down while his brother is driving.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy and Grandpa!

We took a trip into town for lunch at Pizza Ranch.  Such a special treat.  Aiden fell asleep on the car ride in and Grandpa (and Grandma) held him for the first part of eating.  Don't worry, he got to eat.  He ate about 4 slices of pizza and a bunch of other fruits and vegetables.  The kid can put away his food.

Andy and his mom

After we left lunch, we headed out to Andy's Grandpa and Grandma Guse's house.  Andy's Dad and Mom generously plotted off a spot of land for us to plant Giant Pumpkins.  We will see how big they get.  Andy picked them out and are supposed to be over a hundred pounds.  But, we did plant them late, so we will see.

Alex found a milk weed that he wanted to open up and see.  I don't know how that kid has gotten so smart.

On Father's Day we started by giving Daddy his gifts.  He opened his first gift, which was so appropriate.  It was a Superman shirt.  He is our Superman.  He is always providing, caring for, and loving us.  He is my partner and the best Father I could have asked for my kids.  We are blessed to have him in our lives.  He is our SuperMan!

The boys made fish tanks for Daddy on Father's Day.

We headed out to Fishtale Grill for lunch with Grandpa Johnson, Godfather Luke and Daddy,

Happy Father's Day to all the men in our lives!

A Day on the Farm

This year a farm just a mile from our house was chosen for A Day on the Farm in our town.  It was our first time going and we had such a great time.  The boys both loved seeing the cows, from a distance.  The cow in the front was a little too much for Aiden and he kept his distance.

Aiden: "Moooooo"

Nothing.

Aiden: "Mooooo"

Cow: "MOOOO"

Aiden: Run to Mommy

As you can see, the spot to walk through the barn was kind of small and Alex was a little scared.  But, I give it to my little boy as he still walked down to see the cows.  Our exact conversation...

Alex: "Mom, he's going to eat me!"

Alex: "Mom, he's looking for someone to eat!"

The day included free entrance, free hamburgers, milkshakes and milk, a button with a picture of the kids and the cow and a free for all to walk around the farm. 

A free day, you can't beat that!

We also ran into our friends, the Chadwick's, and Bethany, Abby and Norah Olsen as well as Bethany's sister.  I was so happy to have my mom along to help out with the boys.  Andy is currently studying for his CPA test and we are trying to stay busy away from the house so we aren't a "distraction".  These boys are high energy and I don't know how I would do it without my mom.

Thank you for a wonderful day on the farm, Rice County!

A Laker Through and Through

I have I said it before? We have wonderful friends!  Sam, Eva, and Ms. Emily invited us out on their boat for the day a few weeks ago.  Yes, I am behind on my postings. We jumped on the offer.  This was the same day we went hiking at Nerstrand State Park and to my cousin's graduation party.  Needless to say, we pack it all in when we can.  It was a perfect day to be out on the lake.

Alex loved jumping into the lake and Sam was right there to catch him.  When I say that he loved jumping into the lake, I mean it.  He would get in, barely catch his breath, and tell Sam that he wanted to go again, get out and jump right back in.  His excitement is contagious.

 

For dinner, we had grilled hot dogs and some sides.  Aiden and Emily were definitely enjoying teasing the Daddy's and keeping them busy with everything they were grabbing and climbing on.

Nice picture, Liss.  Oh well.  The Hoppe's enjoying some family time on the boat.

Alex found some ducks that were swimming by us.  They must be pretty well fed ducks because Alex and Eva were throwing bread pieces at them and they didn't get close at all!

Alex loved "driving" the boat.  Sam and Alex wear the same size hats.  Lots of brains for my kid!

There is nothing like a sunset on the Lake.  Growing up, the Lake is where it was at.  It brings back many many memories and I love creating new ones with my family and friends.

 I'm a Laker through and through.