Sweet and Golden

There is nothing like family. They are there for the good and the bad.  You can't break that bond. In a family of 11 grandchildren; there are three granddaughters.  There is me, a golden one and a sweet one.

Gracie girl turned sweet sixteen this year and we were there to help celebrate with her.  

For sixteen years now, my dad and Gracie have shared a birthday.  Here is one set of birthday buddies in the Johnson clan.

Gracie has some amazing friends that made her a special video with pictures, music and some special interviews.  We sat around as a family and watched the video.  It was pretty special.  I feel so old when I say, "I can't believe how old she is!"  I used to babysit Gracie and Joe all the time and they were the best kids.  On one particular occasion, Andy and I were babysitting Grace and Joe for a weekend when my aunt and uncle were out of town.  With my aunt and uncle's permission, we took Grace and Joe down to Andy's parents to watch fireworks.  Gracie was maybe 7 and Joe was 5.  That seems like just yesterday and yet it was 9 years ago.

Alex got to help open gifts.

Grandma J with her three granddaughters.

We are a growing family and I can only see us growing more and more in the future.  But, I am so happy right now.  My boys are great nephews to my aunts and uncles and just cousins to my cousins.  They are close though and comfortable with my our family. 

Aiden enjoyed playing some piano with his Great Aunt Lisa.

Happy Sweet 16 Gracie!

Before leaving for the night, we had to get in a little baseball.  Joe was such a sport and put on all his catcher's gear for Alex, oh I mean, Joe Mauer.

On another June night, we celebrated Ms. Maia's golden birthday; turning 13!  Alex had a special treat playing on the trampoline with many people.

Any chance she gets, she steals and plays with my camera.  She is very creative and a wonderful cousin!  The boys love her!  

Happy Golden birthday, Maia!

Mmm...red velvet cupcakes.  If only he had eaten the cupcake.  He loved the frosting and Great Aunt Lisa sent home a Tupperware bowl full of frosting. 

Some fun lady time on the deck!  Chatting up a storm and talking about things such as belly button rings.  Maybe you know the answer to this question, "Do belly button rings hurt during pregnancy?"  :)

Look at those gorgeous eyes!

Best Girls

We definitely missed Joe and Jesse this night, but they had sporting obligations.  It took him a while, but Alex found some more cousins to play with and they were so nice to him.  He talked all about getting to play with the "big boys".

             Alex and Uncle Luke

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             Ooohh Lala...

We have had a great three weekends in a row of Johnson time.  Lots of family time, but what else could you ask for?  They are always there; good or bad.  They understand you, your family, like no one else.  

We are blessed.

Happy birthdays, Maia and Grace!