Johnson Household

Today, we put up our Christmas tree. It’s the earliest that Craig and I have ever done this. Dagny is so aware of Christmas this year it’s unbelievable. So we thought we would let her enjoy it as long as possible. Last year she helped by putting a couple of ornaments on the tree, run off, come back, and repeat the process.  This year I probably only put a total of three ornaments on the tree.  I am not kidding when I say Dagny did 80% of the tree, the rest was Craig and my Mom.  She was so into the who process it was absolutely wonderful.  I can only imagine what next year will be like.

The youngest photographer taking a break to document what she has done thus far.

Last year she was fascinated with this snow globe, it seems to have the same effect.

We also have a new visitor this year.  Let me introduce you to Elf. Every night while Dagny is asleep he goes to the North Pole and reports to Santa if she has been good or naughty. When he comes back, he is always in a new spot.  In the mornings we have fun trying to locate his new spot for the day.

Barbara

Last year Dagny wanted nothing to do with Santa, nothing! I remember asking her “Would you like to sit on Santa’s lap?” and she replied with a stern “No! Mama.”

Fast forward a year.  I am not sure if it’s being a year older, preschool, books, or a combination.  But, this year she was so excited to go and talk with Santa. She could hardly contain herself.  She actually told Santa what she wanted for Christmas.  All I could think of at that moment was Miracle of 34th Street. Can’t wait to watch that movie with Dagny!

Here is Baby Girl a few days after we came home from Russia. This is the reason I had to get the first photo.  It reminded me so much of this photo.

I love this time of the year.  So many happy memories.

Barbara

Two years ago we stood in a court room in Moscow and we heard what we already knew.

Dagny,

We are so lucky to be your parents.  I can’t put into words how much I love you.  You mean everything to us.

Mommy and Daddy

So, I shared our Macy’s Parade experience and now the rest of the weekend.

After we got home from the parade we were all pretty tired.  I put Dagny down for a nap and wished I could joined her, but felt guilty doing it.   So, I sucked it up and went back downstairs to hang out with the family.  It was nice for all of us to be under the same roof catching up.

Here are some photos from the day.

We celebrated Dagny’s birthday.  Here she is all shy as we are singing happy birthday to her.

Little girl made out good.

We drove home Saturday and had all day Sunday to regroup and get ready for the week.

Barbara

We can check that off our list.

We had six tickets for the parade courtesy of my in-laws.  We had the option of going last year, but we thought it would be a good idea to wait a year for Dagny to get a little bit older.  I am sure she isn’t going to remember any of it, but I am pretty sure our her experience was tons more enjoyable then if we would of gone last year.

We woke up at 5 am and to my surprise Dagny got up with no problems at all.  In fact she asked me “Are we going to the Macy’s parade?” Too stinkin cute.  We all ate some breakfast and my superhero brother drove us all into NYC and dropped us right at the entrance for ticket holders.

Get ready for tons of photos.  There is no way, this post can be anything other than photo heavy.

This was our favorite float from the parade.  Dagny was beside herself, as was I.

Out of all the “celebrities” he was the coolest by far.

Dagny was super excited about seeing Shrek after we told her he would be there.  This is her seeing the big guy up close.

Balloon wise, this was perhaps my favorite.

Okay, maybe it really was this.

Here is Dagny seeing Santa.

I think it was so nice of Santa to come all the way from the North Pole during his busy time of the year.

The big man looking right at us.

I really didn’t expect it to be as fun as it turned out to be.  The weather held out, which up until the day before it was suppose to rain. We were very, very lucky.  And to end a perfect morning, my superhero brother picked us up after it was done.  He rocks!

Barbara