Johnson Household

Dear Erika,

Happy 18th Birthday!

This year brought you many milestones.  You graduated from High School, started College, got your Driver License, and now you turned 18.  This is way too many for me to process.  My little girl is no longer a little girl.

You are entering an amazing part of your life. Enjoy it, be smart about it, and breath when things get challenging.  You are are up for it because you are a strong woman that has a wonderful heart.

You can make me laugh at any moment and I just love that about you.

I love you!  We all love you!

Barbara, Craig, Dagny, and Agi Mama

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.

Today

Two years ago!

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.

My Bro

Yum

Emerson and his little lady

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

She was in his arms a lot

Dagny got the Dora backpack along with tons of goodies from her aunt and uncle. She was in heaven.

Awesome cash registor from Uncle Tim.

Little girl made out good.

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

Barbara