Fun | Johnson Household

June 12, 2009 by Barbara

Girls Afternoon Out

My Mom, Dagny, and I went to the Strong Museum of Play today. We practically had the entire place to ourselves. Score one for us. It was nice to be able to walk around and not walk into anyone.

The last time that we went was back in March when Grandma Johnson was visiting. It is amazing what a different experience it was this time. Dagny walked the entire way, I never had to pick her up or put her in her stroller. She was so interested and engaged in everything and every kid. It was wonderful.

Dagny would of been happy just watching these guys. She loved the fish.

Interesting side story, while we were watching the many pretty fish, there was a woman and her son also checking out Nemo. Dagny and the little boy started “talking” and the mother and I started conversing as well. When she found out what Dagny’s name was she got all excited. She told me that her best friend from college was named that too. Sweet! She said it was a beautiful name, which of course I agree with. Craig and I love the name we picked out for our daughter, it has a special story that we can’t wait to share with Dagny when she gets older.

she loved this

After some time I was able to get Dagny to say good-bye to her ~~tank~~ sea friends and go over to Sesame Street. Dagny has really gotten into the show. She is becoming so much more focused on things. I do believe we have entered the Elmo phase. She loves Elmo.

Here is Agi Mama with her youngest grandchild.

Agi mama and Dagny

This time the Wegmans experience was so much more fun. Dagny got the cart, put items in and even played at the checkout. I take Dagny to Wegmans all the time, I want her around people, smells, and sounds. Honestly, she seems to like it. I am sure that will change, but for now it’s an adventure and today she was the star.

I’m ready, Mama… lets go.

I am ready to checkout

I want to push those buttons

look at how intense she is

Here is my girl and I on the train. It goes around five times, five times… that’s long for an 18 month old, that’s long for an 33 year old, but we loved every minute of it.

Mom, no more photos. I am looking at the landscape.

In this photo I really get a sense of how big she has gotten.

so big

Almost two hours later we were done. It seems that Elmo decided to come home with us. I do believe he found a good home because Dagny won’t let him out of her site. He is glued to her hands. We embrace the Elmo phase and are ready!

Elmo came home

We ended the afternoon up with ice cream. It was a great girls afternoon out.

Barbara

June 8, 2009 by Barbara

Mr. And Mrs. Gibson

This past weekend Craig and I drove to State College, PA for our friends, Jeremy and Shannon’s, wedding.

This was the first time going somewhere without Little D. I am proud to say we survived and understand how important it is for Craig and I to have some alone time. But, we still can’t wait until October when Dagny is coming along to Boston. Anyway, back to the wonderful event.

Saturday we headed out after we put Dagny down for her nap. The ride down took four hours which isn’t bad at all, when you’re use to driving seven plus hours to visit family. The ride down was very beautiful. This was the first time that both of us have ever been to State College. We weren’t quite sure what to expect, well after five minutes of driving around, I am ready to move down. It is such a great place. I can totally see ourselves there. You never know what the future holds, nice to know of another option.

After we checked into the Toftrees Resort we decided to go drive around town. Totally by accident we drove by PCQuickFix, the company that both Jeremy and Shannon own and run.

Seriously, we couldn’t try any harder to look like tourist.

State College is really not so small, but here is another example how we just happened to run into yet another thing. Craig and I were ordering some coffee at Starbucks, when I happened to look outside and I see Jeremy and Shannon driving down the road. I mean, for real?! They were just finishing up with the rehearsal dinner. We ended up going to their house where we met up with some old friends and met some new ones. Unfortunately, Shannon couldn’t stay long she was spending the night at her parents house.

Here is Jeremy the eve of his wedding, the last night as a single man. (Sorry for the quality of the photo, Craig took it on his iPhone)

single man

Sunday, was the big day. We headed over to church, which was beautiful, for the ceremony. Shannon looked absolutely beautiful and Jeremy looked handsome.

Here we are outside of the church waiting for the new couple to come out.

the Johnson’s

Not quite sure what we are looking at here, but it’s a funny shot.

“what’s that Willis?”

Introducing the Gibson’s!

Mr. and Mrs. Gibson

the happy couple

After the ceremony Jeremy and Shannon went and took their photos, while the rest of us went to the resort for cocktails.

Here I am enjoying my usual, H₂0. It was of State College vintage… very good indeed.

me and my drink

Afterward was the receptions where the food was very tasty. The cake was the best cake I have had in a very long time.

Here is the couple playing nicely…. that didn’t last long.

playing nice

Shannon beat Jeremy to the punch… and what a blow it was. Here is the aftermath of the showdown. Score one for Shannon. YAY!

score one for Shannon

Here is the couple having their first dance. They are so cute together.

first dance

Here are some random photo’s of Craig and I.

me and my baby

These two guys are the best guys I know. They give their hearts and soul to the people they love. I am so happy to have them in my life.

these two are the best!

We are so happy for both Shannon and Jeremy. We wish you two the very best in the future, with lots of love and happiness. We love you both very much!

The Gibson’s

Love,

Barbara & Craig

May 26, 2009 by Barbara

Grandma And Grandpa Johnsonâ€™s House

We went to Ohio for Memorial Day weekend to visit with Craig’s parents. This was the first time that Dagny has been to Ohio. She took to her surrounds well, walking around and exploring the house all by herself, of course looking back every few steps to see that Mommy and Daddy were in view.

Dagny has many fans in Ohio that followed her process of coming home and they all wanted to meet her. It was so wonderful to be able to introduce her to all the people that care about her so much. With that said we had a very eventful weekend with lots of activities.

Time line of events:

Thursday Craig, Dagny and I went for a very long drive that ended at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

This is what Dagny did all the way…

Awwww…. if only

… in a parallel universal… and here is our reality.

reality

It’s not very fun to be in a car for 7 hours with an 18 month old. Guess who is doing it again in July?! NOT CRAIG!

We got in late due to the multiple stops we made, which did seem to help a lot. Dagny got recharged and was good for another two hours or so.

Friday, we got up and had breakfast. Dagny sat in her great-grandmother highchair. The chair was used by Craig’s father’s mother, how cool is that?

perfect fit

We hung out at the house waiting for Uncle Tim’s plane to arrive from Texas. While we waited Uncle Troy (not by relations just by lots of love) came over (he was there every single day). The entire family was going out to Phill’s Seafood for dinner. That restaurant is the diamond in the rough. It’s the best seafood place, EVER. Before we headed to Phil’s Craig, Uncle Troy, Dagny and I went to the hospital to visit with Troy’s grandmother who really wanted to meet Little D. It was so great to see her again and happy to hear she is doing good. We then met the rest of the family at Phil’s where Dagny petted a live Lobster and Uncle Troy promptly ran the other way.

Saturday, was a very fun day. In the afternoon we went to the visit with Troy’s family at the campsite where they were camping and stayed for the cookout. It was so nice to see Mr. and Mrs. Alford, they are the best. Mrs. Alford has been one of our most devoted visitor on our site. Craig and I couldn’t wait for her to meet Dagny. We had so much fun with Dagny there. There was a playground there and we took Dagny to the swing and afterwards she played around in the grass.

She was having fun squating down and jumping up.

playing around

I know you shouldn’t laugh when your child falls, but this is so funny. (She wasn’t hurt)

weee

After the fun she was all pooped out in her daddy’s arms.

in daddy’s arms

Sunday, was the big day where Grandma and Grandpa Johnson threw a party for Dagny. There were guest from all over the place. It was a great time. It was so nice to hear how many people have visited our site and how they enjoy it. Dagny did so well with everyone, especially Olivia. She is the one year old daughter of Uncle Tim’s friends. She is such a little cutie.

Dagny and Olivia

My little girl and I went outside to check out the trees.

me and my girl

Here is the guest of honor.

party girl

We had a wonderful time and can’t wait to go back. Thank you to all the people that made the time to meet Dagny and us.

Barbara

May 13, 2009 by Barbara

Lilac Festival 2009

Craig and I try to hit the Lilac Festival every year. This year was extra special. This year we went as a family. Things like this are just so much more fun with Dagny. We all had a blast.