Keeping Up with the Johnsons: 2014

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Vera Turns Two!

SOMEHOW our baby turned two! It has been such a wonder to watch her grow and blossom and become a little person with a huge personality. Vera had added so much joy to our life. As if there was some before, there is never a dull moment. Some of her favorite things these days include spaghetti, lollipops and balloons. She is talking in full sentences and was happy to announce, "Its my birthday, I have some presents !" On her special day, David and I took her for her first visit to the aquarium. While she was somewhat interested in the fish, she was just as entertained watching the kids from the 4 schools there on field trips! We met Papa for lunch at a Italian bakery and pizzeria downtown and then decided to skip our nap. This made for one tired party animal. The cousins came over and we had a great time!

The big T W O

At the Aquarium

Pizza with Papa

Just for fun, I dressed Vera in the same dress Remley wore on her second birthday. It was fun to see how similar and yet how different they looked!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Angel Tree

This year, we wanted to emphasize the importance of giving, so we hosted a neighborhood Angel Tree. We are happy to say that we were able to help over 40 families and are hopeful to do more next year. We had a small party for everyone as they dropped off the gifts. The next day, David delivered them all to the facility and had to pull a trailer full of bikes. I'd say it was a success!

Shopping for our tree!

Bikes bikes and bikes

Stawberry Tree

Thank you Everyone!

Angel Tree

Hark!

So Many Thanks

We have been blessed with so much. Wonderful family, great friends, and hearts full of fond memories. Our three beautiful children are rapidly changing and turning into little people of their own. This Thanksgiving, we were honored to have a large group of family celebrating in our new home (ie. EATING! and some sleeping!). It was so great to have everyone together again (and in the same country!). The cousins enjoyed playing with each other and the aunts and uncles enjoyed watching! The actual turkey was great, although the cinnamon rolls, um, Pintrest FAIL. Can't win them all!

Pintrest Fail

Thanksgiving Lunch at School with Bro Bro

Mepkin Abbey

Hangin with the General

Cousins!

Turkey Time

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

The Fair

Happy Birthday!

No my cousin did not become a carnie, so this has nothing to do with the fair (although he did grow a beard)! But just wanted to post a few other pictures for memories sake. Micheal joined us for a Happy Birthday dinner, as he is working in Charleston often. We think he should make a weekly visit!

The kids had crazy hair day...

CrAzY hAiR

And lately, Vera is just being the cutest thing. She has suddenly started talking up a storm! Singing Old MacDonald, Row Row Your Boat and countless other songs. She is a very happy independent little thing and loves to say CHEESE. Often, while covering her head to hide from the camera!She also tells the neighbor's barking dogs to "HUSH", men building the house next door "be careful", and loves to spot squirrels on the daily bike rides. She can communicate her point with "Yes MA'AM", "I N O (i dont know)", or a sweet "No tank you".

CHEESE FACE

L O Kit E

Piggy tails!

Yelling SOCCER BALL!

NOW>>> on to the FAIR! Tuesday the kids had off of school in honor of Election Day. We took that as a golden opportunity to head to the one and only Coastal Carolina Fair. Vera enjoyed her first taste of cotton candy (she has a serious sweet tooth) and my thrill seeker Remley wanted to ride everything, but Rhett was a bit more cautious. As always, seeing the animals was enjoyed as well as good old fashioned people watching!

WHEE!

D A N M L S!

Nice view from the bridge on the ride home!

Halloween 2014

Another holiday has come and gone... This was the first year my power of persuasion did not prevail...thus the originality was somewhat lacking. One way is to look at this year's theme is the "typical costume" theme! Since I had participated in a pretty elaborate recreation of GhostBUSTERs for a fundraiser, it only seemed fitting to have 3 little ghosts. Well, needless to say, I got one little (very tired and unhappy) ghost, a vampire and a werewolf. Sadly, Vera wanted nothing to do with the camera either, so I have very few pictures of her. However, she did enjoy running around saying BOO! all day practicing her role. She also enjoyed the actual night, and had no trouble keeping up running from house to house (for while anyhow!). This year we also had cousins Hite and Katrina and their son Troy join us. They are living on their sailboat for year and were parked at the marina down the street for a few nights. We got to see their "home" and enjoyed their visit.
David and I also participated in a murder mystery with some neighborhood friends, which took place at "Studio Paradise" and had a disco theme. We even practiced a choreographed dance, as we were "king and queen" of the dance floor. I will let the pictures speak for them self!