Easter Weekend 2011

Wow!! We had a fun and busy Easter Weekend. For once the Pacific Northwest cut us some slack and we had a beautiful and sunny weekend. Unfortunately we are now back to our usual rainy/snowy weather...but I will try to hold onto the beauty of the weekend.

We started things off on Saturday with an Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt at our church.

It was a lot of fun and this year Bryn really "got" the whole idea of hunting for Easter Eggs and she was running around and collecting eggs like crazy. It was so cute.

Reilly and Ailey

There was a musical program during the brunch with several performers and the Primary kids all sang a song too.

It was a fun event!!

Then we left the brunch and headed directly to the lake for our family Easter Celebration. Let me just tell you the joy that filled my heart to see open water. All the snow and ice were gone and the sun and the water were just gorgeous. We couldn't soak it up enough!! It felt so good.

Mom and Kelley

We had our annual Easter Egg Hunt and the kids were so cute!! Kameron and Reilly graduated to "hiders" this year and, along with Tyler, did a great job hiding the eggs for the little kiddos.

Elle

It is absolutely impossible to capture a picture with both of these girls looking at me!!

Bryn, Elle, Ailey, Kameron, and Reilly...they were a little sick of pictures by this point except for Bryn the ultimate poser. She could pose and grin all day!!

Our crew

Granny with the kiddos

We had a delicious Easter Feast and then we were outside again. It was impossible to be inside on such a gorgeous day.

Oh yes we did!! Granny was napping inside for this little tradition because she gets really mad but we did it any way because it is so much fun. The Easter Egg Lake Toss. LOVE IT!!

Toss that egg and make a wish!!

The little girls threw rocks because if you can't clear the dock you aren't allowed to throw your egg. Kelley barely squeaked by...ha ha!!

Even though it was sunny and warm (to us) it was only about 55 degrees and that water was calling Bryn's name.

Okay I can't lie. The lake was calling my name too!! I can't help it. It's in the blood. So after dragging Bryn back up to the house it didn't take long before we were all back down at the lake again.

I'm on the right and Reilly's on the left. My little girl has grown up...her feet are bigger than mine now and she's looking me right in the eye!!

Here's our stellar parenting...while I was taking this picture Bryn waded in to her waist.



Yes, yes...you heard us right. Most parents would probably yell and try to discourage their children from going for an impromptu swim...fully clothed...in frigid water. But yes, we are actually applauding. We don't want our kids to fear the water...but they need to respect it... to always be safe. So it will be a 24/7 life jacket for Bryn for sure!!

Our mermaid...who is apparently impervious to cold. She sat there with her feet in the water for about 15 minute throwing rocks and playing happily.

We probably shouldn't have let her...but truth be told...I was proud. She's got lake water in her blood. I love it!!

Easter Sunday dawned gorgeous as well. I love Easter Sunday...the kids looked so cute in their Easter best and because our church starts at 1pm we had a lovely, relaxed and un-rushed Easter morning.

Then off to Church we went to truly celebrate Easter and the Resurrection of our Savior.

It was a wonderful day!!

Bryn's 2nd Birthday Bash


We celebrated Bryn's birthday last weekend. We met Kelley and Elle and took all the kids to Mobius, the children's museum, and let them run wild!! Easiest birthday party ever.

Watching the puppet show...very interesting and I am not talking about the puppets.

The water table was a hit!!

Bryn would have jumped in there and started swimming. I can barely contain her in the tub. She likes to "fim". She "fims" underwater, on her back, and does the barrel roll. I am always drenched. The lake this summer is going to be crazy. 24/7 life jacket I think.

Kelley and Elle

Tyler and the "official" bag/gift/balloon holder...Reilly. Check out the EXCITEMENT on her face!!

Bryn was a crazy runner in there. She was everywhere. Whereas Elle would go to different stations and actually play; Bryn would run from spot to spot like a madwoman. Poor unstimulated 4th child. No playgroups, library story time, kindermusik, and children's museum for her. But she does enjoy running errands, going out to lunch, shopping, hangin' with my friends, cruisin' in the Suburban with the radio blaring and a cold beverage in hand, and is constantly sending random texts on my Iphone. I think she might be my favorite child. :)

During the puppet show Bryn kept looking at me like the people there were nuts...and I had to agree. There were some seriously enthusiastic...clearing psychotic...parents singing and playing along VERY animatedly. First time parents. I love their craziness...ahem...enthusiasm.

Look at Elle playing so contentedly.

Ailey and Kameron had fun too!

Then we headed across the street for lunch at Red Robin.

Bryn and Elle hard at work. They take coloring very seriously. Both had their heads down and were furiously scribbling away while waiting for their lunch.

Then it was cake time.

Love that smile?! And...Elle on her "tooter" which fortunately for us and all of Red Robin neither girl could "toot".

Brynnie and Elle love cake!! And ice cream...which I forgot to get. Bryn LOVES ice cream. She asks me "Ice cream please?" multiple times a day...even though we never have ice cream. When she does get ice cream it is like Christmas, her birthday, and the Fourth of July all rolled into one.

Then it was onto presents.

Happy 2nd Birthday Bryn Kaitrin!! We love you!!

What a Weekend!!

Two momentous events and a big bummer transpired this weekend:


First and foremost...Bryn turned two yesterday!! We love this girl!! She is the little cherry on top of our family. Happy Birthday Brynnie!! We are going to have a big bash for you next weekend.

Next...we (Sisters Creed) were vendors at The Spring Funky Junk Sale. We had a blast!! You can read about it here.

(Our booth)

And the bummer you say? Can you guess? Here's a clue...

Now I have pneumonia. Crap.

But on the LDS humorous side...when I went into the doctor today when she pulled up the back of my shirt to listen to me breath...she pulled up my garment top and asked incredulously "Are you wearing a slip??!!" Ha ha.

It's Funky Junk Time!!
I have been super busy the last few weeks getting ready for this sale. Sisters Creed will be vendors and it's been crazy around here. So much to do...and so little time. It is going to be so much fun though. I can't wait!!

You can see a few of the things that we have been working on here. Come visit us and find yourself a one-of-a-kind treasure. It is such a fun sale with amazingly talented vendors, great antiques and crafts, good food and live music.

Come say hello!! We'll see you at the sale.

Hot Dog!! And...Sicker than a Dog


Oh the highs and lows around here never end. As for the highs...Kameron (and Tyler) have redeemed themselves at the Pinewood Derby this year. For the past two years Kameron has had a hot looking car but not necessarily a "fast" car. This year however...Kameron had both a hot car and a fast car. Tyler and Kameron had been slaving over this car for weeks...night after night they sawed and sanded and painted and designed and then redesigned this car. All their hard work paid off though. Kameron and his "Green Hornet" placed third overall. This is HUGE!! HUGE!! Watching Kameron's face as he would actually win different races was PRICELESS.

Kam anxiously watching the races and hoping that his car would do well. (BTW: Could there be a cuter cub scout in all the world? I seriously doubt it.)

Once that Green Hornet started winning the Johnsons went crazy and maybe just a tad obnoxious but when you've been on a losing streak for two years and you suddenly start winning it is HIGH excitement!!

Kameron had the added bonus...and good luck charm...of having his good friend Ryan and his mom Crystal officiating the race. Kameron is at their house all the time and Ryan's dad has coached Kameron in baseball over the years. Crystal is the cub scout leader for the pack from Kameron's school that all his buddies are in. Kameron is a pretty good sport about it but I know that he would much rather be with his friends than with his church pack. I hear a lot about all the fun things that his buddies get to do. Well, we have new cub scout leader who is awesome and she had the genius idea of having Crystal come and run the Pinewood Derby. Kameron was thrilled. Ryan came along to cheer for Kameron too.

Ryan even brought along his pinewood derby car to race Kameron's after the official races were over. The Green Hornet won again!!

It was a great night of winning and cheering and food, fun and friends. (Plus, with cotton candy and popcorn added how can you go wrong?) Maybe the Pinewood Derby isn't to be dreaded after all. :)



Multiple views of the prize winning car and trophy:



There is something to be said for delayed gratification and learning to be a good sport because when you do win it is even sweeter.

Now for the sick dog:

Nothing says "Fun Spring Break" like having walking pneumonia. Poor Ailey. This is the second kid with pneumonia this year...albeit a month and a half apart.