Up to the lake!

Well, I know I am way too busy when I absolutely don't have one free second to update the blog (or look at other fun blogs!) I am just now getting around to putting up some pictures of our nice, relaxing Memorial Day weekend at the Johnson cabin on Middle Eau Claire Lake in Barnes, Wisconsin, which is near Hayward. Kristi came with us to hang out and help out with Mckenna, since Matt was gone most of the weekend with Cam and his cousins at "Little Sis" - the Anderson cousin's cabin on Little Sisabagama lake, about 45 minutes away from Barnes in Stone Lake, WI. We had a great time, and it was especially fun to have Mckenna there - her first of I'm sure many, many visits to this awesome place!

It seems like it takes twice as long to drive anywhere with Mckenna than before she was born. Stopping to change a diaper, stretch, eat, etc. Here we were at a gas station, on our way to the Wisconsin northwoods...






At last - we made it! The beautiful cabin and shiny lake... it really never gets old to see this sight.




The next morning we drove into Hayward to meet Cam, and then the brothers went on to Little Sis to spend the weekend. Mckenna loves her Uncle Cam, and she needs to start getting used to the idea of Matt and Cam and big fish... fishing is a border line obsession with these guys! Here they are at Pastika's, a favorite bait and tackle shop in Hayward. Of course Pastika's was the perfect meeting place of choice. :)


"Daddy and Uncle Cam are gone, and now I'm ready for a girls only weekend!"


Back at the cabin, having fun in the Johnny Jump Up. Hands down, one of Mckenna's current favorite activities - the girl jumps like crazy!


The next day we went back to Hayward to walk around, enjoy the shops, and most importantly, enjoy the beautiful, sunny weather. Mckenna wanted to wear her new sunglasses - we Johnson girls love our accessories! :)


A Hayward favorite, Tremblay's Sweet Shop. Something tells me that Mckenna may be really liking this place as she grows up - I certainly do!


Out and about in downtown Hayward... Mckenna was really having fun! I can't get enough of that smile! (And for those of you wondering if this mega cutie is a figment of your imagination, she's not - she's the real deal!)








Trying on mommy's new prescription sunglasses...


After our fun afternoon exploring Hayward, we drove to Little Sis to hang out with Matt, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Del, and the Anderson cousins. We also couldn't wait to meet Nate and Kristen's new little girl, Elise. And boy, is she ever little! She turned 4 weeks old over Memorial Day weekend, and only weighs 6+ pounds - such a little peanut! She is so sweet, and Mckenna was pretty cute with her.


Proud new papa, Nate Anderson.


Mckenna is familiar with the "be gentle" reminders from playing with Nemo, so she did great with little Elise. We were all commenting on how Mckenna looks like she should be going to kindergarten next to teeny baby Elise! :)


Mckenna with her great-uncle, Del. Here we were out to a local restaurant in Stone Lake for their famous fish fry - yum! Del was nice enough to keep Mckenna entertained while Matt and I enjoyed our dinner.


It was so fun to hang out with the Anderson's for the evening - Matt and I love them! From L to R: Bjorn, Kristen, Elise, Kathy, Nate, Mckenna, and Del.


After dinner, we drove back to Middle Eau Claire and slept in a bit the next morning before packing up to head back home. Mckenna woke up a little early, so I took her out of her crib and put her in bed with Matt in hopes she would fall back asleep for a bit. I couldn't help but snap a few pictures!


Her sleep was short lived, however.


And then I thought I should lay down and cuddle with my loves. :)


Jumping again while we pack up to hit the road. Kristi had to work late afternoon on Memorial Day, so we had to get going and beat the cabin traffic heading back to the Twin Cities.


A walk down to the lake before we leave... we can't wait to come back this summer!


A family picture...


We know Mckenna really enjoyed her first visit to the lake!

- the pointe, lake calhoun, & the park -

Last Saturday we went to an annual neighborhood garage sale near our house. The area is called The Pointe and has 40+ homes that participate in this big sale, which is always the weekend after Mother's Day. We've been before, and it's pretty fun to walk around and take it all in. There are even homes that sell snacks along the way, including BBQ hot dogs and burgers, mini donuts, etc. The day was unusually chilly for mid-May, with high winds and temps in the 40s. So we bundled up to walk around outside, including Mckenna. We found some nice toys and good deals for the summer - a swim/sun hat, a couple of swim diapers, and some cute blue sunglasses. Mckenna didn't seem to love them at first, but didn't really try to take them off either. Such a cool dude! :)



Back home, and time to eat - more carrots!


Look at those two little bottom teeth - so cute!


The next day was much nicer, sunny and warm. We drove to the Lake Calhoun area, had lunch outside, and then walked around the lake. Here is Nemo and Mckenna ready to leave the house for the lake. We thought it was cute that Nemo hopped in the car seat and Mckenna was hanging on to her leash!


And it was even warmer on Monday! We usually try to get outside and walk every day that it's nice, so we decided that we would take Mckenna to the park by our house. She has been once with our neighbors, Tim, Nicole, and their 9-month old son Carter, but we've never taken her before. She loved the swing! Matt and I also climbed around a bit with her on the playground. We had a fun first park visit as a family!






















And Nemo waited patiently for us while we played. She wasn't complaining though - she got a lot of attention and love from other kids at the park. :)

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day, a day I had been waiting for for a long, long time. To now finally be a mother, with the most precious of little girls at my side, is amazing and very satisfying. It's humbling to have a 6-month old be able to teach you new things about unconditional love, joy, happiness, a fresh perspective on life, and so much more... all without words. Just plain sweetness - that happy, toothy, drooly smile, those big, beautiful blue eyes that look at you with utter love, her big, kissable cheecks. Can you tell I'm in love? So this was easily one of the most fulfilling, happy days of my life thus far. My first Mother's Day was very meaningful to me.

I got to do everything I wanted to do on Mother's Day, and Matt treated me like a queen, including making me breakfast - lucky me! In the morning we went to church, after that we went to brunch with my family (at the same hotel that we had our wedding reception at - fun), then we went home and took a great nap, and took a nice walk outside. It was a wonderful day!

Mckenna was definitely loving being with all of her Person cousins. Here she is admiring Dan and Abby's 2 1/2 week old little girl, Ayla. I know these two have a lot of fun together in their future!


Ayla is so little, cute, and sweet!


Jacob and Mckenna were having a ball together. Jacob was making Mckenna laugh so hard, just look at her face! I love that there are so many cousins to play with and have fun with... so much to look forward to over the years!


Dad, Tommy, Mckenna and Jacob.


Jessica and Sarah. Brad told me that the other day Sarah said to him, "Let's go pick up Mckenna and Ayla and go shopping!" Isn't that cute? With all of those boys in the house, I'm sure Sarah will definitely enjoy all of her play times with her girl cousins. :)


Little Joel - I think he was sleeping almost the entire brunch. Here he is one day shy of one week old. Little peanut!


Two new mommies with their two cute little babes. Again, Mckenna really likes her cousins! :)


I love these girls!


Happy new parents on our first Mother's Day!






When we got home, we changed Mckenna out of her dress and she took a nice, long nap. After waking up refreshed and happy (as always!), she was ready to play with her in-house fluffy sister, Nemo. You can't tell from the picture, but Mckenna's onesie says "I love my mommy" - good choice Mckenna! :)


Daddy and daughters...


Nemo is really a good sport with all of Mckenna's playfulness with her.


Time for our walk. My Aunt Barb knit this cute hat for Mckenna, and it matches a beautiful knit sweater dress that she will wear in the fall. Could she be any cuter?




Happy and tired at the end of a long and fun day. Thank you God for the awesome blessing of being a mommy!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day - we love you!

Love, Julie, Matt, Mckenna, & Nemo

(Make sure your speakers are turned on...)