So many costumes, so little time...

We love Halloween here.  In fact, we have a year-round costume box that the kids are ALWAYS playing in.  I pick up costumes at thrift stores and garage sales and the box keeps getting bigger and bigger.  This year, Henry has it narrowed down to an Army Guy, Darth Vader, a Storm Trooper, or Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys (don't worry - he's only seen the cover of the DVD and asks us funny/awesome/weird questions about him).  Violet is going to be this bird (see above) but because we have so many fun costumes she likes to wear different ones for different events.  Here Jere and I took them to the FALLOWEEN Festival at a local campground.  Spoooooky!

Father and Mama Johnson by: Henry - He's getting pretty good at taking photos, huh?

Are you ever too young to be embarrassed by your old man?

Henry took this photo too!

SpongeBob and Scarecrow at Grandma Sue's Dance Studio. They had a performance for parents last night.

The Dancers

Here is Elsa (4), Violet (3), and Lila (2).  The extra girls belong to my best friend, Jessie.

Here is Jessie and I with our girls (her Dad, John captured in the background haha!).  For those of you that don't know, Jessie and I have been best friends and have grown up together since the second grade!! We weren't much older than our girls now.  We wore the BFF necklaces and everything for many years.  It's so fun to see pictures like this! 

Love those crazy gaps!

Daddy Dearest

Wow!  Daddy decided to take Violet to work yesterday and she came home with her ears pierced!  We'd been talking about it for awhile but for some reason Jere really wanted to make this a special daddy/daughter day... and he did!  Before they left for his office, it was still in negotiation so I really wasn't sure if they'd do it or not... and I kinda wanted to go too. But after work that day he took her to a hair salon where the lady gave Violet the third degree beforehand to make sure this is what she really wanted, not just her parents - that's good I suppose.  When she asked Violet if she knew it was going to hurt, Violet just said "Yes, and I don't care."  I guess that was the correct answer because away she went to the big chair with many strangers looking on... No tears, no flinches, she didn't even bat an eye!  They did them separately too!  She still claims it didn't hurt a bit.  What a big girl!  Here's the big bummer... no pictures of the event!!! That's the big difference between Jere and me... I'd be all over that like the paparazzi.  Although, momma to the rescue! I took some before and after photos just in case they really went through with it.  Although I'm sad I missed the event, I think it's pretty cool that she'll forever be able to say that her Daddy took her to get her ears pierced.  :)  They look adorable!

Before...

After!  She was so proud of herself!

This was only 10 mns. after the actual piercing so her ears look a tad red and still had the ink smear from the dots they put on beforehand.

She wasn't wanting anymore pictures but I tried to sneak one more... I hope the next 6 weeks of cleaning and earring turning go as smoothly!

Kleenex and Cupcakes

We are sick here at the Johnson house.  Just the typical knock-you-off-your-feet style cold and flu symptoms.  Nothing major, but still annoying especially with the wonderful weather we are having.  I tried to make myself go outside to enjoy the sunshine and sit on a lawn chair in the sun yesterday and read a book.  Within 3 mns. the puppy had goobered mouth juices with bits of whoknowswhat all over my shirt, tipped over my pop, ran away with the can, Henry and Violet were fighting about something and I ended up yelling at everyone.... dog, kids, husband (just because he was in my path) coughing and wiping my nose the whole time. Pleasantville it's not.  P.S. Kleenex with lotion are the BEST in my opinion when you are boogery... they don't rub your skin raw or give you that flakey skin nose for the 3 days following your cold... I love them.
Anyway, since I'm such a peach we haven't been up to much for excitement lately... I thought I'd share some old birthday pictures from Violet's 3rd (last May) and Henry's 5th (last July).  Those look happy and cheerful... :)

Grandma Sue and Eli

This is her "I'm embarrassed face" while everyone was singing Happy Birthday to her.

This is how we SPREAD GERMS Violet!!!

Such a sweet little pose!

Violet and Jada B.F.F.

We have this tradition of picking up a little cake just for us to celebrate the kids' birthday on the real day since we usually celebrate with family on the weekend.

Here's the start of Henry's B-day... his choice.. McDonalds!!  Waterpark!!  Cake!! 

Dad got Henry a slot car set just like when he was a boy... I think he missed it.

Then on the following weekend, Henry gets ready for his first party with friends from school (we only invited 3).  He was super excited!

A little Pin the SpongeBob on the Pineapple...

Henry's best bud got him this StarWars thingy and it was all over from there.  He went nutso ignoring everyone and everything until he got it out of the box.  It was by far his favorite gift - even more exciting than ours.  Thanks kid - way to steal our thunder.

The intense gazes of 5 year old boys playing StarWars. 

Then we had the Family Party right after on the same day... busy but good. 

Jere, Jesse, Sam, Jada, and Grandpa Bruce

Suh-weet!!!!

Grandma Judy, Great Grandma Evi, and Grandma Sue

I love this one of Grandma and Grandkid.