Let's all celebrate and have a good time, common now!

The cakes says it all:  Happy 4th Birthday Violet!!!

Max and his cousin, Larry. 

The celebration was complete with unicorn cake, balloons, sirens and a tornado warning! You know it's serious when you get circled with the magic pen on t.v.  Grandmas and children to the basement, brothers and uncles to the front porch...

Henry and Violet's last day of preschool this year.  They put on a little end of the year program with songs and gave diplomas for those going to Kindergarten in the fall.

Here are some incoming kindergartners... feel the excitement!

That's it Henry, feel it!  Haha, love those cheesy smiles!

Sewin' Shootin' Dancin' -n- Brusin'

Henry heard about this Build-a-Bear craze on t.v. and really wanted in.  He's a stuffed animal nut.  But me, being the cheapo that I am, pulled out the old sewing box, showed him how to thread a needle and convinced him we could make something waaaay cooler.  I found my old crochet hook and made a.... belt? for his chameleon.  Yes, it's a belt.  He wrapped yarn around the body and then "sewed" it all together.  He really got into it and was pretty proud of the finished product!  Eat your heart out Build-a-Bear!

The kids like to play Pulp Fiction at our house.  Here's Uma Thurman without her contacts.

Is this the girl from the photos above??  Violet awaiting her turn at the dance rehearsal. 

Vi and momma practicing for the Mommy Daughter dance.  We are swinging, shaking, and prancing around to Mama Mia!  Henry was nice enough to take these photos from the front row.

Cousins Jada (6) and Violet (almost 4!) :)

And finally, here are some sad pictures of Jere's leg.  Yuck, huh?  It's been a week since he wiped out rounding the corner of first base during one of his softball games.  Due to a wet field, the base slipped and with that, Jere went down ripping his calf muscle.  The bruising didn't even appear until after the third day.  Notice it under his ankle which was swollen beyond belief, which isn't even hurt.  It just shows how the muscle or tissue or whatever must all be connected.  Anyway, poor guy can't even walk but according to Web MD, he's going to tough it out with ice packs and elevation.  Let's hope it heals soon!!! 

From the front it doesn't look as bad, but this was all bruising that appeared 3 days later!  It's still swollen all around. Weird, huh?  Kinda pretty summer yellow color though... Until next time!

Happy Birthday Dad!  This will be remembered as one of those "priceless" moments where Henry carried in the DQ cake singing Happy Birthday as we watched (what seemed like in slow motion) it slip, slide, and land on the floor.  Oops!  I think it made for one of the funniest b-day moment ever!  :)

The Thinker

Easter in Truman, MN

We love you Great Grandma Dina!  Age 91

Great Grandpa George and Jere

Since we were so close to Fairmont, we had to stay at our favorite hotel with big pool, kiddie pool, and hot tub.  And for only $25, Max got to stay in our room with us.  Jere thought this was an awesome idea, I wasn't so sure - but it worked out great!

On the way home, we stopped and stretched at the Veterans Park in Belle Plaine.  The kids thought this war helicopter was pretty cool.

We will now look at a set of photos all taken by Henry. J. Johnson age 5.  He calls this series:  Easter Fun Night

Spring Stuff!

Well, we thought Spring was finally here only to wake up to a mini-blizzard a couple of weeks ago!  Henry was psyched to have his first "snow day" (preschool was canceled).  Mom was bummed.  Check out our picture window - we've never seen it covered like this... crazy wind!  Snow or not, it still does not stop Henry from wearing shorts.  He busted them out in early March.

Here the little man built a police station, holding cell complex, and squad car.  He loves his LEGOS.

Our friends daughter, Ashley turned 4 and had a sweet princess party.  Here are all the girls!

Cake!  Cake!  Cake!

Lost in a sea of palms at church this fine Palm Sunday.

Henry and his buddy Kaden (also Grandma Judy's next door neighbor).

Road Warriors

Annual egg decorating at Grandma Judy's

This year we added cupcake decorating... messy but yum-o.

YUM-O!

This one might be my favorite.  :)