A special little visit…

Last weekend, the girls had the pleasure of getting to spend some quality time with Auntie Kelli. Auntie Kelli hasn’t seen the girls since Christmas, so she was pretty excited to see the growth and development of the girls. We think she was a little taken back by our little spit-firers. And, the three musketeers had Kelli busy! They had her playing, book reading, in imagination zones, at museums, eating ice cream (a Johnson favorite) and MORE!

Kelli came to visit the Omaha area, as she had a work related trip. As mentioned, the girls played her socks off. We also went to the Omaha Children’s Museum. Mommy and Daddy loved it, as there was one adult to each kid! Let’s just say, this trip was successful with this equation. Here are some photos from the excursion…if you ask why there weren’t more of Ava: we were way too busy playing and running around investigating everything.

The best part of the trip is that we didn’t have to say good-bye too much. Kelli will get to come back the first weekend of June. But, did she make her impression? Out of no where, Ava says, “Mommy, I miss Kelli.”

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A Celebration of 60 {Backdated}

We had quite the celebration in the Petersen clan about a month ago. Poppa Petersen turned the big 6-0! While dad is not a guy that likes a big circus around him–he would much prefer the tranquility of African nature sounds in the back of him with Amarula in hand–we had to do something special. We racked our brains, as Poppa has been literally all over the world in his travels! One theme and passion that has been carried through his sixty years is photography and creating memories. If you know Chris, he usually has a camera in hand.

That’s where momma Crystal got her Pinterest game on! If you haven’t been on Pinterest or heard of it, well folks–you are missing out! Crystal came across this fabulous idea and started to put it into action at the end of January. The idea was to reach out to friends and family in all parts of Chris’ life to write a memory of him. The goal was to collect 60 memories. (Click on the image above for a detailed account of the project.) Well, if you know a Petersen, then you know you can’t go the simple route. Crystal and her youngest sister, Danielle, (with Autumn in spirit) compiled a scrapbook of the 60 memories. We all know Crystal can go a little overboard with scrapbooking, so this was more of a hybrid method.

But…the success? It was the ultimate look on Poppa Petersen’s face when he opened the book. There, from over his 60 years of life, he had beautiful people writing about all the incredible attributes, memories, and personality that is Chris Petersen. And, yes, we did collect 60. The memories came from all over the US and WORLD!

So, how did we celebrate the big birthday you ask? Well, don’t you worry. Chris’ brother Gene came to the rescue. He provided the Amarula for the night! So yes, Chris did have one in hand. He didn’t want a party or big black posters that said–”You are WAY over the hill.” Rather, we had a small, immediate Petersen family gathering, with 3 young girls providing the African sounds (Ava, Aubree & Annelise!). We went to Kobe ( a hibachi steakhouse) and then had cake, presents, and of course drinks at Crystal’s house. In the end, Poppa said he had the best birthday ever!

Here are some photos to recap the evening:

A little explanation first…Ava was watching the tricks the chef performed at the grill. She was in awe! She loved watching people try to catch shrimp in their mouth! Aubree and Annelise didn’t know what to make of it. However, Aubree was IN LOVE with the food. She couldn’t get enough of it. The other two, on the other hand, momma knew wouldn’t touch a solid thing We had to make a grocery run before we arrived at the restaurant. Chicken fingers and fruit weren’t on this menu. Poppa got serenaded by the waiters–so he did get some embarassment. And, the cake…you think it isn’t fit for a 60 year old? Well, you haven’t met a Petersen or a Johnson that would ever deny Dairy Queen ice cream cake. We also had enormous 6-0 (one of each number) balloons, but somehow, we didn’t get a picture of those. All in all…fabulous night, celebraing one fabulous man!

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Sister-time…Bonding Over Sippy Cups

This is a rare shot.  All three girls are sitting in one spot for more than five minutes! Here’s the back story:

We have had the pink chair for sometime now, since Ava was little. Annelise, however, has deemed it her chair. She has loved that chair since she could walk, sit, and carry it all over the yard. And, at times, we do fight over it. But, as we all know…when you have three girls roughly the same age, you have to get one for each kid. It is just necessary on some items. So, while we traveled all over Omaha running errands and getting supplies to plant some flowers and a garden, we picked up the purple and the blue one.

The kids must have seen that mommy and daddy were tired or that they never get to eat with one another. Or, maybe they were just tired themselves. We aren’t sure what they were talking about (probably how uncool their parents are!), but they all three hauled their chairs to this spot on their own and placed them facing the fence. Of course, the two little ones took Ava’s lead. We took the picture while we were finishing up our dinner at our table. They stayed there for some time. Rarity in our household!

** The color scheme is even corrent if you know our family. Annelise, even though she claimed it, usually gets pink. And, Aubree gets purple. It has been that way since we left the hospital, with color coded items. Pink and purple are always up for grabs with Ava…they are her favorite colors after all. But, she must have been trying to set an example…she settled for the blue.

Egg-cellent Easter {Series 3 & 4}

If I let anymore time slip…it will be midsummer before I know it. Wow…where do the days go? Here is the last installment of the Easter Egg-stravaganza!

Ava had her first egg dying experience. She thought it was fabulous seeing the eggs take color. Of course, our favorites were pink and purple. And, we thought we were very special, since the “babies” were too little to engage in such an activity. Maybe other moms have more patience and let their 18 month old children do these sorts of things. With 2 of them…my stance was, I think not. It was nap time for them.

For Easter, we all went to our church, Bethany Lutheran in Elkhorn. Afterwards, we had an excellent family brunch at Tiburon Golf Course. All Petersens gave a thumbs up to the food. Even the little picky eaters found fun treats to enjoy! And, once our bellies were full, it was home for naps and the Easter egg hunt! The boys indulged in the Masters.

Ok…as I write this, I am realizing how ridiculous it is that I am still writing about Easter. Better late than never, huh?

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Easter Weekend {Series 2}

It was family day on Good Friday! Brian has been traveling a lot for work, so we haven’t had the chance to get out much. If you have three children under the age of three, you essentially can’t do the really fun stuff without backup! So, we decided to take the girls to the zoo! It was the first for the year, and the girls loved it! Ava has always appreciated the fun the zoo offers, but Aubree and Annelise are starting to really get into it as well. It was fun to watch their expressions.

And, for all of you that know Miss Momma, I even “suggested” going to the petting zoo first. I know you are all laughing. In all reality though, I knew they would enjoy it, and it is always closed when we go. Yes, my girls are not like their mother. They got right in there.

The highlight of this trip…Aubree and Annelise adored the carousel. It was their first time. And, they DID NOT want to get off. While it is a favorite of Ava’s, she got to go on the Skyfari for the first time.

We love spending time with the girls, and they were well tuckered out after the trip.

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Palm Sunday {Series 1}

The Johnson clan had an Egg-cellent Easter! And, as usual, we are behind on catching you up. We have been run’in and gun’in in typical fashion. And, momma has had some more single days too, as Brian has been traveling for work again. When that happens, all ”to dos” in the household get pushed aside. So, we are going to do a 4 part series on our recent holiday events. This one dates back to Palm Sunday weekend.

The weekend started off with our first egg hunt. Our neighborhood association puts this event together every year. It was thrilling to watch, as this was the first year Ava got really into it. And, it was Aubree and Annelise’s first year where they knew what to do!

Palm Sunday was special this year. Ava got to be in her first Palm Processional and sing some songs in church.

And, how did the day end? It was 92 degrees in good old Omaha, Nebraska! The girls went swimming! Can you believe this was happening at the end of March!

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Discovering a Whole New World

…and that world is outdoors! Yes, we finally can come out of our basement and enjoy some sunshine! Here in Nebraska, the weather has been amazing! Hello early spring! The girls are treasuring the outdoors (while I do enjoy a great day outside, I think their passion for it is taken from their father!) Aubree and Annelise beg to go outside the minute they wake up. They get very huffy when they have to stay indoors and look through the sliding glass door to our back patio.

Last weekend, we unburied all of our fun outside equipment. The girls are having a blast in their little clubhouse together. And, we have been taking frequent rides in our choo-choo wagon. Let me tell you…this momma can feel a difference. Let’s just say hauling these girls is way heavier this year than last. Hello workout! And, of course, we live in a neighborhood of hills and the girls want to go on a ride multiple times. Don’t think we don’t make a pit stop at the park. However, that is a workout in and of itself with three little ones.

And, some of these pictures of the twins at the park are on their special day. They got a special mommy and daddy day as Ava was in SeaWorld. Here are some fun in the sun highlights:

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Ava’s Trip of a Lifetime!

Ava got presented with an incredible experience. Nana and Poppa Petersen planned a big trip to see Shamu in Florida. Yep, little Avakins got to ride on her first airplane (good thing the experienced flyer was going to be her mentor!) to go to SeaWorld. Poppa had to present at a conference, and it just worked out that two beautiful women got to go with. Ava left on Saturday, March 17th and returns tomorrow, March 20th.

Here is the report the parents have received:

• We can power through any day, even when we wake up at 3 am for flights.
• We like touching the clouds with the airplane…had no problems at all flying. We packed our gumballs for “funny ears”.
• Ava is now addicted to strawberry smoothies, ice cream bars, and shhh…don’t tell mom, we haven’t been eating that great!
• The mini-frige is Ava’s domain. We like to put lots of things in there. But, we like when it is stocked with milk and OJ!
• Ava is a fish. I guess it is good she went to SeaWorld. She managed to get Big Poppa in the pool like momma did when she was little. Only until she turned blue and had to go to the bathroom, Poppa lured her into the hot tub. She now thinks daddy needs to install one at home.
• SeaWorld is fabulous! She saw many shows, “big fishies” and rode rides. Nana even won her a giant dolphin.
• Daddy and mommy definitely scared Ava for life. In one show, there was a skunk. TRAUMA!
• We made friends at the vendor reception that Poppa had to attend. We courted everyone and are now coming home with lots of trickets.
• Ava hasn’t gotten to bed before 10 EST. No naps.
• If Ava hits air conditioning, she gets a second, third, and fourth wind!
• We are addicted to the iPad! We fully know how to  use it!

Wow! I think Brian and I will encounter some major detox sessions when we return home. We are so happy to hear they are making wonderful memories. Nana and Poppa might need a nap or two when they return just to recover!

Here are some highlights:

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Exciting Experiences

Wow…we didn’t realize how long it has been since we last posted! It must be all the excitement going on in the Johnson household! We better catch you up:

Recently, Brian has taken a new position at Kiewit. It is more like a 180 degree turn in his career, but he is enjoying it and learning a lot. He went from the accounting department to the risk management/insurance group. This change brings on the single momma days, hence why we haven’t posted! Brian has had to do some training for several weeks in Kansas City. All of the girls have be holding down the fort. It leaves momma tuckered out at night!

Aubree and Annelise succumbed to their biggest challenge again! While we didn’t land in the hospital, the girls have had colds since January! We got RSV, which any mother knows is not a picnic! But, we are finally on the mend. We are just hoping that we don’t have a lot of runny noses with allergies! We are ready for the nice weather! Otherwise, these little rascals are 17 months old…can you believe it? They are starting to talk and communicate like typical women…a lot! They just started their Kindermusik class, and they are dancing and moving like crazy!

Ava has been mommy’s big helper while daddy has been away. She is just a hoot and is becoming more like her mother everyday. Is that good or bad? Recently, she got to go see Mickey on Ice with her Auntie Danielle and Nana. It was a birthday gift. She thought she was pretty darn special, since only big girls got to go. The cute part was she was nervous in going. She thought she was going to have to skate. Once she realized it was a show…game on!

If you are wondering about momma…she is just trying to survive the single momma days! The girls keep her on her toes and make her laugh and cherish life everyday!

Here are some Disney on Ice photos:

Sipping my $15 cup!

Hanging with my ladies!

The stars! Ava’s favorite!

The reaction says it all…

Who would have thought?

Are we getting to the age where we don’t take that many pictures anymore? We sure hope not! The moments are priceless around our house.

On President’s Day weekend, we had Grandpi and Grammie come from South Dakota. Ava is just now getting to the age where understands a bit more about distance and people coming to see her. She was very excited for their arrival! She even got to stay up a bit later to wait for them. As she says, “It takes a longggggggggggggg time to get here from South ‘Kota!”

Well, wouldn’t you know it? They were here the entire weekend, but we didn’t take any photos! How did that happen? We like to think that we were having so much fun, the photos were an after thought. The girls had a ball playing imaginary games with Grammie and Grandpi. And, Ava rediscovered actual games again. We don’t play them too often, as the twins are always messing with the pieces. So, she got some special Grammie time. And, we are now addicted to the books, No David! Grammie always has good reads for being a teacher. It was a fun time had by all. Sure wish the shutter snapped during the weekend! (We need to be better about that. Grammie and Grandpi are AWESOME for coming to see us so frequently being so far away. When they are older, the girls will wonder!)

So, in the meantime, some 3 year old photos of Miss Ava will have to do. Can you belive she is three? That means we have been blogging for three years! She always keeps us on her toes and is so much fun! We love all the language and stories she tells. She is also defining herself as a very big sister! She is great with her “two babies”! Love you Avakins!

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