wedding cuteness

I wanted to post pictures of these two cuties before something else occupies my time. Hopefully I will have time soon to write in more detail about Collins and Ally's wedding. For now, I will tell (briefly) about Trip and Anna Kate ... the cutest flower girl and ring bearer I've ever seen!

These pictures are from the rehearsal. They were so cute and energetic during the rehearsal, especially Anna Kate.

 

 

 

 

 

There were a good number of people watching them practice their walk down the aisle. They did so well, we thought the actual wedding would be no problem.

Of course, come wedding day with the pews full of guests (nearly 400) with eyes all on them and music playing loudly, sweet Anna Kate looked at me in terror and grabbed my hand for dear life. Trip took charge, swiped the flowers from her hand and pulled her (while she pulled me!) down the aisle! She burried her head in my arm as the three of us walked toward the groom.

I was so proud of both of them despite being slightly embarrassed about my impromptu walk down the aisle!

good light, good moods

You know when the lighting is perfect for capturing the perfect picture, but the kids are just not in the mood? Or when the kids are being so cute, but you forgot your camera or the lighting is just terrible? Well, on this evening the two came together in perfect harmony and I got some of my favorite pictures (of Trip and AK especially). It also happened to be Wills' birthday, so the happiness might be due to the sugar overload!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Library Day

I thought it might be fun to document some of the more "ordinary" days of our week. We are currently doing homeschool preschool on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On those days we attempt to stay home for the first half of the day and accomplish a small lesson while Wills takes his morning nap. 

Every Thursday, we love attending our library's story time. The kids have come to love Ms. Constance, our librarian, and it is a fun way to make friends and have a consistent activity where the kids are required to sit still, pay attention, and follow rules.

On this particular day, the theme was apples. After story time, we went outside and had an "apple hunt".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wills: One Year

 

 

 

Development:

75th percentile for height and weight (22.5 lbs., 30.5 inches)

Teeth: 7

Walks, climbs, cruises

Just as chatty as big brother and sister but doesn't parrot

2 naps a day, Shares a room with Trip

Waves "hello", claps, plays peek-a-boo

Says: ha ha, "dis" for this, Mama, see!, he mimics some version of "I love you"

Loves:

His animals, especially big bunny from Mimi

Eating anything

Putting anything in his mouth

Throwing food and his sippy cup off of his high chair tray- he's so proud of this new skill

Opening cabinets and making messes

Stealing chocolate milk from big brother and sister

The (annoying) cat piano!

Peek-a-boo

Jumping and climbing on the couch

Hates:

If he doesn't get the toy or food/drink he wants or someone takes it away, he throws a huge fit!

Other than that, this boy is easy going and happy. He is loud but not typically fussy. He smiles all of the time and continues to be the most joyful child.

In typical 3rd child fashion, we didn't have a big birthday party for this precious boy. But we did a small family of 5 celebration in the back yard with cupcakes prepared by Trip and Anna Kate. Wills didn't seem to mind the low-key celebration and was already quite familiar with the cake eating ritual ... let's just say it wasn't his first rodeo. Trip directed the family in singing Happy Birthday 5 times. Wills was well-loved on his special day.

William Randal,

You bring such joy to our lives, and really to anyone who meets you. You are funny and cuddly and sweet and I can see even now that there is a light shining in you that draws others to you. I know that God has given you that light and that He will use you to accomplish His great purpose. He loves you so much. You are so precious to us and you have been a blessing to our family in so many ways in just one short year.

We love you little Bubby!

Mike + Whit

At the end of June my sister Whitney married her sweetheart Mike. This wedding was a LONG time in the making, but absolutely everything about it turned out perfectly. From the weather and location to the Monarch butterflies ;)

The wedding was at Holland Lake Lodge in Montana. This place turned out to be so much more than I expected.

Here is a picture of the "Johnson" girls with our coin necklaces from Mimi. She had these made out of Rush's coin collection, and we all wore them the night of the rehearsal dinner. It was a special tribute to the Patriarch of the Johnson family and is a gift from Mimi that we all treasure. She gave each grand daughter the necklace around the time of our weddings.



A few pictures of the rehearsal, which was in the same location as the actual wedding and reception.

 

Perfect location and perfect little ring bearer throwing rocks into the lake. Picture perfect.

J getting some sweet snuggles in with Harper.

Gigi hogging Harper ;)

 

Some pictures I snapped on my phone...

View from the car window driving through Montana.

Good looking brothers (Sorry I left you out Trett... you're good looking too).

Harper getting some time with her aunt.

The beautiful bride... I mean, seriously.

Me and my handsome husband, who also officiated the wedding.

I think the best part of this wedding is that Whitney chose (and was chosen by) such a great guy. We are so excited to add him to the crazy mix of the Johnson/Gross/Kuper/Thompson/Nagy Family.

Baby Wills

I took these pictures when Wills was about 9 months old. It's amazing how much he changed in such a short period of time. Especially once his teeth came through... And the things he does now that seem so much more toddler-like than baby-like. The way he sits, crawls, laughs, grunts. It has all changed. And it's weird that looking through the pictures from this day make me miss him as a baby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had to add in these pictures. Trip's curls. Anna Kate mimicking her big brother. Wills before he was mobile enough to nose dive off of the bed. I'm sure this moment lasted all of a moment. But it sure was cute.