Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I'm Back

Well, as many of you know, I signed up for facebook last week. There was some adjustment time for me to get the settings right, figure out how much I wanted to use it, and just give myself some time to be a bit fascinated with it's potential. Now I am back at our blog. I've been trying to fill our weeks with a morning play dates and one weekly "big" activity -- like the zoo or the gymnasium. We've been doing lots of reading, coloring, playing with cars, cooking (Atticus loves baking), and board games when we are playing with other kids. This part of winter is so long with young children if you don't deliberately plan activities and social interaction.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Christmas & New Year's

Finally, Christmas pictures (-:! We spent nearly two weeks visiting our families down in Des Moines (Altoona) and Dubuque (Potosi). The boys had some trouble sleeping but thoroughly enjoyed their grandparents and aunts and uncles, etal. We began the festivities by celebrating Christmas Eve with the greater Johannsen family at Brad's grandmother's house. Here Atticus is playing Christmas Bingo with Grandma Nancy.

Cousin Max hangs out nearby.

Great-Grandma Trellis in the very back chair. She was able to visit with the boys a few times the week we were there but I didn't get photos the other times -- Sorry, Trellis!

Brad's cousin John and John's girlfriend Kim

Brad's cousin Andy and Dietrich

Great-Aunt Caryl emceeing the Bingo

The three cousins in front with Aunt Kara & Uncle Brian watching; Great Aunt Kay and Great Uncle Rick and cousin Andy in background.


with the dog Torrey

Grandma Nancy & Aunt Kara

Atticus playing with Great-Uncle Rick

Christmas morning!

Grandpa Tom & Grandma Nancy looking on in amusement

Opening Stockings...

Uncle Brian, Aunt Kara & Max arrive!

Atticus with his new digital camera

Visiting my family over in Dubuque (Potosi): Aunt Robyn & Cousin Clark

With Grandpa Gary

Not so happy...

Scary Dinosaur Daddy on the loose...

Uncle Jon & Aunt Robyn

Atticus playing in sink...

Crab-walk with Grandpa Gary -- Atticus' favorite!!

Laundry Basket Rides

Atticus gives his brother a ride