The Johnson Christmas Carol

As I was downloading our Christmas pictures from this year, I couldn't help but go back and look at pictures of holidays gone by.  Joy filled my heart as memories of family and friends captured my thoughts with each image.  In the classic Christmas Carol, Scrooge saw many things that he regretted in his past, present, and future. . . I'm happy to report that the "Johnson Carol" is filled with happiness and laughter in all three stages.  It's amazing how quickly the years pass us by and how life evolves over the course of time.  Here is a small glimpse of our holidays over the past and present, and hope for the future in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christmas 2006

What a whirlwind!  I was a sleep-deprived new mom of a one month old precious boy savoring the memories of our first Christmas as a family of three :)

My precious Dad G holding Cole for the first time. . . how we miss you. . .

Christmas 2007

Every year, my family rotates which home will host our Christmas Eve gathering.  This year was our turn!  What fun it was watching Cole (13 months old) open his presents - with a little help from mom and dad.

Oh how I miss those precious CHEEKS!

The sky on Christmas Eve - it was beautiful!

Christmas 2008

Sharing the holiday with a toddler (25 months old). . . what fun!  Cole LOVED looking at Christmas lights this year and would quickly yell "there some!" in the car when we would pass a lit-up house.  The presents were opened without help and decorating our home was a definite favorite.  Rearranging the Nativity was also a fun pastime :) 

Christmas 2009

Bye-Bye toddler and Hello preschooler!  Cole just turned three and has really begun to understand the true meaning of Christmas. . . what an exciting time!  He would greet family and friends with a joyful "Merry Christmas!" and then begin singing Happy Birthday to Jesus :)  Christmas trees were the favorite this year (I'm dreading taking ours down . . . tears may ensue) and the wonder of Christmas morning was priceless :)

(Check future posts for more pictures and tellings of this year's Christmas adventures.  We had so much fun and can't believe how quickly the season is coming to an end.)

Christmas 2010, 2011, 2012 . . .

Who knows what the Lord has in store for our family?  We trust in His goodness and know that His unfailing love and faithfulness will follow us all the days of our lives.

 

Johnson Christmas Card '09

Going against all holiday etiquette and Johnson family tradition, I decided to send e-cards this Christmas.  I promised myself a stress-free, budget-friendly holiday this year and these wonderful e-card greetings from Smilebox were the way to go.  Not only were they FREE which allowed me to send it to many family and friends, but I was able to personalize our message and add 20 pictures from our 2009 adventures (choosing from the 2000+ pictures was a daunting task I will admit).

We hope you enjoy our card and we wish your family a blessed Christmas season!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Movie Night!

This past weekend, we had the first ever Johnson family movie night :)  Cole's watched bits and pieces of movies on DVD/TV, but never something in its entirety...too busy to stay put!  We had noticed that some great Christmas flicks were coming on Saturday evening, and that it would be a great time to cuddle up together for some movie fun.  Michael decided to go all out (he's an AMAZING daddy!) and make the night super special with a homemade tent and lights.

After dinner, we snuggled in our tent for a showing of The Polar Express.  Cole did pretty well and watched the majority of the movie.  During commercials, we read Christmas books or turned the channel to Rudolph :)  We had originally planned popcorn and hot chocolate, but we substituted Christmas cookies instead - what a fun night!

Edible Trees!

With Cole's Christmas tree fascination, we decided to have a few MOPS friends over to share lunch and decorate some beautiful trees we could EAT!  

Ava had a great time and LOVED the icing!

Hallie having fun

Now to eat!

Finn was having too much fun with the train and play kitchen to decorate :)  Such a cutie!

Angela, Ava, Julie, Finn, Symantha, and Hallie - we enjoyed your company and hope to have you over again soon!

Just Monkeying Around

Last Friday, Michael gave me a wonderful, child-free, Christmas shopping ALL DAY extravaganza!  I left the house at 11:00 and returned around 4 p.m.  It was wonderful to browse for gifts and even try on a few things in the dressing room without the worries of a ready-to-go-home preschooler :)  I must admit that I did miss the stroller...I've forgotten what it's like to CARRY bags, coat, scarf, purse, and coffee...whew!

Not only did I enjoy my day out, but Michael enjoyed his 'man club' day with Cole.  He's such an amazing father and always looks for opportunities to spend special time with our son.  He decided to try something new and took Cole to play at Monkey Joe's.  They had SO MUCH FUN!  They spent the morning (with Uncle Kyle as well) monkeying around on the slides, in the balls, and with arcade games.  Michael called me while they were playing just to let me hear Cole's laughter...such a precious sound!  They met me for lunch at the mall and showed me pictures they had taken of their outing together.

Cole got to choose a special prize from the tickets he collected.  He chose this 'popper'.  He LOVES it.  His favorite is popping it off of his finger and our Christmas tree topper :)

Enjoy your shopping days (I'm finally done!!).  Only 8 days until Christmas!

Trains and Mr. C

Every year at Christmas and Easter, we head to Rivergate Mall to let Cole ride the train assembled outside of JC Penny.  Last year was the first time he rode by himself and he LOVED it!  This year, we decided to hit the mall early as to avoid the holiday rush and it was great timing.  Crowds were minimal and there was no line to ride...which we love because it means a longer train ride for us!

First thing he noticed...the big tree.  His fascination with trees this season amazes us! 

My turn!

He chose the engine with the bell :)

Getting to ride again...woo-hoo!  Switching to the yellow car

Having the train on the brain, Michael and I didn't even think about Santa being there as well.  We don't talk about Santa much around our home (unless Cole asks where Buddy's been), so Cole didn't even notice Santa sitting in his big red velvet chair until we pointed him out.  I wasn't sure how Cole would react, but he couldn't WAIT to see Santa and sit on his knee.  After making sure the visit was free (which it is unless you buy the pics...which we did because they were so darn cute!), Cole walked right up, sat on Santa's knee, and asked Santa to give him a fist bump :)  My favorite part was Cole's answer when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas...a Christmas tree.  HA!  As Santa chuckled, Cole continued to elaborate that he also wanted ornaments and lights.  What can I say?  He's a content child :)

Actually, the more I thought about it, we've never asked him that question..."what do you want for Christmas?"  We've been stressing that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and talking about what God wants from us this holiday season and the whole year through.  Not to mention that the child doesn't need a thing!  After the birthday he had just a few weeks ago, I don't know where we'd put anymore toys!

We pray that amidst the fun this season brings, your family will continue to remember the Savior and celebrate the TRUE joy that comes from Him alone.