Winter Wonderland

We've just had unbelievable amounts of snow this winter! I think it's something like three or four times the normal amount. I don't mind the snow. We live in New England it's a part of living here. Patrick is absolutely in love with the huge amounts of snow. If I let him he'd be outside all day with jut minimal breaks. Renee is not as enthused with the weather. Poor thing she can't walk yet, and if she tries to crawl it hits her in the face. She's a good sport though. My Mom has some great videos of the kids, I'm going to try to post them in the next few days. But for now here's a few pictures to keep you entertained.

Snow clearing crew

Good little sport

Luv you Papa

The next LL Bean cover child

1st sled ride of the season

Videos

It's been a bit cold in the afternoon lately so, we haven't been able to get outside. One of Patrick's new favorite activites is for me to take video of them. So here they are!
Renee the jumping bean
Patrick's turn
Patrick singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Patrick is terrified of Santa Clause. But, he is a big part of Christmas so we've been trying to warm him up to the idea. We've now gotten to the point where Santa is allowed to visit our house on Christmas Eve, but he must leave the gifts outside. Mommy and Daddy will then bring the presents into the house. Every year in my parents town of Dighton, Santa visits everyone and throws lollipops from a fire truck. I remember this tradition from when I was little, and I really want my kids to be able to enjoy it too. So, on Sunday we brought the kids down and waited for Santa. Patrick was very excited to see the firetruck come, and thrilled to get the lollipops. He also was glad to see Santa go. He kept checking all afternoon and evening to make sure he was really gone. " Santa go home. He make presents for Patrick." Renee was less than thrilled with the whole ordeal. It was very cold which she doesn't care for, and she was terrified of the horns on the firetruck. I'm hoping for a bit more enthusiasm from both of them next year.


Waiting for Santa Here he comes!

I don't like Santa either

Santa Clause is coming to town

Updates

It's been a busy fall here at the Johnson house. Renee now has gotten her first tooth and is sitting up all by herself. She'll sit and play toys for quite a while. Her favorite activity, however, is playing with Patrick. It's so cute to see them sitting on the floor playing together. Now we've just got to work on sleeping through the night. She's eating better during the day so hopefully that will come soon.
Patrick meanwhile continues to turn more into a little boy every day. His vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds, and he is constantly expressing himself. He also began gymnastics this fall and loves it. He loves to show off his tadas and peek-a-boos. Hopefully, sometime soon I'll be able to go to class with him and see him in action.
Also featured this entry are a few of the pictures I took from the zoo last weekend. Patrick had a great time pulling Renee in the wagon and riding the carousel. Renee felt much better when Grandma and Papa were pulling her.

Tada

The little wagon that could

Much safer now

Sleepy baby girl

Riding the carousel

Halloween 2010

Halloween this year was a blast! We didn't get to do anything last year because Patrick was afraid. This year, however, he was ready to go. We started the evening by practicing our trick-or-treat at Grandma and Papa's. Then we headed over to spend the evening with the Doraz Family. Patrick and Connor had a great time. Renee and Jack weren't so sure, so Dawn and I brought them back after just a few houses.



First trick or treat of the year

Off we go!

Buddies

Fall Fun

Sorry I'm about 2 weeks behind in my posting. Work is absolutely insane. We've had some great times these past few weeks. On a recent Sunday we went to Ken's parents to the Bristol Aggie Fall Show. The kids had a blast. Patrick loved the tractors. He had to visit each one of them. Renee had fun on the hayride and just being with family.

Patrick and his favorite tractor

Renee and Grampy

Renee the lady bug

Kidz Wurld Party 2010

Pumpkin Picking

Sorry I've been so lax about posting lately but, I the new job and the little ones are keeping super busy. A few weeks ago, my parents and I took the kids to Araujo Farm to pick our pumpkins. They have a hayride and we hoped we'd be able to talk Pat into going. He agreed and we had the best time. I think Renee liked it the most. She kept feeling her way through the hay and trying to eat it. I guess we know what to get her for Christmas. A bale of hay! Patrick was nervous on the hayride out, but loved picking a pumpkin of his very own.

We're going on a hayride!

Renee and Grandma

The boys

The Patrick pumpkin


Can I eat it?

Fall Festivities

Today was the day we finally went apple picking! To many of you that may seem like no big deal, but I've been trying to go every fall since before Patrick was born. So today we went to Lookout Farm in Natick with Ken's parents. What a cool place. It's been a farm since 1651 and is one of the oldest in the country. We rode the train out to the apple fields and picked our apples. Patrick had a great time. He loved picking the apples off the trees. He called all of the apples on the ground dirty, yucky ones. Renee was a perfect angel, just haging out with Daddy. After apple picking we went over to the children's area to play on the playground and eat some ice cream. (In 50 degree weather....brrr) Then, it was back on the train to the pumpkin patch. Finally, it was back home for dinner and apple pie. MMMMM!

Renee all bundled with Daddy

The Johnsons

Picking apples with my boy

Grammy, Grampy, and the kids

Wedding Bells

Last week was a busy one for us. Both Patrick and Kenny were in our friends Keith and Jamie's wedding. It was a beautiful day, even though it was a bit cool. Patrick was very excited about his job as ring bearer. He kept insisting on holding Livy, the flower girl's hand. (What a flirt!) Patrick was a good boy, and made it all the way down the isle before requesting to leave with me. After the wedding he had a blast at the reception. He stole my camera and took about 300 pictures with it. Mostly of Mat, Angela, and the ceiling. Then he hit the dance floor and partied it up until 9. (Which may sound early, but his normal bedtime is 7:30.)

Patrick and Livy

Patrick the photographer

Bride, groom and the kiddos

Hanging with Mat and Angie

Dancing Family

Choo Choo!

Patrick is obsessed with going to carnivals. Each weekend when we ask him where he wants to go he tells us he wants to go to a carnival. The only place that I could think of that has rides this time of year is Edaville Railroad. So, we decided to take the kids. I remember having fun there when I was a kid, but it's been forever, so we weren't sure what to expect. Boy were we pleasantly surprised! Patrick had a blast riding all of the rides and the train. His favorite is the grownup tilt-a-whirl. Now he keeps asking to go back. Renee liked the park and watching all of the rides, but she hated the train. She screamed and cried whenever the whistle blew. We're thinking about getting a season pass next year, when Renee is big enough to enjoy some of the kiddie rides, and hopefully likes the train a bit more.


Tilt-a-Whirl!

What is that thing?

Riding the train like a big boy. He wouldn't let either of us sit next to him!

Mommy and Renee

Choo Choo

Off to School

This post is a bit late, but better late than never. Since I've gone back to work we needed to find a place to send Patrick for the time inbetween when Ken goes to work and I return. We asked him what he wanted and he told us he wanted to go to school like Mommy. So we decided to send him to daycare. Boy was it hard finding a daycare to take hime for only 2 hours per day, but we did. Patrick loves his new school! It only took him 2 days to adjust, and now he looks forward to going every day.

Off to School

Labor Day

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted but, I've been back at work and super busy. This past weekend we wanted to do some "hiking", so we headed to the Wildlife Sanctuary in Taunton. Patrick had a great time. He was able to run and do the whole loop himself. Renee rode with Daddy, and loved looking at all of the scenery.

After our walk we stopped by Frates for an icecream. Kenny had never been before, and Patrick loved showing him the cows.

Total ham.

Me and my babies!

Two city boys and a cow.

So this is a cow!

Baptism

This past weekend was Renee's Baptism. It was great being able to celebrate the day with all of our family. Renee behaved very well. She didn't cry at all and was quite happy to be carried around the church by the minister. Patrick on the other hand was Patrick. He was content to sit for about 2 minutes, then visited all of the pews with people he knew in them. Finally, he headed out to play outside with Gamma. After the ceremony we had a lovely little party back at my parents house.

Mommy, Daddy, and Renee

The Godparents

The big moment

Us with Gramma Edie

All the grown ups

Yeeeehaw!

Last night my parents and I took the kids to the Rehoboth Fair. We met up with Em, Andy, Ce and Auntie, and had a great time. Patrick of course loved the rides. He also had the best time with Ce. I think those two will be great buddies in the coming years. His favorite thing however was the tractors. He watched them work, watched them just sitting there, and watched them doing tractor pull.
Renee wasn't overly thrilled with the fair. It was past her bedtime so she was doing lots and lots of "talking" making sure we all knew about it. Not too many animal pictures as none of the kids were particularly thrilled by them. The only sad part of the fair was no Kenny. Next year for sure!

Em and her new friend Joshua

vroom!

]Fun times on the carousel

I love you Papa

All tuckered out