Post Thanksgiving Fun

The day after Thanksgiving, I was sitting around trying to find something to do since I wasn't going shopping this year. I asked Pat what he would like to do. He said... "Let's go bowling." I know nothing about bowling but, Kenny does, and so do his parents. So, that Friday night we all went bowling. Pat, Kenny, and his dad, all bowled and had a great time. Renee and I bowled a frame or two and then got bored. Renee, Charlene, and I had fun cheering on the guys. Renee loved running up to them, and giving them a victory hug and a dance after each frame. Since we live in such a cold climate, I think this is something we will do again over the winter.

Hitching a ride with Grammpy

Coach Daddy

Renee the cheerleader!

Giant Green Ball

Thanksgiving 2011

It's that time of year again... Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday! I'm so thankful this year for all of my family especially my babies and Kenny. Thanksgiving started as it always does for us with Kenny's 5k race. I didn't take the kids this year because it was pretty chilly. Later on in the day we went to my Mom's for Thanksgiving dinner and my brother's birthday party. It was great to get to spend the day with so much family. Later, Patrick and I ended the day at La Salette, while Kenny and a sleepy Renee headed home.

So thankful for my baby girl

Puppy Love

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy birthday Uncle

Relaxing after dinner

Patrick was so done with pictures at this point

Halloween

Halloween is coming. With ghosts and big black cats. Wait a minute what's Santa Clause dong here? In September I asked Patrick what he wanted to be for Halloween. I told him he could be a race car driver, police man, or whatever else he wanted. He then replied "I'm going to be Santa Clause, and Renee's going to be an elf." I was completely shocked. This was the boy who last year was so terrified of Santa that he requested his presents be left outside so Santa wouldn't come into the house.

So, being a good Mommy, but not at all crafty, I did the best I could with the costumes. They came out pretty cute. On Halloween we all loaded up our sleigh and went to Great Grammie's park to do some trick-or-treating. Both the kids had a great time, and got to munch a few pieces of candy.

Ho, ho, ho.... Merry Halloween!

Daddy Elf with all of the loot

Wicked cute elves

Christmas Card

Trick-or-treat!

Fall Fun

I love fall. I love the cool, crisp air. I also really love getting to do the outdoor activies with family. This year we went to Araujo Farms in Dighton for a hayride. We met up with both my parents and Ken's parents. Both the kids had a great time. Pat rode on the tractor with my mom, while Renee rode with the rest of us on the horse drawn ride.

Crazy crew

I am the princess. I have all of the adults to myself

Just hanging on a pumpkin

Beach Day?!

The weather over Columbus Day was so warm, the Johnson crew headed out for one last beach day. I had brought the kids a couple of times over the spring and summer, but I didn't realized Kenny hadn't been in a few years. The kids had a blast running in the sand and playing in the surf. It was so relaxing and fun just to get to spend the day together.

The beach is much more fun when you can walk

Heading for the water

Run Renee!

Off into the sunset

Day out with Thomas

This Columbus Day I was browsing online looking for something fun for the kiddos. I stumbled across A Day out with Thomas at Edaville. I thought Edaville was closed this year, so I was really surprised. I decided to surprise the babies (who both love Thomas) with tickets. Kenny was supposed to work, so I put it out on Facebook where I was going, and my inlaws called right away and said they wanted to come too. Kenny, of course was sad, and decided to take the day off from work and join us.

I dressed both the kids in Thomas and Friends gear and we headed out. Pat was so surprised when we pulled in and he saw Thomas cruise by. Both kids loved the train ride, and all of the other rides at Edaville. We'll definitely be back at Christmas to see the lights.

After our adventure with Thomas we took a quick ride to Plymouth to go out to eat at Mama Mia's, my inlaw's favorite restaurant. It was really yummy, and the kids loved walking by the water and checking out the boats.

Who's that puffing down the track? Oh my goodness. It's Thomas! Surprise!

So excited to ride!

/Cruising with Grammy

Very big train. Very small boy.

Hi Thomas

Boat walk in Plymouth

Giant Pizza!

NH Fun

While in New Hampshire we were able to hit the biggies.... Santa's Village, and StoryLand. We also were able to do some hiking, and Pat got to play mini golf for the 1st time. It was great because this year Renee was able to do some of the rides. She had so much fun! It's going to be great to watch the two of them ride the rides together in the next few years.

Hiking with Daddy

Ahoy

Squash the geyser

Already wet..... Let's ride the flume

Pixie Mix

Racing Papa

zooming up the chimney

New Hampshire

This summer we were fortunate enough to be able to go on 2 vacations. In August we took the kids to Lincoln, NH. Kenny and I both went for years as children, and we're thrilled to be able to continue the tradition with our family. For the first half of the trip we stayed at the KOA in Woodstock. It was so much fun. We were right across from the playground so the kids were able to run right over.

The Kamping Kabins

Pat on the nightly tractor ride

Renee munching her breakfast

For the second half of the trip I would a wicked deal from groupon on a hotel. My parents and sister were also able to join us. It was fun to be able to spend part of the vacation with so much family.
Playing checkers with Grandma

Traveling Around

While out visiting Diana and George we were able to do a little bit of sightseeing. One of the places we went to was Punxsutawney, The Weather Capital of the World. For those of you who don't know what that means.... it's where a groundhog, Phil, is stuffed inside a log and pulled out in front of a crowd of thousands of people every February 2. If he sees his shadow we'll have 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn't then spring is right around the corner. The entire town is done up in groundhogs. It was really cute, and all of the kids had fun playing at Gobbler's Knob.

A town of groundhogs.

Look Ma... We made it

Where the poor little groundling is kept until the big moment. Reilly was checking to see if he was there today. (He wasn't)

Renee and Mama

Family photo opportunity

PA Part 2

After our brief stop in the Poconos, our next stop on the trip was waaaay out to Brookfield, Pa. We were so excited to go, because we were staying with my cousin Diana and her family. We'd never been out to visit before and I had been wanting to take the trip for a while. We were also excited to meet the newest edition to the Rutherford family, baby Moira. The boys hadn't seen each other in over a year, but they had so much fun playing togther. Kenny and I had a great time too, just relaxing and visiting.

Welcome to western Pennsylvania

Kenny and Odin, the dog he'd like to replace me with.

Crazy cousins!

Beautiful new baby

Three adorable boys