A Few Pics From NYC

What a great night in NYC this weekend - we packed a lot in to 24 hours!! The feedback was very positive from the boys...this was their favorite NYC Christmas trip yet. I thought it would be fun to take the boys to Serendipity 3 on Friday night for dinner and some of their very famous frozen hot chocolate. I know why it is famous...wow...very yummy. We did some shopping, headed back to the hotel for a few hours of sleep, then woke up bright and early to have breakfast with Santa at the Rock Center Cafe in Rockefeller Center. It was fantastic, and to top off the experience we got to ice skate for the first morning session. It was a blast. The kids had so much fun, even Grady, who spent a good portion of his time falling on the ice. I highly recommend the breakfast - but reservations can go fast so make them as soon as the info is on the web. I did throw one shot from Hershey in the bunch. We made it out there last weekend for Candycane Lane - another very fun day. It was COLD but otherwise we had beautiful weather.

December Is Upon Us

Grady assisting the magic guy at FAO.

Funny faces outside FAO...their new favorite toy store.

First parade.

My little guy and his puzzles.

Conner's "Mackenzie Falls" photo...I believe we called these JCPenney's poses back in the day.

Goofing around .

The boys and their Nana.

And I am guilty of skipping a month - or two - again. The boys have been keeping pretty busy with basketball, cub scouts, and gymnastics. Shawn and I got a chance to get away to Dallas in October to see U2 - which was great! We aren't ones to pick up and travel that far for a night just to see a concert but I'm glad we did. He's been really busy and I know the break was good for him and it was nice for us to spend a couple of days together without the kids. I also traveled to Savannah for my cousin's wedding, enjoying the weekend with my sister and family I haven't seen for a long time.

Once again, we spent Thanksgiving down south. It works out so well having both my mom and Shawn's sister in the same state as we spend the first part of the week with Nana and Brian and the remainder with Shawn's fam. I ran my first half marathon on Thanksgiving morning - in a whopping 2 hours 13 minutes - and thoroughly enjoyed it. We all had a relaxing time at the McIntyre's...who wouldn't when you wake up to find your smoothie waiting for you in the fridge and a homemade muffin on the table...followed by a crazy 2 days of fun with the cousins.

So we are home again and looking forward to fun times planned before Christmas. Hershey Park, NYC, Pittsburgh, and parties. I love this time of year! I just need to remember to have the camera at the ready...

Hershey and LBI

A happy break during mini golf in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.

Boogie boarding in the warm waters.

Our crazy group on the train in Hershey.

Waiting for the big splash during an ice cream break.

The boys as we were on our way into the park.

Labor Day weekend was busy but lots of fun. Sunday, we hit Hershey Park with friends and had a great time. Despite the ridiculous number of people in attendance, we had a really nice time. We got home very late that night only to wake up the next morning and drive down to LBI to spend the afternoon with another group of friends. Although our weather was a bit chilly and windy, the kids still managed to get some beach time in and we hit the mini golf course as well.

First Day of School

First day on the bus!

The bus stop crew.

Two of my favorite guys.

End Of Summer Fun!

Fun at Broadway at the Beach.

Our attempt to get the Tseronis kiddos and the Johnson boys to cooperate for a group photo.

My boys and the Spinster. Come January we'll have an even number with the arrival of Spencer's little brother or sister.

We've had a super summer and the school year is off to a great start. Beginning tomorrow, both boys are in school as the kindergarten had a stagger start. Grady is thrilled to be riding the bus and I am slightly elated to have afternoons free from 12:30-4 each day! I've only had one afternoon so far but it was very productive and relaxing. Here's to many more!

Red Flag!!

Yep...Romans won!!

Well...camp is over, the pool is only open for one more full week...that only means one thing - the first day of school is upon us! Both of the boys are ready for school and the countdown has begun and we are all anxiously awaiting the letter from school with who they have for teachers. All of the school shopping is complete so we are going to enjoy a week in South Carolina to wrap up the summer.

First day of camp. We got the boot pretty soon after we got there. Little did we know that our guy was going to be homesick.

Last day of camp. Here they are awaiting the flag...go Romans!! Initially, Conner said he wanted to wait until Grady could go. A few hours later he was missing camp and wanted to sign up for next year.

Grady and I met the Henrys at the Pittsburgh Zoo for some animal fun!

Grady and Alex waiting in line in Times Square for Shrek The Musical tickets.

Silk

July 19, 1997

July 19, 2009

The title refers to the traditional gift associated with the 12th wedding anniversary - ours was yesterday! We've never been big gifters at anniversary time, celebrating most years by a nice dinner out. This year we decided to try the Hershey Spa as our anniversary date and a night away at the Hershey Lodge. (Unfortunately, the Hotel Hershey was booked...we think that may have been more worth the cost, but it was still a nice night away.) Maybe the robes at the spa can qualify as the silk/linen aspect to the 12 years!

We've been enjoying the summer, me reading poolside - or chatting with the ladies - while the boys swim the afternoon away with friends. A few of our neighbors are members of the same pool we joined so there is always a familiar face. Shawn has been very busy with work but we try to get him down to join us for lunch or dinner if he is in the office. Also, our neighborhood has get togethers every other Friday over the summer for the whole family. This has been so nice, being that we are the newbies this year, and is a highlight that I try to schedule around. All in all, we are doing very well here and the move to PA has been very positive for both us and the kids.

One of the many things we love about being back in the home state is how much more convenient we are to the majority of our family. Not only have we been able to see a lot more of Shawn's sister's family but we were also able to host a family picnic a the end of June for Shawn's extended family. We all had a great afternoon of ladderball, LOTS of yummy treats, and super company.

We decided to do a staycation this year, taking a few days to explore Hershey Park, and a few days to lounge by the pool. Shawn is always up for whatever I might suggest, but I knew he was wanting a little down time at home since he's been gone so much. I have to say that I enjoyed the staycation more than I thought I would, and I know that Shawn appreciated the time much more since there was limited travel and preparation.

Grady loves to form bubbles with his saliva. Ah, boys.

The boys and the Hershey's bar.

Much to his dismay, Grady is not quite tall enough for the more exciting roller coasters. We spent some time catching ladybugs while Conner was riding the racer.

Recently, I've been given some subtle reminders about my age. Spinning rides, or more specifically, my much lower tolerance for them, is the most memorable.

We had the Junker kids for a few days in June while Shawn's sister and husband went away. The kids all had a great time together.

The whole gang at the picnic.

An Update At Last!

Grady slapping a low five on his way out of the end of the year program.

Conner's art that hung in the district art show.

The boys and Miss Ally. We had a great Memorial Day weekend with the Tobey's in Yardley.

The boys a Six Flags Great Adventure. It is about 15 minutes from us and I didn't even know! We all had a great day - Grady even rode the Round Up!

Conner made me breakfast a few weeks ago. Too cute!

This is how we have been spending our weekends.

I am so ashamed! Since starting our blog nearly 4 years ago I have consistantly updated each and every month...until last month! May completely got away from me so here is what we've been up to.

Conner's year finishes up on June 19th and then on to 3rd grade! I cannot believe how big he is getting. Baseball has been much more enjoyable for him this year. He has a great team - the boys really seem to have a good time together - and the coaches have been so nice. He'll be continuing gymnastics over the summer, heading to the pool a lot, and attending Summer's Best in August. He's very excited for camp...probably because Say and I have been talking it up to him quite a bit...but I think I may have a harder time leaving him there than I initially thought.

Grady's last day of preschool was this past Friday. He keeps asking when kindergarten starts and cannot wait to ride the bus. I'm enjoying not having our schedule dictated by school - I'm one of the few parents looking forward to the summer. Grady is doing a great job at Tball and loves playing pitcher...well, standing where the pitcher stands that is. He'll be in gymnastics as well over the summer and doubling as a fish. Our boys love to swim.

Life is good back in PA. Shawn and I love it here and are planning a Johnson family gathering at our home at the end of June. The crowd continues to grow in size but my philosophy is the more the merrier! We are expecting Shawn's sister's kids next week as his sister and brother in law are taking a trip. The boys are very excited to have their cousins here. I suppose we'll be spending a lot of time at the pool...it's a good thing we found such a great pool!

Have a great week and let us know if you are coming through Philly this summer...we'd love to see you!

April Fun!

Chuck E Cheese party for the Gradester.

Rooftop fun in South Beach.

Beautiful sunrise in Key Biscayne.

View from our terrace.

Last night in South Beach.

Mommy and Conner at the Elliotts.

the $1 kite was a success!

I had to get a shot of this dude with his inflatable palm trees.

Kids lookin' cute.

The Spinster.

On the Easter basket scavenger hunt!

The daddys and some beach fun.

Getting ready to dye the eggs.

Conner and Grady at the opening day parade for Little League.

Wow! Time has flown since my last post. Shawn and I had a great time in Key Biscayne at the end of March, Nana was here to watch the kids and spend some time in PA with us, and we spent a funfilled vacation with the Elliotts for Easter. Little League has begun and both Grady and Conner are playing this year which really amps up the schedule, but the boys like it and we are enjoying watching them. We are excited for the Junkers to visit this weekend...what a difference in our houseguest traffic now that we are back in PA! It's a good busy - I like to have a full house and the boys love seeing their family. April still holds some fun for us as I am going to take Grady down to Orlando at the end of the month for a short trip to the sun and a little stop in Disney. I did the same with Conner when Grady was born - Conner is totally on board with the surprise. He gets Grammy to himself for a little while and Grady gets his special time. Should be a lot of fun. Happy Easter and enjoy April!