Way Back When-esday!

I found Cheryl at Twinfatuation and saw a whole group of people who participate in Way Back When-esday. I LOVE looking back at these old pictures! What changes Brooklyn has made!

Year 1 (2005): A Carolina Cheerleader
Year 2 (2006): A Ladybug

Year 3 (2007): A Kitty Cat

And stay tuned for Year 4: Sleeping Beauty!

Visit(s) to the pumpkin patch

Brooklyn was such a lucky girl and got to make TWO trips to the pumpkin patch this year. The first trip was with her "little sister," Zoe where the weather was quite warm and not so "fall like."

It was a little cooler the second trip we made. This time, we went with Brooklyn's other "Shout sisters," Allie, Allie, and Callie.

GRD at the Crop Walk

Most of you know that our band, Grace Reigns Down, had the wonderful opportunity to play at the opening of Greensboro's Crop Walk. We were so blessed to have the chance to play for so many people (especially people who were out there walking for a great cause!). Here are some pics from the day.

Most of the band (I think I am blocked by Luke):

The crowd:

The girls:

Lead singer, Chad:

Brandon, Chad, and Luke:

what's going on with us

There's been a lot going on the last few weeks! Here are some of the highlights:

Jennifer and Jay Weaver said "I do!".....
It was a great weekend with all my girlfriends.....

Brooklyn's hair is growing long enough for a pony tail.....

Brooklyn went to a Japanese restaurant for the first time (and mastered those chopsticks).....

Emily and I were replaced as the background vocalists of Grace Reigns Down....

And I had my 10 year high school reunion....hopefully more pics to come later from that (I was the slacker and didn't pull out my camera that weekend!)

Way Back When-esday!

So, in my travels through "blog land" I saw something really neat on several sites. They do "Way Back Wednesdays" where you post pictures from previous years that were taken in the same week. This was fun, since I have now realized that we take Brooklyn to the pumpkin patch the same week every year (we are headed there again this Thursday), and it was really neat to see her change from year to year.

October 21, 2005 (bald and beautiful): October 18, 2006 (the beginnings of some peach fuzz):
October 20, 2007 (Houston, we have hair!):
So, for all my blog friends out there, give it a try! I can't wait to see YOUR Way Back Wednesdays!

a new addition

We have a new addition to the family....a beautiful 150 pound elliptical trainer. "Ellie," as she will affectionally be known, has been accepted wonderfully into the Johnson family, and we hope to have many great 20-30 minute/ 3-4 times a week memories with her. After her birth in the office, we decided to move her to the playroom where she can watch cable TV, cool off under the ceiling fan, and keep watch over Brooklyn and her toys. Brooklyn is undecided about this new member of the family, but she knows that Ellie's job is to make mommy skinny, so she has asked everyday if mommy is skinny yet. :-) I don't think Brooklyn likes all the initial attention Ellie has received, but we hope that she will learn to love her as much as Chad and I have in the short time we have known her. So, Ellie, welcome to the Johnson family!

House pictures part 1

So, you have all been very patient. I finally got a chance to take pictures of some of the rooms in our new house. Brooklyn was asleep in her room when I got home to take pictures late last night, and our room was a disaster, but here are some shots of the rest of the house.

The bonus "playroom" upstairs above the garage:
The living room:

The "formal" (and I use that term loosely) dining room:
The breakfast area:
The kitchen:
Brooklyn's bathroom:
Not pictured: The office, our bedroom, our bathroom, Brooklyn's bedroom, 1/2 bath downstairs, garage, outside, etc. Maybe next month!

Trip to Lutheridge

This past weekend, our entire family (grandparents, godparents, friends, etc), all attended our church's 30th annual family retreat in Arden (Asheville), NC. This was Chad's 30th year (yes, he has NEVER missed a weekend), my 20th, and Brooklyn's 4th. It was a great weekend with BEAUTIFUL weather, wonderful food, and fabulous fellowship. I had so much fun, I forgot to take out the camera pretty often, but here are some highlights.

Brooklyn, Zoe, and Allie in the rocking chairs.
Saturday Night Live "Lutheridge Rectangles"
Princess Allie with her daddy's crown
Walking up the hill- Zoe and Brooklyn

Brooklyn- Age 3 1/2 plus some days

Brooklyn has been a fun girl since the day she was born, but now that she is a "little girl." We are just having the best time with her. Here's a post dedicated just to her:

Favorites:

Food- Pizza

Song- How Great is our God

TV Show- Jon and Kate Plus 8

Movie- Care Bears, Big Wish Movie

Friends- All her Shout sisters, and Kate, Sierra, and Anna Grace

Sayings- "Mommy, you are such a sweetie." "Oh my goodness." "Zoe, come here."

Animal- Fish

Restaurants- Chili's and "Old McDonalds"

Story- The "Our vacation to the mountains" story I tell at bedtime

Halloween costume- Dora (for the moment)

Candy- Smarties

Drink- Milk or water

Outfit- Any skirt (unfortunately, this cold weather is cramping her style)

Playground equipment- Swings

Games- Puzzles

Color- Pink

Shoes- Crocs or dress sandals

Way to annoy mommy and daddy- Ignoring us and acting like we are not even speaking English to her

Bath time activity- Washing the tub with a bar of "hotel soap"

Breakfast food- Granola Bar

Special treat- A red Icee from Target

Just another manic Monday...and Tuesday...and Wednesday...and Thursday

I have no excuse for not blogging last week, but this week has been crazy. I have worked every night (M,Tu,W, and Th), and I finally see an end in sight. Three days I have eaten lunch at my desk in an attempt to just get out of work on time to get to my evening work meeting. The plus side? I have made no effort to get to work on time in the morning (since I have flex hours), so Brooklyn and I have slept in every morning and had a chance to spend some time together before school and work. Thankfully, tomorrow night is a "night with Nanny." So, my mom, Brooklyn, and I are just going to hang out, eat dinner, and shop for Halloween costumes.

So, in an effort to catch up, I am gonna try to do some "power blogging."