This Day in Happily Ever Johnson History: Splash pad!

Remember this?

Little G-Bear checks out the splash pad.

Three summers ago, we ventured to our first Minnesota splash pad. 

This year, we're back and bigger than ever!

On a hot day, there is still nothing better for us than a splash pad.  J-Bear and I can sit on the side or wade into the water, Buddy Bear can explore on his own, and G-Bear and E-Bear love running through the fountains just as much now as they ever did.

E-Bear then...

See?

E-Bear now

 Pretty awesome.  

Also, look who's wearing the shark suit now!

We're growing in so many ways! 

Thank you, Lord, for summer.

A Baptism Anniversary Day

Three years ago today, our G-Bear and E-Bear were baptized!

The day is special in our hearts for many reasons.

G-Bear inviting us to the alter on her baptism day.

Our children received the sacrament from our dear friend, Deacon Bill,

Deacon Bill baptizing E-Bear

surrounded by their grandparents.  

 It was also our last time together with T's father before he passed away.  

Like I said, it was a special day, well worth remembering.

This is the first year I have celebrating Baptism Day with the Bears.  

This morning, when they woke up, I had set the table with their baptism candles and crosses.

Our Baptism Day breakfast table

We had special "Baptism Breakfast Cereal," which was really a cereal with little white marshmallows that I found at the store this week. While we ate, we looked at the pictures from the baptism day, talking about what happened and who was there with us.  G-Bear wanted to wear a white dress to school to commemorate the day.  Thankfully, we had a new white dress hand-me-down from a friend, and after checking to make sure I had stain spray on hand,  I let her wear it to school.   This afternoon we colored baptism coloring pages, read the story of Jesus' baptism in our storybook Bible and talked about baptism while we "baptized" our Little People toys in a bowl of water.  We talked about how, just as John called the people to follow Jesus and listen to His teachings after Jesus' baptism, we are called to follow the Lord and His teachings after our baptism.  We're taking it one day at a time.  Thank goodness for God's grace!

Buddy on a Bike

Times have changed,

T at 13 months with his family at Hilton Head.

but many things remain the same. 

Like Daddy, like Buddy.

Buddy Bear at 12 months, my buddy on the bike.

Happily Ever,
Queen B

This Day in Happily Ever Johnson Ice Cream History

Our picture of Baby Bear enjoying his first ice cream reminded Aunt A of G-Bear, and she sent us this picture. This is evidence that our love of the dairy dessert is long and well established. The great part about this pic is that E-Bear is enjoying ice cream too, but from inside my tummy.

This Day in Happily Ever Johnson History

This one goes out to my love, who I am missing terribly tonight.  

Eleven years ago tonight, T escorted me as his date to Winter Formals.

His method of invitation will forever remain a legend-worthy tale. 

I will never forget walking into my dorm room to behold the Flower Smile.

Because I had invited him to my Sophomore Formal, which was held the night before, we spent two nights in a row together as each other's date.  It was a dream come true weekend for me. 

T later claimed that he was breathless as we walked home arm in arm.  I know I certainly was.

So to my dream prince, who I am missing tonight,

I love you.  

Thanks for making history.