Wednesday, September 29, 2010
American Idol Debut
Ever since we left Chicago and Savannah heard Liv singing all of her songs, she has really started singing...a lot! So, I decided to tape her singing her favorite songs that she has been focusing on. This one is a Twinkle, twinkle, little star, ABC remix. Once again, I messed up and filmed it wrong. Does anyone know how to rotate a video?
Wrigley Field!
For Jeremy's 30th birthday, we got him tickets to the Chicago Cubs baseball game! He was more than excited...and that's an understatement!
Brothers at the game together while the girls were eating dinner.
Picture of the outside of the ball park. I took a smaller digital camera of mine so that Jeremy would be able to take pictures at the game.
Brothers at the game together while the girls were eating dinner.
Picture of the outside of the ball park. I took a smaller digital camera of mine so that Jeremy would be able to take pictures at the game.
Hope you liked your 30th birthday present!!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Chicago Familly Vacation 2010
This past week, we ventured out into the world for our 2nd Annual Johnson Family Vacation 2010. We always pick our location based on where Lauren and Jason (Jeremy's brother) live. This particular year, they have just moved to Chicago. We were pumped, to say the least, to be visiting the Windy City! BEWARE!!! There are A LOT of pictures and A LOT of commentary! My blog, my rules! :)
At DFW airport, waiting on our flight. I was very scared at this particular moment. The night before, I asked Savannah if she was ready to fly on an airplane. She responded by saying, "Yes mommy, Jesus Heaven." My initial reaction was to think that my daughter was a psychic. After fretting over it for many hours, I came to the conclusion that she knows that Jesus is up in Heaven in the sky and that is also where airplanes fly. So glad that my one year old is so smart that she puts crazy thoughts in my head!
Just met Uncle Jason and Cousin Luke at the airport! We are ready for some fun!
Aunt Lauren was at home waiting on us!
Started off the vacation with some pictures of the cousins. How cute! Bob and Gayle must be very proud grandparents!
Jason's first child is one of the things that can really make Uncle Jason smile.
We took the kids down to the neighborhood park in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Beautiful park!
Uncle Jeremy LOVES his little nephew and of course his baby girl!
Savannah can't wait for Luke to be a little bigger to slide down the big slide with her!
Dad's skinny bottom didn't care for this particular tube slide!
Uncle Jason has a little more padding back there!
What a great Uncle!
Up at 5:00 am to make our flight in Dallas, flying all day to Chicago O'Hare, playing at the park with family, shopping at the 2nd largest mall....this little girl was wiped out!
After a quick cat nap and a famous deep dish pizza, Savannah was ready for a play date in the bathtub with her cousin Luke!
Lauren and I just before boarding the train to Chicago while the boys took the kids in the car. So much fun riding the train looking at all of the cities that I probably would never have seen!
Luke, Jason, and Jerm were sleeping, so Lauren, Savannah, and I decided to be touristy for a little bit! The river right in front of our hotel.
We took this picture in front of the Jack Brickhouse Hall of Fame Broadcaster statue for Jeremy! He lives in sports world, so I am sure this statue means something to him?
S and I on the Navy Pier with the city in the background!
Beautiful city! When I say beautiful, I really mean it! Literally, everywhere you look there are potted plants, hanging baskets full of flowers, and cleanliness everywhere! Beautiful city!
Out on the Navy Pier. Now, do you understand how windy it is in Chicago?
Navy Pier Pictures + Wind = Great time!
Savannah's first trip to the beach. How crazy is it that this is a beach with giant buildings right next to it!
She absolutely LOVED the sand!
LOVE this pic! Sweet baby girl by the VERY cold water!
Let me take you back a little ways to 2003, which just happens to be the very LAST time I have seen or spoken to Erin Vicars Barrett besides one other time at a wedding. We have been keeping up with each other's lives through blog. Well, one day, she noticed that we had bought our tickets to Chicago and I thought it would be a great idea for them to come see us! Long story short, they drove 3 hours to spend their family vacation with us!!!
Our reuniting picture! LOVE this girl! In the past couple of months, this girl (who I have not seen in 8 years) knows more about me and I about her than most people I see on a daily basis!
We met up with Beth Gilkerson Wilson, who just happens to live in Chicago as of 3 months ago. How lucky are we to have her as our tour guide while in Chicago? Thanks Beth for everything....including washing my clothes that were thrown up on! :)
How is it that two girls that have never met instantly became soul sistas? They were just alike!! They talked, carried on conversations, sang together, hid behind curtains (5 million times) from us, laughed, at the same food, and hugged like life long friends!
We all met up at the hotel, which was fabulous! Thanks Dutch for your great priceline skills! Then we proceeded to take 3 babies and 4 adults on a bus around Chicago to a wonderful Mexican restaurant!
Such a great Barrett family photo!
After dinner, while trying to stand up because it was so windy, we went to find the nearest bus.
This picture doesn't even come close to portraying how windy it actually was. Take a look at the kids trying to stay in their stroller while being buckled up!
Savannah peeking out trying to figure out what the heck is going on?
The whole crew! Couldn't have been a greater group of people to spend our vacation with! Vacation 2011 plans are already made for next year! We are all flying to Lake Michigan and renting a lake cabin while the kids play in the water/sand! See you guys next year!
The Johnson boys!
Brothers with their babies!
Kissing Aunt Lauren goodbye!
Kissing cousin Luke goodbye! Wishing he didn't have to go. Not knowing that at this point, he is REALLY, REALLY sick!
So, the month of September just happens to be Shedd Aquarium's 80th Anniversary! This means that the first 80 people get in free every day this month! This also means that if the aquarium opens at 9:00 am, we need to be there at 7:15...or so we thought?!? We showed up and there were quote "three chinese people" ahead of us! ha! This worked out perfectly! Erin and I were able to walk around the edge of the water and talk while looking out at the beautiful view while the boys took the girls to get breakfast! Yes, we were #4-8 of the first 80 and yes we still had to pay to see any other floor besides the first floor.
How can one not believe in God when seeing something as beautiful as this.
Onto our next idea. Rent these bikes for an hour and wait on the aquarium to open? Guess this sad look on both of our faces let you know if the boys thought it was a good idea to rent the bikes?
Sad face number two.
Instead, we took family pictures in front of the beautiful view!
The Barretts. What a wonderful group of people!
Wish the drizzling rain had not destroyed my hair!
Preciousness!
Now, onto the actual aquarium.
How cool is this picture. You can actually see her body in front of the glass and a view of the front profile of her face in the glass next to the turtle! Great picture!
One of my favorite parts of the trip. They sat around conversating together! How precious is that?
About to watch the amazing dolphin show.
The pictures do not do the actual show any justice. We were asked to turn off our flash.
Dolphins doing tricks in the air. A Hawk doing tricks on her arm.
View from underneath of the dolphin.
The girls were able to put on these awesome vests and play in the water.
I was instructed by Erin, while touching the star fish, to make a gross face. She didnt participate!
Future Shedd Aquarium workers.
At the Hershey's store, they let Liv turn the wheel to spit out a bunch of chocolate for us.
Look at that little future Hershey's worker!
Outside of the Hershey's store, there was total chaos going on! People hitting each other with really thick tubes screaming out save the republic. What the?
Thanks to this wonderful Chicago hostess with the mostess, we were welcomed with open arms to her wonderful new city and given the ultimate tourist experience! Plus, she even washes your clothes if you get thrown up on by sweet, precious little boys!
Back at the hotel, we decided to give Liv her owl shirt we got for her and have a little pre pizza birthday party for Savannah since her new Indy BFF won't be there. Blow drying Liv's hair, about to put her hair in her first ever pony tail!
Favorite. Picture. Ever!
Second. Favorite. Picture. Ever!
Only the BEST deep dish pizza ever!!!
In the lobby before our final farewell....
They have no idea that they are about to leave each other...
At DFW airport, waiting on our flight. I was very scared at this particular moment. The night before, I asked Savannah if she was ready to fly on an airplane. She responded by saying, "Yes mommy, Jesus Heaven." My initial reaction was to think that my daughter was a psychic. After fretting over it for many hours, I came to the conclusion that she knows that Jesus is up in Heaven in the sky and that is also where airplanes fly. So glad that my one year old is so smart that she puts crazy thoughts in my head!
Just met Uncle Jason and Cousin Luke at the airport! We are ready for some fun!
Aunt Lauren was at home waiting on us!
Started off the vacation with some pictures of the cousins. How cute! Bob and Gayle must be very proud grandparents!
Jason's first child is one of the things that can really make Uncle Jason smile.
We took the kids down to the neighborhood park in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Beautiful park!
Uncle Jeremy LOVES his little nephew and of course his baby girl!
Savannah can't wait for Luke to be a little bigger to slide down the big slide with her!
Dad's skinny bottom didn't care for this particular tube slide!
Uncle Jason has a little more padding back there!
What a great Uncle!
Up at 5:00 am to make our flight in Dallas, flying all day to Chicago O'Hare, playing at the park with family, shopping at the 2nd largest mall....this little girl was wiped out!
After a quick cat nap and a famous deep dish pizza, Savannah was ready for a play date in the bathtub with her cousin Luke!
Lauren and I just before boarding the train to Chicago while the boys took the kids in the car. So much fun riding the train looking at all of the cities that I probably would never have seen!
Luke, Jason, and Jerm were sleeping, so Lauren, Savannah, and I decided to be touristy for a little bit! The river right in front of our hotel.
We took this picture in front of the Jack Brickhouse Hall of Fame Broadcaster statue for Jeremy! He lives in sports world, so I am sure this statue means something to him?
S and I on the Navy Pier with the city in the background!
Beautiful city! When I say beautiful, I really mean it! Literally, everywhere you look there are potted plants, hanging baskets full of flowers, and cleanliness everywhere! Beautiful city!
Out on the Navy Pier. Now, do you understand how windy it is in Chicago?
Navy Pier Pictures + Wind = Great time!
Savannah's first trip to the beach. How crazy is it that this is a beach with giant buildings right next to it!
She absolutely LOVED the sand!
LOVE this pic! Sweet baby girl by the VERY cold water!
Let me take you back a little ways to 2003, which just happens to be the very LAST time I have seen or spoken to Erin Vicars Barrett besides one other time at a wedding. We have been keeping up with each other's lives through blog. Well, one day, she noticed that we had bought our tickets to Chicago and I thought it would be a great idea for them to come see us! Long story short, they drove 3 hours to spend their family vacation with us!!!
Our reuniting picture! LOVE this girl! In the past couple of months, this girl (who I have not seen in 8 years) knows more about me and I about her than most people I see on a daily basis!
We met up with Beth Gilkerson Wilson, who just happens to live in Chicago as of 3 months ago. How lucky are we to have her as our tour guide while in Chicago? Thanks Beth for everything....including washing my clothes that were thrown up on! :)
How is it that two girls that have never met instantly became soul sistas? They were just alike!! They talked, carried on conversations, sang together, hid behind curtains (5 million times) from us, laughed, at the same food, and hugged like life long friends!
We all met up at the hotel, which was fabulous! Thanks Dutch for your great priceline skills! Then we proceeded to take 3 babies and 4 adults on a bus around Chicago to a wonderful Mexican restaurant!
Such a great Barrett family photo!
After dinner, while trying to stand up because it was so windy, we went to find the nearest bus.
This picture doesn't even come close to portraying how windy it actually was. Take a look at the kids trying to stay in their stroller while being buckled up!
Savannah peeking out trying to figure out what the heck is going on?
The whole crew! Couldn't have been a greater group of people to spend our vacation with! Vacation 2011 plans are already made for next year! We are all flying to Lake Michigan and renting a lake cabin while the kids play in the water/sand! See you guys next year!
The Johnson boys!
Brothers with their babies!
Kissing Aunt Lauren goodbye!
Kissing cousin Luke goodbye! Wishing he didn't have to go. Not knowing that at this point, he is REALLY, REALLY sick!
Johnson girls with their babies.
So, the month of September just happens to be Shedd Aquarium's 80th Anniversary! This means that the first 80 people get in free every day this month! This also means that if the aquarium opens at 9:00 am, we need to be there at 7:15...or so we thought?!? We showed up and there were quote "three chinese people" ahead of us! ha! This worked out perfectly! Erin and I were able to walk around the edge of the water and talk while looking out at the beautiful view while the boys took the girls to get breakfast! Yes, we were #4-8 of the first 80 and yes we still had to pay to see any other floor besides the first floor.
How can one not believe in God when seeing something as beautiful as this.
Onto our next idea. Rent these bikes for an hour and wait on the aquarium to open? Guess this sad look on both of our faces let you know if the boys thought it was a good idea to rent the bikes?
Sad face number two.
Instead, we took family pictures in front of the beautiful view!
The Barretts. What a wonderful group of people!
Wish the drizzling rain had not destroyed my hair!
Preciousness!
Now, onto the actual aquarium.
How cool is this picture. You can actually see her body in front of the glass and a view of the front profile of her face in the glass next to the turtle! Great picture!
One of my favorite parts of the trip. They sat around conversating together! How precious is that?
About to watch the amazing dolphin show.
The pictures do not do the actual show any justice. We were asked to turn off our flash.
Dolphins doing tricks in the air. A Hawk doing tricks on her arm.
View from underneath of the dolphin.
The girls were able to put on these awesome vests and play in the water.
I was instructed by Erin, while touching the star fish, to make a gross face. She didnt participate!
Future Shedd Aquarium workers.
At the Hershey's store, they let Liv turn the wheel to spit out a bunch of chocolate for us.
Look at that little future Hershey's worker!
Outside of the Hershey's store, there was total chaos going on! People hitting each other with really thick tubes screaming out save the republic. What the?
Thanks to this wonderful Chicago hostess with the mostess, we were welcomed with open arms to her wonderful new city and given the ultimate tourist experience! Plus, she even washes your clothes if you get thrown up on by sweet, precious little boys!
Back at the hotel, we decided to give Liv her owl shirt we got for her and have a little pre pizza birthday party for Savannah since her new Indy BFF won't be there. Blow drying Liv's hair, about to put her hair in her first ever pony tail!
Favorite. Picture. Ever!
Second. Favorite. Picture. Ever!
Only the BEST deep dish pizza ever!!!
In the lobby before our final farewell....
They have no idea that they are about to leave each other...
Beth. Thank you so much for all of your help getting around the city! I am amazed that you have only lived there 3 months and you know so much! Can't wait to see you again!!!
Jason and Lauren. We had a blast getting to visit with you in the wonderful city of Arlington Heights and Chicago. Can't wait to see you again! We love you!
Dutch, Erin, and Liv. Words can not express the amount of fun we had with y'all this week! Counting down the days till we get to see you again! Love you and miss you!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)