Sunday, December 28, 2008

A few of Harper's Christmas gifts......

Harper & Sonja playing Operating in Albion
Christmas morning
Harper & Stephanie playing games at Grandpa Steve's Christmas Eve
Just had to put the nightgown on after opening it!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Big Monkey has a friend - Kind of

My boss gave Harper a stuffed Curious George & a Curious George book for Christmas. I brought it home last night and let her open it. She took the book right in and put it on her book shelf and put George on her bed. When I put her to bed, Big Monkey came up and I said something about George being Big Monkey's friend. Harper said NO - big Monkey is MY friend. Oh how we love Big Monkey!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Big Monkey Returns

Big Monkey has returned to the Johnson household for Christmas. He came back sometime while Harper was napping yesterday afternoon. Matt was home with her and was taking her to her speech apt and Big Monkey came along. Appartently Big Monkey caused some problems at speech and had to wait outside until Harper was done.

Harper's Humor Chapter 3 page 3

On Sunday Matt fixed the upstairs toilet and the put the 'old' chain in the bathroom trash can. Last night Matt and I were standing in the kitchen and Harper walks into the kitchen holding that chain. Matt asked her where she had gotten that chain in an irritated voice... Harper, knowing that she was 'kind' of in trouble from digging in the trash says, "It's a magical chain, it just jumped out of the trash into my hand."

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Wizard of Oz

Last night we sat down and watched the Wizard of OZ. We explained to Harper that Wizard of Oz was one of Grandma Jeri's favorite movies. She sat through the whole thing, but had many questions of what was going on during the movie. At this very moments she and Matt and upstairs watching it again. We had been talking about the lollypop kids and how funny we thought they were... That part came and she sat and watched without a word... and then said "I want to go in there and lick them".

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Baking cookies with mommy!

On Monday I have organized a cookie exchange with all of the people in my office. Each of us are to bring in 3 dozen cookies. So today Harper and I decided that today would be a great day to bake cookies - since it was so darn cold out! The recipe was so easy - 1 box of devils food cake, 2 eggs, 1/2 butter (melted) 1/2 cup quick oats and 1 cup chocolate chips. Mix all together and back 12 minutes at 350. As you can see, she even helped with the clean up!





Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Been busy at our house!

The last few weeks have been busy at our house. Trying to finish up all of the Christmas shopping, get gifts together for all of Harper's teachers (pre-school, speech & dance - 7 in all), get the office decorated and trying to plan the 1st Annual Cookie Exchange. Below are a few recent pictures - the first is the Tree that Westminster Preschool decorated the Festival of Trees. Harper, Jayne and I went and looked at all of the trees decorated in the church. There were many theme trees decorated by different agencies in and around Lincoln. My favorite was MADD DADS tree that had tires and chains and the a very little bike on the top! My boss gave Harper and Nativity project. She and I sat at the table for probably an hour and put it together. Matt wasn't helping us - so it isn't very perfect and lined up all nice and neat... Those of you who know Matt understand! The next 2 as of Harper and her Gingerbread House. She made it when we went to our annual afternoon of Desserts at the Hughes. Thank you so much for having us over - It's great to see you all. Harper just loves the girls.

Christmas is coming!

Preschool Christmas Tree

Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus

Harper's first GingerBread house


Thursday, December 11, 2008

Harper's Humor Chapter 3 page 2

Since it has gotten colder, Harper likes to go outside and see her breathe. This morning on the way to preschool she got very excited and said "mommy, I can see that trucks breathe". If you haven't figured it out, she was talking about the exhaust of the truck in front of us.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Living Veteran Award

On November 11, 2008 (VETERANS DAY) Harper and I headed to Albion for the Veteran's Day Program. They were honoring "Albion Grandpa" with the Living Veteran Award at the annual Veteran's Day Program at Boone Central where I graduated in 1988. Jim, Jacob, Scott & Marlene, Miechelle, Madison, Caleb, Abby, Harper and I all were able to go. "Albion Grandpa" had no idea that he was receiving the award or that we were all coming. Below is what was read aloud about "Albion Grandpa"

Today's honoree was born in Albion on November 10, 1927. He graduated from Albion High School in May 1947. Active in sports, he played football, basketball and was a commencement speaker. While in high school, he began working for the Albion News as a printer, where he remained for 27 years.

In 1950, he was married at the Immanuel Zion Luther Church in rural Albion. He is a father of three children, a proud grandfather to four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He entered the U.S. Army during the Korea Was on February 15, 1952 and was honorably dis-charged on January 26, 1954. As an Infantry corporal, he was in the Bomb Disposal Squad stationed in Hanua, Germany, earning the Occupational and Defense Medals. He is a active member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he served as commander, and for many years was in the Honor Guard.

From 1973 to 1993, he was the Boone County Sheriff, the Civil Defense Director and the Outstanding Student at Lay Enforcement Training. A man of high morals, he treats all people equally.

He is an active member of the Immanuel Zion Lutheran Church and headed an archery club for many years. He enjoys fishing, hunting rattle snakes, collecting arrowheads and Indian artifacts, as well as delighting audiences with poems he recites from memory, dating back to his childhood.
He loves children. For many years he and his wife have donated American flags and leaflets to all third graders students in Boone County.

THE LIVING VETERAN AWARD FOR 2008 IS PRESENTED TO DICK JOHNSON.


Our family is very proud of him for all he has done over the years for the community.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Harper's Humor Chapter 3 page 1

There is a new saying on our house..... Apparently either Matt or I must have said "What in the world?" at one time or another. The other day Harper was playing (with dad) Mario Cart Wii. She crasher or something and looks at Matt and says "What in the name of the world" It was so funny - She said it at the correct time & with the correct enunciation. (did I spell that right?)