A Bit of Rain

About a month ago we had so much rain! I didn't blog about it then, but since I'm up at 2:24 in the morning and unable to sleep, I will now!

 Our creek usually stays behind all the trees, but after this downpour, the water came up to our deck!

 All the wood chips under the kids play set were washed away, as well as the step stool that used to be in front of the trampoline. I'm just glad the big trampoline didn't get washed away! 

Poor Savannah was scared of the thunder.

Mondays

We love Mondays together! Sometimes we take the day to get things done around the house, other days we relax, and some days we go sightseeing! 

 Yesterday we took the Metro into D.C. The girls LOVED riding the Metro. Maddie said to Savannah, "Hold on. This is going to be a wild ride!"

 Once we got off at Union Station, we walked to Ebenezers Coffeehouse. I had an amazing chai latte. Then we walked over to the courthouse and had a picnic in the shade. The girls then asked Jesse to race in the grass. He's such a great Daddy!

 After grilling this recipe for dinner, we drove to Old Town to walk around. The girls love climbing on the rocks!

I was so thankful for this gorgeous day with my sweet family!

Silliness

I've been having so much fun with my girls this summer. They keep me laughing!

   I can get her all dressed up, but she's still goofy. 

Aunt Dottie sent Maddie a few new outfits for her birthday. 

 She's looking so grown up! Thank you, Aunt Dottie!

Maddie loves them!

Grandma sent her a make-your-own tutu. Of course, the tutu stayed on ALL day for both ballerina play and bike riding!

Savannah is full of silly faces :)

Yes, she's already doing some make up! 

Maddie just finished her swim lessons for the summer. She's pretty much pool safe. Maddie can jump in the deep end and swim to the side!

Maddie is 5 Years Old!

It's hard to believe that Madison Marie Johnson is already 5 years old. I was telling her the story of when God brought her into the world, and it seemed like yesterday. She has been such a blessing to Jesse and I. We truly enjoy our kids, and see them as a great gift from God. With this gift comes sacrifice and much responsibility, so we're always praying for God's wisdom, strength, and direction in our life as parents and her little life.

I love this smile!

After waking up and going to swim practice (by the way, Maddie is quite a little fish), Savannah and I surprised her with a star shaped donut for breakfast!

Then she opened some gifts. We had a great day playing around the house. It's actually been a while since we've been home just to play.

That evening we went to a park, rode bikes, and had ice cream sundaes.

  

The day before her birthday, we went to Hershey Park with the Pinkston family. We celebrated both Maddie P. and Maddie M.'s birthdays!

 Flying in a hot air balloon! 

 Riding the "neigh" as Savannah calls it!

 Up, up, and away!

 All the kids and "Sweet Miss Penny"- never heard of this character before :)

     There were so many great rides for little ones there as well as big roller coasters, and a whole water park area. We had a blast with the Pinkstons!

Happy Birthday Maddie Girl, I love you!

More from Cali

 The last 2 days we were in town, Aunt Jennifer flew in from MA. It was great seeing her! She brought the girls Tic Tacs- a huge hit :)

We did some finger painting outside!

 

Aunt Jennifer reads the best bedtime stories!

 We were able to celebrate both Charis and Maddie's birthdays while we were at Papa and Mimi's. Maddie requested a rainbow cake for her birthday and everyone had a hand in it...literally!

  Cuteness!

 Her new Saige doll clothes have been played with non-stop.

 Aunt Melissa hugs!

 It was really hard for Maddie to leave Papa and Mimi. There were lots of tears on the way to the airport. Savannah even started singing this song she made up: "It's a sad day, it's a sad day..." 

We loved our time with family, and are very thankful for each moment.

Here they are laying on the airport floor (nasty) watching the weather forecast for CA...kinda funny.

Friends in Cali

It's always hard to see everyone we want to see when visiting California. Jesse was asked to preach at Grace Community Church the Sunday we were there. It was fun seeing lots of friends at church. We only "got in" a few others outside of church.

 One morning my good friend Rachel met me for a quick Starbucks outing. It's so fun to be pregnant with girls at the same time!

 Another day the Drollinger family drove from Temecula area to spend the afternoon with us. Rachel and John have been friends with me since college. We even had daughters born on the same day, and in the same hospital! It was fun seeing them in person after 2 years of just chatting on the phone.

 The kids had a blast in the pool together. 

Andrew, Charis, Emma, Brighton, Savannah, Maddie, Abby (Grauman), and Sierra.

 They managed to get some coloring time in, too!

 One morning we visited with the Grauman family. Josiah and Jesse are good friends from seminary, and I just treasure Crystal's friendship. They are one Godly family! Abby and Maddie are quite sweet together!

One evening we had a group of couples over that used to be in our college Bible study. They are all either dating, married, or married with kids! It's so neat to watch God grow each one of them. 

Outings in Cali

The evening we landed in Cali, we drove straight to the beach! Our family LOVES playing at the beach.

 Over the 2 weeks, we went to the beach about 4 times! The girls collected sand crabs, made "pizzas" in Frisbees, and just had fun digging in the sand.

 Mimi, Aunt Melissa, and Uncle Ben enjoyed relaxing on the beach.

 Papa really got excited about making sand castles with the girls.

 Another day we went to Griffith Park and the girls rode horses.

 Sweet cousins!

 Then we rode the train!

 Choo choo!

 We had a picnic lunch on our newly tie-died sheet!

On another day we went to Will Rogers Beach. It was a gorgeous day! This beach had rocks to climb, and hermit crabs to catch.