Elder's Retreat

 This past weekend Jesse and I were able to go to the elder's and wives retreat from IBC. We had a great time with focused teaching about shepherding the flock of God. We were encouraged to be humble servants of God, ready to challenge one another to grow in the Lord.

 Geneva was the only baby and was very much loved!

 She napped in many different arms :)

 And I was able to eat hands free!

A few of those we went with- what a good time of fellowship!

Winter Fun

 I just love seeing these two together. Of course, they have their moments of arguing and being sinful, but they are pretty sweet together for the majority of the time. I'm thankful for that!

We put bowls outside when it started to snow because the girls love eating it.

 We made our own shave ice with food coloring!!

 Can you believe Savannah?! Covered with snow in a wheelbarrow.

 We have such fun with our neighbors. They pushed her around in it!

After having a snow day with school off on Tuesday, we had about 20 of our neighborhood friends from church over for soup and cornbread. What a fun night!

With the extra snow days, we've had some fun time playing with friends in the snow.

Baltimore Aquarium

Since Maddie was off school Monday, we took a drive to the Baltimore Aquarium. 

What a great place to go! 

We had breakfast on the way...donuts!

We went with our friends, the Boady's. There were 6 kids between our 2 families. What fun!

 

This picture is for Grandma- we saw puffins!

Some of the fish were huge! They even had sharks :)

 As you walked up each level, it was as if you were getting to the surface of  the ocean. Each level had fish from a different depth of the ocean. 

 Family picture in the rain forest. We saw the sloth- I guess that's rare being that the sloth never moves.

We even saw a dolphin show! 

Geneva's Dedication

Sunday was the child dedication service at our church. It's a time where parents reflect on what it means to raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. We acknowledge that our children are His, but we are stewards of them here on earth. As a parent, my job is to teach, train, and love my kids in a way that points them to Christ. My greatest prayer for my girls is that they would, by God's grace, be a follower of Him and serve Him with their lives.

One of the elders took pictures of each family before the service. Thanks Neal!

We had two services full of families dedicating their kids. Lots of little ones here!

Geneva slept through the service!

 

Above where everyone was standing, slides were rotating through baby pictures of each child and thir families.

 Here's Geneva Joy after the service. She wore the pretties pearl bracelet a friend sent us. Their is a group of women in a foreign country that make pearl jewelry (for all ages/sizes/colors) that support the underground church. If you're interested, I can get you in touch with her, so you can get your own and support that ministry.

 I love those little toes!

What Do You Do When It's Cold?

Being from Cali, we didn't have many days that were so cold that you couldn't play outside. My CA friends have been posting lots of pictures of themselves at the pool or beach in January...just not fair! Here in VA we've had plenty of cold days. So, on Saturday when we were feeling cooped up the girls and I made a fort indoors. 

 We had a tea party, Skyped, and even Geneva loved being in there!

 It was a structural masterpiece...ha!

 Since Sunday was a balmy day (in the 40's) we decided to get out and take a family walk to Starbucks! It was great fun...blue skies, 2 kids able to walk, and one in the stroller.

Love these goofy girls!

Waking Up

I can't get enough of this sweet girl!

 

Geneva Joy at Three Months

Geneva Joy Johnson is really the sweetest baby! I'm so enjoying snuggling this little bundle. 

She has such a sweet disposition. She hardly ever cries. She's been starting to sleep from 11:30pm-7am. I'm loving the uninterrupted sleep. During the day she eats every 3 hours. This is my first baby that hasn't needed to suppliment with a bottle. She's a great eater!

Look, I'm growing so big! She wears 3-6 month clothes now.

Savannah calls her "Neva Joy", so that's her nickname.

Maddie loves playing with her little sister. Here's what Maddie and Savannah looked like at 3 months! 

Geneva likes laying under her play mat and smiles at the light up star. She gets a kick out of her big sisters. She gives a little giggle from time to time when you talk to her. She's not into being on her tummy, so no rolling over yet. 

We're thankful to the Lord for this precious gift!

We're Enjoying Our New Christmas Presents!

First of all, Jesse gave me a wonderful new camera for my birthday and Christmas (kinda a big gift!). So, I already see a difference in my pictures, but with a little more experience, I hope to improve my photography!

 All three girls received owl PJ's for Christmas! They are keeping us cozy in this cold weather. School was actually cancelled because of the freezing temperatures. 

 Both girls love the new deluxe doll house! It's three stories and has an elevator!! All their little princess dolls love the new digs.

 Geneva is watching her first movie...Finding Nemo. She didn't make it all the way through- had to take a nap :)

 Happy Birthday, Jesse! Yesterday was his big day! The girls gave him an "I Spy" book. They had great fun looking for everything. I gave Jesse tickets to go to the Spy Museum in D.C. together. (Yes, there was a spy theme this year). He's been wanting to go, so now we'll "spy" it out together!

For Jesse's birthday dessert, I made peppermint milkshakes (like the ones at Chick Fil A). Yum. Click here if you want the recipe. 

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful husband. I'm thankful beyond words for his love for our Lord, which then enables him to be the husband and father he is. What a blessing.

Here Are Some Cute Girls...

 We had a super fun day with the Pinkard girls Saturday. 

After pancakes and pretend, we went sledding which was obviously followed by hot chocolate and crafts!

 More sledding.

 I even went for a slow run with Geneva and Savannah!

 Savannah liked going down with her hands covering her eyes.

My lil snow bunny.