Norah Recently

 

Phone Photo Dump 2

I love looking through the pictures on my phone.  These quickly-captured moments are definitely moments that I would easily forget without having pictures to remind me. 

 Some days, the only thing that seems to make this little one happy is blueberries.

 Decorating Valentine's cookies at Grandma's...

 

The other night, Norah got a hold of her yogurt & spoon.  She was overjoyed at the opportunity to feed herself, and I got a quick video of part of her excitement...

 

That being said, she was devastated when the yogurt was gone and we took it away.

 Our littlest loves baby dolls....

 ...and ice cream cones (first one!).

Reading on the iPad (tumblebooks.com, check it out!)...

 Just a little ABC practice...

 This was taken a couple weeks ago, just before we learned she had a double ear infection.  Poor baby was so tired she couldn't even make it through Meijer.

 Norah loves to raid the pantry.  Graham crackers are the most accessible snack.

 We had friends over, and got the bouncy seat out for their little guy.  This not-so-little girl was apparently feeling nostalgic.

Caleb asked me to take a pic...

Shane being a "big guy" sitting in the front seat while we wait for Caleb's bus.

It's Meredith's turn to take care of Mrs. Duck, a preschool friend.  Mrs. Duck has enjoyed doing all sorts of things with Meredith, including popcorn & a movie at Grandma's.

The Look

It's always a little very sad for me when my babies transition from having that "baby look" to having a "toddler look."  I took this picture the other day and it hit me, for the 4th time in my life as a mom....my baby doesn't look like a baby anymore.

Lots and Lots of Trains

If you know Shane at all, you know he looooooves trains.  On our recent trip to the library, Shane was overjoyed to find a video called Lots and Lots of Trains and requests to watch it all.the.time.  Yesterday afternoon when he got up from his nap, he said "mommy, I was singing the Lots and Lots of Trains song while I was sleeping."  So I asked him to sing it for me.  I'm not even sure what some of the words are (I'm pretty sure he is also unsure about what some of the words are!), but I think he is just so cute.

Yesterday

Our Toddler

Norah is pretty much a full time walker.  It's so cute to see her toddle around.  Grandma treated us to Monkey Joe's on Friday, and while the big kids ran around and played on the jumpy houses, Norah loved testing out her new skills.

This Smile...

...gets me every time (even with the faint juice-at-preschool mustache).

This Boy and His Trains

Getting' There

Phone Photo Dump 1

I try to use my camera to take most of our pictures. Although there are obviously times when it is much more convenient to use my phone! Unfortunately, though, I don't always get around to getting those pictures off of my phone.  I don't post a ton to social media (I'm not on Instagram *gasp*, and I only occasionally post to FB), so they end up just sitting there.  Anyway, here are some recent pictures I just got off of my phone, in no particular order...

Snowflake craft...

Caleb bought Shane and Meredith books from his school book fair.  They were so surprised (and excited!).  He picked out a Thomas book for Shane, and a Strawberry Shortcake book for Meredith.

 Our Girl.

 It's fun to see Norah learning to play with "big kid" toys.  She enjoys playing at the kitchen, and often finds a utensil and a bowl (or cup) and "mixes".

 Last weekend, we went to a local art studio for a family art class (FREE!)...unfortunately, the instructor had called in sick, so the class was cancelled.  So we passed the afternoon (or part of it anyway) with coffee and hot chocolate at The Arcedium.

 

Shane looooooves Nana, and I'm pretty sure she read him a gazillion books while she was here.

Rainbow Loom!!!!

 Norah loves to push this stroller around.  She has taken several independent steps (up to 7 or 8 at a time), but hasn't yet made the transition to full time walking.

 Speaking of transitions....we haven't yet managed to get Norah to drink out of a sippy.  One of these days I'll feel the need to push it a little more, but for now we are happy enough to let our littlest one enjoy her bottle.  In this picture you will also see her beloved blankie...she wouldn't be a Johnson baby if she didn't have a blankie!

 

Poor Shane....we've all taken turns being sick over the past couple of weeks.

Dance Class...

Boxcar Restaurant...a train restaurant in Geneva.

 After fighting their way through two games (Memory & Go Fish), they happily settled in to read together......for 10 glorious minutes, Caleb read and Meredith listened, and all was right in the world.

 On our way to the Christmas Eve service at church, we passed several deer (10+) in one of the yards in our neighborhood!  If we did the Santa thing, I would totally have made up some story about them being Santa's reindeer.

 Christmas Eve at church.

 Oh man.  Memory.  This game is played several times a day around here.  And Meredith can't be beat.  This is an example of what her pile and your pile will look like if you play against her.  She is seriously good.  I have not yet beat her (and I try!!) and several other adults have played against her...I can count on 1 hand how many times she has lost.

 Norah enjoying Big Sissy's ponies.

 Oh boy....there are several of these posters hanging the basement!  Poor 3rd Child.