Birthday party for Alaina and Sawyer

I am finally getting the birthday party pictures on here. Once again there was so many I had a hard time choosing.

We started out the day giving Alaina her gifts at home since the party was on the day of her birthday. She received paint, paint brushes, chalk, and the one thing she wanted-a phone! We got her a pay as you go phone. It's cheaper and will make her more accountable of her time on there.



We had their birthday party at Games Lake again. It turned out to be a beautiful day-a little windy, but the sun was out and we were able to swim.





Levi and Rose



Uncle Tim



Rick and Nancy



Julie, Dave, and Kelsey



Time to swim!



Levi sunbathing



My sister Julie and her husband Greg were visiting from Maryland with their three girls. I loved having them there!





I love this picture of Rose.



Grandma Karen and Lainie



I should have warned her-Grandpa was near and he gets a kick out of getting people wet.



Here she is trying to get him back..didn't work unfortunately (:





Alaina wanted an "art cake" this year and I wasn't real sure how to go about that, so I cheated and made cupcakes into an artist palette. I thought it turned out cute.









Sawyer wanted a "Monster cake" and I cheated again and made cupcake monsters. It was fun decorating them and I wasn't up til 2am trying to finish cakes this year!














Gift opening time! Sawyer is still very easy to please-I think he said "wow" "cool" or "awesome" after every gift (:





Alaina loved all her gifts, too! She has a bunch of things to work on and create-her dream.





Here the boys were walking back after getting ice cream at the store-I guess we didn't have enough food at the party-haha!



Here Jonnie and Lukas were dancing like rappers-it was hysterical but the picture doesn't quite capture it. Jon and Luke are so much alike!



And finally my sister Sharyn, her boyfriend Jim and his kids showed up at the end of the party. It was nice to see them (:



We had a great day and I wanted to thank everyone again for making the day so special for Alaina and Sawyer!

RIP Oliver Barry Swanson

The hardest thing about having a pet is when you have to say goodbye.

Exactly two years ago, Alaina cried tears of joy when she got Oliver for her birthday. Today she cried tears of sadness as she had to say goodbye to her baby. Oliver became sick two days ago and after bringing him to the vet and trying to nurse him back to health, he died this afternoon.

Here's Ollie on Alaina's birthday-she fell in love with him from the moment she saw him and never put him down. She carried him around everywhere-he loved it (:



She even had a leash for him so he could nibble grass.



Here he is at the town pet show-he won "most furry" award. She was so proud to show him off that night.



Celebrating his first birthday.





We all will miss you sweet Ollie, but especially your Alaina who is missing her little pal tremendously right now. I wish I could take away all her sadness. She likes to think you are up in heaven right now squealing for that extra carrot.



Goodbye, friend.

Happy 4th Birthday, Sawyer!

Oh, the joy
of a four year old boy.
Magic, imagination, so much fun
biking, playing, and ready to run.
With your head full of curls and your blue eyes aglow,
you make me laugh every day as you put on your "show."
My sweet little boy, no longer a baby
but perhaps you'll still let me cuddle you a little longer, maybe?
Trying to be big like you brother and prove your strength every day,
but at night it is our time to rock, tell stories, sing, and to say-
"I will love you forever, don't ever forget,
your my sunshine, my smile, my superhero to go on adventures with."
Don't grow too fast, I tell you everyday,
as my heart grows heavy as my littlest one, the baby in you, slips away.
But there are new adventures to share with one another,
your friend, your playmate, your hug, your mother.

I love you more than YOU will ever know-Happy Birthday little buddy!

Happy 12th Birthday, Alaina

Do you know how much you mean to me?
As you grow into what you will be.
You're growing so fast it sends me awhirl,
With misty eyes I ask, Where's my little girl?
I know sometimes to you I seem harsh and so unfair,
But one day you will see, I taught you well because I care.
The next few years will so quickly fly,
With laughter and joy, mixed with a few tears to cry.
As you begin your growth to womanhood, this fact you must know,
You'll always be my source of pride, no matter where you go.
You must stand up tall and proud, within you feel no fear,
For all you dreams and goals, sit before you very near.
With love in your heart and the world by its tail,
You'll always be my winner, and victory will prevail.
For you this poem was written, on your twelfth birthday,
to tell you how much I love you each and every day.

I love you, Alaina more than you will ever know-Happy Birthday sweetheart.

Allison's Graduation

Another niece has graduated making me feel old again. Honestly, it feels like it was not long ago since I graduated! Allison and her family moved to Colorado two years ago, but she moved back to complete her senior year here with her friends. Her grad party was at her Aunt Lynn's house and it ended up raining all day, but worked out fine.



Here's my younger sister Danielle and I. You wouldn't know it, but I actually curled my hair that day. Rain and my hair do not go together.



Here she is with her mother and my sister, Chris.



Here's my oldest sister, Sharyn with her girls, Raquel, Cassidy, and Courtney.



All the younger kids stayed in the basement and played with Legos. They were a life saver!



Alaina and Sawyer



Jonnie



My nephew, Liam.



Nephew Mitchell visiting from Colorado.



Other nephew, Aidan



The Johnson ladies-Ashley, Allison, and Chris



Sharyn and Alaina



Allison is going to The University of Colorado-Fort Collins next fall. She is such a sweet, smart, wonderful girl and I know she will go far in life! Love you Allison.