Leadville, Colorado

This weekend we met Matt (Aran's best friend)in Leadville for the ride-around-the lake race in Leadville Colorado. This 50 mile race went around the beautiful Turqoiuse Lake. Because it was also our 5th year anniversary Aran and I and Lilja stayed in the Delaware Hotel in downtown Leadville. Very old, interesting hotel where I KNOW ghosts probably reside..

We were all already out of breath as we were 10,300 feet high, but what a view...

Before the race.. good luck guys!!

Lilja and I were counting flowers as the boys were getting ready.

Here they go... see you in 2 and 1/2 hours!!

Lilja and I went to the Dam where we could see Daddy ride by..

Go daddy Go!! He's the one in the front..

Counting flowers again, yes and a change of clothes as Lilja loved sitting IN the lake ;)

Lilja is in heaven, a whole bathtub full of icecubes!!Matt finishing.. great job Matt.. Next year, your family will be cheering you on too!!
After the race.. just strategic planning for next year..

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Oma left today

My mom left today.. and guess what.. we did not take any more photos.. we did do a professional one on father's day with the three girls.. so I will post that one soon. But my goodness, i can't believe we did not take anymore photos.. pretty sad!! luckily she and my dad will be back in September!! what a special summer and year this will be. Lilja grows up so fast and for them to see her so often especially right now is so much fun. Mom, you are such a fun Oma, always singing, being silly or just giving snuggles or reading stories. Lilja is so lucky and so am I!! Thanks for the great ideas for her room, giving me a little break so I can run, and just giving advise and listening.. Ik hou van jou... OMA!!!

Ik Hou van jou.. mama

Jasmin gave Lilja this cool toy, and she really loves it.. I get summoned by a "MAMA!" pretty loud now...in stereo!! But what she likes to say is: Ik hou van jou.. mama or daddy, or oma.. which means I love you.. way too cute!!

Lilja's room

I feel the whole house needs an update after our cute guestroom. So Lilja's room was next. My mom is an amazing crafter and has some really fun ideas.. I wanted to update Lilja's age-appropriatness of her room, so we made three activity boards. The left one is a magnetic board with letters on it that she can make words out of.. she can already find the D, M, L ,O, I , A , N and T...the second one is also a magnetic board, where she can hang her art work and the third one is a chalk board. Now a little hanging light and a table with chairs and the corner is complete.

And yes mom, they are red.. I spraypainted over the yellow and blue with red and the paint crackled, which looks really cool. just had to do it.. now it is perfect!! Where do i have that from??? hmmmm...

Oma is here!!

My mom arrived on Wednesday and unfortunately Lilja was already asleep. Luckily she could peek in just so she got her Lilja fix for the night.. but the next morning was another story. Lilja and Oma have become fast buddies. Reading stories, singing and dancing.. all Lilja's favorite things..I promise I will post more photos soon!!.

Kelli's surprise party

One of my dearest friend Kelli is turning 40 this month and her husband threw her a surprise birthday party this weekend. Lilja and I OFCOURSE had to be there and drove up to Colorado Springs.. She obviously had no idea.. sorry for the bad video, but Lilja was in my arms. Happy early Birthday Kelli!! Hope you had a great time, we sure did.





The party seemed a huge success. Kelli's best friend Kim and her husband also stayed at the house and we continued the party till pretty late.. for my standards.. This is Kim, Kelli and I after some drinks and laughter.
Kelli and Brad's boys got a new pony from their Grandma and Grandpa. Barry, Brad's brother is holding Lilja to pet the little pony. Lilja was not afraid. Must be all the horses we walk through every morning when we walk the dogs.

jasmin and Lilja

Lilja and I had an impromptu visit with Jasmin (Lilja's Tummy mommy)this weekend as we raced up to Colorado Springs for Kelli's surprise birthday party. We met at the annual Spring Art Market, an art show that my friend Shawndell participated in. http://shawndellsart.com/ . We found a little spot of grass amongst all the artists and people and played with all the fun toys Jasmin had gotten for Lilja.. The purple bubbles were a great hit and the little water toy turtle. But it started to downpour on us so we found shelter under Shawndell's tent. .

I wish I had made more photos, but I realize that when I am by myself, taking photo's is the farthest from my mind, especially when this little one RUNS everywhere ;)

After playing in the rain, we decided to find some food.. I think more for the quiet time than for the hunger pains. It was nice to just chat and have some great food. Lilja showed off all her eating skills ;) and ran all the way back to the car.

Thanks Jasmin for all the fun toys and I am so glad we could see eachother. Next time we'll go to a park! p.s how cute is this photo!

waterplay in OUR backyard

Today we dropped off our dear friend barb at the airport. She has been so sweet to stay at the house and took care of the dogs while we were in Minnesota.. Thanks Barb.. you are awesome!! When we got home it was pretty hot outside so I set up the water table again. While I got something to drink, this is wat I found when I got back out.. She actually was sitting in the table when I came out but HAD to get the camera.. .. so we ended up making some fun water play our way

Waterplay with Cousin Tae!!

We met Cousin Tae, Uncle Hansi and Auntie Margaret in Minneapolis for some fun waterplay, looking at a cool bookstore and having a fun family picnic . Thanks everyone for a wonderful time!! it was so fun to see you and we appreciate everyone coming to see us, eventhough we KNOW you really only wanted to see Lilja!!

First we met at Auntie Margaret's mom's house. Lilja and Tae had some quiet time to sizing eachother up before the big picnic..

To cool off, Auntie Margaret set up a fun waterslide. Lilja loved it and really looked up to Tae as he made the waterfountains go higher and higher..
Go tae, go... where did the water go??

Love this picture of the grandparents with Lilja.

At the picnic Janie bought all the kids some great bubble blowers. here Grandpa is helping Lilja out.But "I do it, peese" is becoming the norm.

Peekaboo!! great picture of Tae, Lilja was two seconds too late to be in this picture, or was I too early?..


Auntie margaret and Cousin Tae.


The whole gang at the picnic.. ofcourse Lilja was on the go.. also the norm now..

Thanks guys!! we love you!!

Pizza a la the Johnsons!

How to make Pizza the Johnsons way?? first you need a beautiful italian inspired porch with a pizza oven.

Then a daughter-in-law that loves to make fun different pizzas and yes, anchovies were involved ;)

A hot oven And tada!!! a wonderful, yummy pizza.

And ofcourse Bruce will just throw some bread in there too.. What can't this man do??

Minnesota!!

We did a quick trip back and forth to Minnesota this weekend. It was a whirl wind, but we are trying to have grandparents see Lilja every three months and so far that is working!This time we wanted to really spend some time with Aran's grandma.. She is 95 , a very sweet, smart and lovely lady. She adored Lilja and they seem to really have a little connection. In this picture there is Grandpa Bruce, Aunt Paula, Uncle Bob, , Great Grandma, Grandma Margaret and us.

Snuggling with Grandma. We were trying to find some cool shade. It was so hot there we even stayed inside for one morning.. Not like us!! but neccessary!!!

Touching Great Grandma's nose.

The tractor was pretty scary, but Grandpa was very patient with lilja and they had a little circle around the drive way.. I love the view at their house.