the last couple of days

A couple of days in the life of the Johnsons in Bayfield, co

why are you late sometimes to go somewhere... sheep on the road!!! 

Lilja LOVES walking the doggies, and luckily, because we do it almost every day. We are taking them to the river right now because the horse flies are really bad. so you will see lots of these kind of photos for a while.

Maddie came over and another little girl named Zoe who we met at gymnastics. It is very hot here for the next week, so we bought a little pool and made a water slide :)



Oh that smile!!!



and oh how i love this little girl. She is so much fun to be around. i truely enjoy spending time with her. The older she gets the more things we can do and she is so excited about everything.. so fun!!

run forrest run.....

Lilja likes to play a game with Aran that she hangs on his neck without him holding on to her.. she is so strong in her upper torso!! a real little gymnist. caught them being silly!! 

Happy Anniversary, happy Lilja!

Happy Anniversary, Honey!!!

From two differents lands we are together, with hope in our hands to love forever,

                                                                                                         Aran Johnson

On June 24th 2006 I walked down the aisle with my dad towards my husband to be. My one true love for ever and always! This magical day brought everyone together; family and friends who meant the world to us. All those people that were there have been our support through the last 7 years. We have never questioned our love for eachother, but have had our struggles to become a family. Each and everyone  of those friends and family have been there for us during the hard times and certainly during the amazing wondeful times. Thank you honey, for being my rock, and showing me that I can also be yours. and thank you to all our family and friends to be there for us and support us as the couple and the family  we are today.      

I couldn't wait to walk down that aisle.. dad, did I run?? 

Aran's mom officiated the wedding and could not have done it more special!

we are married!!

my sis!!

Ok the smiles say it all. and we still have those for eachother!!!!

Our families!!

The de Ruiter clan

The Johnsons

Nicole and Aran Johnson!!

floating and fishing..

the perfect saturday!!

Saturday was the first day Aran did not go for a ride so we had the whole day to spend as a family. First we took our dogs for a hike up the BIG hill then we went to the river and floated down it.. yes, both of us... or I guess I should say all three of us.. and then we finished it up with a little ice cream.. Lilja was in heaven.. "momma, i am having so much fun!" 

on top of the hill, fostoring a little hiker here.. Silly picture of us looking into the sun, but wanted to show you the view.. cute picture of Lilja!

we got a proper float for the river, not realizing how cold that water is when your bum is in it!!!

daddy and Lilja trying to dotch the rocks..

the infamous "waterfall" that Lilja got stuck on with JT.. Long story.. but Daddy got Lilja over her fear.

The princess in her throne

she is getting the hang of these dolfins and was kicking her legs, making herself go..

she just LOVES life!!! 

in Momma's creeky chair tryingto warm up.

Ok now it was momma's turn.. and yes, it was freezing!!!

But when you get used to it and push your bum out of the water it was quite the relaxing and fun ride.

cool photo!!

Lilja likes to stay in the float and had Daddy pull her fast towards him 

there she goes!!!

so fun!!

love this girl.. I can just eat her up!!!

and the last ones

Oma left today.. wow, it always is so quiet ;(  Lilja this time, really seemed to be upset. They had such a great time, and the older Lilja gets,  it seems the stronger the relationship.. this time, Oma was even allowed to come sing nighttime songs. Lilja would go get Oma when it was time, and bring her back to what even place she got her from " Momma, i am going to bring Oma back"



picking flowers with Oma and dressing Oma up with a crown and necklace.




walking the doggies




the bouquet was getting bigger and bigger..




always a smiley face!!




love this photo!!



Oma always gets me beautiful flowers. This year we again made a little spot for Lilja to take care of. she chose the flowers and reminds me to water them.. Hopefully this year they will survive!!

Thank you Oma, for a wonderful time!! I love seeing you with Lilja and the special conncetion you guys have. Lilja is very lucky!!! come again soon!!!

father's day and more

oma and Lilja waiting for our yummy father's day barbeque..

shrimp for us and steak for the Daddy!!!



this picture is for Opa from Aran.. I asked him what to write on the bottom, Aran laughed and said he needed to think about it.. I think Opa knows what he wants to say.. hmmmm?




Oma on her little nap spot. In the sun!!




Jt and Lilja out of the house after a whole day playing.. they needed to get MORE energy out!!!



rollers?? what are those?? Lilja wants to be Oma's helper.. poor Oma, some hair came out  with the rollers..

see, there are some curls in our family ;)

snuggle time with Oma.. those two!!!

Happy father's day to my dad!!

Dear Papa, I love watching you with my child, playing, being silly and listening intently. the patience you show I know you also have with us as your daughters. You always are there for us, never judging always guiding, never disaproving,  but trying to understand our choices, even if it was hard to watch us fall. And you were always there to pick us up and  help us look into the future again, Papa, you are an amazing dad to two very challanging daughters, who have their lives figured out, they think.. but you are always there for us make our own path in this world. We love you!!  

Opa guiding Lilja up a tree, that she thinks she can climb!! ;)

Happy Father's day, Aran!!

Happy Father's day, Aran! You are such an amazing daddy and Lilja completely adores you. The older she gets, she more daddy/daughter time she craves. I love how you are so loving, silly and patient with her. I am so lucky to have you as a partner to parent this little girl that keeps us on our toes. I hope your Father's day will be amazing!!

We all went on the Dinosaur train today for Father's day. It is a Jim Henson story about a little t-rex named Buddy  that gets adopted into a tyranadon family. Buddy is the little orange stuffed animal that Lilja is carrying and got from Oma. It was so cute. First we rode 25 minutes in the train and then there was an adventure area to play in outside and then you rode back. Very well done and Lilja had a blast.. i think we all did!!



Lilja and Oma excited to go to the train



waiting for the train with 100 other little toddlers..Lilja has been watching "the dinosaur train" the last couple of weeks, so this was the perfect time to go.

oh how she loves Buddy, he even slept with her at her nap today.

on the train.. lots of music and staff running around singing songs. They really got you in the mood!!

at the adventure station, you could dig for bones,...

touch fossels (pretend ones)

jump in a jumpy house that Lilja did over and over again. This one had a slide in it.

and then we went back, tired, and hungry!!

Oma had a blast!! I think she just loved Lilja having a blast!!

The best Daddy in the whole wide world!!

Back to the station.. toot, toot!!