Fiesta days

it is so fun to see Lilja get older as she is able to do so much fun stuff more and more... This is a water bubble and the photos tell the story obviously. But she had to sit in it (note the videos) and they had to blow up the bubble around her.. I was excited to have  her go in there, but when they told me, I went Oh oh... ( Lilja does not enjoy loud sounds) but she was a trooper. The operator even said that he was impressed to see such little girl get a little scared and then overcome it.. Yes, that's my girl!!  

she did not stop smiling

I was getting dizzy just watching

we did the bubble by ourselves, then we got Aran and came back that night. Ofcourse she had to do facepainting.. She wanted to be a kitty cat. FYI she already tells me she wants to be a cat for Halloween.. now it is a blue Kitty cat..   Oma, I need your help ;)

she had to sit still and did a great job, but she kept talking.. oh where did she get that from ?

yes, a BLUE kittycat

Then... yes it was fun time for Lilja tonight... there were these little boats.. We wanted her to wait till there were some kids, but she wanted to go 'all by myself"  peep peep!!



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and then the rodeo .. i did not even get pictures of the rodeo ;( just this cute one of Aran and his girlie!!



Water bubble

Water bubble 2

Some where out there

Lilja's new haircut..

We have been trying to let Lilja's hair grow out a little bit... but we came to the conclusion that shorter was so much cuter on her. Lilja is not the greatest in sitting still for all those hairclips and pigtails, especially when her hair was getting longer and getting more knots in it. Firghting about it I think is just not worth it.. so yesterday she asked if she could have short hair like Maddie. Well i jumped at the chance , as I think for such a little girl and such fine features this little bob fits her perfect.  



Lilja says she loves her hair because it "sways for side to side"



I think she is looking like the "old" Lilja again.. her hair is so curly and bouncy ;) we can still do little pigtails.. and hairbands!!



Lilja is seeding our yard.. one seed at a time.. it will take till winter for the whole yard to be seeded.



They called a truce... 10 hummingbirds on the feeder..

Hopping pants

Happy Anniversary Opa and Oma!!!

47 years !! an amazing accomplishment! especially when I still see those giggles, laughs, jokes and sweet gestures you have for each other. 47 years of traveling everywhere, from Aruba, to America, to new Zeeland and Corsica.. 2 daughters that keep you on your toes, and one granddaughter that keeps those smiles and the agility going;) we love you and wish for many more of these years!! Nicole Aran and Lilja

Monkey bars

Silliness, the river, dancing and oh yes, the dentist... again..

Lilja is a multifaceted child.. sweet, smart, empathetic but most of all silly.. this is supposed to be her angry face  ;) look at those eyebrows..

this is her silly face...

and here she thinks she is looking cross eyed.. shhht.. don't tell her she isn;t.. this face is too cute!!

we went to the river and a little boy named parker also joined us.. Oh how she loves the boys!! we are in so much trouble..

she is holding on to his boat.. otherwise "he would drift away.." a new word for Lilja she is using for everything.. 

Lilja stayed in that float the whole time.. the best babysitter!!



Hawaiian theme at the last class of gymnastice for this run..



and yes, the dentist AGAIN. I am deathly afraid for the dentist and have not very good teeth to prove it . So I think I am overcompensating to make sure Lilja's teeth are very well taken care of.. And they are apparently.. The dentist was very impressed how good her teeth look. and look at that smile!! she LOVES going.. so no harm done right?

The rainbow

we took Lilja out of bed, as she was still awake, to see the rainbow.. her reaction was worth it!!

Grandma and Grandpa were here!!



big hugs for Grandma and Grandpa. Lilja was so excited!!



They had story time every night.. Books are important in the Johnsons family and Lilja loved having them read all her new books

Our little picnic in Silverton before going to the Old Hundred gold mine



Love this picture. Oh my she is really getting such a little lady.,



First we had to pan for gold...

then we had to dress up like little kabouters (trolls) Lilja also had a whole dress-up but it was so hot that we waited a little bit.

Kabouter Lilja

Here we go!!! 4 minutes into a dark, wet very small tunnel.. I could see the gold everywhere ;) actually this old mine was not very successfull. The tour was very interesting , but a little loud as our guide showed us all the different drilling ways.. You know that Lilja still is not a fan of loud noices.. Poor thing. She had her hands over her ears anticipating more noice..Note to self next time.. bring earplugs ;)  toddler ones...

Our guide, Eddie.. he just looked like a miner.. His famous quote: That contraption is to bring the dead children out.." wow!!!  or " You guys" pointing at us with his finger.. he was the best!!!

Yep, the preschool teacher came out when we were sitting outside and it was hot.. MUDPIES!!! I used to make mudpies in my class room all the time.. The other teachers did not like that very much.. but he... sensory play is one of the most important things a child can do!

mud mask..

Look momma, I have mud on my noice!!

A nice little walk at Vallecito lake after some yummy icecream..

Lilja had a great time with her grandparents.. she is so lucky!!

roughhousing with grandpa...

and stories with grandma.. and believe me, Grandma can tell the best stories!! so the best of both worlds!!
Thanks Grandma and grandpa for coming, we had a great time.. see you soon!!

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the super heroes are multiplying in my house!!

three birthday parties and the movies!!!!

We had a pretty busy last couple of days. My friend Melissa's little girl "Baby Kate " turned one and Evelyne turned 4 .. so on Saturday 2 birthday parties!! Lilja had a blast!! Jumpy houses, a pinata, jungle gym and lots of friends to play with.



Baby Kate and I have a little special something together. I usually get special "your Nicole" smiles , but she was so sick that day and they found out she was allergic to the penicillin she was takingthe next day. poor thing.



Lots of photos in the grass, she just loves rolling down the hill!!

smiley girl.. always!!



daddy and Lilja..



At Evelyne's party there was a pinata.. i do not think we can do Lilja's birthday without one.. she is hooked!!



she wacked that thing!!



and waited 'patiently" for one more turn

At Krii's birthday party we went swimming and again rolling in the grass!!Here they are pretending to sleep.. Krii is pretty good at it.. Lilja on the other hand can't keep a straight face. Lucky for me ;)



Love this photo.. Joy just comes from the top of her head to the tippies of her toes..



Mamma, look i am pink (pink lights in the water)

she pretty much floated on this lillypad the whole time..



and then.... we went to Lilja's first movie. Despicable Me was playing as a free movie. i thought what better time to go than when it is free. i can just walk out when we need to. Well, this girl was entranced( with some popcorn) , besides some jumping up and down here and there, and stayed through the whole movie. I loved the movie and even shed a couple of tears. You have to see it to know why ;)




we went with our friends from gymnastics. During the summer we are getting really close. so cute to see these girls make friends together.



it was the first movie for all the little ones and they all did great. here's to the next one!!