Cookies and Conversation

Interaction with Johanna the other night when we were playing a game where Johanna was kissing me on the nose...
Mommy: Starts looking to the side to move my nose away.
Johanna:  Finger wagging, stern voice.  "No mommy!  Look at me!"
Mommy: Starts to pull head back to move my nose away.
Johanna:  Grabs my face to look closely into her eyes.  "Mommy!  Bad choice!"
Mommy:  Uncontrollable laughter.
I guess that means our conversations about good choices and bad choices have been effective??

Speaking of good choices, pushing dinner back to decorate cookies was definitely NOT a good choice.   Many more sprinkles in her mouth than on her cookies.

Visiting Santa

Before Santa - pure excitement

During Santa - pure fear

After Santa - pure sugar crash

Christmas lights

Great trip to Murphy park.  Unfortunately she was almost more interested in the booklet they gave us than the lights after a while.  The clock tower and the "big truck" were our favorites.

Happy Birthday Grandma Karen

Johanna and I thought you would enjoy the snow this morning.  :-) 

Halloween

Someone was more interested in her loot than taking a picture.  Silly Tinkerbell.

Johanna's 2nd birthday

Johanna had her second birthday and boy did she know it!  She referred to it as "my birthday cake" and hopefully she will stop saying it by the end of the month.

We continue to be amazed by Johanna's abilities.   She often speaks in sentences like "I not know" and "be right back".  We were really impressed when she said a 6 word sentence "I can no reach my coat".  She continues to learn more and more every day.

Books are still one of her go to things.  There are a few new books she got for her birthday that she likes to read every night.  There are others she likes to take her turn and "read" certain parts herself like "No more monkeys jumping on bed!". 

Johanna is doing her part to try and kick us into shape.  She loves to run and make us run with her - around the kitchen, in the backyard,  to the park.  "Run mommy daddy!"

She is a people person, not only saying the names of her family, but also those at school.   She seems to be popular at school with more than one parent mentioning their child talks about Johanna alot at home. For family, she knows who goes with who like "Toddo Ann" or "Alicia Ben" although the Mike, Michael thing trips her up sometimes.  And one big milestone is she has started to say "I love you" on her own.

Favorite things: helping, being outside, swings, slides, Daniel Tiger, Frozen

Favorite toys: Minnie mouse car, any cell phone, baby, music players

Favorite foods: milk, cheese sticks,  corn, hotdogs, cereal, crackers, grapes

Fun with a Two year old

We have been able get Johanna to laugh so much that she has started to develop a snort when she laughs really hard And when she does she thinks it is the bests thing in the world.  earlier tonight we caught it on video

Now here is a video of her thinking she is going to watch the snorting video above. but be disappointed like only Johanna can.

Kayaking

Mirror lake by Baraboo

Boone Train Ride

We had Christmas in July by fulfilling a Christmas present to Mom and Dad taking them on a scenic train ride in Boone IA.  We were lucky enough to get a private suite to eat our picnic lunch.  We enjoyed hanging out on the caboose car and riding over the VERY high bridge.

A Trip for Just Us

For our birthdays, Tony and I like to have an outing together.  Back in May, we were lucky enough to spend a weekend in Madison - just the two of us.   We ate at one of our favorite Madison restaurants - the Eldorado and even bought their cookbook which has resulted in a few successful recipes.  We went to the farmers market and had FANTASTIC Stella's Hot & Spicy Cheese Bread (I dare you not to eat the whole thing in one sitting) - everyone was walking around the farmers market eating it as they go because it is so irresistible!  And of course, we had some microbrews including checking out the Ale Asylum and enjoying a great view from Coopers Tavern.

Zoo Fun

Johanna was able to see both the Milwaukee Zoo and Madison Zoo in August.

Milwaukee with some Kluesners and Arnolds after the Burds wedding.  Johanna walked the entire time, often wanting to lead the way and more interested in where we were going than what we were seeing.

Madison with some good, old friends.  Johanna's face lit up riding the carousel. 

Day#4 the children's museum

Morning walks

Got up early the past couple days for some nice walks and pictures.

Day #3 Story book garden

Reading and outdoors,  her two favorite things!

Day#2

Good morning

This is how I take my coffee :-)
On our deck.

Day #1

We arrived