The Adventures of the Johnson Clan: ~Weeks 6 & 7~ Possibly better than the rest.

I've misplaced my journal and therefore been unable to write down all the things we've been up to, the amazingly cute and funny things my boys say, and the random New York things that still catch me off guard... sad day.
Spring is FINALLY here and in between the days and days rain we have the most gorgeous sunny days and I can hardly wait for the trees, and flowers to be in full bloom!!

Some Things I'm Learning: I thought I was all for recycling, until I moved here; you must sort out into three separate bags for disposal, as well as wash all containers clean so they don't attract rodents.
Don't leave the garbage anywhere within reach/climbing ability of the squirrels or they WILL raid the bag and strew it across the yard.
You can't feel bad for EVERY hobo you see sleeping on the subway or you'll be sad all the time.
People with big dogs can be found anywhere before 8:00am then there are nothing but "rat dogs" the rest of the day.
People will children don't surface until 3:00
And if you ride the subway between the hours of 9:00-4:00 you won't ride with "normal" people, you'll ride with all the "mole" people!
You're not allowed to make a right hand turn on a red.
There is NOTHING you can do to avoid being honked at... NOTHING. It's like as necessary to New York Drivers as breathing.
Everyone things mormons are "those polygamist group out in Utah."
Old people LOVE Maddix and Aaron.
The most angry of people will soften as we walk by and Aaron offers his adorable, "Hi!" that he does to everyone. :)
New Yorker's smoke like Chimneys and dress like they're from an 80's music video.
Manhattan isn't actually that big or scary.
Hole in the wall diners are the best places to eat!
New York beaches aren't "wanna-be beaches" but they're actually beautiful.
People rarely see a run of the mill, good ol' fashion American family like ours so we sand out like a red rose in a white rose garden.
Walking anywhere will get you there almost as fast as driving... and parking costs $30/half hour in Manhattan!!

There is more, but I can't think of it, so we'll revisit the New York things I've learned at a later time. For now, I'm going to drop an overload of photos because the past two weeks have been amazing! As the weather has improved our days have just been sunnier :D

~Family Nights~

This one was to an Authentic German Restaurant where we ate the closest to German Schnitzel we've had since being in Germany!

When Daddy leaves each morning we mope, then we find ways to entertain ourselves:

Our Daily walks are always a unique experience; this day Maddix was concerned with Aaron getting too close to the cars and insisted that he hold his hand while they would go running. Then he needed a rest and while laying... on a random tree... he decided to yell at the cars with all the lines he hears from Travis and I when we are driving :)

He is getting sneaky with getting on to Maddix's bed; he also likes to turn it into a pirate ship

Friday my friend Whitney babysat the boys for us so we could catch a Subway into Manhattan to catch a session at the temple... that we missed by 10 minutes. So we decided to grab a quick lunch at a random little diner that happened to be a top rated pizza joint with photos all over the wall of celebs' signed by themselves raving on the pizza. However, it was taking so long we ALMOST didn't make it back for the next session, of which only I ended up doing the session because Trav's recommend was actually expired... lame, so he went and studied.

Lots of friend's time :) We're so grateful for Whitney and Camden

Homemade Cafe Rio!

Stake Conference and my boys looked dressed to impress. Conference was a new experience. It was over at the Astoria ward and was half in English and half in Spanish. Aaron had a full blown melt down and we couldn't leave early because our car was in the middle row within a grid full of cars. So Travis took him for a walk while Maddix and I put on our headsets to try and catch one thing being said.

We took a wrong turn and ended up in a slight ghetto while looking for a sports gear store

Playin' Around

Hopped out of the bath and grabbed
a fruit drink; he instantly became my vampire baby

An amazing day at the park. Made friends. Watched a ball game. Met a little boy one day younger than Aaron, twice his size, and wearing the EXACT outfit:)

A Day with Whitney and Camden: Fun Toys, Hours at the Park, and otterpops while watching the Gummy Bears cartoon.

This spot was an AWESOME area; the kids
could take chalk and color on the floor, walls, and even
the ceiling.. if they could reach ;)

Maddix was about 8ft off the ground and bravely walked the railing
around the sunken in park and was doing great... Until this other mother
rushed over because she was very afraid he'd fall :)

morning snuggles

Our new family Metz gear. We live on
Metropolitan (and I could never be a Yankees fan)

Our Italian neighbor, Maria made us these
traditional easter/passover treats from Italy because she thinks
we're such a "Belle Family"
But we're not supposed to tell anyone because "she no cook for them anymore."

Learning to ride a two wheeler!

While learning, Travis told Maddix about when his dad taught him to ride to inspire him to keep going after each fall. That night when we called Grandma Lori for her birthday Maddix brought the story up in conversation with Vaughn and Travis and I just melted over how cute it was.

Being a big boy

Trying to keep up:)

Family movie night: Star wars! While he wore his new Star wars shirt.

First day of Soccer Season! The first sport he's every really done. I'm so excited! He did awesome!

He won the cone gathering
competition

Afternoon at the Beach~

My Soul enlightened the moment we stepped out of the car and I could smell salt in the air.

When we saw the pier, I almost cried.

I've always called the New York Beaches "wanna be beaches," but Long Beach was actually pretty great.

The sand was so soft, the weather was wonderful, and there was hardly anyone there since it's only April. This beach was easy to get to, and only 45 mins from my home and I think we just found our new pastime for this coming summer!