The Adventures of the Johnson Clan: A Visit From "Flat Ali!"

There is a children's book called, "Flat Stanley." It's about a boy who is smashed by a billboard overnight and his brother finds him in the morning, completely flat. He uses his new found thickness to go on adventures. One such adventure involves his family mailing him in a large envelope to friends in California. He then mails back pictures, brochures, and such to explain his trip to family back home.

Inspired by the book, our cousin's kindergarten class went ahead and made flat versions of themselves to mail to family and friends living outside of the state. The family will then show around their flat counterparts around the state they're visiting and mail them back home so their class can study and learn about different states in the U.S.

So lucky enough for us, we got a visit from our counsin's "Flat Ali" and we had a blast showing her around.... Iowa... Too bad she didn't visit us when we lived back in New York! Jk, we were actually surprised how many places there were, rich with history to take Flat Ali around to visit!

This is the McNider Art Museum. The doors were locked (should've
been opened), but inside this museum houses the marionettes
from the Sound of Music.

Clear Lake Riverboat

This is the Frank Lloyd Wright Hotel

Day at the lake

This was the first national bank, built in 1869. It was once
robbed by John Dillinger.

This just depicts Iowa: farming and windmills. Iowa is the leading
state in Wind power generation. More than 35% of the state's generated
electricity comes from windmills.

This train began running in the late 1800's and
served as the main mode of transportation in relocating
children from New York to live in farms in the Midwest
during the Great Depression.

The plane crash that is infamously known as
"The Day the Music Died" happened just outside
our town after they wrapped up a performance at
the Surf Ballroom.

The famous musical, "Music Man," was a play
based in a fictional town of River City. This is a
statue of Merideth Wilson, the man who is the creator
of Music Man. He grew up here in Mason City and based his fictional
town on Mason City. So our town is known as "Music City."

Aside from those fun outings, we also had the boys' Halloween Class parties, Addie "rode a bike for the first time," dinner with the missionaries, a primary program practice, and the real primary program....
and I've NEVER been more proud of my boys in their entire lives! They were reverent, focused, arms folded, and singing nice and loud!!!! Maddix flashed me a few big smiles, and Aaron kept signing me "I Love You." Melt. My. Heart!!!!
Also, Maddix gave a talk that was longer for the kids his age, and it was incredible. It was about obeying God with all our Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength. He was clear, articulate, and even punctuated his sentences properly. We received so many compliments over both the boys!!!!
Then to top it off, they came home and played so well together all afternoon and then helped clean up the house for the missionaries, without ANY complaints... Maddix was even enthusiastic about getting to clean the bathroom for the first time, he he he.

Her FAVORITE blanket. If you have it, she'll come take it.
She rolls around in it. She drags in all over the house.

Our walk how from school one day, after playing
at a friend's house.

She's made her way into the "toy room club."
Her favorite toy... the kitchen set. She LOVES it!

F.H.E with the missionaries

She. Is. To. Die. For!

Riding a bike!!!

Nala favors Addie more than any of our other babies,
and Addie is JUST as fond of her!

This was his "Harry Potter" face :D

THIS face

Trying out her Hedwig Halloween costume
from Gma Donna

This little monster as been boycotting sleep.
Her naps are off, scarce, sporadic, and almost
non-existent... but she NEEDS sleep... so ...
you can do the math!