The Adventures of the Johnson Clan: All the Big Events Lately

After being stuck with a bunch of sickos for so long, we of course did what we always do once we're bouncing back: We're on the go. None. Stop.

In the BEST way

Our Arkansas Trip:

Grandma Lori came to town to stay with the little girls while Travis and I took the boys on a MUCH NEEDED getaway; a biking trip in Bentonville, AK where the weather was supposed to be in the 50's-70's the whole trip, with only 10% chance of rain.

The drive was 8hrs and I loved every minute of it. Our boys are amazing travelers; always have been. We were able to laugh, belt out songs, they played in the back, and Travis and I were able to just soak in conversation about how much we love where we are in life. And the added cherry on top was feeling the dazzling sun's rays soaking in through the windows; it was 75 degrees... and it felt like heaven!

We booked an airbnb that looked like an A-frame cabin, and the boys' reaction when we pulled up did NOT disappoint. "This is amazing!" "We're staying in a cabin?!" "Can we come back here again?!" IT was truly a magical place to stay; Travis and I knew it was the place for us the moment we saw it online.

DAY ONE: 16 miles of hard mountain biking; those boys kept up every step of the way and were so much fun to bike with. This is such a new phase for us, this phase where the kids need us less for survival and want us more for the fun experiences. Unfortunately at one point Maddix took a hefty spill off his bike and took the handlebars behind the ear and all up the side of his head. He had a gash and quite a bit of blood. However, I was SO proud of him when he was able to calm himself and soldier on, for the sake of the trip. Aaron also took a gnarly spill while trying to imitate a tire slide Travis had done. Instead, he hit his breaks too hard and just went right over the handlebars. Unsure on how to react, Travis started cheering and Aaron quickly decided it was the coolest trick he'd done. Travis also took a hilarious spill that we just keep watching the video of over and over and over... just laughing before it even happens now because we know how funny it's going to be. I took a spill as well, but mine didn't make it on film. I was on a pump track and came in too high on a burm, so my bike slipped out from under me and I just wiped out on the wall! Ha ha. I told them all it's one thing to fall down... it's another skill level to fall UP a wall!

Eventually we ate Chick-fil-A and biked some more and then the boys were POOPED (and rightfully so). They showered off and grabbed some snacks before settling in for a movie. Another foreign thing for us was having kids old enough to just hang out safely while we went back out and biked! The trailhead was outside our front door, and we were ever just 10 mins away from them. So we left them my phone and went back out on our own. Maddix FaceTimed a few times to see how we were doing, but other than that they just enjoyed their movie, and we enjoyed nearly two hours of harder/faster riding/jumping. It was during this time that I fell in love with jumping! I wanted to jump further. Jump higher. Jump for a longer time. But the night was done. The sun was setting. And I couldn't wait to bike the next day.

DAY TWO: It rained all night. And rained all day. And then it was supposed to snow by the end of the trip.... so no more biking. After all of us being pretty bummed we did seize the opportunity to turn the rest of the trip into our own fun time, just happy to focus on the boys. We didn't have to work around nap times or avoid restaurants because of screaming toddlers. It was just REFRESHING as could be!

The rest of the trip was spent going out to eat at different places. Playing different boardgames together. Hot tubbing. Barbecuing. Staying up late. Sleeping in. Touring through the Red Rider Bee-bee Gun Museum. And one of my favorite moments: an hour at this indoor trampoline park. It was such a blast jumping into foam pits with the kids, walking on tight wires, watching Travis do a flip off a trapeze bar, and playing several rounds of dodgeball with the boys. We were spent after that hour, but it was the best hour, just being kids with our kids. I couldn't believe how many parents were just sitting on the sides on their devices or talking with other adults, not paying any attention to their children that were wondering around bored and alone. Kids just kept following us, wanting to join whatever we were doing... and I think it's because they could see how happy we all were and they wanted to be apart of that. Those parents are missing out.

*Disclaimer: I'm not trying to judge them. I understand there are a million reasons they maybe weren't playing. And that these children aren't un loved because they were alone. It just made me really grateful to be have the opportunity to be with my children, and be healthy enough to play.

By the time we drove home we were in a pretty bad storm for a few hours, but by the time we

made it back to Des Moines, the roads were dry and fine. So we stopped at Texas Roadhouse and had the BEST dinner! Then we continued on to Mason City and eventually made it home to surprise Grandma that we came back a day early. The girls weren't asleep yet so we let them out of their rooms and they were SOoOoO happy to see all of us. Avery as a little confused, and then like a switch, recognition dawned across her face and she was excitedly hopping between all of us to say hello!

"You'll shoot your eye out!"

Family of bikers in the making

New state for all of us

once we got it cleaned a little. Then it went
up into his hair too.

Such a fun place!

Then we received some updated pictures of our little Tiger Lily's growth!
3 weeks until we bring her home!

My Princess Birthday Party:

Grandma Lori, being the exquisite chef/party planner that she is, teamed up with her Prodigy Travis and they hosted the CUTEST princess party, complete with both girls sporting newly hand sewn tutu's she made them and crowns. I decided I had to dress up as well. Then the boys decided to dress up as Christoph and a Knight as well. The whole thing was so sweet, from the decorations to the cake at the end with its magnificent candles on top.

My presents were all spa themed and a few days later, Travis used all my gifts to give me the "spa experience!" I was surprised and completely relaxed by the time it was all over!

Valentine's Weekend:

We like to spend Valentine's as a family, with all our little Valentines:) So Friday Travis showed up with a GORGEOUS arrangement of roses for me, and then we set to work cooking up an enormous feast, as well as decorating. When the kids came home from friends' homes, they were excited! We ended up with a a feast of: Steaks, Green beans and red bell peppers, twice baked potatoes, olive garden salad, rolls, jello w/ homemade whipped cream, and shrimp. For dessert Travis made the most delicious brownies, with mint chip ice cream and fudge sauce on top....... give me a min, I'm just reliving that meal for a moment.............................................. okay, I can move on!

The kids opened their cards and gifts and prepped cookies that their grandparents sent them for the holiday (I know we think being a Mom is the most thankless job, but those grandparents don't get nearly the praise they deserve either). Then they played with their Chinese Fortune Tellers all night.

Saturday our good friend hosted a Valentine's get-together for the adults and it was seriously so much fun! We started with an elegant dinner (it was Cafe Rio, so I of course I stuffed my face) before moving into another room that had been decked out with different relay type games for a Nerf War! She is so clever and creative, and put so much work into everything; it was a blast (literally, because we were firing nerf guns at each other!) In the end, Travis and I took 1st place and went home with a new Nerf Gun, which made Maddix pretty excited when he saw it! And then before finally getting to bed at Midnight I kissed Travis and said, "This has been a fun and exhausting weekend; I can't wait to sleep in tomorrow morning).

ONE HOUR LATER..... Maddix stood above my bed, tapping my nose. "Aaron threw up and he needs you!"

.............................................Oh.....................................

So here we go again!

*Disclaimer: I do think he just ate WAY too much junk, not that he's got another virus, BUT I don't want to jinx anything!

My new sweater for Valentine's Day

Her little V-Day outfit

All the Other Things:

And then if anyone is still hanging in there at this point, here are pictures from the past month

"Sisters. Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters."

Refused her nap then fell asleep during
afternoon pick up

Freshened up all my drawers, and it felt good!

I love how close may children are

This girl can do some KILLER
splits!

My dad's family threw a surprise party for my Grandparents 55th anniversary;
I wish I could have been there, but I loved hearing the joy in my
grandmother's voice when she told
me all about
it.