Playing at the Zoo

YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO VIEW IT LARGER

I'll just put your cracker down and you can get it yourself

Ahhh take in that fresh air

Cassidy driving the train...her friend Tyler, and cousins Damien & Lydia taking a ride

First taste of Cotton Candy...not so sure about it

Feeding the birds with Bird seed off a popsicle stick

Friends Nickell & Tyler

Cassidy & Lydia learning some facts about tigers. Very focused!

Lunch Break! Our little Hatchlings!

Watching the Bear Show

Baby Gorilla with Big Daddy

Momma Gorilla

Thanks Erin, Aunt Barb, Damien, Lydia, Uncle Brad, Nickell, and Tyler for a fun day at the zoo!

Memorial Park

We had a wonderful time playing at Memorial Park with cousin Erin, her kids Damien and Lydia, and Aunt Barb. We played in the water, walked around the lake and had a nice picnic lunch.

Fun at our Public Library

All summer long, our public library has their calendar booked with fun things for the children. Cassidy and I enjoyed listening, watching, and dancing to African songs played with drums and musical instruments from Africa. This group was awesome!

After the performance, the kids were invited to try out the instruments themselves.




I really like this 1st video because in the background you can hear Cassidy singing along





I love learning about and listening to music from other parts of the world!

Flying High

Every year we like to drive up to where Daddy works to watch the Thunderbirds fly high in the sky. They always put on a show for the Cadets for their Graduation at the Air Force Academy. The Fedex building parking lot is the perfect place for us to watch! And the bonus is to be with Derek during his lunch break. We usually have a picnic lunch and eat Chipotle burritos while we wait for the show to start.

Wishing Star Farm

Cassidy was invited to her friend Ava's 4th birthday party...the party was at the "Wishing Star Farm!" My friend Eve bought cowgirl/cowboy hats for all the kids. What a FUN place for the entire family!

We had the chance to feed, hold, play, and ride the animals. The farm had the typical animals: pigs, sheep, cows, horses, goats, dogs, chickens, ducks, but they also had a camel, llamas, and alpacas. Their sheep also just had baby lambs the night before the party. It was so sweet to hold the baby lambs.

Cassidy also had the chance to experience her first pony ride. She looked like a pro riding that pony named Sebastian. She had no fear. She definitely played the part and looked so cute in her cowgirl shirt and hat.

The Birthday girl Ava, (in the blue dress) and all her friends

Yee Haw!

Our little Cowgirl

After the party was over I was helping my friend Eve clean up while Cassidy was standing beside me. But just a couple minutes later I heard a lady scream, "There's a little girl in red crying over here!" I had a feeling it was my little girl so I ran out of the barn to see what was the matter. Cassidy was crying and was grabbing her tummy. She told me she was trying to share her chips with the ducks when an overly protective goose came over and bit her in the tummy. Thankfully, it wasn't that bad of a bite. A kiss and a bandaid made it all better. One minute your kid is beside you, the next minute she's off doing her own adventure.

All in all it was a fun day on the Farm!

I'm So Glad when Daddy comes Home...

(Don't forget to push pause on the music player to the right)



This next video...I came home one night from a meeting and all I could hear was my sweet daughter's laughter and this is what I found...neither Derek nor Cassidy knew I was video taping them. I loved catching their daddy/daughter moment. I just wish I could have gotten closer.



Cassidy and I tried to show Daddy how special he is. For "Papa's Day" (what Cassidy started calling it) we made him a "memory book" kind of like the one Derek made me for Valentine's day with pictures of us together of our sweet memories. But changed it up a little bit. I saw some fun questions in the Friend church magazine, for kids to ask their daddy's, so they can get to know them better.

So I asked Cassidy these questions and wrote down the very first thing she would say. Then in a secretive way I asked Derek these same questions at another time. It was so much fun to hear the things Cassidy would say. My favorite question was: What is your Dad's favorite hobby? Cassidy: Shopping
I added pictures in the book of just Derek and Cassidy of some of their special memories captured so far. Derek had to take it to work the next day. :)

We also found this cute book at the bookstore and I had to get it because Derek always loves to dance with his girls. We look forward to it too!



For dinner I wanted to cook one of Derek's favorites: Chicken Parmesan with Bowtie Pasta

WE LOVE YOU DADDY, PAPA, HONEY, DEREK...You definitely bring happiness in our lives. Thank you for ALWAYS taking care of us and for being the BEST! (proof in picture below, Daddy being Cassidy's personal step stool)

A Beautiful Message

This video brought me to tears and gave me the good chills inside...especially with Father's Day coming up around the corner...I thought I would share it if you haven't seen it yet.

A Mother's Thoughts

Being a MOM is one of the greatest gifts in the world!

Cassidy reminds me of Love, Patience, Laughter, Silliness, Kindness, Passion, Determination, Strength, Forgiveness, Intelligence, Flexibility, Compassion, God's Presence...all in one little package.

I'm soooo grateful to be her Mom, and thank God for her every day! Thank You Cassidy, for teaching me how to be your mom.

The End of our Vacation...Part 3

Cassidy never broke down and cried for us while we were away. Which we were so grateful for. It made it easier on all of us. Her Grammy, Uncle and Aunt, and cousins, were so good to her. They took her to Chuck E Cheese, Bounce World (an indoor inflatable playground), swimming, and more swimming, out to eat alot, and more. Here are some pictures Grammy took:








So we came home from Cancun...SWINE FLU FREE (although all of our family teased us, and my sister-in-law said we can pick up Cassidy on her doorstep. Ha! Ha!) We couldn't wait to see our girl and be with her again! We're so grateful that we were healthy and able to come back to our country safely. It was so cute to hear Aunt Sara say "Cassidy guess who's here?" from the other side of the door after we rung the doorbell. Cassidy embraced us with big smiles and open arms. Then she dragged us around the house as our little personal tour guide. She first had to show us the humongous bed she slept in. She was so excited about showing us where she lived for the last week. It was adorable! Derek and I both agreed as we just sat back and watched her do her thing that she grew up so much. It was a great reunion!

We spent some time with family in Arizona before we headed back home to Colorado.
Here are some pictures of all of us hanging out with family:

JOHNSON CREW

STRONG CREW










WE HAD A WONDERFUL, TRIP!! CAN'T YOU TELL????



Thank you to all of our wonderful family!!! For helping us by taking such good care of Cassidy! We also appreciated family that took the time to drive up to visit with us. And for always letting us stay over and being such great hostesses. Thank You!