Christmas 2009 Highlights

Christmas 2009

The weather was beautiful for viewing, but not so much for driving in. Luckily we left Wednesday night before the storm hit and were able to watch most of the falling snow safely up north. Our drive home on Sunday was slow, but thankfully safe.

Here are the highlights to our second year celebrating Christmas as a family.

Papa Marv, Anthony and Grandma Carol
We spent Christmas Eve in Grand Rapids instead of Chisholm because of the bad weather. The celebration was low-key, but wonderful. Thank you for hosting!

The Bat Cave.
When Anthony opened this present all others were forgotten about. To say that he's in love with Robin, Batman, Joker, Penguin and Super Dog would be putting it mildly. Right now the Bat Cave isn't in use, but Anthony is sleeping with all of his super heroes.
What a perfect Anthony gift!

Grandma was able to snuggle under the beautiful quilt she made Anthony while he entertained her with superhero play.

Santa's coming!
Anthony had to leave out a treat for Santa. It consisted of three date balls, a glass of milk and a carrot for the reindeer.
What fun!

Christmas morning --- The choo choo he wanted so badly from Santa was waiting for him!

The snow continued to fall and we were able to get outside and play Christmas morning. Anthony enjoyed the sled, visiting the local ice rink and making his first snowman of the year.

Family photo by our finished snowman.

On Christmas Day we traveled up north to celebrate with my family. The roads were a bit treacherous; however, the view was spectacular!

After another fabulous meal Anthony took a needed nap. When he woke up he got some snuggling time in with Grandma Kathy.

The Wii!
My parents surprised us by purchasing a Wii for "us kids" to play with when we get together. Mark, Erik and I had great fun creating Miis and "breaking in" our new entertainment. (Who knew boxing could create so much sweat? Whew!)

When A woke up he wanted to try some big game hunting with daddy.

Anthony LOVES Legos and was delightfully surprised to open a gift and find a whole box. Daddy and him worked on building a house, car and helicopter.

Uncle Santa Claus!

Overall, our holiday celebration was low-key and laid back, which is exactly what we needed. The only thing amiss was the Tuttles. Because baby Asher was born a month early their doctor advised keeping close to home and not having any large gatherings. He still needs to work on developing his lungs and getting stronger each and everyday. So for now the Johnson Christmas celebration is put on hold until January. It will be great to get together in a few weeks, celebrate the holidays as well as our new beautiful addition to our family. I cannot wait!

The Best Gift of the Season

Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas. --- Dale Evans

Without a doubt, I have a great group of friends who love and support and give throughout the entire year. Our friendship all started as a result of being co-workers; however, it quickly evolved into so much more and is a great blessing in my life.
Every year we celebrate the holidays by drawing Secret Santa names and remembering that person from Thanksgiving up until our night out when we reveal ourselves. This year, however, we decided to do something different --- adopt a family in need. This change was very welcomed and extremely satisfying to know a local family of six perhaps had a better holiday season because we were able to give and help out. The act of kindness was gratifying and hopefully something we will be able to repeat every year. Maybe even multiple times throughout the year?!

Our Sunday get together included great food and conversation as well as wrapping all the gifts at Laura's house. Later on Jenn and Tracy delivered the multiple packages of gifts and food to the surprised family. Thank you girls!

Gretchen and Adele taking a little break to chat.

Gracie snuggling with momma April.

"I Shy"

After days and weeks of Santa talk it all came down to the big moment. On the way to Cabela's he was chatting up a storm about what he wanted to tell Santa and how he was going to sit on his lap, etc. etc. etc. When we got in line, though, a whole new Anthony emerged.
"I not want to take off my coat."
"I not want to show Santa my choo choo sweater."
"I not want to get a picture with Santa."
You get the overall idea.
The result was this non-smiling, coat wearing and slightly scared looking picture of Anthony by his beloved Santa. After a few painful moments by the big guy daddy picked up Anthony and we walked away. When asked why he didn't do all of the things he had talked about doing with Santa his reply was, "I shy."
Oh well. At least he got to visit him before Christmas and we got this lovely photo capturing the moment.

Behold the cutie patootie!

http://damonmandatuttle.blogspot.com

What You Do Matters

There are always so many reminders that I've made the right career choice.
This morning the seventh grade team met in the pod to learn the results of last week's Penny Challenge. Altogether the students raised $1,028.31 in one week for Minnesota Nice, which helps out soldiers who are deployed. The students were so respectful throughout our gathering as well as super excited to hear the final results. It was such a neat moment and I'm so proud of all the students who participated and made a difference. (I'm proud of Wonder Jenn, too, for coming up with this idea and organizing everything for our team. GREAT JOB!)
After the meeting a student gave me a letter she wrote as a homework assignment for another class. She needed to let someone know that she appreciates them and that they make a difference in their lives. The letter really was sweet and validating; a definite keeper. (Plus she mentioned that it was actually fun learning more about nouns and adjectives! It's must have been the awesome video we watched in class; I still have the song stuck in my head.)
During my prep another student visited me to give me her amazing smiley face cookie creation, which was unbelievably thoughtful, so appreciated and a great surprise.
Like in any career it's nice to know what you do matters.

Sledding Time

The first major snowfall of the year last week brought some frigid temperatures along with it. When Mark got home from work he needed to shovel the driveway and Anthony wanted to "help" daddy. When I peeked out the window I saw zero shoveling and lots of fun happening in the backyard. Even though his time outside only last fifteen minutes max because of the cold he was loving the snow. I'm sure this winter is going to be a fun and busy one enjoying the great outdoors!

Asher John

Asher John Tuttle
aka The Cutest Little Peanut Ever
Born December 14 at 8:50am
7 pounds and 18 inches long

Clearly Asher was ready to come and he wanted to be here to celebrate Christmas with his mommy and daddy. Even though his due date was on January 13th he decided to come early and surprise everyone. (Oh, with the exception of Uncle Erik. He eerily knew this was going to be the case all along.) On Monday morning we finally answered our phone after two hours of Manda calling every ten minutes trying to get a hold of us. (We've come to the conclusion that we definitely need to get a phone in our bedroom.) The news we received at 3:30 was that her water had broke, she was dilated to four and that baby (elephant) Tuttle was going to be entering this world soon.
OH THE EXCITEMENT! I felt like those Walt Disney commercials --- "I'm too excited to sleep..." Instead of sleeping I was busy praying that everything would go well and making some serious sub notes for the next two days so we could head up north. The hardest part was waiting for Anthony to get up. I wanted him to wake up on his own accord (typically he's less crabby then) and eat some breakfast before we headed up to Grand Rapids.
When we made the 2 1/2 hour trip up north Anthony insisted on going to hospital to see his cousin first. He was busy asking every possible question regarding the birth --- How did they get that baby out of auntie Manda? Why did they have to cut auntie? (She had a cesarean.) Why did she have to go to the hospital? Why can't she have this baby at her house? Where's uncle Damon? And on and on and on and on...
Once we got to the hospital, though, Anthony was very serious and didn't talk at all. He just stared at Asher through the nursery window with an occasional smile or giggle. When he saw auntie, though, he became even more serious and nervous. She was extremely out of it and was covered in tubes and ice packs and machines. Thankfully the next day when I brought him back for a visit auntie was feeling much better as well as Asher and Anthony wasn't nervous any more. He was busy checking out the room - especially the hospital bed - and having fun.

Being up north for those two days was an absolute joy. Damon and Manda are just BEAMING and so in love with their little guy. It was an honor to be privy to those first moments of parenthood and know that Asher is going to be so completely loved. I am so proud of my sister - not only did she do a great job, but she found a wonderful husband who is going to be an amazing teammate with her on this journey of parenthood. The look of love on Damon's face when he looks at either of them or talks about his wife and son makes this proud auntie beam.

Team Tuttle

The proud daddy

Grandma Kathy

Love you, Little Buddy!
Auntie cannot wait to see you again and give you lots of love.
Enjoy your trip home tomorrow.