Third Anual Johnson Christmas Tree Hunt!

We kicked off our outing with a trip to the Red Lake Junction Railroad...Thanks Amy and Robbie! Caleb was thrilled. He asked his mom if we were going to get tickets and when we were all aboard and Robbie punched out tickets, Caleb loved it. When Robbie gave him the chance to blow the train whistle, Caleb was all over it.


Then we went to the "ranch" to pick out a Christmas tree...and this year was a hunt. The snow was hard on top and Dad couldn't get the truck even to the gate...time to hoof it! You know, I forgot how hard it is to walk in deep hard snow! We have got off easy the last two years and hadn't hiked far at all to get the perfect tree.

As Dad usually does, he went off in his own direction and eventually found a really nice one and the rest of us hiked to the sound of his whistle. The hike wasn't without cold-wet feet, a fall on my rump (while carrying Danae), bumping Danae into a tree branch, being more than ready for lunch and Caleb climbing into a down tree and getting stuck...when Jennie climbed over to get him he asked "are you coming to rescue me". Its amazing how much you can sweat in 40 degree weather and snow when your hiking around!

Mom trudged along with us and toward the end, Dad decided to give her a hand.

Danae was wiped, not that she was carried the majority of the time because she refused to walk. None the less, she was a little trooper...it was just her nap time! We culminated our day with a late lunch at Pine County Restaurant. Even with the snow trudging, I had fun! Now time to pack for Kansas...

My Little Helper...Already!

Danae started helping me when I sweep the floor about a week or so ago, all on her own...no one showed her this little thing she does. It used to be that I needed her in her playpen or for Michael to hold her so I could sweep, or I would even wait until she was asleep because she loved to crawl through the dirt pile...then walk through the dirt pile...then pick through it and see what she could eat.

Danae got her eating habits from mommy and makes quite the mess where she has been eating and chunks of food she has thown overboard lie in wait on the floor. I can sweep the floor when she is out and about now because she will leave it alone since she has a clear understanding of "no" and she usually listens.

She started doing the cutest thing and when I get the broom out and start a dirt pile she will now go to her mess on the floor and bring chunks of fallen food to the dirt pile and toss it in, if she missed the dirt pile, she picks it back up and gently places it in the dirt pile...then goes back for more chunks of food. I can't help myself...it just makes me laugh so I had to share. I love this baby girl!

Boo Boo

Danae got her first real boo boo today when she was having fun walking outside and slipped on some rocks. I know it is the first of several to come, but hopefully they won't be much worse than this, it just makes me sad to look at her little scrapes. After I took the picture more red marks began emerging on her nose and forehead, poor girl! But she handled it like a big girl. After a little clean up and some cuddling, she was ready to run again.

Happy Birthday Danae!

Danae needed a little help from Uncle Jason to get the birthday cake mess started. She didn't get nearly as messy as I was expecting, but we still 'tossed' her in the tub after cake.

She was a little overwhelmed with everything, but was good tempered the whole time. It was great to have everyone who could make it here to help celebrate! She love all of her new clothes and toys...even the educational ones...Anna...

All I have to say of this picture is she is her father's daughter! (sorry so short...busy...busy)

Our Little Accomplishments

We didn't take Danae out for Halloween, I had worked that day and had to be in dark and early for work on Sunday morning. Tonya and I dressed Danae and Ronin in some costumes some one gaver her on one of our days off before Halloween. The idea was to get a good photo op, but we took what we got. The pony outfit was very hot and Danae wasn't too hip on having the "head" hood on, by the time we put her and Ronin together for a picture, she was over it and wanted out and NOW.

Danae is walking like a pro, she even tries running...not always with a lot of success. She was very cranky on her first birthday...I told her she has many more to come so she just better start accepting them :)

Michael got the wood burning stove all finished and boy does it make a difference, not NEARLY as drafty and heats the home quite nicely...another fan or two to help move air and we'll be set. The fireplace above (last year) was built into the wall. Michael and Nando knocked out the wall in July and Michael has been tinking with it since. It was all set and fired up by mid October, just in time for the five days of cold before it warmed up again...

Didn't he do a GREAT job!

As for me, I held my first public self defense class and thanks to a front page article in Sedona's paper the week before the class, I had a good turn out and it went well. I'll keep working on making this little business venture grow...so far, it is showing promise.

Danae's Wishing Well

Testing the waters...


...picking the perfect rock...

...Plop...

That was fun...since we'll never run out of rocks...we can do this all day long!

Stick Horses

I drew up a pattern for these stick horses and you can get quite creative with them. Michael devised an idea to keep the stick in sturdily. If you (meaning family and friends) would like the pattern, let me know and I'll e-mail it to you. Anyone else who might be viewing this...please visit rustichorseshoe.etsy.com where you can purchase the pattern.

I was so excited that I created them from scratch, I just had to show everyone! Maybe I can sew afterall...well, I have yet to make any clothing (real sewing)!

First Solo Steps!

I have been wanting to post about this since last week, I haven't been this excited in a while. I was trying to get a good photo to go with it, no such luck...so I won't hold off any longer.

Last week, October 2 to be exact, I came home and Nanny Judy passed off Danae as usual, helping her walk to me. Nanny Judy let go a little bit before she reached me and Danae kept coming! She took her first solo steps and I was home to witness it (just wish Michael could have been too). Its a week later and she will take about ten to twelve steps, almost always someone has to be in front of her coaching her...but the little stinker "took off" on us the other day in the leather store. We stood her on the floor while we looked at some things and next thing we know, she is walking away from us and laughing all the way! Michael caught her as she was falling.

I love watching how excited she gets when she walks on her own!

I know, I know....now the fun starts. Bring it on!

A Trip to Cortez

Michael, Danae and I took a road trip to Cortez, Co to visit my friends Ahna & Jon and Danae's little buddy Jack. It was a short trip but a nice little get away. The morning before we left, we hiked by Ahna's house and looked at some Indian Ruins. By the end of the hike, both kids were asleep...fresh air just relaxes a person!

We took a drive to Durango and Jack and Danae held hands in their carseats, not to mention they kept swapping pacifiers...guess the one you don't have is the one you really want...until you get it...then wait...the one you just had is the one you really want and you need to get it back. It was a blast watching them play and entertain each other. Danae was ready for her nap in this picture and Jack had his funny bone tickled since he kept cackeling (which was so cute).

Thanks again for your hospitality and great food, Ahna! If Michael could, he would have us all packed up tomorrow and moving to Cortez. The farmland with the mountain backdrop was beautiful. ...and so much of it looks like Arizona while so much of it doesn't.

We stopped at the Four Corners monument. Michael has never been and I was around 7 when I went. It was quite busy for a Tuesday afternoon. Danae's not even one and she has been to Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Utah (of course Arizona)!

Her little friends are all boys....

So I have realized most of my friends with young children have boys...so Danae has her little group of boyfriends. This is Jack. He is three months older and lives in Colorado now, but hopefully they will still get to see each other fairly often.

Caleb is three years older than Danae and just adores her and kisses her about twenty times each time we visit. Thats ok, I think its absolutely adorable...especially when he tries to go for the lips and his Mom or Dad reminds him to kiss her on the cheek.

Guess a closed Milk Bone box is no match for Danae, we caught her chewing on one and she seemed to be enjoying it!

Danae has been enjoying her baths more and more. She has four little rubber duckies: MARINE duckie, Police duckie, cheerleader duckie and Mexican duckie. She has also discovered how to pull the plug, so unless we want bath time cut short I have to keep her from that one.

She is not picking her nose, she is pointing to her brain! Whats funny is she did this so quickly I didn't know that it is was the picture I got until I was uploading them...then it just cracked me up!

Danae loves to walk outside, when your holding her hands of course. She now gets excited when I get home and we go for a little stroll outside. She is definately forming a litte 'tude...but she is still as sweet and adorable as ever! Her new favorite thing, other than walking around, is feeding Mommy and Daddy...

Update

I have no pictures to post at the moment...I will soon. But, it has been so long since I posted I just wanted to give an update.

I turned 30 last week and Anna and Alex put together a wonderful surprise party with the help of everyone who attended. THANKS...I loved it...even if I kinda knew something was up. My amazing family and some of my awsome friends were there...it was GREAT!!!!!

Danae is getting more vocal all the time. She walks very well when holding hands and is constantly pulling herself up on things. She loves to crawl as fast as she can and look back to see how close you are. She just giggles so much and when you are really close she will plop to her belly and kick her legs, giggling the whole time while she waits for you to catch her.

Michael was the jeep driver for an MTV program "tough love" for one of the couples in the series. He dresses a very handsome 1800's cowboy, so even though he isn't a jeep driver...he's the mechanic...his boss wanted him to do it. (she is a little partial to handsome cowboys...well, alot partial).

I have been trying to get my self-defense business up and moving (Practical Defense for Women). I am really excited to get it going, I have a couple of pilot classes set up and hopefully it snowballs from there...it can be a slow snowball even...I'm ok with that. :)

Cowboys, Clowns and an Angel

Its been a while since I have updated. A couple of weeks ago we participated in National Day of the American Cowboy in Sedona. My Dad, Anna and Nando also participated and my Mom, Mike's Mom and Step-Dad were there to take it all in and get heat exahustion too! It was too hot for Danae to be with us all day so Nanny Judy took care of her.

Anna and Nando were the Rodeo Clown pooper scoopers and I just loved the costumes!

Dad rode with the Bill Williams Mounten Men.

Michael and I carried the banner in the parade and participated in the gun slinging skits.

Anna, Nando and Michael gave the mechanical bull a whirl...there were a few people in line so I went into the air conditioning inside the store and when I came out I had missed Michael's ride :(

So we have the cowboys and the clowns...what about the angel. Well who do you think it is? Danae of course. Here are some pictures of her lately. She has cut her teeth by chewing on spurs...our little cowgirl in the making. The pink dress was made by my cousin Nila...isn't it adorable!!

Little Chompers!

Danae has her first teeth! Her tounge is always in the way so I can't get a picture of them, but there are two teeth poking through on the bottom!

She absolutely loves animals, real or stuffed. This "Spirit" (from the Disney movie) toy was given to her by Marlayne, Tiana and Sierra and she absolutely loves it. She was so excited when I brought it home. It was actually the first time she has been more excited about an object than mommy or daddy...guess we're old news now.

She had her first tupperware party with friends Caleb and Aiden. They were showing her the ropes of how fun the tupperware cupboard is.

If Daddy's is digging through it...so can I!

Lizard stayed with us for almost a week. She was so helpful with Danae and things...thanks Lizard!

Movin', Movin', Movin'!

Ready... Set....

GO!
Danae has been 'mobile' for quite a while, rolling or 'tummy sliding'. She then moved to one knee and 'pedalling' with the other foot. She has officially began crawling and there is no stopping her now! She gets faster each day. She just started really crawling less than a week ago. It is hilarious to listen to her squeal with delight and giggle when she reaches something she was going for...of course, not always something she can have.

The chasing has officially begun.

The New Espinoza Family!

Anna and Nando were married this past Saturday. The weather wasn't exactly in her favor, nor was it against her (it could have been Kansas wind!) There was sunshine and no rain, but lots of wind. Anna took it in stride, she was so happy it was her wedding day...I don't think she cared. Her veil blew off, she forgot her bouquet when she walked with Dad down the aisle, the arch where they were supposed to stand blew over and broke before the ceremony....but it was still a beautiful wedding and with all the "hitches" in the "giddy-up" I didn't hear one complaint from the bride! Anna, you were so happy and beautiful!!

I dressed Danae to match the flower girls (one of which was her cousin Rylee) and she looked so adorable. Michael and I were both in the wedding party, so it made a cute little matching family picture.

I loved watching my Mom and Dad dance to the song that was dedicated...I think it was the first time I have seen them move around the floor when they danced...LOVED IT!

Now when it comes to the "cake feeding" at weddings, there seems to be two trains of thought....nice and romantic feeding and smear it up! Anna and Nando were prepared for a cake duel. I prepared the bibs with what Anna directed prior to the wedding. They started our cutting the cake very traditionally and sweetly....then the music kicked up a knotch with "Hit me with your best shot", the bibs were tied on and the fight was on. It was hillarious! Anna's wedding was definately taylored to her and Nando with twists on tradition.

This picture isn't the worst of it by far. I think Nando's face was completely encased with chocolate and frosting....Anna's was a little better....I think Nando went easy on her :)

Shawn (family friend) and I danced to the Cotton-Eyed Joe...the long version...I almost collapsed by the time the song was done....guess that's a clue! Thanks to Mom, Heather, Lizard, Tina and Shawn for helping with Danae during the wedding and reception!!

Pilates...not Yoga?

Danae is working on the mobility thing. She gets on her toes and stiffens like a board for a few seconds, then she will get to one knee and rock. She is pretty good at doing the "worm" to move backwards, she's still figuring out forward.

Just keeping busy otherwise. Anna's wedding is this Saturday, busy, busy!