Packing for six people for five and a half weeks is no small task. Two days ago we pulled the suit cases into the dining room and folded nine batches of laundry straight into the bags. Last night Chris drove us up to the airport, helped us check in and walked us over to the security. Then we said goodbye.
Task #1... getting through security. The kids were excited about the flight. They kept saying, "We haven't flown in forever!" (last August). The kids immediately started getting bins, taking their shoes off, placing their backpacks in the bins... Megan followed suit taking her shoes off. A second later Katie said, "Mom, Megan took her shirt off." Sure enough Megan had started with her shoes... and then her shirt... and was seconds from pulling down her skirt. We could see a few of the security guards point and chuckle as I grabbed her shirt from the bin to put it back on. Six bins, two carseats and one double stroller later, we were through.
Task #2... getting to the gate. "Ok, Ryan you hold Emily's hand. Katie, you hold Megans hand and let's have a contest of which team can be the quietest walking to the gate." I got a lot of looks... a lot of "are these all yours?" and a lot of "You are brave"'s. We took a 'train-ride' to our gate and then waited until they called for 'any families traveling with small children who need assistance' yes, that would most definitely be me. Small children... need assistance.
Task #3... the flight. As we left our stroller behind and entered the plane the flight attendant greeted us by saying... "It's the Von Trapp Family!" I'm quite sure we weren't singing but I could be wrong. Ryan, Katie and Emily buckled their seatbelts excitedly and pulled out their notebooks and started writing. Megan sat down and started asking a series of questions... "Why aren't we flying? When are we going to fly? Why is it dark? Why aren't we flying?" The lady next to her was quite amused. After five minutes of 'why' questions she was asleep. Luke drank a bottle and then he was out. The kids across the isle wrote and whispered for forty five minutes and then they were out. Luckily the 9:50 flight worked just like I hoped.
Task #4... getting off the plane. Usually this isn't the hard one. This time however, the airport didn't have a gate for us so we waited 30 minutes out on the cement. Just sitting. When we finally taxied to a gate it was midnight (3:00am georgia time) The kids woke up and followed me out. "Good bye Von Trapp Family!" they called after us.
So we made it. We are here, in Las Vegas. And getting here? ... not so bad.
Johnson Family
June 26, 2008
June 24, 2008
Lindsey and Haylee visit Georgia
It was fun to have Lindsey and Haylee here last week.
We spent our time...
- having a picnic at Flat Rock Park
- watching the babies play
- going on a walk around our neighborhood
- doing Lindsey's new turbo jam workout... even Katie
- going out to dinner just Chris, Lindsey and I
- going to see Iron Man at the movie theater
- eating ice cream to offset the working out
- doing a little shopping
- swimming at the pool
- celebrating Ryan's 10th birthday
- playing at Hollywood connection
- paddle boating at Robin Lake
- watching the Flying Circus Acrobats
- swinging on the swings
- jumping on the trampoline
- playing lots of Carcassonne and Ticket to Ride
- laughing at a ton of The Office episodes
- watching I Am Legend (just Chris and Lindsey!)
- playing in the backyard
- watching Haylee and Luke in the little baby pool
- splashing in the water at the beach at Calaway Gardens
- attending Ryan's cub scout Blue and Gold Banquet
- watching 'Jumper'
- learning new tricks from Haylee
- visiting Chris at work
- eating rolls and donuts at o'Charleys
- having so much fun!
Flat Rock Park
We spent our time...
- having a picnic at Flat Rock Park
- watching the babies play
- going on a walk around our neighborhood
- doing Lindsey's new turbo jam workout... even Katie
- going out to dinner just Chris, Lindsey and I
- going to see Iron Man at the movie theater
- eating ice cream to offset the working out
- doing a little shopping
- swimming at the pool
- celebrating Ryan's 10th birthday
- playing at Hollywood connection
- paddle boating at Robin Lake
- watching the Flying Circus Acrobats
- swinging on the swings
- jumping on the trampoline
- playing lots of Carcassonne and Ticket to Ride
- laughing at a ton of The Office episodes
- watching I Am Legend (just Chris and Lindsey!)
- playing in the backyard
- watching Haylee and Luke in the little baby pool
- splashing in the water at the beach at Calaway Gardens
- attending Ryan's cub scout Blue and Gold Banquet
- watching 'Jumper'
- learning new tricks from Haylee
- visiting Chris at work
- eating rolls and donuts at o'Charleys
- having so much fun!
Flat Rock Park
Callaway Gardens
Hollywood Connection
Playing in the backyard
June 15, 2008
Questions and Answers about Dad
Here are the kids answers for our traditional father's Day questions. I pulled them all in one at a time so they couldn't hear each other's answers. Then we read them together and had fun reading their answers from several years ago. We laughed and laughed. Katie said "I can't wait to reread these answers in a couple years." Unfortunately, we didn't have a father home to celebrate with. Chris will be back from his golf trip late tonight and we will celebrate tomorrow. Happy Father's Day Dad... from your kids. They know you pretty well!
1. What does Dad do at work?
Megan says... "He goes to work and works on his work with the computer picture and we can eat food. And we can play with Daddy at work. And I say, “Daddy, I want some food please”. And he says ‘OK”. (Chris has a fridge stocked with treats in his office) He wears a pants and a shirt and a different shirt behind the big shirt."
Emily says... "He works and he’s the chief. He brings us into his office. He works on his computer He looks at inside of our bodies and looks at our bones. I don’t know what else he does.
Katie says... " He (giggle giggle) I've got to think about that one. He looks at peoples bodies on the computer and calls other doctors to tell them that they have to help that person right away. He does lots of work on the computer. "
Ryan says... "He's a Radiologist and looks at x-rays and lots of doctor stuff. He’s a doctor and once he saved someone's life. "
2. What does Dad do at home?
Megan says... "He eats and drinks yellow juice in a big cup like a glass. He plays with Luke and says ‘Hiiiyaaa'. He plays with me. He plays with his computer right here in his closet. He’s working in there. I come in and I go out and shut the door really hard. "
Emily says... "He puts a TV show on. He cleans. He lets us stay up. He wears work clothes when he gets home and then he changes in his closet. He changes into his shorts. He watches Mommy and Daddy movies when the kid aren’t watching. "
Katie says... "He watches football. He eats. He builds basketball hoops. He listens to his Ipod (he does that at work too). He works at home on the computer in his closet.
Ryan says... "Dad stays up late with Mom. He plays with us. He has FHE. He sometimes does work at home. He also does stuff on the computer."
3. What are Dad’s favorite sports?
Megan says... "Golf ball. He likes to play sport kick. It’s my favorite game. He also likes to play High School Musical ball. (we have no idea what she is talking about). He likes basketball but he likes golf ball better."
Ryan says... "Football is his favorite and Soccer and Baseball is his second favorite and golf is his favorite too."
4. What does Dad like to watch on TV?
Megan says... "Bas-ket-ball! He likes to watch that movie that is a big head with a little on the side on his nose." (again no idea.)
Emily says... "He likes to watch Daddy and mommy movies and football for BYU."
Katie says... "Football. That’s pretty much it. He watches basketball too and Scrubs."
Ryan says... "Football most of all. He watches Mom and Dad movies with Mom. Sometimes the kids make him watch kid movies too. He watches church movies as a family. "
5. What does Dad do after you go to bed?
Katie says... "He watches movies with Mom which isn’t fair.
Ryan says... "He stays up late with Mom. He watches the Office and other shows like that. He drinks lots of Mountain Dew and he has special snacks like Ice cream without us knowing but I know. "
6. What does Daddy like to eat?
Megan says... "Strawberries and cheerios, watermelon (very carefully pronounced to make sure she didn’t say waterlemon)"
Emily says... "He likes crisp cereal. He likes to eat spaghetti. He likes to drink diet Coke and Mountain Dew. "
Katie says... "He likes to eat everything Mom makes. His plate is always empty."
Ryan says... "Dad likes to eat anything Mom makes pretty much and ice cream and Mountain Dew."
7. What does Daddy do at church?
Megan says... "He goes away from us."
Emily says... "Sometimes he sits in primary and comes up and talks. One time he did that. He sits with the Bishop at the front because he’s the Bishops helper and all the time he’s going to say a talk."
Katie says... "He sits up in the front and sometimes gives talks and gives testimonies and sometimes tells people who’s going to say a talk next. So, he does a lot of talking. "
Ryan says... "He is in the bishopric. He sometimes conducts. He used to work with the young men. And one time he went into the primary and taught us something. "
8. Does Dad like to clean the house?
Megan says... "Yes sir ree. He puts the DVD on and he watches the movie and cleans the movie up. "
Emily says... "No, he doesn’t like to, but he does it. "
Katie says... "Probably no. He sometimes cleans."
Ryan says... "I wouldn’t say he likes to, but he loves to do it just for Mom. But any other time he wouldn’t like to do it."
9. Who does Dad love?
Megan says... "Mommy. Nikole and Amy and Sarah. Does he love you? Yes sir ree. He loves Lukey, and Ryan and Emily and Katie and Ashlyn and Amy. "
Emily says... "Mommy and Katie and Ryan and Emily and Megan and Lukey boy and Amy and Lindsey and Ashlyn. hmmm, who else? He loves Jesus and Heavenly Father."
Katie says... "His family. His sisters. His mom and dad. His wife. His kids. His everybody. "
Ryan says... "Mom, Me, Katie Luke Emily Megan and his Mom and Dad and his grandma and grandpa and everyone all the way up to Adam and Eve. "
1. What does Dad do at work?
Megan says... "He goes to work and works on his work with the computer picture and we can eat food. And we can play with Daddy at work. And I say, “Daddy, I want some food please”. And he says ‘OK”. (Chris has a fridge stocked with treats in his office) He wears a pants and a shirt and a different shirt behind the big shirt."
Emily says... "He works and he’s the chief. He brings us into his office. He works on his computer He looks at inside of our bodies and looks at our bones. I don’t know what else he does.
Katie says... " He (giggle giggle) I've got to think about that one. He looks at peoples bodies on the computer and calls other doctors to tell them that they have to help that person right away. He does lots of work on the computer. "
Ryan says... "He's a Radiologist and looks at x-rays and lots of doctor stuff. He’s a doctor and once he saved someone's life. "
2. What does Dad do at home?
Megan says... "He eats and drinks yellow juice in a big cup like a glass. He plays with Luke and says ‘Hiiiyaaa'. He plays with me. He plays with his computer right here in his closet. He’s working in there. I come in and I go out and shut the door really hard. "
Emily says... "He puts a TV show on. He cleans. He lets us stay up. He wears work clothes when he gets home and then he changes in his closet. He changes into his shorts. He watches Mommy and Daddy movies when the kid aren’t watching. "
Katie says... "He watches football. He eats. He builds basketball hoops. He listens to his Ipod (he does that at work too). He works at home on the computer in his closet.
Ryan says... "Dad stays up late with Mom. He plays with us. He has FHE. He sometimes does work at home. He also does stuff on the computer."
3. What are Dad’s favorite sports?
Megan says... "Golf ball. He likes to play sport kick. It’s my favorite game. He also likes to play High School Musical ball. (we have no idea what she is talking about). He likes basketball but he likes golf ball better."
Emily says... "Basketball and football and golf and he helps Katie do roller skating."
Katie says... "Football because he watches it. Probably basketball. We practice baseball with him outside so he must like baseball. Oh, and golf. "Ryan says... "Football is his favorite and Soccer and Baseball is his second favorite and golf is his favorite too."
4. What does Dad like to watch on TV?
Megan says... "Bas-ket-ball! He likes to watch that movie that is a big head with a little on the side on his nose." (again no idea.)
Emily says... "He likes to watch Daddy and mommy movies and football for BYU."
Katie says... "Football. That’s pretty much it. He watches basketball too and Scrubs."
Ryan says... "Football most of all. He watches Mom and Dad movies with Mom. Sometimes the kids make him watch kid movies too. He watches church movies as a family. "
5. What does Dad do after you go to bed?
Katie says... "He watches movies with Mom which isn’t fair.
Ryan says... "He stays up late with Mom. He watches the Office and other shows like that. He drinks lots of Mountain Dew and he has special snacks like Ice cream without us knowing but I know. "
6. What does Daddy like to eat?
Megan says... "Strawberries and cheerios, watermelon (very carefully pronounced to make sure she didn’t say waterlemon)"
Emily says... "He likes crisp cereal. He likes to eat spaghetti. He likes to drink diet Coke and Mountain Dew. "
Katie says... "He likes to eat everything Mom makes. His plate is always empty."
Ryan says... "Dad likes to eat anything Mom makes pretty much and ice cream and Mountain Dew."
7. What does Daddy do at church?
Megan says... "He goes away from us."
Emily says... "Sometimes he sits in primary and comes up and talks. One time he did that. He sits with the Bishop at the front because he’s the Bishops helper and all the time he’s going to say a talk."
Katie says... "He sits up in the front and sometimes gives talks and gives testimonies and sometimes tells people who’s going to say a talk next. So, he does a lot of talking. "
Ryan says... "He is in the bishopric. He sometimes conducts. He used to work with the young men. And one time he went into the primary and taught us something. "
8. Does Dad like to clean the house?
Megan says... "Yes sir ree. He puts the DVD on and he watches the movie and cleans the movie up. "
Emily says... "No, he doesn’t like to, but he does it. "
Katie says... "Probably no. He sometimes cleans."
Ryan says... "I wouldn’t say he likes to, but he loves to do it just for Mom. But any other time he wouldn’t like to do it."
9. Who does Dad love?
Megan says... "Mommy. Nikole and Amy and Sarah. Does he love you? Yes sir ree. He loves Lukey, and Ryan and Emily and Katie and Ashlyn and Amy. "
Emily says... "Mommy and Katie and Ryan and Emily and Megan and Lukey boy and Amy and Lindsey and Ashlyn. hmmm, who else? He loves Jesus and Heavenly Father."
Katie says... "His family. His sisters. His mom and dad. His wife. His kids. His everybody. "
Ryan says... "Mom, Me, Katie Luke Emily Megan and his Mom and Dad and his grandma and grandpa and everyone all the way up to Adam and Eve. "
June 14, 2008
Summer points
Three weeks ago when school got out and I had five kids bouncing off the walls I thought...."If only there were some way I could get the kids to do their jobs without complaining, cut down on Wii time, have them excited about reading and drawing and writing, remember to practice the piano and take care of Lukey in the mornings so I could sleep in." Hmmmmm...
Immediately I ran to my computer and started making up a new chart full of things the kids could do to earn points. Do a job - 10 points. Do a job with a happy attitude - 20 points....
Emily saw me at the computer, started reading the screen and then started giving me ideas. "Mom, how about if we go to bed really good and don't get out then we can have some points?" Emily, you're a genius. Pretty soon I had my list. Then I made the spending summer points chart. Wii time - 80 points. Kid movie - 100 points. Stay up late - 100 points.... Then for each kid I made a chart with space for the job description, points earned or spent and total. I printed them off on crisp white cardstock and taped them to the wall by the kitchen.
It took seconds before four kids were crowded around the new charts reading and nodding their heads with a smile. "This is good mom." they said as I walked away.
When I came back later I noticed that there were pillows all over the ground underneath our new charts. "What are these pillows here for?" I asked. They explained that they had had a kid meeting to discuss how they would earn and spent their first points.
For three weeks now my kids have done jobs with a happy attitude. Actually, overly happy, since they've wanted to make sure they could record double points. Ryan with a cheesy permanent smile often states... "I'm going to practice the piano and I'm so happy about it". What a character. They've learned fast that double the points means double the reward. They have practiced their piano (even the girls who are now taking lessons from Ryan), read from the friend, written letters to everyone in our family, spent hours and hours taking care of Luke (this is easily Katie's favorite way to earn points) happily folded laundry (it's worth 50 points because it takes so long to do it myself) and have definitely cut back on wii and computer time. The rewards aren't anything they weren't getting before... only now the kids feel in charge of their rewards and my life is so much happier.
Yesterday afternoon I noticed Ryan, Katie and Emily standing by the charts for quite awhile. "What are you guys doing in there?" I asked. "Mom, we are planning the ultimate dream night. We are going to stay up late, watch a kid movie and eat a special treat. We each need 250 points. We NEED to do some jobs mom... what can we do?" It's moments like these when I shake my head and wonder why I didn't think of this sooner.
Immediately I ran to my computer and started making up a new chart full of things the kids could do to earn points. Do a job - 10 points. Do a job with a happy attitude - 20 points....
Emily saw me at the computer, started reading the screen and then started giving me ideas. "Mom, how about if we go to bed really good and don't get out then we can have some points?" Emily, you're a genius. Pretty soon I had my list. Then I made the spending summer points chart. Wii time - 80 points. Kid movie - 100 points. Stay up late - 100 points.... Then for each kid I made a chart with space for the job description, points earned or spent and total. I printed them off on crisp white cardstock and taped them to the wall by the kitchen.
It took seconds before four kids were crowded around the new charts reading and nodding their heads with a smile. "This is good mom." they said as I walked away.
When I came back later I noticed that there were pillows all over the ground underneath our new charts. "What are these pillows here for?" I asked. They explained that they had had a kid meeting to discuss how they would earn and spent their first points.
For three weeks now my kids have done jobs with a happy attitude. Actually, overly happy, since they've wanted to make sure they could record double points. Ryan with a cheesy permanent smile often states... "I'm going to practice the piano and I'm so happy about it". What a character. They've learned fast that double the points means double the reward. They have practiced their piano (even the girls who are now taking lessons from Ryan), read from the friend, written letters to everyone in our family, spent hours and hours taking care of Luke (this is easily Katie's favorite way to earn points) happily folded laundry (it's worth 50 points because it takes so long to do it myself) and have definitely cut back on wii and computer time. The rewards aren't anything they weren't getting before... only now the kids feel in charge of their rewards and my life is so much happier.
Yesterday afternoon I noticed Ryan, Katie and Emily standing by the charts for quite awhile. "What are you guys doing in there?" I asked. "Mom, we are planning the ultimate dream night. We are going to stay up late, watch a kid movie and eat a special treat. We each need 250 points. We NEED to do some jobs mom... what can we do?" It's moments like these when I shake my head and wonder why I didn't think of this sooner.
The perfect thing for teething...
bath toys.
June 12, 2008
6 1/2 months old
17 pounds 4 ounces - 75th percentile
27.5 inches - 95th percentile
head circumference 17.5 inches - 90th percentile
I love 6 months old. It just seems like he's doing something new every day. So many changes in the last month!
His hair is getting lighter. No surprise there... he is exactly what Ryan looked like at this age. Definitely two boys from the same mold.
He sits. Just before he turned 6 months old I thought I'd see how he did sitting up. I carefully balanced him and kept my hands ready. He just stayed. 10 seconds... 15 seconds... 30 seconds. He never fell down. Since that day Luke has been a pro at 'sitting'. I guess he strengthened his stomach muscles and practiced his balancing all while sitting in his bumbo for the last couple months.
He plays with his exersaucer toys more and more. Pushing the buttons, playing the music, starring at the picture of the dog, wiggling around. He has always liked being in there -- especially because he can see what's going on.
He jumps and jumps in his 'jolly jumper'. I have yet to figure out if he'll be the jumper that Megan was. Soon I'll move it into the family room so he can have more bouncing room. Right now it's in the doorway into my bathroom... and it's kind of handy there.
He eats cereal now. He is very excited every time we get the cereal and bowl out but still hasn't quite got the whole 'eating' thing down. He's learning how to open his mouth but his little tongue doesn't know what to do and just pushes the food out. What a mess.
Oh, that reminds me, he LOVES sticking his tongue out. When he's happy, it just comes out!
He loves splashing his face at the pool. His arms just go crazy splashing himself and me! He loves playing with his bath toys too. We fill the tub up about four or five inches and he plays and splashes and smiles. He doesn't mind getting washed either.
He says some new sounds. da-da-da and ba-ba and aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! The kids think he says other things too. Emily thinks he said 'bubble' today and Ryan swears that once he said 'Ryan' by accident. They know he isn't really saying it but they like to make up what it sounds like and then laugh and laugh. Boy, does he get a lot of attention around here.
He sleeps in his big crib finally, in his own room, on the other side of the house. I think he loves his bed. When he's tired I just lay him down with his soother, give him his blanket (usually the light blue fleece one) and he pulls it up to his face, rolls on his side and falls asleep. It's adorable.
He does not roll. I mean, he has rolled, but not a lot. If anything he rolls from his back to his stomach and then he's stuck and frustrated. One of the girls will always come to his rescue and sit him up so why does he even need to roll?
He just got his first two teeth yesterday. His siblings are so impressed.
He just learned how to squeal/scream and is very proud of himself. He does it a lot now because he knows he'll get attention and that the kids will laugh.
He loves attention. When random people come up and start talking to him his face lights up and he just smiles. Everyone says he's so happy.... he just loves it when people talk to him.
He likes it outside. He's happy when we take him out to the trampoline and bounce him and when he swings on the baby swing on our playset.
He giggles when we do peek-a-boo and patti-cake and when Chris picks him up and jiggles his tummy on Chris' head. So cute.
June 11, 2008
A movie with mom
Remember when you were a little kid how hard you tried to get your parents to watch a 'kid' movie with you. Not watch while they sewed, or watch while they walked in and out of the room -- but really watch. Lights out, popcorn, eyes open... the works.
Ryan picked Alvin and the Chipmunks for the kids to watch on Friday night. Chris and I were downstairs doing something else and the minute their movie was over they ran to find us.
Mom, Dad, that was the best movie EVER... (yes, we do hear this a lot)
Can you watch it with us...
You've GOT to see it...
Can we start it RIGHT NOW?
It was already late so we hurried them along to bed and told them we were excited to watch it with them another night. Every day since we've been asked. Every day we've been busy getting Chris ready for his golf trip and doing other things. Today, after a busy day of house cleaning, cub scout camp, a trip the pool, and dentist appointments Ryan once again asked if I could watch it with them. I said, "I'd love to. Let's put it on the second we get home." And there they sat, stunned. Did she just say what I think she said? ... Then all of a sudden they started talking at once.
Mom, you've GOT to watch the WHOLE thing.
It's long and cool and funny.
You'll just have to eat after so you don't miss ANYTHING.
It's SO good Mom. You are going to love it.
You are going to love the part when...
Don't tell her anything! Let it be a surprise.
Come sit on the couch right here.
I was giggling inside. I remember using all these lines with my parents. I remember being so excited to have my mom and dad watch a kid movie with us that I probably watched them more than I watched the movie itself. We turned off the lights and snuggled into the couch and I watched the whole thing while they watched me watch it.
Mom, this is a funny part.
Mom, wasn't that funny.
Oh, Mom, you've gotta watch this.
Only once did I leave the room to change Luke's pants. All of a sudden I hear...
Where's Mom? Mom! You're missing it!!!
Oh, I remember it well. Why couldn't my Dad just sit put and watch the whole darn movie? The whole night made me laugh. And look at me now, the mom, who can sit down on the couch, watch a movie and make her kids night. So fun.
Ryan picked Alvin and the Chipmunks for the kids to watch on Friday night. Chris and I were downstairs doing something else and the minute their movie was over they ran to find us.
Mom, Dad, that was the best movie EVER... (yes, we do hear this a lot)
Can you watch it with us...
You've GOT to see it...
Can we start it RIGHT NOW?
It was already late so we hurried them along to bed and told them we were excited to watch it with them another night. Every day since we've been asked. Every day we've been busy getting Chris ready for his golf trip and doing other things. Today, after a busy day of house cleaning, cub scout camp, a trip the pool, and dentist appointments Ryan once again asked if I could watch it with them. I said, "I'd love to. Let's put it on the second we get home." And there they sat, stunned. Did she just say what I think she said? ... Then all of a sudden they started talking at once.
Mom, you've GOT to watch the WHOLE thing.
It's long and cool and funny.
You'll just have to eat after so you don't miss ANYTHING.
It's SO good Mom. You are going to love it.
You are going to love the part when...
Don't tell her anything! Let it be a surprise.
Come sit on the couch right here.
I was giggling inside. I remember using all these lines with my parents. I remember being so excited to have my mom and dad watch a kid movie with us that I probably watched them more than I watched the movie itself. We turned off the lights and snuggled into the couch and I watched the whole thing while they watched me watch it.
Mom, this is a funny part.
Mom, wasn't that funny.
Oh, Mom, you've gotta watch this.
Only once did I leave the room to change Luke's pants. All of a sudden I hear...
Where's Mom? Mom! You're missing it!!!
Oh, I remember it well. Why couldn't my Dad just sit put and watch the whole darn movie? The whole night made me laugh. And look at me now, the mom, who can sit down on the couch, watch a movie and make her kids night. So fun.
June 9, 2008
So funny
Ryan and Luke in the shallow end of the pool.
Whatever Luke does these days...
it's so funny
and Ryan just can't stop laughing.
So fun to have a baby brother.
June 6, 2008
That's MAJOR Johnson to you!
The kids are I went down to the hospital this afternoon to be a part of Chris' rank advancement ceremony. It was like church... me with the five kids and Chris up front watching us -- except that at church there are lots of people with five kids... here everyone has to state the obvious and say "You have five kids!" like I didn't notice myself. The kids were great though-- except that Luke was TOO happy during all the formal 'stand at attention' parts and Megan kept standing at attention on top of her chair with that angelic 'what are you going to do about it in front of all these people' smile.
One of the other Radiologists spoke on Chris' behalf and said... "It's been a big year for Major Johnson. Eleven months ago Major Johnson was taking his oral boards. Since that time he has moved across the country, had a baby, had hip surgery and become chief of the Radiology department."
The hospital commander invited me to come up with him and place the new major patch on Chris' uniform. Of course Megan wanted in on the fun and had to come pose for pictures too.
Chris is happy to be major now since he was the only Captain in meetings with all of the other department chiefs. He has been chief of the Radiology department now for four or five months. He's in charge of 85 employees and a four million dollar budget. It's a lot of paperwork, email traffic, meetings, office politics and believe it or not 'general hospital drama'... to sum it up it is time consuming and frustrating. -- but on the positive side... he got a new office. A bigger workspace, an additional table and chairs for the girls to sit and color on when we go visit, and his own bathroom. Talk about perks.
After the ceremony we went downstairs where some of his support staff threw him a party. We walked into one of the fluoro rooms where a tablecloth was laid over the patient bed with cakes and party supplies. Cracks me up. It was fun to say Hi to everyone he works with and be there for his special day. Congrats Major Johnson.
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