January 2012 Recap

Evening in Windom (January 7)

We were able to have six of our couple friends up to our home for the evening the first weekend after the new year.

For a full recap, Click Here!

Waiting

Most of the month of January we spent just waiting around for our baby to be born. We managed to make it to a couple Windom HS Basketball games, but otherwise, we spent a lot of evenings between the gym and staying in at home. Fortunately, we had some pretty mild weather, so we didn't have much to compete with while getting outside. I prepared a few meals for the freezer and made some goodies as well.

Cashel is Born!! (January 26)

After 9 long months of anticipation, our baby boy, Cashel Mark, was born in the wee hours of the morning on January 26, 2012! He was born at 3:25am, weighing in at 9lbs 6oz and 21.5 inches long.

To read the birth story (you've been warned!), Click Here!

To read a little more about how we chose the name Cashel, Click Here!

Welcome, Cashel Mark Johnson (January 26)

Our sweet baby boy, Cashel Mark, finally arrived!! He came 3 days before his due date after a crazy, unexpected whirlwind of a day! We are horribly smitten :)

Birth Date: January 26 at 3:25am
Weight: 9lbs 6oz
Length: 21.5 in

Evening in Windom (January 7)

After a crazy long day deep-cleaning our house, we were able to get together with some of our couple friends from Worthington at our home in Windom the first Saturday night after the New Year.

After visiting a few minutes, we were famished and headed downtown to check out the newest restaurant addition to Windom: River City Eatery. We enjoyed dinner there before heading back to our house for German chocolate cake and ice cream as well as a little football and some video games (for the boys) and catching up on each others' lives (for the girls).

It's seldom we really all are able to get together at the same time, so it was a great chance to catch up :)

December 2011 Recap

Welcoming Miss Catherine Joy Ropte (December 1)

My oldest brother, Dave, his wife, Elicia and their son Ben welcomed a new baby girl on December 1! Catherine is a little sweetheart, and we were able to meet her on New Years' Eve! :)

For a full recap, Click Here!

Employee Club Christmas Dinner(December 3)

We enjoyed a nice buffet dinner at the Hi Lo Club in Lakefield the first Saturday in December with the Employee Club I'm a part of for work. The food was great, and we had a nice time visiting with everyone during the meal. Afterwards, we made our way down to Worthington to hang out with our friends, the Graber's. We ended up finding ourselves at Perkins later in the evening and finally headed home around 11pm. We had a good time, as always, catching up with them.

Girls' Weekend in Sioux Falls (December 9-11)

I spent the weekend in Sioux Falls with my friend Heather enjoying massages, a little shopping, good food and a fun time catching up with other friends as well.

Click here for a full recap with pictures.

Dinner at Kinbrae (December 16)

Mark and I once again enjoyed our annual Christmas dinner at Kinbrae (four the 6th year).

Click here for a full recap with pictures.

Dinner in Storden (December 22)

Dave and Chris invited us over to their home in Storden for dinner and game night with the cousins. We had a great time catching up with everyone, with a couple games (Loaded Questions and Who Knew) added in there.

Click here for a full recap with pictures.

Sarah and Johannes Visit (December 23-26)

Mark's sister, Sarah and her husband came to visit the weekend surrounding Christmas.

For a full recap of their visit, Click Here!

Christmas Eve (December 24)

On Christmas Eve, we relaxed most of the afternoon, and attending the Christmas Eve service at church. Afterwards, we had Sarah, Johannes and Diane over for a nice ham dinner at our home and gifts.



For a full recap, Click Here!

Christmas in Minneapolis (December 25)

Mark and Meghan Holden once again hosted the Johnson Family Christmas extravaganza at their home in Plymouth on Christmas Day.



For a full recap, Click Here!

Christmas Brunch in Worthington (December 26)

We enjoyed a nice brunch in Worthington to celebrate Christmas with Mark's Dad and Step-Mom the day after Christmas.



For a full recap, Click Here!

A Very Ropte Christmas (December 30-January 2)

We spent 2 days in Humboldt with the Ropte's celebrating Christmas. We were able to meet little Catherine Joy for the first time, bringing the Ropte Grandkid count to 9!




For a full recap, Click Here!

Ropte Christmas in Humboldt (December 30-January 1)

We spent the weekend surrounding New Years down visiting the Roptes in Humboldt and celebrating a be-lated Christmas together.

Friday

Friday night, we relaxed with the family over dinner and settled in after a few games and conversation.

Saturday

Saturday morning, the kids were over-excited about all the gifts!

Kitchen Prep

While the kiddos played, the adults worked on getting lunch ready to go!

Amanda and Tiffany worked hard on getting Grandma Ropte's famous sugar cookies frosted and decorated - it never is quite Christmas without them!

Mom helped get some of the bigger pans cleaned up ahead of time.

The Spread

Cousins

The kiddos enjoyed spending time with their cousins while all the food prep was going on.

Baby Catherine

Dave, Elicia, Ben and Catherine finally arrived just in time to dig in. Everyone was pretty excited to meet their new little Catherine :)

Daddy Dave seems to have a soft spot for his baby girl, alongside cousin Hannah Joy :)

Gifts

Before long, it was time for the kids to open their gifts!

Grandma Ruthie even had a gift for our little guy :)

Uncle Mark and Uncle JJ worked on putting together a cool marble works creation for the kids to play with.

Cuddles with Catherine

Bros

Play Time!

Adult Gift Time

Amanda happened to catch Hannah and Ben having a nice conversation out in the front porch cuddled up under the Christmas tree - too cute!

Baby Catherine makes grandkid #9 in the Ropte family :)

Families

I missed out on getting a full family shot of the Vinsands, and a solo one of JJ or Mom, though :(

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration down in Humboldt, even if it is always pretty loud and crazy with all those little ones underfoot :)

Sunday

Sunday was a fairly lazy day around the Ropte house, and after a relaxing morning visiting, and then saying goodbye to Dan, Sarah and the kiddos, we sat around and visited with Mom, JJ, Amanda and the kiddos as well as Josh, Tiff and Reign before getting on the road in the early evening to make it home.