This blog has been created by and for the Kinast Family. As we begin to grow and branch out, we thought it might be fun to create a place where we could learn and share about one another. In this blog, you will hear stories about funny situations we have been in, current status on family, things that have helped us to grow as people and other positive impacts that we have each experienced in our lives. So, sit back, take a few moments to relax, and learn about those you love who will always love and support you in your life...

12.31.2013

Happy New Year from the Shooks

We had an enjoyable Christmas and a quiet week in between.

Erik will be home until Jan 10.  We will take him back to Tulsa then and move him into his first apartment.  He continues to play ultimate and lead his team so he was quite excited about his underarmer Christmas Gifts:)
Samuel continues playing guitar and keyboard in his band.  They have had several gigs.  Here is a picture of one of their concerts.

One special gift Vicki received was from the handbells at Ascension.  It is picture of the organ pipes and alter of the church.

Last night we went to Botanica to see the luminaries.  They were very pretty and there were lots of people!  We found out upon arriving that it was $1.00 ticket night!  Tim said that was my cheapest Christmas gift ever. :)  
Best wishes for a Happy New Year.

Love Vicki, Tim, Erik and Samuel

12.27.2013

THANK YOU, THANK YOU

Thank you so much to everyone for the Christmas gifts.  I hope you all enjoyed
Christmas as much as we did.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa

12.23.2013

Christmas Decorating at the Johnstons

Our first artificial tree. :)


Some of Charles' village pieces and the granddaughters play nativity. 

Precious Moments nativity on the piano.

Randy's collection of Peanuts nativities.

The mantel.


12.20.2013

Rivers Ripple

We are busily packing boxes, wrapping presents, running errands, visiting doctors, and trying to enjoy everyday moments and prepare for Christmas at our house!  
Our biggest news is that just before we were going to take our house off the market, it got a contract on it.  This was just before Thanksgiving.  In less than a week, we will close (Dec 27).  This means we will no longer be at the house on Jamesburg.  It has been a great home for us and we have many wonderful memories.  So where will we be living next?  That is the question!  For the interim, you will find us residing at Lynne and Dorothy's.  Our realtor assures us that there will be more house selection in January.  Prayers please.  
Sarah has spent many hours perfecting her cleaning routine, which will transfer.  She spends her days playing with two small girls, cleaning, managing the household things, and trying to stay calm and sane.  She still works for Via Christi Rehab one Saturday a month and will begin to pick up extra hours at Via Christi Rehab at St Theresa (west) in the New Year.  It continues to be a good fit for her and for our family.  Two and Three Year Old Sunday school, playgroups, library visits, time at the Y, and visits to Hutch have filled her days.  New recipes have continued to be discovered, time with friends squeezed in (sometimes via Skype), and an occasional article or magazine is read.
Dan has been hard at work on the website for work.  He is writing and illustrating Tales of the Brisco, working on bass solo material, and playing some in the church band.  He has begun the search for a local band to play gigs with.  
Olivia turned 3!  She continues to be full of energy, smiles, orneriness, and a fun imagination.  Her favorite things right now are: swimming lessons, her castle, dress up, painting, and playing a version of house.  She also likes to roller skate and swing.  
Kinley had just joined our family this time last year...what a transitional year for us this has been!  Kinley is a sweet, cuddly, smiley, and overall easy-going girl.  She enjoys books, climbing, and taking things out/putting things in.  She loved the attention she got for her birthday.  Her favorite words are uh-oh and up.  We got good news from the cardiologist-the hole in her heart has closed on its own.  She still has an innocent heart murmur, although it is difficult to hear.  The follow up with the gastroenterologist went ok.  She still feels like Kinley needs the extra calories for weight gain.  So, we did a Pedisure Peptide trial at the beginning of this week (because we had nothing better to do!).  Long story short, it did not agree so Kinley will be on Elecare Jr for at least 3 months in place of milk(to put this in perspective for those on budgets, we will spend almost the equivalent of our food budget for a month on Kinley's "milk" for a month).  It should help her gain weight as it is mixed to 30 cal/oz versus formula at 20 cal/oz.  She likes the flavor of it and I read somewhere you can mix Hershey's syrup to make chocolate.  We suspect a milk protein allergy still.  Over the next few weeks, we'll introduce eggs and soy to see how those agree.  Her reflux is currently under control and we are working to wean off of the medication.  
Brisco has fought his allergies on and off over the fall.  He dislikes all the packing, but will hopefully enjoy a new home soon.  
We hope this update finds you well and enjoying every day.  You can find updates on our blog theriverscurrent.blogspot.com.  Catch-up posts will be happening as I am able!

12.18.2013

Shook Christmas decorations


Our tree came from the Blessed Sacrament tree lot and has stayed really fresh this year.

Here is the mantel.

12.16.2013

Tolleson Tree

Our tree was originally Andrew's. Somehow it found its way to me when he moved to Tanzania and has become the Tolleson Tree. It is an excellent apartment tree :-).

We ventured out to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Saturday night for their festival of lights. They line all of their trails with luminaries, serve hot chocolate, and add live music by inviting local ensembles like the Baily Middle School Steel Drum Ensemble to play Christmas music. Frosty, of course, was quite popular!

Merry Christmas!

Gma & Gpa's Decorations



Additional from Auntie
How could I have forgotten the bathroom decor?  This towel and tee pee roll have been around since my college days.  Woe unto the person that uses the roll of tee pee.

12.13.2013


Uncle Tim's and Auntie's Decorations
Nativity Scene painted by Uncle Tim
Part of the Nutcracker Collection

Christmas Tree with Santa's (part of them)






12.12.2013

Rivers Decor

Here's a few quick pics of our decor this year...the only thing you aren't seeing is the stockings hung by the chimney. The tree is live, but only 3-4 feet. And there is evidence of our upcoming move in the nativity pic. Fear not, our things have a residence and so do we(temporary). Happy Christmas Season!!!

12.03.2013

From Fall to Winter

Hello from the young Johnston family!

When we last wrote, we still had 4 extra cats in our house bringing us to a grand total of 6! We are now back down to our original 2 and that is plenty for us. Having the kittens in our house was a good teaching tool for Adelynn. They also made some great playmates for her and were a constant reminder as to why we love adult cats. Calm, declawed, quiet, adult cats.

We survived the Fair in September (Here’s my top ten favorite things post from the Fair.)

The girls were dressed as Little Bo Peep and her sheep for Halloween this year. Adelynn didn’t know what she wanted to be and my cousin had this lamb costume that her daughter wore. I knew she would let us borrow it and I knew Adelynn would be more than happy to wear a dress, so it made sense.
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Dave and I made a quick trip up to KC to go to a friend’s wedding. The wedding ceremony was sweet but the dance was LAME. We were thankful that my long time friend Amee and her husband Nathan were there with us because we always have a good time together.

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Adelynn recently started a one morning per week preschool class at Early Ed. We hadn’t really intended to send her for another year, but there’s long waiting lists now, so we were trying to prepare. We found out there was an option that they can start at any time during the year. She gets bored at home I think and this is very good structure for her. She’s doing very well. We have a church friend who is in her class as well.

In the last couple of weeks we have replaced our water heater and we are about done with our bathroom floor. YAY!

Ava has grown an incredible amount in the last month or so. She crawls, goes from crawling to sitting, pulls up, cruises on things, walks with her hands held, prefers to feed herself and can stand alone for a few seconds. She was having rash issues and wasn’t herself for the last couple of weeks. I believe she was teething. Yesterday she was back to being herself - as happy as can be! She loves patty cake and blowing the slobberiest raspberries you’ve ever felt seen! She watched Adelynn’s dance recital on Sunday and enjoyed it.

Speaking of her dance recital… here’s the video :) Adelynn is the fourth from the left. You’ll notice her, I promise! We are so proud of her!! We are looking forward to her big recital in May.

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Playing together at Parents As Teachers play group.
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The princess dancing with her bear.
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This hat was given to Adelynn by Charles. Ava gets to benefit from it as well.
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Ava can’t quite make it through church.
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It’s so confusing when I say that it will be nice out and then I say that it’s too cold for a short skirt.
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Stinker climbed into the laundry basket with the clean diapers.
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Adelynn made sure Ava had her turn being the princess.
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I made scarves and hair accessories for an event that was cancelled in November due to weather. We will have the event in the Spring, but for now, if you need anything, let me know! Kate has a scarf if you need a reference :)

We have been enjoying the weather while we can!
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(Photo by Adelynn)
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We are all decorated for Christmas! (Okay… I might still have some Fall stuff on the front porch…)
Adelynn has her own tree again.
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Merry Christmas!