Mostly work, but a lot of fun!

Here we are, if not a little late!

Life has been a bit crazier and busier than you would suspect for this time of year. And, we are so grateful for that!!! In a working world where jobs definitely come and go frequently, it is important to remember to be thankful for each opportunity.

Turns out that Kurtis has been continually working at Hudson Scenic since April. And, as Dr. Zhivago came to an end, Jersey Boys filled my plate with all sorts of work. Plus, a little something from Matilda each week for day work. 

We have escaped the city for a couple of quick camping adventures this year, which has been very welcome as we never have a full day off together currently. Over the 4th of July, we headed upstate to a friend's house on the lake with the group of FunkCamp-ers that we were introduced to through Tanya when we lived in Brooklyn. We had such fun hanging with them that we booked ourselves in to the canoe trip at the end of July too. Both trips were sun filled and full of great people. And, who doesn't enjoy a great 2-day camping trip?!

So, what does the fall hold? Well, with any due luck Kurtis will continue working for Hudson Scenic, possibly traveling out to do some work with them and hopefully completing his first year toward Local 1 qualification. Mary will be headed to a new adventure. After 4 seasons with Radio City, I will diverge this year to do another musical with Rick Kelly. This one is called Allegiance. It is a true story based on George Takei's life in a WWII Japanese internment camp. George Takei (Sulu on Star Trek) will also be one of the stars in the show.

Excitement is all around. Hope that your return to jobs, the fall and regular normal life is great!

Much love,

Mary and Kurtis

What has the young Johnston family been up to?

Hello everyone!

We have each been up to our own things since our last update in April.

AVA

 

Eating: Chocolate Ice Cream

Sleeping: She fell asleep with her head off the edge of the mattress on the day we got our new carpet. Too much excitement! (I did move her)

She fell asleep when we got to the Kansas City Zoo. She missed most of the animals.

Playing: Loving the swim mask just for the crown on top.

Working: As you can see, Ponies are serious business.

Thinking about: How hot it is!

Struggling with: (See Ice Cream above)

Traveling: She loved the train restaurant in KC.

Loving: Getting her bunny nose painted at the library.

Enjoying: Her Elsa hair.

 

ADELYNN

Eating: Also chocolate ice cream.

         

Sleeping: So good with Bruce right beside her.

Playing: Dress up

Working: Helping mom clean the windows.

Thinking about: How cool she looks in sunglasses.

Struggling with: Fitting the whole cupcake in her mouth at once.

Traveling: On the giraffe that she begged to ride at the KC Zoo.

Loving: Reading books and playing with her sister.

Enjoying: That her dad took some left over carpet to put in her dollhouse.

 

DAVID

Eating: (Drinking) Caribou Coffee.

Sleeping: So much better now that all the hard ceiling work is done.

Playing: Bowling or anything else with the girls (and on this night, also with our friends).

Working: SO HARD to get all of those IKEA pieces up on top of our Explorer’s roof.

Thinking about: How secure he is to wear wolf ears.

Struggling with: Having too many pairs of glasses.

Traveling: To Lego Land in Kansas City.

Loving: Family

Enjoying: Every minute with the girls.

 

CASSI

Eating: Sweedish meatballs at IKEA. Yum.

Sleeping: Never on the floor! I get ambushed.

Playing: At the water parks.

Working: Still slowly decluttering. The basement and the garage are all that’s left. The main floor is done!

Thinking about: How much I love the new carpet. And entry way cork flooring. Every. Day.

Struggling with: Going overboard at IKEA! (not too much of a struggle)

And missing my friend Ashley every time she leaves.

Traveling: Riding the Lego Land ride with Adelynn.

Loving: A weekend away at a gorgeous house with some awesome women. And a women’s ministry who makes my dreams come true.

Enjoying: My girls, every day. I love spending my days with them.

And crafting when I can :)

One Hot Summer

It’s a hot hot day

Seems like it is always that way

We continue on with work and some play

Usually with dogs, what can we say

I didn’t know if I would survive camp

This year’s staff were rather scamps

Tim got a new computer system in with promises of ease

It might be that one day, but for now it is not a breeze

Ellie Mae got a summer cut

It keeps her cool and she looks like a snazzy mutt

She got stuck in the van door as it opened one night

I had to pull her out by her buns, but she was alright

The consensus is that she isn’t too bright

But coming home at the end of the day she is a good sight

Liza is our little diva, we all agree

Her general attitude is that it is all about me

She visits Kate’s house and spends some afternoons

She figured out how to go through the fence but does return soon.

Moving has been a theme this time of the year

Kate moved in late May, to a house pretty near

Tim and I have rearranged several rooms in our house, most of the time with good cheer

We still have more to do, but never fear

At some point it will be done and that is a promise sincere

Gathering for supper still we do

On Tuesday nights we are at Kate’s with Chris and his girlfriend, who knew

Friday nights all family nearby are invited for good food (we hope) and good conversation too.

Now to one and all

Stay cool, maybe enjoy a pool

Stop in sometime and although it can be a zoo

We will welcome you.

 

Ellie Mae loves tummy time.

The Little Diva

   

Hello From Wichita:

We are late but not lost:)  Summer here has been working in the yard and working on wellness.  Hannah was home for almost a month (it was great to have her so long) and she did lots of yard work with help from Erik and Samuel.  The back flower gardens now have brick/rock edges to keep out the  grass.  We also moved our "statuary" into a more prominent spot.

Crepe myrtles by the drive.  This was mother's day and father's day gift.

Samuel has some new medicine.  And it seems to be helping him.  He played two shows last week and there is another one tomorrow night.  Hannah was able to go to one of them last week.

Erik had surgery last Wednesday for a hernia on the right side and a "sportman's hernia" on the left.  They happen to people who play sports with lots of twisting.  He had trouble with the pain medicine giving him nausea and heartburn.  The nausea medicine settled everything down and today he is up and doing much better.  He has limited activity for 4-6 weeks.  No ultimate:(

Tim was in San Francisco for 4 days attending NAMI national convention.  He heard many speakers and there is lots of new research for mental illnesses.  Some are even looking at brain training to help the brain rebuild itself.

Vicki has been working and helping with the yard work.  Best wishes to all.  Stay cool:)