Fun...thy name is Johnson

Believe it or not, JT has always been a pretty easy kid to love. I've never seen anybody make friends faster (though my Grandpa Sandy comes close). He's definitely not one of those types that only mothers and close relatives can love - he doesn't need any extra help. But with my Johnson cousins extra help is exactly what he has. JT happens to share birthdays with my aunt Susan - May 25. Susan passed away after an heroic battle with ovarian cancer in September of 1997. So our theory is Susan and my mom (sisters) got together and lobbied to have sent JT down on this special day. It's funny because JT was supposed to come a few weeks later, right around my mom's birthday - June 7. This results in JT being extra loved by all the Johnsons (I know I'll feel the same way if a relative comes along on June 7th). I remember how excited all of them were when they told me "you realize he was born on Susan's birthday?" Seriously, each one of them must have told me at least once, and Jane and Alex probably told me 3 times (and yes, they refer to their mom and dad as "Kent" and "Susan"). Well, one could argue that this is all a nice coincidence, but there's more to it. The special bond isn't just a one way thing! JT loves the Johnsons! Since he was no older than 14 months, he has been enamored with "Big Al." Last December, we needed a babysitter for JT and in jest asked who he wanted to tend him. His immediate response (with the same look he has when he sees ice cream)? "Big Al...Big Al and Megan!" If you think it was just coincidence or that we had just seen the Johnsons - the last time we had seen them was 3 weeks previous at Jane's wedding! That's what I call an impression. Needless to say, we love visiting with the Johnsons. No visit to their house is ever complete (weather permitting) without time in the pool - including an extreme sports version of water basketball, great food and a can of coke. The look on JT's face in the following pictures really says it all. These were taken on Saturday, September 27th.

Alex, having not spent much time around a 2 year old in the past 16 years left his unfinished coke right by the pool. Alex was nice enough to tell him to just drink the rest.

Only Big Al can convince JT to jump in the pool - you can just read the relief on JT's face that he's again in safe arms.



Big Al even convinced JT to blow bubbles.

This is far and away my favorite picture of the day. This really sums up the relationship nicely.



Let's not forget that Andrew has a good time at the Johnsons too! He's never behaved better.

Lest you think that Alex gets all the love, here he is with Jane.

Megan (Alex's wife) seems to have a way with our kids.

It's nice to have such wonderful family so close. The Johnsons have a gift of making you feel welcome second only to their gift of knowing how to have great fun.