Johnson Family

Johnson Family

December 28, 2011

Strasbourg, France Christmas Market

The only Christmas market open the week AFTER Christmas is in Strasbourg, France – just an hour and a half from our house.  We decided to meet the Chuggs there on Emily’s birthday.  Pretty fun to say you ice skated in France on your birthday.  Lucky girl.

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We parked in our usual parking lot by the train station and this time walked over to a quaint part of town with lots of canals and bridges.

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Megan – age 6

Megan

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Strasbourg really decorates for the season.  Every shop has unique decorations out.

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We kept wandering in the direction of the Notre Dame… the large Cathedral in the center of town.

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We met our friends, the Chuggs and the Pattersons, at the Carrousel and let the little kids: Megan, Luke and Matt have a ride.   Then we wandered down the Christmas market booths right in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral in the center of town.  My girlfriends,  Emma and Geneva.

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We picked up crepes and delicious French bread pizza’s to eat.   {Katie lost her big puffy warm coat at school and we went back to search the school with no luck – that’s why she’s sporting her white jean jacket.  Luckily the weather wasn’t as horribly cold as it was last year. 

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The kids were SOOOO excited to go Ice Skating.  Ryan and Katie came ice skating here when we came to the Christmas Market last year.  Emily and Megan were excited to give it a try too and they all loved it.

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It’s hard to really capture how gorgeous all the lights were.  Every street had a different theme of twinkling lights and décor and when it started getting dark the town turned even more magical.  Oh, how I wanted to stay and wander, but the kids were getting cold.

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When we saw this tree from afar, we had to go down and check it out.  So pretty.  Maybe we should come do an overnighter here next Christmas!

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December 27, 2011

Happy Birthday Emily

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We celebrated Emily’s birthday one day early because of a big outing to France on her ‘big day’.  She seems to like being the one to continue opening presents after all of our Christmas hoop-la is over.  We celebrated with cake and presents right in the middle of the day – just because we were all home to do it!  {Unfortunately even in the brightest light of the day I still don’t get enough light inside my house, don’t have a great flash AND lack the skills for indoor photography.}

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Emily picked a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting for her birthday and helped me make it.    Trick candles!  Ha!

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Emily was pretty surprised about her blue Italian purse.  It’s the one she really liked in San Gimmignano, Italy and we secretly bought it without her knowing.  She wore it around the house the whole day. I think she feels so grown up.

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A stuffed lamb for Emily from Mom and Dad  …and a Horse book and Horse Calendar from Grandma and Grandpa Walton.  This girl sure likes horses.

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A BYU shirt for Emily…

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Grandma and Grandpa Johnson gave Emily a new watch, white sweater, and doll things…  Very fun!  Aunt Nikole, Aunt Ashlyn and Aunt Lindsey got Emily a glittery pencil case and a cute scarf which everyone wants to borrow.  THANK YOU EVERYONE!

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A sweet birthday letter to Emily from Megan…

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Emily had no idea what the BIG box was.  It was definitely a surprise that she loved…

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A horse for her American Girl…

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Emily with her new bright yellow sweatshirt…

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Megan, Emily and Katie showing off all Emily’s spoils…

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