HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CARTER!

Kirk, Carter, Jamie, Lindsay and Shauna Johnson Aug. 8, 2010

Nine years ago today our family was blessed with a Boxing Day baby.  Carter Nicholas Johnson arrived at St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan, first child for Kirk and Shauna (Fornwald) Johnson and third grandchild for us in 2001.  I was the last in our Erickson family of four to become a grandparent, even though I am the eldest.  So three in one year made up for that and now we have seven, as do Sandra and Merle.  Merv and Jan, Alan and Judy are tied at six.  They both have twin granddaughters!

I have many pictures of Carter on my computer.  It will be hard to choose ones for this blog but here goes.  I'll start with the latest one, taken here on Thursday when we had an early birthday celebration with cupcakes and ice cream.  Carter was so pleased with the Penguin cap that Eric picked out for his Christmas present.  The tee shirt was also a gift.  I was surprised that he was happy with the black plaid flannel shirt that we gave him.  I guess plaid is "in" now.  He prefers short sleeves so Grandma promised to shorten the long ones.

Proud new parents with baby Carter

Carter's baptism, wearing the "Johnson gown"

Three generations of Johnson men, all cap lovers!

Carter with Uncle Clare, two Johnson farmers

All about Carter, playschool days

A proud Kindergarten graduate, 2006

Hockey initiation

A ball player too!

Now Carter is nine and a grade four student at Lampman School.  Happy Birthday to our Boxing Day boy.  We love you very much!

Today I will be taking Howard back to Tatagwa in Weyburn after his Christmas leave. I'm sure he won't be happy about that but we hope that it won't be a long stay.  We enjoyed having the kids here for Wednesday and Thursday and it was good to have a few days to ourselves too. We went to the Christmas Day service at Trinity, Torquay and had planned to go to Milestone that afternoon.  But it was drifting in the country up there so we spent the rest of the day at home.

Last night we really enjoyed a concert from Hamar, Norway on PBS.  Princess Martha Louise shared Christmas memories and traditions.  A very talented Norwegian brother and sister team hosted the program as well as playing violin and cello.  It has become a tradition for them to return to their home town of Hamar to put on a yearly concert.  They invite musical friends from around the world to have a part.  A featured soloist was from Canada!  A rebroadcast of the Canadian Tenors and Friends was also on last night.  We had watched it at Clare's but it was well worth seeing for a second time.

Clare, Jodi and Abbey are having some good golfing sessions in Phoenix.  Jodi came close to getting a hole in one yesterday!

The weather is getting milder, a high of minus 3 is forecast for today.  It was quite windy in the night so our country roads might not be great today.  We'll find out this afternoon.

Have a wonderful Boxing Day in Canada and Second Day of Christmas in Norway.