Ellie turns 6!

Our little girl, the one who made us parents, turned 6 a few weeks ago! We can't believe she's getting so big and is getting ready to start school (first grade) this fall. We had our school sign-up interview last week, and she impressed the teacher with her vocabulary and German language skills, enthusiastic sharing and fine motor skills. She has grown up so much in the last few years and is now confident, bold and creative, always coming up with new games, crafts and imaginative projects. She loves ballet, drawing, singing and playing pretend. She's not afraid to go off on her own and meet new people (which was not the case a few years ago!) and people are always complimenting her on her sweet and caring nature. We love you, Ellie!

Celebrating at home after a day opening gifts and swimming at the thermal baths.

Friends party at the play area of a local furniture store

Opening gifts

Another "spraying candle"

Unicorn theme!

Maya turns 3!

 They say that as your kids get older, the time goes faster. This has definitely been true, especially with the second child! I can't believe we celebrated Maya's third birthday yesterday. We started off the day with chocolate chip pancakes and Maya opened one present. At church, Maya was old enough to go to kids Sunday School for the first time and she celebrated her birthday there! After her naptime, she opened the rest of her presents and we skyped with grandparents and Papa (who is on a trip to the U.S. right now). Then the girls had time to play with the new toys while I baked cupcakes for the kindergarten the next day. We finished the day meeting friends at McDonald's for dinner and cake. It was a fun day and the girls had a blast!

Maya has grown up so much this past year! She is now fully potty trained, is going to kindergarten (pre-school) like her big sister, has started speaking German and her personality comes out more and more. She loves to be silly and make jokes or say things that she knows are contradictory to what everyone else is thinking or saying. She loves her big sister and even though they frustrate and annoy each other sometimes, they are also each others' best playmates. Maya can be a little hesitant to try new things, but she is become braver every day and going to pre-school has helped with this. Overall, she is easy going, sweet and full of joy. Happy birthday, Maya!

Ellie turns 5!

I can't believe Ellie's been in our life for 5 whole years already...sometimes it seem like only yesterday that we were terrified new parents bringing bringing a newborn home! In other way, though (as it is with many things in life), it also seems like she's been here forever, since I can hardly still imagine what our life was like without her. Ellie, we are so thankful for your sweet spirit, creativity, joyfulness, singing, dancing, silly-ness and caring heart. We can't wait to watch you grow and mature in the coming years! Happy birthday!

Here are some photo highlights from Ellie's several birthday celebrations earlier this month.

Chocolate chip muffins for breakfast

Posing with a favorite gift

Having cake as a family, after a long day at a water park

Ellie's birthday party with friends from Kindergarten - Paw Patrol Themed!

Craft time at the party

Opening gifts with friends

Ending with a pinata!

Family Visits

We were so blessed to have both sets of parents visit us after Maya was born. This also meant, because of the timing, that we had family here for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Ellie's birthday! It was really special for us to celebrate all of these holidays with family, because these can often be the most difficult times to live overseas, when we have to be alone for a holiday. It was also neat to show our parents our new neighborhood and what our life is like, now that we have relocated outside of the city. They have a better sense of our everyday life and ministry now.

Here are some photo highlights from Nate's parents' visit ("Oma & Opa"):

Playdoh with Oma!

Visiting the Christmas markets, sometimes one need a break from all the walking

Baby snuggles

Oma and her girls

Baking Christmas Cookies

Raclette dinner with the Kosse family, here on a Vision Trip and now joining our team

Thanksgiving Dinner

Nate, Oma & Ellie hiking through vineyards

Here are some pictures from our time with Bethany's parents ("Grammy & Grampy"):

Grampy sitting by the presents and our "fireplace"

Playing Candyland

Walking to Schönbrunn Palace, with Ellie's doll in her baby carrier

At the mall

Our day trip to Bratislava

At a Slovakian restaurant

The view from the Bratislava Castle

At the playground

Maya's baby dedication at church

Dedicating Maya

Ellie's third birthday

Maya Elizabeth is here!

It is our pleasure to announce that Maya Elizabeth Johnson made her entrance into the world on Thursday, October 20th at 12:16 am, weighing 7 lb. 4 oz. and measuring 20.5 inches. Mama and Maya are doing very well and should be going home soon.

Maya's arrival was a bit of a challenging and emotional journey, but we are very thankful for the final outcome and that Bethany's recovery is going well. We had been hoping for a VBAC, but after many hours of labor, very little progress and some increased risks, we agreed with the doctor's recommendation for a c-section. Thankfully, everything went very smoothly, and Bethany was up and around the next day. Maya has been sleeping and eating well, and she enjoyed meeting her big sister on Thursday afternoon. Thanks for your prayer for our family!

Our first family photo (minus the other two minions, Ellie & Mozzy)

Big sister and baby sister meet

Sleeping on her first day of life...lots to take in!

And now with eyes open!

Ellie's First Birthday Party

Here are some photos from our celebration of Ellie's first birthday this month!

Opening birthday presents

Posing with her special candle and cupcake on her birthday

Very unhappily being fed her cupcake...she was not a fan.

A "Very Hungry Caterpillar"-themed birthday party a few days later

Wearing her new hungry caterpillar bib

Monthly photos from her first year

Posing with Mama and Papa before her second cupcake attempt...

...which went poorly and ended in tears!