Happy 3rd Birthday my precious godson Luke Andrew!!

During my break over the last 2 months, I have been so blessed to get some great quality time in with my family, including my 3 beautiful nephews and niece. Obviously each and every one of them is so precious to me in different ways but today I'm reminded of that precious blonde haired, blue eyed Luke.


I'll never forget the day Luke was born. I was living up in northern Wisconsin, about 7 hours away from Ruth and Rich's (for future reference, R&R) in St. Cloud. My cell phone rang and I knew it was rather early because the sun wasn't bursting through my windows yet. I grabbed my phone: INCOMING: RUTH MOBILE.
 She never calls this early.
 I didn't even say hello, "Did your water break?!"
Ruth casually greets me, "Hey, what are you doing?"
Well let's see, since I've been on pins and needles for the last couple weeks approaching your due date, I cut straight to it again, "Did your water break!?"
Ruth replied, "Did Mom call you!?!?"
"No, oh my gosh!! Did it?!" Did your water break?" I said anxiously.
"Ya, we're at the hospital." Ruth said in both an excited but calm manner.
"Okay, I'm on my way!!"
Luckily, I was heading home that weekend to do some photography at one of R&R's friends so I was headed that direction, I just decided to hit the road earlier than planned.


Our first picture together!!
30 min. old
No shower, 7 hours of drive time and just in time to
 meet my beautiful godson Luke Andrew Johnson!

I rolled jumped out of bed, loaded my car and got on the road. Of course the drive there was filled with phone calls and updates on Ruth's status to Mom, Ruth and the other ladies of the family. By the time I got to St. Cloud, I went straight to R&R's to let their golden retriever Oscar out. I needed the code into their house so I called Ruth but she didn't answer. Immediately Mom called and said, "hey, have you talked to your sister lately?"
"Eh nooo, probably 30 min. ago" I said.
"You better give her a call right now" Mom said trying to hide the complete excitement in her voice.
I then get beeped by Ruth, "Hey, where are you?" I told her I was trying to get into the house. She then said, "Well, you might want to get over the hospital and meet your nephew!!"


Getting those footsies inked up!

Three minutes later (R&R lived 4 blocks from hospital) I ran over to the hospital and met Luke Andrew Johnson, just 30 min. old when I first put him in my arms.
I was there when R&R made the final decision on the his name, when his little body was weighed and feet inked.
That precious little boy has a mind of his own and has kept his parents on their toes since day one, but more so in the last year more than ever!


Luggage Rides from Auntie Jo!

Although I'm in California during his real birthday, I'm so excited to be back in Minnesota with the rest of the family to help Luke celebrate in his favorite style, a Toy Story themed birthday party!
Luke Andrew, I love you so much and you bring a smile to my face every time I see you!! I look forward to watching you grow up!! Happy Birthday Buddy!!


Here's a few of my favorite pictures over the last 3 years....