Olympics

Like millions of others, the last two weeks of peak athleticism that is the Olympics have inspired us to that Olympic ideal, sitting on the couch and watching it on TV. Ironic, isn’t it?

Adelaine gets bored with TV pretty quick. Ellie, however, is a born couch potato. Since her earliest days she has always been mesmerized by a TV. During the Olympics she would ask at all times of the day to have the TV on so she could watch. Who knows what was going through her head as she watched these various sports, but every once in a while, she would announce to us that “Someday when I get big I want to do dat.” This was usually said while watching the bike races, gymnastics, diving or swimming. Hopefully she never wants to do race walking.. I don’t think I could handle the embarrassment.

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Despite her great interest in the sports, I think her Olympic technique is more in line with the professional spectator than the athlete.

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The Chinese government did put on a good show for the rest of the world. It’s amazing what you can do with a controlled economy, total central authority, and a fearful populace. The Opening Ceremonies had many dazzling images that will be impressed in our collective minds for decades to come. But it all falls flat compared to the arguably the best Olympic Opening Ceremonies: Albertville.

Ok, so maybe no one is going to argue for France’s 1992 Winter Albertville Olympics had the best opening ceremony, but it is certainly more memorable than the Bejing one. I was in university at the time and was awestruck at the spectacle. It was just so… bizarre.

Imagine Cirque du Soleil running the Olympics, but weirder, combined with Dr. Seuss on drugs. This over-the-top, freakish cirque nouveau show was perhaps the strangest, most inexplicable thing I have ever seen on TV. The walking snow globes, the suspended drummers and spider dancers, the crazy, acid-trip costumes. Good grief, what were they thinking?

france

 

 

 

Maybe this is why France hasn’t been allowed to host an Olympics since..

Is this for real?

While looking at headlines on the Drudge Report, I came across several about the war in Georgia.

I was reading some news today linked to from the Drudge Report about the war in Georgia and came across one that had a rather strange Associated Press photo… Can this be real?

The caption reads

Russian troops take up positions on farmland, during a search operation outside of the Black Sea port of Poti, Georgia, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008.

Whoa.. I guess that Russian guy didn’t notice Georgia’s secret biological weapon: the Giant Stealth Cow.

Either that or it may be a crazy poor Photoshop job of Iranian proportions!

Read the rest on My Way News

Summer days

Spray
Since moving out to the country a few weeks ago we have been been trying to spend lots of time outside with the kids. A few times it has been hot enough to break out the hose to cool off.
Cooling off

Ellie really enjoys water and likes getting soaked. Adelaine is more interested in playing with the hose itself. Every once in awhile Ellie would pick up the hose, and then watch out! She doesn’t really intend to get you wet, but she turns around quickly to tell you about what she is doing and sprays you. Gotta watch the camera..

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Adelaine

Adelaine in their little play house.

We have also tried to get to the parks regularly. Adelaine loves the slides (slide is one of the growing number of words she has) while Ellie likes to get to the top and then chickens out. They both enjoy the swings quite a bit too.

Swings

Swing

In fact, all of us enjoy the park.
Everyone enjoys the park

They do also spend quite a bit of time inside too. Adelaine has discovered the phone and likes reciting animal noises that she knows to anybody who will listen.

Talking to Nana

And Ellie, well, she’s Ellie.

Funny Faces

More photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnstonekids/

Awkward comments

Some people have a real knack for digging a hole for themselves.

A perfect example came my way as I was grocery shopping the other day. As a bit of background, I should tell you that I am expecting #3 in November. I have always gotten really big fairly fast, so I knew to expect a few comments and sideways glances with this pregnancy. But I was still taken aback the other day when a lady unknown to me approached me in the grocery aisle with great sympathy, clucking her tongue and saying in a loud voice, “You poor dear, you’re overdue aren’t you!” When I quietly informed her that no, I still had three months to go, she was shocked. “But you’re HUGE! And you’ve dropped!” After a few more similar comments, she suddenly seemed to realize that the conversation was becoming a bit awkward and she grabbed her cart and quickly moved on. While her outburst was not terribly good for my “self-image”, I have to admit that I FEEL overdue and will be very relieved when Johnstone #3 finally makes his or her appearance.
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Anthony & Christa

Anthony & Christa
Congratulations to Anthony & Christa (MacFarlane) Willems who were wed on August 2. This was a very unique wedding to photograph as it had a Medieval theme! It really was a great wedding that gave the glory to God for all He has done in their lives individually, and in bring them together.