Children

May and June found all of our children here in Finland!  We always wanted to bring the kids here to see the land of some of their ancestors.  Little did we know we would be serving a mission here when they visited.  Benjamin, Megan, Josh, Venna, Jonah, and Tucker arrived on Megan's birthday, May 15, and left May 24.  Tucker even celebrated his 2nd birthday here.  He didn't care, every day is party day when you're 2.  

We walked and walked,  through the forests that surround the temple, around and through castles, the zoo, islands, Helsinki, and Tallin, Estonia.  Great Times!

First day in Finland on the steps of 

Tuomiokirkko

Helsinki

  The marker commemorating Ezra T. Benson dedicating Finland for preaching

of the Gospel.   July 16, 1947

 The Wistbacka's

Their home was the 1st church in Finland.  Plans drawn up  by

A. Theodore Johnson.  Built in 1947 & 1948.  We gave them a copy of a photo album showing the building of the church.  They were very happy to know more of the history of their home.  They said that every year a few people stop in front of their house and take pictures.

Castle fun

 

 Dancin' the waves to Tallin

The first batch went home and a week later, June 1 - 12,  Caleb and Michelle came!!  We were so happy to see them and hug Caleb after his time in Afghanistan.  

 The island of Suomeenlinna

Caleb checking out the cannon

(is that how it's done in the Marines??)

 Hämeenlinna castle

Tallin, Estonia.   This is approx. the place where my Dad, D.T. Johnson, was chained to a table leg, back in 2001, because he didn't have money for his hot chocolate!  Grandma Doris Ann had it all and she was somewhere shopping!!  haha

We had such a good time with our kids.  The highlight was having them in the temple with us.  It doesn't get any better than that.