Johnson Family Reunion 2011

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson

The Reunion was in Show Low at Moylen's Pond or "Owens Creek side". I grew up swimming there every summer as a kid it still has the same slimy mud at the bottom and wispy grass along the side that tickles your legs. I have spent many hours floating on giant Styrofoam planks in that pond. It was fun to have Josh's Mother's family pick that as the destination point of our gathering. Grandpa Johnson is 93 years old and still very witty and fun to talk to Grandma Johnson keeps everything running and my favorite saying of hers is "Oh my stars!" Joshua wasn't able to make the reunion since we had just moved from San Diego to Sacramento. He worked some brutal 120 hour work weeks while we were gone.

Ty and Jaden caught crawdads and spent most of their time in the creek. Uncle Phil showed the boys how to cook and eat their catch. Despite the boys faces they all ate one and said it was good. I will pass every time No thank you Phil.

Uncle Dustin Showed up during his lunch break and gave the boys a look in the trunk of his police car. They thought that was awesome but then he turned on the siren and lights and that was even cooler. Nice gun Dustin. Grandma Boone said Dustin has the perfect job he loves to drive fast and shoot guns. We all agree and it's cool.

Another fun thing we did was catch polliwogs. There were thousands of them. Liv jumped right in the water and laid down with them all she is a lover of water. Grandma Boone was great at corralling them into a cup. Marissa named hers "wiggly" and Ty brought home 5 that we kept until they mysteriously vanished one day.

Livvy watched her polliwogs for about 5 secs before releasing them back into "the wild" We made these nice white hats for the AZ sun. The girls wore theirs the whole time it was a fun craft.

I love this picture of Ty and Olivia. They are just sitting and waiting, checking out the river and deciding what to do next on a hot lazy summer reunion day.

Grandpa Boone took Ty, Marissa and Ashlyn out for a ride in the paddle boat. There werekayaks and canoes available to play in as well.

And of course Marissa was thrilled to discover a watermelon life jacket. It was just the ticket to get her in the water. I didn't get in the water being 6 1/2 months pregnant, it just wasn't calling my name. We had a great time and look forward to the next reunion in 2 years. It was nice to have some long chats with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson. They always send their grand kidsand great-grand kids personalized birthday cards with $5 every year. Pretty amazing considering the size of their posterity now. They are an amazing couple. I love the gentleness and kindness Grandpa has taught his children by example. I see that in Joshua and know where it comes from Grandpa. I really love this Johnson Family they a very solid and good people. I am blessed to a part of their family.

May was here and past by too fast. . .

Olivia Turned 2!

Here she is confidently showing how old she is today :0) She got some glow bracelets and an ice cream sandwich and life was good. She slept with her bracelets and wore them the next day.

Livvy is getting so spunky we all love her very much even if she is a little too demanding these days. She is a pretty little girl with a contagious giggle. We love you Livvy!

We had some awesome visitors Caleb, Jenni and Ashlyn! It was good to hang out with the newlyweds. We ventured out to a lot of places. Ty, Ashlyn and Rissy had plenty of bonding time. Ashlyn saw the Ocean for the first time which was cool and she ran in the freezing water with Ty. We went to the San Diego Temple.

The San Diego Zoo we road the tour bus and ate kettle corn.

Jenni and Caleb are so chill it's easy to have a good time anywhere.

* Note this picture has taken 2 years to capture. Our kids have never willingly entered a petting zoo and voluntarily touched an animal in the time we have lived in SD. But today they were all getting in on the action and loving it. I think it must have been Ashlyn and Caleb's magic touch with the animals.

The girls passed out on the bus tour around the zoo. Luckily Josh held them and eventually fell asleep too!

This is a pretty good family picture. You may have noticed I have been posting much more. . . I think it is because I don't want to pack up my house and move. I am procrastinating as long as I can I would much rather look at pictures than pack them.

We got some cool pictures as the sun was setting.

Ty-Me-Riss-Liv-Caleb-Jenni

Riss-Josh-Ty-Caleb-Liv

And my favorite a romantic sunset Kiss. I will miss the Ocean and San Diego we have LOVED living here! ( not the hottest profile at 5 month pregnant but still very romantic) Ahhh

Yosemite May 2011

We took Josh's last vacation week and traveled to Northern California. Our first stop was in Sacramento to find a home to rent for next year as Josh finishes his Podiatry Residency. We found a great home that will fit our need complete with a swing set in the backyard and a "pink" and "green" kids room Ty and the girls. Finding a place makes moving more manageable in my mind. My Mom and Dad flew up to Sac to help us out they watched the kids while we searched for a house. I think we all had a good time except the weather was rainy. But that didn't stop from venturing out to the pool at the hotel. We also drove to Napa valley and saw mile after mile of grape vines. It was very pretty. Thanks Mom and Dad we loved spending that time with you. The Golden Corral was a tasty stop and the Bass Pro shop was fun to check out especially since we found a tent heater for Yosemite.

After saying goodbye to our parents we headed for Yosemite valley. Our van was packed so tight when we stopped to pick up some oak fire wood we literally held it on our laps. But it was a valuable commodity.

Driving in the snow was coming down and I was debating turning around. We and our friends the Stanleys made reservations 6 months ago. (That's how popular it is to camp in Yosemite) but we didn't turn around and made it into the valley were the temperature was warmer and that night our heater was worth it's weight in gold. I think it got down to the 30's.

The next morning we saw Bridal Veil Falls and did a little hike up, we got soaked!!!

ALL of the waterfalls were GORGEOUS and running high, truly breath taking. I remember driving through here as a kid with my family on one of our many summer camping excursions. The granite cliffs are still just as magnificent. The only thing missing was the caset tape my mom got at the gift shop with great songs like "G.O.R.P." (Good Ole Raisins and Peanuts) those songs are burned into my memory. I went ahead and sang them for Josh. :)

Ty was an hearty hiker he never slowed down and went to the top of everything he could find.

Next we hiked up to lower Yosemite Falls. We could see both upper and lower Yosemite Falls.

I lost all of our little girl rubber bands at our hotel in Sacramento. Megan managed to give Marissa some cute French braids (I am a failure at french braiding sad but true) Olivia sported some nice metal clippies also provided by Megan. She bailed me out, four days of camping can really produce some nice rat nests.

Family Picture at Yosemite Falls.

It was Cold Next to all that newly melted snow pack rushing over the falls.

Here is our only group Picture Nice and Blurry but proof of the whole group. I have to say next time I'll try to pick someone with better fine motor skills.

Josh and Riss switching hat wear I think Josh got the better deal with those snugly ear flags.

Olivia liked camping she hiked more that Marissa and slept like a baby all night EVERY night.

One more beautiful Fall!

Megan Stanley and me. She is amazing we have had a great year in San Diego she inspired me to start running and helped me so much I will miss her.

There were Bear Boxes at our sight but the real food scavengers were the squirrels and blue jays. The kids would yell at them and chase them around the camp. They cleaned up any stray food that trickled out of chubby little fingers.

These kids are great friends they played and played this is the "warm sun train" In order from front to back is Ben, Ty, Katie, Jared, Olivia and Marissa.

Josh had plenty of shoulder rides and piggy backs for tired feet.

We stumbled across this deer having a little breakfast next to our camp.

And the last Fall we hiked to was Vernal Falls. It was a steep trail I was happy to move at the speed of a slow turtle aka Marissa.

Ty and Ben climbing another Huge boulder they had the time of their lives.

Riding High on Dad!

Our departing view as we left Yosemite valley. You can see El Capitan and Bridal Veil Falls. We did stop at the Mariposa grove on the way home the sequoia's were so cool. It was a memorable family vacation. We all loved it. I think camping is a fit for us.

Mother's Day

So I love this flower bouquet! It makes me smile because it is so simply beautiful. Gerber Daisy's are such a happy flower maybe that is why I chose them for my wedding too.

Mother's day was very nice. Josh made me a delicious apple cobbler (he really can make a killer cobbler). Which I finished off cold straight out of the fridge 2 days later only to receive a phone call from Josh that evening while I was out, asking if I had eaten ALL of the leftovers. YES YES YES I did. I could call in the pregnancy card but that would be a lie. I just really have a love of baked goodies and can consume large amounts without any pangs of guilt. Sorry Love. . . Father's day is just around the corner.

He also got me a plush camping mat for our trip to Yosemite it is called "Dream time". I must report that it was very comfortable I slept great on our camping adventure 3 nights in a row!

Here are my beautiful flowers and this maternity dress was a gift from Mom Boone. Thanks.

Here is my handsome husband. :)

I wanted pictures with each of our kids I think I will do this every year.

Ty is growing very tall and he is excited to have 3 little sisters.

Olivia is a crack up right now she has to be in the center of EVERYTHING.

Marissa is starting to show a silly little sense of humor that makes me laugh. For example Josh held up a picture of Lehi and his family on the ship headed for the promised land, and asked "who does that look like?" Marissa said, "Santa Clause, he he he. . . . . . just kidding dad it's not Santa!" It's Lehi. She is a goof ball.

All in all I feel blessed to be the mother of these beautiful children. I am very happy being a mother and wife it is hard work and satisfying.

Three Peas in a Pod!

Comfy place

See this nice set up. . . this is a regular occurrence at our house. The kids love to have a comfy place to watch movies or just hang out. It always involves some silliness and yes things go smoother when Ty is in the middle. Liv has become quit the spit fire and spends more time in "time out" then the other two. She actually likes to put herself in "time out" and will smack someone in the the face just so she can sit there and put on her "pouty face." Ty takes his beatings pretty well from Livvy, but Marissa just can't handle her fiestiness they can really get into some impressive screaming matches. ( Caught in the Act)

Computer Bonding Time

Starfall.com is one of my kids favorite websites they LOVE it. I was chuckling at how sweet they all looked sitting there together playing the game. Marissa does have the best view but I think her little patootie may suffer. Ty loves to be in charge and run the mouse. Olivia is Miss Bossy but thinks she is running the show with all her Ooos and awes! I love these kids. The really do make me smile every day. Notice the stair steps in size just precious

They are so funny to watch.

Olivia was actually throwing a tantrum, paused for the picture and then continued.

This picture was taken because Marissa said, "Mom I am so cute take my picture." It was St. Patrick's day and she had picked out her own outfit. Green was everywhere. She even got green milk at preschool with her lucky charms. Which detail is connected to a nice story I will share with you. You may read it if you need something to do. . . here goes.

On St Patrick's day I went to my OB for my first maternity check up. Yes we are indeed expecting another baby in October! My wonderful friend C. was watching Livvy for me and picked up Rissy from preschool.

After the appt. I went to pick up my girls and they were both sleepy so I thought I would drive home the long way and get some gas at Costco about 15mins away from my house. It was a great idea until Rissy announces she drank too much green milk and needs to go to the bathroom now. I'm thinking OK we will just go into Costco use the bathrooms quick and get back in the van and still get naps. I pull in to the parking lot and get a great spot up front Whoo HOO! Next to me are two crotch-rocket motorcycles on Livvy's side of the van. I'm thinking all I need is my Costco card and Keys. As I'm unbuckling Rissy and Livvy. The two motorcycle guys show up and turn on their bikes but they don't leave they are comparing exhaust pipes or something who knows. . . I'm standing right next to them and Rissy starts freaking out because she doesn't like the loud noise. So I take her hand, lift her out of the van, pick up Livvy, lock the door manually and start walking toward the store.

Then I stop. . . my heart sinks I just LOCKED my KEYS in the CAR with my CELL PHONE and PURSE. I had dropped my keys when I had lifted up Marissa.

I start thinking great. . . Ty gets out of school in 1 hour, Josh is at a hospital on the Mexican border, C. has a house full of kids and I don't know her cell number. . . come to think of it I don't know anyone's cell but Josh's. We have only lived in San Diego about 2 years and everyone I know basically has only cell phones.

I strategically watch for a "nice" person and ask to use their cell phone. I found a lady and she was like sure what ever you need honey. So I call Josh, no answer, of course. I leave him a message like this, "umm i need you but I'll talk to you later." Josh later tells me my message had him thinking there was something wrong with our unborn baby or we were having twins or something. I never called him back.

The nice lady is like do you have Triple A? I have no idea and if I do I have no information it's all in the van. Finally the cart retriever for Costco says, "why don't we talk to the ladies inside and by the way don't feel bad I've locked my keys in my car at least 3 times!"

Well the Customer service really did help me they said do any of your friends have costco memberships? Yes C. does! They give me her number and I call her. Bless her heart she loads up 6 kids ranging from 5 months to 8 years old. Drives to my house finds the spare key, gets in the house finds my spare van key, drives over the mountain down the congested road and delivers the key into my hand. She is an angel from heaven. I can't tell you what relief I felt when I saw her pull up. That is true friendship. We didn't even talk she had to get back and I had to get to Ty's school. All I can say is I was so blessed that day.

As I'm pulling out I notice the lady parked across from me has a Lock smith breaking into her car. Holey Moley that could have been me. . . maybe we could have gotten a 2 for 1 deal :) I'm very Lucky to have some amazing friends it's better than a pot of gold.