Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Christmas Day

We had so much fun on Christmas Day having all our family around us. We couldn't believe that the kids didn't wake up until 8am. We have not had a late morning Christmas like that since Brock was 3. It was nice to sleep in and feel rested on Christmas morning. We did our traditional poula (sp/finish sweet bread) eating before the kids could go up to their presents. My mother-in-law puts a nut in one of the rolls and the child that finds it gets to be first in line. This year it was little Embry girl.


Up the stairs they went with Embry in the lead...

All the kiddos loved what Santa brought them. Brock, Kenley and Brody all got IPods. And little E got her very first Big Wheel! She loves it and rides it all around the house. I didn't get a picture of Brody with his IPod but he loves it so much, you can hear him through the house singing to his songs. Just today he was jumping up and down saying, "hey mom I have have my Let's Play Music songs on here!"


This year we tried something a little different for our family. We gave each kid three gifts, like the wise men gave to Christ. They are used to getting much more. It helped them to understand that Christmas isn't all about how many gifts you can get, but about Christ and his birth. Helping them relate their gifts to the gifts Christ received helped them be more grateful for what they received. Here are some other favorites...Embry's Little People Castle, Brody's Drum Set, A Wii for the family, Brock's Star War's Unleashed game for the Wii (you can use Light sabers and you can really force with your hand, or so I'm told), Kenley's Digital Camera, and Brody's Power Ranger Megasords.

We had such a great time among all the ciaos that filled our home. We would do it again in a heartbeat and really miss having everyone around all the time. Thank you to all my family for coming to our home we loved having you and miss having sleepovers. Hopefully this year my kids learned a little more what the true meaning of Christmas is. And here's to hoping they learn more and more each year!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas Eve

My side of the family came over for Christmas at our house. They stayed Christmas Eve and Christmas night. We had a yummy dinner and the kids with the help of some of the adults put on a cute nativity play for the family.

Brock was a wise man, Brody was Joseph, Lily was Mary, Dallin was a sheep and my brother TJ was the donkey.


My two sweet girls were angels.


Thanks to my sister-in-law LaChae and her family for all the costumes and to my sister Niki for getting all the kiddos organized. It's always so fun to have all the family together. Thanks everyone for a fun night.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL...


AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Johnson Christmas

This year the Johnson Family went their separate ways for Christmas. So before everyone left we had a FHE gift exchange. A couple years ago we decided that the kids would draw names between each other and give homemade gifts. They had a 5 dollar budget and were encouraged to be creative. This is one of my most favorite traditions that we have. The kids work all month making their gifts using their talents (with the help of mom and dad).


All the kiddos loved their gifts! Brock got a framed picture of himself for his room and a hand crafted spider from Jehryn.
Kenley got a shirt with her name on it made by Maija.

Brody got a hand painted puzzle from Danni, a picture of the two of them.

Embry got a teddy bear made from scratch from Caden, she sleeps with it every night and as you can see, she loves it.

The kids all loved their gifts, but I think their favorite part was watching their cousins open the gifts that they made for them. Isn't that what it's all about? (Just look at Brody's sweet face)


For Garry and Anneli's gift this year we got all their grandkids together for a picture and framed it for their house. I think she really loved it. See the empty spot for the one on the way????

Thursday, December 18, 2008

We LOVE this time of year...

We got to go to Brody's Preschool class today and what their Christmas Program. What sweet kiddos. They were so cute and really enjoyed singing for all the parents and grandparents. They performed the Christmas story to music, Brody was one of the wisemen. Brody really enjoyed having us come to see him at school. He got to show his daddy his favorite part of the classroom, the word wall. The kids get to bring in words that they can read to put on the word wall, I love the idea! We love Brody's teacher Mrs. Allison she has been so fun and is really preparing Brody for next year, the BIG K (kindergarten). She had them all make blankets for eachother for Christmas. They each got a fleece blanket with everyone's handprint and name on it (even Mrs. Allison) so they will remember eachother and their class when they move on. Brody has carried his blanket around with him all day.

Here's a cute video of one of the songs they sang, enjoy!

I love to see the Temple...

We went to the Temple Lights this Monday for FHE and really enjoyed it. For one reason or another we didn't get to go last year and I really missed it. It had been raining all day long and we weren't sure if we would be able to go again, but it cleared up and was a perfect night. Because of the rain there were a lot less people and that was nice also.

The kids really felt the spirit of being at the Temple. They asked to go in the Visitors Center and we went to a walk through video message about Heavenly Father's plan for us. It was great to see my kiddos feel the spirit, they were so quiet and attentive. They loved moving from room to room watching each video. Even little Embry felt the spirit, we know cause she kept hugging and kissing her daddy, who was holding her. She would pull his face to hers and give him a huge hug or a big kiss. We were about to leave but the kids couldn't leave without listening to the message from Christ. Every time we are in the Visitors Center they are drawn to his statue. I am grateful for a place that we can go that helps us as parents teach our children the things that are important. What a blessing in our lives to have the Temple!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Little Broder


Brody came home from school with a homework assignment to set the table for dinner. He brought home a colored picture showing him exactly what to do. I helped him get the plates, utencils, and cups and set him lose. This is what he did...




Pretty darn perfect if you ask me!

Monday, December 8, 2008

DON'T MISS OUT...

Watch THIS!

Friday, December 5, 2008

The Greatest Man I Know


I just wanted to say THANK YOU to my sweet husband. He is so kind and helpful. This morning as I was getting ready for the day and he was making breakfast for the kiddos, the long list of things that he does to serve me and our family went running through my head. I wanted to write some of that list down so I will never forget.

He:

-makes our bed every morning so that I have one less thing to do
-gets the kids up and ready for school, makes them breakfast and sometimes even cleans the kitchen, all so that I can go to the gym
-mops the ENTIRE floor while I'm taking Kenley to gymnastics just to surprise me
-grocery shops for me when he sees there's a need
-makes time to talk to me each night so we're on the same page
-bathes little Em every night and gets her ready for bed, he has done this with all the kiddos
until they are old enough to bathe themselves
-is willing to pick up anything I ask on his way home from work
-works his booty off for our family and is always looking for ways to work harder
-climbs on the roof (even though he's afraid of heights) to hang Christmas lights for me the day
after Thanksgiving cause he knows how much I love this time of year and want to enjoy the decorations every second I can
-takes out the trash
-occasionally surprises me with flowers or a date or an outfit etc...



And now for the big duzzey:

Let's me take off for a night to San Diego on a girls overnighter with not one complaint, only a have a great time honey do you have enough money?


Thank you so much Dustin for all you do, I couldn't do it without you!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The Perfect Time Out

Dustin was doing some work on the yard and called me out to see his newest discovery


I just about had a heart attack...then I laughed and thought what a fun daddy these kiddos have.