"Year End Letter"

We usually send a picture collage and a newsletter out each year as our Christmas card. Well this year we were almost done, just needed a few finishing touches and they would be ready to mail. I turned on the TV one night, Jay Leno was on, I never watch Jay Leno but he was telling his jokes in the opening and they were pretty funny so I was listening as I did some other things around the house. Then something caught my attention. I couldn't help but stop and laugh. I recorded it and played it for Dustin later that night, we both agreed there will be no more "Year End Letters" from us. If people wanna know they will visit our blog! Enjoy!

This is what we did send out this year

Dustin, Brock, Brody and Hadley's names didn't show up very well, I was extremely disappointed, but what do you do when you change your mind last minute?

Send it out anyway!

(cute pics courtesy of my sweet friend Britain)

Christmas Day

I guess Santa liked our cookies...


Just a little excited...

Brody got the nut in the poola this year

The three older kiddos all got DSIs this year and were beyond excited. When they didn't get them from Santa they didn't think they were going to get them at all. All month Little E was sure she was getting "a pink car that she can drive in" from Santa, she was right

Santa was good to us this year

I got Photoshop CS4 and still can't figure out how to use it

and a Kodak video camera/camera, small enough to always carry in my purse, LOVE IT!

Dustin got a GPS Backtrack, some camo (can never have enough) and new running shoes

But above all, I am grateful to have a family to share this Christmas with. We've had a pretty crazy month of surgery and worry and I'm so grateful to know that my family is healthy. I feel so blessed to have my kiddos and to share my life with them. I am grateful for Christ's sacrifice for me and that I can be with my family for eternity. I wouldn't want to do it without them. I love that this Christmas season continues to teach me every year how blessed I really am!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Sunday with bad lighting

Every year on Christmas Sunday we take a picture in front of the tree. I love getting the girls and boys matching Sunday clothes.

Well, I got my picture

too bad the lighting was horrible

I really need to study up on that...

next year will be better...

maybe I'll have a new lens by then (hint, hint)

Homemade Christmas Gifts

A couple years ago in the Johnson family we decided to have the kiddos exchange names for Christmas. They had to made their gifts and there was a $5 limit. There have been some pretty creative things made over the years. I love the tradition. This year I told my family about it and we decided to do the same.

When I was VTing earlier in the year I saw these adorable dolls and new I had to make them for my nieces and nephews. Some however are to big for dolls so I decided on capes. The kiddos help pick fabric, stuff and share ideas. I heard, "I want to sew," "why can't I pick what I want to make," "this is supposed to be our idea," "I didn't want to make this" and so much more." I think they turned out great...

but next year I think I'll let the kiddos pick what they want to make.

Capes for Brycee and Dallo (didn't get a pick of Dallo's before it was wrapped) Kate, Jake & Lily
Walker, Cash, Danielle & Ethyn

Caden got a duck tape wallet

the same thing he got last year

...OOPS!

If we get you next year Caden, we'll do better...

I promise

Mare Crismus

Hope yours is Merry and Bright!

Johnson Party and Christmas Eve

We had the Johnson Christmas Eve party at Eric and Tenay's

They have a rule that everyone needs to decorate a cookie for Santa, it's a fun tradition

The kiddos did the story of Christ's birth
Little Haddie got to be baby Jesus

And my most favorite tradition...

Christmas Jammies

I got my little Monkeys Monkey Jammies, looks like Tenay had the same idea.

All ready for Santa

hope he likes our cookies

7 Months

Yep, she's 7 months old now.

She's growing so much

New things at 7 months:

gets up on all fours and rocks

rolls all over the floor to get what she wants

sucks in her bottom lip and chews on it

says Mama when she's hungry or sees me

says Dada when she's playing and having fun

eats almost all veggies and fruits (a few more left to try)

sits in a high chair

throws toys on the floor

Each month keeps getting better but part of me wishes she would slow down a little!

Larson Party

We started Christmas week with my family's party and gift exchange. We always have so much fun hanging out together.

BH got Madden 10 for the XBox and a water balloon launcher (made by the Booth family)
Mr. BD also got a water balloon launcher and some Lego cars to build
Haddie got a wooden stacking toy and a tutu (made by the Mauzy's)

These two are gonna be great friends they already love each other

KeKe got a tutu and a bag full of goodies from Justice

Little E got a tutu and wooden magnetic "paper" dolls

We had such a fun time and I loved all the homemade gifts! Can't wait to see what we come up with next year!

Results...

Little E - Normal Dermoid Cyst
Mr. BD - Benign Lymph Node

...Phew!

Thank you to all of our wonderful friends and family who thought about us, took time to make sweet comments, brought after surgery treats and treasures, watched our other kiddos, called, fasted and prayed for our little ones. We love and cherish you all!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

all i want for Christmas...

My kiddos love to get the magazines in the mail around Christmas time. They sit down with paper and pencil and make their lists. This year Mr. BD can write and read some, so he was able to make his own list. KeKe's cracks me up, I love her letter to Santa. A list of pretty much everything under the sun and decorated to the tee. Then there's BH so structured and organized, a real list.

I LOVE it!

Mr. BD's Owie

Well finally an update on our Mr. BD.
He was such a trooper.
When we asked him if he was nervous he said no he was excited.
To have surgery?
WHAT?
Then he told us he was excited to have surgery so he could be brave like Little E.

BD got to play with toys also

Cars and Connect Four

Mom got to go into the OR until he fell asleep also

Which, by the way, was much more calm than Little E's experience

Not afraid one bit

Well maybe a little nervous

But he's good at being silly to cover that up

Home at last

He rested on the couch for the rest of the afternoon

Then we had a party at our house for Grandpa J's birthday

He was up runnin' around with the cousins before I could say

PLEASE BE CAREFUL

No stitches just Dermabond

He's healing nicely

Now we just wait for pathology...

They told us we would hear early next week

We LOVE you little buddy