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!

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.

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL...

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

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????

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!

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!

DON'T MISS OUT...

Watch THIS!

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!

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.

Another Year???

My little girl is 2. I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone. She has learned so much and we are seeing more and more of her sweet personality come out.

if you want to know who took these beautiful pictures look here

All About Embry age 2

She loves her daddy, no doubt she's a daddy's girl

If she doesn't want to do something she says "I don't want it"

She hates nap time (every time I get her out of her chair after eating she says "I don't want to go to nap") I always put her down after lunch

She wants every toy she owns in her bed at nap time

She loves baby dolls and is so sweet with them, gives lots of hugs and kisses, I hope that's a reflection of how we treat her

She would eat just cheese for every meal if I let her

We can't give her Lucky Charms for breakfast cause she'll only eat the marshmallows

She has a thing for shoes and always wants to put them on herself

She takes her pants off at least 4 or 5 times a day

She goes potty in the potty, not enough to be potty trained yet but when she tells me she has to go she really goes

She loves bikes and is really sad when she finds she is too small to ride most of them

Embry loves to play outside and draw with chalk on the sidewalk

She has three siblings that absolutely adore her, maybe that's why she's so spoiled

She gives the best kisses and the tightest hugs

She wakes up at 7:30am and makes sure we all know she's awake

She looks really cute in a ponytail

She takes off her clippy's and pulls off her bracelets

She loves tea sets, she got a tin one for her birthday cause she kept playing with Kenley's porcelain one and when she dropped them they would break

She loves watching Wow Wow Wubbzy

She loves her sisters room and always comes away sporting lip gloss from head to toe, you can often hear Dustin and I yelling "Kenley, close your door"

She can say the first Article of Faith from memory

She is the cutest little 2 year old we know

We love you little miss

Gymnastics

Kenley started her new gymnastics class today! She has been wanting to take a class for almost 2 1/2 years and I've been putting it off. It's so darn expensive. Then we signed up at a gym that hadn't been completed and she had to wait another two long months. Well today her dreams came true. She told me on the way home that she kept saying in her head "Please don't be over, please don't be over." She gets to go two days a week and I don't think that's enough for her. Maybe she'll be a natural? We'll see, stay tuned...

These pictures are a bit blurry, I had to take them through glass with no flash, but you can see how much fun she's having!

Kenley's cousin Maija is in her class with her and they are so happy to be doing it together.

They can be so sweet

We have a tradition at dinner where we go around the table and everyone says their favorite and worst part of the day. Dustin and I enjoy it cause it gets the kids talking about their day. Well tonight we were going around the table and as we were asking Kenley; Brody and Embry started playing with each other. By the time we got to Brock (he was after K) they were laughing uncontrollably. We looked over at them and Embry was pulling Brody to her and kissing him, then they would laugh like crazy. Brody would tickle Embry and she would giggle and grab him around the neck and pull him in for another kiss. Brock finished his turn and Brody said with such joy in his voice, "Mom this is my favorite part of the day!" as Embry pulled him in again for another kiss.

Had to be posted

This was too cute not to share!

Poo Poo's

Dustin strikes again. A couple Sunday's ago he decided to make brownies. Every time Dustin cooks Embry has to be involved and is such a big helper. Here is the conversation that went on while baking:

Embry: "What is it daddy?"

Dustin: "It's poo poos, you want some?"

Embry: "Yep!"

Dustin: "Embry, Do you like it?"

Embry: "mmmm hmmm, poo poos is yummy!"

A couple days later:

Embry: "Daddy I want some poo poos"

Happy Birthday Broder

Brody loves Transformers, Power Rangers, Big Wheels, Legos, swimming, movies, Friday nights (he gets to stay up late), preschool, playing with friends, his cousin Dani, chalking the sidewalk, anything sweet, battling with his brother, coloring with Kenley, hugging on Embry, the list could go on forever. He's such a happy kid.

5 Things we love about Brody

1. His smile (he's always wearing it)

2. His sense of humor

3. His hugs, he loves to cuddle

4. The fact that he insists on wearing long sleeves and pants in 120 degree weather

5. His tender heart

WE LOVE YOU BUBBA!

Brody's had an exciting weekend. First Halloween, then his birthday and then a party at G&G Johnson's. What a lucky boy. We woke up Saturday morning and had breakfast and then on to presents. Brody was so excited he could hardly stand it. Usually in our family we open some in the morning at breakfast and save the rest for the evening. Not Brody, he wanted them all. His favorite was his Big Wheel, he loves how fast it makes him go.

Brody found this bumble bee hive in a magazine and just had to have it. He talked about it for days and when friends would come to play he would say "man it sure would be fun if I had the beehive to play with my friends". The bees have numbers on them so you can count them as you put them in the hive.

Kenley made this card and I thought it was so sweet I had to capture it forever.

This year was a year to have a date night with mom and dad. We did all things Brody wanted to do. First we ate at Outback (like father like son). Outside he wanted daddy to help him be Iron Man. Brody always gets the macaroni, which is funny to me cause he could have that at home. We played a game of dots and he won! We also discovered that Outback tables are great for reflection pictures.

Then we went to Toys R Us and he got to pick out a toy. He was stuck between a Power Ranger and a Transformer but ended up getting the Transformer.

Then off to Cold Stone (the ice cream store) where he chose cotton candy plain.

Last stop Blockbuster (the movie store) to get Brody's picks.

It's all about the Power Rangers!

On Sunday Brody got a cake made by Aunt Kirsi (she's amazing) and presents from all the family. Thanks guys!