Trip to WA

Michaela and I decided to stay home from the annual trip to WA state for Thanksgiving, but since there was a cameraman on duty I can document the trip a bit.

(During my week off, Michaela and I went to ride the horses FIVE times and I was able to sit on Comet for a bit twice. We also had fun hanging out with each other doing miscellaneous things).

While in WA, Paul and the kids enjoyed Thanksgiving at Grandma's, going to a few museums, the park, the beach and seeing some live reindeer (again).

I couldn't resist posting this cute kid
Alex and Danny were sure this was real food and were trying to eat it.

How would you like to sleep here?!?

Hmm- a navy shipman- I always knew he wanted to be in the military. . .
"Ka- BOOOM"
Umm- the boys are "panking" this poor statue . . . some one gave them a bit of encouragement
- sigh-

Ronnie passed out on the way home

Isaac is leading the boys in an entertaining version of "Popcorn"

Grandma Myrtle Tingey Andrews Johnson

My grandmother passed away this morning around 4:30 AM. She was a strong woman all the way to the end. This picture was taken a month ago when we all went to see her. We will miss her. She is a great woman and I am thankful that she was my grandmother. I will miss all the stories she told about Mike and I. Love you forever Grammy!

Summer flew by faster than a zephyr

I guess August has been pretty busy. Summer wrapped up rather quickly with the start of soccer practice, band camp, registering at three schools, preparing for school and sending the kiddos off to school.

Tessa is now officially going to school full time. She is in first grade this year. Isaac and Bryce apparently got their mug in the newspaper. The article was about how budget cuts in the schools were affecting bus transportation. The bus wasn't going to pick my kids up here, (and I was going to drive them to another school instead) but some moms threw down and we have a bus after all.
Tessa, Isaac, Bryce, and Trey are playing on the rec. soccer teams. Michaela is playing on the freshman soccer team at school. Tessa scrums right in there with girls two head's taller.

I didn't think I take an Isaac incarnate picture but. . .. . .here is Danny after he got into Michaela's make-up. I have a picture of Isaac after he got into Grandma's lipstick at about the same age.


So three weeks after we moved here, I thought to myself: "I need to tell Mic and Trey to quit feeding Ginger so much. She's getting fat!" Well. . .it wasn't long before I realized Ginger was pregnant. . .again! The roving Alaskan Malamute couldnt stay out of her pen in Elk Ridge and well, the rest is history. Last night Ginger had six puppies.
Any takers??

Day at the park and Ronnie's couple stings

We took a little trip to an old favorite place- Rock canyon park. We had fun playing on the slides, rolling down the big hill, and soaking up the sun. Tess and Ronnie found a little snake. It was fun listening to their little squeals as they tried to capture the beast.
I got this picture right as my batteries died. I was trying to get the boys to look at me but they were watching another vehicle pull into the park.

We visited the Dodson's on Sun evening. While we were there, Ronnie found some new friends, a yellow jacket nest. He got 7 stings. His poor little hand is swollen from the stinger that had gotten left in his skin. He has been fairly tough only waking up last night crying because it hurt.
It's pretty crazy that summer is winding down and we are starting to prepare for school. Michaela is attending Band camp at the school for the next two weeks. I can't believe I am a band parent. . .I am so excited for her and I hope she enjoys the opportunity to be a part of such an awesome group.

Trey's adventures and a game o' Jenga

Trey set off into the great outdoors this morning. He left with his old scout troop to do a "50" miler back-country back-packing trip. He won't be back until Saturday and his mom already misses him. Last week he was at Lake Powell with his new scout troop. He had a great time learning to water-ski and wake-board. He was able to cross the wake once but not enough for a merit badge. Hopefully, he will be able to practice more some time. He also lamented that it was hot at night and hard to sleep.
I am hoping he has a great time on the hike and doesn't loose too much weight-heh.

I had to get this picture in the blog. Ronnie was so careful when it was his turn to go. Sadly, he was the last one to go because the leaning tower of Pisa leaned too far and gravity took over. There were no tears- just relieved giggles.

Library Card!!!

I can officially go to the Provo City Library now! The best library in the County! So. . .I take Tess and Ronnie with me to do some errands and after we pick up several cans of curry paste of varying flavors, we head over to the stately historic building that houses the mass of books waiting to be devoured intellectually. As we walk up the stairs, goosebumps rise. . .j/k. So I fill out the form and take it to the nice lady at the desk. She gives me the card and orients me in all the protocol. I ask for a map and head over to my favorite section. One of the biggest factors of my excitement is being able to walk through the doors and get whichever book I want, since it's such a big library, it'll be available, right?? Observe as euphoric feelings dissipated dramatically: The book I wanted to get was not there- sigh. . .I guess I am on planet earth after all. . . So I guess putting books on hold is the trick- go internet! One neato thing is that you can self-check your books and scan 3 books at a time- so cool. Off to put that book on hold. . .

An update- can you believe it? Don't fall asleep. . .

We are starting to settle in pretty well in our new home. There haven't been anymore bee stings, the boxes are diminishing and it is almost fun to go clean the building since its only 3 minutes away. I am enjoying less space to clean and a cozier feel.
A few people have come by to welcome us and a friend from where we used to live came by and brought some goodies and a warm visit. If I can make it to the back of the garage, I may go ride this week with my good friend, Cheryl. I have no complaints about this home although the dishwasher needs to clean better- both of them:D.
We went to the Payson City pool for FHE a few weeks back. It was fun. Everyone swam and I waded and took pictures. Michaela is using my swimming suit atm. . . Is that just weird?? to have your daughter already sharing clothes with you? The outting got a little expensive when we had to buy plastic pants for both the twin boys at $7.oo each. It was that or go to Wal-Mart, a 25 min round trip with two year olds in tow (I try not to take them anywhere).
Tessa celebrated her 6th birthday. Her mom was lame and didn't get the promised party going as we were working on moving during that same time:/ But in a better note, Michaela made her a baked Alaska ice cream cake. It was yummy but melted quickly! I can't believe she is getting so big.

Moved in but lost amongst the boxes

Well, we made it through another move.
And I sure hope it's a LONG time before we need to move again.

There are boxes everywhere. Never do I realize how much garbage I keep but when its moving time. Yes, moving is great because you can dejunkify and organize but there is still too much stuff: Easter baskets, scrapbooks, halloween costumes, books, more books and yet even more books, boxes of clothes 5 sizes too big for the next available kid, but I can't get rid of it cause she might just use the stuff. . .how about all the computer parts. . .camping gear used once a year. . .food storage !!!
I suppose the best way to get rid off stuff is do what the pioneers did and have a weight allowance on the wagons- time to move to Jackson County!

I am soo grateful for my brothers- both blood and in-laws. We really couldn't have made it without those guys with the big guns. We sure love ya!

Time to go get the much anticipated library card-yipppeeee

I brought the dogs to the new home yesterday. We will be keeping them in the back portion of the lot here where it slopes upward to the highway. The backyard is completely fenced in but in order to keep the lawn nice we will be putting in a fence to keep the dogs off of it.
The sprinklers have been running everyday, so the grass is a bit mushy and has little puddles in which the wasps come to drink. Danny and Alex were out back with Michaela and Trey who were playing with the dogs. Not too much later, Michaela brings Danny in with three wasps stings. Out comes the baking soda. . .
Later, after playing a game of "Fox and the pies" I go to tie up Ginger and Alex who was following me gets stung about 5 times by a ground dwelling bumblebee looking thing. More baking soda. . .
I might be needing some epi-pens as the future looks full of baking soda poultices.

Pictures will be coming soon- when I find the box I tossed it in. . .sigh

Limbo no more

So the past few months have felt like limbo. We knew that we couldn't stay where we are at as sad at it would be to leave. The economy has reeked it's whirlwind upon us. And sadly all our hopes and plans have diminished. We were on the house hunt hoping to find something to fit our financial goals. But it was long and slow.
Paul wanted to be able to rent out the home to BYU students but choices were slim and getting it to work out was slimmer. So when Paul found a home listed on Criagslist for rent we jumped on it. The price was 1/2 of what we are paying now and it has the room we need for our big family. It is also close to work and we will be in the school boundaries we wanted.
It will be sad to leave a gorgeous area and good people but hopefully we will be able to get our feet under ourselves again soon.
I feel like there are things to look forward to again.

Trip to the Grotto

We took a lil' trip up to the grotto in Payson Canyon. It was a beautiful day! It is a pretty short hike so very doable for kids with short legs. We packed some sandwiches and brought the two dogs as well. The kids played in the icy water when we got there. A birds nest was perched on the back wall of the cliff. Trey, Bryce and Isaac braved the steep climb to the top of the falls and peered down at the rest of the family. Another family came in behind us with another dog. Ginger seemed to not like this dog AT ALL!! So I fought to keep her from eating this poor cute little bassett hound looking thing. I looked over at Paul to see him talking to the owner. When we got back to the truck, I found out it was one of Paul's bosses!
On our way out, Twix nudged Ronnie off one of the walkway's in her excitement to go. He took a nice tumble into the stream. Luckily, he was mostly scared and not too hurt.
The boys getting their feet wet.
Michaela and her favorite pal: Twix
Tess freezing her feet off
Ronnie staring with amazement at his totally awesome brothers.
Trey, Bryce and Isaac conquer the falls.
Isaac gave me these pretty flowers.
Here is the same spot I took a picture the last time we were at the grotto in Oct 2008.

Hey all- I uploaded my pictures to my computer finally so I suppose I have stories to tell again. Haven't really wanted to share anything lately but I am back I suppose.
The picture on the left is Nutmeg and her one kitten she had about a month ago. The other kitties are Jerry and Vicki's bunch. They are nephews and nieces to our kitten. They got to spend the weekend with us when the Nelson's came down to our house for General Conference. The kids had a blast playing with them. We had a great time with the Nelson's eating, sleeping, playing games and enjoying the company.



This is a funny picture I took of Ronnie. We had just talked about how the kids liked to play midgey mode and pull themselves into their shirt. I went to make a phone call and Grandma went to give Tess a piano lesson. I looked up about 5 minutes later and Ronnie was fast asleep on the chair. This was at 3:45PM. About two minutes later, he lost balance and toppled onto the floor. I raced over and picked him up. He didn't even cry. I asked him if he wanted to go sleep on the couch or his bed and he vanished. He went to his bed and didn't wake up until morning!



I wanted to post a recent pictures of the boys. They are getting so big and talking so much. They are little rascals getting into everything and making 3 times the mess. It is so cute to watch them. They feed off
each other in a way none of my other kids did. Yummiliciousness! Beware when they are both sick though. . .


We had a family recital last weekend. It was fun to be with more family. Everyone did a great job. Grandma sure is working hard with all the grand kids. I wanted to post Michaela's and Trey's performance.



I took this last picture today. I was hoping Spring was here but we still are getting snow. I am grateful for the moisture, but i am sure ready for warm weather!Here ends my post hoping its not the last for another few months. . .

Lil' moments

I was making dinner last night and hadn't seen Alex for a bit. Danny was happily eating his chimichanga and corn. Still no Alex. It was time to look for him. I walked out of the kitchen and heard him in the bathroom crying. He'd shut the door and couldn't get out. The boys love to shut doors, so this was not an uncommon occurrence. The next moment was, though. I opened the door to the bathroom and banged right into an open drawer. The door would only open about an inch. Hmm, what to do. I ask Alex to shut the drawer but I was worried this phrase was not quite something he understood yet. He tried to shut the door to the bathroom. I was starting to get a bit panicky. I wanted to bash the door down. Could I get the window open? How would I get Alexander out? I was contemplating call the fire department for a few moments. All this time Tessa was trying to sweet talk Alex into shutting the drawer. He tried a few times but it must have been jammed a bit. I went and got a untensil from the kitchen and tried to slide the drawer shut with it through the crack in the door. Finally Alex got up enough gumption and shut the drawer himself. I opened the door and gave that sweet little boy a whole bunch of kisses!!! Sigh. . .

Christmas at the Nelson's

We had a very nice Christmas Holiday. We went to the Spanish Fork Christmas Light display with the family. It was fabulous. Afterwards we had treats and played cards.

Christmas Day the kids finally were able to drag mom and dad out of bed at 8:15AM. It was most fun to see the excitement in the kids as they opened presents.

Here are the stockings I made a few years ago. I even made one extra, but now that the twins are here, I need two more. . .

I took this picture of the puppies tonight. They are growing soo fast. We found out today that their father is 100% Alaskan Malmute. Whew! We are planning on keeping one. Choices, choices!

This is the view out back. It just keeps snowing! Beautiful, but lots to shovel.