Christmas at the Johnson house!

We started off with Christmas Eve at Matt's sister Becky's house for a big old Johnson family party! It was a blast! The kids had so much fun as you can see and the adults did too. It is always a great time when we get together. We are so happy that we are here in Indiana and can enjoy family gatherings with them.

Then Christmas morning at our house! I love hearing what other people do for Christmas so here it is for us. We have never been big into TONS of presents. We have asked Santa, and he has willingly obliged, to only bring each kid one present and maybe a couple of littler things for their stockings. Then we as parents give each child one present. When they get older we will start the sibling drawing and they can buy a present for one sibling each year.

This is how my parents ran Christmas and I always liked it. "Hunter legend" has it, that it all started when one brother of mine, who shall remain anonymous, tore into each present just to toss it aside and ask for another. (I don't think he reads my blog, so its okay. If not, sorry Doodles!!)
Just kidding honestly, I think it was all of us kids in the family.. but irregardless, my parents started doing it that way to help us be more grateful and I think its a great idea!
We start off with a prayer and a little devotional about our Savior, it sets a really nice mood for the day!

This year with the economy and all, I tried to simplify even a little more. When Ellery wrote to Santa that she wanted a blanket, I got an idea! So I looked through my hoards of material that I buy on sale for baby quilts, and I found that I had enough to make a bigger quilt for each of the kids for their present from Mom and Dad. The only bad part was that I had this brilliant idea about 2 1/2 weeks before Christmas, so it was crazy sewing time around here.
I was really excited about them because with my time shortage, I had no choice but to make them right in front of the kids. I had to keep "fibbing" to Ellery and Bailey when they asked me who they were for. But it made me happy, because each time they asked me who they were for and I fibbed, they would say something like, "I wish I could have a blanket like that!" To which I would cruely respond.. "Maybe next year!"

I was so happy, they were really happy about them. They did however, scold me for fibbing!

It was a great day! We just hung out as a family, delivered some goodies and had a big Christmas dinner. The kids were happy and fun and it was just wonderful! I love Christmas and being together is my favorite part!
I am just so thankful for my life!

Pay Attention

I need to apologize, I may have made a small oversight!! You may have seen my previous post where I describe my love for JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS. I may have falsely accused a certain husband of mine of stealing JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS and disposing of it. I may or may not have found JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS today amongst my own things, at no fault of my hubby's!! OOPS! I LOVE YOU!





Okay, for real this time. I'm SORRY, Mattie, that I blamed you (and publicly at that) for hiding, stealing, throwing away, destroying, or whatever else I may have accused you of doing to JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS! When all along, I had it!!
He he he!


I LOVE YOU!!

Total "Hair F"

Re,
This would make Jules proud! Total "Hair F" and he's so young! Its only going to get better!

From Ronnie!

My Guys!

Not much to say here, its just...
I LOVE these guys! I hope they are always good buddies!

Smiliest
(spell check is telling me that isn't a word.. but I want it to be)
Anyway, smiliest baby ever!!


I could just eat him up!

A Little Holiday Gripe

Now, those of you who know me, know I am slightly obsessed with Christmas music!! Can't get enough of it, would listen to it all year long- if I wasn't MOCKED continually by a certain someone!

So, there is one Christmas Album that is particularly near and dear to my heart, holding its place high above all others. Defining of my childhood, representative of Christmas attitude, & forever linked to hundreds of Holiday memories!! Never a Seasonal Festivity complete without it!

What is it you ask, that could be so priceless to me? That would be none other than the world renowned ......

JOHN DENVER
Rocky Mountain CHRISTMAS!!

I just heard in my head countless groans from old college roommates, employees, teammates and others. But one particular groan comes from none other than my Mattie. How can this be- how could I be married to someone who hates, loathes, despises John Denver Christmas! Blasphemy!

It couldn't be because I listen to it in June or that it is permanently on repeat for hour after countless hour during the month of December. No it is just that Matt is a Grinch about John Denver Christmas! I mean that has to be the answer because the greatness of John Denver Christmas is indisputable!

Well, you know we have moved several times recently and I would like to report that conveniently John Denver Christmas has mysteriously disappeared! Nowhere to be found... coincidence you say? Cunning I say, plotting, planning, perhaps even coercing of innocent children caught in the middle. Matt has patiently awaited his opportunity these 8 Christmas seasons we have been together and has now seized his opportunity.

Needless to say, this Christmas, there has been a small void in our home. Such sadness!

Visiting Santa!

Kids look forward to this all year long! They dream about standing in line forever, getting to sit on the old man's lap, rehearsing their list of desired toys and walking away with their 9 millionth candy cane. Surely this traditional event could never disappoint...right?

Well lets review the Johnson's trip to Santa this year.

Walking into the building in a blizzard with the temperature -2 degrees, we picked a lovely day to visit Santa. Matt was pushing our gigantic stroller with the two boys loaded in. Matt hasn't used the stroller in a while, since loosing the bar that enables the car seat and Gus to sit in the front position it is now heavily weighed down in front with Cyrus sitting there and no longer turns very easily. Matt not knowing this tidbit of information accidentally ran over Bailey with the stroller. She was freezing and had her hands in her pockets and of course couldn't pull them out of her pockets quickly enough to break her fall. So her face and knees were the first thing to hit the deck! She has a big scrape across her nose, her knees are torn up, she is covered in mud--it was a great start to the event.

Then upon seeing Santa, Cy decides that he will have no part in this, no matter how hard we try to get him to cooperate at least just for a picture. Ellery surprisingly, becomes shy and mute apparently. Taitem has 145 things that she has to ask Santa for. And poor Bailey is still recovering from her ordeal. So here is our wonderful picture!

Frosting the Snowman!

Taite: Mom, can I watch Frosting the Snowman?

Me: Frosting the Snowman?

Taite: Mommy I love Frosting the Snowman!

Me: Taitem.... I LOVE you!!

Taite: Okay.

7... How can she be 7?!?!

That's right my little girl just turned 7 and I can't believe it. It has been 7 years of bliss with this little girl!! She is a JOY-- Matt and I couldn't have asked for a more caring, loving, obedient, smart, kind and happy girl for our oldest child than Ellery.
She is very competitive and loves to ALWAYS do her best at what ever she is doing. I find myself trying to get her to relax and take it easy on herself more than I have to discipline her.

I can't believe how time has flown by. It seems I just brought her home just a little bundle. That turned into colic from you know where, but as soon as that passed.. Ellery has been a breeze! Every mother deserves a child like Ellie. She is so loving and all by herself makes me feel like I am worth a million bucks. To be her Mom is an honor!

I love you Elle!

I know there are tons, but this is just a drop in the bucket of favorite Ellie photos!

Where there's a Will, there's a Way!

Follow-up to my Follow-up!

I really am not going to say much, but the title says it all. He's got the will baby! At 21 months he figured out the child lock! He kept getting in the fridge and I kept getting after Taite for opening it for him.. not so!

I think he is just going to move in!

Growing Growing Growing!

I took all these pictures yesterday when Gus and I had some time alone and quiet for once!! I can't believe how much he is growing and moving on and on. He has already started cooing and smiling like crazy! We sat there and he just smiled and smiled, held my fingers and cooed away!

It was a really precious moment for me because usually the other kids are all over the place and I have to move on to help someone do something. Rarely can I just sit and take it all in with Gus. He is so cute and I love him so much!

Sorry there are so many, I just couldn't stop!

Follow - up!!

So, a little bit ago I posted some pictures of how frustrated Cy gets when he can't open the newly locked pantry and fridge. Well here is my follow-up! The other day I walked into the kitchen and he had climbed up on the counter and was searching through the cupboards. He was irritated that I made him stop for a picture, but he humored me a little!
I swear we feed him 3 square meals a day and at least a couple of snacks! It just doesn't seem to be enough!


This is his foot next to Bailey's- she's 5 1/2 He's 21 months! He sure is my sweet little guy though! Always ready to give you a hug, cuddle a little, and then tackle you to the ground and wrestle!

I'm so glad my little man is part of our family! Loving the purple glasses! Very cool!

In Loving Memory

I just had to put something up today about Elder Wirthlin. We probably shouldn't have "favorites" because all the Apostles are so wonderful, but I truly had such a love for Elder Wirthlin and he is one of my favorites. What a wonderful servant and example to us all. I am thankful that we are blessed with inspired leaders who dedicate themselves for our benefit. He had such a wonderful way of making you feel loved even from the pulpit. Will any of us ever forget his conference address when his body was struggling so to stand before us, and yet his determination to deliver his talk was such a humbling reminder to me of the devotion of these men. I appreciated their love for one another as Elder Nelson came to help steady his friend. To me this was a sweet experience that I will never forget. I am so thankful for our Heavenly Father's Servants and I am glad that he has been reunited with his precious companion.

Can anyone say Charlie Brown?

Yes I am proud of our little Charlie Brown Christmas Tree- complete with popcorn string and all! I don't know where the girls saw that, but they decided that we had to have it on our tree this year.

I must say that it was such a dang fun time sewing all the popcorn! Ellery, Bailey and I popped our corn, got our needles and thread ready, put on "Home Alone" and away we went!

The most hilarious thing was about half way into our task I caught Bailey out of the corner of my eye, leaning forward suspiciously and looking at me over and over again. I sat her upright and saw that somehow she had accidentally sewed her strand to the couch!! It was so funny because she was trying her hardest with her little hands to unsew (is that a word?) the problem! Good Times!

They had so much fun decorating our tree- it might look funny, and yes we know it does, but it was worth it!

Now doesn't this just make you smile!

Jolly Green Giant Huh?

I was taller than my 3rd grade teacher and was lovingly called the Jolly Green Giant. Nice right! Well now I know what it all means. I'm as tall as the average Swedish man.
I found this on my cousin's blog- pretty cool! How tall are you and what does it mean?!

What Your Height Says About You

You are a very vulnerable and spiritual person. Your emotions run deep. You have a philosophical and poetic soul. You think things through and are a bit of a skeptic. You tend to be very opinionated. You are a perfectionist with high standards. You prefer to work alone. You work hard, and you don't like interruptions. You are about as tall as the average Swedish man.

What Does Your Height Say About You?

This just makes me laugh!

When we were first married, we used to hang out with a teammate of Matt's. One day his wife and I were at their apartment and the guys were gone somewhere. They were pulling in and we went out to meet them. They drove in Jimmy's car that I had never seen, a little Ford Festiva - if anyone remembers those- TINY. Jimmy is Matt's size.

I have never laughed so hard in my life! These two HUMONGOUS men shoved into a tiny little car. They had to hold their legs and squeeze their bodies as narrowly as they could. Matt had to move over as best he could ever time Jimmy went to shift. I wish I had a picture of that, I can still see it vividly in my mind.

Well the other day, I did take a picture of something that sparked my memory and is almost as good! You still got it Babe!

Sorry about the glare. Here is Matt with his brother Ed, a pretty big guy himself. The Festiva was a little smaller and Jimmy was a little bigger, so you can imagine how funny it was!

The Johnson Boys!