Jeremie & Keesha

Last weekend Keesha asked me to take some pictures of her and her husband, Jeremie. She suggested going up Blacksmith Fork Canyon at Hardware Ranch. There is a perfect spot there with an old abandoned house near the river that made a great backdrop. Aren't they a cute couple? Love you both!! Here are some of my favorites that I wanted to share.....

Another Tooth Gone

Early Saturday morning Conner informed me that he had a loose tooth and just a few seconds after that he had pulled it out!!! He has been a little slow at losing his teeth, but that hasn't bothered me at all. Losing teeth means growing up and I could keep my kids little forever!!

More Camping Photos!!

I wanted to share more pics from our camping trip last weekend. I love the one of Courtney and "her Clay". She knows she's got him wrapped around her finger. And he spoils her rotten! Conner was even a little more eager to pose for me as well! I guess all I need to do is take him camping! Enjoy!!

MC Homecoming Parade

You know it's fall when Homecoming Week rolls around for the local high schools and colleges. Last night was Mountain Crest High School's Homecoming Parade down main street in Hyrum. Courtney and I met Breck, Hadley, Keesha and Kenzlie to watch the parade. It's fun to see all of the different clubs, teams, cheerleaders, the band and all of the crazy high school kids. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was in High School? Ok, so it was gasp.......15 years ago!!! (Yes I actually had to do the math!) Well it seems just like just the other day. I am proud to say I'm a fellow Mountain Crest alumni. Class of 93!! Go Mustangs!! Or is it "Stangs" now? I can't keep up. Speaking of school, Courtney recited the entire Pledge of Allegiance this morning while I was fixing her hair!! Word for word! I am so proud of her. She is learning so much in kindergarten and tells me everyday how much she loves her teacher. She loves having homework to do and actually thinks it's cool!! I'm going to enjoy that right now because I know it's not going to last. (Now if I could get Conner to feel the same way! He couldn't be more opposite!) Anyway, here are some pics from the parade last night....

Hadley, Courtney and Kenzlie
Kenz and Keesh
Hadders and BreckMe and Court

The Official End of Summer

This past weekend we enjoyed our last camping trip. It's always feels like the official end to the summer season when camping is over. Which makes me sad because I always look forward to the much needed getaway. It is so much work to get ready to go and even more work once we are home but the time we get to spend together as a family is very well worth it. We did get rained on a bit on Friday and Saturday night but luckily the rain held out and we were able to venture out on a 4 wheeler ride on Saturday afternoon at Hardware Ranch. We made big yummy breakfasts and a delicious steak dinner Saturday night. And just lounged around as much as possible. I went on a much needed walk by myself and admired the beautiful scenery of Blacksmith Fork Canyon where I was able to think and excersize. The leaves are changing to their magnificent colors, fall is in the air! My favorite of all the seasons, I love the crisp feeling in the air, the smells, the beautiful colors and the cooler weather. I welcome this change of pace. No more watering lawns and the transition into the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holidays. Conner spent a lot of time down by the river making his little version of the "Hoover Dam". He was so proud of his creation that Keesha and Grandpa (aka: "Nielsen Engineering") helped him develop.

Conner and "Hoover Dam"

"Hoover Dam"Hadley, Kenzlie and Courtney playing in the gravel.
Our home away from home.
The fugly sisters! Keesha, Elise and Breck. We are all wearing Brecks sunglasses to cover up our non-makeup wearing faces and lovely camping hair. I don't really like admitting how much Breck and I look alike (and neither does she) but this picture really proves it! We all tip our heads to make fun of Breck because she does this in EVERY picture! Even if we sometimes don't always agree and get along I love both of my sisters very much. They will always be my best friends! My mom will be happy to hear that! :)

Expecting You!

No, I'm not making an announcement! My sweet friend, Stacie who I'm lucky enough to work with is pregnant with her first baby and she is due April 1st. I wanted to make her my version of a "Pregnancy Journal" where she can record her thoughts and feelings for the next few months. I wish I would have done this myself when I had my babies because each pregnancy was so very different and I would love to be able to look back read about it. I just altered a composition notebook and kept the colors really neutral that way it works whether it's a girl or a boy! Congratulations Stacie, I'm so happy for you! Enjoy this special time in your life!!!

Painting the Basement!!!

Over Labor Day weekend I decided it was the perfect opportunity (and long overdue) to get the basement painted. We bought our house over 2 years ago and knew the moment we looked at it the first thing that was going to be a priority was to get rid of the horribly nasty and offensive yellow (aka:baby poop, tequilla sunrise, calfscower brown) walls in the family room downstairs. Our plan was to get it painted before we moved in and obviously that never happened. Let's see.... I purchased a 5 gallon bucket of paint a year and a half ago and I even prepped the baseboards with blue tape (which has been there ever since). But one disclaimer: we did finish a small room which is now my scrapbook room in the meantime, which was a huge project! Do you like how I try and justify my procrastination?? We just never could manage to take care of the priority room. It seemed so overwhelming to me, the room is so big and even though I love the results I don't really like to paint. And now that it is complete and finished and so much warmer and homey I don't know why we waited so long. It really wasn't that bad. We finished taping and moved furniture on Friday night and painted from 2:00 in the afternoon on Saturday and finished at 8:30. Funny how since completing this project I've made it my goal not to procrastinate and accomplish the things that need to be done right away and "not to put off until tomorrow what you can do today" (quote from my mom). So here are some photos of the finished product. I am still working on some wall hangings and I will post more pictures when I get them finished!

Before

Awful I know! Makes me a little sick to my stomach!

After

Much better!

Conner's Photo Shoot

I finally forced Conner into having his photoshoot and after each fake smile I was told that was enough!! Why is it that since you have turned ten you think your twenty?? I can't tell you how many times I've heard in a all knowing tone, "Mom, I'm ten years old now!" I did manage to get a couple good shots and one of his lovely ten year old attitude. I even got a pretty decent but blurry shot of Conner and Courtney together. I won't complain he did apologize for being difficult later that evening. :)

Conversations with Courtney

This morning while in the bathroom getting ready for the day:

Courtney: "When I'm a mom what will you be?"

Me (with a smile): "A grandma."

Courtney: "What will your hair look like?"

Me: "I don't know, sweetie."

Courtney: "First I have to learn how to drive. And pick my work. (Long pause.) And then I can have my babies. Then I can bring my kids to your house to play."

Me: "Yes, but Court you are missing a very important part."

Courtney (pulling a face): "I know, but I don't want to say that cause it's discusting!"

Me (laughing): "What's so discusting?"

Courtney: "A husband!"

Me: "Honey, a husband isn't discusting!"

Courtney: "What will Clay be?"

Me: "A grandpa."

Isn't it funny how a little five year old mind works! I love hearing her sweet perspective on things and to know what she is thinking about. She got upset with me when she watched me run and get my notebook so I could jot down what she had said. She didn't want me to tell anyone, so everyone shhhhhhhh!!! I told her that I love the things that she says and that I don't ever want to forget it so I write it down because I love her and it makes mommy smile!

2 Year Old Fun!!!

Last night I watched my niece Kenzlie while my sister went to a Young Women activity. I told Keesha to bring her pajamas and I would get her bathed and ready for bed. Kenzlie had to bring her Dora backpack with her pj's, blanket and "Ellie" her stuffed animal elephant. She was so cute, she thought she was going to school with Courtney. She has been saying some of the funniest things lately! She was playing with one of Courtney's dolls and doll stoller and while she was putting the baby in the stroller she kept saying "Gosh, kids!" and then while I was helping Conner with his homework I kept telling him to "focus" and she would repeat me and tell Conner to "focus". What a helper? She cracks me up!!

Sunday Dinner

Every Sunday my family has dinner together. We have been doing this for a little over a year and we rotate houses each week and after we have all had a turn we go out to eat about every 5th Sunday. Last Sunday it was my turn, so Clay and I cooked hamburgers on the grill, corn on the cob and a pasta salad. Usually, my mom has always cooked for us every week but she decided that it was time for a break! It's been fun trying to be creative with my menus to try to feed everyone but I really enjoy it! Some of the menus that I have made are, taco soup, spaghetti, poppyseed chicken, hamburgers, roast with mashed potatoes and homemade rolls and soup in bread bowls. It is so much fun to have everyone over and start this new "tradition".

Happy Birthday Grandma

Over the weekend, I realized that today would have been my sweet Grandma's 92nd birthday. She passed away 4 1/2 years ago, but I still think of her often. I have this beautiful picture of her by my computer from her 80th birthday. My mom and my aunt took her for "Glamour Shots" for her birthday and we all got these wonderful pictures! I so treasure the memories that I have of my Grandma. She is the only grandparent that I have memories of. My Grandma Nielsen passed away when I was quite small and I don't remember her at all and both of my Grandpa's passed away before I was born. This makes Grandma Moselle very special to me. She was such a talented lady who created the most amazing embordry work on dish towels and pillow cases, which I am proud to say I have some of. She would grow an amazing garden and had the most beautiful flowers. One year she made winter stocking hats for all of the young great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Both of my kids were able to spend time with her and I feel were so lucky to have a living great grandma for a few years. I know that she is always watching over all of her family and is happy to be reunited with her eternal companion Ellis. Family was so very important to her and she loved having them visit. Family get togethers and reunions were something that she always looked forward to. I will always remember my memories of her and hold them very dear to my heart. I love you Grandma, Happy Birthday!!

Back to School and much more!!!

I'm a little behind on this post but I figured better late than never! :) The kids are both in school and we are trying to get back into a routine, doing homework, fixing dinner and trying to get them in bed before 9:00. This can be quite a challenge when it's close to 6:00 before I even get home from work. Conner is now in 5th grade and it will be his last year at Lincoln Elementary which makes me really sad. Next year he will go to middle school and everything will change! Hopefully it won't go too fast! Courtney started kindergarten and was so excited on the first day. She goes all day and gets to eat school lunch and rides the bus home with Conner. So far she loves everything about it, her friends, her teacher and is learning so much already. I was prepared to be emotional on her first day, but she was so happy about going there was no reason to be upset. I was just as excited as she was!! Conner isn't as happy about school as Courtney is but hopefully that will change and school will be more fun for him. He takes such good care of his sister and makes sure he picks her up outside her classroom and gets her on the bus, safe and sound!

Also, a week before school started we had the Johnson Family Reunion. We had such a good time! We took our trailer up and spent the weekend with all of our extended family. We had a delicious pot luck dinner, our traditional raffle, I came up with a trivia game about the family and we played musical chairs which Clay won the first round! We stayed up really late Saturday night around the campfire listening to funny stories from my Uncle Dave. We all laughed and had a wonderful time!!

Conner & Courtney in front of Abe Lincoln!

Courtney and Mrs. Tyger

Conner in Mr. Allen's class.

Uncle Dave and Clay with their prizes for winning musical chairs.

Amanda, my dad and Heather with their prizes as well!!

Simple Pleasures!

A couple weeks ago I straightened and organized my pantry. Pretty sad that such a simple thing can bring a girl such happiness! I love seeing it all nice, neat and tidy! This is one of those examples where my OCD rears it's ugly head! Since I have started my couponing hobby, I try to keep my food storage in order with the expiration dates oldest to newest. And this way I can see what I have and actually use it!!! So far, the pantry has stayed looking this way other than more purchases added to it! :) I have been working on some other projects in my house which I will post about later. Much more exciting than an organized pantry! Stay tuned!

Courtney's Photo Shoot

Now it is finally Courtney's turn! I can't leave my photogenic princess out! She loves the camera and was happy to have an opportunity to smile for me! She is so much fun to take pictures of. I can't believe she is 5!! When we were looking for a place to snap some shots, Keesha suggested the old Red Church on main street in Hyrum. It ended up being a perfect backdrop for some awesome shots!!! Too bad they are going to tear it down soon. :( I may have to go back and see if I can get Conner to cooperate. He was in no mood for pics on Saturday, but I really need to get some decent shots of him. He is in that "fake smile" stage and most of the pics I have of him he's wearing the phoney smile. Oh well. Hadley's pictures were taken out in Paradise at the little old museum next to the Cracker Barrell.

Kenzlie's Photo Shoot

Last weekend I took pictures of my other sweet niece Kenzlie. I also took some of my daughter Courtney which I will add in a future post. Kenz was all smiles after some bribery from her mom that she could go play at McDonalds. Great idea Keesh!