Merry Christmas to ALL.........

This week has been so fun. Getting lots of cards from dear friends and family, putting the finishing touches on things, class parties, more baking, more baking, and the best part of all family parties. As much as we miss our life and friends in Chicago, it has been so great to be close to family, especially at this time of year.
I am so grateful to have most of them all here. (Tara and Lane's family is living in Costa Rica) We are headed to the awesome cabin to enjoy the first part of the Holidays with Kelly's family and then my family will join us a few days before New Years as we celebrate every year with my Mom and Bud. The cousins have so much fun together Ice Skatind, Sledding and this year Skiing. And of course our tradition of games and LOTS of food!
We are happy to just all be together this time of year. We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

6 More Days............

I can't believe that it is almost Christmas! So much to do and so little time!

This is what I have left to do, what about you?

Wrap presents ( I promised myself that I would enjoy Christmas Eve this year)

Make more goodies ( they all keep disappearing) :)

Deliver neighbor gifts

Read Christmas stories

3 more Christmas Parties

Finish a couple more gifts

And......pack for the cabin!

In all the hustle and bustle stop and reflect on the TRUE meaning of Christmas!

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a VERY Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday Taylor

Fifteen years ago today I was blessed with a beautiful little daughter. Wow, how time flyes.....I love you Taylor, and am so grateful to have you as a daughter. I am so proud of you, and all the good choices you have made throughout your life. What an amazing girl you are. I enjoy the sweet spirit that you bring to our home. You are such a wonderful example to me and always want the best for yourself. I am so proud of you and are so lucky to have you as a daughter! Have a great day and know that you are LOVED!

Love,
Mom

FINALLY.......the pool is ready!

This is the day that they filled the pool. It was a LONG process to us, because we were watching it everyday. We are so excited to have it done and have LOTS of parties, so come on over everyone!

The cement blocked are now moved....and it is ready!

This is not a very good family photo, but we had to do one by the pool.

Surprise!

Well we have 2 surprises.....Yes Taylor's hair is now long. She has been working for Kelly and saving her money for a long time to get extentions. She loves having long hair and appreciates them very much because she had to pay for them!

The BIGGEST surprise of all.....Many of you may remember 9 yrs ago when we had the wonderful opportunity of hosting a exchange student from Japan. This was a AWESOME experience and one that we will NEVER forget! A couple weeks ago, Chicako found us on facebook (not knowing that we moved back to Utah ) and told us that she was now a teacher and was in Utah with her 16 students. We were so happy and could not believe that she was here. So we quickly gave her our phone# and she called and now she is at our house for dinner! We were thrilled to see her again. She is so sweet and was such a joy to be around. We talked about all the fun memories that we had last time she came to Utah. And we promised to keep in touch better and she said she wants to come back in a couple years and stay a long time to learn English better. Thank you Chicako for remembering us and looking us up on Facebook! We love you and will never forget you!

The 24th of July

This weekend we were able to spend time with Mariah on her 18th birthday.....We had a great time! We went up the the lake and went boating, sat in the sun and played with the kids in the water. ( I will post pictures when I get them emailed from my sister in law) Then we went to the Demolition Derby in Kamas. (ok, this was interesting) I don't know what I enjoyed more....watching all the funny people that were SO into this event, or laughing at Taylor crying because she thought it was the most ridiculous thing in the world and that someone was going to DIE! I told her and Mariah that next year they could be in the Powder Puff Derby (girl drivers)

She was VERY upset by this and NO, she will never go again! What have I done to her?????? Then we went to the cabin and stayed the night. It was awesome to be up there again. The kids all had a blast just being together, building forts in the loft with all the cushions and blankets, playing games, hide and seek and of course eating ALL the treats that grandma always has up there. We always love being at the cabin and being with family. Thanks for coming Mariah, it was great!

I Love You!

I want my girls to know how much I love them! We had a fun weekend and were able to spend some time together as a family. I was reminded quickly how much they love each other. Little Gracie LOVES to be with Ellie. Those two can fight so much, but at the same time cry for the other one getting in trouble. They really are little buddies....Ellie is so great to watch over and protect Gracie. Thank you Ellie, for being such a good big sister.

Taylor, you are a wonderful sister and always take on the motherly role when needed. I am so lucky to have 3 beautiful girls. I love each of you so much and LOVE your sweet kisses!

Family Reunions

We have had so much fun at our Family Reunions the past couple of weeks. First one was with Grandpa Dennis and Grandma Shiela at his property. The kids had a blast riding the ranger and four wheelers. Kelly even got on Dad's horse.( I was shocked!) It was great spending time with the family by the fire singing and laughing. Thanks everyone for a great time!

Then we were off to Idaho with Nana and Papa Bud for the Johnsen Reunion. Victor is a beautiful place and we have such wonderful memories there. We has alot of fun seeing all the family, playing games, eating and staying up late!

Back to Blogging

It is time to start blogging again. I have taken a VERY long break! My family has decided that we all need to start this up again to keep in touch better. (Even with most of us living here in Utah) We are all so busy with everyday life, and find this enjoyable. So welcome back everyone! I am excited to catch up with friends back in Chicago (whom I miss terribly). Our life is very busy now with the girls very involved in dance and gymnastics. I have a hard time keeping the schedule straight, but they are happy and really enjoy it! Kelly is very busy with work and loves what he does. We love our home in South Jordan and are very happy to finally feel settled. It is good to be back with family. I will post some pictures soon....