Music


Thursday, December 3, 2009

The new 2009 Christmas list

This year, in an effort to make the meaning of Christmas sink in a bit, the kids and I came up with a list of things to do. One each day until Christmas. Here is the original list written by Tanner. He abbreviates to avoid writing full sentences. Some of the items on the list such as#10 include giving away dollars to any person asking for money on the street, or #12, kids make and serve dinner to the adults night. We had a McDonald's night where we paid for the car behind us. I'm not sure who was more excited, Matt or the kids! It was very fun and we've kicked off the month with JOY.
Today, Tanner worked on his fear of "public speaking" by doing 2 magic tricks in front of a crowd at the nursing home. They loved him! Here are the kids with their Christmas list of things to do this month. Three checked off!

Halloween 2009

You would think these brothers....ah hmmm...space guy and batman, were best friends, wouldn't you? Papa Frank and Mimi arrived from Texas on Halloween night! We had a great week with them and unfortunately after this night, I couldn't locate my camera!Elise and friend, Carson.The room full of balloons was a HUGE hit! Yes, mom and dad joined in the fun of dressing up this year as roller derby girl and roller derby fan. The Ca-sassin was on fire! Love my obsessed fan, too. Little Leesy as our lady bug... Carved beautiful pumpkins at Nana and Papa's house.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Some new additions at the Cabin

"I'll show you how to ride this thing, Leesy!" She's as much a "gearhead" as her brothers at this point. Alex, on the new swing Daddy put up!Mommy and Elise love to swing on the porch in our sky chairs.Okay, Tanner LOVES this 4 wheeler! He manages it very well, too! And, yes, daddy did buy him all the safe gear to go on it! And, our little Elise showing off that sweet smile!

SLC highlights

Ryan and Shauna introduced us to paddleboarding on the great Salt Lake. The lake is so crazy, tasting saltier than the ocean and attracting unusual bugs and spiders all over. Paddleboarding is one of a handful of recreational attempts on the lake.
The boys loved the adventure!

Shauna's family basically started this whole tradition of Saturday mornings at the lake. Lots of hawaiian influence in food, music and fun. We loved the experience. Here is a picture of the huge "canoes" (because I can't remember the official name) that we took out on the lake.
On our trip up to SLC, we stopped in and admired the huge gorge at Twin Falls.

Our real live Superman!

Late at night at Lagoon with Uncle Ryan and future Aunt Shauna. We opened and closed the park on our trip to SLC! Ryan and Shauna are officially engaged and we couldn't be happier for them! We HAD to make the trip to celebrate with them at Lagoon!We got one last ride on the huge rocking boat! Shauna's least favorite ride and she endured it at least 5 times! This is our 7 year old son, Tanner and his daddy swinging 150 feet in the air on the "superman" ride at Lagoon. It was hard to capture just how high they were. They were cranked up lying supine in harnesses and then Matt had to pull a rip cord to release the the cord and begin the flight. Several people (older kids) had been pulled back down because they were terrified at the top and couldn't bear to pull the rip cord. I expected to hear crying as they sailed over my head, but instead I heard shear joyous laughter. It was a crazy experience. You think you know a kid....Standing in line waiting to go....next. The line was over an hour as they only let one group go at a time. Tanner and Daddy all suited up and ready to go!
My interview with Tanner after the flight. He was honestly a celebrity with all the crowd! They just couldn't believe a 7 year old would attempt that ride!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Alex's big kindergarten day

We are a bike ride away from Alex's school. Today was a smeltering 100 degrees, but it didn't stop my little man from riding briskly down the path to his first big day of kindergarten. Look at him locking up his bike. No help from mom. Big brother and little sis pose afterschool. His first "line up" on his way into class. He has 15 girls in class and 5 boys...hmmmm. His teacher's name is Mrs. Rule. Pretty significant name to a 5 year old. Sweet Alex still smiling after his first afternoon at Owyhee. To celebrate the day, we went out to eat and then cooled off at a great Eagle park with fountains. Typical to the Johnson kids, Elise stood and watched other kids for the first 10 minutes, took tenative steps towards the mister and then dove in full speed ahead until she was soaked! Did I mention it was 100 degrees today??? Even Dad joined in the fun!











Friday, August 7, 2009

Crazy cousins!

No matter what country you are from.....candy is GOOD! Taking a "break" on the drive to Cascade. Oh boys..... The like the silly pictures best! The boys were very sweet to their little Elise.Alex loved having Uncle Ryan's dog, Rosco staying with us. I guess he's a cousin of some sorts until Uncle Ryan has kids. Lounging in the house after a day in the sprinklers! Love this shot. It was taken after a long day of boating with our family. The kids are always "OUT" on the drive home.

Our Cascade retreat

The back view, newly painted.Daddy does have some down time and enjoys the "loop" on the motorcycles.The front view. We are enjoying using the deck for meal times. Elise and Alex on the bike. It is VERY hard to get the girl off the bike. Oh, no....another motorhead on my hands. Both kids (and probably Matt) can be heard screaming in delight around the trails they take around the cabin.

Boating and family

Daddy and Alex in the "kid toss"! We enjoyed our whole Taylor side of the family up in July. This weekend, we had Cory, Sonia, Jake and Gavin and Ryan and girlfriend, Shauna. We all spend the weekend in Cascade at the cabin and on the lake. It was beautiful all the way around. Love my family. The Barcelona loves...Cory and SoniaMommy and Leesy Jake enjoying the fun! Cory and Alex cuddle in front Our little boat docked on the beach. Oh, I'm so in style....Elise Sonia and Gavin Tanner is an excellent swimmer and boater this summer!