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!

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!

Tanner's kindergarten graduation

Kindergarten graduation was fun with songs, cheers and tears! Lindsey told me, "can I take a photo of Tanner. I really want to have it in my room, so I can see him every day." Us girls, especially in kindergarten, tend to wear our hearts on our sleeves.

Mrs. Hartman was an excellent teacher! We all loved her. Notice Tanner and all the girls? He seemed to have quite a following this year, and loved every minute of it.....well, except when they mauled him at the cubbies.

Alex as a Jedi Knight

Alex was chosen as a Jedi knight trainee during a Star Wars show. They wore the robes and got light sabers to learn to defend themselves. He took the whole thing very seriously. The next video shows his fight with Darth Vader himself.

Right shoulder, left shoulder, DUCK, left leg, head etc..... He was good! Can you imagine Alex's little heart racing as he faced that huge Vader??? I hope we never forget his delighted giggles all throughout the Star Wars space ride. Their laughs were the best sounds I've ever heard......why can't we bottle that?

Disneyland and Tanner's Birthday!

One highlight was our breakfast at the Plaza with Minnie and friends! On Tanner's birthday, we surprised him. He was thrilled to get autographs in his book from all these characters.

We had three full days of wonder at the happiest place on earth, and we still didn't see everything! The boys were at a great age enjoying the fastest, scariest rides along with the adults! "I AM having fun" (Alex, day 3) photographed out! Aunt Breezy was along for the ride as a graduation gift from us. I think she had fun, too! This was in the new Buzz Lightyear ride.This was in Brother Bears cave where you put your had in the rock and it showed a picture of what animal you were inside. Alex was a tiger, Tanner a fish, Mommy a beaver.....huh? California Adventure was fun, except that they didn't have the fast passes for their rides, so we found ourselves in long lines (40-50 minutes), and after the Grizzly River Raft ride broke down after waiting for 30 minutes, we gave up and explored the brother bear habitat. The kids loved soaring over California and Tanner's favorite, Screaming California rollercoaster ride! Neither liked the James Giant Peach, swings (me either!)