Some adventures in the long winter

We are all set up to school in our office. Most days it's very fun. Some days it's a lot of work on all of our parts. For the most part, we have really enjoyed this year together and when I look back, it's had some extraordinary moments. I wouldn't trade it for anything. One benefit has been the extra-curricular activities that the boys and their friends in our co-op have enjoyed. This gymnastics class is phenomenal with a Bulgarian coach, Ivan. The boys are much more enthusiastic when their friends, Hannah and Ava join them. This is Tanner trying out the rings. Alex and Ava.Ivan helping Alex finish his back roll.Alex and Tanner have also taken a PE class at the local rec center which has included an aray of sports such as rock climbing, flag football, hockey and running a mile. We've met a great family through this program too! Our newest addition, "mousie" a pet rat. This started out as a favor to a friend who wanted to get rid of the rat due to purchasing a new pet dog. She brought mousie (as Leesy has named her) over and Tanner fell in love. He's been so great about taking care of her and we've all kind of gotten to like her. Kind of.......

Long claws keep us covered as we hold her.

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.

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!

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!