Rapunzel, Rapunzel...

Saturday we were able to attend a Raupnzel (Tangled) birthday party for Hailey. She turned six years old today, she is super smart and super sweet. Happy Birthday Hailey!

The kids were loving the Johnson's backyard. Not only did they rent a mega bouncer with a slide, they had a teeter-totter that Kimble was having a ball on.

Koltyn spent most of the party in this little house. He enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with the windows and door. This picture shows pure joy on his face.

The kids got to make their own party blower, Karter made sure that his was "perfect".

At the very end of the party, all the kids let go of balloons with their wishes tied to the bottom. We watched them all float away, hopefully making their way to someone that can make that wish come true. What a fun idea!

johnson grandkids + snow = fun pics

::Kylie::

::Jacie::

::Landen::

::Hailey::

::Kimble::

::Karter::

::Jamie::

::Avrie::

::Koltyn::

::Spencer::

Snow Trip {january 2011}

This weekend we were able to make a quick trip up to Flagstaff with the Johnson crew. Kevin's brother wanted to have everybody come on a snow trip for his birthday and we made it happen. Kevin's mom was able to find this great restored house for us all to stay in (so much more fun when we can all be together). We had a great time and are so happy that we were able to spend some time with the family.

We were not exactly snow trip prepared, but we were able to get the kids these super cute rain boots for the snow. We just tripled up on their socks and pulled the pants over to keep the snow out. They actually worked pretty well, plus they can use them to play in the rain at home (when it actually rains that is).

Kimble had to "test" her boots before we headed out to the real snow spot. So she, along with almost all the other kids, spent about an hour before lunch in the backyard.

Kevin had a great time in the snow. He was a great sledder (is that even a word?) and was able to help Kimble figure it out.

Proof that I WAS there. I don't always get to be in many vacation pictures because I am usually the one taking them (and I am pretty okay with that).

Kimble was in sledding heaven. This was her first time and she absolutely could not get enough of it (until she got wet/cold enough and wanted to get back in the car). She did a great job sliding down that "big enough" hill, making funny noises all the way down.

This was not Karter's cup of tea. He did not like the snow and wanted to go home the entire time... except for the minute he spent picking up this chunk of snow, letting me get a picture of him touching it and then attempting to throw it. He would be happy if we did not spend any more time in the snow, I think.

Koltyn did not enjoy playing in the snow as much as he did licking it off his gloves. He kept tasting, saying yuck, and then tasting a little more. Love it!

Kimble was so excited about making a snowman, but she ended up spending more time sledding than helping. Kevin did contribute the ears. In any case, we had to get a picture.

This is Brian, Kevin's youngest brother, a computer wiz and a fun uncle. Happy Birthday!

First Picture of the Year

It's been a while since the last post of pictures, I guess being sick for a week will do that. I only have two pictures for the year so far... better get on it! I had to share this picture of Koltyn though. He is too cute, even covered in all that yuckiness.

december 30

I will start by saying thank you to the Pratt family for letting us go with you to the zoo. Although the kids were FREEZING, we had fun! Now, not long after arriving at the zoo, I tried to get pictures of the kids. I knew that it would not be long before they were too cold and cranky to even look at the camera. Little did I know that Karter has a new picture face. He is always trying to make a silly face by sticking his fingers in his mouth to spread it wide open. Not my favorite look, Buddy!

When I took this picture of Kimble I was pleasantly surprised that she smiled so well. Then I saw Karter in the background, another weird face. What is going on?

Koltyn was just a cutie, although he did get very fussy about half way through our visit. I kept offering snacks and that usually helped.

I also tried to get a picture of Sophie. She is just so stinkin' cute, even if she refused to look at me while I took her picture. (Koltyn is next to me smooshing his face against the little window in the stroller canopy, getting this smile from Sophie.)

In all the times that we have been to the zoo, and that is a lot because we used to have a membership and lived 10 minutes away, I cannot remember a time when I saw the giraffes running. I mean actual full out running! It was amazing and bizarre all at the same time.

Before leaving we found this exercise station. Kimble was so insistent that she hang from the bars too. But as soon as Steph hung her up there, she yelled for help to get down. Silly girl, at least Dallin and McKay were enjoying it!

(Parker, don't think that you have eluded my camera for ever... I will get a picture of you next time!)

december 26

Sunday morning we got the kids dressed in their holiday best for church, courtesy of Grandma Stewart. She made the boys' ties and gave Kimble that lovely dress. They sure did look nice!

We went over to Peoria again for a Christmas celebration with Kevin's family, including his brother/sister-in-law, who are currently living in California, and some of his cousins from his dad's side. Before dinner, we had our family gift exchange. Kimble got some great art supplies/book, Karter got a huge firetruck (he couldn't even wait for his turn to open it) and Koltyn got an alligator with a sleeping bag tucked inside. Kevin helped him take off his shoes and he crawled inside right away.

After dinner, the kids each got to take a whack at the pinata. It finally took a "big kid" to get to the candy inside.



The adults had a white elephant gift exchange, Kevin and I didn't get the best gifts, but we can't complain either (candy and cookies). We stayed as long as we could, but eventually had to say goodbye and make the long drive home. Our Christmas celebrations were over, we were all tired, but very grateful for the blessing that our families are in our life.

december 25

Santa came to the Johnson house! Once again, the kids chose this morning NOT to wake up super early. Instead we lovingly nudged them awake when we got tired of waiting. It was worth it though, they were excited to see the presents under the tree and in their stockings. This year we simply handed out the gifts and let them go at it (there were only a few gifts for each child). We were able to spend some time playing with our gifts before meeting up with my family again.

We snapped a family picture in front of the tree before heading out for the rest of the day. I have to say, it turned out pretty well (for our family that is).

We had lunch with my Mom's family at my uncle's house in Mesa. The kids loved playing in the backyard and spent most of the time there. Kimble especially enjoyed sharing the hammock with Emily, my cousin's daughter.

After everyone got a little something to eat, we played Christmas Minute to Win it. It was a riot watching people play the silly games. McKay did a great job unrolling the toilet paper.


After that, we all headed back outside for Tanks. Basically, you crawl down the length of the backyard in a cardboard box. Karter was a master at this game and made his way down the grass several times.

Apparently, this is what happens to your hair when you play Tank. Kimble could have cared less actually. She just let me take the picture and then continued down the lawn.

I am certain that the kids would have stayed to play that game all day if we had let them. Instead, we went back to my parents' house to open some more presents and to hang out until it was time for the Temple lights. We got great gifts, but none seemed to be quite as well received as this little taggie blanket Koltyn got. My mom made it for him because he is always walking around (and snuggling) just about anything with a tag. As soon as he saw it, his thumb went in his mouth and his head was down on the label. He LOVES that thing, I really hope that it never gets lost.

We still had not been to see the Temple lights, so we figured that Christmas night was the perfect time to visit the light display and nativity scene. My sister, Heather, came with us and was a huge help with the kids. We love to see the temple!

december 24

Before heading out, we went out to the backyard to sprinkle our "reindeer food". Kevin's mom sent it over for the kids, just to make sure that Santa found our house. The kids put little piles all around the yard and then used their flashlights to make it sparkle. After all, it has to sparkle for the reindeer to see it from so high in the sky. Kimble and Karter took their task very seriously!

We headed over to my parents' house for dinner and activities, as is tradition. While we were waiting for everyone to arrive, we gathered around the television to watch a fun Christmas movie

The first thing we did after dinner was to read the story of Jesus' Birth. It is of course the reason for the season and we wanted to make sure the kids understood how important it is. My mom made these cute hand puppets. Kimble was very into being the angel this year.




We decorated gingerbread men and ice cream cone trees. The kids always love this activity. All the candy probably helps keep them interested.

My sister was nice enough to make special Christmas jammies for all the kids to wear. They all fit perfectly and looked super cute (at least I think so). Thanks Steph!