Snow!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We hosted our company's Christmas party here on Saturday night...we had a bout 26 people and it was nice. It also forced me to finish up the Christmas decorations early this year! This morning we woke up to a couple inches of snow on the ground. The boys were so excited! Snow definitely helps bring about the Christmas Spirit!

Ian's 2nd Birthday!

Cupcake eating was the highlight of his night! I'm not sure why we don't have pics of him opening his gifts, but he has had a blast playing with his Duplos (Thanks Wes, Beth, Ellie & Quinn!) as well as his fire truck from Uncle George, Aunt Bridget and family. Life can't get much better than being two...

Caleb's 6th Birthday

Caleb was lucky enough to have 3 birthdays! An early one with Frompa & Grammy in late October, one whenb Pop-Pop and Beppe visited in the middle of November, and two little buddies from school over on his actual birthday. I guess that's one upside for the kids living away from the majority of family!

The Fall

Wow, I can't believe it's been two months since I've posted. This has been a very busy fall...we've been going non-stop since October! Now it's December and JTS has slowed a bit and all our parties and engagements are over until Christmas. Time to hunker down and finish up some of my projects!

Here are some fun pictures that Jeff took back in October. The boys look like they're being helpful by raking leaves, but all they do is rake them into a pile and then jump off the chair into them! It looks so warm in these pictures; it's currently 18 F and snowing! I hope to post other happenings in the following weeks to get the blog caught up a bit. Until then...

Lemonade Stand

A few weeks ago, the boys begged me to let them do a lemonade stand. I capitulated and boy, was it successful! They ended up making $22 even after paying me for supplies (gotta teach them the real world!) They've been wanting to do it again, but time hasn't allowed. I have a feeling we'll be doing a couple next summer...fall is here and the days are cooling down. They had a blast and did a very good job!

Funny Boy in the Tub

New Fencing

Pictures of the new pool fence and vinyl fencing along the driveway. I'll need to take some good pictures of the front of the house to show off the new paint job and shutters!

Park City; Labor Day 2009

We visited Park City this weekend and had a nice time. Our room was fantastic and we had the added bonus of getting to visit with my Aunt and Uncle who live in Salt Lake City. We usually only see them at Christmas time so it was fun to be able to visit with them! The weather was perfect and it was nice to get away for a couple days and see some new territory!

The Johnson Biker Gang

Who? Me?

Doesn't he look guilty here? I'm sure he did something naughty!

Mooo!

Ian & Caleb were terrorizing the steers in the pasture last night. Jeff caught 'em in action. Caleb lost two bottom teeth; I think that's why the funny expression. He's been running his tongue over his teeth incessantly!

Brothers at the Bus Stop

Here are the boys waiting for the bus...it comes bright and early at 6:39 a.m. Nothing like getting up in the dark. It goes against my very nature, but it sure does make for a more productive day!

#1 is really enjoying his 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Calley. Who wouldn't? She gives out candy before the tests! And #2 is getting to know new friends in Kindergarten with Mrs. May. He loves riding the bus with big brother.

Look forward to posts of #1 playing football, the new house color, some new fencing and #2's first lost tooth!

More Palomar/Escondido Visit

Some other pics from our stay with Pop-Pop & Beppe. And a pic of our Pat-Pat after our dinner and mini-birthday celebration for her!

Beach Day

While we were in California, my Aunt & Uncle were camping at the beach, so we visited for a few hours. G & C love the beach; they were mad when we had to leave!

Palomar Mtn.

Our visit in June marked the first stay at the new log house on Palomar with Pop-Pop and Beppe. The boys had fun gettin' dirty and Garrett shot his first squirrel! Exciting times!

Boys Only Adventure Day

A few months back, Jeff was having a hankering to get outdoors. I had a ton of errands I needed to do so they boys took an afternoon trip without mom. They went out to Succor Creek State Park (I think it's actually in Oregon.)

They had a blast checking out some trails and being boys...Jeff got these great pictures of them. We'll probably try to go camping here in the fall; too many rattlers during the heat!

#1's 8th Birthday Party

Well, we held off on G's birthday party until the last day of school so we could have a "Pirate Pool Party"! 15 eight year olds for 4 hours is enough to cure me of birthday parties! Ian had fun being the center of attention. And he enjoyed finding left over pieces of cake on the tables!

A family yard day...

Our first 70 degree day came along and we had the bug to work outside. It ended up being "clean out the waterfall" day.

#1 used some mud to look like a professional NFL player. He's going to play football for the first time in September.

These are what we call "Pake Toes" in our family. Like fat little sausages. I hate my feet. Notice the mud, though? I was working hard!

#2 excited about using the pooper scooper. This dog does not like to poop in the pasture like her predecessors. The joy of the pooper scooper wore of quickly.

A well placed arm

When in CA for Pake's funeral, we got to enjoy some hot weather and the kids got to go in Pop-pop's and Beppe's spa. We got some great 'naki' photos of #3...this is the only one I can publish! Can't wait for pool season here in Idaho!

I'm playing catch up with posting again!
We had the far neighbors over for Glenda's and Garrett's birthday on Sunday. B#3 and Andy were out giving Isabelle some love. Now we know who can dog sit when we leave town! Or maybe who to leave #3 with! He kept going to Andy all day. As quoted by himself, "something must be wrong with this kid if he comes to me!"

Differing of opinions...

Love these pictures we got of B#3 fighting with my cousin's daughter. Gotta love toddlers! He didn't want her to have ANYTHING that he thought looked like fun. She was a good sport, though. :)