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. :)

My Pake's Gone Home...

...and although expected, an incredible sense of loss is with the family. For those of you unaware, my Pake was my mom's father. After many years of Parkinson's, the hard decision was made to place him at Silverado Senior Facility about 5 weeks ago. He contracted pneumonia on Monday morning and passed away on Tuesday afternoon surrounded by most of our family. It was difficult to be in Idaho when I so wanted to be with the rest of my family; to connect with them while remembering and mourning our loss. It's amazing the incredible need to be with family at these times. Well the five of us are all in Escondido now; trying to help where we can. Too bad these things can't be planned; this was a tough time to get away. Jeff is incredibly busy right now, the kids have all been sick and my parents are at the tail end of moving out of their house that they'll close escrow on in about a week. But on the plus side, I'll get to see my new little nephew Quinn (See Bether's Blog on the links) who I didn't think I'd get to see until June!

And the best news is we know that Pake is enjoying his time in his eternal home. No more pain, no more confusion. We will miss him immensely as we live out our days on this earth and look forward to seeing him again!

A Profound Question from Child #2

I am secretly (actually, not secretly now) thrilled that I don't have to do the soccer thing this morning!! Yeah. But the downside is that B2 has a fever; again. I just don't think they're kicking whatever bug is hanging around. I feel like we've been sick since Christmas.

But I'm relishing a baby in bed and some time to fold laundry. B2 was watching America's Funniest Home Videos and must have seen a clip with a bald person. "Mom," he asked, "when bald people are in the shower, do they still have to wash their hair?"

Hee, hee. Gotta love five year olds.