HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHASE!!

Chase Chase Chase...Oh words cannot describe this boy, or how much I love him. I became an Aunt for the first time when Chase came! I can't believe how big he is now! Watch out girls, he can date in 2 years!
Chase has a heart as big as gold. His smile and laugh could charm the pants of off anyone. He is goofy (in a good way) smart, handsome, and anything to do with technology, he can figure out. I remember when he was really little, he could sit at a computer, turn it on, upload games, and know exaclty what buttons to push! Chase is so amazing!

Happy 14th Birthday!

Chase with his brother Chan, Uncle Hy, nephew SJ

Chase and Chan

Chase the Man!

Lil Buddy has arrived!

My little sister Sharla delivered a 9lb 21 in baby last night! They have not picked a name yet, so until I get word, he is still "Little Buddy" She had him very early this morning.

I now have seven nieces and nephews, but this one is very special to me because he was the first one that came from one of my sisters. Mike and Sharla are going to make such great parents!

This picture isn't the best because Maria sent it to me from her camera phone, and he still has that fresh from the womb look, but man oh man, look at those cheeks! I think half of his body weight are on those cheeks!

Welcome to the Johnson Family!!

Thanksgiving 2008

I had such a great Thanksgiving this year! I was able to go home to Brigham City. It was just all the single crew, (Maria and Hy and the parents of course) on Thursday. We went out to eat and then went and saw the movie "Australia." Such a great story!

Friday my friend Brian and his 3 kids; Tanner, Tyson and Madison came up and we played all afternoon! We went to the park for a little 500 football action, and then back to the house to play the usual after Thanksgiving card games while we stuffed our faces with goodies! Those kids said they had a blast, and they did not want to leave our house. Who knew the Johnson house was so much fun!?

Saturday my little brother Spencer and his family along with Mike and Sharla. came up to visit. Poor Sharla is so prego! Little Buddy is going to come any day! It was so much fun seeing little SJ and Jordi! Leah's parents and sister also dropped in for a bit before they headed up to Idaho. Such great people!

Sunday we had a Birthday party for SJ. He turned 2!!! That lil guy was spoiled! But he deserves every bit of it! All the kids also gave my mom an early Christmas present......a new computer!!!

We also did another night of playing games and eating left over turkey. It was nice spending time with my brothers HY and Spencer, my sisters Sharla and Maria, my brother-in-law Mike and my Sis-in-law Leah. We had everyone there but Evan's crew. Speaking of Evan's crew, we got a call Thursday morning with a surprise from Tami.......dun dun dun....Baby #5!! Saaaweeet! Check out the video they have on the Evan Johnson Family blog of the kids finding out about getting a new sister or brother. It is priceless!

Later Sunday evening we went to Temple Square to see my Dad sing in the Symphonic Choir. We met Brian's Mom and Dad there and spent time walking around looking at all the lights. I LOVE Temple Square at Christmas time. Such a wonderful feeling! I am so glad I was able to go while I was in Utah.

I loved Thanksgiving this year. It was full of family, friends, games, great food, surprises, and laughter. I am very thankful for all the amazing people in my life and the opportunity to share such a nice weekend with them.

The pictures below capture a little bit of each moment from the weekend.

Brian and April (sorry it is sideways)
Tanner, Madison and Maria (Check out that hair!)

Tyson getting a full review! Someone who likes to ask questions and someone that likes sharing details......equals a very interesting conversation!
Beautiful Jordi
Sharla with Little Buddy waiting to come out!How many times are we going to get this shot on camera? Check out Mikey's face.....I wonder what he is thinking?
I told my Dad to smile and not hide from the camera. This is the shot!

SJ blowing out his candles on his yummy brownies!
SJ got HOOKED UP!

That boy loves that thing! He calls it his "Mixy Mixy"

Mom getting her early Christmas presentLeah and April at Temple SquareMaria, Leah and Jordi Brian and April at Temple Square

Lights at Temple Square

SJ's Birthday!!

So I feel like a terrible Aunt! I forgot this little guys birthday! His Birthday was on the Nov 15. He is 2 years old! What a big boy he is! He is such a happy little boy. I love his laugh and his big smile. He also LOVES his little "sissy" Jordy. He takes good care of her. I feel so special having Spencer Jack aka "SJ" a part of our family!
Luckily for me, we are having a Birthday party for him on the Saturday after Thanksgiving when we are all together. Can't wait to see you!!! I Love you!!!
Leah, I had to "steal" some pictures from Kodak! I don't have any recent ones of my own! Soon I will though!

Always a smiler!

Such a goofball! What could be going through his head at this moment?

He LOVES his "sissy"

Check this out!

I am all about getting a good deal, so when I came across this, I just had to share with everyone! It gives you different codes for coupons and such, or gives you different specials that stores and sites online are doing. Don't buy anything till you check it out!
www.naughtycodes.com

My Halloween

This year I spent Halloween with the Martinsens. Tara was husbandless, so I went down and spent the evening with her and the girls. Tara took the Lora and some of her friends out trick-or-treating while Emma and I (we were both under the weather) stayed in and played games and answered the door for our trick-or-treaters. We had the doorbell ring once!

Later in the evening, Tara's neighborhood gets together out in front of the houses and has a bbq. It was some yummy food! It was nice to be with Tara and her girls since the rest of my family were together for Halloween at Spencer's. Maybe next year I will actually dress up and go somewhere!

Emma and I after playing our favorite game of "Sorry"


Tara sampling her yummy queso dip
The Martinsen Family BBQ

Cute cupcakes that looked like pumpkins

Emma the kitty cat and Lora the fairy

What a cute little kitty

A hike in the desert

A few weeks ago I went for a hike in the Supersition Springs Mountains. Nothing beats a hike in a forest of pine trees, but I have learned to appreciate the beauty of the desert.

Last minute road trip to Utah!

So on a Thursday night, I get a phone call from my great "running" friend Jeff. Jeff and I met when I called to get some life insurance. One Applebee salad and a life insurance policy later, we were great friends, and he started running with me in the morning. Jeff decided he was going to go to Utah, and I happen to have that Friday off, so I jumped in the car with him and off we went. We had a great time. I did not get too many pictures of the

trip, but the drive was beautiful! I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time by car, and finally saw the gorgeous Lake Powell. My favorite part was when we drove through Kanab, aka "Utah's Little Hollywood." I so want to go back and spent a couple of days in this little town. We pulled into Salt Lake around 9:30pm and stayed until Sunday afternoon. The drive home is as never as fun, but we always had something to talk about. Thank you Jeff for a great weekend! (This trip happened the first part of October..I am a little slow at getting things posted!)

You always have to have the passenger taking the picture of the driver picture!

I loved this little town of Kanab!

What a great friend!

Celebrity Look-a-like

Thanks Amy for sharing! I had to try it myself. I get told I look like Kelly Mcgillis but she did not make the list, so they must have been full of it!

Yes ladies and gentleman it finally happened. I can relate this feeling back to those days in elementary school when you anticipated your name being called out by the the team captain but it seemed to take forever! So long in fact there were only three people standing by the time it finally happened. I showed them however when I made the winning run in softball! After that moment I wasn't picked by the best looking boy in school, but I sure wasn't last man standing either!
So the day has finally come where someone has finally wanted to "tag" me! Maybe mine will be so full of juicy information everyone will want to tag me. Even the cutest boy in school.

So seven random, exciting, crazy, weird strange details about me. Too bad I only have 5 brothers and sisters. My list would be easy! JUST KIDDING!

1. It was pointed out to me a few days ago on a road trip that I like older men. I did not realize this until I started listing off some of my favorite people. John Wayne being at the top of the list. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love this man! I also have an obsession with Neil Diamond I should start a web page called "Neil Diamond will always be sexy." I also love Shaun Connery!

2. I have never once broken a bone, but I have been able to hurt myself in ways I never thought possible. Stiches in the tongue, stepped on a needle and it went all the way through my foot, and well, the small cut on my head that required 17 staples.

3. I love PB & honey sandwiches. I could live off of them.

4. I love to read, but I don't do it too often because when I do read it is when I have 3 days of doing nothing. Like Christmas vacation, or a long weekend. I can't put the book down. I have to finish it. It is like when I start anything, I have to finish it as quickly and as fast as possible.

5. My favorite thing to do to relax is go to the movies alone. Everyone thinks I am weird until they try it for themselves! There is nothing better than heading to the movies with movie cup in hand. You get to sit where you want, you don't have to share your popcorn, and no one to make fun of you when you are crying. Seriously....try it sometime.... You will be amazed how enjoyable it is.

6. I get terribly homesick for my surroundings when I am on vacation. I can't go on vacation for too long. After a few days of being gone from wherever I live, I just want to be home. Once I am home though, I can't wait for my next adventure.

7. I am allergic to almost all fresh fruits. Everyone thinks it is in my head, but I have met plenty of people that have the same symptoms! They all can only eat apples and green grapes just like me. My throat starts to swell and it feels like the outside of a kiwi. My ears start to itch and it feels like someone is stabbing my chest. I was offered freshly squeezed OJ on my mission all the time and I had to politely decline. Drinking a yummy glass of milk is the cure for the symptoms. One day I will take my allergy medicine before I am offered a big slice of watermelon or honeydew. Until then, go ahead and keep your cantelopes to yourself!

Stink, now is the part where I have to pick my team. Here goes.... sorry friends...those listed, you have to to gossip about yourself.
Oh...should number 8 be I can't make decisions? I can't ever be the one to decide where to eat in fear that the other person secretly does not want to go there and only agrees to it to be nice? I get anxiety really bad and would never be able to enjoy my food. So.... I can't pick seven. If you are on my list and you are reading this, go ahead..start making your list of how crazy you might be!

Happy Birthday Abbey D!!!

So Abbey turned 9 yesterday! I can't believe my sweet little neice is getting so old! She sure is a wonderful girl and I love and miss her to death! I talked to her on a the phone a couple of weeks ago and asked her what she wanted for her birthday. Her new hobbies are cooking and taking pictures! And boy does she take some good pictures!

One memory I have of Abbey was when I came to visit quite a few years ago when Abbey was only about two. I remember she climbed up on the bathroom counter as I was doing my makeup and hair and wanted to join me. She grabbed my makeup and hair brush and staired in the mirror. I think everyone knew early on she was going to be "Diva D" and "Cute D" Oh she is all girl! However, don't mess with her on the field or when she is beating the boys in a race!
I love Abbey because:
1. She is so kind
2. She is a great big sister to her lil sis Amelia
3. She makes me feel loved when I come and visit!
4. Her laugh! If any of you have heard her laugh, you know what I mean! It is a crack up!
5. She is sooo talented! She is a girl after my own heart because she loves to dance
6. The most determined little soul I have ever met!
7. She is a good example
8. She is very sensitive towards others
9. She loves me back!

Happy Birthday Abbey!!!!

What Year Do I belong in?

You Belong in 1984

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

My mini vacation to the White Mountains

Last weekend I took a little trip up to St. Johns Arizona. I had the most beautiful drive from Mesa to St. Johns. You drive up through the White Mountains. I stopped in Globe, and Show Low. Show Low I must say is a very interesting place! People in small towns have such a different outlook on life. Things slow down the minute you begin to smell country air. I loved it!! I tried to capture the beauty through my camera and outside my car window, but of course it never does it justice. I just wanted proof that there is more to Arizona then triple digits, (I put my sweatshirt on at night) swimming pools, and flat desert.
When I finally made it to St. John's Arizona, I met my friend Devin who took me to a yummy restaurant and showed me around town a little bit. Then we woke up bright and early and drove to Alpine. This was such a beautiful drive! We stopped and took a look at a valcano, ate snacks from a grocery store, and drove through Greer where I drug my friend into a cute little antique store where I was in seventh heaven checking out all the John Wayne merchandise! Speaking of John Wayne, I also stopped off and took a picture in front on the ranch he once owned in Eager. OH I love that Man!
We finally made it to the cemetary in Alpine. It is a small cemetary, only about 250 headstones. They had a nice marker for Jacob Hamblin. Jacob Hamblin is my 3rd great Uncle on my paternal Grandfather's side. He was known as the Apostle amongst the Lamanites. He had a great connection with the Indians in the west. Click on his name to read more about his life. There was also a neat tribute to his wife. His wife had 2 sisters. Together they were known as the 3 sisters of Arizona. July 27 was declared the :Leavitt/Hamblin Sister's Day! They are credited pretty much being the ones to settle that part of Arizona sense their husbands were away doing missionary work and such.
Our day ended at Bear Wallow Cafe. The only thing I need to say is I have ended my quest in finding the BEST chips and salsa EVER! YUMMY! I even got a to go order and had it for Sunday dinner.

Look how Beautiful! Even from my car window!

Guess he had bad service. Still waiting for a burger

The Antique Shop in Greer, AZ

My buddy Devin

This was in Greer. It was just so peaceful and GORGEOUS!

The ranch that John Wayne owned in Eagar, AZ

The Volcano hole

Jacob Hamblin's grave marker. There is a neat monument off to the side for his wife and two sisters.
Jacob Hamblin's monument. All the head stones around him are Hamblin's as well