I have a new baby niece!!!

Leah (Spencer's wife) brought another special spirit down to earth this morning. She was 8lbs 3oz.

SJ getting a good look at his new baby sister Jordi Nicole Johnson. I am sure he will be a big help to his Mom with his new little sister, and shower her with lots and lots of kisses!

Koby got Married!!!!

On June 25, 2008 my buddy Koby was married in the Salt Lake Temple. Despite his "Girls are nothing but trouble" talks, I knew it was just that......TALK! I always told him that the minute he found the right one, all of his fears would melt away. He has found one amazing girl. That night was the first night I met Mandy, but trust me, I feel like I know her pretty well with all the stories Koby was able to share with me. I know he is extremely happy, and I am sure proud of him.
I will never forget the day I met this tall, goofy kid. He walked into the Toyshare office with a contagious smile and we have been friends ever since. I loved going into work so I could share all my boy stories with him. Not only did he hear my boy stories, but he heard pretty much everything else! Ok, so 99% of it was my frustrations about work, and when I walked into his office and shut the door, he knew to stop what ever he was doing and give me his full attention. When I REALLY needed to vent, we always escaped to Quiznos or wherever the "boys" (you know who you are) wanted to go that day. Koby and I always were the ones to pick up something for lunch. Which we loved most of the time so we could get away from the office and have our daily deep conversation.
I could go on and on about all the many conversations I was able to have with Koby, but my chapter has been closed, and he is on to much more FABULOUS adventures with his sweet new wife Mandy.



I was flooded with memories of the past few years at the reception that evening. I love seeing familiar faces that bring back such happy, wonderful times. I can't possibly say that ALL my memories of my former place of work were all wonderful, but the individuals that helped me through are the ones that will always be a positive part of my life.
This is Chad and his wife Amanda. Chad was the most amazing, kind, patient boss one could ever ask for. ( I would say this about Adrian too, but I think he was a few hours late, and the party had gone home! So no pictures of Adrian!) Chad's wife put up with a lot from all of us, but luckily I was able to make both of these individuals two of my friends, and I sincerely hope that friendship continues no matter where we are in our lives. This is Chad and Amanda's sweet little girl. I tried a few times to get her to look at the camera, but she was too busy flirting with all the boys!

Jennica was another person that I had a great opportunity not only to work with, but to become friends with. When you get her, you get her way cool husband Will. Oh how I am so thankful for great friends!



Last but not least, Jeremy from work. I would have others up on here, but this is the clan that showed up that evening. I don't miss the company, but I do miss my friends. For the most part, we all LOVED coming to work because each one of us truly cared about the other person, despite the fact a few of us would never admit it!
All in all, seeing everyone that night made me a little homesick, but I am thankful for all the new changes in my life.
Because of one decision I made over three years ago, I have truly been blessed by some of the most amazing people, and I am a better person because of what each one of them was able to teach and share with me.

Happy Father's Day

I think there will be a million blogs that all say, "I have the world's greatest Dad!" I hate to break it to them, but mine is the only one that is true. Unless you have the same Dad as I do.

My Dad truly is one of a kind. My Mom is one of those lucky ones that can say she married a man with the complete package. Charm, good looks, great with kids, honors his Priesthood, takes her to the Temple, hard worker, can cook food....and Bake! Buys and plants flowers, shares his chocolates, goes without so his kids don't, loves to laugh, tells good stories, sacrifices his time to help others, knows how to show emotion, gives good hugs, knows how to teach, can change oil in a car, and can clean a mean toilet!

He also knows how to say I love you, but even better than that, he shows it through his actions.

I love you Daddeo!!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Tami!

Happy Birthday to one of my most favorite woman of all time!

Tami has brought a smile to my face more times that I can count. She has that presence about her. The kind of girl that you wish you could dislike because they are so perfect at everything, yet you love them more then words can describe.

I remember the first time I met this extraordinary woman. She was sitting on my front lawn all cute and perfect. She was trying to take my brother's heart, and I really didn't want her too! Yet, in the midst of all that, she won my heart as well. I thank my brother all the time for picking out such an outstanding person. I always tell people that Tami became my friend before she was my sis in law because of a great experience we were able to have when she came and stayed with us for a few months.

I look up to her more then she knows. I always use her as an example of the type of wife and mother I desire to be. For example, she always wants to look her best for her hubby. No matter what she has going on that day, or if she even leaves the house, she always looks adorable for Evan when he walks in the door.

I love how she sets goals and is able to achieve them amongst the chaos of raising her family. She always makes everything look so easy! She already has me beat in a 5k!!

So in other words, I am telling the world how much I love and admire her. She truly is one of my closest friends. I miss her like crazy. I am getting teary as I sit and write this thinking about how much I miss her!

Happy Birthday!

ps. cheetos anyone?

A fun night at the Biltmore

Lane, Tara, Shawn, Sheila, April and Josh

No one even came close to Shawn's score! He beat us all!

Breaking at the "snacks!"

Sheila out for a visit to see the Martinsen Clan

It is so exciting to have family come and visit! Even though they are my extended family and not my immediate family, I still get very excited. It really does make me less homesick.

One of my dear sweet cousins Shiela came down to visit her daughter Tara. I was so eager for her to come since we had become such good friends when I lived in Salt Lake.

On Saturday we spent all day hanging out at the pool just visiting and telling good stories. It was a day hanging out with the girls, while Abram washed my car! (Of course I had to pay up for that one!)

We all got some sunburns, but the laughs made up for it.

On Monday Tara's brother Shawn was in Phoenix for business. He invited us all down to the Biltmore hotel and treated us all to dinner. It was some yummy food! One of those nice fancy restaurants where you have to pay attention to what fork you need to use and what side you are to take your napkin from. The best part wasn't the food though, it was Shawn's great story telling. At one point I was laughing hard, and at another, I could feel this great love he had for his children. I love having those rare, special moments with family.

After dinner we went back to his fancy hotel suite where we played games, and of course ......had treats. I mean what Johnson, or Johnsen plays games without a big bowl of something edible next to them?

Of course during the game playing came more stories such as our memories playing games with Uncle/Grandpa Dell. We were all laughing so hard we all had tears in our eyes. Josh was even laughing, but I am sure he was laughing AT us rather then WITH us since I am sure he just thought we were all crazy! I tried to give him enough warning about certain topics that may come up whenever you have more then one Johnson in the room, but luckily we only got to that fine line rather then crossing it. Tara was very thankful we didn't bring up certain "subjects" if you know what what I mean.

It was such a great Family Home Evening. I love those opportunities to get to know some of my family better. They simply are the best.

Happy Birthday Chandler!

Chan, I can't believe you are 11! I remember coming in and visiting you and your mom in the hospital right when you were born. I think even then, you had that huge smile on your face that lights up a room when you walk in.

I have learned many things about you over the past years since you have been around.

* You are very special, and have a great purpose here on earth.

* You have an ability to calm others. I have seen this when you are with your sisters.

* Killer scramble egg maker

* You have a pretty tough exterior, but everyone knows you are a softy on the inside.

* You have determination like no other! Like the time you jumped off the high dive at Lava Hot Springs.

* Hard worker, handsome and smart. Need I say more?

Thanks for being a great nephew Chandler!