Christmas Day.

This year was a big Christmas for us because it was the first one that we celebrated in our own home. Usually we are traveling and staying with family but not this year! I had so much fun setting up all the presents and stockings Christmas Eve. Justin had lots of fun putting up the boys new train table.

Christmas morning Justin's mom and Jim came over to celebrate Christmas morning with us. We woke Kam and Karson up and I loved seeing their cute little expressions as we all gathered around the tree. Their eyes caught sight of the train table and train right off and they spent a good amount of time playing with it before even noticing any other gifts. We took our time opening all our gifts and had a nice relaxing morning. It was so nice having Janice and Jim in our home, they made the most adorable barn for Kamden. We were all spoiled so much and I couldn't ask for a better Christmas morning.



We were planning on heading up to the cabin that afternoon but the snow was coming down. Justins brother Jade and his wife got stuck on their way over from Boise. While we waited for them to get here we went to visit my family. Finally Jade got into town and we ended up having a very unexpected, yet delightful Christmas dinner of chicken tacos, along with a quite evening at home playing with the boys toys.

Friday morning we made some visits to Grandpa and Grandma Johnson and Mom Janice and then headed up to the cabin. When we got to the cabin we had found that Santa had stopped by their too. The boys enjoyed opening even more presents and the big boys really enjoyed their yo-yos. The next couple of days we spent laying around enjoying the beautiful snowy outdoors, from inside the nice and warm cabin. We watched movies, played games, ate great food, and enjoyed each others company. Saturday all the boys headed up to Targee to snowboard/Ski while the girls watched chick flicks. We had a wonderful weekend!

 

What a great Christmas for us!!! I am so greatful to have such wonderful family and friends!

p.s- I attempted to make my own digital Christmas Cards to send out this year. Although I did get one designed it never left my computer. Sorry!

Christmas Eve

Once again this year was a whirlwind of Christmas fun. We had a lot of snow and were in a winter wonderland. Which was just perfect for Christmas. December 23rd Justin came home early from work because of a huge storm we were having. We enjoyed a nice quite evening at home. Christmas Eve day Justin got off work around noon. We headed down to a friends house for a little get together with some friends from High School. It was great seeing every one again and catching up. All the kids played great together and we were very sad to have to leave. But on to more festivities we had to go. We headed to my parents house were we spent the rest of Christmas Eve. Santa made a surprise visit, and of course once again the boys wouldn't even get close to him. We had some great food and had a little program. Justin has been teaching himself how to play the piano. That night he played Here comes Santa Claus for us all. My brother Austin played some songs for us on the Guitar and I even played a little Christmas tune on the piano. We opened gifts and took pictures. My parents always do a great job at Christmas and this year we got a lot of stuff for storage which we definitely needed!! It is fun having the whole family together.

These are a few of my favorite things.

Outside right now it is a complete blizzard. We are all snowed in for the night. It's only 8:24 and Justin and both the boys are sound asleep. The house is nice and quite and very peaceful. All the lights are off and the Christmas lights are aglow. I am taking advantage of the time to sit here relax and take it all in. Makes me think of all the simple things that make this time of year so pleasurable.

We have been very busy this last week getting ready for Christmas and enjoying the holiday season. Last Tuesday I had some of the gals in the Johnson family over for lunch. Our kids got to play and we got to visit. It is nice to have family around to hang out with. Justin is really lucky to have had such a wonderful extended family! Now I am lucky too that I get to be a part of it.

When I was doing some grocery shopping on Monday I ran into an old friend from college. We both are living in the area now and on Thursday we took our kids to a pizza/play place to have fun. It was so nice cathcing up with each other and I am so happy to have such a great friend. I am sure that we will be having lots more fun together! Thursday night we had Justins company Christmas party. It was fun to get out and meet the people he works with. They had a catered dinner,at guest comedian Kip Ataway. The best part about it all was spending time with my wonderful husband.

Friday I went to my moms house and tried getting some Christmas projects done that I have yet to finish. That afternoon we headed off to Justins work to see Santa. They had cookies,punch,hot cocoa, and they even handed out personalized presents to each kid. Kam and Karson wouldn't even get close to Santa but stood at arms length to grab their presents. Maybe next year they won't be so scared of him. It was fun to go and see where Justin works. The boys played at his desk and loved the stapler and hole punch.

Saturday I braved the crowds and did some last min. shopping. CRAZY! It was so busy and wild. I then went down to my moms and made candy and finished my Christmas projects.

Sunday we had some really good friends of ours, Janet Jon and their baby Samantha, come and visit. It was great to see them and meet Sam for the first time. We spent our time catching up and enjoying each others company. The boys were in love with Samantha, and loved entertaining her with their tricks and toys. She is six months old and so cute! It has been over two years since we last saw each other but yet we picked up like it was yesterday. It is so good to have such great friends.

Last Wednesday Justin headed off to sunny Florida for some training. While he was gone I attempted to get the last of my Christmas shopping done. Its amazing how you can spend three hours shopping and still have more to do. It looks like I still have a few items to pick up. Guess I will have to join the chaotic world of last min shopping which equals, busy roads, busy stores, and busy parking lots. A few things I could definitely do without!

We had a very lazy weekend which was nice! Our siblings Karlee, Randy, and Eli ended up staying all weekend at our house. Saturday morning we awoke to a winter wonderland! The ground was covered in snow. Justin got home Saturday afternoon and the rest of the day we spent eating pizza (delivered of course)drinking hot cocoa, watching movies, and playing several games. We stayed in our p.j.s all weekend practically. We sure had a lot of fun! Sunday we took the kids over to Justins parents and they played in the snow. It was only six degress outside so they got cold quick. Kamden got pulled on the sled behind the Ranger and Karson sat in the tractor with pa, plowing the snow. That night we went to my parents for dinner and watched the Forgotten Carols. It was nice to have such a relaxing weekend.





Also some very exciting news. Justin is now officially licensed as a Professional Engineer. He got his stamp in the mail the other day and was very excited. Congrats Justin!

Wife Taged Back

So a week ago or so Chelsea put up some quite embarrassing pictures and facts about yours truly. I am stuck at some training classes for a few days so thought I would share some of the same facts about your lovely host. She is always so forthcoming on tidbits about the boys of the Johnson residence but rarely does she open the doors to her own wonderful talent/features/quirks.

1. What is her name? Chelsea Rae Johnson (Colgrove) those closest know her as "Cheech"

2. Who eats more? I guess always me

3. Who said "I love you" first? Me, I am pretty sure is said it wrong in Spanish

4. Who is taller? I am by a solid 3 inches, unless the 'fro is on then it is more like 6.

5. Who is smarter? When it comes to books it is close, but in life definitely her. Her favorite comment when i do something stupid is "Hu, Princeton, Right" accompanied with a head shake.

6. Who is more sensitive?Equally sensitive about most things, she is definitely more sensitive to other peoples needs/wants etc.

7. Who does the laundry?Chelsea thank goodness. I have an annoying habit of washing pens with the laundry.

8. Who sleeps on the Right side of the bed?Depends on which way your facing, but her.

9. Who pays the bills?Usually me, but Chelsea is starting to become interested

10. Who cooks more?For real elaborate things i probably cook the most, Chelsea is the baker though. She can make a cookie that you would die for.

11. What meals do you cook together? We try to spend the time in the kitchen together. Either talking or working together.

12. Who is more stubborn?I vote Chelsea, for proof see exhibit Karson: he looks like her and is super stubborn, Kamden on the other hand is more mellow and people say he looks like me.

13. Who wears the pants in the relationship?Probably have to disagree with Cheech, she wears the pants.

14. What do you like to do together? One of my favorite things to do with her is take road trips. We started dating 13 years ago (yikes!) and i can still talk to her for ten hours in a car with no problem. I also love playing games with her.

15. Who eats more sweets?Once again probably a toss up. We both enjoy our treats.

16. Guilty Pleasures?She loves TV shows and movies. She loves to cuddle up in bed and watch Smallville, The Hills, Movies, (insert any TV Show Here).

17. How did you meet? The pursuit began in eighth grade. I finally asked her out in 9th grade (this is the type of dating where you hold hands and talk on the phone)

18. Who asked out who? I asked her out

19. Who kissed who first?I kissed her I suppose. It was more like me kissing at her since she didn't participate.

20. Who proposed to who? I proposed to her in the car on the way back from Vegas (not to romantic I know, i was only 19). She quickly responded "Not only no, but Hell No" once the tears started she figured out I was serious and the rest is history.

21. Her best features? Well she has one super feature that i like but will not mention. I also love this little space, it is trademark Cheech and I love it. I also think she has nice hair when she just leaves it alone.

22. Her best Quality. Where to even start. She takes care of me and the boys great, without her i wouldn't have clothes to wear, i would have a filthy house, i would never do anything exciting. She is funny (freakin hilarious, just ask her), she is smart, she is always there for me. She is a blast to hang out with, she makes me a better person, and she is my best friend. I better stop or i will fill up the whole blog.

Now you all know your wonderful host a little better. She is one of a kind that's for sure. Until next time, J.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The stocking are hung, the tree is up, there is even snow on the ground outside. Things around here are beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Friday night we went to our ward Christmas party. We had a delicious meal and the little children sang. Santa came to visit, but no matter how hard we tried we could not get Kamden to sit on his lap. Saturday night we went to the Idaho Falls Symphony Christmas program. Justin had got tickets through work so we invited my parents to go with us. I'm not really one for the Symphony but we ended up having a great time and it was a lot better then I expected. Last night we went to visit Santa again. In town there is this house that Santa comes too. They decorate it all up, and the kids wait in line to sit on his lap. There was Christmas music playing and they even had hot Chocolate. It was very cute, but even after Kam saw mom and Karson sitting on Santas lap he still wouldn't do it. At least I got to tell Santa what I wanted for Christmas. :)

I forgot to pack my camera around both times we saw Santa, but here are some from this past week.

We only have lights on the tree so far, so it still looks pretty bare. I can't seem to keep the two boys and dog away from it. They are constantly crawling under it, and behind it. The other day Kamden threw a ball in it. Maybe I won't be putting any ornaments on it this year after all.

I was trying to feed Karson some jello, of course he wanted to do it himself instead. This boy is so stubborn. For some odd reason I can't ever seem to keep him clean.



A very cute Kamden!

Happy Wedding Day!!!

Today I am feeling a bit glum. Today I am supposed to be at one of my best friends wedding in the Caribbean, Antigua to be exact. Justin and I had been planning this trip for over a year. But with our recent move home and a series of unfortunate events (such as our house still for sell in Michigan, and a sink hole needing fixed in the back yard) we ended up having to cancel our getaway! Although I know that I made the responsible decision about not finding myself more in debt, I sit here on the day of the wedding completely bummed! I could be in sunny Antigua (it's a nice 84 degrees there right now) on the beach sippin a virgin pina colada, with my best friends! Instead I am sitting here (it's only 31 degrees here right now) completely bummed.


Okay, okay enough about me! The real reason for the post is not so you can hear me complain. It is to celebrate the marriage of two wonderful people. Today my best friend Brandi will be marrying a down right devilishly handsome Jeff Savage. I couldn't be happier for them. Six years ago Brandi and I met at pizza hut. We were both servers their. Instantly we clicked. Our friendship came easy. Work was always fun when I got to do it with her. There would be days we would laugh so hard it hurt. Over the years she has become one of my biggest supporters and best friend. She has flown across the country twice, to be there for me after I had my babies. Anytime I ever needed a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk to she has been there for me. As you can see she is a wonderful friend. She met Jeff three years ago. As soon as I met him I could see that he was madly in love with Brandi. He treated her like a princess and swooned over her every need. I knew right away that this was the man that was worthy of Brandi. Jeff is one of the most caring people I have ever met, a true gentleman. So today I am filled with joy. Joy that two people so wonderful have found each other. Joy that they get to find happiness together. Joy that they have found everlasting love. To be honest the hardest part about not being their today isn't about the beach or the virgin pina coladas, it's about not being able to be their with them on their special day. But despite the fact that I wish I were there, I am still filled with happiness for them! Congratulations Jeff and Brandi, to two wonderful people who deserve each other, and all the wonderful blessings life has to offer. Love you both!

Husband Tag.

My good friend Valerie Tagged me. It's a tag all about my husband so I was more then happy to do it.

1. What is his name?
Justin Thales Johnson aka J-sizzle.

2. Who eats more?
Usually him.

3. Who said "I love you" first?
Justin, he said it to me in Spanish in ninth grade.

4. Who is taller?
Justin but not by much.

5. Who is smarter?
Book smart Justin for sure, he is brilliant.

6. Who is more sensitive?
Me, but Justin is a big softy!

7. Who does the laundry?
Most of the time me.

8. Who sleeps on the Right side of the bed?
I do.

9. Who pays the bills?
Justin takes care of it.

10. Who cooks more?
It's really a toss up, but probably him. He loves to cook.


11. What meals do you cook together?
Cooking together is one of our favorite things. Its not always easy to do with the two boys. Usually one of us ends up watching the kids while the other one cooks.

12. Who is more stubborn?
Equally stubborn but usually over different things.

13. Who wears the pants in the relationship?
Depends on the day. Its pretty equal.

14. What do you like to do together?
Go out for a nice dinners, travel, watch movies, play game, camping, boating, having friends over. Just about anything.

15. Who eats more sweets?
Once again probably a toss up. We both enjoy our treats.

16. Guilty Pleasures?
X-box!

17. How did you meet?
In eighth grade we had some classes together. I had a crush on his best friend so started hanging out with them. Justin had a crush on me and made me forget all about his best friend. What a charmer! Been in love with him ever since.

18. Who asked out who?
Justin.

19. Who kissed who first?
Justin kissed me and I was in shock. I was only like 14. I couldn't even move my lips. I didn't know what to do. :)

20. Who proposed to who?
Justin.

21. His best features?
Have you seen those dimples.


22. His best Quality.
Smart, Sensitive, Driven, Good at anything he does. Fun, adventurous, thoughtful. He is a wonderful husband and Dad. He has so many great qualities. I love you Justin! You are the best.

I tag everyone whom would love to do a post about their hubby.

Thanksgiving Weekend Recap.

Thanksgiving Day we kicked off our celebration at my parents house for a light lunch. My whole family was able to be there. All 13 of us. It is always nice to be able to all get together. My mom made a delicious potato soup. We had a lot of fun visiting and looking at the black Friday adds to plan our shopping route for the next day. Later that afternoon we headed over to the Johnson house. It was a full house, with 16 people and 7 dogs. As always there was a ton of delicious food. After the feast we all sat around and chatted. We were stuffed!

Bright and Early Black Friday morning (3:30 a.m. to be exact) my sister Tessa and I were wide eyed and bushy tailed, in line, ready to shop. At 4:00 am the doors opened and the race was on. We continued the process several different times at several stores. It was a mad house! But I did get a lot of great deals and put a good dent in my Christmas shopping. To be honest I think it is pretty fun! Thanks for being such a great shopping partner Tessa.

Later that day we had yet another Turkey Feast. For all of those who know my husband he loves to cook. So he just had to cook a Turkey. My family came over to our house and once again we ate way to much. We played games and had a good time. That night Tessa took the boys to Nana's house for a sleep over. They packed up there overnight bags, and were so excited to go. Justin and I had the house all to ourselves. We snuggled up and watched a movie. It was very weird to have our house so quite and the boys beds empty, but it was so nice when both of us slept in the next morning.

Saturday was another busy day. After we picked up the boys from their sleep over, Justin took Kam to get his stitches out. He was so brave and didn't even cry. Our good friends Josh and Veronica were in town and we were able to have lunch with them. It is always good to see them and we have so much fun together. They were able to come over and see our house and puppy before having to leave. We all took a quick nap, then headed off to Justins moms and Jims house for another celebreation. We played more games and ate more. Later that night I ended up having a sleep over at my moms with my sister Tessa. All three of us stayed up late talking, laughing and playing cards. It was fun to spend time with the girls! It was a great Thanksgiving weekend!

Yesterday we had a much needed day of relaxation and rest. Last night we started getting out Christmas decorations. Tonight hopfully we will get our tree up. I love decorating for Christmas. It makes the house so cozy! Happy December 1st everyone!