"The Birth of Christ"

Gracie was in the "Birth of Christ" Ballet for the second year in a row, she loved it! Her smile could not have been any bigger when I saw her after the performance, that was the first night of our big snow!

Halloween "Three Mice"

What a fun Halloween we had this year. I convinced all three kids to be mice so they could dress nice and warm, of course it was a warm Halloween for the first time ever, oh well! We had a great time, and got way too much candy!

I have really started to enjoy gardening since we have been in this new house. With three kids I don't always get the time I need to keep my yard looking the way I would like it to, but I try. Anyway, my favorite flower is a dalia (sp). The bloom from Summer to Fall and bloom over and over and over. Here are some pics of my favorite dalia that are in my yard right now.

Poor Rubie

Rubie is no longer with us and now has a new home. About two years ago she swallowed a bone and ended up costing us close to $1500 to save her life. We were going to put her to sleep because the doggie hospital wanted around 3 grand to save her. When we went to our vet to put her to sleep they said they would do the surgery for about half. So we saved her!

Now almost three year later she did the same thing, except it was a pine cone. We decided we were not going to pay again for her surgery. Eric signed her over to the Vet who I guess can find her a new owner that will pay the bill. We are very sad but hope she has a great new home!

Janie and Mrigona Lau

Our very best freinds in the whole world came over last night. Here are some pics of Janie and her best friend Marigona.

Eric, Jill & Janie...Trip to San Fran

Eric finally took me on a work trip. He had training in San Fran so he took Janie and I along for the trip. We spent a few days with my girlfriend Lilli and her family in the Palo Alto area and then we spent a few days in San Fransisco.

Janie one year pictures

Finally.........only 3 month late I took Janie in for her one year pictures. She kicked butt as usual. Even with no nap she wins Miss Congeniality! They once again asked me to sign a model release form so they can put her pictures up in their store. She was up on the store wall in a four print collage when we were in there. What a little model!

Gracie's First Day of School

I must be getting old............I now have a child in school. Gracie started shool and loves it! Full-Day is a bit long for her but I am happy for it, and Carter get's some much deserved one-on-0ne time!

The Johnson Family Vacation

We set out in mid June for our big summer vacation.......final destination, Jacob's Reunion in Wyoming. The road trip actually went great considering we had three kids 5 and under in tow. Janie really surprised as and did better or as good as both of the older kids. She certainly has been an easy going baby!

Our first stop was Portland where we spent time with Grandpa Johnson, Macki, Kari, Tyler and the kids and Resh and Kevin. It was fun seeing all the kids reconnect and have a great time together.

We spent two nights with my long time best friend (since middle school) Angie and her husband Aaron. We had a great time with them and spent some time at Angie's parents house where we all got a chance to Jet Ski, and the kids swam in the hot tub like it was a small pool! It was so great to spend time with Angie's parents since they were like my other parent's growing up! They sure loved Janie............I think it REALLY made them want another grand-baby! Sorry Ang!

Then onto Grandma Betty's house in Nampa, Idaho where we met up with Nanci, Kevin, Porter and James. We were just there long enough for Grandma to spoil the kids with lot's of treats. Then back on the road to our final destination....Smoot, Wyoming.

What a great reuntion it was with so much fun stuff to do and of course wonderful loved ones to see. The kids had a blast with the well over 70 kids that were there. Gracie latched onto one of my cousins daughters that she latched onto two years ago at the last reunion. Her name is Dalie and she must be 3 or 4 years older than Gracie.

The kids went on a zip line, Carter must have been the youngest kid to go alone, and he loved it. We also went on a rowboat on a small lake, and of course lot's of hiking. I think Carter's favorite was getting to ride on a little dirt bike and of course watching Porter and James fish.

The trip home was long , Eric got a speeding ticket....but other than that went well. We had a great trip and look forward to the next reunion in 2 years wherever it may be!

Now we are home back into swim lessons and our summer routine. Janie started walking a couple of weeks ago at 12 1/2 months, we can't get enough of watching her walk with her hands straight up in the air! We are going to be sad when summer is over!

Janie turns one!

We just celebrated Janie's first birthday! Where has the time gone........Janie is such a happy, joyful little person. She can put a smile on anyone's face at anytime with her happy personality. We had a great party for her with a lot of great friends and family here. She of course loved her cake, so much that she went straight for a dip in the little pool to clean it all off of her.

Gracie takes swim lessons everyday just about 1 mile away at the Fircrest pool. She is doing great this summer and really enjoys it. I can hardly keep Janie, and Carter out of the pool while she is in her lessons. It will be nice next summer........Carter will be tall enough to take lessons the same time Gracie is in lessons. The Fircrest pool is known for great swim lessons, so great that the lines to sign up start an hour or so early, the non-residents will line up up to two hours early and pay quite a bit more. We are so fortunate to live in the best community!

I am having a hard time figuring this whole blog thing out so bare with me if my blog is a little lame at the moment.

The kids and Eric and I, mostly (Eric and I) at the moment are fighting a nasty cold. As a result my body is in lazy mode, which I hate it with this beautiful weather.

A typical day the kids and I head out after naps only coming back in for dinner. We then go back out for our evening walk/visit to the neighborhood park(s)! We are blessed to live in such a great area with wonderful places to walk to that are so close to our home.