boring, busy, week...

Not too much going on with us this week...

Cody and I did get a chance to go on a fun date this weekend which is rare for us. We went out to dinner with some friends for a birthday. It's fun to just hang out and laugh. It seems like between work and life, we don't do that nearly enough. Cody is busy at work as usual, but has actually been getting home at a somewhat decent time lately. He really does like his job right now, so that makes it easier.

Avery is still adjusting to school. She does great while she's there, but she's still not used to getting up early. She was telling me this morning that she just needs to stay in bed a little longer. I was trying to explain to her that the only way to get more sleep is to go to bed earlier at night, because school starts at the same time every morning. I'm afraid it went right over her head... She loves school and really loves her teacher. The school PTO had a fundraiser at a pizza place last night and she was SOOOOO excited to see her teacher out at a restaurant and get to talk to her. Mrs. Connelly really is sweet to her. Avery has a new vocabulary since starting school, and I think most of it comes directly from her teacher. It's funny.

Liam is also having a blast at his school. He loves "Ms Candace" and really would like to go everyday. His days are long without his sissy to keep him company. He keeps me busy though. Mostly just laughing at the funny things he does and the goofy things he says. The other night he was sitting by Cody on the couch and out of nowhere he says "mom, I want some toast!" Well, it was like 9pm and I didn't want to make toast, so I got him some bread. He took it and studied it and said "is this toast?" I said no, it's bread. He just kind of smirked and said "Oh, it's bread...I get it!" He totally said it with attitude, and was kind of laughing at me. Cody and I just looked at each other and cracked up. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff.

I am just trying to get the hang of new bed times, making lunches, trying to find family time in our crazy schedule. Our little girl is having a major growth spurt. I feel like I'm getting huge, and I really must be because my ever tactful father informed me the other day that "you really are looking fat"...thanks dad, I hadn't noticed!!! Hope everyone has a good week!

More Firsts...

This was another week of firsts at our house. My baby started preschool. He is going to the same preschool Avery went to last year. He always wanted me to leave him there when she was there. So, he's been so excited to go to Ms. Candace's.

He picked out his Spiderman backpack all by himself. He can barely walk with it on (good thing it's empty!)

All ready for his big day!

Liam and Ms. Candace

His school is 2hrs twice a week. He's doing great, and wants to go everyday! So, this gives me 4 hours a week with no kids. It's weird, but gives me a little time to get stuff done (like grocery shopping with no kids). There is a ton of stuff I need to get done to get ready for this baby, but haven't found the energy or motivation so far! My personal decorator (AKA: cody's mom) will be home from Alaska next week, then we'll get started with all the moving stuff around and painting I need to do. I keep thinking I have all this time, but really It's not that long!

I also wanted to say Congratulations to my sister Kenra. She finished nursing school a couple weeks ago. It was a long, hard road for her and I'm so proud of her for finishing. Good Job Girl!!! Her husband threw a really fun graduation party for her last weekend. All of my siblings were there (with no kids!) and lots of old friends. It was lots of fun, and great food. I don't have pictures because I was taking them with her camera, but if you are interested link to Kenra and Ed's blog to take a look.

All Grown Up....

Today was a big day for our Avery Pearl...(and her parents). Today was her first day of all day Kindergarten. She was so excited, and not even nervous. She seemed so grown up walking into that big school. Cody was actually home this morning, he was excited to be able to take her. She loves her dad and taking him places, so it was a good morning. They let parents go into the classroom today, she was sitting on the mat trying to listen, but she kept finding us and waving really big. We read a story, and heard announcements, then it was time for us to go. It was surprisingly hard to walk away and leave her in the hands of strangers. I really like her teacher, and know she'll be fine. We just realized we're not in control of every part of her life anymore. It was weird. Cody was remembering how cute and chubby she used to be. We were talking on the way home about what a sweet and happy girl she's always been.

We know she's ready and that she'll do great in school. We're just being sentimental because she's our first baby, and we're not ready for her to grow up so fast! Here are a few little Avery pictures of her cute stages and our favorite times with her.

Lining up, getting ready to walk into the classroom

On the mat in her classroom

All ready for her big day!!

I think she's about two in this one...right around the time Liam was born.

Her expression cracks me up...not to mention the spaghetti mess!

Almost 4...

This was her 2nd Halloween ( I think)

All dressed up for my brothers wedding, her firs big outing at 5 weeks old.

Her first birthday party.

She's about 4 months old at Grandma Nadine's house in Alaska..these were her first real smiles.

It really is crazy how fast they grow up. Liam will be starting preschool next week, and I'll have a couple hours a week by myself!! Until the next baby comes anyway!

Johnson Family Reunion 2008

Over the 24th of July we headed up to Utah for a family reunion. It was my Mom's family, which is quite large. There are 7 kids in her family. If my math is right my grandma has 40 grandkids, and now that all of us are having our families there are lots more than 40 great grandchildren. There were lots of my cousins that I hadn't seen in years, and some of their kids I've never seen. It was so fun to get together and camp and catch up on everyones lives and kids. The kids were so cute, they didn't even care that they didn't know eachother. If we told them they were cousins it was good enough and they were best friends. They had so much fun! It's amazing that all of this came from my sweet grandparents, and my grandma never forgets a birthday!!

Liam spent half his time trying to navigate this log..

A bunch of my cousins, and siblings took a beautiful quad ride through the mountains to this pretty overlook. You could see half the state of Utah from this spot. Thanks to my cousin Ted for letting the prego ride the cadillac of quads. It was like driving a couch through the mountains!

Avery, Kaylen, and Kendi thought they discovered Indian ruins. Or if Kendi is telling the story "did you know that the aliens lived here a long time ago?"

My Aunt Denise and her sweet granddaughter Tatum...so cute.

Liam told Cody he wanted to build a "spiderman clubhouse". So, the boys started building...and they didn't stop!

It was practically waterproof when they were done! Liam was so excited. They played in it the rest of the weekend.

I was trying to get a candid shot of the kids playing a game, but there are no candids with this girl!

It was a really fun trip. Even the drive up wasn't bad (thats the part I usually hate!) Can't wait to do it again next year!

Liam is Three!!

Our little boy is THREE! I can hardly believe it. He is such a fun, energetic little boy. I always thought our kids would be similar. Well, these two don't really look too much alike, and they definately have their own personalities. Liam always has something funny to say. Here are a few of my favorite things about Mr. Liam.

*He is so hot or cold, he can be the sweetest thing ever or the grumpiest (but he's usually sweet to me!)

* If he really wants to insult you he'll call you "small". He pointed around the living room at each of us one night very angrily and said "mom, you small!" "dad, you small", "avery, you small" he did all of this with the meanest face he could muster.

*he loves his sister. If it's been a while since he's seen her his question is always the same. "mom, where my sister Avery?"

*he likes to sing. I'll often find him playing quietly by himself singing some silly song he learned in nursery or on tv.

*if he knows he's in trouble he quickly drops to the ground (like he thinks I'm going to beat him) and says "don't be mad mom"

Anyway, he's always been really fun and quite entertaining. He definately keeps us busy! He loves telling people that he's three now.

Here are a few favorite pictures from his little party.

He wanted an "airplane/car" cake. So, this lovely cake is this lame moms interpretation of his airplane cake. Pretty sad, I know.

His favorite cousin/friend Davin digging into his cake.

I like this sweet face, I can tell he loves being the center of attention while they sing to him.

None of them could keep their fingers out of the cake, so I finally just let them dig in for a picture.

Cousins Kendi and Shaley

Avery was mad that her hat broke, but then decided to sort of smile when she saw the camera.

Liam hugging his friend Noah because he was so excited about his present. Not sure Noah was ready for this hug!

Concentrating hard on those gifts. It was a fun little party. Just enough that he knew he had one. Mostly it was a bunch of kids running around making a huge mess. Cody must have blown up 50 balloons (usually after the kids had tried themselves, brave man)! I think they all had fun. Happy Birthday Liam!