Christmas On Mars 2

Christmas in our home town can be quite magical and this is mostly due to a local Bank owner who loves to enrich our community.  We are so grateful for the experiences he has provided for our family.  Last year the Bear Hotel was transformed into Christmas on Mars and this year it returned with a few new twists.  

Here is one of the local "cracknackers" (this is what Aiden used to call nutcrackers).  These are set up downtown on every corner.  We love it when they come out every year.  We drive up and down the streets to see their smiling faces.

Every year visiting Santa is a unique experience.  Aiden was eager to sit on Santa's lap and discuss his Christmas wishes.  Brooklyn was a little timid, but did sit on his lap this year and tell Santa she was excited for a princess Christmas.  Caitlin followed in her siblings footsteps and acted tortured for the whole three seconds she was on his lap for the annual photo.  

Can you say, "GET ME OUTTA HERE!!!!!"

As we travelled through Mars, we were able to walk through the martians spaceship, turn martian cookies in to real ones at Mrs. Claus' Kitchen, Visit Big foot's home, and play some fun martian games.  We loved every minute and can't wait to see what the Bear Hotel will be transformed into next year.

Merry Christmas from the Bear Hotel!

Gingerbread 2011

I know, I know Better Late Than Never... That was our gingerbread motto this year.  Our intentions were to make our gingerbread house at the beginning of December but with each passing week, it got pushed back further and further.  However, in mid to late December we did have our annual gingerbread extravaganza with the Stewart's.  Even though it was a little low key this year, fun was had by all and it is an understatement to say, LOTS OF CANDY was consumed.  

This was our finished product.  We think we are getting quicker as the years go by.  Besides the baking and assembling, it only took us one long night of decorating instead of three.

Favorite feature of the year is the chocolate rocks we used for the chimney.  Maybe Shae should switch careers and go into stone masonry.  

Shot from the back of the house.

Doesn't it look good enough to eat?

SIX

We got to celebrate another birthday!  Our sweet Aiden turned six the day after Thanksgiving.  He had been waiting so patiently, as he is the last in his group of friend his age to have a birthday.

Since college football started this season, Aiden has become, let's just say "a little" obsessed with the game. Therefore, he would have nothing else but a football birthday party.

First on the list of party activities was to make some football helmets (thanks to our friends who saved the milk jugs).  They turned out so cute and the kids loved decorating them with their favorite team logo's.  Aiden's of course had to be BYU, his favorite team.  Although if you ask him who the only team that BYU can't beat is, he will tell you Nevada.  That's right...GO WOLFPACK!!!

Here's our party football team with their helmets.  Depending on the size of the child's head, some fit better than others, but they all loved them. 

A little pin the football in the goal posts...

Then we had to have warm ups of course.  

Jumping Jacks,

Push ups,

and running in place.

Then it was time for a little football toss.

After a little cake and Touchdown Sundae ice cream, it was back outside for a little pick up game. 

Between the Nevada jersey, Boise shirt, and BYU hat, I think we are pretty covered team wise.  All we are missing is the Oregon Ducks. 

Two of Aiden's favorite gifts were his BYU hat and Nevada helmet, jersey, and pants.  Thank you so much Grandma Nini, and Grandma and Grandpa Johnson.  It is hard to get him to wear anything else.

Happy Birthday Aiden!  

We are so grateful that you are part of our family and we love everything about you.

Aidenisms at 6

Favorite things to do:

Play football

Watch football

Talk about football

Biking

Lego's

Board Games

Favorite Food

Bacon

Bean and Cheese Burritos

Pizza

NOT Chicken

Treats

Favorite TV show

Wild Kratts

He loves Kindergarten and is a great student.

We are grateful...

We are so grateful for the many bounteous blessings we have been given.  As we look back over the last year, we are thankful for our family, friends, good job, our home, and especially for the love of Christ in our lives.  We are also grateful that Grandma and Grandpa Johnson were able to join us for this wonderful holiday.  Here is a glimpse of our turkey day.  We hope yours was as yummy as ours.

While we were eating we realized that this was Caitlin's first real Thanksgiving dinner.  She loved most of it, especially the sweet potatoes (probably helped that they tasted like candy).

I'm not sure why but Shae was fascinated with the giblets this year.  He saved the heart, liver, and whatever else was in there to examine after dinner.  Grandma and the kids got a first hand lesson on how the heart works and then Shae cooked them all up for us to try.  Brooklyn was quite brave and tried them all, even went back for seconds.  Aiden and I however were a little more squeamish. 

Happy Thanksgiving from the Johnsons!

Thanks again for coming to play with us Grandma and Grandpa!

11-24-2011

Halloween 2011 - Classic

We hope everyone had a happy Halloween.  Aiden has wanted to be a bat since last Halloween and stuck with it all year.  Therefore, we themed ourselves around him this year and decided to go with classic Halloween costumes. So here we are in all our glory:  Shae- Dracula (could he be anything else, his hairline makes for the perfect vampire), Caitlin - our cute little pumpkin, Beth - a mummy mommy, Aiden - the bat, and Brooklyn - a witch.

 

We were also fortunate to have my parents here for the occasion.  We loved every minute of their visit and had a great time with them.  They even dressed up and joined us at our church Halloween party. Thanks for coming Nonnie and Grandpa!

Pumpkin carving at its finest.  We love carving pumpkins and this year was great, especially since we had extra help.  We carved our pumpkins to match our costumes. 

Trick or Treat!

Our kids love going trick or treating, especially when they can go with friends.  This year didn't disappoint at all.  We loved traipsing the neighborhood with some of our favorite families. 

Happy Halloween From the Johnson's!

...until next year...

New Beginnings...

I can't believe we have a child old enough to start school.
Today was bitter/sweet for me, and there may or may not have been some welling of the eyes, but the sweetness definitely prevailed. Especially after seeing all the smiles on Aiden's face today.

Aiden was so excited for school that he was up at 6:40 and ready by 7:15. He even wanted to wait on the front step until it was time to go.  

Aiden's New School!

He found his cubby!

We love Aiden's new teacher Mrs. Anderson!

So glad you had a great day Aiden!

Overall, it was a good day for all of us, although Brooklyn and I both seemed a little lost without our buddy here at home.  It will take some getting used to but we are grateful for new experiences.
We love you Aiden and hope you have a great year!

It's Fun To Be One!

I can't believe it has been a year already!  Yes, it is true what they say about time flying by faster and faster the older we get.  Here are a few moments from Caitlin's special day!

We couldn't let the day go by without balloons.  They are one of her favorite things. (Too bad two of them popped before the night was through).

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!  Had to add this one for good measure.  She is a very happy baby but she does cry!

One

This is how I feel about posing for more pictures...can we have cake yet?

One and walking, even if it is a wobbly walk.

Now that's what I'm talking about. Enough pictures, the cake is where it's at.

We had a great day.  Thanks to everyone who sent Birthday wishes.  Caitlin loved them all.

Last Friday was the real celebration.  Caitlin and her buddy Jones turned one a week a part and we had a fantastic barnyard bash.  More to come on that soon.

Happy Birthday Sweet Caitlin!  We love you so much and have enjoyed watching you grow and change this past year.  You bring so much joy and happiness to our family.  We are so blessed that you are ours.

We Love You!

One Year Old Favorites

Favorite foods

anything sweet (especially whipped cream)

ravioli's

watermelon

meat sticks

pasta 

cheerios

Favorite things to do

read books

mimic your brother and sister

move (you never sit still)

eat

First word

Yes ( you even nod your head)

Other first year milestones

You finally have two teeth at 11 1/2 months

Took your first steps