Happy Birthday Olivia-My Little Soul Surfer

After Olivia watched Soul Surfer she became Bethany Hamilton's biggest fan!  I found her trying to brush her teeth with one arm, just in case.  The theme of her dance concert at Creative Arts is Inspiration and they are doing a dance with surf boards about Bethany.  For her Birthday, Olivia wanted to go to Hawaii and meet Bethany.  Since that wasn't an option, we decided to have a beach party.  It was so fun!  We tried exotic fruits like star fruit, mangos, and papayas.  We bit the pinata like sharks and took an airplane ride to Hawaii.  We even decorated our surf boards.  Someday maybe Olivia can meet her inspiration and get a chance to surf the waves! 

Merry Christmas!

It has been so long since Christmas that my old, addled brain can't remember much.  My brother, Judd and his cute family came up a couple of weeks before Christmas and we celebrated with them.  We went skiing and despite no snow we had a fabulous time with the whole crew. It is one of my favorite Christmas traditions!  The other is the Live Nativity in Alpine.  It was worth the crowds and the cold to visit our friend Max, the camel and feeling the true Christmas Spirit.  The boys and I had a great time helping screw on wheels and paint little cars for "Tim's Toys for Tots."  Now we know what Sam is doing for his Eagle Project.  Movies, puzzles, yummy food, what more can I say?  My in-laws came into town from Hawaii and we loved spending time with them.  One afternoon some of the Johnson boy cousins did Baptisms for the Dead in the Bountiful Temple.  Christmas Day we had an ugly sweater/dance party at my sister Adrien's with the Weggeland Family, it was a riot!  Amelia loved her play house which Santa and Sam worked very hard to put together.  Olivia was thrilled with her American Doll Molly and icecream maker.  Thanks to no snow, Charlie was able to use his airsoft guns up in the hills right away and his gigantic container of jelly beans was enjoyed by all.  Brig only asked for a Ute wallet and vinyl bag, so Santa brought the kids a trampoline.  Can't wait for spring.  Sam is using his new D-pole to play indoor LAX (crazy games are at 11P.M!) and he wears his underarmour hoodie every day.  We loved enjoying the Christmas with good family and friends and remembering the true reason for the season.  We count our blessings daily and are so grateful for our dear Savior and His Gospel.