Girl Power!

Another Spring Break Adventure-Ears Pierced at Claires!  Olivia had hers pierced over President's Day weekend in St. George but one ear grew back.  So.. . we went back with Claire and did it again.

Our family visited the amazing city creek and got to meet the even more AMAZING Stephanie Nielson and her husband and have our book signed.  We were so inspired by her bright, loving words in person and in her book.  It is a must read!

Spring Break

We had the best Spring Break.  We went to a giant trampoline gym, swam, hiked all over the mountains, swam, rode bikes, swam, ate, swam. Our favorite adventure was our hike to red cliffs with the Mickelsons!  The boys were crazy and brave to go down the natural waterslide in the FREEZING run off water.

Easter

We went to St. George for Spring Break.  We loved listening to conference as we drove down. Dave was in South Africa so I was a single mom for a couple of weeks.  Lying by the pool gazing at beautiful Snow Canyon definitely helped pass the time.  We picked up Dave in scummy Las Vegas and dropped off Sam on his first solo flight to visit his best friend Carter in Orlando.  We are so grateful for the Atonement and Resurrection and all the blessings of the gospel and loving family!

Disneyland. The Happiest Place on Earth.

 Splash Mountain Rocks!

 My Dad was such a great sport.  I think Finding Nemo was one of the only rides he rode, the rest of the time he was watching baby girls!  Love that man!

 My adorable nieces, Emmie, Kate, Allie, and Caroline with Olivia.

 The only princess Millie would get near was Sleeping Beauty.  I think it was her Pink dress, Millie's favorite color.

 Waiting in the longest line ever for Toy Story.  As you can see from Millie's expression.  Not worth it.

 Millie's favorite ride, she rode it about 10 times!

My brother Judd got some time off from Residency in Orthopedic Surgery in Okalahoma.  He decided to take Jackie, and the kids to Disneyland.  We decided we would rather visit them in California than brave the tornadoes.  My sister Adrien and her family had already planned the trip as their Christmas present.  My Dad and Mom came as well and we partied until we dropped.  It was so much fun.  More photos to follow,especially the shocking ones of my brother with a beard!!

Happy Birthday Miss Amelia

February 14th, the Day of Love now has so much more depth for our family.  I can't belive it has been two years since this precious angel came into our lives.  We cannot imagine life without her.  Of  course she can be a stinker.  In one week she ran away as I was getting her out of the bath and went potty on her carpet ( and I'm not talking tinkle)  Then two days later I came into her room to find her painting her legs, face, and carpet with bright pink lipstick!  Needless to say, carpet cleaners were called ASAP.  But in general she really is a calm, happy child.  We decided it was time to say goodbye to her binkie once and for all.  She could speak full sentences with binkie firmly in place and since she wasn't training to be a ventriliquist, I cut up all her binkies.  The next time she asked we told her it was broken.  "Oh, the alligator ate it,"  she replied and she was fine.  A couple weeks later we went to the zoo with cousins and I showed her the alligator that ate her binkie.  She loved it. 
Amelia and I are taking Mommy and Me Dance class, Monday at 11 is the highlight of our week.  I love watching her shake it!  She loves to sing and dance and play with her dolls.  She cuddles them and drops them off with me to babysit while she goes to Zumba. Her party was simple with pink cake pops and a heart shaped pizza.  Crafty cousin Claire sewed her a nightie out of a pillowcase that is darling.  We "heart" our Amelia.

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.