It's Christmas Day!

Ok...so my old digital camera takes videos, but they aren't the best quality...I have been feeling so sad that my kids are getting older and starting to question Santa and all of those fun Christmas traditions. This is probably the last year all of our kids will believe, so I HAD to get their reaction when they saw what was under the tree for them on Christmas morning. You'll see in the video that Chase didn't see anything for him...his were all wrapped! HAHA! He was a bit irked, to say the least. I couldn't help but giggle at his reaction...cause I knew his big gift was awesome!

Playing in the Snow and Class Parties

Alright, I know I haven't been up to date when it comes to our blog. Once the kids got out of school, it was busy, busy, busy. We had snow to play in, cookies to bake, friends to go see, and lots of holiday preparations to make! So, I am down here (in our new basement office) trying to catch up!

First pics: I missed Amelia's Kindergarten lunch because I had a stinkin' sales meeting. But, I made it for Chandler's low key, 5th grade party and Abbey's loud and energetic 2nd grade party. Chase's class didn't "do parties" this year (dumb public school), so I didn't have to be three places at once...PHEW.

Second pics: Yes, we finally got some measurable snow down here on the plains. We had the warm clothes out because it was WAAAAY below zero the week before...got some good ones of the three younger kids outside. I am pretty sure Chase was near a computer or the XBox instead...

Family Time!

Here are a few pics from our days before Christmas (including Chase's 13th birthday!). It has been so much fun having Spencer, Leah and little SJ here with us! Maria was with us over Christmas too. Thanks Maria, for putting these pics on my computer! We miss you!

"Pickle in the Tanenbaum" and other holiday favs...

Soooo....Channy is the only one who had his Christmas concert documented...yes, I feel plenty guilty. At least the girls have many more concerts in the years to come...i am comforted with that thought...*gulp*.

Also, I am one of those mom's that show up when they SAY to show up....not an hour before to get the front row. So, that is why MY pics look like they are taken from a mile away...cause they ARE. Channy is the little white head on the top row in the black, red and white sweater. He also had a speaking part that he had to "audition" for...BIG TIME!

Oh, and enjoy the 2 min snippet of the big finale! We didn't think of recording the "Pickle" song with the all the movements and hand-pickles. SORRY!

Kids, Kids and more Kids!

What a party! We had a great time last night! Our home was filled with laughter (of all volumes), candy, gooey splats of frosting, chatting, and EATING! What great memories! As you can see, there are no pictures of Evan spouting steam from his ears...he even said "It wasn't that bad." HOLY SMOKES! I guess my day of preparation paid off. If Evan had a good time, then it was a success!

Trimmin' the Tree!

Ok, so the tree has been up since the weekend after Thanksgiving...but we're just getting around to making it pretty...Johnson Standard Time. The kids take an annual trip down memory lane as they pull their own ornaments from the box. It's fun and very interesting what they remember. I got Abbey on video telling her tale about Mom's and Dad's first Christmas tree. Amelia's name was picked out of Evan's hat to put the star on the top this year. That is a HUGE deal at our house for some reason...Although I'd like to see Ev heave Chase or Chan on his shoulders...the thought makes me laugh.
Anyway, tonight we are making graham cracker houses with 4 other families...at OUR house! Yes, Evan has expressed his concerns and I have done what I can to make him feel better....But, we ARE going to have 17 kids at our house (plus their parents). HAHAHAHA! I can't wait to post those pics! The best ones will be of Evan hiding in the corner!
Viva la mess!

Guitar Hero-Palooza!!

Oh, yes, my friends! It's time for the Johnson's to rock the Kazbah! We're shakin' our booties and singin' songs from some of the biggest Rock Legends! Watch out world....It's Johnsonz Video Clip time!!

Stringin' Popcorn!

Time to put the family to work! I've been wanting to get the popcorn strung for the Christmas tree for the last week...well, we can say that it didn't get done. Then......HERE COME THE JOHNSONS! Maria, Pa and Spencer arrived in Colorado on Saturday afternoon. Spencer gets to stay until next weekend. Pa and Maria are leaving tomorrow...time for them to earn their keep! ;) I escaped to the kitchen to make pumpkin choc chip cookies while they helped the kids string the popcorn. This year, I thought that we'd leave the fancy trimmings in the box and do a Kid Inspired tree. We're doing popcorn strings, torn fabric bows and ornaments that have been made over the years. I can't wait to see how it looks! I love Christmas!

Reunion Christmas Party

It's already time for holiday parties to begin! Every year, our community (Reunion) hosts a holiday party...with cocoa, Santa and crafts! Chase was at the temple doing baptisms and I couldn't find Chandler when it came time to take pics with Santa. He was too busy hangin' with his friends from school. Evan was on his way back from his cross country trip (driving from Georgia with his brother, Spencer and his 20ft moving truck).

Anyway, this party is always fun...I missed almost all of our "photo opps" because I was too busy chatting...I already have a lot of pics of those kids anyway. HA HA :)

So, here's to the start of the Holiday Season!