Jacob, Noah, Chandler, Chase and Brett
Chandler pinning his Tenderfoot pin on Mom!

CONGRATULATIONS CHANDLER! He earned his first Boy Scout rank advancement, Tenderfoot. He also went to a Merit Badge College last week and earned his Pioneering Merit Badge. He is one requirement away from earning his Space Exploration, too. His scout leader, Aamon Seer, said that he is very close to Second Class...and only 6 months into the program! Way to go Chan the Man!
Evan is in Nevada working, so Chan wanted me to write that we missed having him with us.
Next Court of Honor is in December, so stay tuned to see what Super Chan will earn next!!

Peach Heaven!

This was actually at the end...the babies were awake and the jars were full! Time to clean up!
Sarah and the BUCKET 'O SUGAH! We weren't going to run out, that's for sure!
I just met Lauren today! She is such a great person! She sure kept us on track!
Amy in cutting/jarring land...after a while, we got a "system" going.

Oh, today was just "peachy"! We canned 38 jars in just about 2 hours! What a great time! Sarah got the fruit from a Farmer's Market down the road...they were so beautiful! I'd never seen peaches so perfect. Sarah, Amy, Lauren (Amy's cute neighbor) and I got started about 10am. We gave the peaches a quick dip in boiling water to get the skins off then we peeled and sliced. We put sugar and water in the jars then added the 'purdy peaches! Then, they were off to the cold packer to seal. After about 30 minutes, they were ready to go!

There is something about seeing an entire counterful of jars...such a feeling of accomplishment! Knowing that my family will be able to enjoy fruit all winter long makes me feel great. The sweat of my brow...

Can't wait to do tomatoes and salsa next week! WAHOO!

Just Had to Post It...

Thanks Ang for taking a quick picture of me and Ev. Our 16th Anniversary is November 6 (just a reminder, Evan) but it doesn't feel like we've been married that long! We were just talking last night about how great things are with us and our family right now. (ok, we realize that we just "jinxed" ourselves!) Yes, the "teen thing" is giving us a good workout. And having older children that think our home is run like a democracy can be a bit challenging. But, this time in our life is full and happy. All of the early years of struggle, conflict and sacrifice have smoothed us out and helped shape the marriage, family and life we have now, one that gives us so much happiness. Of course, we are not even close to being "perfect" but I am trying and so is Evan...and that puts us on the same road, together.

President Spencer W. Kimball taught: 'Two individuals approaching the marriage altar must realize that to attain the happy marriage which they hope for they must know that marriage . . . means sacrifice, sharing, and even a reduction of some personal liberties. It means long, hard economizing. It means children who bring with them financial burdens, service burdens, care and worry burdens; but also it means the deepest and sweetest emotions of all.'

Words can mean such different things when you look at them through the eyes of experience.

From where we are, the view is pretty great! I can't wait to climb a little longer and see what the view is like from where my parent's are!

Forever Family!

The Demelo Family...Angela, Andrew and Franco
All NINE girls with Mom and Dad...LtoR: Andrea, Katie(due in 5 weeks), Cindy, Jill, Kristy, Tami, Angela, Allison and Melissa
Table #1. Nothing better than Lion House rolls and a taste of 100 desserts to keep a conversation going!
Cindy, Kristy and Mom...see where we get our beauty??!!
Evan, Cindy and Andrea

What a wonderful weekend! The kids and I flew into SLC on Thursday night (thanks for picking us up, Krippy!). We played all day Friday and then picked up Evan at the airport before heading back up to Park City. (Since winter is on its way--check Mom/Dad's blog for how many "Days to Skiing" countdown--this might be the last time we are able to stay in the condo until next year! It will be rented out from November to March! )

Then "The Big Day" was finally here! Evan started off his Saturday morning by running 16 miles in preparation for his marathon in Ohio on September 19th. Kristy somehow persuaded me to go on a ride with her...mountain biking that is. I love to ride, but I didn't realize that she was plotting against me, planning my demise. After 1.3 miles of downhill and lovely gradual inclines, we looped around and headed back...to the 1.3 miles of 6% climbing grade...(if not more!). Needless to say, I made it out alive! A little unsteady on my feet, but ALIVE. But she wasn't finished with me yet... she then led me through 10 min of Bosu Ball exercises...OWWWW! I was a bit shaky when it was all over, but I felt great!! THANKS KRIP!

Anyway, back to the special day... (Sorry Ang...just wanted to give props to our newest CPT for a "killer" workout!)

After leading Mom astray on her way to the Bountiful Temple, we all finally made it...and for the most part, every family member was ON TIME! Even Melissa and Scott were there 5 min early! Stephens Standard Time was ahead of schedule on this day! After a beautiful sealing ceremony we all gathered outside for pictures and then we were off to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for dinner. You can see from the pictures that we took over the place! And for the first time in years, all NINE daughters were in one place! It was so fun to talk, laugh, share "teenager" stories and catch up. It seems like we don't get enough time to do that these days...

As we were leaving The Rooftop restaurant, my Dad shared a thought with us...he reminded us of the great time we had that evening and how wonderful it was to have our family together. Then he asked us to imagine what eternity would be like if even ONE of us was missing. How we'd feel incomplete, even though there was joy. He told us to remember each other in our prayers, to work together and support one another so we could enjoy "forever" this way. Thank you Dad for bringing us together and striving to be the steady foundation for our family. LOVE YOU!

We're Back!

Here is the Johnson Fam at baby Jordi's blessing on August 10 in Cheyenne. We LOVE having family close by and you can guarantee that if there is a special occasion, the Johnson's will be there!
There is something about my handsome hubby in a suit that just makes me melt...
DOGPILE on the LoveSac! Even little SJ was getting in on the fun...
I won't even begin to tell the story of the Father/Son Campout that began on August 14th...You'll have to hope Spencer or Evan blogs their experience. Let's just say we're glad they made it off the mountain...
So, this pic has a story of its own...the unbuckled pants should give you a clue!

Ok, so I have been REALLY bad about getting on this computer and posting! So many things have happened...I am so far behind! The other stinky thing about the last few weeks is that my camera ended up in Arizona...without ME! I was for sure that it was stolen out of my locked car (yeah, I was having a moment), but then April texted me and asked if we were missing a camera... :( So, I have a few pictures from Abbey and a few from Evan's cell phone. Sorry family...I'll be sure to catch up before we leave town again this weekend!