Scriptures!

I absolutely love this picture. This was Christmas morning and Todd was reading about Christs birth to the family. I am so blessed to have such a loving and nurturing husband. He truly is my world. Thank you Todd for keeping the gospel strong in our home. Thank you for supporting me and teaching our children with love and compassion. Watching you grow closer to the Lord and leading our children to the truth inspires me. I promise to love you and support you always. I love you. xoxo

CHOCOLATE!!!

So I totally struggle with Laydon's sweet tooth. I mean if the child could just stop at one or even two, I totally wouldn't mind if he occasionally got into the treats. My struggle is that he has NO self control! I do realize he is only 4 and when sent downstairs, before I've had a chance to make breakfast, to watch cartoons is probably not a good combination.
To set the premise... I normally don't have to many treats laying around because of this particular problem. Recently I was asked to make a cake for a relifsociety function so I specifically went to the store for some sweet ingredients. Of course I "hid" the candy items in one of the higher cabinets. Well this is what I found in the trash that morning!
I think I ended up counting EIGHT, yes that is EIGHT!, wrappers in the trash. It made me want to vomit just thinking about how much candy my little Laydon stuffed into his tinny tummy that morning. I think the best part was when I was scolding him for his poor choice and telling him if he would have asked, he would have received a candy without getting in trouble. He replied saying something on the lines of "I won't eat the candy any more mommy. I will eat healthy foods. I promise mommy." How can I stay mad at that? Of course we attempted the self control talk and the "your allowed anything in the fridge that is healthy" talk; however, how am I supposed to expect a 4 yr old to make good choices? I think I've finally realized I just have to have breakfast waiting for him when he wakes up. Hence avoiding the scavengering through the cabinets for something "yummy" to eat.

Showing off my little sweethearts!

I was just going through my old photos and realized I have done a great job capturing little moments here and there; however, have not done a good job sharing them. So Please enjoy some of these photos...

August 2009 still in California!

Ventura County Fair

Santa Barbara Zoo

Play Time at Grandmas...

Grandpa Grant and Grandma Linda even came out to visit us!

Just some cute pictures!

Summer love

Reflecting on this past summer all I can focus on is how bittersweet it all was. The summer started with the Johnson family reunion! We rented a beach house right on the beach and expected a week of relaxation, mingling, and pure fun! Seventeen adults, sixteen kids, and extra family friends flowing in and out did cause for quite a bit of craziness; however, in all we all had quite a good time.
Halfway into the week my dad was taken to the hospital for some complications, we thought common to old age. We all figured a good prescription would fix whatever ailment my dad was dealing with. The ER doctors temporarily fixed the problem and told mt dad to follow up with a urologist the following week. We were able to finish the reunion now bouncing between my parents house and the beach house with only a few "miner" frustrations. As the week closed and each family packed up to leave we all decided it would be best for someone to stay and help my parents out until my dad was fully recovered. Thus the beginning of my amazing summer.
That following week at the urologist appointment we found out that the complications we were expecting to be quite normal were actually prostate cancer! This salidified Todd's and my decision to stay with the kids at my parents house and help manage my fathers treatment plan. Knowing I was going to be extending my stay I was also determined to improve my mothers quality of life... 20+ years of cancer really has taken quite a bit of a tool on her body and her mind.
Fast forward three months and several doctors and physical therapy visits, water aerobics, diet changes, and a very slow and grueling recovery from a prostatectomy, I would have to say this summer was quite eventful. Looking back, I am so great full I was the one to stay and take care of my parents. I have never had the opportunity to just enjoy my dad and mom as much as I did this summer. My favorite time was the late night movies and the long chats with my dad on our drives to UCLA. I have a new appreciation for my dad and know he is an inspired man.
It is now April and a new summer is approaching. My dad has nearly fully recovered from his surgery with only a few side effects and, for now, a nice low PSA level and my mom, well she is typical stubborn Julie, has returned to all of her old habits.
I have a new appreciation for both my parents. They have been through a lot over the past 20 or so years. Because of my moms cancer, my parents have had to embrace the possibility of death many times . All of us kids have had to embrace this and accept this too. I believe that this trial my family has endured has united us and has strengthened our personal beliefs in the lords plan for us. Our parents have proven that the Lord does not give you trials you can not face. With each bump in the road my parents testimonies get stronger. They are two amazing individuals and I was so lucky to spend the summer, as grown adult, with them. No longer am I that ignorant teenager, thinking her parents couldn't possibly know what they are talking about. I have grown and am so thankful I got that time to really know who my parents are. I thank the Lord for the trials he has given. There is truly something to learn from every one.

Adelynn's first babysitter!

Check this out this is video of Adelynn rolling over for the first time. Of course it was with Auntie Nicole! I tried and tried to get her to roll for them before I left with no success. Auntie figured out she couldn't roll with her jacket still on. Who knew? Subsequently she rolled with ease. Auntie always knows best. Love you Nic! Can you believe she is 3 1/2 months here?Auntie said she did ok for a bit then the crying started....

She was happy as long as she was being held...

Or kissed...

And finally Auntie discovered the swing! What a Diva!

Laydon the big helper!

Laydon has been such a big helper lately. The other day Adelynn woke up and I was unable to get her right away. She was of course crying and there was not much I could do. Laydon, the big helper he is, told me she was crying and very enthusiastically said "I'll go get her". I of course thought nothing of it until I noticed Adelynn had stopped crying. Quickly I went up stairs and this is what I found!

Laydon was so proud of himself, he had turned on the mobile and was showing her all the shapes. How cute is he? Definitively a good little helper.

Winter day in Cedar City.

This year by far was one of the best winters ever! We decided to pack up our cars and carpool up to Cedar City with my brother and sister-in-law to see my sister Lina and her family. Nic and Frank brought there trailer for everyone to stay warm in and their Rino for the boys to "have a bit of fun" with. We spent the whole day out in the snow and spent every minute loving it! Thank you Frank and Nicole for letting us use all your stuff.

The hill of choice... perfect for sledding

Frank and Nicole having way too much fun!

Me "attempting" to pull the Kiddos up the hill. Needless to say I had to call in reinforcements.

Laydon was so excited to ride down the hill.

Laydon had so much fuN!

uncle Frank after wiping out on the inner tube

Our shelter... Frank set up a few heaters inside, Uncle Todd made crock pot chili, and I picked up hot chocolate and marshmallows. It was GREAT!

This is the boys having a bit too much fun. It started with donuts in the parking lot and ended with attempting to jump the Rino. Needless to say they were not successful in getting much air. Instead they became experts in digging and towing themselves out.