31 Bummer.....

So I celebrated my Birthday on the 3rd and it was a fine day from an adult/mom perspective. Chris surprised me with breakfast and a decorated kitchen. Which I thought was so sweet. My favorite pie is Lemon Meringue and he had one on the table, that I treated myself to for lunch. One of my favorite things of the day, was Liv and her expectations of my birthday. She thought it would be a day full of fun and surprises, I told her adult birthdays aren't nearly as much fun as little kids ones are. So at lunch she said, "you're right Mom your birthday isn't very much fun!" I laughed so hard!I got to talk to a lot of my family on the phone, (since they have all decided to move away), and my Mother-in-law stopped by in the afternoon to visit.

When Chris got home we went to Red Robin for dinner. Hamburgers have been my birthday dinner of choice for as long as I can remember. And Red Robin sure knows how to satisfy that tradition. After we got home, my brother and his family brought over some cake and helped me celebrate. Thanks to everyone who made my day a good one! It is weird to be over 30, I still think of myself about 25, wonder when I will accept it?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE!

This is a shout out to my sister Annie! Today is her Birthday and I hope she has a good one. In a little over two weeks she will be moving back to Utah and I am so excited she will be close again! Annie is so funny and over the years we have shared many a good tear filled laughs. I think she is an amazing Mom and person, I look up to her so much-literally she got the height in the family! Annie I wish I could be there to celebrate with you, just party without me!

Sick little Isaac

Isaac has been so sick since Saturday night. Poor guy has been lethargic, had a fever, vomiting and has had awful diarrhea. Chris and I each had a version of it, but we got better and Isaac just can't seem to kick it. I took him in today and our Dr. thinks it is Rota Virus. There really isn't much you can do, but let it run it's course. I was really getting worried because he wasn't eating anything and loosing weight very fast. I have been able to keep him hydrated with popscicles and sprite, but other than that he hasn't wanted anything else. Today is the first day we made it puke free and I want to do the happy dance! Hopefully we are on the tale end of it. Thank goodness Liv has been spared! This has been the sickest child I have ever had to deal with and it has been heartbreaking.

Do you think these will come clean?

The crazy thing is I started this! Not the drawing on faces, but the windows. I found some Crayola window crayons at the store (plus I had a coupon) and thought we could give them a try. I had no idea the face made for a better canvas then a window. I ran to answer the phone and came back to find some little creatures resembling my kids.

They had such a great time! And to stop the people from thinking I am totally nuts, every last inch came clean from their clothes, skin and the windows. I hardly pull play dough out because of the mess so this is a big move for me! I highly recommend them for a fun thing to do. I washed their clothes immediately because the box said may stain clothing. Now no one can blame me later for ruined clothes if any of you get brave out there and give these a try. I love all the pictures! Liv was so helpful in making sure Isaac got plenty on his face.

Goes on easier if you pull your cheek back and sneer!

Good times at the Johnson's

BUNKO

I know, I know I am probably the last person in this area that hadn't ever played Bunko, but I went for the first time and had a blast! It was so fun to get out the house and have some girl time. Who new rolling dice could be so loud and intense! I got to meet some real fun gals and have some serious laughs. They invited me to come back despite the fact I would roll out of turn, forget to keep score, and forget what number we were on, oopsie! The game really is a no brainer, but keeping up with it all kept me on my toes. I won this fun nail kit for having a split score. I got 9 three of a kind, but only got one BUNKO. I was so shocked when I got the BUNKO my table had to remind me to scream and keep rolling. Next time ladies I am bringing my game face and that BUNKO dice is all mine.....I WISH!

Who will be my Mother-In-Law?

The other day Livi asked me who will be her Mother-In-Law. I told her it will be the Mother of whom she marries. Without hesitation she said, "well I am going to marry Daddy!" I could see the wheels turning in her head as she processeed that one, then her eyes got real big and she explained,"GRANDMA is going to be my Mother-In-Law!" She was so excited! Chris's Mom is the best Grandma and our kids totally adore her. I couldn't ask for a better Mother-in-Law, she is an incredible person and I look up to her so much. Livi would be one lucky girl if that could really happen!

The Whine Game

So I tried something with Liv the other day to help with her whining and it really helped. This is how it went down.

Liv and I were cleaning up her room before bed and she was whining and complaining about everything, and I had, had enough. So being the mature person I am, I started mimicking her. Then I remembered I was the parent and came up with an idea! I would say, "Liv tell me if you think I am whining," and I would say something either whiny or not. After she guessed I gave her the opportunity to give it a try and make me guess if what she was saying was whiny or not. It has worked so great! The last few days I catch her starting her sentences over. And has been so much better about whining. So hilarious! We play it in the van and whenever we clean up. She loves the WHINE game! Thought I would pass on a little trick I learned.

These pictures are from when I caught her in my studio after she made up her own outfit and was posing. I thought it was so cute, hat and all! I love that she is coming around to pictures!

Easter

We had a great Easter! Make sure you visit my photography blog to see more cute Easter pictures. The festivities started on the 4th at Chris's dad's house. I came late and didn't have my camera so I don't have any pictures, but as usual Teresa made delicious food and the kids had a blast with the Easter Egg Hunt.

That Monday we had an FHE about Easter. I was so impressed with how much Alivia understood. I would like to take credit for it, but she knew most of the answers from the Primary song, "Did Jesus Really Live Again?" (Thanks Tina!)

That week the kids and I made sugar cookies. We had to keep all of Isaac's for ourselves because he licked each one he did.

On Saturday the 11th we had lunch and an Easter Egg hunt at G&G Pincock's. This is all the cousins together on Chris's side. I love that they are doing their own thing.

We had a great time and enjoyed the fabulous weather!

That night we decorated eggs and had a blast. The only drama was when Isaac cracked Liv's favorite egg. Daddy came to the rescue by offering Livi his favorite egg.

The next day was Easter so we went to church and got to hear some really great talks about our Savior. With kids it can be so hard to find that balance between the holidays and the true meaning behind them. Hopefully they ended the day knowing why we have Easter.

After church we came home and found that the Easter Bunny had come to our house. He hid all the decorated eggs around the house and also hid their baskets. It was so fun to watch the kids scramble around the house finding everything.

We had great weather and got to see a big bumble bee pollenating. The kids were so fascinated by it. I fear Isaac will learn about bee stings this summer, he tries to squish all bugs.

That evening the kids and I went up to my brother's house and had a delicious dinner. The kids were outside pretty much the whole time. We missed having Daddy there (studying) and my parents who were at the Visitor's Center.

Hope everyone had a great Easter! I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and that because of him and his sacrifice we can all live again.

I think this is pretty funny!

Isaac is really starting to talk so we play the "what does something say" game all the time. Here is a snippet into our little world!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is Chris's birthday! I want to let him know what a great husband and Dad he is! He is so supportive of me and my business. He can fix anything and has saved us so much money! He has only 2 more semesters till he is done and I know he is miserable, but I am so proud of him for sticking with it. Our kids absolutely adore their Dad and always ask where he is. I honestly don't know what I would do without him.

Today was pretty low key for him because he has spent most the day studying for a big test. On Friday night we went out and spent some time together, (thanks Grandma for watching the kids!) And yesterday we hung out with his family for Easter and his Birthday. I was having a hard time deciding what to get him so together we decided for his birthday and mine we would get some nice food storage shelves. Nerdy I know, but we are both totally excited. They are the kind that the cans roll down and rotate. Besides that pressure is off for both our birthdays.

I made him his favorite Pie, Banana Cream and brought him home leftover Easter dinner from my brother's house. Yes, his test is that big that he stayed home. We made him come up from studying for a few minutes to open a few presents. The kids gave him the movie Goonies.

I found a shirt I thought he would like,

His major is Electrical Engineering that is what EE stands for.

Even though it landed on a hard day I hope he had a good one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Transitions....

I walked into the kitchen on Sunday and thought Livi was really into General Conference because this is what I found.

She was sitting so still and listening so intently to President Monson, or so I thought....

We are still in the transition phase of no naps and some days it is really hard for her to stay awake. I though she looked so sweet, and uncomfortable at the same time.

I loved Conference, I always feel so spiritually rejuvenated! Each speaker did a wonderful job.What great leaders we have!

April Fool's

Waiting for our April Fool's Victim!

Today was April Fools and to my surprise Alivia new what it meant. She said it was a day to tease people. Apparently an episode of Caliou was about it. She was so excited to do something to get Daddy. All day we tried to think of things to do. I found an idea in my latest issue of Family Fun so we decided to try it on Dad. Daddy surprised us by coming home early so we weren't prepared, but he let us do it anyways while he waited in the Laundry Room. So later that night Katie and Cameron were coming over so we decided to do it to them. This is our April Fool's trick, The first clip is waiting for them to come, it was so hard for her to be patient! The second is the trick in action. Sorry about the clips being sideways, I thought I would be able to rotate after the fact, apparently not....I love Alivia's laugh when the balloon's took off!

FHE Going Green

My sister Maria inspired me to do my own starts for our garden and flowers. So we did it for family home evening 4 weeks ago. It has been a huge hit at our house. The kids love to watch the progress and so far they have looked not touched.

This was our start....

This is what we have now!This is Hermie the Caterpilllar, Isaac and Liv thought he would be happy here watching over our plants.

Future producer of yummy Zuchinni!It really is amazing those little seeds turn into plants then produce veggies!

I love petunias and usually spend way to much filling flower pots outside with them. I am hoping these cute little seedlings will produce all the petunias I will need.Even if all the plants don't make it, it has been total worth watching the miracle of mother nature through our kids eyes! Thanks Maria for the idea!