Tag--I am it!

I got tagged by my sister, Jill! She is the best! So.. here goes!

The rules:
1. Post the rules
2. Answer the six "8" items
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.


8 Favorite TV shows

* The Office
* Seinfeld Reruns
* The Biggest Loser (while inhaling chocolate chip cookies and "diet" Dr. P)
* Will & Grace--I know, it is horrible! Jack cracks me up! I have been desensitized by the media, I shamelessly admit it.
* Cosby Show--a classic!
* The Tonight Show & Late Night with Conan Obrian
* SNL
* Kath and Kim
Ok, Ok, can you tell we are lame and cheap with no cable at our residence? Truthfully, PBS is on most of the time!


8 things I did yesterday

* Watched my children get on the bus.
* Enjoyed my husbands company until noon, when he went to work.
* Took Wyatt to Preschool, had to remind him not to talk about "Chucky" --interesting post to come!
* Cleaned my bathrooms. Ick
* Shopped at Walmart! Double Ick!
* Listened to Walker practice his piano, and Whit her violin.
* Helped my 3 Cub Scouts play darts with corn cobs and make teepees out of dowels and paper sacks.
* Made French Almond Nougat with my good friend Megan! So fun!


8 favorite restaurants

* Cheesecake Factory
* Taste of Thai
* The Sandpiper
* Cafe Rio
* Bajio
* Subway
* La Casita
* PF Changs


8 things I'm looking forward to.

* Finishing our basement and putting my bare feet into new carpet that I picked out!
* Thanksgiving with my family! We will miss you Jon & Caprice, Jo & Dan!
* Watching my children in the new fun stages that they explore! Wes is so much fun as an almost 2 year old!
* Teaching Wyatt to ski this winter.
* Hilarious Christmas parties with friends!
* Whitney's Christmas Dance Recital.
* Walker getting old enough to babysit the other 3!
* Another cruise with my husband.


8 things on my wish list

* My house to be immaculate while I eat bon-bons on the sofa!
* A new car????? Jeff, doesn't that sound great?
* Having my children pick up after themselves... they act like mice, leaving their little "turds" wherever they have been.
* Obesity to be officially declared beautiful! Ha Ha Ha.
* Perky 20 year old boobs--without a lift! (keep wishin sista)
* My sewing project drawer empty, which means I have finished everything that I have started, and get to go buy more fabric for another project!
* To be able to remember everything cute that my children do.
* For my little family to always enjoy being together!
......And maybe even time to stand still, while I am blogging!


8 people I tag

* Jolyn Smith.....hint, hint, hint! Start your blog! :)
* Caprice Walker
* Megan Eddie
* Cami Ellis
* Saunja Carlson
* Anne Ramsey
* Katie Sistrunk
* Tara Contreras--My new found stalker :)

6 Things I Learned Today!

1. Ricardo and Retardo Rhyme! Thanks Wyatt.

2. The youngest 2 act like wild animals in the store...they are getting away with so much more than my first two ever did shopping alone with me. I was thoroughly embarrassed! Thankfully it was early this morning and the stores were not full. No one was kidnapped, hurt, or spanked (even though I should have followed through with the spank..here I go again, crappy mom) and Wyatt's booger was not eaten, just handed to me to dispose of!

3. I hate setting Zippers-- Sewing brings me excitement and a little high, but also frustration as I am not all knowing, but still learning. Boy, I wish that I lived next door to my Mom to enjoy her ocean of knowledge.

4. I can accomplish many things when the almost 2 year old is napping and I give the 4 year old his brother's DS for entertainment. Dishes, laundry, sewing and yes, oh yes a little 30 minute cat nap! I am refreshed!

5. Walking to pick up my kids from school is enjoyable! We used the jogging path in the gully for our route! We had a great time exercising and enjoyed the warm November afternoon together!

6. When my kids get up practice their piano and leave their rooms spotless and clean, their is peace and happiness that follows suit. Good Job Walker! Hope you enjoy your well deserved hour of uninterrupted X-box!

Sunday

How lucky I am to have the children that I do blessing my home.
(WARNING---Post full of "My kids are so great!")
I am so enjoying them and the ages that they are. This morning we attended the Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentation, and indulged in all of the glory that it beholds. I think it hands down my favorite Sunday of the year---It might even beat General Conference at home in PJ's! It did seem strange to not feel the stress of helping or being in charge of the program--the first for me in five years time! The Primary theme this year was I Am A Child of God. Besides listening to my children's parts, songs that they learn and sing are my favorite. Whitney and Wyatt have practiced them especially the last few weeks. My children singing about the Savior brings heaven into our home! We sang I Am A Child of God for the closing song together, which brought tears to my eyes and a warmness in my heart! When we reunited after the closing prayer, Wyatt made sure to classify my tears as happy ones! So great!

We enjoyed our 9 year old and his great participation even though he is becoming one of the "old" primary kids that may or may not be 100% enthused with the idea of being in front of the whole ward for an hour! He was happy and I loved seeing him smile at us sitting in the pews. He also loved seeing Wes, as Wes was excited to see each of his siblings on the stand. He would shout his 1 year old rendition of their names and wave with excitement! Walker was able to sit by his friends and impressed us with his reverence throughout the program. Mom=Thankful
Walker also came home elated that the Bishop gave his class a tour of the attic during primary because they are such great kids! His teacher is the amazing wife of the bishop, who we adore! Hey---I want a tour of attic. Walker mentioned they were able so stand underneath the steeple! Sweet!


Whitney was beautiful and always brings a smile to my face as she knows every word to every song. She memorized her part all by herself the 1st day it was given. She is the ultimate daughter as we are lonely in the sea of BOYS!
We were able to deliver treats and thank yous to the Primary Presidency after dinner. The 1st Counselor mentioned that out of all the kids in the primary, Whitney was the only one that came up to her and told her thank you. She had such a desire to do what is right and make people happy. I don't know of a better trait to have than gratitude! I am so proud of her!


Wyatt our 4 year old amazed us and the whole congregation with his part in the program. When we received his part I have to admit I was a little disappointed, because his part was hard with big unfamiliar words. You are only a sunbeam once and I always love their cute simple little parts in their 1st Primary Presentation. Wyatt however floored us today. He had his part memorized in one week, and recited it today with feeling and gusto as he clenched "and owned" the microphone! As he said it a hush fell over the congregation and then was followed by ohhs and ahhhwws! Jeff & I were so proud we couldn't help to giggle. Then little Wy continued with his restlessness and wiggling up on the stand until the remainder of the meeting. Imagine that! (We need to present his patient, angel teacher with a free massage and a week of gourmet dinners!)


The Primary President gave a few thoughts at the end of the meeting, and mentioned a few things about the children who she loves. She mentioned Wyatt (but without his name while looking straight at Jeff & I) and how a month ago he gave his 1st talk practically without any help. He told the story of Daniel and the Lions Den from memory. I stood beside him and held up a picture and was so proud of him as he told the whole story, without prompts, just redirections as he was playing with a pencil on the pulpit! So funny! It was absolutely the best and I am sick that I have not blogged about it until now!

Wes and his latest "smile for the camera" smile!:)


The little spirits in our home amaze and teach me everyday. It is interesting how their little minds are as sponges. They take everything in, even if is not apparent they are listening. I am thankful for them and the spirit they bring into our home. How I need to not doubt them and their amazing abilities as children of God! They are close to our Father in Heaven and capable of so many things. I need to listen to them a little closer, learn more from their examples and become more like them. How blessed I am for their examples and their love for me as their mother! I love them more than they will ever know!

Wyatt's part...Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark Chapter 11, Verse 24

Election Day!

Well, Jeff & I voted early this morning. We are excited to hear who will win the Presidency. And, I am officially out of post-it notes this afternoon for all of the voting that has been happening in our downstairs precinct. It seems however (according to Walker) that John McCain was the favorite until Wes was given his right to vote. Wes always pointed to Obama on his official post-it note, to the disgust of the other children. He must be given more electoral votes then the other 3 to tip the results! If that is the case, we need to keep him away from Jonathan, our favorite McCain/Palin supporter! I am sure that "Bless You My Child" will not be coming out of his mouth!

If Obama wins in real life, I think my children will mourn tomorrow. They have been excited to see the results, but were sent to bed on time tonight. There has been a lot of friendly (we hope) competition between my children and B Hussein O supporting children at the elementary school. Whitney did mention the name terrorist when describing the competition. We did have to set her straight with a little chuckle. We have had to also reassure Walker that whatever happens, whoever wins, we will be O.K. especially if we continue to do what we know is correct, and stand up for what we believe in! We love this country, for where we live. I am thankful for the opportunity to vote this day! God Bless America!

Happy Halloween!

Tonight was a great night! The weather was absolutely perfect! The warmest weather on Halloween, that I think I can remember. We didn't even wear jackets, just long sleeves. So unlike IDAHO! We had a great time at the Trunk-or Treat held at the church!


When we came home Jeff, the great Dad that he is, took the kids around the neighborhood to fill their sacks to the brim. We ought to have candy to last us into the new year! We sat on the front porch together and enjoyed the night as our kids took turns passing out the candy!




(Notice Wyatt's straight, skinny mustache? He was very particular tonight that his Mustache (as he has become an conisour in that department) NOT be curly. A curly mustache is not one that Zorro ever wears!) Funny, Funny Child.


We did have the cutest little Down Syndrome boy (who was dressed as the very same Pirate as Walker) come by our house! He carried on an adorable little conversation with our kids. Later that night we talked to Walker about him, as Walker enjoyed his company very much. He didn't realize his disabilities. Walker was so solemn and concerned the rest of the night about this little boy. It was so great to see and be reminded of Walkers soft, mushy heart. He likes to protect it in a very hard enamel shell. I love the opportunities we have to teach our children about our Heavenly Fathers plan. And I am thankful for the perfect spirits he places in imperfect bodies to teach and empower us here on this earth. Walker is such a great 9 year old. We are blessed to have him in our home, and I am thankful for him and his genuine concern for those around him!

Tonights ending couldn't have been better. Happy Halloween!!

P.S. I am officially feeling bad about my Top 10!

You might be too old to Trick or Treat If.....

1. Jeff recognized you as one of his very disturbing frequent fliers!

2. You come up to my doorstep holding hands and flirting with your significant other!

3. You hit puberty before Y-2-K.

4. You shaved your Five O'Clock shadow before you hit the streets.

5. You are only 12 years old but are lactating and using your newborn as a prop!

6. You drove yourself to our neighborhood.

7. You are old enough to get into the local bar/strip club and look like you are an employee.

8. We can't decide if your teeth are real, or fake Billy-Bobs!

9. You are dressed as Beer Keg!

10. You have a "C" Cup.


Tonight, we were given an education on Trick or Treating in our new neighborhood. It was crazy with probably 400+ guests. I think we only recognized about 1/4 of the children--disguised adults. But, as the night rolled on the trick-or-treaters got OLDER and SCARIER!(hence our top 10 list) I think next year we will put up a quaint little sign saying 12 and under please. (This sounds a little harsh, but trust me it was outrageous, insane and completely ridiculous!) We however, completely enjoyed the entertainment.

Note to self...when trick or treaters come and confess that they would like to have a treat for their baby, but didn't want to bring the stroller up our steep 2 steps....make them produce the child before they take a handful!


(Oh, and by the way Jon & Jolyn, I am so not referring to you --when you visited Jeff & I one Halloween after a HS cross country meet! You two totally pulled off being 10 & 11. Oh, the good old days!)

October Catch-UP!

Here are a few things we have been enjoying the last 3 or 4 weeks (can you tell I have been unmotivated with my love, the blog?).....

 

The "Big Boy" in his big boy bed...sniff... he is growing too fast! (Wes is the only Johnson baby to climb and fall out of the crib, so hence crib put away--- because trust me, he would still be in the baby bed today, stuck, imprisoned and taking amazing naps!)

 

 

Whitney, the Soccer Star finishing her season out with a smile. She had an adorable team this fall and scored her fair share of goals. (Honestly, it was more than the whole team combined.) She ROCKED and is so fun to watch!

 

Go-Kart riding at the church!



And, um, my little man waiting "patiently" for his turn on the Go-Kart!



Wes, the crazy subject and result of Whitney taking my camera, and snapping a few funny pictures!




My sanity and release with 4 children. (This was my favorite funky creation out of a few for a friend!)





Playing in the SNOW! Yes, in October, and yes, it was the Sabbath! I am a bad mom, but the kids had a blast!




Enjoying Whitney's first Violin Recital! Truly, a highlight!!!! Whitney is such a joy to have in our home! We are amazed at how fast she has picked it up, and become a beautiful violinist! She has an amazing teacher too who we love and adore!!! (Thanks Megan!)







And had an excellent Halloween Party with friends, as a Pirate, Sharpay, Zorro(slash)Sweet Wesley from Princess Bride (OK, he changed his mind 100 times and we compromised!), Pus in Boots, A Vampire with amazing Black hair, (that I have forgotten he had when we met, thanks to the spray can that we used on NaCHo last year!), and Glenda the "Good" Witch! More pictures to come!