Christmas 2010

Christmas really started the week before the actual day for us! Family came into town! My sister Jodi and her family then my brother and his wife Katey! We played all week! It went by so fast and we had a blast!

We had FHE Monday night all together - very nice! Abby had a sleepover for a few days and spent every minute with her cousin Samantha. They were so cute together and played constantly! Weds. we went to the 'Children Phoenix Museum' which was really fun for the kids.. We had never been there and the kids really had a good time. Weds. night we brought Samantha and Tommy over for a sleepover at our house! They seemed to have a fun. The next morning I made pancakes, eggs and chocolate milk then I took them all to the dollar store to each pick something out! I was trying to be a fun aunt! I hope I passed! Ben went on a mountain bike ride with all the 'guys' and then In and Out for lunch. We all went for some good Mexican food which is tradition in the "Hill" family!

Friday was the big Christmas Eve day! The girls had a nice lunch all together before the big night! Abby and Samantha came and they both had a good time.. Abby was so tickled about being with the girls! Ben got to see his parents and Grandma for a bit with the boys.

Christmas Eve is a big night with lots of food, the 'Christmas Program', and fun! We had ham and roast, Mom decorated all the tables so nice and I always enjoy eating at the tables--it feels so festive and nice! The kids even eat at tables too! Santa came for a visit and the kids all got sit on his lap! The garage is always open for bike, scooter riding too! Abby and Samantha sang "Picture a Christmas", the kids sang quite a few songs, we read a Christmas story and the kids dressed up for the Nativity! Then it was off to home for Santa to come!

Christmas morning was so special! It was just us and the kids at our house but we enjoyed it! The kids were so excited for the gifts and I soaked it all up with every gift they opened. We just relaxed most of the day! I made a big breakfast of french toast, eggs, sausage and orange juice!

All in all it was a fabulous Holiday!

December Keeps Mov'n!

The kids have 'Cottage Fair' every quarter! We have always tried to support and go. They show off what they did that quarter. It is kinda fun because Ty and Abby are doing different things each time.

Abby has been learning all about ROCKS! She built a volcano and the class that night sang for all of us -- 'A ROCK Concert'! It was way, super cute of course!

We had to split up because Abby and Ty's class cottage was at the same time. Ty's class was doing a play on the Mayflower/Pilgrims. Ben was filming his and I took pics of Abby. So, no pics of Ty's this time!:(

Also, we've been reading a Christmas story almost every night this December and we just read Polar Express and gave the kids a bell! More fun things to come!

Dance -- Sweet!

This post is mostly about Abby's dance! She has been taking dance from a friend who does it out of her home. She turned a room into a dance studio. It is close to home and Abby's friends do it with her! Ms. Amber has experience which is a plus--she is also really good with the kids! Abby was so excited for her recital. She had her Aunt Jessica and Bentley come and her Aunt Tami, Uncle Jake and Scarlett/Bella (her cute cousins too). She told me she felt special and that made feel good that she could feel that way. She will need these feelings all throughout her life! It is important no crucial for kids to feel special. It gives them a much needed self esteem boost!:)
Also, there is one picture of all the kids that are bundled up which doesn't happen here very often and we were off to see a Nativity play! Afterward, we came back from yummy hot chocolate with whip cream and marshmallows!

Thanksgiving Weekend!

We had a lot of fun at our family reunion. Ben's family gets together once a year for a 'family reunion'! It is usually always fun. This year's theme was a question really, 'What is our Treasure?" Sam brought a little chest and inside he shared what his treasures were! Some of them were family, the gospel, and much more! He wanted us to reflect what we treasure most!

Thursday:
Thanksgiving at Amy and Jodie's home! We enjoyed each others company and there was of course good food. We got over the fact that our 'TURKEY' got LOST! We had ham and yummy sides that go along with the dinner. Then we walked to the local park and the kids played for a couple of hours. We chatted and caught up in each others lives. The kids had a lot of fun on the skateboards and scooters--Jodie even took a few rides on the skateboard! Then we went back to the house and played a 'family MINUTE TO WIN IT' game that Amy put together. It was a blast and the kids got all into it too!

Friday:
We drove over to Jake and Tami's for TURKEY sandwiches and play time. Kathy and Sam had us put together 72 hour kits! It is always a good thing to be prepared. Then later that afternoon we took a drive over to this property that had a big red barn full of games, trampoline and some desert golfing! I played with the kids on the tramp and showed a few tricks! It was fun to goof around with my nieces and nephews. To top of the day, we had dutch oven enchiladas, rice and beans! It was fabulous! (I had 2nds--couldn't help myself this time!)

Saturday:
We all met over in Mesa for a big day hike at Ben and I's favorite hiking spot now! First Water Trail in the Superstition Mtns. it also hooks up to the Dutchman's trail too. We ate our lunch at the start of the hike to give us fuel and off we went! It was a great site to see all 20 of us on the trail--fun times! Our destination was a cool cave that we've been to several times. It took about 45 min. to walk to but well worth it.. The mountains and weather were beautiful and serene to say the least! Everyone loved the hike and then we said our goodbyes!:)

We love our Johnson family!
I don't have many pics except for the last day on our hike!

Oh My....

My emotions are kinda all over the place as of late! I am having a hard time managing my time. I feel that with my recoveries, doing preschool and taking on this stay at home computer job, I have virtually no time for much else.

I had a realization, though. Friday was busy and its fine, but I wanted it to busy and fun! Which it wasn't going to be for the afternoon part of it.

I had the opportunity to volunteer in Abby's classroom for the first time this year which I have a little bit of guilt about but I just can't do everything. Abby was so excited to see me when I came in.. It was sweet. I am the Artmasterpiece Lady! I teach, art. That is crazy, but fun!

Then after half day of school, I had to work (computer job)--NOT FUN! But grateful I can make some money we desperately need. After a few hours, I bagged it and took the kids to the PaRK! Now that is fun! I enjoyed watching them play and run around.. It was nice to sit there and take it all in. I felt gratitude for my kids and the opportunity to be their MOM in this life. I know so deep, but so true!

So - busy is fine because I am busy being mom and helping support the family! Two important things! I chose the picture because when I had each of my kids I felt gratitude for gifts that they are! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

**SIDE NOTE--It would be nice to sit and eat bon bons every once in awhile--really!!!!

Celebrating Sundays! --behind

I stopped for about month or so because of 'reasons' lets not look back into the past but to the future! I am looking forward to the Holidays!

I made a lemon bar with mango tart yogurt (ice cream kind)! I am chocolate nut for desserts but this was up there with my chocolate! The sweet from the lemon bar combined with the tart of the yogurt--Bliss!

Just Life

I have some pics of just us living everyday life! Have a good weekend!

Benji loves Bella, our dog! He likes her much more than the other kids and gives her kisses and she gives them right back.

The other night we had visitors, Bella, Scarlett and Tami. The cousins played and played!

And grandma johnson was here recently which is always a treat for the kids, she came down from Prescott!

-J

Body

Thankful for health! I am thankful for my body and feel blessed to be relatively healthy! I hope I can enjoy good health most of my life!

I want to celebrate what God gave me -- My healthy Body!

side note: ..the body is amazing and how it heals itself.. .

A fun Halloween Party!

My cute Preschool kids had a lot of fun at our
Halloween Party! I really am enjoying being
their teacher!

Ramblings from the Kiddos!

Abby: " Mom, I am making flashcards so I can be smart." "Hey, mom a made a sheet of homework for you, but because I love you-- You don't have to do it till tomorrow"

Benji: History: We have a cat that visits our front yard by our door every so often. He belongs to someone (has a collar), but comes over every once in awhile. Well, Benji has a certain reaction to this cat.
**He looks out the front window--coast clear---he thinks...
We open the door..
""""CAAAAATTTTTT""" Screaming bloody murder --almost--jumps into my legs! Poor kid.. We were at some friends last night and he asked them if they had a cat... They said no and I could almost see him breathe better... Too funny!
He loves dogs --go figure!

Tyler: "Look Mom there is a Policeman can I get his autograph?" How does he know about autographs? The kids think sheriff's and policeman are 'celebs'! Kinda cool!

Monday Morning

Monday morn was very nice! The weather is slowly getting nicer and so we met some of our Johnson family at the park. I wasn't all myself, but I tried to be. It was nice to see all of them. It went by too fast! The kids always love playing with their cousins and it was a good excuse to be outside!:) It feels good having such wonderful people always around you. I feel blessed to have such an extraordinary circle of loved ones surrounding our life constantly.

Quote by Tyler: "I'm so excited to see grandma and grandpa. Mom, THEY love me a lot you know."

""Isn't it great that he knows they love him""

Utah Trip/Recovery

I snapped some pics of my Utah Trip/Recovery.
Thanks again for my gracious hosts. I loved seeing you all even though was kinda 'out of it'! It was nice to wear warmer clothes and feel a coolness in the air. Jodi's home is very welcoming and warm! It was decked out in Halloween decor and I could feel fall around me--it made for healing much faster and better!
JeN