Well I recently went on a girls weekend to Las Vegas...there was so much to see and do in such a short amount of time. Although I did have fun...I really missed my family. I was so happy to get back to my not so normal or quiet life...it has been hard for me to get back into the swing of things, and I haven't even had my first shift back to work yet!
So upon my arrival, I found that the house was completely cleaned, Lucas said that he and the girls worked on it that weekend on top of having a baby with an ear infection, getting a flat, and working two jobs. What can I say, he is amazing!
I missed my Erynn, having my buddy with me everyday, her smile and the way she always wants to be by my side. She is getting so big and I swear she grew while I was away. I missed how my Avery always rubs on my ears when she hugs me and how she loves to come and show me her "cheer moves" that she practices non-stop. She has the best toe touch and bannana split! I was happy to have had a few calls from my Andie while I was gone, but I think this made me miss her more hearing her voice and knowing that she needed me and I wasn't here for her. She is growing so fast and it is so nice to know that she still needs her mommy from time to time.
Lastly, I missed my husband, my bestfriend. One thing I learned this past weekend, I am not a partier, I am not 20 anymore, and I love being with my husband. I missed having my "wingman". It was so nice to come home and have him with me again, to hold him, and feel him lying there next to me while I slept. I didn't sleep so good in Vegas. Also, I just know that I would have had a better time sharing this time with Lucas and the girls. So in short, I don't think I'll be doing a girls weekend anytime soon, but I am planning a family getaway with my sweet girls and loving husband. My family is my everything, I only hope I can show them this everyday!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Best Surprise
So my Dad showed up and surprised us yesterday!! He has been in Australia over the past three months and we haven't seen him since Christmas Break! We sure did miss him as evidenced by our not leaving his side for 6hrs yesterday evening. It was great though! The girls love thier Papa so much and hopefull he will be back in AZ for good!
Friday, August 12, 2011
11 Years
So today is my 11 Year Anniversary!! 11 years of Marriage that is! Lucas and I were married 11 years ago on August 12, 2000 after a 5 year courtship. Many already know this story, but I thought it would fun to reminisce about past memories and share some old pics to show just how much I love this man and am so grateful to have found him when I did! Enjoy!
16 years ago, January 1995, I met Lucas Robert Johnson during my 7th grade PE class. He happened to have PE the same time as me, but at that time he was a Freshman in HS, so the odds of us running into eachother at this time in our lives was not likely. We had just started the semester and we were required to learn Country Dancing. Being a 7th grader and having to dance with Freshman boys, you can imagine I was pretty nervous, embarrassed, and excited! First day of Country Dancing was "Boys Pick". I did not know any Freshman boys at this time and was worried about not getting asked to dance. Low and behold, an adorable blue eyed boy asked if I would be his partner, I said yes.
After a few more weeks of dancing, this same blue eyed boy asked me to be his girlfriend only after tricking me into disclosing to his bestfriend Andy Wright that I liked him and would say yes if he asked me out...little did I know that would lead to 16 years with my bestfriend and 11 years married to a wonderful husband and father. I am so grateful to Lucas for being there for me, for my beautiful daughters, for helping me keep this family together. I look forward to the next 16 years!
16 years ago, January 1995, I met Lucas Robert Johnson during my 7th grade PE class. He happened to have PE the same time as me, but at that time he was a Freshman in HS, so the odds of us running into eachother at this time in our lives was not likely. We had just started the semester and we were required to learn Country Dancing. Being a 7th grader and having to dance with Freshman boys, you can imagine I was pretty nervous, embarrassed, and excited! First day of Country Dancing was "Boys Pick". I did not know any Freshman boys at this time and was worried about not getting asked to dance. Low and behold, an adorable blue eyed boy asked if I would be his partner, I said yes.
After a few more weeks of dancing, this same blue eyed boy asked me to be his girlfriend only after tricking me into disclosing to his bestfriend Andy Wright that I liked him and would say yes if he asked me out...little did I know that would lead to 16 years with my bestfriend and 11 years married to a wonderful husband and father. I am so grateful to Lucas for being there for me, for my beautiful daughters, for helping me keep this family together. I look forward to the next 16 years!
Lucas, me and Alisa on my 15th birthday, yes Lucas has make-up on, he just performed in a play, haha!
Lucas and I before Prom my Freshman year, Lucas still to this day loves this dress, I still have it hanging in my closet.
Before Girls Dance Sophmore Year (I think, it is hard to keep track)
Me and Lucas being silly.
Group Pic Lucas' Senior Prom, Andy is right next to him, Thanks again Andy!
Before my Junior Prom
At Lucas' HS Graduation '98
At my Graduation '00
Engagement '00, Lucas asked me to marry him the Summer before I started my Senior year. As you can imagine, my parents weren't thrilled, but we knew what we wanted and waited until after graduation to have the wedding!
Our Wedding Day August 12, 2000! We had a blast!!
Lucas with Andie February 14, 2001!! Andie, named after Lucas' best friend, he has been there trough the good and the bad, so glad that Lucas has a friend like him!
Lucas and Andie
At Lucas' Graduation from NAU '05, preggers with Avery, we loved our time in Flag!! It brought us closer together as a family!
Lucas and his girlies, Andie and Avery born May 27, 2005
Johnson Family in our apartment in Flagstaff, AZ '05
Visiting in Safford for 4th of July right after Avery was born
Andie and Avery my sweet girlies '06
Andie, Lucas, and Avery just before we added another girlie to the mix '09
Lucas and Erynn, born February 8, 2009
Lucas and his girlies '09
Johnson girls Christmas '10
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Fall 2011
I can't believe 2011 is already more than half-way over!! My girlies have all grown so much, we have been so busy with life, and I have really let myself get distracted from what is important...celebrating the joy that my family brings me.
Andie is now 10-years-old and just started 5th grade. We are so happy that she has Ms. Allred as her teacher this year. Andie is such a smart girl, we have so many hopes for her as she enters into her tween years, it is both scary and exciting. She is such a caring and loving girl, but I can see the occasional sullen teenager just waiting to escape hiding under the surface. Andie has gotten so tall over the summer, she will be taller than me before I know it.
Avery's 1st Day of 1st Grade
Erynn is 2 1/2-years-old now. We have tried the potty training a few times over the summer...it didn't work out so well. We were told a while back, when she was diagnosed with renal reflux that children with reflux have a harder time potty training, I guess we are seeing that now. I have a hard time being hard on her, she just gets so upset with herself and I hate that pouty look of hers. My mother says it's because she is my last...which is why Lucas is pushing for a fourth, haha
Here are some new pics of the girlies, 1st day of school and new haircuts!!
Andie with her hair short again, I like it like this, but after growing it out all summer, I was surprised she wanted to cut if off. The new thing right now is wearing a feather in your hair, so her she is with a pink one, who would have thought?!?
Avery's hair had gotten so long over summer, she wanted to be Rapunzel for Halloween and was growing it out, well she soon realized with long hair comes tangles (haha), so we trimmed it and it looks so cute now...of course she had to have feathers too, her are smaller though
Andie's 1st day of 5th Grade
Andie is now 10-years-old and just started 5th grade. We are so happy that she has Ms. Allred as her teacher this year. Andie is such a smart girl, we have so many hopes for her as she enters into her tween years, it is both scary and exciting. She is such a caring and loving girl, but I can see the occasional sullen teenager just waiting to escape hiding under the surface. Andie has gotten so tall over the summer, she will be taller than me before I know it.
Avery's 1st Day of 1st Grade
Avery turned 6 at the beginning of summer. She was so excited to go back to school this year. I think she mostly missed her friends, but she has been reading and I am so happy to see that she enjoys school. Her goal this summer was to learn how to swim...sure enough she did. We put her in private lessons in July and within 3 weeks she was swimming the length of the pool. Lucas and I are so proud of her. Nothing will stand in her way once she sets her mind to achieving something!
Lucas and the Girls on the 1st Day of School at Granny's House, they always go over before school to take a pic here, Lucas has done this since he was a little boy, I think it's a nice tradition he has started with the girls!
Erynn is 2 1/2-years-old now. We have tried the potty training a few times over the summer...it didn't work out so well. We were told a while back, when she was diagnosed with renal reflux that children with reflux have a harder time potty training, I guess we are seeing that now. I have a hard time being hard on her, she just gets so upset with herself and I hate that pouty look of hers. My mother says it's because she is my last...which is why Lucas is pushing for a fourth, haha
Here are some new pics of the girlies, 1st day of school and new haircuts!!
Erynn with her very 1st hair cut, she did such a good job and I think it came out so adorable, look at that face!!
Andie with her hair short again, I like it like this, but after growing it out all summer, I was surprised she wanted to cut if off. The new thing right now is wearing a feather in your hair, so her she is with a pink one, who would have thought?!?
Avery's hair had gotten so long over summer, she wanted to be Rapunzel for Halloween and was growing it out, well she soon realized with long hair comes tangles (haha), so we trimmed it and it looks so cute now...of course she had to have feathers too, her are smaller though
Monday, January 3, 2011
Christmas Break
Can't believe that the break is over and my kiddos are back in school :(
We had a really great break though! Luckily, my father was here from Milwaukee and was able to attend dance recitals, open presents, and spend lots of time with the grand kids! The last time he was home in Oct, the baby wasn't real fond of him. This time around, she couldn't stay in his arms long enough!
If I learned anything this break it's that life is too short. My resolution to myself and my family this year is to live each day to the fullest and try to stay busy, rather than letting myself feel tired or depressed! I need to lead by example if I want my kiddos to be active!
We had a really great break though! Luckily, my father was here from Milwaukee and was able to attend dance recitals, open presents, and spend lots of time with the grand kids! The last time he was home in Oct, the baby wasn't real fond of him. This time around, she couldn't stay in his arms long enough!
If I learned anything this break it's that life is too short. My resolution to myself and my family this year is to live each day to the fullest and try to stay busy, rather than letting myself feel tired or depressed! I need to lead by example if I want my kiddos to be active!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Cinnamon Rolls
There are two things in this world that I can't make, Cinnamon Rolls and Fudge!
Well, I found this recipe for Cinnamon Rolls and I'm going to have to give it a shot:
Cinnamon Rolls
(adapted from Paula Deen via The Feathered Nest)
(always double this recipe - you'll thank me later.)
Dough:
1/4 oz. pkg yeast
1/2 c. warm water
1/2 c. scalded milk
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. melted butter (atta girl)
1 t. salt
1 egg
3 1/2 to 4 c. flour (sometimes I'll use a little bit of whole wheat flour...makes a GREAT flavor!)
Filling: (I never measure this part, but if you're not into eyeballing it, here you go)
1/2 c. melted butter
3/4 c. sugar
2 T. ground cinnamon
1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans
Glaze:
4 T. melted butter (can't get enough)
2 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
pinch of salt
canned milk
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix milk, sugar, melted butter, salt and egg. Add 2 c. flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast mixture. Mix in remaining flour until dough is easy to handle (not too much flour, though). Knead on lightly floured surface for 5-10 minutes (or in your mixer). Place in well-greased bowl; cover and let rise until doubled in size, usually 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
When dough is doubled in size, punch down dough. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out on a well floured surface into a 15 x 9 inch rectangle. Spread melted butter all over dough. Mix cinnamon and sugar; sprinkle over buttered dough. Sprinkle with nuts. Roll up dough and pinch edge together to seal. Cut into slices.
Coat bottom of baking pan with butter. Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until doubled - about 30-45 minutes. Bake for about 30 minutes until nicely browned.
Meanwhile, mix butter, powdered sugar, pinch of salt & vanilla. Add canned milk a little at a time until glaze is smooth, a little thick. Spread over slightly cooled rolls.
Well, I found this recipe for Cinnamon Rolls and I'm going to have to give it a shot:
Cinnamon Rolls
(adapted from Paula Deen via The Feathered Nest)
(always double this recipe - you'll thank me later.)
Dough:
1/4 oz. pkg yeast
1/2 c. warm water
1/2 c. scalded milk
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. melted butter (atta girl)
1 t. salt
1 egg
3 1/2 to 4 c. flour (sometimes I'll use a little bit of whole wheat flour...makes a GREAT flavor!)
Filling: (I never measure this part, but if you're not into eyeballing it, here you go)
1/2 c. melted butter
3/4 c. sugar
2 T. ground cinnamon
1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans
Glaze:
4 T. melted butter (can't get enough)
2 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
pinch of salt
canned milk
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix milk, sugar, melted butter, salt and egg. Add 2 c. flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast mixture. Mix in remaining flour until dough is easy to handle (not too much flour, though). Knead on lightly floured surface for 5-10 minutes (or in your mixer). Place in well-greased bowl; cover and let rise until doubled in size, usually 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
When dough is doubled in size, punch down dough. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out on a well floured surface into a 15 x 9 inch rectangle. Spread melted butter all over dough. Mix cinnamon and sugar; sprinkle over buttered dough. Sprinkle with nuts. Roll up dough and pinch edge together to seal. Cut into slices.
Coat bottom of baking pan with butter. Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until doubled - about 30-45 minutes. Bake for about 30 minutes until nicely browned.
Meanwhile, mix butter, powdered sugar, pinch of salt & vanilla. Add canned milk a little at a time until glaze is smooth, a little thick. Spread over slightly cooled rolls.
Christmas 2010
So I have been so terrible with blogging this past year, and I'm going to try to catch-up...that is a really scary thought for me! But my 2011 goal is to blog more, yeah!!
This month we had dance recitals, music programs, birthdays, and Christmas!!
On December 15th and 16th Andie and Avery had their Christmas Music programs, they were so cute. Andie learned how to play the Recorder this year and she practiced a ton. She was so cute and super excited to perform, they did a really great job!
Avery sang along with the other Kindergartner's, first and second graders. She looked so cute, despite her meltdown that morning. She was so upset because she couldn't find her dress shoes and then her coat and was super mad when I made her change out of her black skirt and into jeans. We left the house to her yelling "I look so ugly". It was very stressful, but I was so happy to see her smiling once she was on stage an hour later.
On December 18th, Andie and Avery had their Christmas recitals. Andie has been doing Poms since this past summer and she seems to really enjoy it. I was so proud of her, she smiled and did her movements so sharp! Avery is doing Jazz and Ballet this year and danced to "Hannah's Rockin' Christmas". She looked like she had Mexican jumping beans in her tights. She smiled and looked like she was having such a great time! It is crazy for me to think that this time next year Erynn will be doing her first Recital...oh how time flies!
The girls were spoiled again this year...will I ever learn? Santa brought scooters and guitars. Andie and Erynn both got scooters, although Andie's is a little small, I don't think Santa knew she had grown so much this past year. Avery is our little Taylor Swift in the making and asked for a guitar, she is trying to figure out how to play jingle bells on it, too cute! They also received a very large dollhouse (that took Lucas and I 2hrs to put together), barbies, clothes, dresses, jackets, and a pillow pet!
I was super surprised by my Christmas. I had already bought myself a new watch and jacket and so told Lucas not to worry about getting me anything. I was driving into the garage a few days before Christmas and saw a box from Amazon, I instantly thought that it was this book I had been wanting "Non But You", I began to get excited! Christmas morning, Lucas hands me the present and I realize how light it is and instantly think "this can't be the book, it's not heavy enough". So I begin to open the present and see that sure enough, it's from Amazon, but it's a Kindle! I was shocked, I would never have guessed that. To top it off, Lucas had purchased the book that I wanted along with it's sequel and already had them on my Kindle!
It made me feel so bad, since all I got Lucas was his yearly Nikes and Fossil watch, so I had him open his Birthday present early, "Band Hero" for XBOX. We have already played this a few times and the it is such a fun gift for any family. Even the baby plays, she got 20% correct on the drums, haha!
It has been so great spending all this time with my family and even more special to have my father home again. We will be so sad when he leaves next week, but excited for him to go to Australia! This weekend we are all heading over to Phoenix to visit more family and eat out at the O Garden!
Happy Holidays to everyone and have a safe New Year!
This month we had dance recitals, music programs, birthdays, and Christmas!!
On December 15th and 16th Andie and Avery had their Christmas Music programs, they were so cute. Andie learned how to play the Recorder this year and she practiced a ton. She was so cute and super excited to perform, they did a really great job!
Avery sang along with the other Kindergartner's, first and second graders. She looked so cute, despite her meltdown that morning. She was so upset because she couldn't find her dress shoes and then her coat and was super mad when I made her change out of her black skirt and into jeans. We left the house to her yelling "I look so ugly". It was very stressful, but I was so happy to see her smiling once she was on stage an hour later.
On December 18th, Andie and Avery had their Christmas recitals. Andie has been doing Poms since this past summer and she seems to really enjoy it. I was so proud of her, she smiled and did her movements so sharp! Avery is doing Jazz and Ballet this year and danced to "Hannah's Rockin' Christmas". She looked like she had Mexican jumping beans in her tights. She smiled and looked like she was having such a great time! It is crazy for me to think that this time next year Erynn will be doing her first Recital...oh how time flies!
The girls were spoiled again this year...will I ever learn? Santa brought scooters and guitars. Andie and Erynn both got scooters, although Andie's is a little small, I don't think Santa knew she had grown so much this past year. Avery is our little Taylor Swift in the making and asked for a guitar, she is trying to figure out how to play jingle bells on it, too cute! They also received a very large dollhouse (that took Lucas and I 2hrs to put together), barbies, clothes, dresses, jackets, and a pillow pet!
I was super surprised by my Christmas. I had already bought myself a new watch and jacket and so told Lucas not to worry about getting me anything. I was driving into the garage a few days before Christmas and saw a box from Amazon, I instantly thought that it was this book I had been wanting "Non But You", I began to get excited! Christmas morning, Lucas hands me the present and I realize how light it is and instantly think "this can't be the book, it's not heavy enough". So I begin to open the present and see that sure enough, it's from Amazon, but it's a Kindle! I was shocked, I would never have guessed that. To top it off, Lucas had purchased the book that I wanted along with it's sequel and already had them on my Kindle!
It made me feel so bad, since all I got Lucas was his yearly Nikes and Fossil watch, so I had him open his Birthday present early, "Band Hero" for XBOX. We have already played this a few times and the it is such a fun gift for any family. Even the baby plays, she got 20% correct on the drums, haha!
It has been so great spending all this time with my family and even more special to have my father home again. We will be so sad when he leaves next week, but excited for him to go to Australia! This weekend we are all heading over to Phoenix to visit more family and eat out at the O Garden!
Happy Holidays to everyone and have a safe New Year!
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