2012!!

Unreal that it's been 6 months since I posted anything. Sad sad sad. I have no excuse either. However, it's a new year, and this is something I vow to do better at.

The last six months have FLOWN by in the Johnson household. We celebrated went on a trip to California, celebrated 3 birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.

We visited the Facer family in California for Becky's birthday, and for Halloween. I can't even tell you how cute it was to see our kids dressed up and go Trick or Treating and not have to be all bundled up in coats. Cash and Marley were pirates and Halle was a monkey (although she looked more like a teddy bear). The weather was seriously PERFECT, and we got to play at the beach almost every day.

Halle had her first birthday on November 16th!! My goodness, I can't believe she's a year old. She started walking all the time the day after her birthday. She even had 6 teeth when she turned 1! She is seriously such an amazing baby, still! We are so incredibly blessed to have that little chubby, happy baby in our family.

Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went all too fast. We decided to do a version of the "12 Days of Christmas" with the kids this year, and it was pretty amazing. We did something different every day for someone else. Some annonymous, some not. My favorite was the day we went down to WinCo and bought 3, $5 gift cards and wrote "Merry Christmas" on the back. I took Cash and Marley and gave them each one and we walked around the store and they got to pick who they wanted to give it to. Cash went first and picked a lady by the ice cream. I stood 20+ feet away and watched him walk up to her and hold the card out for almost a minute. She didn't even see him standing there! When he gave it to her, he said "Merry Christmas" and then a confused look immediately followed. It was so cute to see him try to explain to her that the gift card was for HER, and that it was a gift. She loved it! Marley then got to pick her person, but was too shy to walk up to her and give it to her, so Cash did it for her... she yelled from my side "that's from me!" And Cash told the woman "Merry Christmas." The last one went to a couple that I picked out that I saw three times in the store. Cash and Marley went together to give them their card. They were checking out, and could not see me at all. All they saw were two little rugrats running up to them and then running away as fast as they could, yelling "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Seriously, it was so fun to do some type of service with them during the Christmas season....

Our kids are amazing and I absolutely can't believe how big they are. Cash will be starting Kindergaten in the fall, and I'm definitely not ready for that. He is though. I can't wait to see what this new year brings and what stories I'll have. :)

Happy Independence Day!!!

I love the 4th of July. I love the smell of all the grilling, the fireworks, and the warm weather. Ryan actually took the day off and we got to just hang out as a family!! Well, Marley and I did go and get pedicures... so fun. :) We actually went out to dinner (don't hate) and then went downtown to the fireworks. My dad was nice enough to let us put Halle down and watch her at his house while we took Cash and Marley. Cash rode behind Ryan on his "hitchhiker" bike, and I pulled MJ in the Burley trailer. It was seriously awesome. Marley and Cash danced in the grass to the music until the show started, and then they were glued to the fire. It couldn't have been better. I love our country, despite all its problems, and I love my freedom. I'm so grateful for all those who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to preserve that.

Marley Turned 3!!!

We celebrated Marley's birthday a few days early so we could have a combined party with her cousin, Kate. It was perfect weather, great food, and lots of fun. My dad called around to some of his Hispanic friends and found the best place to get a pinata in town, and picked one up for us. It was all decked out with pink and girly and Tinkerbell! I must say, I was impressed. Marley basically didn't know what to do with herself she was so excited. Her and some of the other cousins had a dance party on the patio to some reggae music, which was totally entertaining. Her gift this year was a very elaborate kitchen set. She has been playing house, and being "mom" well before we decided to get it for her... now it's what she does almost all day! It's pretty cute. Here's just a couple reasons we love our Marley:
1- She's absolutely hilarious. Really, she's funny.
2- She can pull some of the best faces I've ever seen. Very expressive.
3- She is strong willed. When she makes up her mind, that's it.
4- She's a great little sister, and big sister.
5- She's totally girly, but VERY VERY tough. She can take a hit, and give one.
6- Life without her just wouldn't be the same.

Feliz Cumpleanos, Cash!!

I can't belive it! My little boy is 4!!!! Time has flown by, and I almost cry every time I think about him as a little baby... he is so sweet. He's fast, smart (he remembers everything, so be careful what you say!), sweet, sensitive, strong (he can do REAL push-ups, and situps), funny (he makes Halle REALLY laugh...love it!), such a great big brother, and such a great son. I really really love that kiddo with all my heart.

We didn't really throw him a big party - I just wasn't up for it. But, he had his cousins over, and his grandparents over, so he was a happy camper. Ryan also drew a Bronco on his birthday cake, which he LOVED. It was a great birthday weekend for him. Here's a few pics.