December, Part I

Something we've really enjoyed since moving out here is having the missionaries over for dinner each month. They are such awesome young men! You can just feel the spirit that they bring into your home - we love it!

 December's dinner was a little different than usual. First off, they had their zone leaders with them (the ones in the front) and so the girls were even more hyper than usual. (Our girls get super hyper and show-offy when ever guests come over.) And instead of a regular dinner, we had breakfast for dinner. The type of breakfast you never have time to make in the morning - waffles, pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns, juice... mmm mmm!

I remember one time having the sister missionaries over at our house when I was a little girl. My mom forgot they were coming over and we were having pancakes for dinner that evening. My mom was pretty embarrassed because she usually goes all out for those sort of things. But the sister missionaries said how much they loved it, so 20 years later, I thought I would give it a try!

Ellie, Elder Young (front), Wekesser (back), Woodruff (front), Nordin (back), Carly, me, and Aaron.
Sadly, Elder Nordin is being transferred soon - he is a great missionary!

Don't these two girls look so sweet and innocent and lovey?!

 Don't let it fool you! For a couple weeks it seemed they were fighting non-stop! Seriously, I was going crazy (still am going crazy some days).

So, I decided to try out this idea I saw on Facebook - zipped them up in my coat. Aside from Ellie peeing her pants, it worked! They started getting along and thought it was so fun to be zipped up together.

(Aubree, what are you doing in thin cotton shorts and t-shirt in December?! Silly girl!)

 Aubree and some friends ate lunch at our house last week and afterwards Aubree lined them up to wash their hands in the bathroom. Well, I kinda' forgot about them and went about doing other things until a few minutes later when the little boy told me they were washing their hair in the sink with soap! Sure enough, they had bubbles all over in their hair (and had a great time in the process).

 Ellie in front of our advent calendar. Angela gave us this beautiful quilted advent calendar about 6 years ago and I love it ....  and kind of hate it. I hate it only because my girls expect either candy or some super-awesome activity to be in one of those pockets EVERY day! We put candy or a ticket for some fun activity in there occasionally, but my girls are always (overly and dramatically) disappointed when it's just our Christmas scripture for the day in there.

And last but not least, (and I'm really kind of embarrassed about this even though I shouldn't be) - Ellie got lice a couple weeks ago! We were getting ready to go to a friend's house for dinner last Sunday and Ellie wanted me to redo her hair. So, I do the part and see something in her hair - maybe lint or a fuzzy or something - but it MOVED! So, long story short (even though Aaron doesn't think I'm capable of making any story short), we spent three hours in her hair alone and quite a bit of time in everyone elses and did lots and LOTS of laundry, and we are now lice-free! (Luckily and miraculously no one else in our family had any.)

Here the girls are with coconut oil in their hair to aid in the lice-combing process.

Scene Replay in Heaven

I hope when we get to Heaven that we get to re-watch some of our favorite scenes from our lives. Those moments that we couldn't capture on video. Mostly I think of moments with my kids, but it would be fun to see moments throughout our lives. And since Heavenly Father knows everything, he would know just what scenes to put on our special Blu-ray (or whatever they have up there) :).

Today I watched Aubree play with Lite Brites and work on a puzzle. She didn't know I was watching her whisper to herself and all the while I was wishing that I could just squish her and love her, but I didn't want to break her concentration.

And I just love those sister moments that I see with Carly and Ellie. They have so many of their own "traditions" or way of doing things together. They don't quite realize how much they depend on and love each other, but I know they do!

Happy Leap Year Day!

We celebrated Leap Year by going to the mall to get Carly and Ellie's ears pierced!
Ellie was the brave one who went first. These two take turns being brave. Sometimes Carly is the brave one, sometimes Ellie.Carly was SO nervous! In the end, they both said it wasn't as bad as they thought it would be. Carly said she imagined she would be laying down (like on a doctors exam table) and they would have a big machine that would shoot a needle into her ear. I got my ears pierced the first time when I was 11 (at my friends' house - Natalie and Nicole Vohs). But, I ended up letting those grow in because it made me too queezy to put earrings in and out of my ear. :) I got them pierced again when I was about 13 or 14. Aaron and I decided we would let our girls get their ears pierced when they were old enough to take care of them and when they really wanted to. (They wanted to so much that they even paid for part of it - a handful of coins from each. And Carly wanted to so bad that she was willing to lay on an exam table and have a big machine shoot needles into her ears! ha ha!)

After they got their ears done we started walking out of the mall when the lady at Kiddie Kandids stopped us and asked if she could take the girls' picture and she would give us a free portrait. So, of course that's what we did.

I can't remember which one I ordered. But it was one of these with a black background.

Carly and Ellie liked this one best with the meadow background, so I ordered them one of these with a cute sister quote on it.

Carly - 7.5 years

Ellise - 6 years

Aubree - 3 years

(Don't you just love that little pea coat that Aunt Ang and Steph got for her b-day last year?!)

It was so nice to not have to stress and plan to get these pictures done. Of course I would have matched their outfits better and made sure their hair was just right and probably had a nervous breakdown in the process. But this was totally stress free and they turned out so cute. AND, I only had to pay $6 for the shipping on the meadow picture!

HAPPY LEAP YEAR DAY!!

Random Happenings in February

Carly and Ellie planned a little Fairy Party for some of their friends. I start to get a little stressed when they plan things like this because I feel like I have to get involved and make it all organized. Well, this time I didn't, I just let them do the planning and let myself relax.
Here's one of the invitations that Carly made (interpretation below with original spelling) To Allie From Carly
do you beleave in fairies? write back to me if you do. we are going to play fairies and bild fairy houses and crafts and there will be prizes and more fun thigs
ps. it is a club about Fairies. it is this Saturday. love Carly

Presidents Day
We went sledding in our neighbors back yard - super convenient and lots of fun. Aubree only went down once and then sat in the swing and watched.


Aubree is so proud of how she has learned to hold books. So cute!

Aubree loves to have me wrap her up in my robe and carry her around like shes a baby in my belly.

Speaking of a baby in my belly - there isn't one - but Aubree seems to think there is. So, last week when my parents were visiting, Aubree told Nanny Nette that there was a baby in my belly. Well, Ellie overheard the little exchange and quickly cleared it up. She said, "No, there's not a baby, it just looks like it". ha ha!! She went on to explain to Nanny Nette that the reason her belly (Nanny Nette's) looks like it has a baby in it is because it was stretched out from having so many babies. (Ellie has wondered in the past why I sometimes look like I'm pregnant and I've explained that when Mommies have babies, their tummies get stretched out and sometimes make it look like there's a little baby in there.) Anyway, glad she could come to the rescue in that instance.

I just love that chubby little face poking out of my robe!

Valentine's Day 2012

Carly and Ellie have been looking forward to Valentine's Day for about a month now! I got on pinterest and found some really cute ideas for homemade Valentines that I knew they would love. But instead, the girls started making homemade Valentine's. So, today at their class parties, each of their classmates got a totally authentic, unique and hand-made valentine card from Carly and Ellie. They were so cute and so much better than the pinterest ideas - because it was thought up and made by them! I was very impressed (but not surprised) that they spent so much time on the Valentines and didn't give up. They are such talented and creative girls! (I wish I would have taken pictures - what was I thinking?!!)

I was able to help out in Carly's class for the Valentine party and Aubree came with me. I love volunteering in Carly and Ellie's classes. They are always so excited to see me and so proud to have their Mom there at school. It's also good to see who the kids are that I hear them talk about at home. I let Carly choose out my outfit for the party - my pink sequined shirt with a cream cardi - pretty snazzy! I let her choose it because when I first told her that I would be coming to her Valentine Party, this was our conversation:
Carly, "What if the kids don't like how you look?"
Me, (a little offended), "It's not very polite to tell someone that you don't like how they look sweetie."
Carly, "I know, I don't ever do that."
Me, "Well, do you like how I look?"
Carly, "Yes"
Me, *sigh a sigh of relief*
So, even though I'm sure she didn't remember that conversation, I decided to let her choose my outfit so she could be proud of her mama! :)

Valentine's Day was always my favorite school holiday. I started having crushes on boys in preschool, so you can bet I loved giving and getting Valentines and comparing them with friends and trying to figure out who had crushes on who based on the Valentines recieved! :) Speaking of which, I did notice that Ellie's Valentine for Brooks was the biggest one she made, and Carly's valentine for Tate had two pieces of candy on it. :) I still remember agonizing over which valentine to give to Doug Bowen - should I go ahead and and give him the one that says "Be Mine" or just play it safe? (Doug, was probably my biggest crush on and off throughout elementary.)

Christmas Break

We spent Christmas in Rexburg this year (2011) with Aaron's family. I don't have a single picture - unfortunately camera's give me anxiety. But here are some highlights:


-Going to Sacrament Meeting on Christmas day. It just felt like the best place to be on the day that we celebrate the birth of our Savior. To worship Him and hear inspiring songs and messages about Him. Such a wonderful spirit there.
-Santa brought gumball machines for Carly and Ellise. They have been wanting these for a few years now.
-Aaron got an awesome ice cream maker
-Grandma Kathy made all the grandkids capes - they look so cool - and Carly says they're magical.
-A Parson extended family get-together. It was so fun to see the cousins - some of which I haven't seen in years.
-An English style Christmas Dinner planned by Holly





Johnson Family Pre-Christmas Activities

Here we are downtown SLC. We went to the Grand America Gingerbread House display and Temple Square. The night before this we had an ugly sweater/ white elephant gift party and celebrated Blake's birthday.

Nanny Nette and Grandpa got all the grandkids pajamas. Here's the triplets, Ellise, Sophie and Carly with Nanny Nette, Aubree and Aunt Steph.

DATE NIGHT!!

(below) Here we are with our good friends, Dustin and Carolyn Wiberg at an ASLA Christmas dinner. The Wibergs were in our ward in North Salt Lake. They are one of the few families here who are not from Davis County or even the Salt Lake area, so that gave us something in common right from the start. Also, our kids are about same age. And, Dustin and Aaron are both Landscape Architects, both been through unemployment, and now both work for PEC (he was Aaron's contact for getting a job there). They are such wonderful friends!
MAGIC SHOW

Carly, Ellise and a friend planned a magic show (very spur of the moment) last week and invited a few neighborhood friends. Most of the magic show was ad-libbed, with some of the guests even sharing tricks at random. We had hot cocoa after the show and all the kids had a great time. After everyone left Carly said to me, "Mom, I didn't really have anything planned for the talent show.... could you tell?" (It was really cute)

The sign at our front entryway: "Magic show. Free. The Magic Lady is 7 years old. She will choose two persons to come up." At first the addmission was going to be $6.00. :)

Aubree, wearing her first braids. She looks so big!

First Day of Kindergarten

Ellise wasn't even nervous for the first day of school. She got all her Jewelry on - including the earrings and necklace I made for her a few weeks ago - and off we went! I got to go with her on the first day. After that first day, she was a little nervous, maybe because the reality of it finally hit her. Her teacher asked her what she wanted to be called and she said "Ellie". I was a bit surprised because she usually says she wants to be called Ellise. It was kind of a weird thing to see Ellie make that decision on her own - it was like I could feel her growing up.

I didn't get a picture of Carly on her first day (hopefully blogging more will keep me on my toes with things like this). She was opposite from Ellie, very anxious leading up to the first day of school, but after that, she was good to go!

It was a little hard for me with both of them. Especially since I didn't get to go with Carly on her first day and I knew she would be gone all day.

Kids and teachers alike get these two mixed up. One boy that knew Carly saw Carly and Ellie standing next to each other and looked back and forth at them a few times, with a bewildered look on his face, and then pretended to faint. :) From what I've seen and heard, they have been being good friends at school. Whenever they see each other, Ellie will run up to Carly and wrap her arms and legs around her.

Best Friends/ Worst Enemies

While I was taking a shower this morning Carly and Ellie were playing with their Doctor kit. Ellie wasn't doing what Carly wanted and so Carly threw the kit at Ellie's face, cutting her lip. Ahhh! It makes me so upset - but at the same time I remember fighting with my little sister, Stephanie, and I also had a really hard time controlling my temper. (I guess I get what I deserve now.)

Here's Ellie telling about her ouchie:



In Carly's defense, she is just a very passionate little person! She gives the TIGHTEST hugs and just grits her teeth and puts everything into it when she's loving you. But, you better watch out if she's ticked! Cuz she puts her all into that too!



Lest you think my girls are CONSTANTLY fighting, here is a picture of Carly cutting a picture in half. It was a picture that their friend brought over for her. Ellie felt bad that she didn't get a picture, so Carly cut hers in half so Ellie could have half.



Also, today (and every day) Ellie was having a hard time falling asleep for her nap, so Carly stood beside Ellie's bed and sang songs to her. It didn't work - but still, it was sweet. (So, here's a sweet picture of Carly.)



Here's Carly loving Ellie after she had a rough time outside with some friends.

This is a picture of a "fort" the girls made in our room (this was an hour past bedtime - they were supposed to be asleep).

At Ensign Peak

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POST SNEAK PREVIEWS

Coming soon to our blog...

"All About Aubree - Two Months"

"Stephanie's engaged!!!"

All about Carly and Ellie

Ellie with a "real" smile! She has just learned how to zip up her coat all by herself (Carly just learned too). Ellie will be three in just two months.



Carly found this snail a while back (I am so amazed at how unafraid she is of bugs and slimy things!) Carly turned 4 in August.

Although it was hard, at times, to have Carly and Ellie so close together (17 months), I am so grateful now because they are such good friends and entertain each other so well!



We are doing a preschool/joyschool for Carly right now and the past few weeks have been at my home (Ellie joins the other three kids when it's at my house) - Let me just say, I hope I am never in a position where I feel like I need to homeschool my children!
Today for preschool we talked about children all around the world. Here they are with their homemade, paper bag, pinatas.




One thing that Carly and Ellie love to do together is make-believe. Some of their favorites:
-One of them is the Mommy and the other is the baby or puppy. Today Carly was Mary and Ellie was Baby Jesus.
-Sharks or aligators are on the family room floor and they have to get away from them.
-Imaginary puppies and kittens need to be rescued and taken care of.
-One of them is the librarian (they will sit and read books for a really long time).
I love listening to them make up different situations and playing so well with each other.

They still fight a lot though. Some of the biggest issues:
-Carly won't let Ellie brush her hair
-Who gets the favorite color cup, spoon, fork, or whatever (I've tried to explain that the water/food tastes the same either way - they don't care!)
-Who gets to ride on Daddy's shoulders
-"She hit (or kicked or pinched or touched) me!"
-They both want to be in charge at the same time (This is usually what it always boils down to)


If I would have known 20 years ago how irritating it was to listen to your kids fight, I would have been much kinder to Stephanie. It does give me great hope to think of what great friends Steph and I are now though!



This is Carly with a couple of her friends - the one on the left is a year older than her and the one on the right is only 4 months older than her! (Carly is so tiny!!!)

Carly's Advice

On one particular stressful day (I don't know which one) I decided to ask Carly this question:




"Carly, what do you think I could do to be a better Mommy?"
Carly answered: "Mmm...just sit down and relax...and play with us."
Aaron overheard and said: "That's the Holy Ghost speaking through that child"


It was some of the best advice I had ever been given. I think I sometimes get on turbo mode and forget to just enjoy being a mother. And sometimes when I do just sit down and read or play with Carly and Ellie I am thinking in my head about how much I need to get done and start feeling unproductive. But, really, spending quality time with my girls is the most productive and important thing I can do all day. So, I've been trying to change my attitute and schedule, so that I can enjoy playing with Carly and Ellie more.






This is us trying to "relax" with Ellie (she still doesn't quite grasp the concept and doesn't like staying in one place for very long).





Ellie was having a hard time getting to sleep last night and was begging to sleep with Carly...so cute! Brings back memories of Steph and me - although we didn't share a toddler bed (it was a queen), I do remember nights when Ang and Ryan joined us.