The Big Wind

On Thursday we had a huge wind storm with gusts over 100 mph! We were without power from Thursday around 7:30 am until Saturday about 1:00 pm. The first night was pretty fun - Arby's drive thru, dinner by flashlight, and camping in our own beds (it was very cold). But after that first day, it wasn't fun any more. School was cancelled Thursday and Friday and a lot of neighbors went to stay with family until they got power. The girls were bored. We were wishing we had TV and didn't feel like going to bed at 7:00. We were lucky enough to have a gas fireplace that kept the family room and kitchen nice and warm and a gas stove and oven to cook with. But, next time I hear of another storm coming these are the things I will make sure to do: vacuum, do dishes and run the disposal, and do a load of laundry. Here are some pictures of the damage.

"...proof through the night that our flag was still there."

These pictures look like something you would see on the news for some tornado in Kansas, not here in Davis County.

Here at our house we had a very large pine tree fall over down by the pool - luckily it didn't hit anything. Our roof also had shingles fly off in two different parts. Church was cancelled on Sunday (in almost all of Davis County) so people could help each other clean up yards in preparation for another storm that was headed this way (but never came). Aaron and Carly and Ellise were part of the clean-up crew.

For Carly, Ellise, and Aubree

This picture was taken way back in March

So, we have internet again. I was checking out Curt and Shawna's blog and read about how Shawna made a blog book and how her kids love it. I know our kids would also really enjoy it, so I'm back in the saddle again. :) I am renaming it The Parson Family Journal and will be recording the fun things we do, the cute things we do, the not-so-fun things we do and the not-so-cute things we do. But hopefully my kids will enjoy it for many years to come (and hopefully it will motivate me to take more pictures).

So, this blog is now lovingly dedicated to Carly, Ellise, and Aubree.
Love,
Mommy

Don't we all feel this way sometimes?

(I guess Carly was feeling kind of picked on.)

"I want to get mawied"

A slip for a veil, a slip for a dress, and her blessing dress jacket over.

Johnson Family Reunions in Park City

Nanny Nette and Grandpa are so awesome! They rented a HUGE (10,000 sq/ft) mansion, I mean, cabin for all of us to come enjoy a Johnson Family Reunion in Park City. We went in July and November.

Scotty LOVED Ellie and would just follow her around and cuddle her.



Aunt Stephanie took Conner, Kali, Sophie and Ellie sledding
Daddy threw kids up in the air



One thing Carly enjoyed was the Disney Channel

The adults enjoyed lounging around, visiting, and playing mafia.

Beautiful Heartbreak

One year ago today, my nephew, Blake Derek Johnson, passed away. It has been a sad year missing Blake and feeling Ken and Gina and their kids' heartbreak and wishing we could see Blake and express our love in person. But today was also a beautiful day because his dad, Ken, was able to go to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple for Blake to receive his endowment. Aaron and I were privileged to be there, as well as Gina, Mom and Dad, Angela and Jimmy, Stephanie, and Ashley (and some of Gina's family). I am sure Blake was there also. What a blessing Temples are - we can be together forever!

Gina was reading a book about a person who had a near death experience and they wrote about how they were met by someone on the other side. Gina was wondering who might have met Blake since he was not very close to any of his relatives who have passed on before him. I'm sure he was met by loved ones that he recognized and loved from the pre-mortal existence. This life isn't the beginning and it's not the end either.

HALLOWEEN!

Carly and Ellie are wearing costumes that were handed down from Nanny Nette's house - I remember wearing these! I even have a picture of me as a clown (about Carly's age), with the same wig, but a different clown costume.

Sadly, I didn't get a picture of Aubree!!! She was a fairy - and so cute too!

We went to dinner at Tanner and Libby's house with some other friends and went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. We ended up at our house and enjoyed hot cocoa with our friends.