Celebrate Summer - Sun drenched days and starlit nights...

This year Russ talked me into sleeping outside with him and Jake. I’m not much of a camper but I figured that in my own backyard I could sneak in if I wanted to. Besides that, I kind of like having the bed to myself (and control of the channel changer)! Jake and Russ sleep out quite often during the summer months, under the stars (no tent allowed)! I never knew what I was missing; I think I had more fun than the boys! Hopefully this isn’t the last time I’m invited, I have a feeling that if Jake has it his way it will be. The only thing missing (once again) was Megan, she is a busy 20 year old girl with places to go and people to see! Happy Backyard Camping!!!

"I get by with a little help from my friends."

One of my BEST friends ever is Shelly! We have known each other for 20+ years. We have been through so much together and have always been there for each other. The most difficult time in my life was when I lost my Mom to ovarian cancer, Shelly was my biggest support! I love her as if she was my sister, she says we are and I love that! I am blessed to have wonderful friends in my life, what would I do without them!

Get Ready For Great Deals!

Seriously?! Saving more than half on your weekly grocery bill?

That is what some neighbor friends and I experienced with the “Grocery Guru”! Not only did we save a “chunk of change” but we had a great time doing it. Ken “The Grocery Guru” told us that many times here in Utah people mistake him for a polygamist having 10 women following him around with carts in a grocery store!

As my Mom used to tell me, “A penny saved is a penny earned”! My problem... I save that 50% and think I can go spend it somewhere else. I’m a work in progress!

My Most Favorite Picture Ever!!!

Megan and Jakob, April 2000!

Silly Faces!

Love these kids!!!

Jakob

To become a real boy you must prove yourself brave, truthful, and unselfish!







Jake was wanted so bad by his Mom, Dad, and Sister! Megan had two little brothers, Max and Gavin that didn't want to wait to come here to earth. Max came at five and a half months and Gavin almost six months. So needless to say, Megan was so very excited to be big sister, of course I could hardley believe that I finally got my bundle of joy!  Jake was five weeks early, but was a happy healthy baby boy! There is something special between a Mom and her Son, Jake makes my world go round!

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.

I can't believe that Megan is 20! She has done quite a fantastic job growing up, I wish I could take some credit, I can't. She is a person that I aspire to be like.  It is funny how a Mom can learn from her children. Megan graduated from High School with honors and graduated from "Paul Mitchell the School" April 2010 (see post). It's exciting to see the change in Megan, she is growing up to be quite an amazing adult but she will always be my little girl!

We've got our selves a Hairdresser!

Megan graduated from Paul Mitchell the School on April 20, 2010!  We are so proud of her and excited for her future.  She will make a fabulous hairdresser, best of luck to my little girl!

The Military Ball

As you can tell I am very proud of our United Stated Military!  I am blessed to have an amazing man for a husband who has worked so hard to serve his country, he is a Chief in the United States Air Force!  My brother Phil also makes me so proud, he is a Colonel in the United States Army!  My sister-in-law Sue and I were the lucky gals to be able to attend the Military Ball with our handsome husbands!  I must be honest, the best part of the night was eating at Cafe' Madrid, delicious!  It's such an honor to walk in on the arms of such wonderful Veterans, Soldiers and wonderful men!

Ski Day!

Nothing better than a Family Ski Day!!! Enough said!

No Mom Allowed!

Apparently our “Family Meeting” we had a few Sunday's ago didn’t go over so well; this is the sign on Jakes door when I went to wake him up for school (after making him waffles for breakfast)!

Sign reads: NO MOM ALLOWED, Stupid Megan! The picture of me has fangs and bushy eyebrows, wow! LOL, gotta love kids!

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

Since my Mom passed away I have decided to carry on her (and my Dad's) tradition of our annual Christmas Eve Pajama Party!  The little kids have always enjoyed it (and hopefully big kids too), that is the one time during the crazy year that we can count on having the entire family together!  It has been a great tradition to carry on and who knows... hopefully I can pass the torch on to my kids!  Papa plays Santa, the kids (and adults) sit on his lap and get a present from him.  Christmas morning is the most exciting time, we open our presents enjoy some hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls and reflect!  We always are so excited to go up north to spend time with the Johnston Family on Christmas day!  Family is for sure the most important thing in life, I am so grateful to have the Johnston Family, my Dad, five older brothers and their wives and of course my darling nieces and nephews!  Merry, Merry!