Can You Say “Flashdance”?

So when I laid Chloe down for her nap, I took off her shorts and slid her leggings down so it would be more comfortable. I did not even notice the wonderful dance getup I created until she woke up.

There is a certain song that comes to mind when I see these pictures. Go ahead sing it, I put the lyrics here for that purpose.

What a feeling, bein's believin'
I can have it all, now I'm dancin' for my life
Take your passion, and make it happen
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life

Long live the ‘80s!

Are YOu Drinking in the Gutters?

You won’t get that unless you watch “Kid History”.

How much fun to be had making dams. My first reaction was to not let them, but you are only a kid once. I had to watch them the whole time so they didn’t get to far into the road.




Look how nice and clean Chloe is inside.


They knew the perfect technique for making dams, from watching “Wild Krats.”


Chloe does not like to be left out.


The best way to clean-up a gutter mess is… turn on the sprinklers. They loved it.

Pioneer Day

We had a great 24th. We watched the parade with family, then went to the booths, met mater, then we went over to Bob and Ann’s for lunch and slip-n-slide.







We let the boys do some games at one of the booths, and as part of their winnings they got a free “pickle-pop”. We didn’t know what a pickle-pop was, well it is frozen pickle juice. I was so grossed out, but Ethan and Bryant loved it. I finally made them throw it away, because it stunk so bad. Ethan got it all over his shirt, and I made him take it off. Learn from my mistake, never except the pickle-pop.



On a side note. Here is a picture of Bryant passing off his first requirement for scouts. He now knows the “Boy Scout Promise”, and so do I.

Romantic Dinner for Two? Not Us!

Although that would be nice:).

I found an awesome deal to go down the Colorado River in Moab for just $24/person for a day trip, and that includes your lunch. We thought about bringing Bryant and Conner, but decided on just having it be a mini get-away for James and me.
It was the most low maintenance trip ever. We just had to bring our camera (love that it is waterproof), sun block, hats, and sunglasses. We packed more for the kids who were staying at Grandma Francom’s (thanks again Ann).
We arrived in Moab, checked in, loaded on the bus and headed out. We got a mini tour of fisher towers (which is what that river trip was called) because the rafts weren’t at the destination yet. Our bus was completely filled so when we got to the spot and the rafts were unloaded I was surprised James and I were able to get our own two person little kayak raft called a “ducky”.

This is a picture of "Fisher Towers".


Everything went well. The rapids weren’t that big, but it was enough that I got pretty soaked in the front. James said he had to be in the back to steer, I think he probably knew I would get the brunt of everything. I only almost fell in once. The camera went under while I was filming, and I luckily grabbed the side of the boat before I could go with it.





I was trying to take pictures of us while we went down some rapids. In this picture I got some of that discussing water in my mouth. Yuck!






At lunch they used our Ducky for the water coolers to sit on. When we got back in our ducky began to lose air. The big yellow boat was to far ahead to talk to, and both red boats were to far behind, we were right in the middle. It was getting harder and harder to paddle, and I kept saying to James that if we hit a big rapid we would die. Well we finally caught up to the yellow boat, and the guide said we were almost to the end, and there was no more big rapids. So yes we lived!



All in all great trip. It was nice spending time with just James, and no worries, but next time I think we will take the kids (older ones) they would have enjoyed it.

Afterwards we went and walked across the new bridge. It was pretty cool. We made pretty good tourists.

Bryant's Baptism

Bryant is now accountable. Bryant’s baptism turned out so nice. Not a lot of people were able to come because of reunions, out of town and even sickness, but it ended up being a nice small intimate group. The spirit was so wonderful in that little room.




I was so proud of Bryant during the service, he seemed so big and knew most of the answers when we asked him questions. During my mom’s talk on baptism she gave Bryant a lock and key and talked about how baptism is like a key to unlock the gates of heaven, if we don’t have that key we can’t get in. After the service My mom asked Conner if he was excited to get baptized someday, he said, “Yeah.“ Then with a little glare on his face he said, “Are you going to give me a lock.“ Conner had a hard time with a special day just for Bryant, I mean really he just had his birthday. During my talk I had Bryant come up and stand by me and hold things up as we talked about them, when I started crying he put his little arm around me and gave me a hug and a smile, he held me the rest of my talk. He is very thoughtful that way. During the actual baptism it was fun watching him and James trying to figure out exactly how to stand, it was a nice little dance. The confirmation was wonderful. Candace’s family took Chloe so I could listen, I loved hearing the blessing the Lord has in store for Bryant.

My Mom put this collage of him, along with the scripture Mosiah 18:8-9, in a frame and gave it to him.

Here is his program.




My Grandma Johnson bought Chloe another “Little Lamb” since she loves the first one so much. When we gave it to Chloe she started crying and wanted her old one. We just have to get spit-up on it, drag it through the mud, and wash it a hundred times then she’ll love it. (She actually started liking it that night. )

After the Baptism we had everyone meet at our house for a lunch. It was so pleasant and actually pretty low stress because we had so many willing, helping hands. My Grandma and Grandpa Johnson went to Cortez the day before so we asked them to pick-up croissants and hot dogs and buns for us and we would pay them back. They brought them, and when we asked how much we owed, they wouldn’t let us pay, they are very generous. Bishop Perkins and his wife Nicole (One of my favorite people) came with some of their kids (who my kids just love). We were so happy they came, they added so much to the great company that was already there.

Thank you everyone for your help in making it a beautiful day for our family. WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Bryant's Birthday! Can You Believe He is 8!

Wow, Bryant is 8! He is such a great kid, and I am so lucky to be his mother. I couldn’t ask for a better oldest son. He is a great example to his brothers of hard work, a desire to do good and learn the gospel, and being thoughtful and a good friend to those around him. He is excited to get baptized because he wants to do what Jesus and Heavenly Father want him to do. I don’t think at his age I knew as much as he does about the church and scriptures. We love you so much Bryant! Thank you for all your help, example and love! Happy Birthday!

For his birthday a great group of boys came over for a party. The favorite thing by far was the slip-n-slide.






They enjoyed the eating watermelon, and having a seed spitting contest.


Playing my favorite game duck, duck, goose with water.



Enjoying bumps on his head, and giving out wishes. Check out that aquarium cake, this was the easiest and most liked cake I’ve ever done. Really what’s not to like about a cake covered in fruit snacks and Swedish Fish.



Launching water balloons at wonderful, willing targets.


We told Bryant he wasn’t old enough for a pocket knife even though his cousins had one at the reunion, he wanted one sooooo bad. James got him a pocket knife for his birthday. We told him that before (you know a week ago) he wasn’t old enough, but now he’s 8, he will need it for scouts. He was so happy he got a little teary. Then while looking at it he actually said, “It is just so thoughtful of you.” By far his favorite gift.


It ended up being a great to be eight birthday!
(Yes, I just made that up on the spot).