3-day weekend sickies

How is it that whenever there is a 3-day weekend someone always gets sick (or more than one someone).

This weekend we all stayed home from church (larry got to go to sacrament meeting) lest we "share, share, share" all our coughing, runny noses, fever germs. It takes a very special person to make Sunday feel like the Sabbath even when you can't make it to church.

Hadland said to me today, "Mom, this day is SOOOO long." I replied, "I know. It makes a difference when we don't go to church, doesn't it?" He agreed. Then added, "I don't think I want to miss church again, ok?" You bet, buddy!

I have to say that I am very glad that we have BYUTV. I have watched a Women's Conference address by Ardeth Kapp a couple of times today entitled, "Encircled about in the arms of His love." Good stuff!!

We'll see what tomorrow brings. I am just grateful that there is no vomiting (knock on wood). I'll take runny noses anyday.

Boy, has V-Day changed!!

I think that as you go along in life, you just "keep swimmin'!" Valentine's Day used to be a big bone of contention in our marriage. I, of course, wanted the flowers and chocolate, perfume, jewelry, whatever the media said that romance dictates. Larry would say that it was just a commercialized thing to sell more candy. He would bring them on Feb. 1 or Oct. 28 or June 13. I would feel sorry for myself and buy me a candy bar or something.

Then life goes on. Like yesterday.

I took all the kids to take pictures at the department store (mostly because I don't have a Cherie or a Tara who lives near me ;), and when I got home literally hours later, I was ready to surrender for the day. It hit me that I didn't want the big "wine and dine" rigamarole, I just wanted the kids to go to bed and be by ourselves. No chocolate, no jewelry, just TIME ALONE.

So finally, at about 9:30 p.m., I sat down on the couch next to my honey. We shared a bottle of Martinelli's and wished each other a happy valentine's day. How my wishes have changed. I don't need anything to make me happy, I just need my special someone!

But, Larry, if you are reading this, I still do like flowers :)

I love you, honey!

I took a step out into the dark today!!

I know this sounds like I did something amazing, but it may seem amazing only to me. I put together a photo collage including each member of our family. I am going to try to post it here, but if you don't see it, I was not successful! :(

I just saw it, and I am bummed that it is so grainy. But you can just email me, and I will send you the digital image so you can see all of us in our loving glory!


Today Sarah turns four months old, and she had her first taste of rice cereal. She was really excited about it, but I couldn't tell if it was because I was holding something in my hand that she wanted to touch or that she really wanted the food. Needless to say, we have embarked on a new journey with her. The bet is on to see if she sleeps longer at night (Larry sure thinks she will).

Lauren gets affectionate...

And Sarah gets annoyed. I know I have already blogged today, but I saw this picture and just had to post it. Lauren LOVES to hug and kiss her sister. However, Sarah sees things from a different perspective. The look on her face in this photo just sums it all up. I can just hear Sarah thinking, "She's a great sister and all, but does she have to always be touching me?"

Gotta love the siblings!

Special friend day!

Hadland had a very important event at school today--Special Friend Day! Each of the second graders at his school got to choose a "special friend" to spotlight. It had to be an adult but not mom or dad. He chose his Grandma Johnson. He wrote a nice tribute to her and drew a FABULOUS picture of his beautiful grandma. But the best part of all was that, although Grandma lives in Canada, she was able to attend the special friend day. What a treat for Hadland (and for Grandma)! We love our family so much, and we are so grateful to have them with us when we can!!! Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Johnson, for being here today!!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

She's a rollin'!!

Sarah is officially rolling over! She has been rolling over quite a lot, but tonight I am making it official! The reason...? You might have guessed it...the couch! I left her for about one second so I could grab something on the table. As I was about to walk around the corner, I took a quick look back only to see her perched, on her side, at the edge of the couch. Mom-adrenaline kicked in and I made it back to save her from falling. YIKES!!!!! Let's just say she will be chillin' on the floor from now on!

Here's a look at what our little darlin' can do...

Happy Birthday Melissa!!

I was just getting my daily dose of visiting my friends' blogs, and I saw the Basuas: www.buzz628.typepad.com. Adam did a big video montage of pictures of Melissa through the years. She's finally turned 30--Welcome to the club! You are such a GREAT mom. All the pictures just made me realize all over again what a great person she is. We are so grateful for all of our wonderful friends! We love all of you so much, and we miss you!

We had a terrific visit with a lot of family in the last week or so, and for that we say THANK YOU!! Thanks to Larita (and Ethan), Val, Doug, Delyle, Shauri and their family, Larry's Mom and Dad (who, incidentally, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this week--CONGRATULATIONS and WE LOVE YOU!), my Mom and Dad, Nikki and Treas, Michael, Uncle Preston, Aunt Maurine and their family, the Browns (who are almost family, right?), and so many more! We are so blessed with a great family!!

Belly laughing...

I love friends that can make you laugh til it hurts. I just heard Larry on the phone with our dear friend Alexis. She is the BEST for belly laughing.

We love you, Alexis!!

Sarah's Blessing Day!

This past Sunday our angel Sarah Joy was blessed by her daddy. It was a sweet experience surrounded by family and friends. We were so glad to have all four grandparents here with us as well as many aunties, uncles, and cousins! We are so grateful to have such a supportive family.

Here are a few of the pictures. I am sad to say that I do not have good camera skills (unlike many of my friends), but at least you can get an idea of what she looked like. Her beautiful cousin Grace was blessed the same day, so I will put a picture of her as well!

We almost forgot Larry!

I noticed as I put the pictures on the last post, the only person I didn't get was Larry. Lest he should feel left out, here is a picture of my sweetie pie. Isn't he handsome? And Sarah's not too bad, either!

I got it goin' on!!!

I finally sat Larry down and made him help me put pictures on my blog...so here goes!

Introducing Sarah! She just turned three months old, and she is a DARLING!!!! She has two ear infections (nice gift, eh?) and is coughing hard enough to make herself vomit (sorry to the queasy stomach people!). But she is as cute as can be and has been a trooper through it all. We love you baby Sarah!

Lauren is a hoot! Her new things are "mo" (means no) and "boo" (peekaboo). Typing out the words just isn't the same--you gotta hear her say them!

William is William. He keeps me on my toes. His new thing is telling me that he needs lipstick. I keep reminding him it is chapstick he needs, but I guess he likes the sound of lipstick better. We read an I Spy book tonight--he is quite the observer!

Hadland's goal in life is to ruin every photo he is in with his goofy faces. Maybe I will someday embrace the goofiness, but it might not be today!

We're finally on our blog--hip, hip, hooray!

The snow is here!!!

I am so happy today! The snow has finally come. I went out and played (and shoveled snow) with William and Lauren, and we had a GREAT time.

It is the little things that make a difference. Some snow and some cocoa (stirred with candy canes)--it just doesn't get any better than that!!!

Its been snowing all morning and the view from my front room is incredible!

Life is good!

We made it!

We finally made it through the holidays and into the new year. We really enjoyed our time with family and friends, and we are also enjoying returning to normal bedtimes! We missed having a white Christmas, but we are hoping that we will see some more white stuff soon!

We are still working on our holiday greeting (which is now our New Year's greeting and will be our Valentine greeting if we don't hurry up!), but I am hopeful that it will be emailed soon! Thank you to all of you who sent us holiday cards, pictures, updates, etc.--we absolutely LOVE receiving them!!!

Thank you for tuning in to our blog--I love doing it, and I hope you like hearing about us.

Happy 2007!

Ya gotta love the houses!

Gingerbread houses, I mean. There is something very exciting about gingerbread houses. Now, lest you think I am a super-crafty lady, I am talking about "fake" g-bread houses. The kind you make with milk cartons and graham crackers and lots of icing and candy. The kind we always made growing up (and Nathan always ate). I remember Fruit Stripe gum for shutters, candy cane gates and pretzel fences. And I always remember how Laurel's looked absolutely perfect-like little edible works of art. But then, that is the way she did everything (and still does--you are amazing, sis!).

Hadland is embarking on his first g-house experience tomorrow at school. I got to go prep the houses so all they had to do was decorate them. I hope he loves it as much as I always did. Thank you, Gerry, for making magical holiday memories for all the Woods (and many others)!

The Christmas cards have started!

I love this time of year--the carols, the cookies, and the cards! I love getting Christmas family pictures and newsletters!!!! I just got my first two in the mailbox today, so I am experiencing the "fire under me" feeling to get our email greeting out. If you don't get one in the next week or so, please email us so we can be sure to have your e-address!

Please keep us posted on your family's doings in 2006!

Lauren is a 2-year-old teenybopper!

Our little girl is growing up. She turned two yesterday, and we had a little family party tonight with the Brandley's. She got a bunch of shoes to dress-up with and a little purse with some keys, a cell phone, and fake lipstick and perfume. It was so cute to see her so excited about her phone and purse! She is definitely a girl! I don't know where she gets it from, but she sure is cute!

Thankful for little ones!

Well, Darla just had her baby yesterday, and boy is she a BEAUTY!!

Then there is our little sweetheart, Sarah. She is such a joy!

I am thankful for first smiles and first coos. I just love to keep her in my lap and "talk" with her about everything and anything.

What a blessing these little ones are in our lives!

Oh, and another thing...We're thankful for visiting Grandmas!!!

Still grateful...

Today I am grateful for:

* AWESOME game-winning final seconds in football games (GO BYU!)

* a baby that goes to bed before 11 p.m. (too bad I didn't)

* a room lit by the white lights of a Christmas tree

* soft white sugar cookies with pink frosting and sprinkles (you know what I'm talking about)

Life is good!

We're grateful for the Brandleys!!!

We just spent most of the day with the Brandleys--eating, playing Catan, laughing, hugging, and giggling about the fact that their new baby will be here in less than 48 hours (hopefully)!

We love them so much, and we think that they are the best thing in Ogden!!! They make life here so much better, and we think they are the BEST!!

WE LOVE YOU GUYS! We are so thankful to be here with you.

P.S. Another thing to be thankful for--online Christmas shopping! 'nuf said!

This time I did forget!

Well, isn't that just like me? I remembered early on Wednesday, and then with all the hubbub of Thanksgiving Day, I forgot to give thanks.

We did something new for Thanksgiving this year. On Larry's recommendation, we went to Golden Corral (a buffet restaurant) for our Thanksgiving meal. I have to say that I had a hard time with the idea because in my family growing up, Thanksgiving was THE BIG HOLIDAY! All my mom's family came, and we had a major food fest! That is what our family does best--eat and talk :) !!

I missed the talking (and the eating, too) with all of my family, but I had my little family around me, and that was wonderful. There were no dishes to clean up, but there weren't any leftovers either. It is so funny how I resist change (just about as much as Larry resists stress!).

Anyway, I am grateful for:

* newborn "real" smiles

* tickle attacks (on my kids--NOT me!)

* ice cream

* getting the Christmas tree out of storage

* Ella's Swinging Christmas and...

* Stan Kenton!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!