the 24th

We had a busy 24th of July-just ask Aiden. Because Kenny and I are both from Moab, and our families both live there, it makes things interesting. It definitely has it's advantages, of course, because we rarely have to choose which family to go visit-when we go to Moab for the weekend, we see both. That's where the problems come in. We usually head to Moab on Friday after Kenny gets off work, and then have to come back Sunday afternoon, so we really only have a full day and a half to visit. Add to that that we have to spend equal time with both sides of the family, it gets complicated, especially because my family often likes to take off and go somewhere. So it's tricky to get things scheduled right so that we are fair and still have fun. This 24th weekend, we did an excellent job. We spent the morning at Kenny's parents, then for the afternoon we headed out with my family to upper left hand, a deep area in the creek where it is possible to swim in frigid waters and jump from the rocks above. It's quite the hike, especially on a hot summer day like the one we went on, but oh so worth it when we got to the swimming hole.

We were just about to upper left hand, when we got to this little spot where the trail crosses the creek, and we were so hot and tired we stopped to play in this water for a bit before continuing on. The rock made a pretty good slide, so we tried to get Aiden to slide down. He was a little wierd about the cold water, the rock,
and that gross algae/moss stuff sticking all over the rocks.

But when my mom slid down the rock, he was happy to go with her.

This is not a good picture, and my family has already seen this on my mom's blog. However, I thought other people should see it too, since Kenny's whole goal was to be a Blog Star! He jumped over and over to get this shot, mostly for my mom, but I wasn't about to miss out on this kind of picture. You know, this kind of shot could be used for blackmail one day.

Aiden wouldn't come near the frigid waters, and spent the entire couple of hours that we were there grabbing rocks and throwing them in the water. That was all he wanted to do, and boy did he do a good job of it.

What a cute boy. He almost looks Ethiopian with that belly.

water wings never looked so good

This was Aiden's first time with water wings. It took a little bit for him to get used to them, how close is face was to the water, and how easily his face would become covered in water if he lost control, but they were definitely a hit.

In Moab over the weekend we went swimming in G-ma's backyard pool and had a blast. Too bad we don't live a little closer to take advantage of such things more often.

One of the biggest highlights was getting up on the ladder and then waiting for it to slide down, and free ride! Who know such simple things could be so fun??

great family fun

Every year around the fourth of July we head up to our family cabin (I use that term loosely, as the cabin actually belongs to my grandparents and pretty much everyone in our extended family uses it) for the Johnson family reunion. There is usually a big paintball war between the adults, so while the big kids are off playing, we organize some fun games for the little ones. I organized a marshmallow war, with marshmallow guns, Michelle did a fun game involving children, nylons, oranges, full body contortions and a big ball. It was awesome to watch. And this was Kimbrey's game, it was a big hit. Digging in a pile of sawdust for treasures!

Aiden didn't really get the point, he just sat in the middle of the pile and threw sawdust around. He found a light stick, and a box of candy on accident, and he was happy with that. Kenny and I tried to help him out a little by handing him things we had found, but once he had his candy, he was done.

Nerds. Yum!

This is the awesome new teeter totter that Jay built, and so far it is still standing.

My darling cousins. They're actually grown up now, but I will always think of them as little girls. Aiden ADORES Talisha, the one on the left. I don't know what we will do next time we go to Moab and she isn't there.

Aiden makes an awesome cowboy, don't you think? Every year we have a family "talent show" which basically means each family gets up in front of the rest and does--something. Anything. People grumble and complain every year, but I think it really is a good way for us all to have some organized fun, all together. It is the only time for the whole weekend that everyone is there, participating.

Our family performed the song "Cow Patty". Hence the cowboy.

Kenny used to be the biggest grumbler of all of them, and would never participate in our family's "talent", which was usually singing some song. But, as he said, "after six years of being in the family, I learned you don't have to have talent to participate in the talent show". So he and Kyle performed the song "If I had a million dollars" by the Bare Naked Ladies. I want to kick myself for forgetting the video camera. Needless to say, it was pretty funny, but I'm pretty sure I was laughing harder than anyone else.

On Sunday we went on the annual major family hike, where we complained, whined, got sunburned and sore. It rained, like torrential downpour, for half of it, which made it feel like an authentic Johnson family hike. Aiden actually did pretty great. He walked a great distance of it, which is pretty good for him, a boy that loves to be carried. And I think I did pretty great too, I carried him a great distance of it too, (along with several other people) adding 33lbs to an already pretty intense hike isn't easy on a little flabby girl like me. Thanks to Dalen who ran home, uphill with him after it started raining and he started screaming.

All in all, I'd call it a success. Now we'll spend all year recovering, just in time to do it all again next year.

who doesn't love a bubble bath?

Lately, Aiden hasn't been as thrilled to take baths as he used to be. We pretty much have to bribe him, or force him into the tub. One thing that has gotten him into the tub lately, when nothing else will, is the promise of a bubble bath in momma's tub. Our tub has jets, and can make BIG bubbles out of almost nothing, fast.

He's a BIG fan.

happy 6th to us

Almost a month ago. This is how behind I am on posting photos of our lives. For our anniversary we didn't have anything planned, because we are going to Disneyland for Aiden's birthday, but it seemed a shame to not do anything so we headed to Kenny's aunts house in Bicknell where his mom and sister were staying for the weekend as well.

Before I met Daniel I didn't know that this part of Utah existed. Now that I have been over this way all of twice, and seen just a little of it, I could totally live here. It's gorgeous. On Saturday, while Aiden was napping, Kenny and I went on a four wheeler ride up in the hills close to where we were staying.

I hadn't brought my camera, and I wished I had because it was so beautiful, so we decided to go back the next day and bring Aiden.

We had so much fun, and saw some really beautiful sights. This place almost fits all of my criteria for a place to live, if there were a remote possibility that Kenny could find ANY job there, we would so be there.

Believe it or not, this is the best picture I have of these two. Look at the helmet hair!

you've never met anyone as photogenic as me

Or as close to albino as I am

Or with a better farmer's tan!

macho, macho man