The Johnson Family Est. 2000

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Where to start...

This whole blogging thing is seeming more like a chore lately. However, I really wanna start doing better. It's hard...and time consuming. I guess it just takes forever to get my pics from camera to computer to smaller resolution to blog. It's just so many steps...excuses excuses...I know....I have so many. So, as you all know I'm WAY behind. I thought about just leaving what's in the past alone, but I would regret it. So this blog is a smorgasbord of events and pics from last year. It will probably be split up into two blogs since I don't have my Christmas pics uploaded yet. Anyway, beginning...

Of course y'all know that we moved. We didn't officially decide until late May and we were packed and Tennessee bound July 22. The following week I decided to take the kids down to the World's Fair Park where they have these awesome fountains for the kids to play in. We went with my Frousin, Emily, and her kids and met up with my friend Lindsay too. The kids loved it, but I learned my lesson that it was way too hot to not wear my swimsuit too and play.

Brielle and her best Frousin, Rachel

Chandler

Brielle

Rachel and Brielle

Chandler awaiting the fountain to splash up

Stetson

Rachel and Brielle

Lindsay and Joshy

View from atop the Sunsphere...you can see the fountains below...

Brielle and Chandler in the Sunsphere

Henley Street Bridge on the Tennessee River

My Love...Neyland Stadium...Home of Tennessee Volunteers Football!!! <3

Billy and I in the Sunsphere...this was on our 10th Anniversary...Yes, 10 Years...I failed to blog about that...and we failed to take the big cruise we have been talking about for years...we moved instead...home for me...but we did go out to eat at the Butcher Shop (Steak Restaurant) and walk around the World's Fair Park and Volunteer Landing (by the Tennessee River). Our longtime friends Tim and Maria joined us for the walk. We had fun and it's been 10 wonderful years! Nevermind the lame shirt I chose to wear that makes me look preggo...I'm NOT...I guess that's what I get for buying a Walmart $1 shirt....It was $1...

Tim and Maria

Tim behind one of the waterfalls

Gay Street Bridge over the Tennessee River

Chandler's first day of Third Grade

Stetson

My sister, Becky, came into town the first week of September. Hadn't seen her in almost 2 years. It was a fun trip that included Ziplining in the Great Smoky Mountains! Good Times! Here is John-Michael, Becky, and I

Brielle was invited by her Frousin Rachel to go to Build-A-Bear for a Birthday Party! She had a BLAST! Here she is with her pony all decked out!

We spent the night at my parent's cabin (where Billy and I lived for a year and a half when we were first married). It was filled with roastin' hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire and just hangin' out.

Chandler played soccer again....ugh...torturous...probably his last year if it's up to me. Even though I toted my camera a couple of different times these are the only pictures I took. Pretty lame I know, but at least I have a couple.

Brielle playing "Ring Around the Rosy" with her newfound friends at the soccer game...she meets friends easily...everywhere we go...she's our Social Butterfly.

Stetson was a handful, but we figured out that as long as he had a slushy that he'd sit for most of the game slurping it down...or spilling it everywhere....or sticking his hands in it...but it kept him preoccupied.

So, that only brings us to October or something. Maybe just maybe I'll get on top of things and get the rest of last year done today...or tomorrow...or this week for sure...yeah, that's my goal...

Thursday, November 4, 2010

For the record...

I keep putting off posting because I hate posting without pictures, but I think maybe it's better to post something rather than nothing...right? Well, most of this will be rambling probably. I have pictures, but have to go through them, resize them, upload them on the computer, and then upload them on my blog. I know...lazy huh. Anyway, just thought I'd catch up on what's been going on. We moved to Tennessee at the end of July in hopes of our house selling. We are still at my parent's house which we are forever grateful to them for allowing us to stay! They have been more than good to us, and we couldn't have moved without them. We are hopeful that our house will sell soon.

Billy is working for a construction temp. agency in which kept him really busy (overtime) for about a month and a half, but now is at a slow point. We are still hopeful that the construction company he did all the work for will hire him. He filled out all the paperwork, but they claim they can't hire him until the next jobs are ready. Said it could be 2 weeks or 2 months. We are praying for the 2 weeks. He is also the Scout Master in our ward...ugh. So, he stays busy with his church calling. We are thinking about renting our house since the market is so bad. Most homes being bought are either short sales or foreclosures and we just can't compete with that.

Chandler is loving his new school. 3rd Grade is proving to be more challenging for him. He is still a great student, but is struggling more. I don't know if schools are harder here or if it's just the 3rd grade jump?! He has made some new friends and I think he fits in just fine. We are so proud of him, and he is continually so good to Brielle and Stetson! He's a great kid and does anything we ask him to. He just finished playing soccer which proved to be more challenging than last year. Again, I don't know if it's because he was one of the younger kids on the team, or if it's just more competetive here. He also is active in Scouts and seems to enjoy it.

Brielle is growing up so fast. Her tantrums are lessening, but she does like to pick on Stetson sometimes (or tease)....grrrr. She is still as bullheaded as ever, but she does keep us laughing too. Since moving she has almost mastered landing a front flip on the trampoline. She's our little flipper! She's becoming more and more independant everyday! She is starting to be a great little helper and will clean up when asked to. She still loves dressing up and changing her clothes as often as she can get away with.

Stetson has really grown up in the past few months. He is talking lots and will say just about anything you tell him to. He still won't go to Nursery alone, but is getting better and we are hopeful that a few more weeks he'll be ok. He loves to play with Brielle and Chandler! He definitely loves to play outside the most! He also LOVES baseball....and all kinds of balls. He will spot one before anyone. He carries a baseball and bat around trying to get anyone to play that is willing. He is a little climber and dare devil. He is such a blessing to our family!

As for me....I am just trying to stay sane. I am Beehive Advisor which I love, except it conflicts with Billy's calling some. We've worked out a nice trade, so things should be less conflicting. It's just difficult having similar callings with small children. I would like to go back to school, but don't know when that will be possible or what in. It's been my desire for a while now, but gotta make it work first. It's been nice being back home, and seeing many of my old friends. I do miss many family and friends though. We are excited to have Deena (sister-in-law) and Dexter (brother-in-law) come visit in December.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Halls High School Class of 2000 Reunion...

While I was in town, I was able to attend my 10 Year High School Reunion! I was really excited to go to see everyone, but a little nervous since Billy wouldn't be with me. I found a cute dress at Ross and off I was. It was in the Square Room at Market Square in Downtown Knoxville. The first classmate that I ran into was my Best guy friend in high school, Benji Gray! So I felt comfortable right away. He was kind enough to let me hang out with him and his wife most of the night. He even dropped me off at my car since it was late, and I really didn't wanna walk to my car alone. Overall it was a fun night. I was a little disappointed with the attendance of the night. Probably only about 100 people there including spouses, etc. My graduating class was about 310. Also, there was not a program, just lots of loud music and plenty of drunk people. However, some things never change. It was great catching up with the classmates that were there and good to get a night out without kids!

Benji and his wife Allison

Austin Henry and his wife!

Daniel Justice (right) and his partner!

Brian Edmondson (my middle school and high school boyfriend/over 3 years) and his Fiance' Lori!

What?

Benji gettin' his moves on!

Benji and I!

Our Senior Class President, Lindsey Rutherford and Benji!

Matt Bowling and I!

Amanda Waters-Tindall, Stacey Hammond Childress, and I!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Tennessee visit...

The beginning of July my dad had a court case in Salt Lake. Since we needed to get all 3 vehicles back to Tennessee with us, I decided that it would be best to drive one back early since my dad was available to help me do so. Another perk was that I also had a 10 year class reunion that I wanted to attend. So, my dad, Stetson, and I braved the LONG journey across I-80. We actually made record time of 26 hours and wasn't such a bad trip. We drove straight without stopping for sleep and switched off drivers as needed. Stetson was wonderful! He only had about an hour where he wasn't very happy, but other than that he was either sleeping or content. We arrived Friday night and Saturday morning we headed to Kentucky Splash water park to meet up with my brother, Ryan, and his family. It had been 6 years since I'd seen Ryan and was my first time meeting his family. I didn't take my camera, so I have no pics of the water park. It was loads of fun! The water slides were great, as well as, the lazy river and wave pool. Stetson wasn't a fan of the water at all, so he was just a beach bum. On the way home we picked up Logan. He was able to stay with us for the whole weekend and it was great! The next day was the 4th of July. Lacy was baptized later in the evening after church. Afterwards, we had the Matson and Peterson Families join us for dessert and fireworks. We had loads of fun and great conversation. The following day Ryan and his family had to go back home before dark (thus why we did fireworks the day before). That evening we had a bbq with the Matson and Peterson Families, which included water balloon games, horseshoes, and watermelon. It was way fun!

Ryan and his family! Lily, Lacy, Rachel, and Ryan