Johnson Family Update:

So I was totally gonna do Christmas Cards, they were gonna be great...well they didn't get done, then I was gonna do new years cards....they didn't get done either, so I'm opting for the more convienent alternative, a blog post. Lame I know but oh well.

We had a wonderful Christmas and the kids were thrilled. It was so fun to see them all excited. I decided that I wanted to really try and focus on the true meaning of Christmas so for FHE each week in th emonth of December it was centered around The Savior's Birth. The first week we taught them the story using a felt nativity wall hanging we have that the kids love cause it is one of the only 2 sets they can play with! The Second week, we had them act it out...I think we will have to wait to do that again till they are alittle older cause it sure didn't go the way I invisioned it! And the last Monday before Christmas we read the story in the scriptures and watched the Living Scriptures video and then we made a "gingerbread" nativity. It was really fun and the kids loved each night. Of course we also had Santa leave them a note pointing out that Christmas isn't about the presents.

Christmas morning the kids were really excited to see if they had worked hard enough to get presents. You see there is this website called the portable north pole, you go in and put the child's name/sex/age what they asked for, for Christmas and if they were on the good list or the naughty list. And then it generates alittle video message from Santa telling them what list they are on and what they need to work on. I did this for each of them and man oh man...it worked like a charm. They were so upset to find out they were on the naught list, but they worked real hard and got off of it! It was fun and highly effective!

We had a dinasour year for Christmas, I made them all Dino hats and tails which were a much bigger hit than I thought. Parker wears his constantly and Emery learned real quick to use it as a weapon...I just wish I wouldn't have been such a cheapskate and bought the higher quality fleece that doesn't stretch as much...oh well. Carter even has a set... Things the kids asked for from Santa:

Denver; Remote control Car and Zurg Legos (he got the legos)

Porter; Cowboy and Horses (he got a Woody doll and horses)

Parker; Chicken Nuggets(he got a bag) seriously every time he was asked by anyone Santa included he asked for Chicken nuggets so I figured why not got him a bag and I've never seen a little boy be so thrilled than was! it was great!

Emery: Baby Stroller ( she got that and a car seat cause I was so sick of going to put Carter in to find a doll buckled in!!)

Mom dear mother is AMAZING and always comes up with the cutest and coolest gifts for my kids. This year she combined the boys and made them a 3-D dinasour world, complete with mountains, trees, lake, volcano, and logs. They each got their own dinasours with it. one of their favorite things to do with it is to set up their castle and town legos and have the attack of the dinasours. They've also repurposed the mountains as cover in their gun fights....boys.Overall it was the biggest hit and if it didn't take her so long to make, man I tell my mom to sell them! Perhaps she should just sell the idea....hmmmm

Carter is almost four months now! where did the time go??? He is cute as can be and is starting to giggle which I love! He's been rolling over since he was a month and half and is starting to push up more on his hands...it's only a matter of time, he can sit up by himself for a couple of minutes already too. Currently he is getting his bottom two teeth, I don't love that. he is a great sleeper at night when it is quiet and no one is bugging him, during the day is another story.

Darwin's Job is going so well and we are so happy here in Lakeview. We have had our fair share of trials and I'm sure they will continue to come however we have been so greatly blessed. We hope things are well with everyone, and we love and miss you all! hope to see everyone at the reunion!