30th Anniversary

I know what most of you will think after you read this post, why am I writing about someone else when it’s my 30^th birthday?  Well, I just am so get over it.  I met my best friend, ‘Shursty’, when I was born.  We have done so much in the last 30 years together.  I remember riding our bikes back and forth to each other’s houses, passing the cemetery that used to be there, even one day thinking we saw a man on top of a building that looked like Satan.  That was a scary day for some pre-teenage girls. You even taught me how to shave my legs.  I remember one year you took me to the mall (rode the bus I think) to go to the movies, shopping and even shakes all for my birthday (I have the photo booth pictures at my mom’s house, I’ll post those later).  We went to Arizona one year and babysat for your uncle, you got me to like country music by the end of that trip too.  We even took a trip to California with our moms...

 Picture above is my mom (Kathy) in the back, her mom (Quinette), Shersten and then me.  I was 12, aren't we adorable???

We found a characaturist (?spelling?) that drew us below.

When I was younger I wanted you to marry my brother, Kollin, so we could be related (I know you have brothers too, they just also felt like my brothers).  I wish we could spend more time together but I know how hard it is living in different states, being married and having kids.  But I’m glad to know that no matter how long it’s been since we spoke, I can call you and we can pick up where we left off.  You were my maid of honor, I gave my daughter your middle name, and I call you for advice.  You really are my best friend and I’m so glad to share my birthday with our friendship anniversary.  I love you and can’t wait to see you and your family again someday soon.  Thanks for always being there when I need you!

MoViNg...

So, we are moving back to Utah for 6 months-ish.  I'm going to be extremely busy but super excited!  We are moving in to my sister-in-laws house, she kept her house after she got married and rents it out.  We'll be in Centerville until December and then moving to Idaho for school.  Wish us luck!!!

Sweet Pictures

I just wanted to post some super CUTE pictures!  First, Kollin took Tanner to his first (of many I'm sure) Scottish Festival.  He got him a mini kilt and sporran.  AdOrAbLe!!!  The other picture is Julie with her first pigtails :)  I've been waiting for her to have enough hair to actually do something with it.  SO CUTE!!!  Anyway, enough of these cuties, I'll let you get back to what you were doing.

Kindergarten Graduation 2011

Today was Andrew's graduation from Kindergarten.  I honestly don't know why there is a graduation for this, I don't like the over use of graduations so I didn't feel like it was a huge deal.  I'm extremely proud of my son, don't get me wrong, I just think graduations are for High School and College only.  It makes them more special and should make you feel more special and that you've accomplished something with having fewer.  Maybe it's just me, but it's just how I feel.  Anyway, I think Andrew had a good time.  Here are a few pictures of all of the festivities...

Just before we left the house, Julie let me put in flowers for the ENTIRE ceremony :)

 Andrew's first walking in, finding his seat.

 He had fun trying to smile for the camera but rarely looked at the camera.  I think they were singing a song here, not many kids sang though...

 All the kids made a face, really cute idea.

 Julie was there, clapping along with everyone else when she wasn't running around with another little girl.

 Love the dress, love the hair, love the shoes, love the girl!

 Andrew's walking up for his certificate. 

 Grabbed it, then dropped it.  The principal made some sort of joke at this point so that really irritated me, he's so shy as it is, now he knows everyone is watching him and that he was having issues.  I know I need to get over it, but he's so impressionable.  Oh well, he didn't seem to notice so maybe it was just me.

 I loved how he had his tassel in front of his face most of the time.

 He's done, he's a 'graduate'.

 His 'certificate' was kinda cute, he's in his cap and gown.

 I tried so many times to get a good picture of both of them together but no such luck.  Here's what I was able to get...

 Andrew and his best friend, Jake.  They were in the same class and had so much fun.  He's really going to miss him when we move in 12 days :(

 NONE of the family pictures worked either, I think they both wanted to go.  It was just me, Andrew, Julie and Dylan so I struggled and didn't stay long but was able to get someone to attempt some pictures of us.

 On our way out I had Dylan's hand so I asked if Andrew could hold Julie's and walk her to the car.  He's so protective, SO CUTE!  He's such a great big brother!

A Day at the Park

I got to Andrew's t-ball game a little early one day so we went to the nearby playground and had some fun.  It was SO cute how Andrew wanted to ride down the slide with Julie, he even would hold on to her around her waist.  Such a great big brother!  I'm very blessed for both of them to be in my life.  I love them!

MS Dixie II

So for our real anniversary present we wanted to go on a dinner cruise around Tahoe but because of the price and how cold it would be, we decided to go as a family on a lunch cruise instead.  I'm so glad we did!  We will be moving in a month so this was a great way to see Tahoe before we go.  The kids really enjoyed it and we got to learn a lot of history about the lake as well.  Here are (a lot, sorry) some pictures...

This was the boat, MS Dixie II

 This was a little tea house on the only island Tahoe has.  I guess the person who lives in the house in the next few pictures wanted her guests to have a little place to stay so she built this.  They had to have a ride since it was on an island and it's all run down now with the weather and vandalism but still, so cool!

 This is the island

  There's the house, you can see the distance from the house to the island.

 Close up of the house.  I forget what they said about the house, if it was some sort of rich person or princess-type.  I really need to listen better, sorry.

 This is just some scenery, so pretty!

 Here's the back of the island.

 It was so cold so Julie and Andrew stayed close to Mark and we were standing as close to the middle of the boat to block the wind.

 Remember what I said about Julie and her tongue in the bowling post?  Well, this was the day after and she was still doing it!  She's such a cute!!!

 Heavenly ski resort in the background, can you see the slopes?

 Oh, now she has Mark doing it too...

 After we un-boarded (is that a word?) we played in the sand.  What's funny is we noticed that just left of this spot was where we visited Tahoe for the very first time, almost 3 years ago.  The kids had so much fun in the sand!

 The boys were skipping rocks, and really just throwing things in the lake.

 Julie was so proud she filled this bucket up all by herself.   This was her 'I did it' pose.  She even said it too.

 The 'sand' was really just rocks, lots and lots of little rocks.  Felt good on my feet though.

 Julie saw me do it so she had to show off the rocks as well for the camera.

 Here is the Johnson tradition, the moat I guess is what you would call it.  You can see Andrew wanted to do his own in the background.

 First attempt, fail...time to re-build.

Thanks for a great time and a great anniversary!  I love my family :)