December 2008: Where to Begin?

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family! Thank you to everyone who has reassured me that people actually look at our blog:-) and I apologize that you had to look at Mike and I over and over for so long. Sadly I don't have access to all of the photos that I have taken in the past 4 months but I am going to post from the ones I have and then add more later if I can. We hope the new year will bring us a new computer, or at least a way to fix ours. Being over here at Mom's house, I've done a marathon catch-up. Here are some posts:

August 2008: Family Photos at Balboa Park

October 2008: Cousin Davis' 3rd B-day Party

October 2008: Disneyland with Johnson Cousins

October 2008: Halloween

October 2008: Pumpkin Patch

November 2008: We've Moved Again!

December 2008: Owen Singing at the Temple

December 2008: Owen Singing at the Temple

Owen chose to sing in the Children's Community Choir this Christmas season for our church. I wasn't sure if he would want to stick with it through the practices and performances, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much he loved it. Grandma was in the adult choir, so she and he would go together each time. He loves music and to sing but rarely sings on cue, so I didn't know how the performances would go-not to mention he is 6 and extremely active. Besides the normal distractions like the microphones and hammy kids, Owen performed pretty well. His choir was then invited to perform on the Temple Grounds of the San Diego Temple of our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was so excited to be able to go. I am so happy that he has such a strong desire to be at the temple at such a young age. Temples are such an important place of worship in our religion and I have tried to create opportunities to be on the grounds with my children. I hope they can feel the peace that resides there. This was a wonderful opportunity, just Owen and I spending time together, a special evening of music honoring our Savior Jesus Christ.

November 2008: We Moved Again!

Yes, I'm sure you are SO surprised to hear that we have moved yet again. This house is actually in the same neighborhood and with Mike transferring to Temecula, squashing his commute from 3 hours to 20 minutes, we are finally feeling a little permanent. I absolutely love this house. The best part about it is the backyard: a covered patio and lots of grass for the boys to run and ride. Owen has recently learned to ride his bike and we have loved the patio and being on a cul-de-sac. Tate loves Owen & Eyan's helmets - "hat" he calls them and wants to wear them just like his brothers. There is an extra room downstairs that looks to the backyard which has become my sewing room. It has been a huge help with my growing little business. See, its getting chilly, we have to wear jackets and gloves:-)

October 2008: Pumpkin Patch

Its Eyan's favorite time of year again, Pumpkin Patch Time!! He asks year round when we can go to the pumpkin patch. The wheelbarrows were a hit! My Layton family cousins -who are about the same age as my kids - came this year, along with the Dix family cousins.

October 2008: Halloween

For Halloween this year Owen wanted to be an indian, and of course Eyan followed. We're not sure if its politically correct, but Tate was a cowboy. They were so adorable. I do have to say that I have the most beautiful boys.

October 2008: Disneyland with Johnson Cousins

Mike was able to take off work so that we could spend 2 days with all his family who came down from Utah to go to Disneyland-his Mom & Dad and all of his brothers and their families. We had a great time and it was so much fun to see friendships renewed and made between the cousins. I don't think you could get a word in with Owen and Halle or could have separated Eyan from Jessie. Having a large family definitely has its advantages! Grammy & Grandpa had fun with the boys and even watched them so Mike & I could hit some rides too. Gail & I both love the swings and had a great idea to ride back to back, wow talk about headspin, I thought we both might black out. I think one of my favorite images was all the cousins on the carasol together- Johnson cousins as far as the eye could see:-)

October 2008 - Cousin Davis' 3rd B-day Party

People are always amazed at how light Tate's hair has been getting. Mike's hair was almost white blond when he was a little boy. Owen's hair started out super light too. Here are the boys with my Mom- love Owen's attempt at Yee-hah. Eyan is actually "riding" on a horse that Mike's Mom made for him when he was a little boy. Gail was so great at saving Mike's childhood treasures to give to his own children. The boys had a great time at Davis' cowboy party.

December 2008: Fallen Off the Face of the Earth

You know its been a long time since you've updated your blog when you can't remember your password. Just a quick note out to anyone who still reads my blog, which I have to be honest and say that it may just be one person-my sister-in-law Kelli:-): Sorry that I have fallen on the face of the earth. My computer completely crashed over a month ago and we do not have the means to have it repaired. Luckily we had just purchased an external harddrive and so my photos and files are safe. I would love to still hear from you all. Please contact me in any way you can snail mail, e-mail (which I read 1-2 times a week at good ole' Mom's), phone, etc. Happy Holidays! until we meet again.