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Soccer

This is Isabelle's 2nd year of soccer and so far she has loved it! This year, her team name was The Stingers and they were undefeated. She is great at being a good teammate, cheering for the other girls, running up and down the field, and she has even scored 2 goals. What a cool girl she is!

Commentations on the movie 'UP'

So after a great recommendation from Uncle Adam, I took the girls to the dollar theater to see the movie UP. The girls and I loved the movie but one of us has been particularly obsessed with the Papa......and how he moved his house.......up in the sky......and then boom! The balloons popped and the house came down, down, down.......and then that Papa had to (ugggghhhhhh) push...so HARD....to move his house! And then there's Doug the dog, and Kevin the silly bird (bird/duck...you say tomato and I'll say tomahto)......

Well, watch and you can see for yourself. And let me just tell you that coming from an older sister who is never short for words, Isabelle has been at a loss for an original response to the tired question, "Belle-Belle.....did dat Papa move....house?" Her response has been a long exhausted roll of the eyes with an accompanying exasperation of......"Ugh! Not again!"

Bear Lake Classic

So my college roommate, Melissa, and I did the Bear Lake Triathlon sprint last week and we surprised ourselves by actually surviving and not coming in last. We had a great time! We had no idea that there were official triathlon singlette suits that you can wear through the entire event (I had to surfer change from swimsuit to biking clothes out in the middle of the crowd.....which made me think twice about those official outfits), or that it was taboo to take porta-potty breaks during transitions (which made me think twice about renting a wetsuit in the future since I am pretty sure when and where the rest of them must be taking their bathroom breaks), and we didn't really care about winning (which was good since that would have been a pipe dream), we ran more than we walked (we think), and learned a lot for triathlons in our future.
Overall, it was an all-around great day and very good experience.

Yea, and this guy? Well, we just hoped that #1046 was his wife and not someone he had scoped out during the race. Who knows, maybe she too didn't get the official singlette suit memo and was stripping down in broad daylight under her towel as well. Yikes.

Backpacking in Millcreek Canyon

The Girlies

Isabelle's Official

By now some of you may be wondering if Isabelle has officially taken over this household. Typically my answer would be obviously, where have you been? But since I just up and took my recent 6 month hiatus from the blogging world, saying that would be the proverbial pot calling the kettle black at this point. So, I will just start by saying that if Isabelle needed any additional justification for feeling like she truly has done it all and can write you a dissertation upon request.....I'll say this: Today she started kindergarten.

She took the monumental step in her young life by inviting the family to the cafe strategically situated across the street from her elementary school's front door. And so while she watched the sea of other less-than-fortunate students assuming their oppressive positions in a line that would wrap around the block, Isabelle worked her way down through a stack of pancakes at the bar. (Sitting at the bar was her request. She likes the down-home atmosphere I imagine...you know where everyone knows your name? I assumed this because she kept making small talk with the lady behind the counter and laughing at the jokes of the coffee drinking stranger sitting next to her). We chit-chatted about what it would be like as soon as school started and she chuckled as she pointed out the window and noticed that what the other kids were doing didn't look quite so....well, satiating. We discussed glue sticks and recess and Isabelle seemed to believe this new chapter in life would secure the one spot that has always been eluding her: Being the smartest, most capable, and definitely the boss in our family.

I figured I would let her savor the moment (and the fantasy) at least 'till Friday.

Papa's Kind-A-Girl

So this is the typical question we get all day, every day from Liv. "Where's Papa?" It wouldn't matter if I said he was off driving the brand new Austin Martin he bought with his lottery winnings or that he had been surfing the coastal waters of Australia and unfortunately had been eaten by sharks. Her response is always the same. I am convinced the only thing she heard is that Papa is gone and the rest is blah blah blah. It seems apparent to this little girl with bed head to beat the band.........


If Papa's not right here "maholdin", it's always going to be "adisappointin."


(And for you Grandmas out there who are feeling left out right about now, just know that I tried. I really tried. What I should have said was, "Forget about the Papa, Liv-Liv. Where's the Grandma who could run a brush through that rats nest that you insist on showing at every angle?)

Draper Temple Open House

The girls and I spent today at the new Draper Temple open house. Isabelle could hardly contain herself as we got ready, drove there, parked in the 'pretend temple' (they made us park at a local stake center, we watched a movie about temples, and then we were bussed to the 'real temple' according to Isabelle). We were dropped off at the end of a long, long covered temporary tunnel which eventually opened up to the temple basement where the baptistry was. Isabelle and Olivia were both totally enthralled with the baptismal font and the cattle statues. Olivia was so much so, that when our tour group was ushered to the next area, she began to throw a complete and utter temper tantrum. She screamed and kicked, and yelled 'cows, cows!' loud enough that an usher asked us to sit it out in the chapel area so she could compose herself. We sat there while Liv threw herself about the floor screaming, kicking, cussing, and fighting while people walked by with either annoyed or sympathetic looks. (Someday I will have to explain to Liv just how she behaved in the house of The Lord. That may be the first time screaming with those kinds of bowling words were spoken within its walls....and perhaps the only time really). Anyway, she carried on that way until a little old lady came up and looked her in the eyes and in a sweet voice asked, "Honey, is your mommy being mean to you?" Olivia stopped crying and began smiling at this grandma. She tickled Liv's arm, played peakaboo until Liv decided she could soldier on. Isabelle pointed out all the pictures of Jesus, and we talked about the eternal mirrors. She carried her pamphlet like a seasoned tourist and pointed to the pictures as they came up in the tour. Afterward, they led us out and into an adjacent church house where they served cookies. Isabelle thought that the refreshment gesture pretty much made today the best day ever. By this time, Liv had had about enough and would not let me hold her or manhandle her whatsoever. We waited in line for our bus again, and finally our chariot picked us up and delivered us back to our original spot. As we approached our car, I asked Isabelle what the best part of our day had been. She said, "Riding that bus." Later, she renigged on that and wrote on the comment card to put in her journal a different favorite of today. What is it you ask? I will let your read it for yourself.........

What Guinea Pigs?

I can't believe we wasted good dress-up time on guinea pigs! I will now give my testimonial on cats, particularly to all of you out there who have heard me say I don't like cats and would never allow one in my house. I have repented and seen the light! This animal has offered my girls ample opportunities to be pretend mommies, it has ridden in strollers (down the stairs on occasion), it cleans up after itself, minds its own business when the girls aren't in need of a playmate, gets along with the dog, it always lands on its feet, and in general....has been the pet of the year! Notice how Gypsy's ears make perfect piggies for hair bows and flowers? Awesome!

I NEED YOU TO LOOK AT ME

Partying Like A Bunch Of Rock Stars

Our twin nephews, Gavan and Tanner (aka The Chums), turned 9 last week and as it turns out, their Aunt Heather was commissioned to make the birthday cakes. They gave strict instructions of how they wanted these cakes to be played out.....literally. They wanted Rock Band cakes, one of a guitar and one of a drum. After serious contemplation and raiding the old Halloween candy, this is what Isabelle and I came up with. We thought they turned out pretty cool.
And thankfully, the chums did too.

A Happy Reunion

So about two years ago, I was getting ready for a new baby to live at our house and was trying to turn the guest bedroom into a nursery. I was having Michael move the adult furniture out to make room for a crib, changing table, and rocking recliner. What Michael and I didn't realize, was that Isabelle had her eye on a certain piece of furniture in that room. When I was young, my dad made Mari and I these cute oak cabinets to put all of our treasures in. He made the doors to lock with a little key and built shelves inside. I have had the cabinet in every house I've lived in. When we got to this house, we had it in the guest room. As it sat in the hall waiting for a new place in our house, Isabelle started throwing a temper tantrum about how she wanted something in her room. I asked her to explain her fit. She wouldn't indicate what it was she wanted exactly but said something like she always wanted a special thing and I hadn't delivered this special thing up to this point in her life. This fit went on for a few days, meanwhile the little oak cabinet sat in the hall right in front of her bedroom door, eluding her apparently. Finally, as we got ready to relocate it, she started to cry. I asked her what she was sad about and it opened this flood gate of expressing unfulfilled childhood expectations. She sobbed, "Mommy, I just want dat.....dat.....um....dat fing dat I can keep my fings in." She pointed to the cabinet and went on, "I just want a fing with a door and a tiny key to hold all my secrets."
So, the cabinet went in her room and right away she went to work gathering her treasures about her room: cards she got in the mail from Grandma Karen, necklaces her daddy bought her at the beach, a random nondenominational bible Grandma Nan gave her (notwithstanding its ambiguous translation, it's little and pink--thus a treasure), rocks and acorns from the yard, magazines from Papa Prisbrey, a doll from Grandma Johnson, bracelets and a jewelry box from Grandma Karen, room key cards her dad collects for her while he travels for work, various items she has "borrowed" from her mom's makeup, etc. She knows exactly where the key is, and she never loses it. When she got a little play kitchen for Christmas, we moved the cabinet out to make room. That lasted about 4 weeks. She would reminisce about the good ol days when she had had it in her room and kept all her 'secrets' in it. Finally, we decided she needed it back in her quarters, and I have come to the realization that the full circle of life has happened. I now know how kids go about "inheriting" their parents stuff. Isabelle will no doubt take this cabinet to every house she lives in from now on. And I am happy to let her do just that.

This is Isabelle rearranging her room to make space for her cabinet with the doors and tiny key, organizing her 4-year-old treasures. It was a happy reunion that lasted well over 2 hours. And her secrets are safe once more.

Snow, Snow, And More Snow

It always seems like around the middle of February, we feel like the snow will never end! I know compared to others in the states (Ronna) our powdery, fluffy snow is child's play compared to real snow storms, but I still seem to struggle with snow activities with little kiddies. Anyway, Michael is a champ at keeping it real in the winter......and was all over making a snowman with Isabelle after our latest storm.
And of course, every dad needs a redneck snowsuit!

Our Latest Purchase

While most couples our age are eying those nice Malibu wake-setters, LR-2's, time shares on private beaches in some tropical getaway..........what have the Johnson's got their sights on?
A 1987 Fleetwood Tioga Travel Trailer with the classic Ford Chassis.....AKA "Mac" (After Fleetwood "Mac")

BAUW-CHICK-A-BAUW-BAUW!

This is Michael pulling the rig up curb side to collect his little lady at the Long Beach Airport. We met there on my birthday, ate at the Crab Cooker and stood on the trailer's roof to watch the sun go down over Newport Beach (all the while parked alongside a Porsche and Rolls Royce, no exaggeration). We then drove Mac to a midnight movie on the PCH, and then slept like babies on some side street in our new RV. We woke up and just started laughing at ourselves and our ghetto brown plush surroundings. I had to get out to help Michael out of our parallel parking sandwich but not being RV savvy, I wasn't watching every angle and so we took out a street sign in the process. We then drove the beaut to Harbor Inn Diner, had a couple of trucker breakfasts and then began our road trip home. We spent the next night in some Wal-mart parking lot just to really experience true RV living-- where you can wake up, take your morning breath and bedhead inside for a warm Wal-mart greeting (and no questions asked)use the facilities.....and then help yourself to a good continental breakfast all under a few dollars. Michael came out of the men's restroom with his hair wet like he had helped himself to a sink shower and we both just started laughing! This is a shot of Michael being the sophisticated driver he was and is. I sat shotgun and worked on some Calculus (I have a new student who's about to rock my math tutoring world and needed a quick review during the drive home). So by the time we rolled into Cedar City, Papa Tigger (Michael Carter) renamed our outfit "The Trig Rig" when he saw the math books and notes inside. We loaded up a weight set that Michael bought from Jim, stopped at Rachel and David's house for a birthday dinner, to collect the girls, and give all the nieces and nephews rides around the block. It was singing show tunes and laughing all the way home until reality hit with that #@$%! 35 pitch driveway of ours............and then as suddenly as our party had started, the party was over. We tried and tried making it up the driveway. The neighbors started coming out to watch. Michael tried every angle. Girls started getting tired and crying in their car seats. Tailpipes and bumpers were becoming casualties. Finally, we gave up. Michael drove it to our church parking lot and left a note so whoever found it would know that the brand new stake center's beautiful lot was just a temporary holding tank for the P.O.S. they were looking at.

A few days later, David Iroz came with his brain and 10 feet long steel ramps. He and Michael began sawing and scraping, pounding and hammering until they had custom ramps on our driveway and all the roof components off our trailer. But by then it was David standard time (like 3a.m. or something) and so not wanting to wake the neighbors, they parked the trailer on the driveway until the next morning. Finally, Michael and I started up the driveway with the trailer and almost into the 3rd bay garage when Michael realizes the ladder wouldn't clear the top of the opening by about an inch. "That's it." He says, exasperated. He goes and gets all the weights from his weight set. He secures them on the back bumper. He gets on the bumper and starts jumping. I drove and he jumped until finally......we got it in. Then, we put everything back in the garage and pretty soon it looked like it had been parked there for years.....like it was always supposed to be in our garage, in our era, in our lives.

Getting it out? Another day, another adventure.

NACD Video

For those of you who don't know what NACD is.....actually let me rephrase that. For those of you who don't get a sick feeling in your stomach wondering what new reading material or eye patch is available for use through NACD, I will give you a brief introduction into the Bob Doman world. When we were kids, my mom and Grandma were closely knit with The National Academy (now Association) for Child Development and we were their guinea pigs so to speak. Mari, Scott, Adam, Jason, Jared, I, and later Josh, were all put on academic and motor programs to strengthen our muscles and minds. Papa Bob, as my girls know him, was and is known to have some non-conventional ways of doing things and wearing an earplug to school was one of his mild interventions. So, NACD and Bob Doman were icons in our household and we grew up learning that it was exciting to increase in sequential processing and you threw a party when your brain was functioning in a dominantly appropriate manner.

So for those of you who are quite acquainted with NACD and it's dealings with poor unfortunate souls, this goes out to you. Among the NACD village people are Isabelle (4) who is in a red NACD shirt, Olivia (1) who is in the all-color-encompassing ensemble), and their mom, NACD's current OT (the suckered-into-it singer) who wrote the words with her siblings in mind. GO PROGRAM!

NACD (lyrics written out for Grandma Clark) to the Village People's classic YMCA

Hey kids, there’s a place you can go
I said hey kids, it’s a place you all know
I mean, hey kids, you will be so much smarter
Just to be with Mr. Bob, Oh
That's right, it’s a place like no other
You can go there, just bring your dad or your mother
Plan to stay long, some of the paperwork’s lengthy
Unless you filled it out ahead of time
You will love coming out to NACD
You’ll have so much fun at NACD
You can get your eval, you can play with puzzles, you can color with Ms. Denise (NACD's secretary)
Hey kids, I was once just like you
I was on program, and wore an ear plug to school
I did pleoptics, and wore an eye patch at night,
And look at me I turned out all right
That’s right, my mom was head of a chapter,
We would all go, to program then the park after
Somehow when Bob, said that our goals were achieved
We’d still leave with HARDER BOOKS TO READ!
I grew up as a kid in NACD
I learned my sequencing in NACD
Bob taught my sister to crawl, my brothers to catch a ball,
We are all so proud of our dominance!
NACD—come on out to NACD
If you get yourself there, you can climb up the stairs
And spin in Bob’s leather office chair!
NACD, come on out to NACD

Family Sledding Trip

All of the siblings on my side (Heather) are congregating in Cedar City for a big New Year's party.

(Isabelle, Heather, Liv)

Today we took the kids snowsledding at Woods Ranch in Cedar Breaks.

(Belle, Hanna, Mari, Connor)
(Scott, Carter, Sara)
We had a great time! Isabelle loved everything from the snowmobiles to tubing, especially when she and her dad took Zoe down the hill. Olivia had her snow debut this year since she was sick all last winter. She loved the snow and kept pointing uphill to let her daddy know she was ready for another run. I spent the afternoon taking photos, retrieving sleds, pulling kids, keeping babies warm, and enjoying the time with my family.
Zoe got a work out as well as she chased everyone on the sleds and followed the tubing up and down the hill....that is, if she wasn't riding herself.

Jason and Angela and kids came to visit. They had a great time riding the mobiles, watching their kids sled, and keeping Jared happy with all the snowballs he could eat!

It was overall a fantastic snow day!

Grandma Karen's 29th Birthday Party

We all threw Grandma Karen a birthday party which was a lot of fun. The kids caught on that if it was indeed her 29th year old party, she must be the same age as all of their mommies too! What a coincidence.

I asked Mari if she had wrapping paper and this is what she produces. Nice.

We made roast, potatoes, salad, rolls, a huge cake and had bubble gum ice cream. Mari was so gracious to let us trash her house and we couldn't not end the party without a caotic grandkid photo on the couch. Is Papa behind those kids? I think I faintly see his head behind the herd!

CHRISTMAS 2008

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

From The Cutest Ladies Ever

Santa's Workshop

This year, Michael and I decided we would make all of our Christmas gifts so it was a season filled with Santa's helpers in our home.
The girls and I had plenty of shopping and gathering to do and then we made quilts, salt dough ornaments, our signature Creamy Tomato Soup, aprons and more aprons, we assembled missionary care packages, made cookies, dinners, hair bows, and big, big messes! Michael took shifts holding Liv, doing dishes, entertaining Isabelle, delivering gifts, snow shoveling, doing more dishes, vacuuming...in general, keeping the production possible, smooth, and continual.


Here we are making Big Pop and Uncle Don's Christmas Blankets. So we got the fabric and then set out to find quilting frames. It took some doing to even find old school quilting frames, I called every woman over 50 in our ward to no avail! (FYI: We once had some of our own--but that was so 9 moves ago). Anyway, we finally collected some and then it was production time. Isabelle and I started off by taking a field trip into Michael's closet to study one of her dad's favorite Aunt Susan's flannel blankets. She studied the yarn ties and I studied the meticulous bias edging. We agreed it quite a lofty standard but we would do our bests. She learned to needle up and down the squares, and I helped her tie the square knots. She loved the part when she was out of yarn so she could get the scissors and cut all of her own lines she had made. We had a great time. After the nostalgia of tacking the quilt on the frame....(no wait, now this side needs to be retacked because I have too much blanket and not enough 2x4......now wait, the frame won't fit here, so it is untacking it for the 14th time, now remind me how to thread this yarn in the eye of this needle?).....
I am determined to acquire myself another quilting frame once more. Aunt Susan, you better hold on....there may be a new 4-year-old contender in town!