Whoa! I have a twelve year old!

Jake turned twelve this past week. Where have all the years gone?! Twelve is a big deal around here. Turning twelve means you leave Primary (a church program for all the children 3-11) and go into Young Mens (youth program for ages 12-18). It is a pretty big milestone for Jake.

It also means he will become a deacon and receive the Aaronic Priesthood, which brings additional responsibilities (passing the sacrament to the congregation; collecting fast offerings; and he may go home teaching with dad). He couldn’t be more excited. He said he was tired of being looked at as a kid and wants to be with the older boys now. I am so happy that he is looking forward to these milestones (I have mixed emotions about them!). Turning twelve also brings Junior High in the Fall. There are so many changes and he seems to be adjusting well.


Three generations: Seth, Jake and G’pa Mike. This was just after Jake’s ordination.

To celebrate his birthday, Jake had a handful of friends over for a “movie night” birthday. They watched “Remember the Titans,” ate loads of junk food, had cupcakes, opened presents, and then finished the night off with some night games outside.

On his actual birthday, we went swimming for most the day and then took him to the restaurant of his choice. He chose Chuck-A-Rama. Initially I wasn’t really excited but it was much better than I expected. Plus, how fun for the kids to eat anything they want and as much as they want in one sitting?!

Later in the evening we opened his presents from the family. He got a suit, soccer cleats (from G’ma Ria), a knife, a fishing pole, and a long board. G’pa Gary and G’ma Kathy also sent him money for his savings account.

It was a great couple of days for our family. Although Jake and I butt heads at times (we are way too much alike), I adore him. He has a sweet and tender heart and gives the best hugs a mom could ask for. I am especially proud of him and the good boy he is becoming. I love you Jake!

G’ma Ria Comes to Utah

We were fortunate enough to have my Mom come for a visit this month. It is always such a treat to spend a couple weeks together. My kids adore her and although they only see her once a year, they make the very most of it.

There are specific things the kids look forward to each time she visits. We always try to go up the Provo Canyon and have a picnic with KFC and Krispy Kreme donuts. We also have a pizza night, a Cafe Rio night, and the kids look forward to going to Starbucks for strawberry smoothies. This year we switched things up a little but we still ventured out quite a bit. We went to the zoo, the swimming pool, the splash pad, and did lots of shopping.

Sadly, we probably won’t see her again until next June, but will cherish the time we got to spend with her.

**Thanks for all you did while you were here Mom! I already miss you! XOXO


KK and G’ma


Hogle Zoo


G’ma bought everyone ice-cream at the zoo.


Riding the train at the zoo.


Having a picnic up in the canyon.


Drew, G’ma and KK


Krispy Kreme – Yum!


Jake and G’ma


Claire and I relaxing up South Fork (Provo Canyon)

Smile!

Look at those bright, shiny whites! Megan got her braces off this week. Her teeth look great! Of course she has to get them back on again in a couple years but for now she only has to wear her retainer at night. She is thrilled to be able to eat all those sticky, gooey foods again!

School’s out – Let’s Celebrate!

School has ended and what a better way to finish off a great school year than to have a celebration! It began at about 9:30 am when nearly 30+ of Jake’s classmates arrived at my house. I was informed by my sixth grader that no games of duck-duck-goose would be acceptable so instead we left it pretty open. We rented a bounce slide (which was a major hit among the kids), cranked the music, and had tons of food! We did have cotton candy, water balloons, and a few bottles of shaving cream which made things a little extra fun.

Most of the time was spent getting soaked, playing on the slide and eating. However, I did stop the fun and have the kids do a sling shot candy toss. We fired handfuls of candy across the yard for the kids to catch. We also had each kid partner up and get a bottle of shaving cream and design a new look for their partner. It was messy, very messy but boy did the have fun!

After the party ended, we had a neighborhood party that extended to about 9 pm. Everyone had a blast and there was minimal clean-up. I will admit that I was completely exhausted and needed a good nap the next day, but it was totally worth it.


Jake and his best bud Shad


Here are a couple of Jake’s classmates that really went all out with the shaving cream.


Lots of munchies!


Jake, Micah, Shad and Jake (best friends!)

Movin’ on up

Our not-so little six year old has officially completed kindergarten. She will be headed to first grade in the fall. Kindergarten was a breeze for Claire. She was a such a good reader going in, that even the most difficult book assigned, wasn’t much of a challenge. It wasn’t long before Mrs. Beck, her teacher, began assigning her outside assignments to keep her busy.

Claire certainly doesn’t lack confidence. She takes on any assignment with eagerness. Homework assignments were always completed without much prodding from me. I have loved watching her this year. She has made so many new friends and truly blossomed.

We will enjoy summer, but I have no doubt that she will take on first grade with the same zest she did in kindergarten. Congratulations Claire! We are so proud of you.


Claire and her class


Mrs. Beck and Claire

2012 Annular Solar Eclipse

On Sunday, May 20th Utah was the best spot to see the annular solar eclipse of 2012. We didn’t want to burn our retinas, so we did a quick science experiment and made a pinhole projector and set it up in our back yard.

It worked pretty well for the first half hour of the eclipse, but then the clouds started rolling in. So, during our chance to see the ring of fire there were too many clouds. But, for the first 30 minutes of the moon passing over the sun, we got a pretty good image.

Oh well. Guess we’ll give it another try in 16 years and hope for clearer skies.

Fathers and Sons

Our ward had its annual Fathers and Sons camp out last weekend.

Every time I go camping with the scouts, Drew wants to come along. “This one probably isn’t good for little dudes, buddy,” is my typical response.

So Drew was super excited to get to come along this time. Starting about two weeks before the outing, Drew would ask me each night as I put him down to bed, “We’re going camping tomorrow, right Daddy?”

We went up to a group site near Soldier Hollow golf course in Midway. Not exactly roughing it, but far enough away that we didn’t get a great turnout.

The sparse attendance didn’t stop us from having a great time though. We cooked chili dogs for dinner and Jacob and Drew played with their buddies until way too late. In the middle of the night, Drew sat up and yelled loudly for no apparent reason, waking Jacob and me. Then he yelled, “I’m coming!” and laid right back down and slept. Jacob and I chuckled, and went back to bed ourselves. We had a good breakfast in the morning, packed up, and went home. A successful outing.

Pomp and Circumstance

Drew has officially graduated from his first year of preschool. I have never participated in the “Joy School” type of preschool before. There were four of us and we took turns teaching two days each month. It was an interesting challenge with four rambunctious little boys, but in the end we made it through with minimal trauma. I can’t say I am going to miss it, but I know Drew definitely will. Drew has loved going to school. Each week he can’t wait to bolt out the door and go learn new things with his three best buddies: Andrew, Mason and Micah.

Graduation consisted of the boys marching out to “Pomp and Circumstance.” Each boy wore a graduation garbage sack and a cap. They all looked SO cute! Drew recited Humpty Dumpty and together the class sang a few songs. Then Suzie handed out their diplomas and treats. We finished off the graduation with angel food cake, berries, and whip cream.

Congratulations Drew! You did it!! Next year Drew will attend Bear Hollow Preschool and give mom a year off!


Drew Michael Johnson


Graduating Class of 2024


Drew leading the class in the Pledge of Allegiance. Notice they all have the wrong hand over their hearts. Maybe we weren’t such good teachers! 🙂


Drew, Claire & Ellie

RSL Excite, Jazz Disappoint

Utah isn’t the best place for pro sports, but over the last two weekends we had some great opportunities to cheer on our local teams.

On April 28, Megan and I got invited to go to a Real Salt Lake soccer match. Megan has been playing soccer for several years and was excited to go on a daddy daughter date to see how the pros play the game. We had a great time even though it was a little chilly. Of course, it helped that we had sweet tickets: midfield, about 7 rows up, with free concessions and a parking pass! (Thanks, Jason!)

The match was very exciting. RSL was in stoppage time when they scored the winning goal. We went crazy! It’s always better when the home team wins.

The next weekend (May 5), Jacob was offered Jazz tickets by his uncle (thanks Matt T!). It’s not everyday that you get a chance to go see the NBA Playoffs, so Jacob and I jumped at the chance. We knew the Jazz were over-matched by the Spurs. The Jazz had barely eeked into the playoffs as an 8 seed, lost the previous game by 30, were down 2-0 in the series, but were coming home to play in Energy Solutions Arena. Surely, this would be the game for the Jazz to steal a victory.

We rode Trax up (where do all those weirdos come from, anyway?), ate in the new City Creek Center, and then walked to the game excited to experience one of the best home courts in the NBA during the Playoffs against a hated rival.

It was not to be. From the opening tip, the Spurs controlled the game. The Jazz made a few runs, but Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and the Spurs were way too good and ended up winning comfortably. We had fun, cheered loudly and booed even louder, popped tons of balloons, and even got a seat on Trax on the way home. Another great sports fan weekend.