Backyard Cookout

For dinner tonight we had a backyard cookout.  Hotdogs, hamburgers and S'mores.   We love a good cook out and it was Luana's first time to make s'mores.  She loved them!!

Luke's Party

For his party he invited some friends and we went to Extreme Air-sports then had doughnuts instead of cake.  Sounds like a perfect party for a 9 year old and his friends. 

So Smart

Sophie bought these glasses at the mall today so she can do her homework and reading better.  Doesn't she look smart? 

Field Trip Time

Todd went as a chaperone on a field trip to the Timpanogos Story Telling Festival with Luke's class.  We sure do love it when he's home during the week!!

First day of Kindergarten

My baby started school today....and she couldn't be more excited.  She has been waiting and waiting and waiting for this day to come.  She is lucky to be in class with her best friend Emma and with Glen.  And she has the BEST teacher.  I hope the school was ready for the Johnson kids....because all 4 are now officially in the same school.  Watch out Lakeview.  

Goodbye Cubscouts

Tayson and Ryan both finished their Webelos and were initiated into the BSA program.  Tayson is now an official 11 year old scout.  

Luke Turns 9

This cute boy had a birthday today.  He is 9 years old!!  We started the morning with b-day pancakes then he was off to school.  Then we went out as a family to Brick Oven for his birthday dinner.  

Luke is such a happy, smart, fun kid.  He loves swimming and math and minecraft and reading.  He has grown up so much in the past year.  He is so handsome and good natured and just a joy to have in our family.  I love his big brown eyes and his dark curly hair (the longer the better although he and Todd like it better short).  I sure do love this crazy kid!!

Date Night

Tonight for date night we walked around the mall after dinner.  Somehow we ended up trying on sunglasses and taking a group selfie :)

And we bought the Golden Turkey....this will show up as a family Thanksgiving award at some point.

I love my garden

First Day of School

I can't believe summer is over already.  The kids were excited to start school again so they could see their friends.  Tayson doesn't look excited but he was.  I can't believe I have a 6th grader!

Sophie got all ready for school and wasn't real happy that she didn't start Kindergarten today.

Off they go on their scooters. 

Curly Sue

Sophie wanted to sleep in curlers tonight.  I love her with her cute little head-wrap on.  She is the cutest thing around. 

Tayson's Party

Tayson wanted to go to Lowe's extreme airsports for his party.  Then we went to Sonic for shakes and to open presents.  Talk about a rowdy group of boys....it got all sorts of crazy!

Luke's Tooth

Hooray!!  The snaggletooth is gone!!

 

Welcome Luana

A few weeks ago I got an email asking if anyone could house an exchange student from Brazil.  They had 10 kids that still needed homes.  So we decided to host a girl.  I thought it would be a good experience for Claire.  We picked Luana up at the airport today.  I let the kids make their own sign - which ended up a little crazy....but it was fun and they loved doing it.  She is darling and very excited to be here.  We are having a hard time communicating but it will get better.  On the way home from the airport we were all starving so we went to JCW's and I think the amount of food might have overwhelmed her a bit.  A huge hamburger, fries and a shake we are so very American :) 

It's Done

And just like that....our backyard is finished.  It doesn't really look any different - but it is so nice to have grass to play on again and no more flooding!

Tayson's 11th Birthday

We started our day with birthday pancakes.  

Then Tayson chose Brick Oven for his birthday dinner.

And we opened presents when we got home. He was pretty excited about his glow in the dark nerf gun.

I can't believe how old he is.  It's so crazy to me that my little baby is growing up so fast.  He is so responsible now and helps me so much.  He is still very silly and fun though.  He loves to play and is very social.

Luke's Talk

He's really growing up on me.  He gave an amazing primary talk today and can now tie his own tie.  

The Backyard

We have had flooding and swamping issues since we moved into our house.  We tried changing our sprinklers, built our garden, added dirt, and worked on the sprinklers again and again over the past few years.  Last winter one of our pipes burst so this year we decided to just completely redo it.  We are having all the sprinklers redone and adding a french pipe across the back (where most of the flooding occurs) and a big tub in the corner with a drain when it fills up. 

Oh Sophie

Jen found this gem on her camera.  Sophie kills me!

Silver and Gold Meets

This year Luke qualified to swim in the Silver meet and Tayson swam in the Gold meet.  They worked so hard this summer and have improved so much.  

 

Luke won his heat in all 4 of his races.  One of his races was the relay - they took first.

25 Free: 5th overall 22.31
25 Back: 1st overall 23.53 (B time)
100 IM:  ended up getting DQ'd afterwards but they still gave him his heat winner ribbon

Tayson had some serious tough competition at the Gold meet.  He swam hard and did a great job and was a heat winner for his freestyle.  He ended up swimming in the 12-13 year old medley relay which was crazy.

50 Free: 37.98 (B time)
25 Fly: 29.37

 

Family Pictures

Oh we love getting our family pictures done with Jen.  She is amazing with my kids and her pictures always end up amazing.  We decided on a casual summer look this year and I'm happy with the outfits and how they turned out.