The Nutcracker

This year we decided to have a girls night out over Christmas. Jan, Amy, and I took Claire, Emma and Corey out to dinner then to see the Nutcracker. The girls were so excited to get all dressed up like princesses and go out with NO BOYS. I was happily surprised at how well Claire sat and watched the performance. Her favorite part was the Arabian dancer - the girl could bend and move like crazy. Claire leaned over and with awe in her voice said "she is AMAZING". It was so funny. This will definitely be a new tradition. It was so much fun. And to top it off John Stamos was in the audience because he niece was in the performance (too bad I didn't manage to get a picture).

Schultz Christmas

Since most of the family was still here after the wedding we had Schultz Christmas after church. We opened the presents from my parents and the ones from the family gift exchange. It's amazing how many people and presents there are. There were lots of "Schultz Shirts" worn and we actually started the festivities with Alex playing guitar singing Christmas songs. I never thought I would see the day that my family would sit around singing songs - but it was really fun.

The little ones were even dancing in the middle during the songs.

The kids with their presents waiting for their turn.

Tayson got a Lakers jersey and was very excited to show it to grandma Johnson a few days later

Luke got a balloon animal kit and Todd picked up balloon making fast and made puppies for all the kids (I guess if programming doesn't work he can become a clown)

Claire loved her princess outfit

We had Sophie open her present from us so we wouldn't have to try to figure out how to get it to and from California - she got a play kitchen set.

Todd found this sweet banana handle - which is a hot pad for pan handles. This was payback from the sweet alligator oven mitt I got for my birthday a few years ago.

After the kids finished opening presents they all left to play and the adults opened presents.

It's always fun spending time together and having Sherry, Danny and Aunt Carol there made it even more fun. Later that night we headed over to our house and played games.

Mark & Kayla's Wedding

My baby brother got married. It's a little crazy to me since I was a Junior in high school when he was born and he will always be my baby brother. The ceremony was amazing. It was so incredible to be in the temple with my entire family - all 10 kids, my parents and all the in-laws except 1 were there. The spirit of eternal families was so real to me. The sealer talked a lot about prayer and cleaving to your spouse and nothing else (not another person, thing, profession, etc.)

Mark & Kayla outside the temple

11 years ago at the same temple we got married - and I love him even more today.

Tayson had the camera at the reception so most of the pictures are a little crazy.

the beautiful bride

My mom and Aunt Carol

My dad, mom, Fran and Carol

Sophie stripped down throughout the night - and we had to leave before she was totally nude.

Mark & all the nephews

Kayla and the nieces

The triplets (all born within 3 weeks)

Soph, Me and Ella

Most of the Schultz side family

Adam's rear end (yes Tayson took the picture)

Another picture of the kids making faces
(this one cracked me up)

The kids were entertained by the iPhone of course

Jeannie put together a full meal before the dinner - she did a great job.

Tayson and Carlee kept taking pictures of each other

Mark & I

Best buddies

My parents and the 10 kids

All 10 kids - in age order of course

Claire's Preschool Program

Claire's preschool put on a very cute Christmas program. They had lots of fun accessories (hats, noses, drum sticks, jingle bells, etc). She sang great and had fun. I let Tayson take the pictures - so there are lots of red eyes and a few crazy photos but he had fun being the paparazzi and I got to enjoy watching Claire sing.






On a side note: So that I could enjoy the performance Timmy said he would keep Sophie. But he was watching David and Kami's boys so I just dropped her off at their brand new house for a little over an hour. She managed to dump a full and very big bottle of bubbles over on their carpet. That girl!!! Earlier in the day she also broke 2 ornaments and one of my Grandma Jo's Christmas decorations (it was only an ash tray ... but still it was my grandma's).

Pictures with Santa

Here is how my night went last night: me, my brother Mark and my 4 kids went to the mall to see Santa. On the drive to the mall I made Luke and Claire switch seats (while stopped at a red light of course) to stop the boys from fighting. Then while waiting in line it was a full on wrestling match between the boys (on the ground), Sophie successfully made it to 3 stores and inside the Santa part to jump in the fake snow before it was our turn. I made both boys sit in different "corners" while in line to separate them and I'm sure every person around me thought I was CRAZY!!! All the while Claire was quietly playing on my phone. But I was determined to get pictures with Santa so we kept on going through all the chaos. Then we got up to Santa and it was magic all 4 kids smiled at the same time (so worth the work when I look at that picture) and from that point on were well behaved. We went to dinner, did a little shopping and Luke got his haircut without any more craziness. Thank you Santa for calming my kids down....too bad you aren't at my house before bed.

2010 Christmas Card

2010 Johnson Family Update

Todd. Has become quite the expert traveler while working as a consultant in Washington DC (we sure do miss him during the week). Ran his first half marathon this year - and rocked it! Still holds the title of world’s best dad and husband.

Kathy. Working full-time at Nu Skin (18 years what?), running a lot with an awesome group of girlfriends, ran in the Wasatch Back relay and loved it! Still serving in the YW presidency & trying to hold down the household with lots and lots of help from family & friends.

Tayson. 2010 was a big year for Tays – he turned 8 and was baptized. He went on a special trip with just mom and dad to Washington DC over the summer. He’s in 3^rd grade and so far having his best year in school. He still has all of his baby teeth (but one is loose so maybe it will be gone by the time you read this). He loves to play basketball and run. He did a 5K and 1 mile race this year. He loves to be surrounded by family and friends.

Luke (aka Bubba). Turned 6 this year and started 1^st grade. He LOVES school and playing with his friends. Luke loves to color and do activities; he loves puzzles, reading and playing computer. He loves to sing and play Just Dance 2 on the wii (and he’s very good at it). He is very sweet when he wants to be and can scream louder than most kids when being tickled or chased.

Claire Bear. This girl has blossomed this year. She started pre-school and dance and absolutely loves them both. She is still shy but not painfully shy anymore. She will actually smile and talk to people now – a big step for this girl. She loves to listen to music and sing and dance. She is doing great in school and is writing great. She loves to color and do art projects and of course wear lip gloss, carry a purse and do all things girlie.

Sophie Monster. By far the craziest of the Johnson kids. This girl goes a million miles an hour, can climb on anything, has no fear and has colored on every wall in our house. She is happy and full of life. Her brothers love to get her to do naughty things (like fake burp at the table) and she willing does it for a laugh. She potty trained herself at 21 months ... and then at 28 months decided she didn’t want to be potty trained anymore. Silly girl. This crazy little thing has brought more laughs and smiles into our house this past year than the rest of us combined.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Nu Skin Christmas Party

This year for our Christmas party we had the comedian Brian Regan perform. He was hilarious and it was the best party yet. I am constantly amazed at the generosity of Nu Skin. We got some of our newest and best products, an easy-up picnic shade thing, 2 weeks pay and $500 Costco card. Thank you Nu Skin and Merry Christmas to me!