Happy 13th Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET MCKAYLA!

It's hard to believe she is 13! She is such a sweet, darling (yikes....teenager), beautiful young woman. We are so blessed to have her in our family.

McKayla we hope this birthday is wonderful! We love you!

Where has the time gone???

Okay- so it's been a while since I've blogged - what a slacker I am - but for he record, things have been extrememly busy - I had good intentions, just ran out of hours in the day! I've got hours of Tivo to catch up on too - I really need to take a day to just catch-up!

I've been busy getting ready for Christmas - as have we all! I'm almost done with decorating and shopping -YEAH!! I love Christmas! I love all excitement, I love all the Christmas stories, I love decorating (except for stringing the lights- one of these days I'm going to break down and buy a pre-lite tree), I love the shopping, wrapping, writing the Christmas letter, everything! All I have left to do is decorate the tree and the Christmas tranformation will be complete. I'll blog pictures in a few days.

Part of the reason I havn't had any free time is because I had 2 weddings within the last 3 weekends to do flowers (which I love), PTA membership drive ended and I had to get all the cards out (which I don't love ...yuck), and I taught the Relief Society Presidency lesson this past Sunday, on top of the usual mom duties and trying to get Christmas up - Whew - Calgon take me away!

While it was stressful to find the time to prepare a lesson and I'm always nervous to teach - I really felt like it started the Christmas season for me - when I teach I always learn more than anyone else. It was on the amazing gifts our Savior has given us: the gift of His Life, the gift of His Church and the scriptures, the gift of Peace, the gift of Love and Charity, and last but not least the gift of Eternal Life. I feel so blesed to have the knowledge of the gospel in my life and to know of these gifts and many others he has blessed us with.

Tomorrow is our annual Christmas Enrichment Dinner and Program - it's a lot of work to get it all ready, but it always such a spiritual night - I can't wait. We are having a delicious dinner - chicken cordon blue, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, roasted red potatoes, salad, rolls, and then for dessert a cheesecake bar. Our program is all about Mary and her faith - "Through Mary's Eye's". My Enrichment Board is seriously the best and have gone above and beyond -hopefully it will all come together!

So- after the big enrichment night, things slow down for a day or two and then the craziness starts all over again. I will blog again soon and hopefully find a day to play catch-up. I'm dying to know who won dancing with the stars last week and to catch up on all my other shows! CHOW!

Disney Mania

Toon Towne Criminals Escape!

Okay - so I'm the first to admit I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Disneyland. I love most everything about it, I love seeing the excitement on my kids faces when we walk into the park, I love the thrill of the rides, I love the exciting feeling surrounding Disneyland - it truly is a magical place. We had a fabulous time, the lines were not bad (longest wait was 30 minutes for the new Nemo ride - very cute), the weather was great, staying at a Disney Hotel was definetly extra fun -Paradise Pier - I would totally recommend, and of course being there with my family - the best! Just wish Nick was there.

However, there are a few things I will not miss.......$10.00 chicken finger kids meal (gag), the constant Disney marketing (how do parents ever get a break...autographs books, pins, hats, souvineer cups....you get the idea). Pushy, silly, juvenile adults who go to Disneyland (without kids- who does that?) and actually have the nerve to cut in line in front of your kids. Aghh! The constant noise - I never thought I would say what my mother used to say " I just need some peace and quiet", but I did and I now get "it" - my ears are still ringing. The 3 almost missing child incidents - very scary! And last but not least, the miserable drive home. I don't think I will ever do the drive by myself again, especially in one day and after an exhausting 3 days at Disneyland.

But as I write this I am already thinking about the next trip to Disneyland - It must be like giving birth, somehow we forget and keep doing it over and over. I do love Disneyland! A few priceless moments.... 1)Cole mauling Chip n' Dale - he loved them, he would see them and run and tackle them, I'm sure he is in many families photos around the world- OOPS, what a ham, but so funny 2) Cambria deciding she was going to try all the rides she was big enough to ride (yes, that would be all of them) she loved MOST of them, way to go Cam! 3)Cambria and her cousin Abby singing every word and doing every single move to the High School Musical songs - DIVA's in the making - pretty stinkin cute. 4) Mckayla riding every ride and loving it - she has NO FEAR!

Disneyland or Bust!

Well, we're finally leaving for our Disneyland trip . The kids have been counting down for the last 6 months! Every other year we meet most of my family at Disneyland. It's so much fun, and the kids love being there with their cousins. We'll be back on Saturday - Toodles!

Happy Halloween

McKayla and her friends on the prowl - hopefully only Treats, not tricks!
The neighborhood gang Trick or Treating
My Cute brother Joel (Harry Potter), his wife, Anjuli (Hermine), and Lexi (the golden snitch). So Stinkin' Cute!!

Cole as Optimus Prime - AutoBots Roll Out and Transform!
What a beautiful Snow White - she really looks like her!
Deal or No Deal Girl - She has the 1,000,000 Case!

We had so much fun last night at the Trunk or Treat at the church, chili dinner with my parents, Joel, Anj & Lexi, and then Trick or Treating through the neighborhood. The weather was perfect, the treat were delicious - our bags are full of goodies, and of course seeing many of our friends and family dressed up for Halloween - it was a blast! Happy Halloween!

Carving Pumpkins

My kids especially love Family Night the week of Halloween when we carve our pumpkins. It's always so fun to see what they will create. Cole's still not sure about the gunck inside the pumpkin (remember he has serious gag issues) but he was loving the carving part. I absolutely love this time of year. Happy Halloween!

I'm all shook up!

Elvis has left the building! Seriously a little freaky how much he really does looks like Elvis!

So last night our good friends the Ence's had a 50's theme Halloween Party. So when we started thinking of the many 50's options - Nick as Elvis was a no brainer, (even the lady at the costume shop said he would be a great Elvis.), but it wasn't until Nick was actually dressed in his costume that I was a little star struck by my Elvis look alike. We had so much fun at the party and Nick even won the prize for best costume. Sooo...we have decided that we're heading to Vegas so Nick can pursue his life dream to be an Elvis impersonator - NOT!! But, wouldn't that be something to write about!

The Best of Both Worlds

Hannah Montana/Miley Cyris - she was fabulous!
The Jonas Brothers - S00000 Cute!
We had awesome seats for the concert - Section 1 row 20!
Cheese!
After the concert we got a few photos in front of Miley's tour bus! We had blast!

Last night I took the girls to the Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds Concert. - We had so much fun! The Jonas Brothers opened for Hannah Montana and they were awesome. The best part for me was seeing the pure joy in the girls faces as they experienced their first concert. They were yelling, cheering and dancing their little hearts out. It was such a fun GNO (Girls Night Out). Yes, I learned that last night from the song. I could never figure out what she was saying before...now I know and I love it! Every girl needs a GNO every once in a while!

Witches Night Out

We Love Witches!
We had so much fun going to Witches Night Out on Friday Night. The girls looked darling. We shopped, ate, and acted like witches. What could be better than that? Thanks for the fun night!

Terrific Tuesday

My fabulous Enrichment Board -Thanks girls for a "terrific" night and for all your hard work these last few weeks. Our crafts were darling holiday boards, growth charts, card boxes, and a beautiful dried floral arrangement! It was lots and lots of fun, but I'm glad it's over....now it's time to plan the Christmas Dinner & Program. Whew!!

One crazy, crazy day!

Safety First! Everyone Double Buckle - oh and duck if you see a Police Officer!
Whew..we made it ! Now lets have some fun!
The kids getting cozy with the SCARRRY witches!

So let me start by saying this was one crazy day! Crazier than my normal Crazy...so here it goes! I had to take my car in, again, to have the transmission checked! AGHH! It's a really gross place and I didn't want to wait there for 2 hours, so as Tiff, Julie and I were deciding what we should do for our last off track day- we decided Tiff would follow me to the yucky transmission place and then we would head to Gardner Village (1/2 mile away). Sounds like a great plan! Well, lets just say nothing ever goes according to plan. When I got to Tiff's her car wouldn't start. Now, I'm no mechanic, but how hard is it to jump a car, I've done it once or twice. I'm sure anyone watching us trying to jump her car got a good laugh. It was a really tight fit in her garage with our big cars so I had climb through the window - duke's of hazard style - to start my car (the whole time we're hopin' and prayin' were not going to blow up). Cole of course thought it was totally cool! So Tiff's car still won't start, and thankfully Julie hadn't left yet, so we called her and asked her to follow us to the transmission place and then we'd all pile into Julie's car . (10 people in her 7 seater - really safe, Nice!)

We get to Gardner Village safely and head to order lunch at the bakery. It's packed and every mom with children off track had our same idea. 20 minutes and $20 dollars each later we finally get our lunch. The place is packed, standing room only, Cole and Braxton are wrestling on the floor, kids are running all over, and old men keep cutting in line. I'm getting a little anxious by now and needing to get the heck out of there. Finally we manage to get our food and herd everyone to an outside table where we again cram all 10 of us on a little picnic table (are we having fun yet?) Everyone starts to eat, whew we made it, or so we thought. Cole has a terrible gag reflex and is a super picky eater, so when he see's Braxtons PB&J with the Jelly oozing out, he starts gagging (at the sight of jelly). I quickly turn him around just in time for him to throw up all over the ground at least 3 times (PB and Cheetos is a disgusting mix.) Everyone is staring and I'm laughing so hard because my kid is a little freaky with his gagging abilities- mind you this happens weekly. All the kids are running around about to step in the barf- so I round up as many napkins as I can and start scooping up barf - AGHH!

We survive lunch and decide to walk around and see the witches. The kids are running everywhere, the boys are playing tackle football, and we're trying to keep track of everyone -it's chaos! Cole and Braxton both get put in time out for hurting the bigger boys (Tiff, what are we going to do with these two?), Dawson is hiding behind a bench pooping, and Cambria is having a blast being the only girl - Priceless! Anyway, long story short - it was one crazy day, but in the end lots of laughs, a little barf, a little poop, a lot of anxiety, and a few time-outs. All and all a good day!

Home, Home on the Range!

We headed to Lander, WY to visit Nick's family for the weekend. Cole loves riding the horses with Gram'pa. He is quite the little cowboy! Giddy Up!

What a cute Cowboy - the hat and coat were Nick's when he was a little boy. I guess some things never go out of style!

We love Fall!

Where's Cambria? - the kids were almost completely covered in the fall leaves.

We had family pictures (Yes, I know again) with Nick's whole family (quite the task) anyway, the photographer took us to the neatest spot with more leaves than I have ever seen. I would hate to have to rake that yard. The kids had a blast playing in the leaves, and enjoyed a little break from the misery of more family pictures! I promised them this would be it until Christmas (I think...wink, wink, and fingers crossed)!

Bragging Rights!

So I know I'm their mother and of course I think they are the cutest kids in the world, but seriously, they really are so dang cute! Finally, after 2 rescheduled appointments (because of very unpleasant weather) we were able to have our family pictures taken. This is one of my favorites of the kids. I can't wait to see them all. Dang- those kids are so stinkin adorable.

Tag...You're it!

My friend Jill tagged me today - I wasn't quite sure what that meant, so Jill, thanks for the email clarifying what to do. So here's how it works... I answer the 10 questions she tagged me with and then tag four people. The four people I tag then respond on their blog by answering the same 10 questions, then they tag 4 people. It's going to be fun. Here are the questions:

1. Q -Best thing you cooked last week.
A - Yummy Chicken and Beef Enchilada's and Christine's fabulous Mississippi Mud Cake - so good!

2. Q - If money, time and babysitting were no object, where would you go and with who.
A - I would go to Scotland with my cute husband.

3. Q - When was the last time you cried.
A - 2 weeks ago at Christine's baptism. It was truly a wonderful experience.

4. Q- 5 things you were doing this month 10 years ago.
A - We were getting ready to close on our home. We moved in on Halloween night 1997;living with my parents while waiting to get into our home; trying to sew McKayla's Fairy Halloween costume, working part-time at Hall Kinion, and taking care of my grandma Elaine who had ALzheimers.

5. Q- 5 things on your to do list today.
A - I thought a soccer game (long story); Clean, Clean , Clean; Go to the grocery store and get yummy food for our conference brunch tomorrow; buy hats, gloves, scarves, etc.. for the kids, and get everyone ready for our family pictures if the weather clears up!

6. Q- 5 favorite snacks
A- Chocolate Carmel Apples, Chocolate covered pretzels, Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips, strawberries, and trail mix!

7. Q - 5 Bad Habits
A- the occasional swearing , falling asleep during prayers, pealing my fingernails when I'm nervous, staying up way too late watching my favorite shows, driving while talking on my cell phone.

8. Q- 5 favorite foods
A - I love mexican - cheesy chicken enchilada's; a yummy salad with walnuts, feta, bacon, and a vinegrette; homemade bread with homemade strawberry jam, Training Table cheese fries with dipping sauce, and a really good bowl of brocolli cheese soup or clam chowder.

9. Q- 5 Places I've been
A- Hawaii - my favorite is Maui, Mexico (Ixtapa and Cancun), Grand Caymans, Roatan Bay Islands (on a cruise - absolutely remote and beautiful), Belize, and 49 of the 50 states (someday I'll make it to Alaska).

10. Q- 5 Favorite Memories
A -My Wedding Day in SL Temple surrounded by most of our family and friends, the birth of my 3 precious children, the once a year coveted vacations with Nick, all the fun trips with the kids, moving into our home!

4 People I'm tagging: Tiffany, Natallee, Ali, Tenille

Wife of the Year? or maybe just plain crazy!

Okay - for all of you who know my sweet darling husband - you know he loves, loves, loves football, TV, and the occasional X-Box marathon. Well, I wanted to surprise Nick for his 38th birthday (wow that's old). Originally I had tickets on hold for the BYU vs. San Diego State game in San Diego - I thougt it would be fun for the both of us to have a little get away - however, Nick is the project manager for his company, a retail Co., so October though December is a really crazy time. So that idea was out, darnit. After a few other ideas, I finally decided to cave and surprise him with Halo 3. He loves Halo and I pretty much hate it -but this is about Nick and what he loves.....so I ran down to Best Buy the morning Halo 3 was released and grabbed one of the last copies available. As I'm heading to the check out, quite proud of myself, I noticed that it said Halo 3 for X Box 360, well we have a 4 year old X-box, so I ran over to the Best Buy guy and said I need the Halo 3 for regular X-box, he laughed at me and said they don't make Halo 3 for X-box only for X-box 360 - I proceeded to say that I hate X-box, and was left in a little prediciment. What to do - the saleman sensing my frustration started talking to me about how much better the graphics are for X-box 360, blah, blah, blah - don't care, but I really wanted to surprise him. As I left Best Buy $500 later, I decided that I was indeed a candidate for Wife of the Year, always sacrificing!

I was so excited to finally surprise him for his birthday. I quickly got Cole out of the car, swore him to secrecy, and because we were runing late for pre-school I left the bright yellow Best Buy bag on the fender of the car. I ran inside, fed Cole a quick PB&J, and ran upstairs to grab him a sweatshirt, and as I was walking down the stairs I heard Cole talking to someone - to my surprise it was Nick home for lunch. Now, my sweet husband has been home for lunch all of 3 times in the last 3 months, no joke, so of all the days to come home (yes, the Best Buy bag is still on the fender - Aghh). He gave me a little smile, and I froze for a second trying to remember where I had left the bag. I calmly asked him if had seen anything - to which he replied "you mean the bag with Halo 3, an X-box 360, and a wireless controller that was left on the fender". Now we have to remember a Best Buy Bag to a male is like a Nordstrom bag to a female - so of course he looked, I couldn't even be mad - so my fabulous surprise ruined, not to mention my last weekend before Halo 3 became a part of our home. He was thrilled and quite surprised that I would buy him something I pretty much detested. So the jury is still out...wife of the year or just plain crazy - you be the judge!

SAY CHEESE!

McKayla has a fun project due for her honors English class - it's quite extensive, anyway, she had to create a mock web page and divide it into 4 sections. One of her sections was on her family and she had to include a recent picture - so here it is.... as of last night. We were at the church for a baptism and all dressed up so we decided to take a quick family photo. It's quite the task to get everyone dressed up and in the same location at the same time...life is BUSY, BUSY, BUSY! I just wish we somewhat coordinated - o'well can't plan them all. Next week we are set to have real family photo's taken. Hopefully they turn out - and this time we will coordinate.

Touchdowns and Hairspray

Today was a really fun day. Our Saturday started out like any normal Saturday with a soccer game, of course. Thank goodness it was a home game because the last few weeks we have been to Mapleton, Ogden, Heber, Huntsville, and Bountiful. We have traveled a good part of Northern Utah. So, it was quite refreshing to drive 2 minutes to Crescant Middle School for a change. This Wed. we head to Logan, Yikes! I'm not even sure if I know how to get to Logan - I'll be mapquesting this one for sure. Anyway, McKayla played a great game and it's always so fun and intense to watch her. She stopped some amazing goals today and I kept thinking "just don't hurt your teeth or your face." Way to play Heet!

Nick and Cole headed to Provo for a father son outting at Cougar Stadium. Cole was excited all week long to go to the BYU vs. Air Force game. Everyday he would ask if today was the day. Nick and Cole left McKayla's game a little early dressed from head to toe in BYU apparel and colors. They looked so cute hand and hand as they headed for the game. I wish I had a snapshot of this. I was so excited for the two of them - what better way to spend a fall Saturday. I'm sure this is the first of many games they will enjoy together.

So, since we girls had the entire afternoon we decided to seize the moment and go shopping and see the movie Hairspray. We were totally content to listen to the game on the radio, although I must say we all wanted to be there just so we could see the boys grinning and cheering together. But once we got to the mall the thoughts of football quickly left us and we turned into serious shoppers. We managed to find something for each of us and then headed to the movie. We had so much fun watching the movie, singing the songs, and of course the girls were thrilled to see Zac Efron. WOO HOO! It was a girls perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday. Oh, how we love these kind of Saturdays - it was a fun and perfect day for us all!

Just like daddy!

This morning as we were scrambling out the door to head to the gym Cole was insistent that today he had to wear his BYU Jersey. He yanked it out of the dirty clothes and said "mom, I'm a Cougar, I have to wear this today", well..being the good mother that I am... I said we can't wear dirty clothes, but how about your new BYU t-shirt. He was so excited, he ripped the tags off his shirt, and started singing the chorus to the BYU fight song...the next thing I know he has his BYU hat on and is heading down the stairs ready to go. I did a double take and couldn't believe how much he looked like Nick. He also realized the resemblance and said "mom, I look just like daddy" with the biggest smile on his face. So Nick, this if for you & your little clone. We all bleed blue in this house! GO COUGARS!!!!! 0h, and for all the Ute fans out there, I've think I've finally convinced Cole to have tolerance for the Ute's, instead of saying "Utah stinks", sorry, I swear I didn't teach him that, he now quietly cheers "go Utah", then starts singing in a really loud voice Rise & Shout the Cougars are out.... I'm trying to teach him that we can co-exist, and all get along in harmony, Right? Now, maybe his dad can learn this important lesson. TTFN!

Twilight Madness

I have Twilight Madness....all I can seem to do these last few days is read. Needless to say, my house has been neglected, sleep has been neglected, I'm sure my husband would say he has been neglected - I've been staying up until 3 am (most nights) reading about Edward & Bella. Nick is pretty sick of hearing about Edward, Edward, Edward - I feel like a teenager again with a crush - but hey who wouldn't want a vampire, like Edward, for a boyfriend? Just one little bite to keep me young forever! Okay so maybe, I need a little more excitement in my life. I now have a void to fill and am in need of a good read - I'd love suggestions!

Alone Time

So all the kids have officially started school. McKayla started Middle School, yes very scary, Cambria is in 3rd grade, and Cole started pre-school. 3 different schools! They are all loving school. I must say it is very strange, and a little lonely, having no one at home from 12:30 to 2:30 - 3 days a week. I'm sure I'll figure out a way to fill that alone time! I'll miss them... anyone up for a lunch date?

Keeping up with the "Jones"

Okay, so after alot of frustration, determination, peer-pressure, & keeping up with the "Jones" - I finally joined the blogging world. It took me a while to figure this out, especially without Nick's computer expertise, but I did it, and I must say this is a great way to keep up-to-date and informed. I have totally enjoyed reading other friends blogs, this is where the peer-pressure and keeping up with the Jones comes in play, and I hope to keep a fun & interesting family blog of the Johnstone's and all thats going on.

Cambria's Extra Special Day

So..the most important event of this busy labor day weekend was Cambria's baptism. She was baptized on Saturday, September 1st by her dad. It was a beautiful baptism and confirmation. Cambria was beaming with joy and delight. Most of her family and closest friends were there for this special day. We are so proud of her! It wouldn't be a normal day at the Johnstone home without a little craziness filled with soccer games, lots of cleaning and preparation for the party, spilled paint on the living room floor, and of course the BYU football opening game. What a day! Other than the spilled paint, the day was great! We are so proud of Cambria!

Go HEET!

Well, let me begin by saying this Labor day was one crazy weekend, but, a wonderful weekend. McKayla played in the Mayors Cup Soccer Tournament in Bountiful all weekend. It was really fun - and really hot. She played amazing, even with strep throat...yes I said strep throat. She started feeling bad Friday night after her first game, but kept going. She played in the Saturday morning game and really started feeling bad. Cambria's baptism was also Saturday - so I gave her some Ibuprofen and hoped she would feel better. She woke up Sunday morning sick as a dog with hardly a voice. Nick, Cambria, Cole and I headed to Evanston, WY for a baby blessing at 7:00 am and left McKayla home with the phone by her bed - hoping she could rest without the rest of us around. When I called to check on her at 10:30 she sounded pretty bad. We were worried - she was devastated about possibly missing the rest of the tournament. She is the goalie for her team and the backup goalie was out of town and not playing in the tournament. As soon we we returned from Evanston I took her to kidscare where they diagnosed her with Strep Throat and a really bad viral infection. She looked and felt terrible. We were worried. She rested the remainder of the day and started her medication right away. I called the coach and told him the news - he handled it great, of course, and said her health comes first- but I knew he was worried. McKayla's team was undefeated in the tournament and they were playing in the semi's Monday morning at 8 am and then hopefully in the finals that afternoon. I hardly slept all night and worried she would not be able to play. The doctor had given us the thumbs up - if she felt well - because she was no longer contagious - but it didn't look good. When I went down to check on McKayla Monday morning - at 6:30 am she was already up and getting in her soccer uniform. She said she felt a little better and had to play. So we headed to Bountiful. They were playing a really good team in the semi's - McKayla was awesome, as was the rest of the team, and won their semi final game 2-0. They were in the finals! The news was great, but that meant McKayla would have to play in another game that afternoon and I knew she felt pretty miserable. She rested in between games and tried to get pumped for the next game. The finals were going to be tough and we were playing a team from Kearns who had the reputation of playing rough and dirty - more like football than soccer. The game was pretty evenly matched and was scoreless at the end of the game which meant overtime and sudden death. The first team to score would win. Neither team could score. So we went into another 10 minutes overtime. Mind you it was 100 degrees outside - not a cloud in the sky -it was HOT! Both teams were really tired. About 5 minutes into the 2nd overtime the other team shot - McKayla stopped it, and had the ball in her arms, but a player on the other team fell on her and knocked the ball out with her hands, which is totally illegal. Then another girl on the other team kicked it in for the goal. There should have been a few penalties against the other team. 1- a handball (she pushed the ball out of Mckayla's hands with her hands) and 2- roughing the goalie. But the ref was not at the right angle to see this, however, we had our camcorder positioned on McKayla and could see the actual events that went on. We replayed the video over and over and were just sick. But the ref called the game and the other team won. Heart breaking! The girls handled it gracefully, as always. They took 2nd in the tournament. It was so hard not to cry and yell and scream - but that is life - it's not always fair. The girls know they are the better team. Go HEET!