Mandi's Birthday Bash

Our little sweet Mandi turned 12. (in December) And even though I sort of wish it hadn't happenned yet, we still wanted to celebrate in a big fun way. I'll share what we did because it was SO WAY FUN!!!!

We have an outdoor shopping mall near us. So we had all the girls meet us there at 3. Then we split them into groups of 4 or 5. We gave each group $10 and told them to buy as much as they possibly could in 15 mintues. They took off. They were SO excited. One group came back with 15 things and spent just under $10. Then we redivided the groups and gave them a list of things to take pictures of while doing. Very fun!! Here is what we did:

"Riding up an escalator
Wearing a tiara
Wearing one high heel shoe
Washing hands in a bathroom
Looking at an information map of town square
Everyone in the group wearing sunglasses
Sitting on one of the town square cows
Trying to hide behind a tree or bush
Asking someone politely for the time
Wearing hats
Wearing a feather boa
One team member trying on an unmatched outfit
Spelling out YMCA with a store employee
Holding hands with a guy
Singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star together
Standing on the Second Floor waving down to the first
1 team member getting makeup applied
Laying on a bench
Sitting around the fountain in funny poses
Asking for an employment application (give it back) J
Opening the door for 4 people
Doing the wave

Put a check next to each task completed. Take a picture. First one to the Theater wins! If you can’t complete it, all teams must be at the theater by 4:00 PM sharp!! Winner will be the team with the most completed first."

THEN we saw a movie. Tooth Fairy. It was OK. The girls thought it was hilarious. My only criteria was that it was clean. It was a matinee and they all still qualify as children (much to their dismay) and then we went to a nearby pizza place for dinner. It was so much fun. I wish I could do it again this weekend. When I get around to it, I'll flip through the pics and see if there are any memorable ones. :)

What means Most this week?

Hi! I have been doing a lot these past couple weeks. Busy Busy Busy. But it is interesting. The thing I did that brings me the most satisfaction, that I am most proud of, the one I really wanted to blog about.... I took lots of pictures of me and Audrey close together.

Then she painted a small wood heart frame.

And we picked a picture, put it inside her frame and hung it on her wall. (sorry no picture of the finished product yet) But that is my favorite thing I have done lately. Isn't that interesting. Love that girl!!!

Give to Help Haiti

https://secure3.convio.net/ldsp/site/Donation2?df_id=1861&1861.donation=form1&s_src=14703

I saw this on my church website http://www.lds.org

Please click on the above link and donate to help the people in Haiti. All funds go directly to help those in need.

Thanks!!!

Our Own White Christmas

Texas had its first white Christmas since 1927!! Apparently it was in the 70s and beautiful weather and then within a matter of hours the wind was whipping and the snow was falling.

We wouldn't know because we missed the whole thing! :)

We were celebrating our very own white Christmas!

Johnson Family Fable

Once upon the year 2009, the Johnsons set out to make a difference. We wanted it to be something grand, something glorious, something earth shattering and far reaching. Our sights were high. Kings, presidents, newspapers, all would be touched. Everyone would be blessed and happier because we were alive!! But as the year began, we found we could not yet begin our grand plans. First we had to start preparations for dear Ben’s baptism. He would be turning 8 in October and his lessons commenced in early January. We taught him all about Jesus Christ and the plan to return to Him. Then our house was filled with new sounds: the sounds of a gurgling, cooing, happy baby. Because Noah David never cried. And we each found many hours spent laughing and clapping and holding and feeding and changing and watching and crawling and protecting and teaching this new little baby boy. Pretty soon, as we continued with our normal lessons and sports (basketball, soccer, football, theater, singing, piano, horses) we found that we were spending lots of time studying together in the evening, doing our family home evening lessons, attending church, and our church activities. And then there were some local needs to be met. The girls organized book drives, supported canned food drives and clothing drives. We continued to try and help victims of domestic violence. We were active in the schools. What family of six children is not?!! But these were small things, tiny! As we tried to serve and love, we realized there was no way for our family to make even a wrinkle of change in the vast and broad problems of poverty and substance abuse. We supported the soldiers and thought, “but there is no way to truly thank them or pay them back for their supreme sacrifice!” We sent food in for the homeless and thought, "But what about tomorrow's meal?" But we have to try don't we? We all have to try. And quickly, the year sped onward until November was upon us once more. And, with our glorious plans unrealized, we began the Thanksgiving holiday seeking for those things that merited gratitude. We thought of our dear friends whom we love so much. We thought of our distant families who we wish were SO much closer. We thought of our home and stable environment. And we were filled with love for our dear Savior Jesus Christ who makes all these blessings possible. But we felt a twinge of disappointment and despair as we remembered how little we had done in return for these great blessings! We thought of kings and presidents who don’t know our name. We thought of countries untouched and world problems unsolved. What happened to those grand plans once laid? Where was the difference we had made? Our thoughts were interrupted by a noise at the table as we were gathered around the turkey, and we gazed on each smiling face. Mandi was growing into a beautiful thoughtful and wise Young woman, Sarah was eternally kind and loving, Ben so tenderhearted and driven to succeed, Andrew cheerful as ever and praying to obey, Audralynn healthy strong and happy keeping us all in line, and Noah sweet, so so sweet. Our mark on the world this year begins and ends with each sweet soul in our dear family. And although we have so much more to learn, we love them so much and as we work for this eternal family, we know the truth of the words, “Be not weary in well doing for ye are laying the foundation of a great work and out of small things, proceedeth that which is great.”
We love you and Merry Merry Merry Christmas!!!
Love,
Dustin, Jennifer, Amanda, Sarah, Benjamin, Andrew, Audralynn, and Noah

I can copy

I started playing around with candy the other day. Because I saw this very very cool add.

I am not finished but this is sure a fun new twist to my holiday.

Ben is Baptized!

It was a beautiful day. We all felt so joyful. Ben was thrilled. Many great friends came to support. It was a great example to the younger ones. My Mom thought of a great way to cover his bright green cast. It was all good.

Noah is sleeping in his carseat....and I promise I look skinnier than this!! :) I hope.

I couldn't resist this shot of the two of them. Too bad my camera was on a weird setting and it is sort of fuzzy.........

AHHH...the brothers.