Father's Blessings for School

Because of his teaching schedule, Jason gave the children their father's blessings for school this evening. It was a wonderful experience for them. Each child was given such a unique blessing and promised amazing things this year! Even I recieved one and was told things I needed to hear and things I need to do to make this successful for our family.
It is countdown to craziness! Jason starts teaching tomorrow and has information nights at the school, then it is meet your teacher and then it will be the first day of school....am I ready to send them away every day for almost nine hours? I hope they know as they get in the car with dad how much I love them...sigh! I already miss them!

Last years picture.....

We have about one week until the rental calls start coming! Last year it was non-stop for a month. I had just had Savannah, Orion was here and Mom was here helping out. It was the best of times and the worst!!!! Our goal is 300 new rentals....pray for us! That will help us be almost debt-free with the expenses of the business and allow us to focus on building up the business and paying everything off. Wouldn't that be NICE?!?!?!?

LETS DO THIS......



We have a little less than one month and counting to get the word out all across this great land and into every community in the United States of America.

THE PROGRAM:On Friday, September 11th, 2009, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States . Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this eighth anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies. We do this to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country.

Happy Birthday Anna!

I know! I know! Don't fall over in a dead faint.....yea, I am actually wishing you a Happy Birthday on your actual birthday....will wonders ever cease?

And you should feel quite special, since you are the ONLY one I have ever gotten around to doing this for!

But, nonetheless, I hope you had a great birthday. Even though you are having a great day in Prague! (hello, jealous me!) you are too far away to give you hugs and kiss your baby girl and just "hang out" - I miss those days...was that really 9 years ago? Love you sissy!

I am grateful for....

I am grateful for:
My hottie husband
My four great kids
Almost 13 years of love and laughter with the man of my dreams
Being independent
Learning something new everyday

The Hill Cumorah

After spending a wonderful day in the Sacred Grove, we went and walked around the temple grounds. Jason and I had the opportunity two years earlier to do a session with all my aunts and uncles when my Uncle Bob and Aunt Sandy were on a full-time mission here. The grounds are beautiful and a great place for a family picture!

The hike up to the Angel Moroni was as grueling as I remember the last three times I've done it. It is worth it when you make it to the top, though! The view and the feeling are indescribable! To think that this is where the golden plates were and where Joseph came and we are actually in the spot. It is a testimony builder, for sure.

By coming here, I hope my sons and daughters gain a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that they learn to recognize the spirit and can withstand the temptations that will come to them because they have stood here and seen and heard....The pagaent is as awesome as ever! It is so amazing to see the Book of Mormon and history come alive! We had a great time together!

Katie looking glamorous, as usual!

I LOVE THIS GUY!

I love this guy too! Elder Ashton...a.k.a. Pagah!

Johnnie and Savannah - she really likes her cousin!

Aaawwwww! Soooo cute! Ray and Steph are some of my dearest friends - I just have the added bonus of being related to them! We love you guys!

Mommy and Savannah!

This is Xander trying to hold the Angel Moroni in his fingers! It didn't come out too well in the picture, but we tried! HEY! Let's do this again sometime!!!

Thanks to Brother and Sister Ashton, our missionaries for taking a p-day to show is around and spend the day with us. It was a day we will never forget!

Oh, how lovely was the morning.....

Oh, how lovely was the morning, radiant beamed the sun above...Bees were humming, sweet birds singing, music ringing through the grove....Suddenly a light descended, brighter far than noonday sun...

And a shining glorious pillar o'er him fell and around him shone... While appeared two heav'nly beings, God the Father and the Son....Joseph's humble prayer was answered and he listened to the words...
Oh, what rapture filled his bosom, for he saw the living God...

Oh, what raputre filled his bosom......for HE SAW THE LIVING GOD!

72 hours of the Johnson family.....

One last swing on the rope swing from Uncle Ray...Eleanor was not too thrilled...

The Nordic princess, Lizzie, loved it!

Here comes Johnnie!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime when all the world is green.... swing in a tree so high? Is that what you do? So do I!

Lizzie and Eleanor with their fairie houses they built under the trees...

The boy cousins hanging out one last time...Johnnie and Xander - when did they get to be so tall?

Savannah liked Katie and would go to her without a problem...

She loved Johnnie and let him hold her all weekend....

But it took all 72 hours for us to get this shot!!!!

I love my Unlce Ray even if I act like a stinker when he tries to hold me!!!!!The final pose of the cousins.... Waving good-bye....
We'll see you in Palmyra, New York!

Did we really do all that in just 72 hours!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?