Lazy Morning

My favorite January photo: The kids and I had a lazy morning. We played on the floor, built forts, and read stories until lunch time. When we were getting ready to pick up Bracken came over to me, put his head on my knee and said, "Yeah, I love you and Chandra." I'm so happy I was playing with my camera at the time!

Reading Time

Rubber Band Guns

Grandpa Rob and Grandma Sue gave Bracken and Chandra army men and rubber band guns for Christmas. Brian has as much fun with the new toys as Bracken does! Bracken thinks it is hilarious when he hits one of the army men and they go flying. I love to hear him giggle...then say, "I need more rubber bands, lets do it again!"

Christmas Break in Richfield

Chandra was fascinated by the Christmas tree lights and ornaments. I loved watching her try to grab the ornaments or carefully touch the lights. With wrapping paper she wasn't so delicate. She'd rip into in and try to eat it every chance she got.

My Mom and Dad...good looking parents, huh?

Mom and Grandma Ginger. We had my whole family--My parents, all my brothers and sisters and their families-- together right after Christmas, and Grandpa and Grandma Ellingford came too! We had a fun couple of days together.

We received a lot of new games for Christmas and put them to good use! We played Citadels, Ticket to Ride, Monopoly Deal, and Settler's of Catan: Traders and Barbarians extension. We also played several games of Hand and Foot with Grandma and Grandpa...the girls smoked the guys on that game!

Grandma loved to snuggle and hold Chandra, and Chandra enjoyed all the attention! We went bowling one night and had a great time. It was fun to watch the little kids bowl. They can be crackups!

Christmas in Arizona

Christmas morning: Chandra, Kira, Brian and Bracken. Bracken was so excited to see a little stuffed owl and snow leopard peeking out the top of his stocking.
I love the Johnson family! We had so much fun Christmas morning. Stockings, watching Chandra eat the wrapping paper, sharing presents, making their crazily enormous Christmas breakfast(biscuits and gravy, waffles, french toast, hashbrowns, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, english muffins, orange juice, toast...gotta have everyone's favorites!) church, and lots and lots of games. ` Bracken made his own little bed in the ottoman on Christmas Eve. "I'm sleeping in a manger, just like baby Jesus!"
The Johnson's all LOVE getting their backs scratched. So while we visited one night we did it in a backscratching circle. :) The whole family was together for the first time in years, so we had to get family pictures! Jeff and Niki, Sue and Rob, Kristi, Rick, Melissa, Sally and Mike, Brian and Kira.
Grandpa, Grandma and all the grandkids!
Ben and Chandra, they're just one week apart.
Acting out the nativity on Christmas Eve. Bracken was Joseph, Ella was Mary, and Ethan was the donkey.
Is there any room in the Inn?
All dressed up for acting out the Christmas nativity!

On Christmas Eve morning the adults ran a 5K. The kids had their own little races while we were running.

One morning before Christmas we hiked up Camelback mountain. Chandra and Bracken came with us. We let Bracken walk the whole way and he cracked us up finding pebbles to throw, pointing out all the dogs, and singing little songs at the top of his lungs. We made it all the way to the "18" post.

Bracken was able to play with cousins every day while we were in Arizona. He had so much fun with all of them. Ella and Bracken became best friends and played so well together. Bracken asks if Ella can come play with us or if he can go to her house almost every day now. Too bad they're 8 hours away!

We always try to go the zoo when we're in Arizona. Bracken loves to see the animals, and we usually get culture passes from the library so it's free to go.

We love you family! Thanks for a fun week and Merry Christmas!

On Santa's Lap

No crying this year! Chandra just wanted to check out Santa's beard. Then when Santa asked Bracken what he would like for Christmas, Bracken eyed the bag of treats next to Santa and said, "candy please." He got his wish! (These were taken at our ward party.)