A month in Richfield

We had a month in between the time we needed to move out of our Cedar City home and the time we could move into our new home in SLC.  My wonderful family helped us pack all our belongings into my dad's snowmobile trailer, and let us stay with them until we could move.  Brian started medical school at the University of Utah two weeks into our stay, so he stayed with his sister and brother-in-law during the week so he could go to class, then came back to Richfield to be with us for the weekends. 

I loved being able to spend time with my mom and siblings.  My kiddos adore their aunts and uncles.  And Chandra thought "Gramma Lisa!" was the best ever.  My mom snuggled and held Chandra, blow dried her pajamas and wrapped her in blankets, and taught her to sing songs.  Every time Chandra sings, "You are My Sunshine" now, she pauses to tell me, "Gramma Lisa likes that one."

Taking a walk around the storage units...they play so well together!

Chandra and Pinno the goat...this goat is pretty much a pet who will eat anything, get out of any fence, and let the kids ride on her.  I think she's the most annoying animal on the farm, but the kids like her. 

Chandra and Aunt Sarah...can I just say now that Sarah is the best!? She helped with the kids all the time, makes super yummy food, and is just fun to be around. 

Why is it that boys turn every stick into a sword? 

This knight has a goat for a steed.

Dallin and Pinno

Bracken and Chandra loved being on a "farm." One of their favorite activities is gathering the eggs.

 Chandra always wanted to feed and tried to hold the chickens...

 ...Bracken tried to lasso them.

Here's Dallin using Pinno as a bucking bronco.  She'd usually spin in circles until he fell off. 

My family is wonderful! We had so much fun with them, but we are so glad to be back with Brian now!

Pine Creek

This is another slot canyon in Zion's we've been trying to hike through for several years.  But it either stormed and flash flooded, we couldn't get a permit or a rope that was long enough, or I had a newborn or a broken collar bone. This year we finally made it!  Breonna, Ryan, Seth, Mason, our friend Royce, Brian and I were able to go. The slot canyon was deep with twisted narrow walls, a short freezing soak, and the final 100 foot free fall repel.  At the end of the hike there was a pool deep enough to rock jump into a few times. Then we had to hurry back to Richfield so Mason could spend his last evening with his family before heading to the MTC the next morning! We're glad he got to come with us. 

4th of July Weekend

Happy Independence Day!  We had a Johnson get-together here in Cedar.  Our 4th of July's together are becoming an annual affair, and we all love it.  The Phoenix Johnson's get to escape the crazy Arizona heat, and all get to party! So here are some pictures from our weekend filled with the parade, BBQs, city fireworks, board games, swimming at the reservoir, late nights visiting, cousins playing, and of course, our own fireworks show. Thanks for coming to visit everyone!

Mystery Canyon

We've been trying to get permits to hike Mystery Canyon for the last three years.  It's a canyon in Zion's National Park with 11+ repels (15 this time), difficult down climbing, two 130 foot repels into water, and an 8 mile hike.  It was awesome!  My brothers Ryan and Seth and their friend Mason came with Brian and me. Our only mishap was that we ran out of water 2/3 of the way through, but once we got wet and could jump in the spring and river we were okay. 

Little Mommy

Chandra loves her baby dolls and stuffed animals.  One of her favorite things to do is kiss them goodnight, put them to bed, and snuggle them with blankets...over and over and over.  I think she's adorable.

Happy Birthday Brian!

 For Brian's birthday this year we had two full days of celebrating.  His favorite breakfast of homemade Egg McMuffins, geo-caching, camping, more geo-caching, going out to lunch, his favorite chocolate cake, and then a date with me to see "Man of Steel."

Bracken and Tyson found part of an old stump and played with it for hours.  They sawed on it with sticks and pretended it was a boat and a race car.  They're pretty creative.

Bracken would periodically disappear into the tent for a few minutes to snuggle with his blanket "Star Light Blue."

Using sticks to peel all the old bark off this fallen tree.  It's so funny how dirt, sticks, and trees are so entertaining for little kids. :)