Johnson Family

Life has been hectic around here this past month with my diagnosis, Kaylee's staff infection, school starting, girls camp, trips, summer ending, etc. - but here is a quick update with pictures. I hope I can catch up soon, so enjoy the fun glimpse into our lives.

Poor Kaylee- I was so glad to have an extra 2 weeks with her before school started, but we ended up laying around with a sore foot. She was on antibiotics for a couple of weeks and her poor foot hurt alot. She is doing much better now, but it still hurts sometimes.

We went on alot of trips in the mountains before school started. Kaylee likes to take the girls for rides and I enjoy being outside driving around my quad.

Our zuchinni this year has been growing like crazy. We have gotten a ton of huge ones. The girls think it is fun to find the biggest.

Taylor has been pretty silly lately, or shall I say always. One night, I needed to go to the store very quickly and did not have time to change Taylor so this is how she went - beautiful tatoos all over her body, 2 different shoes that were 2 sizes to big, some hair done and some hair not. The poor youngest child...

1st day of Kindergarten - Nicole loves her teacher and walking to school every day.

Kaylee had a great first day. Some tears were shed, but not too bad. I miss her alot during the long day, but she is adjusting and so am I.

Love you guys-

The Johnson Family

Hi from the Ranch

It is almost a week since Kim reminded me about the blog and I am finally writing. Most of the pictures I have are from the road trip dad and I made at the end of July. I have alot of pictures, but I want to show all of you the great trip we had and the wonderful part of the country we saw. We left Monday morning the 27th and drove to Crazy Horse then on the Mount Rushmore. We stopped in Chugwater, Wyoming for breakfast. In case you don't know, Chugwater is known for its Chili. We had a beautiful drive to Wyoming, but when we got to Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore, it was raining, but it didn't matter, the scenery was beautiful. We spent the night in Rapid City, and drove to Devil's Tower on Tuesday morning. Devil's Tower was amazing. Geologist have three ideas of why it is there, but none are really sure why it is there. I personally like the Indian explanation. There were 5 or 6 Indians girls in the forest and a bear started to chase them. They climbed on a rock and prayed for help and the rock rose towards the heavens and they escaped the bear and they became stars. The marks on the side of the Tower are from the bear's claws trying to get the girls. When we left Devil's Tower we drove all the way across Wyoming to Cody, where we spent the night. The next morning we drove through Yellowstone Park. We stopped to see the Yellowstone Falls and ran into old friends from Houston, the Davis'. Of course we had to see Old Faithfull.

We had a wonderful time visiting with the John, Ann and their son Mark and his family. It really shows us how small the world really is.

When we left Yellowstone we drove to Jackson Hole, on to see the Tetons, to Swan Valley to see Grandma Mollie's house and the old Lodge. We ended up in Idaho Falls and spent the night there. In the morning, instead of driving right to Salt Lake, we decided to drove to Twin Fall to visit dad's birth place. We drove right to Shoshone Falls. Where dad learn to swim and to water ski.

While in Twin Falls we drove by the hospital where dad was born, the two homes he lived in and his elementary school and the high school where Grandpa McVey taught. On to Salt Lake and a wonderful dinner with goodfriends from Houston. It was so much fun to see our friends from Houston, who all now in Salt Lake, except the Rumseys who will return to Houston after their mission. Ford was also at dinner, but missed this picture.

The next night, Friday, we were able to celebrate Pi'ikeas graduation.

We had a great trip. And it was wonderful to see family and friends and the beautiful country we live in. Another wonderful time was had at my 40th High School Reunion. Mom and Dad pick me up at the Burbank Airport and we drove to Charlie and Maria's for a delicious lunch. Later that afternoon Charlie drove my to Neka's parents house. It was great to see her parents and the house where we had so much fun growing up. Sue pick us up there. Shortly before I flew to LA, I realized my camera didn't work, so only one picture of the reunion and none for the rest of August. We reunion was fun. I think that out of class of 700, there were 60 there, but we were still able to catch up with friends and find out about others. And the best part was visiting with Neka and Sue. To end the month of August, I have to mention that Mollie is with us and busily looking for a job. She can tell you all about it.

Hi - from West Jordan

Hi from West Jordan. This was a fabulous summer. First we went to 7 Peaks. At 7 Peaks we all had fun. Everyone except my mom swam. We went down slides, had lots of food to eat (thanks grandpa) and got sunburned. Abby and Madison drove to Denver with their grandma and grandpa. In Denver we swam, visited our cousins and had a sleepover. It was fun but we forgot to bring clothes to change into the next day. Uncle Warren checked Madison’s teeth and got a new wire and color. This summer we all (except Parker) took swimming lessons. Madison and Abby also took tennis. Look for them in the US Open in years to come! J Now that tennis and swimming are done the girls have started dance lessons. Not only will they be in the US Open, but also on So You Think You Can Dance. J/K Madison is so sad, she finished Harry Potter 7. She loved reading the books and suggests you read them. Madison loves Harry Potter so much that she dreams about it all the time. She is looking forward to next summer to receive her letter to Hogwarts. Abby and Robbie have made new friends, Demi and DeAngelo. Abby, Madison, and Dad went up to their piano teacher’s cabin for a student party. We made memory folders, had dinner, and played games. Last but not least we went to the open house for the new Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple. It was beautiful, especially the star chandelier. Then dad, mom, and Madison went to the dedication. President Monson said the dedicatory0 prayer; it was long, but spiritual. School started last week and we love it. Madison who is in 5^th grade has Miss. Johnson. Abby who is in 2^nd grade has Mrs. Olschiewski and Mrs. Corbett, and Robbie, who just started kindergarten, has Mrs. Odulio. They love school and cry every day when they have to come home.

Go Cougars

First off, Congrats to my BYU Cougars. That was a very fun game to watch.

Well, school just started last week at BYU. So far it has been a typical first week of school. I am taking 15.5 credits, the most I have ever taken, but I think they will be easier classes than what I am used to. This semester I do not have any Construction classes. I am saving the last three for my last semester. This semester I am taking freshman biology and 2nd year History (both GEs). I am also taking a business/financial management class, an organizational behavior class and my lone Provo class is a surveying class. It is a civil engineering class but, it is required for all Construction students to take. So that is school. Also this semester I am not a TA.
The last week of August was my last day at Jacobsen Construction. Before I left I talked with the chief estimator to see what my options were with regards to some part-time work for this semester. Later this week I will be calling him to see if that is still a possibility. He wanted me to give him a week or two to see if anymore projects came up and also assess the need in the estimating department. I loved working there so hopefully there will be an opportunity there.
Pi'ikea is still enjoying school and is busy working on her business plan for her massage practice. She will be finished with school in exactly a month. Right now she is sending her resume to a few of the ski resorts. Most the ski resorts start hiring in October/November and keep the therapist on board until April, or whenever the ski season ends. Which will be perfect timing because I will be graduating in April. Lately Pi'ikea has been volunteering at events to get her name out there. Last week she went to a grand opening of a restaurant and was able to meet up with a promotions company that said they will help her because she volunteered. Anyways, much love to all and hope you enjoy your Sept. Oh and happy birthday TJ.