Kicking off the Season With Stitches...

So we had the discussion with the kids about the danger of pulling of the stockings because if the stocking holder should fall and hit you, it could really hurt you badly. Everyone seems to get it right...o.k Ella's only 2 1/2, but she's sharp...as was the metal pine comb she pulled down on her head about 5 hours after our little talk. Just imagine the scene...I hear a thud followed by a scream followed by my two older children freaking out far worse than the wounded 2 year old. Clearly my warning earlier had left an impression and with the blood running down Ella's face they were sure her life was ending. Good thing Mom stayed cool, calm and collected and let everyone know the only one that should be crying is Ella and we ALL need to pull it together! Needless to say we ended up in the insta-care with two puncture wounds to the forehead...bless her scrappy little heart!


"I did it..." she announced as she came home from getting stitches.


"Just a cute picture of Ella's random personality"


"Before this whole episode went down, we had promised Ella ice cream that night for some significant progress she had made in her potty training...I'll leave out those details, so after she was done being stitched up she looked up at me with her flaming red cheeks "we getting ice cream Mom" you betcha kid, you definitely earned it!

So Much for My Blogging Spurt!

Well...just cause the moment has come and gone along with the Holidays does not mean I can't "back blog" right? When it hits me it hits me, and until then I just let the pictures and the memories mount. So here's to catching up...

Faces I'm so Thankful for...Thanksgiving 2009

This was a sweet moment with "favorite Uncle Lynn" that I just had to capture. Lynn is like a Grandpa to these kids...they adore him and all the fun he provides. This was him giving a tutorial on the Violin...patient man I must say!

A little Rusty with the Blogging...

Well...I guess you know your rusty when you have a brain freeze on how to download pictures...has it been that long? Plenty has been going on with school, sports, dance, sick kids, holidays and just family life, but I don't seem to be a diligent student when it comes to blogging, I'm more of a "spurter" if you will, I go through spurts...maybe I'm about to hit one!


My little soccer star...I have to say my little Ava girl shocked all of us this season and came out on FIRE! She was a bit "carefree" last year so we weren't excepting the aggressive streak she came into...you go girl...oh and how about those uniforms...I love it!



This was a snapshot from our first outing out back to our fire-pit...we've been working on it for about two summers, and it looks like it will be a third before it's done, but hey it's usable!

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Ella started her dancing career this fall...she has to be doing whatever Ava is doing. Last year it was all I could do to keep her out of the dance studio while we waited for Ava, so this year when she got to put on a leo and go to her own dance class, let's just say anyone who knows this little cat, knows she was in her element. She seriously doesn't stop smiling the entire time!


Alec seems to lean slightly to ghoulish side when it comes to Halloween, no super hero's or character costumes for him...so this is what we got...Skeletar, whoever that is!


So I'm feeling guilty that I've always sort of dictated what Ava is going to be for Halloween...she hasn't ever really put up a fight so each year I kind of just keep going for it. Well this year I found Little Red Riding Hood and just knew it was for her...she on the other hand busted Mom this year, she would tell everyone when they asked what she was going to be "well I'm being Little Red Riding Hood because my Mom is making me" oops...game over, but come on, how adorable!

Last of all our little Dorothy...she would wear anything as long as she can spin around in it and look "beuful" as only she can put it! As you can see the sparkley shoes were the highlight for her, oh and carrying around a dog in a bag, don't under estimate that!


The threesome just before the big Halloween party at Grandma Karen's...always a highlight of the month.

Ending the Summer...Beginning the School Year!

Every summer we have an annual cookie sale where Mom slaves away in the kitchen making cookies, and Alec and Ava reap the rewards from the sale. O.K, I'm sounding a little bitter, it's actually completely worth it, but I think I need to negotiate a cut. I pushed it off all summer and finally Alec said last Saturday "we are doing the cookie sale today, or I'm going to just find something else to sell" I was worried about what he might take to the streets so I got on it!




Alec and Ava putting on their best smiles...got to earn those sales


A shot of the sales team taking a water break!

Now it's back to school time, it's always a love/hate feeling! The fighting that is part of a brother sister duo...that I won't miss, but the fun quality time just hanging out being together...that I will miss! Both Alec and Ava have great teachers and we're excited to get back into the swing of school.


Alec putting his cool face(well trying)on...he soooo knows this drill, after all he is starting the 2nd Grade!



My little Ava girl, Kindergarten has arrived! I'm so excited for her and the fun she will have. I have her in morning session which made it easy on Mom, I still feel like I have my buddy most the day, first grade is when I have my melt down, 11:30 is here before you know it!



Ella has to be part of all action that takes place in this family...this 3rd child is NOT being left behind for anything!



Well...I guess she does get left behind for some things. This is her every morning after she has tried unsuccessfully to jump in with the carpool. Back pack on and ready to go, this has been our morning everyday since school started...she loves her Aggie(Alec)and Ava!

Some things just never get old...

So once a year the entire Johnsen clan descends upon St.George to leave it's mark, and oh do we leave it. Every year it's the same stuff swimming, hiking, biking, volleyball, lot's of eating and cousins, cousins, cousins! Truly, if I could rent some of these cousins just to have at my beckon call all summer long, I would. The kids honestly go 24/7, come check in for food every once in awhile, maybe give a holler if someone gets hurt, but they just love the tradition of being in St.George with family. Thank you to Grandpa and Grandma Johnsen for making the wonderful memories happen...until next time!

Getting our Run on...Washington style!

Zachary and I had the opportunity to do a race in Washington State last month with some good friends. We stayed with a friend whose parents have a home on Whidbey Island and he put together a team to run the Northwest Passage relay race. I had no idea what a treat I was in for...an absolutely breath taking island full of huge green trees and the ocean...the ocean makes everything better. We had such a wonderful time relaxing for the first few days taking in all the beautiful scenery and just chilling before we had to go run our guts out and not sleep for over 24 hours. Let me just say as far as running goes...I need to move closer to the ocean...oh the difference!


The running gang, Tim and Jamie Short, Jason and Katie Roberts and me and Zach.


The "baton" pass...this was really fun for Zachary and I to be able to pass off to each other...some good bum slaps!


A good scenic moment...which were plenty!


Jamie...literally getting hosed by a tattooed covered man. This was no spritz, it was a full on shower...thanks for the good laugh Jamie!


Seriously...the beauty was priceless! It helped distract from the mountains that wouldn't stop!


I always have to capture my favorite slogans from these races, and this one totally took the cake...the back said "Honk if you love buns"

Some Summer Catching Up...

Well...I never claimed I would be good at this blog thing, I kind of seem to do it all in clumps, so here goes my "clump" if you will for summer. I know every summer we all sit around and say...where did it go, but really what happened to all my big aspirations for projects, getting my yard in ship shape order or I don't know reading a book. Well other things got in the way like swimming, racing, camps, trips, BBQ's and spending time with friends and family, the good stuff right, who needs projects anyway!

Ava learning to ride her bike with her Dad...this moment never ceases to bring a big smile on a parents face...except for when she forgets to peddle and comes crashing to the ground, but hey this is a blog we only show the highlights...right!





Alec had the opportunity this summer to attend the Johnsen and Johnsen basketball camp for this first time. He thought he was in hog heaven hanging out with his Aunt, Uncles and cousins all week playing ball...definite highlight of the summer for him.


Little Ella doing her self-taught posing anytime a camera is flashing...just cruising along trying to keep up with the gang!


Ella has discovered "bling" or accessories, what have you, and let me tell you, girlfriend has is going on! Leaving the house now is not only where are my keys and bag, I have to make sure my two year old has glasses, bag, keys and her cell phone...oh and it better be charged...no it doesn't have a working phone number for anyone who was worried!