Do you work on Sundays????

Rylie got a gift certificate to get her nails done for her birthday and Skylar was with us

when she went to redeem the gift! So I thought instead of worrying about Skylar terrorizing

the innocent women at the shop who are there not only to get their pedicures and manicures but also to enjoy a few peaceful moments away from kids. I decided to let her get her nails

done also, just to keep her busy. She is super hyper and never slows down so I really

did not know if this would even work but to my surprise...

she did not move a muscle!

She sat so still I even had to convince her it was OK to turn her head for the picture.

So my only question now is...

Will this lady join me in church next week and work her magic on Skylar during sacrament?????

Surprise!!

Rylie nearly didn't make it through her eleventh birthday, we scared her nearly to death at her surprise birthday party! It was an elaborate scheme which her friends helped out immensely! My sister asked her to "baby-sit" so we could set everything up and get her friends over with out her suspecting anything. As my sister was driving her home she asked to borrow a book that I had conveniently had Rylie put in her bedroom that morning. So, as planned she ran in the house, down the stairs and clicked on the light. That was our cue to scream "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" !!!! It scared her so bad it literally took a few minutes for her to grasp exactly what was going on!The girls played Bunko and some other games, eat pizza, giggled and made it such a fun time for Rylie. I really love her group of friends they are the best girls ever! I had let Rylie plan a "party", even to the extent of buying invitations and letting her fill them out. At school she kept talking to her friends about her "party" and they all played along so well, thanks guys you did great!!! She had always said she wanted a surprise party but I don't think she ever thought it would scare her as much as it did!

It was a "Thriller" of a night!!!

The annual Johnston family Halloween party!!!!This year we went as Michale Jackson through the years. We had a great time finding our costumes, I am pretty sure I hit nearly every DI this side of the Mississippi, but we pulled it off. The kids were so excited to show off some of the sweet moves they learned off of

You Tube.
Skylar loved the Bad song and was disappointed when she had to sing ABC 123 instead of her rendition of Bad. But we brought home the best family costume and Rylie brought home the best child costume, so they were thrilled!!!

Austin and Chelsi were buzzzing and Brody was the cutest little bee ever!

They took home the most creative costume award!

Jackson the gladiator with his lovely lady!!!

Laurie and Jody came as tourists! They won the funniest costume award!

Even Venus and Serena Williams showed up looking for a tennis match!
(Husdon and Jolynn)


These two won the scariest costume award! These costumes look a little familiar....

(Grandma and Grandpa)

Daxton and Kelton were Bumblebee and Optimus Prime!

Dallin and Taylor teamed up to pull off the turkey and hunter costumes!

Kadee, Andrew, Alayna and week old Brigsen saddled up and partied all night!

And a Halloween party just would not be a Halloween party without Peter Pan and Tinkerbell!

Tink won the best adult costume!
(Paul and Deanna)

This wicked old witch kept all the kids in line!
(Jana)


Chad, Kori and baby Ellie came as cattle ranchers herding one cute little cow!

This family from Japan joined us and took home the most authentic award!

(Bub, Paige, Brecken, Tate, Avery)

It was a great year and everyone had a fun time bowling, eating , laughing and visiting. Can't wait until next year!

Look whos 4!

It is hard for me to believe that my "baby" is turning 4. She is so much fun, we definitely ended on a good note! She is always happy and loves everything! She wakes up with a smile and keeps us smiling all day, then at night she hops right in bed and falls to sleep with the same ear to ear smile she started the day with! I do not know how we got so lucky but we will keep this one, we have a few other children that may be negotiable, but this one we'll keep!Of course she wanted a picture with the "Birthday Hat"!

Fall Fun!

The Benson Grist Mill's annual "Pumpkin Walk" !!!

All the cousins in front of the original mill.

They have many activities for the kids to do games, crafts, contests, pony rides, hay mazes, fun pumpkin displays to check out. The best part, it is all FREE!



This was Skylars favorite part!

Everyone decorating a cookie!

Fall fun was had by all!

1st grade field trip

Does anything sound more fun than herding a bunch of first graders through the

many, many animal attractions at the zoo! I didn't think so either, so I gladly volunteered to chaperone Davins class! We had a great time!

Chartered buses??? I thought the school district was having cut backs? I guess only

when it comes to teacher pay or smaller class sizes. Apparently field trips are top of the line for funding.

Lunch break! Looking forward to my smashed sandwich and crunched chips.

Good thing I smuggled in a Diet Coke!

It was a nice day, a little chilly but I think it helped the animals to be more active.

Sometimes I think they are sick, but today they were all out and about!!!

My favorite part. Zuri the new baby elephant!

The DARK side!

OK, what do you think????? I finally got the guts up to go dark! Thanks to my good friend and hair stylist Kari, she gives me the confidence to try new things, with out her I would probably still be perming my hair and blowing my bangs up. My three oldest kids like it and after Skylar clarified that I was still her mom she liked it too. She now says "You look just like dad"??? I am not sure about that comment, I hope its just because now we are both brunettes and not that it makes me look manly. Doug likes it, I am sure it is just because it feels like he is sleeping with a new woman!!!lol I am still adjusting to it but its ok, they say blonds have more fun so I guess I will test the theory and find out if my life is less interesting as a brunette!