Cookies with Grammy

 Ya I know it's January and Christmas is over but not really until I post it on here! Lol:) I'm already playing catch up and the year has just started. But in my defense, December was such a eventful month that I didn't have the time to keep up so take a look back with me and enjoy! 

 Dave grew up decorating Christmas cookies. These aren't your normal cookie. They had the same cutters that they used every year and used the recipe that came with it. The dough has almond extract in it which is awesome and smells darn good! There was a Santa, snowman, stocking, tree and a star. Now they didn't just smother frosting all over them and call it good. They had little paint brushes and made the icing to brush over every detail of the cookie and decorate. To me it seemed like an insane amount of work but I'm not one to mess with tradition!! Fast forward all these years and we have still been using the same plastic cookie cutters from long ago. Last year Grammy some how found these vintage cutters and bought every family their own set. We are all very excited if you can imagine! It's something we look forward to every year and I think it might even mean more to Grammy. Kirsten is a cookie decorating pro and was happy to show Tyler how to exactly do the cookies. They all turned out so well and we had such a fun time! We even threw in a few extras in honor of our Disneyland trip coming up. I'm grateful for so many fun traditions that Dave grew up with!! We have welcomed them into our family along with making some of our own. Cookies with Grammy is always a fun time for all:).

Love my Mama

 Isn't my mom the cutest!!!??? I love seeing pictures of her, it's the best! If I someone posts an old picture of her or the family I save it!! I feel so lucky to live to close, practically down the street from my parents. After I married Dave we moved and lived out of state for about 10 years. It's a long time to be away from home. We had no idea that we end up coming back to Arizona and finding a house not even a mile away from where I grew up. I love being able to zip over there if I ever need anything. We help each other out all the time and I'm so grateful for her. She has been such a wonderful example to me my whole life. She has taught me how to love, how to nurture and how to serve others. Shes a gem!

 All I have to say is holy hair mom:) it's awesome right! 

 Here's my mom and dad after they married. Mom is the far right and Dad is the tall dude:)

I get many urges to can jam or can something to preserve and enjoy later! I get that from my mom for sure. I love to go home and get in her kitchen and get busy. This was a bunch of jam I made and gave out as a Christmas goodie this year. There's just something so great about being back home. I treasure all my moments with my mom. My dad's not so bad either. He's pretty wonderful actually and they make quite the pair! Love all around:)

Nutcracker

 This will be Ashlynn's 2nd year participating in the Nutcracker Ballet. Last year when it was over I swore I wouldn't let her try out again and go through all the craziness. But the time came and she REALLY wanted to try out and do it again. So we caved! Ashlynn's teachers at her previous studio opened up their own place this year so we followed them over. We really like them and are happy with their classes and teaching style. Kylee, Ashlynn's cousin signed up in the same ballet class and also wanted to try out for the play. So these cute girls auditioned together and pretty much had their lives signed away until the show was over. It was exhausting and annoying at times! But when you look at these beautiful girls all dolled up how could we refuse??? They had such a great time together and did such a wonderful job with their parts. Ashlynn was a Little Party Girl and a Gingersnap. Kylee was a mouse, angel and gingersnap. These girls were busy busy!! We had so many family members come to watch the girls it was pretty amazing! What a blessing family is! 

 Aunt Tifani and Payton with the girls

 Alyssa and Grammy 

 Aunt Kirsten and Uncle Brian          Grandpa and Grandma Johnson and Great Grandma Glasgow

 We were so proud of these girls! We couldn't get over how into their parts they were. Ashlynn had more of an acting part with being a little party girl. She was so animated and in the ZONE. It was hilarious and so wonderful to see her so engaged and a part of something. She was a hoot!! They loved being gingersnaps together and dancing together!! When the show was over we all said never again. Its not an inexpensive thing to participate in. It seemed something was coming up that cost money every other week. Probably not that bad but it was a lot. On out way home Ashlynn said, "Can I try out again next year?? I really want to do it and I had so much fun!!" Dave and I gave each other a look and said we would think about it. How could we say no?? It was sure a fun show and we couldn't of been more proud of both the girls!! Great job Ashlynn and Kylee......we love you!!!

First week of December

 I swear Christmas just all of a sudden came around the corner and here we are!! Love this time of year and all the traditions, celebrations, craziness and fun that comes along. Thanksgiving was over and we could barely wait to get out the decorations. We put on our favorite music which consists of The Carpenters, Alabama, Gene Autry, Josh Groban, Kenny Rogers, Micheal Buble and Elvis on constant shuffle. Love the feelings that come into our home when Christmas is here! 

 We are lucky enough to have most of Dave's childhood ornaments from growing up. This is one that I love too see every year....his cute little 5 year old face! 

 I celebrated my 35th birthday! Yikes!! I'm in total denial about this one but oh well. I went out to lunch with my mom and sisters to one of my favorite places, Liberty Market. I also got my lunch for FREE for my birthday. 

 Dave and the kids had their annual EVMCO Christmas Concert. It was AMAZING as usual!! I love to sit there and listen to all their months of hard work and dedication. Its an incredible night that I look forward to every year!!

 Our Elf "Snowflake" showed up on Dec. 1st and the kids could barely contain themselves!! Every morning they wake up and search the house for her before they can do anything else. She didn't get into too much trouble this year but she sure is a fun time! 

Last but not least my man in all his glory putting up the lights around the house. I swear this guy is never dull and keeps me on my toes.....constantly!!! He sure is fun and keeps me laughing!! Our street this year seemed a little bah humbug so I was extra happy to have the lights up at our house! It brightened up our whole street! It was a bust first week of December but it was a good one! 

Goodbye Elder Johnson!!

 It's officially been a week since my brother Andrew left on his mission and reported to the MTC in Provo, UT on November 20th. I can't believe it!! The last 24 hours with him were very sweet and tender moments with my family. He's the baby....the last one to go spread his wings. Now my parents are empty Nester's. There has been a lot of adjustments and changes for them. They've raised 6 children and are now moving onto the next chapter in their lives. The night before Andrew left we all gathered at my parents home along with his Bishop and Stake President and former Stake President who is very close with dad. My dad has been the Stake Executive Secretary for the past 20 years and counting. He's serving with the 3rd Stake President now and they just keep him in his calling. He's so good at it and loves serving. Dad has seen hundreds of missionaries leave from his stake and has also seen many come home early. Preparing my brother for his mission has been a lot of hard work for my parents and Andrew. My other brother Matt has been called to be the Mission Prep Teacher in the same Stake. So Matt got to teach and help Andrew prepare also. Pretty cool! There has been so much emotion and anticipation in Andrew leaving. We knew it was coming. Finally we all sat in the living room together and watched as Andrew was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was given a beautiful blessing from his Stake President. Before we knew it we all needed to get home and get kids into bed for school the next day. All of my siblings had to say goodbye to Andrew that night because they couldn't go to the airport in the morning. It was tough and bitter sweet. 

 Here's Lindsey's sweetie Trevor, Andrew, Dave and Matt. Dave was just getting out of his first Bishopric meeting before he came here! Yes, that's what I said. He was called to be the 2nd Counselor in our new bishopric. What a week this was for us! My little brother was leaving and I had to keep my mouth sealed until Dave's new calling was announced. Andrews farewell talk in church and Dave's new calling happened on the same Sunday. I left my brothers thing for my ward and literally had been crying all day. That week previous I was having so much anxiety. So much to where I couldn't sleep and was worrying and wondering about all kinds of things. My mind was in constant go mode and couldn't stop. By Sunday I felt like all my bottled up emotions came poring out. It was a great day full of family, love and happy tears. Then a couple days later we were here saying goodbye to Andrew. 

 Luckily it worked out to where I could go to the airport. I was bound and determined to go and wasn't going to miss it. I woke up pretty early with Parker and showed up at my parents at 6am. We all loaded up and were on our way. Andrew got all his bags checked and we started walking towards security. Pretty soon we started noticing more missionaries......Elders and Sisters. Mom even ran into a couple people that she knew growing up and had herself a little reunion!!

 Andrew was ready......more than ready. We got up to the check points and he said...."Alright lets go!!" I was like "wait, we have to hug and take pictures and hug and hug!!!" He was getting tired of all the pictures but that's just how we do things. Grandma was taking some, my mom and so was I. He was ready. 

 Dad wanted to be the last one to talk to him. My parents and Andrew stood there together and just held onto each other. It was a sweet moment to see. To see how much love is between parents and their child. I can't imagine how that felt to say goodbye for 2 years. To put full trust in your child and The Lord that all with be okay. I love my parents so much. They are wonderful loving parents that raised us well. That's not to say that we didn't all go off on our own path at times to find our way. They've always loved, cared, supported and been there for each of us through all our ups and downs. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with my own kids and think things are hard and exhausting. I'm realizing now that where my kids are now is the easy part. As they get older is when things will be more difficult. I hope that my kids will grow up to know who they are. I hope they grow up to value themselves and want to make good choices that are pleasing to us and their Heavenly Father. There are so many things to look forward to. So much good ahead. I'm grateful for my family. I'm grateful for my testimony and my knowledge of the gospel. I know it's true. I know I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and that has entrusted me with my life on this earth at this time. I know that my brother deciding to sacrifice 2 years of his life to serve a mission and serve the Lord was the right thing to do. I hope that my sons follow the same example and even my daughter. I want them to know beyond a shadow of a doubt the God lives and that He love them and that His gospel is true. I'm grateful for my brothers example to my children to serve the Lord. I'm grateful for my parents example to me of constant love and service. I'm grateful for my husband in choosing to accept this new calling in our church. I know it's going to be very demanding of his time which in turn means not at home. But I know it's the right thing and I know he was called for a reason. I have faith and trust in that. I know our family will be blessed by him choosing to give of his time and serve the families in our ward. I'm grateful for that. 

After we watched Andrew as far as we could see him we walked back to the car. Dad immediately wanted Parker and put him up on his shoulders. Once we got outside Parker went nuts about the planes. So we took a little detour while mom showed him the airplanes. The drive home was pretty quiet. I knew my dad was having a hard time. He was very quiet but I could see his eyes. They were red and filled with tears. My mom just held his hand. We got back to my parents and said quick goodbyes. When I got to my dad I just gave him a big hug and told him I loved him. We just stood there for a bit and hugged and he patted me on the back. It was the sweetest most tender embrace I've gotten from my dad. I could tell his heart was wide open.  He couldn't speak. He was so full of emotions that he couldn't speak. But I knew he was telling me he loved me too with that pat on my back. I could feel it. I'll never forget it. It was one of the sweetest moments I've ever had with my dad and I'll remember it forever. 

I can't believe this but I'm actually all caught up!!! I've been posting like crazy the past week so if you haven't been here in a while keep scrolling down. I think I've added like 12 new posts. Hopefully I can keep this up!! Thanksgiving is tomorrow......Dave has 4 days home with us and kids have no school!! Sounds pretty good to me!!

Quality Time

 The last few weeks before my little brother Andrew left on his mission, we were able to spend quite a bit of time together. Which I loved. He would come by the house at night and want to watch shows with us that we recorded. We'd hang out and laugh our guts out. He's seriously so dang funny. I remember being his age and always having plans with friends and working and just being busy. When he went through the temple for the first time I was out of town with my family for Fall Break. I felt bad not being there for his first time with the rest of my family. But after we got back we started planning on times to go together. He was encouraged to go as much as possible almost everyday I believe to help him prepare for his mission. This guy was 4 years old when I got married and moved away. It's been 15 years since then and I've felt many times like I've missed out on so much with him. I've missed out on having a close relationship from not living close by. So having this time with him before he left meant so much to me. I'm so proud of my brother. He's such a good young man. We were able to go to the temple together every week sometimes twice a week. I'm thankful for my mom being so helpful with watching Parker so we could go together. We went to visit our Grandma Norma out in Glendale. Which isn't really that far away but for some reason seems to be. I haven't seen her since Parker was a few days old. It was wonderful to see her and visit!! She is one of the most special in my life. I absolutely cherish her. I just need to get my butt out to see her more often. There's no excuses really just gotta do it. I'm so grateful for these times that I was able to spend with my brother before he left. He's such a stud bucket!! 

 Parker doesn't look very happy here but he was really so sweet to Grandma. He would go up and talk to her and wanted to make Lego castles with her. He wasn't shy with her at all which I was worried about. They hung out like no time had past. I love this beautiful lady to pieces.