Yummy sugar cookie tree! Yeah, Jeff got frustrated with the cookie cutters and so we just self shaped this massive sugar cookie tree. It was huge but so good! Too bad Jeff and Calder couldn't and wouldn't wait for the fun decorating or even frosting so it was eaten as is. I was a little disappointed because being the artistic person and precise cook that I am I wanted to make it look like a tree with green frosting and those yummy silver sprinkle ball things and other candies to look like ornaments. Maybe I will try again around Christmas but when the boys aren't around. I don't know though, I have a desire/craving to make my own chocolate jelly roll cake that would look like a yule log. But like the Baskin Robbins kind with ice cream instead of jelly. Oh, and I have finished another quarter and have a nice long break until the next one starts. Hence all of the extra time to do whatever I want, like cooking masterful creations of deliciousness.

Anyone want a pancake? Calder loves pancakes and I always make extra so that he can have them for snacks later. I guess I underestimated the "end of the batter" because I ended up having a pancake as large as the pan. Let's just say that it was the one Calder wanted first.

Happy Super-late Halloween!

Yeah if you can't tell Jeff and I are warrior elves and Calder is a little lion. He did have an elf costume but he didn't want to wear it when the time came to dress up.

Falling Leaves

Well, sorry for the disappointing post with only a loverly photo of us in our monstrous leaf pile. If any of you want proof you must come visit us and see our home video of the huge pile. Hope to post another photo soon of the Halloween pictures, sorry everyone must wait.

Happy Halloween everyone! We did a little more normal pumpkin this year. Calder didn't want a scary one so we made it a happy face. The thing next to the pumpkin is a cool little craft I (Jo) did with a friend. It is a glass canning jar with orange tissue paper glued on it and then black paper on it to make a face. Easy and mess free! Calder even made one but it isn't in this photo. Check back to see our ultra cool costumes in the next week or so!

BODY SLAM! This is a new game that Jeff taught Calder and we tried to catch it on film but the lighting in our house isn't great so it didn't show up. So here is a photo instead of Calder standing on Jeff. The body slam would start with a run, then a jump, and end with a full on body slam by Calder onto Jeff laying on the ground. It is fun for them to bond like this but then Calder thinks he can do it to anyone, even the kids in nursery at church. Not so good. So it is getting chilly over here already and the leaves are falling and we don't have to water our lawn religiously anymore! We knew we weren't really prepared for the changing season because we hadn't turned on the heat when it was a mere 50 degrees, Calder didn't have a warm coat to wear outside, and we hadn't covered our air conditioner outside. Well, we took care of all of those things, and even a little extra. We are excited about the holidays coming up and hope to see some of our family and friends for a time. Jeff is busy up at the lake working to winterize everything and I am still plugging away at my classes. Here is another picture of Calder in his new jacket playing in the garden with his dump truck, or how is says it "bump chuck".

So, how is everyone? Ok? That is good. Just an update, for this will be brief. Jeff didn't get the job in Idaho Falls he interviewed for last week. It's alright, just a little disappointing but obviously that wasn't meant to be. I think at this point we are going to try and go back to school for Jeff's masters. We will see where. Suggestions are always welcome but there has to be an actual Recreation program/degree.
On a happier note. I have started my first real art class online this week and already have used my cool new technology! Well, the picture is actually just a scanned hand drawing but hey I am just getting used to things. Hope to hear from anyone anytime! We miss all of you and hope to see some of you in the near future.

Well it is chilly and the leaves are falling here already and we are so glad that the heat is gone! Jeff has been busy this month with two long out of town trips for work. First Jeff went to a region meeting for 4 days and I (Jo) couldn't go because it was the last week of my online class and thus super busy with homework and a final paper to write. Jeff also got to go to N.R.P.A. (for 5 days) again this year but work paid for it and he got paid like working a normal week. And of course we took a quick trip down to Boise for a preliminary job interview between the two trips. Although the competition looks tough for the position, Jeff really wants it and had an awesome portfolio to give each of the board members who were interviewing him. They really liked it and hopefully they will see Jeff's diligence, eagerness, and strong work-ethic and want him for the job. If it is supposed to happen it will, but only time will tell. If, although, he does get the position we would be moving again. Not only would we move again, but it would be before Thanksgiving. So, we will see what the Lord has in store for us. Stay here or move?
So, I have one quarter and two classes under my belt and the next two classes I get to take I actually get to do graphic design and drawing stuff! I am excited, but we had to spend a good chunk of change to get my equipment. I now have my software ($$$$), a digital drawing tablet ($$$), a scanner ($$), and of course some books ($). Jeff is really good about taking Calder out or away from me so I can work more efficiently.
I am glad the heat is gone, but we were so used to it that now it feels colder, even if it is in the 60's! We hope that everyone is doing well and invite anyone who wants to come to our house (where ever that may be) for Thanksgiving. But first you must have a fun Halloween and make sure and send us pictures of costumes! And check back here for our family costume photos too!

So, this is a video of Calder swinging in the hammock
chair under our carport/patio and he calls it "swinging".
So I hope all will enjoy watching as much as he loves swinging.
No worries to those of you who think this looks dangerous!
We always are watching and present when this takes place
and make sure that he is far enough down that he won't flip
out yet not high enough to choke him. I only wish it was
big enough for me...

Clark County Fair in Washington

TA DAAA! This is Calder's first pony ride and he loved every minute of it! It was well worth the $5.00 fee and he even got to ride the horse he picked out when we were waiting our turn! This is a very momentous event because Calder hasn't really liked horses, but I think now it was only because of their size and he did perfectly with these ponies. The fair was really fun and a little expensive, but thanks to family was well worth it!
We had such a good week in Washington with everyone and can't wait to see everyone else's pictures of the week. For those of you who don't know what we are talking about the Johnson Pack drove over to Johanna's mom's house and did a lot of fun things with some of her siblings, step-family, all of their spouses and of course grand-parents and Great Grandma. We went camping in tents and cooked food on the fire and had tin-din's and s'mores. We went to the ocean and walked around Seaside Oregon. We went to the Clark County Fair and rode ponies, ate good food, and watch the Tough Truck contest (which included vehicles besides trucks, like a Ford tempo and Baja bug). We went to Grandpa Don's retirement community and swam in the pool. We went to our favorite restaurant Little Italy and ate a massive piece of pizza, an Italian soda with cream and of course the chocolate soufflé with sugared pastries to dip in it. We did a lot of different things and it was a great vacation!
Oh, and we celebrated our THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!! Yeah for us!

Ode to Teton

This entry is for Teton. He has been with us since Easter of 2006 and has been a great dog. He has the chance to live with another family in the beautiful location of NW Oregon on hundreds of acres with experienced "active" dog owners. The reason for Teton's relocation isn't because we disapprove of him in any way, it is just easier to find rentals without a dog. So, this is for Teton and the wonderful friendship he gave us and learning experience he challenged to us.

Hello everyone! It has been a hot summer here and we are so grateful for our air conditioner that is ancient but works great. This is a photo of Jo and Calder after church. She realized that in our mass of photos there are hardly any of her that are recent. But we can't resist putting Calder in the picture too.

This is a cute picture of Calder and the dog in the kitchen that Jeff wanted to be posted.

So, it all began in the little college town of Rexburg, Idaho of 2003. We met in our student ward (at church) and hung out in the same groups of friends/room mates. If it wasn't for our friends/room mates we probably wouldn't have dated and seen the potential relationship that we now have.
We were married August 12, 2004 in the LDS Portland, Oregon temple. Jeff and I graduated from BYU-Idaho in April of 2006 and now are in the "real world" trying to become our own family. Calder was born July 1, 2005 and has been such a good boy that we are scared to have any more because we don't see how any child can be as good as he has been. But of course not every day is sunshine and rainbows in the Johnson home. Calder is 2 years old now and that brings its own constant daily challenges, and we are definitely not settled down quite yet. Jo is getting her Bachelor degree in graphic design through an online art college and Jeff is a park ranger for the state of Idaho. As soon as we can, Jeff will be going to graduate school while Jo does her thing in the creative arts field. We like where we are, but we know it won't last too long and we will be up and off on another life changing adventure soon enough! That is all for now, nap time!

This was Calder's choice of taking a nap a while ago and thought that it would be cute to post.

The first one

So, this is what everyone is up to. I, Johanna, liked it so much that I decided to join in on the fun. I have received notices of friends' blogs but never really thought too much to start our own. I must give proper credit to our dear friend Jessica though. She inspired me. I hope people like it!