Visting Daddy's Work on Halloween

Visting Daddy's Work on Halloween
*did you catch the not-too-happy Mason?

Monday, January 9, 2012

Our Holiday Season




Pictured: Johnson in his green birthday hat from preschool. Johnson with friends on his birthday at the Legacy Pool. Johnson with his Transformer cake. London posed in front of the Christmas tree. Mason and Johnson showing off the gingerbread house. Daddy and kids coming down the stairs at Mawmaw and Pawpaw's Christmas morning. Mason playing with the train Santa brought. Johnson smiling in front of the tent set Santa brought. London climbing in the tent. The boys showing off the marshmallow snowmen they made. Kate and London bundled up against the cold at a visit to Gardner village. Mawmaw posing with the boys in front of the Elves cottage at Gardner village.















We were very blessed this holiday season to spend time with our family and friends. Christmas was delightful and we enjoyed our time with the Lukes', mom and dad, Meg, Mike, and Kate as well as a visit from my cousin Katlyn.
The most fun we had was with our family. A trip to Temple Square to see the lights, making and decorating a gingerbread house with the boys, creating marshmallow snowmen, hot chocolate, reading Christmas stories daily, baking and delivering treats to neighbors and friends, sharing memories with the extended family, special dinners, and Family Home Evening's were just a taste of all that was good this season.
The best thing that could have started out the holiday season, happened on Dec. 2nd. We celebrated Johnson's 5th birthday! We did a family party with pizza, cake and Transformer cake and the next day Johnson and two of his friends had a great time swimming at the Legacy center. We love Johnson and are grateful we are his parents. Here is a list of things that describe him:
-Ever patient and kind, he always finds time to help Mason put his shoes on or pick London up if she needs a squeeze. He is our biggest helper and takes that job seriously.
-He loves to read and will sit for hours listening to Mommy read or books on tape. He always asks wonderful questions about the characters and is good at predicting what will happen next.
-Johnson is a great friend to his siblings and his friends as well as to Mommy and Daddy. Recently, while at Temple square, Mommy asked to hold his hand. Johnson asked, "Is it because your hands are cold?". Mommy replied "Yes", afraid that is she didn't he might not hold her hand. Johnson held her hand and with his teeth, pulled the glove off his free hand and handed it to Mommy saying, "Here mom, this will keep your hand warm." He is a great example.
-He loves the gospel and is always excited to tell about what he is learning in Primary. He shares his testimony with us and we can just get a glimpse of the great man he will become.
-Always ready for a good time, Johnson is constantly ready for the next fun thing we will do as a family. He always has great suggestions for what we could do that would be fun. He is famous for saying, "Mom, one day we should go do ________." Often that day finds us sooner than he thinks!
-Johnson is honest. When he has done somthing wrong, he is quick to apologize and make amends.
-He loves Power Rangers, the Super Hero Squad, Transformers (although he has never seen the movies;), and his Toy Story blanket and puppy.
-His favorite meal is macaroni and cheese with summer sausage. For breakfast, he loves pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes and his favorite dessert is homemade cookies or ice cream. He is not a fan of cake- just like mom!
-We love when Johnson gives us hugs and kisses and especially when he explains what he is thinking. This is usually done with much hand motion and facial expression.
-Johnson loves playing outdoors and wearing basketball shorts. He cannot wait for Spring to come around and is always disappointed when Mommy reminds him that it is far away:).
-We love Johnson and the kind, generous, thoughtful, sweet, loving, good, and special little man he is. We are grateful to have him in our lives and look forward to the coming years with him. Happy Birhtday Johnson!
Mommy, Daddy, Mason, and London

Monday, November 28, 2011

We Give Thanks...




This month of November, our family made a "Thankful Garland". For each day of the month, we each picked an item we were thankful for and wrote it on a leaf to add to our garland. Here are some of the things that we said:
I Am Thankful For-
*my blankie
*my dog Boomer
*my bed
*my bike
*my sister, brother, mommy and daddy
*my kids
*our house
*our food
* our clothing
* the Gospel
* our Savior, Jesus Christ
*pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes
*my birthday
*playing outside
*my healthy body
*my friends
*my cousins
*Maw-Maw, Paw-Paw, Grandma, and Grandpa
*my puppy and pup-pup
*EACH OTHER.
We hope all of you had a fabulous Thanksgiving. We are grateful for each of you and the part of our lives you have become and will continue to be. Above all, we recognize all our blessings come from a loving Heavenly Father and our greatest gift of the Atonement has been lovingly given by our Savior. We love each other and are thankful for this life.
John, Rachel, Johnson, Mason, London, (and we had to include Boomer on this one;)
*pictured: London eating Banana Creme Pie, Johnson the Pilgrim and Daddy posing after Johnson's Preschool Thanksgiving Feast, Mason and Daddy riding a ride at Trafalga;)

Friday, November 11, 2011

This is Halloween...




The month of October flew by our house and we had the best Halloween season yet. The kids and I really worked hard on the decorations for our house and the kids really appreciated the spider webs I do all over the house;). We started the month working in our Ward's garden collecting beans, tomatoes, squash and bunches of corn stalks that still adorn my festive porch. The boys were a little skeptical about going to work in the garden...especially the "work" part! After all the work however, the boys had a tremendous time racing through the corn stalks and playing hide n seek. They were really sad to leave but I promised them we would go again next year.
Our first October Monday night lent itself to a trip to a local pumpkin patch to get our family pumpkins. We even picked a "london-sized" one perfect for her tiny hands. Kids were happy and we were happy to donate to a good cause since all proceeds go to the Perpetual Education Fund that helps fund education for those who need it.
Johnson's preschool scheduled a trip to a local pumpkin patch that boasted a mini petting farm, hay ride, mini maze, corn stalk tunnel, and hay trampoline (yes, a trampoline of hay). The kids had a great time seeing the animals and more than once Johnson had to go fish a lost kid out of the maze (he is the tallest and brightest in his class-both facts to me!). Mason got all wide-eyed when the farmer announced that the Pumpkin Fairy had visited and hidden pumkins for them to find. And find they did! It was a great day filled with new memories.
We had a great opportunity to revisit the cabin for the last time this season and we had friends in tow. The Ratliff's and Morgan's joined us for a truly fabulous trip. The 8 kids had a blast playing with each other and despite the chilly weather, we still had a lot of fun touring and shopping West Yellowstone, viewing Old Faithful, having a bonfire, playing games, watching movies, and eating loads of junk! It was an awesome trip and we are grateful to John's family for their generosity in letting us use their beautiful cabin.
The first annual Luke Halloween Party was held at Grandma and Grandpas house and couldn't be beat! Everyone pitched in with spooky-fun crafts and games and grandma made sure the ghouls had full tummies with good things to eat. Everyone dressed up for the occasion and we all had a splendid time. We are already looking forward to next year!
Mom's school hosted a fun carnival that the kids and I attended. The kids had a great time running through the bounce houses, sliding down the shark slide, and riding the train. The evening was complete with pizza, snowcones, and cotton candy- thanks Maw-Maw! We had a great time!
All our fun culminated on the week of Halloween. We threw another rockin party complete with a scavenger hunt this year. All guests agreed that the scavenger hunt must be a repeat for the next year. We had a great turn out and gave out great prizes- we love doing that party! We then got to celebrate big time with our kids Halloween day with a visit to Grandma Mary's apartment and daddy's work where we were able to deliver spooky treats. That night, after crazily selling our van minutes earlier, we enjoyed a night of much treating and just a few tricks as John and Paw-Paw led the kids in Trick or Treating and I held the fort down at home. John let me know that Johnson kicked it into high gear this year by sprinting to at least 3 houses for every 1 he and Mason did. I am glad my son enjoys Halloween as much as his mom! London the pirate, Mason a.k.a "Spiderman", Batman Johnson, Jailbreak John, and Pirate Rachel bid you all adieu...till next year!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Princess London's 1st Birthday









What a wonderful birthday London had surrounded by her family! Thanks to all who came to the birthday dinner and made it so special;). Also, big thanks to all the gifts (especially clothing) and cards- we really appreciate it and so does London....she just can't express it!
Check out her gorgeous party dress that Maw-Maw bought her. I had so many compliments at church on that dress and when I went to put it on her, she just kept giggling and playing with the skirt. We didn't chance the party dress at cake time (the cakes looked like crowns) and London got a quick bath in the kitchen sink after downing two pieces of cake.
As tradition, we have come up with a list of things we love about London:
-She days "daddy" and it melts John's heart soooo fast!
-She has her wide-leg walk that we crack up at
-Her curly hair is to die for;)
-We love how cute her two front teeth when she smiles but not when she bites!
-Her snuggles are so sweet
-Her voice is so soft and feminine....except that is, when one of the boys takes away a toy from her and she feels the need to chew them out.
-We love that she is not a picky eater and that she is the perfect sleeper
-She loves books and we love when she reads them and doesn't rip them!
-We love that she is our daughter and sister.
We feel so truly blessed to have London as part of our family. She is a sweet and special spirit that brings much joy, love, and fun into our lives. We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for entrusting one of his choice daughters in our care. We love you London and Happy Birthday!
Love, Daddy, Mommy, Johnson, and Mason

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Mason's 3rd Birthday









Thanks to all for the birthday cards, presents, and wishes for Mason's 3rd birthday was so wonderful! He had a friend party and a family party complete with water games, jump house and of course cake and ice cream. We did toy story cupcakes for friends and a buzz lightyear spaceship cake with buzz on top. Do you see Mason taking off in the window? We completed the night with pizza and he really had a special birthday thanks to all of you!
We are so grateful for our sweet little Mason man! He is truly a choice spirit of our Heavenly Father and John and I are so grateful that the Lord entrusted us to raise and love him. Here are some things we love about Mason:
-He gives the greatest "anaconda squeeze" hugs
-He calls London, "ister"
-He smiles.....always:)
-He shares with those who want or need something
-He is quick to say he is sorry
-He is tender to someone when they are hurt
-He says "I love you" at random and appreciated times
-He is his big brother Johnson's best friend
-He is his little sister London's biggest protector
-He gives mommy the 5-point kiss;)
-He is our "chocolate" man
-We love to catch him quietly reading
-He is a bundle of energy
-He is a friend to everyone
-He is our wonderful, talented, independent, loving, caring and special son.
We love you Mason! All 3 years you have given us joy and we look forward to all the joyful years ahead.
Love, Mommy, Daddy, Johnson, and London

Johnson First Day of Preschool


Johnson was excited to start September with Preschool. His teacher is Mrs. Ari and he goes for 3 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. His favorite things to do at Preschool are play on the trampoline and tunnel, reading books, and doing sidewalk chalk. We are so excited for Johnson!

August











We had a wonderful August and I am ashamed I haven't posted it until now! Our crowning event was, of course, our second cabin trip which ended up being just our family. We detoured at bear world on the first day of our trip and the kids had a great time seeing bear cubs, petting dear and goats, riding rides and viewing 40 bears, elk, one moose, and some bison all from the saftey of our car. It was well worth the money!
As usual we shopped Yellowstone, visited the park, rafted the river and rode four wheelers. We were able to meet up with our friends the Hunts who own a cabin nearby and participated in most of the activities with them (along with late night movies, games and treats:). We all had a great time!
We hope you like the pics!