First Born

Happy birthday to Jenny, our first born child and the perfect one to train first time parents. We learned how to do so many new things with her and our success gave us the confidence to give her siblings. She is smart, talented, generous, and loves her family. We love her back!

Another Year

Today is my first anniversary of this blog and it's also our 36th wedding anniversary. We spent this past weekend in St. George with Jim's parents as part of our commemoration, taking Jenny with us to celebrate her forthcoming birthday. It was a nice, relaxing time allowing me to rejuvenate from a busy summer before starting back to work today. We appreciate Mary and True's hospitality so much. When we arrived in St. George on Friday night it was 101 degrees. When we took our side trip to Cedar Breaks on Sunday it was 45 degrees and windy and raining. We were ill prepared for the change in the weather and had to go to the visitor's center and buy hoodies so that we could enjoy the spectacular scenery. Good times!

Vernal Weekend

Our whole family went to Vernal for the weekend to attend Joel and Emilee's wedding open house. Everything turned out so nice and it was good to meet so many people that were a part of Emilee's growing up years. Unfortunately Adam and Emily had to return home Saturday evening, but the rest of us camped there for the night--some in tents in the Bradley's yard and some in comfortable beds in the Holiday Inn Express. We took a side trip to Dinosaur National Monument the next day and went home via Manila where we had a nice visit and delicious meal with Teresa and Duane. We had a really good time, but it's always nice to be home again.

Cassidy's Two!

It's Cassidy's 2nd birthday today. What a lot has happened in these past two years, but as I predicted she has been a source of comfort and joy to Melissa. How we all delight in this little one and her cute ways. Happy birthday sweet girl!

Reunion

The day after Joel's wedding we took off for a Johnson family reunion in Idaho at the Cub River Lodge. What a great time we had reminiscing, eating delicious food, and just having fun with lots of different activities. There was swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, and much more beyond the things that were planned. Unfortunately my camera stayed in the bag most of the time, so I don't have many pictures. (Someone please share!) The only thing to mar our stay was a nasty bug (violent vomiting kind) going through the entire family. (Luckily, I waited to get it until we got home, but I can honestly say that last night I threw up more in six hours than I have in the rest of my life total!) Thanks to all who planned and pulled this huge undertaking off. Good times!

Happily Ever After

Congratulations to our newest newlyweds! After a wonderful ceremony, delicious luncheon, and beautiful reception, Joel and Emilee are off to Ireland for a dream come true honeymoon. Best wishes to them for a very happy life together!

One of the Good Guys

He may be a little older and grayer, but he's still one of the good guys. I have known him for more than 40 years (which seems a little incredible), been married to him for more than 35 years, and hope to rack up a good number of years with him in the future. My life has been richer because he has been a part of it. My children are so lucky to have him for a father and what a terrific grandfather he is. Happy birthday Jim--and many more!