THE MOVE

Steve and I love the ranch. We lived close to beautiful mountains, the traffic was great, and our little honeymoon cottage was perfect for us. Steve loved being a farmer. He got to work with his brother, drive tractors, and be outdoors. I loved my job in town being a dental assistant. I had a great boss and fun co-workers. We lived by the majority of our nieces and nephews and were able to see them a lot. Steve let me have a cat that could come in the house. We had fun Primary callings in our branch. Our neighbors (though few in number) were great friends.

We were missing a few things in our life. Steve needed an education. So after two years of thinking about it, we moved. It was hard. We love the ranch (like I said before). It was a huge leap of faith, but now we live in Orem, Utah, and Steve will be starting school in the summer to become a pilot. We both have good jobs and a cute apartment. Now we have to lock everything we open and close. We deal with traffic. We still live in a branch. The distance to the grocery store is ridiculously close.

We left the comfort of the ranch to better our lives. The next few years will be challenging, but in the end, it will be for the best.

Christmas Through Our Eyes

Christmas went by in a whirl-wind! We packed up all our things and moved to Orem, then we turn around and head to Enterprise. We sure did have some fun though. We got to Enterprise late Friday night. Steve had to show off to the family how he could kick the mistletoe. Of course, it became a competition.

On Christmas Eve I got to spend a few minutes with the Israelsen's. That afternoon we watched Sherlock Holmes 2 in St. George. We had a nice Christmas dinner then bundled up to go outside. Eric and LaDawna put some bales together in the shed, where the Locke family portrayed Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. The Foremasters and Grandpa Pickering and Grandma Darrington all gathered together to sing a few Christmas carols.

After some hot coco back at the house, PJ Elf surprised us with custom made Pickering shirts. They were awesome. Then we played Minute-to-Win-It games.

On Christmas morning, I think my favorite part was watching Nixon. Steve spoiled me with boots, kitchen appliances, and chocolate. I got him the tv series House, a new belt, and a book about his motorcycle races last summer.

Later that night we were invited to Royd's for some yummy food and XBox Kinect games.

Next morning, the kids went to Anti Gravity. There were lots of trampolines. And dogdeball. I'm not one who is crazy about it, but it was fun watching my Pickering siblings play.

Steve and I had to leave that evening because of work. It was definately short and sweet and awesome.

Gobble, Gobble

Thanksgiving was in Malta this year, (I mean 2011) and we had a blast. We had a fun filled Thanksgiving Day with the dinner, Turkey Hunt, and opening some Christmas presents early. Latara and Kenni had spent the day with us, which was way fun. We played on the Razor, and Steve and I took our Christmas picture with the 8285 tractor. The ladies then went to the Elba craft show.
Later that night, the Johnson girls participated in their first Black Friday shopping. We hit Walmart first @ 11:00PM which was crazy. We split up, and Sara and I went to Macy's where we waited outside until midnight. Then we went to Shopko, where we waited in line for 1 hour and 1/2. We stayed at Rick and Janelle's for the night and woke up to a splendid breakfast Rick and Janelle made for us. We shopped a little more, then I ate lunch with Dad and Steve at Upper Crust while the girls went home.
Aunt Vickie and Grandma Spencer came for a visit later on Friday. Then we played Don't Eat Pete with the family. On Saturday, we went to Zumba, Jacalynn's bridal shower, and played Steve's new card game.
Our Thanksgiving weekend was filled with family, fun, shopping, and yummy food. I'm thankful for my awesome family and all the fun memories we have created.

Steve made dutch oven potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner.

I made the more traditional mashed potatoes. (Notice the hair is still in curlers!?!)The FamilySteve with his sisters, Kenni and Latara

Rick and Alex prepared weeks to perform a Christmas song for us to get us in the spirit before we open presents.Steve and Riley looking at her new book.Steve and Elliott playing "Don't Eat Pete!"While at the bridal shower, Steve cut down a tree, then he stacked it back up! He says, "I cut 'up' a tree."

A Very Merry 22nd

I love purple. I love temples. I love family. And once in a while I love my hair straight.

So how does a husband put together a birthday for his girl that is turning 22?

Put it all together.

He totally surprised me with a new hair straightener (with help from Erica).

He asked my parents to come down to southern Utah to celebrate my birthday.

He asked his parents to put together a yummy dinner.

He asked the Israelsen to come eat the yummy dinner with us.

Steve and I met my parents in St. George and went to the temple. We then ate at a delicious, chic bakery called Kneaders, which Steve was totally NOT into.

Later that evening we ate an AWESOME dinner that LaDawna made. She also decorated the dining room with purple. My mother in law is good to me. Israelsen's came over to celebrate with us.

My parents are awesome. My in-laws are awesome. My hubby is awesome.

It is going to be an awesome year.

More Halloween...

With much going on, I am playing catch up.

Ducky eating pumpkin guts. Is that normal?

The cutest pig around.

Little Santa Claus

A Time When Adults Can Dress Up!

Steve's Jack-o-lantern and my hissing cat

Since Steve was the only one to see my Halloween decorations this year, I wanted to share them with you.

I'm a big fan of black and white Halloween decor.

This year I got to dress up TWICE! For work, we went with the cowboy- western-1800's theme. My coworker Kathleen was the camp cook. I wore a dress that I played dress up in when I was little. I also had Steve's hat and my boots.

That night, Steve and I passed out candy at the Stake Trunk-or-Treat. Steve was a cowboy, and I changed into a "cute" witch.

I got this hat idea from Mummsie. Just spicing up the plain ole black hat with some ribbon and flowers. It didn't turn out as cute as hers, but I still LOVE it.

Girls' Weekend

We Johnson girls like getting together once in a while. Janelle suggested we meet together for the Relief Society Broadcast. Jen suggested we meet in St. George and go to Little Mermaid at Tuachan. The rest of us agreed. We made plans and arrangements. Jen couldn't come to the show because of a family funeral. We missed her a lot. So I showed up in Enterprise a little earlier and was able to spend time with Jen and her kids before they left town. We watched Charolette's Web and had some cookie dough shakes at Marv's. Jen gave her ticket to LaDawna, so I was able to have both of my Moms there. LaDawna and I met up with Mom, Janelle, and Janeen in St. George where we ate at Guns and Barrells. We then saw Little Mermaid. I just LOVED the production! And Tuachan in GORGEOUS! I wouldn't mind going there every year to see a show.

The next morning I went shopping with my mom and sisters in St. George. We got some cute clothes and yummy chocolate. We ate at one of my favorites: Mongolian BBQ. After a little bit more shopping, the Idaho clan headed back up north. That evening I went to the Enterprise to watch the Relief Society Broadcast with LaDawna and Grandma Darrington.

It was great to spend some time with the women I love! Thanks everyone for the great weekend!