Steve's Levi Quilt

Steve never ceases to amaze me. I love him so much! At the end of last summer, Steve's new project was making a Levi quilt. He collected jeans a few years ago and finally started to cut and sew. He did the top of the quilt all by himself. I only helped when he was sewing the last parts together.

When the top was finished, he found some material (with help from LaDawna) to put on the other side. Steve bought the supplies to have a quilting frame. Steve, LaDawna, and others tied the quilt. LaDawna is such an awesome mom! She finished Steve's quilt for him! A HUGE THANK YOU, LADAWNA!!!

The finished product

We love our new quilt, and we are so excited to use it. It is so warm and durable; I can't wait to go camping!

Blog Makeover

So, I've been thinking lately that I need to spice up my blog and really make it my own. I keep looking at the cutest blogs and wondering, "How do they do that?" or "Where are they finding these wonderful sites?" So I'm on a quest to make my blog more adorable with links to recipe and craft blogs; pictures of me, Steve, and family; and all that jazz. My good friend and neighbor, Annie, introduced me to some amazing blogs last night. I'm so excited to start my blog makeover. What I would like is some advice and some of your favorite sites. Thanks!

Welcoming the New Year 2010!

Dad, Mom, Janelle, and Janeen surprised us by coming to Spring Valley for New Year's. Of course, the grandchildren stole most of the attention, but we had a grand time and lots of fun!

We played Pictionary New Year's Eve. We drew events that happened to family members during 2009.

We also had some fortune cookies that told us how our 2010 year will be.

New Year's day we hooked up some tubes to the four-wheeler and drove each other around.

My mom, sisters, Riley, and I had a girl's party at my house. We gave foot rubs and watched "Little Women" (a female Johnson favorite).

Erica's Bridal Shower

During Christmas break, Erica had a bridal shower in Enterprise. Its was so fun for me to meet some ladies in the community, and to see my new aunts and cousins. LaDawna, Latara, and Kenni did such a nice job putting it together.

Kenni was in charge of the front desk where she handed out invitations and had the ladies write down advice for Erica.

LaDawna taking care of the food.

Erica had to put gum in her mouth for every question she didn't answer right.

Christmas 2009

Steve and I spent Christmas with the Pickerings this year. Everyone was able to make it, so it was a full house. It was so wonderful to be with everyone. It was my first Christmas away from my side of the family, but I felt like I was home. Eric and LaDawna have a wonderful home, and I couldn't ask for better in-laws!!!

For Christmas Eve, we ate a yummy dinner and popped Poppers (an English tradition).

Then PJ Elf came (see post below), and Erica and Eric read to us some Christmas stories.

Christmas morning we woke up bright and early so Latara could open presents with us before she went to work. Trace didn't like the thought of waking up until he saw all the present Santa brought him!

That afternoon, we went to Royd and Natalie's house to have Christmas dinner with their family and Grandma Darrington. Later on, we played Rock Band.

We had an amazing Christmas!!! Hope you all did too!

P.J. Elf

P.J. Elf came on Christmas Eve, and what did he leave?

Brian Head

On Christmas Eve, the Pickering siblings and their significant others snowboarded at Brian Head. Latara is working at the resort as an instructor, so we weren't sure if she would have a class or not. Luckily, she got to play with us. There were parts in the day where we splitted up into groups, but we got to snowboard together for a bit. Our noses were red and runny, our fingers and butts were cold, but we all had so much fun!!!

It was Jeremy's first time snowboarding. He caught on quick, and we were all impressed!

Kenni coming down the hill with her cute new headband!

The soon-to-be-married couple, Erica and Nick

Jenny and Jeremy

L-R: Kenni, Jenny, Matt, Latara, and Jeremy