Adam is getting older!

Yesterday was Adam's 35th birthday. It was such a great day because he didn't have to work and the sky was BLUE!! We took advantage of the blue skies and went skate skiing in Teton National Park. The older kids were at school and our good friend Holly took care of Thomas. It was a treat to be together in one of our favorite places on earth and SKIING!!

When we all got home we had cake first (as per Adam's request) and then ordered pizza. After that we boogied down with the Just Dance Wii. Adam has emerged as the family dance champion, which I hate to admit because that is supposed to be my expertise (what does a Wii know anyway). He did look pretty good though. It was a raving party!! Happy birthday Adam!!!

Oh the magic of Christmas morning!

His name is Gumdrop

We are all excited about Christmas here at the Johnson house. The magic is totally alive amoung the kids. Ella has been saying for two months now that she wants a Makeup kit, some Hello Kitty bandaids, and a new baby "Emily". And even though the Santa at our church Christmas party was the skinniest, quietest Santa I've met.. my boys were talking the whole way home about how the "Skinny" Santa was going to send a message to the real Santa to tell him what they want.
Our friends gave us an "Elf on the Shelf" for Christmas and he has created such excitement around here. We named him Gumdrop. Gumdrop is a little Elf who sits in our house observing to make sure everyone is being good. At night he comes alive and flies home to the North Pole to report to Santa. You're not allowed to touch him or his magic will be gone. Every morning he is in a new spot in the house and it is such a thrill to see the kids look for him and speculate how he is able to fly and how he sneaks out of the house, etc. They are such believers!!! Adam and I can't help but have a sparkle in our eyes watching them. I even caught Sam trying to Whisper something to the elf because he can keep your secrets.
This is such a wonderful time of year! Every Sunday we have been doing our German tradition of Weinachtskranz. We light one candle out of four on our little wreath every Sunday until Christmas. We sing Christmas songs, talk about what Christmas really is about, and of course have a yummy treat.
The countdown is on. Next week we will drive to Salt Lake to spend Christmas with our extended family. All my siblings and their kids are sleeping at my parents' house Christmas Eve. It will be wonderfully Chaotic and fun, I am sure.

Tommylicious!!

I'm so in LOVE!!!

Little Thomas has stollen my heart. I am totally obsesed with him! He looks at me, with those innocent eyes, like I am the greatest person in the world. He just sparkles!! He is smiling a lot and we talk to eachother in our own little language.
His hair has had quite the evolution lately. I actually gave him his first haircut today because it keeps falling out anyway. It was so thick and cute when he was first born. Then it went to "comb-over", to Mowhawk, to really tall spikes. Now he is "buzz head". I'm not sure which one is the best. Either way, he is so adorable, lovable, kissable, and sweet!

Have you ever made Fondant?

I made fondant for the first time today. I am the Activity Day leader for the girls 8-11 at church. We meet every other week to learn something, do some sort of service, or activity. I have been doing this ever since moving to Jackson and I love it! Today we decorated cakes and it was a powdered sugar mess. They all were excited about it though. My own kids were excited about it too. I thought I'd share some pictures of their creations.

After the fondant, we played jump rope. I checked a book out from the library with some jump rope rhymes. We found some fun ones. The hit of the day was...."Not last night but the night before, 24 robbers came knocking on my door. When I ran out (the person runs out of the rope), they ran in (then they run back in), and they hit me on the head with a rolling pin. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTU are OUT!" I love jump rope!! I'm so glad I can do it again now that I am not pregnant.

It was a beautiful big blue sky today. It was warm! I need to soak it in because rumor has it snow is coming soon!! Yikes!!

Things we love about the Fall....

Crisp air, the golden leaves against the big blue sky, peaches, apple crisp, the anxiety we feel to get outside and enjoy the splender before it is over, going to the case- lot sales and stocking up like little squirrels, the smell of decaying leaves, pumpkins, squash, and soups. We love the Fall!!

This Fall we have been going for walks and runs on the mountain trails. Adam and I have gone together when the kids (all but Thomas) are in school. That is definately a perk about Adam's ever changing schedule... he is home during the week sometimes!

This morning was the annuall Pumpkin Sale in the town square. One of the benefits of living in a small town is that you go the the events in the square and you know most the people. It feels safe. It feels like home. The kids were of course excited to pick out a pumpkin. They also got their faces painted, made some crafts, and drank hot chocolate. It was a beautifull morning!

Thursday, we had wood delivered for our woodstove. We are so excited to come in on cold Jackson days (which are many) to the crackling sound of a fire. Thursday night we lit our first fire and read stories next to it before bed.