Halloween Adventures

Faster than a speeding bullet (okay, maybe just for me, but he ran away from me, and I couldn’t catch him)
More powerful than a locomotive (Just look at him push that thing!)
Can leap buildings in a single bound (Well, sort of..we are still working on the jumping bit, but he likes to pretend he can) Caden Johnson is….Superman! Or in his words “I Man”

Kember wanted to be a mermaid this year…and a princess...and Super-girl (after she saw Caden's costume)…So, we told her she was all three. In her words, “I’m super-princess-mermaid for Halloween!” Aren’t we creative? I didn"t get a good picture of just Kember. I think it really bothered me that her costume was pink and her hair was red...it clashed horribly.Cole didn’t get a choice as to what he was going to be. Melanie got him this little skeleton costume, and I just love it. I’m a little biased, but I think he’s a cutie.

Thanks Carol Lee for fixing Kember's costume and putting Caden's together. The kids loved them, and I think they turned out pretty great!

We had a very long day on Halloween. We started with getting up really early (for me) and making cookies for our play-group Halloween party. I thought I would have plenty of time, but making cookies, gathering supplies, getting three kids ready, plus me turned out to take longer than I thought…they all needed baths, and costume assembly took awhile (It’s hard to spray Kembers hair red)…not to mention that I like long showers (I refrained from the long portion though). Then we loaded everyone up and went to set up for the party! It was pretty fun. I felt bad it wasn’t better organized, but can’t do anything about that now. People were really good to remember if they signed up for something though, and I don’t think the kids minded that all there really was to do was run around in the gym. Anyway, a special thanks to everyone who brought really yummy food (you are all so creative) and thank you to Melanie for providing an activity for the kids. I know that was my kids’ favorite part. Oh, and again, a special thanks to everyone who cleaned up. I had to leave early for a Policy Meeting, and so I bombed out on the clean up.
I ran to Kember’s school for a meeting where they feed us lunch, had people watch my kids (I kept the baby), and we talked about things that went way over my head, but there you go. We came home and the kids napped for a long time (thank you…it was needed). Dan came home and we got ready for party number 2 at the Vet School. After that we went to party number 3 at our church. They did trunk-or-treating, but indoors and they combined it with two other wards. I was really tired and hurting, but the kids had loads of fun and who ever organized it did a very nice job. All in all it was a great Halloween!

Little Man Pictures

Here are some pictures so that I can prove Cole has hair. Like I said, I don't know how long it's going to last, I'm sure it's all the baby fuzz hair, but hey, he has it and it's a miracle. There is a lot of it in a mullet in the back.

I just think this one is funny because Caden's clapping and Kember is telling him to be quiet. She is such a big sister.

Oh, and this one looks like he has a comb-over...too funny.

Well, there you have him. Cole Anders Johnson. Our newest little addition.

The real labor day!

Well, today was the day! Our little boy was born 7:45 am this morning. The C-Section went really well, and all of the nurses/doctors/etc. were really great. We headed into the hospital at 5 am (way too early if you ask me...especially since they made me shower with a special soap last night and this morning...so 4 am was my wake up time) got more paper work filled out, got my IV started, starved (couldn't eat anything for 8 hours before hand), talked to all sorts of people about the surgery, and waited rather impatiently for 7 o'clock. We got my spinal around 7:10 (it was so quick...I was really impressed) and with an efficiency I wasn't expecting our little man was born 1/2 later! I'm feeling really well. I've got up and walked around, I'm not on too much pain killer and I'm just...great! I'm really tired, and if you came to visit me I'm sorry if I wasn't all there. I do remember the visit though, and I appreciate it! Oh, he was 7.7 lbs and 19 1/2 inches long! I think we've decided to name him Cole, but we are still working on a middle name. Of course we took lots of pictures to share....but of course we forgot the card to down load them onto the computer...oops. We'll try to rectify that situation soon. Just as an unbelievable little fact he has hair and it's really dark. We will see how long it will actually last, but for right now our little nugget has hair! Rock on.
Dan has been really great and is making sure I'm comfortable and have everything I want. He even brought me flowers. I like flowers. Grandma Loni flew in yesterday and has been great with the kids. I'm afraid she isn't going to last very long though...the kids kind of mauled her yesterday and were all over her. I was exhausted just watching them. Anyway, she's been really great to have around and brought the kids in twice to see us. Caden is trying to be soft, but...well, isn't. Kember informed me multiple times that she "likes her baby brother." Too cute. I'm glad she likes him and I hope it lasts.
Sorry about the pictures...I really will work on that.

Decisions and a count-down

Okay, I know I already posted tonight, but I've decided I need some help (which I'm sure isn't news to any of you).

So, this little baby boy is coming on Friday the 17th (five more days...hence the count-down title) at 7 AM. The only trouble is, he is still nameless, and Dan and I just can't agree.

Here are some options that we came up with today. Let me know what you think, and then don't be offended if we don't take your suggestion. I'm pregnant and can do what I want! :)

Bryson (Brycen, Brysen)
Nathaniel
Jace
Cole (I like the name, but hate the fact all my kids start with the "c" sound)
Rushton (Dan doesn't like this...I admit, it's a little weird, but I'm stuck on it)
Samuel

Okay...those were first name. Now what do we do for a middle name? I like the idea of a family name, as long as it isn't a weird family name. I'd like to do my side of the family since Caden got Dan's side of the family, but the only trouble is...I can't think of a name! I really like "Scott" for a middle name, but that's Dan's side of the family. Sigh. Yes, I think we need help. Please let me know what you think, and why you think it.

Camping

While Dan was on his vacation and before Kember started school we decided that we would go camping since we hadn't been this year yet. A fact that was very distressing to Dan. We headed up to Moose Creek Reservoir (not too far away, but don't ask me where, I have no idea) with Beth and Jeremy and their little girl Maeli. It was loads of fun. Not too cold (but not too warm either). I must say, I didn't sleep all that well, but I am blaming the fact that I was at the time around 8 1/2 months pregnant. Dan gave me the cot to sleep on though. He and the kids slept on the blow up mattresses. Kember had a hard night until she slept with Dan in his sleeping bag. Then Dan had a hard night because Kember isn't really the "give you some room" type of sleeper and we definitely aren't used to her sleeping with us. Caden woke up way early in the morning and probably woke up all the other campers in the area as well. I tried to get him quickly, but it took a while for me to get off the cot. Sitting up is hard and I was tangled in my sleeping bag. Ahh well. Anyway...it was loads of fun, and I'd write more details, but since it was so long ago I don't remember any of them. Enjoy the pictures!
Kember and Caden both took turns blowing up the mattresses. Okay, Dan did all the work, but they pushed once or twice.

This is where we got our water. The kids thought it was the coolest thing and Caden kept wanting "more". You can see him doing the "more" sign.

Kember was helping daddy set up the tent. What a big helper she is!

So, I really don't know what's up with these funny faces, but he just started doing it, and I'm glad I got a picture of it.

Saturday morning when we woke up we went for a walk. The guys found sticks, the kids found sticks and everyone was very happy with their sticks. The kids played with them for quite a while after we got back to camp. I declined my turn with a stick since I was having to lug Caden along (he is a very curious boy and doesn't move very fast if he doesn't want to), but I waddled with the best of them!

I'm kind of sad Beth and I aren't in any of these pictures. I say kind of because we were camping and so I'm sure I didn't look wonderful, but sometimes it would be nice to prove I was actually at an event. Oh well.

Hey, Pictures!

Well what do you know. Blogger actually let me post some pictures today. Rock on. Anyway, these pictures are from Kember's first day at school and her first riding the bus. Dan was actually on vacation this week so it was nice to have him involved in taking her to school and then out to the bus.

Walking up to the school. Kember was really really excited!

Kember's teacher Ms. Allysa. Dan said that she reminds him of a sorority girl....well, what can you do? Kember really likes her.

So Kember runs into her class room and then joins this girl in the corner. It turns out this little girls lives in our apartment complex and they are now friends (I think everyone is Kember's friend...unless she is being mean and does her " So and so isn't my friend" bit. That really bothers me, but again, what can you do?

This was the part I was worried about, but she loved, and still loves the bus. Every day she asks if her bus is going to come get her to take her to school. She doesn't understand that Friday through Sunday we don't go to school, and if she's really tired that is rather distressing to her.

Well, there you have it (or I guess there I have it since this is for my benefit). Pictures!

High School

I wasn’t tagged, but I got this from Amy’s blog and I’ve been thinking a lot about high school ever since women’s conference, so I thought I’d do it too.

1. Did you date someone from your High School? You would think this would be a simple yes or no answer, and technically yes I did, but I don’t think we ever called it “dating”, or called each other boyfriend/girlfriend. Silly how you think that makes a difference doesn’t it? Anyway, I learned a whole bunch about myself through this experience. Learning it actually took a good long time, but there you go…I was never the quickest person around.

2. What kind of car did you drive? Umm…I went to school with my mom, or I hitched a ride with my friends who had cars. Sue’s yellow bug, Michelle’s blue Nissan, Julena’s mini-van (rock on), Liz & Emily’s car, James’ truck, Matt’s car…etc. I was really good at bumming a ride off people.

3. What was the most embarrassing moment of High School for you? You know…I can’t think of one. That’s kind of sad and pathetic. I’m sure there were plenty. They must have been so bad I’ve blocked them out.

4. Were you a party animal? Hahahaha…ummm, no.

5. Were you considered a flirt? I believe I was once told that I “flirted with anything male that moved.” Ouch. Ya, still can’t figure that one out. I thought I was just being friendly, but apparently not. Flirting remains a mystery to me still.

6. Were you in Band, Orchestra, or Choir? Choir.

7. Were you a nerd? Ya, weren’t you? I was totally a nerd, and proud of it.

8. Were you on any Varsity teams? Nope…let’s just say I’m athletically challenged.

9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled? Goodness no. I was a goody-two shoes/teacher’s pet. Except for Ms. Carlile…she didn’t like me, I was a terror for her. Ehh, what can you do?

10. Can you still sing the fight song? I thought I could, but I’m drawing a blank. I need a tune…but one line went “wasps pep nere lack” ya, it’s a little hard to say.

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Ms. Turnblom…let’s see, what did she teach? 10th grade honors English, and I guess the only other classes I had from her were Encore my 11th and 12th grade years. She was truly awesome, and one of those teachers that change your life. Hmmm, I also enjoyed Mr. Felsch who taught honor’s biology…boy, was that my freshman year? I think so..and Mrs. Southerlin who taught AP English. I don’t know that I would say she was my favorite…but she was a good teacher and I did like/learn a lot from her.

12. Where did you sit during lunch? My senior year I ate where all the cool kids ate…in the chemistry room of course. Looking back that might not have been the most hygienic thing to do.

13. What was your school's full name? Wasatch High School.

14. School mascot? Wasp. Don’t knock it, have you ever been bit by one, or chased by one? Hey, it will get you running.

15. Did you go to Homecoming? Yep. Junior year I went with Matt, and I think Senior year I was at a drama competition so all of us had homecoming there (theater people, it was weird, don’t ask…fun, but weird).

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Interesting…no, I don’t think so. Do I have my regrets? Yes. But like I said earlier, I learned a lot from them, and I’m still learning from them. I would have changed some things had I known what I know now, but I really don’t think I’d do it again.

17. What do you remember about Graduation Day? We held graduation outside, and it had to be finished before the Middle School got out mid-day, so at least it wasn’t a three hour production in a hot stuffy gym.

18. Where did you go Senior Skip Day? The school “senior sluff day” was organized by the school and we went to Lagoon.

19. Were you in any clubs? Yep, lots of them.

20. Have you gained some weight since then? Hahahaha…yep. But considering I’m pregnant with my third kid right now, we are going to ignore this question.

21. Who was your Prom Date? My Junior year it was Michel Knight, and my senior year it was Robert Lacey.

22. 10 year Reunion? Are you planning on going? If I get invited and if I’m closer than I am currently living. I didn’t get invited to my 5th year, and I’ll admit, I’m a little bitter…it’s not like I’m hard to find. My mom and dad haven’t moved and my mom still sees most people at her job. Granted, I couldn’t have gone anyway, but still….And as unfair as it is, Michel, I blame you for not getting me an invite. J

23. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself? Stop being so self-absorbed. You had good friends who could have used a good friend back your senior year if you weren’t so focused on yourself. You probably would have saved yourself a lot of heartache too.

As for tagging someone, if you went to my high school and you read my blog, consider yourself tagged.