Grandma's Leaves

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson made a huge pile of leaves for the kids to play in. They had a blast- so did Grandma and I :) Here are some pics.

The Birthday Boy

Today was my baby boy's birthday. I cannot believe how the time has flown but believe it or not, he is TWO! So for his birthday he wanted chicken nuggets for lunch and we decided to try out Jumpin Jacks for a few hours. It was a blast. It was nice to just focus on having fun for awhile. I feel like I get so caught up in life I don't take time enough to just have fun with my family. We had a great time together. Sure do love this boy though. He is incredible. I am SO SO grateful everyday for him. He keeps us smiling and on our toes. Our life would not be complete without our sweet, wonderful, crazy Jaston :)!

I have to add a disclaimer on my cake and my photography skills. I had high hopes for the cake with a road and grass... yeah time ran away from me today, the icing wouldn't copperate and Jaston wouldn't let the car stay on there for two seconds so whatever! As for photography- I have taken the lunge into shooting in manual mode and am just in the experimental stages so we are in trial and error mode at the moment with photography and photoshop. Just testing the waters to see what I like the most. This is my first attempt shooting anything for real in manual so forgive the randomness and graininess. I will get there.... eventually... maybe...

Yeah, not the greatest pics but look at those two handsome faces- how can you reject this pic?

Skylee actually took this one- not too bad. Maybe I will have a real photographer in the family.

We were exhausted by the end of our tirade :)

Until next year...

We Love Christmas Time!

We have been super busy with Christmas-like activities and we love it! We went to the Dicken's festival last night. On Thursday one of my sweet friends, Coy, asked us if we wanted to go to see the mall's Santa. Both of my kids were so excited to go see Santa and of course when we got there Jaston wanted nothing to do with him. Skylee asked Santa for a bike and games for her leap frog. That was a busy day and they crashed hard that night so I had to add pics of them since they are little angels when they are sleeping :) PS: ignore the error on the typing on the picture-if you can't figure it out great. If you do find it sorry, i can't edit it once I make the collage so oh well! Several months ago Skylee asked if she could go see Jesus. I finally figured out she wanted to see baby Jesus at the nativity at the temple. So for Family Home Evening Monday we went to see Jesus and the beautiful lights at the temple. The kids loved it and had a blast with Grandma in the leaves. We sure are spoiled to live by their grandparents-both sets.

Where we are living now

So I mentioned we have moved so I thought I would add some pics of our new house. It's still fun and new and I haven't unpacked everything yet so less clutter at the moment.

Master bath

Here is Skylee's room at the moment- I'm thinking we may want to re-decorate considering she is not a huge cowboy fan.. but for now I have other things to worry about.

Not to mention the mess- might as well be true life pics right?... maybe.?

This is Jaston's room- don't know if you can see it but his mattress is on the floor to the right of the bed. That is really his bed right now. So far at night he has been great out of his crib- nap time is a different story...

Kids bathroom

The Living Room- Finally go Christmas up last night. LOVE Christmas!

Jaston points at the tree and says "Kissmass Time!"

Skylee wakes up every morning asking if she gets presents- we are workingon the Christmas is about Jesus thing- not going so well yet.

This is the back yard- we are hoping to get it fenced in soon but so nice to have somewhere the kids can go play. Our other back yard was just gravel. They love the sand box.

The Kitchen/dining room area.

My favorite wall- just put this up and I love it!

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Update on the Winger's Life

Well, it has been a crazy few weeks. Our plan of moving December first got pushed up three weeks. We are now moved into our new home. Two weeks ago our water heater decided to die on us. We didn't want to put a lot of money into fixing it for three more weeks of living there so we decided to move the next day- regardless of the fact that I had ZERO boxes packed. It was Sunday so I couldn't do much so Monday morning we started packing and moved. It was insane and still is a bit out of control but I really feel like the Lord had a hand in this. My anxiety usually comes on with changes and I could feel it hitting hard when we finally set a date to move when we had to move so abruptly there was no time for anxiety I just went into survival mode and so far it hasn't even hit. I'm a little worried about Sunday when I have to go to a new ward.

It was really tough to leave my amazing young women and the leaders that I have worked with. I have been in that young women presidency for about two and a half years and was in for a few years as the Beehive Wed night leader so I have been with those girls for around four years. Some of my Beehives are now Laurels. Needless to say it was hard to leave. I will miss those girls and my sweet friends in there as well.

So, we just barely got the internet in our new home and I feel I can connect with the world :) It has been good for me to cut down my internet time for sure. I think I got a little excessive for awhile there. The kids seem to be doing pretty good and loving living in the new house- as do I. It is beautiful, everything is brand new and it was furnished which is nice. Right now we moved across town to Washington Fields into Jeff's Mom's home. She recently bought a home- like closed on it three weeks ago new - and she is allowing us to rent it from her until we figure out the next step in our life.

This decision to move has been a tough one but we feel we have been led by the Lord throughout this whole process and we have felt his hand in this. I feel truly blessed and hope I can find the reason we were supposed to be here right now.

So over the past few weeks while life has to keep going even though we were moving chaotically we did have a few events that I wanted to document. The first is Jeff's triathlon- I love to see that Jeff is finally getting back into tri's. He loves them and while he was doing his master's he just didn't have time. So it's really fun seeing him getting back into his passion. He found a way to sign up for the Iron man for $100 rather than $600 so he is planning on doing the Iron Man next year which I think is insane but it's on his bucket list so I guess I will support him in his insanity. We will see how it goes later.

The second is last weekend we went to my Grandma's in Monroe and had an early Thanksgiving with the whole crew (minus one of my Dad's bros and family). It was a blast! I just love spending time with my extended family.

We did get to have Thanksgiving with Jeff's family on the actual Thanksgiving after Jeff got off work- yes, he did have to work Thanksgiving- can't remember the last time he had it off... And then me and Kels went Black Friday shopping. SO much fun. I think it's hilarious what people will do to save a few dollars. I love to people watch on Black Friday. Plus I get a few good deals out of the mess. I got a new steam mop, a new bike for Sky and a few other odds and ends for friends and kids and hubby for Christmas. Plus I got a twenty dollar gift card to Boulevard. It turned out to be super super fun and crazy.

So that is our past few weeks in a nutshell. Life has been busy and haven't had time to digest the fact we actually moved and are in the next chapter of life whatever that brings. Ok the end :)

The House

So call me sentimental but since we aren't going to be living here in about a month I realized that this is the first and only home my kids have ever lived in. Taking into consideration their ages I am pretty sure they won't remember it so I want to document some pics in our yearly book to show them where we lived once upon a time- for the first four and a half years of Skylee's life and the first almost two of Jaston's. So here are a few pics of our humble abode for the past four plus years. She's been good to us.

Skylee Moments

Today Skylee was watching cartoons and apparently it got over and started into Harry Potter and I didn't know it. She came in and told me she was watching Peter Potter. I asked her if she meant Harry Potter?- Yeah, Harry Potter she said. Then like ten minutes later I hear her telling Jaston- "See Jaston, Peter Potter." and I hear Jaston's little voice, "Petah Pottah, Petah Pottah." So I guess in our house he goes by Peter Potter. I think it works...

I was pulling all of our food storage out from under my bed today to move over to the new house and apparently number ten cans are great building blocks. Skylee was stacking them and making towers. At one point she was sitting on top singing "Humpety, Dumpety sat on a wall... Humpety Dumpety had a great fall..." and then she paused so I finished it for her- " all the King's Horses and all the King's Men couldn't put Humpety together again."
She looks at me all confident-like and said "No, they could put him back together again. I'm sure they can! In Dora they put him back together."

While I was in SLC for five days Jeff texted me and let me know that one night when Skylee was saying her prayers she prayed that Mommy wouldn't forget her- just about broke my heart and then when I got home I hear her say real quiet to herself- 'now I have my family back.' Kinda put it back together a little. :) Sweet girl.

Skylee was heading to bed the other night and I said, "Good night my little monkey." and she turned and giggled and said, "Well, I do like to climb," and ran into her room. She really is my little monkey her and her brother climb EVERYTHING! Sure do love those two though they keep me smiling.

Also a Jaston moment- he is just so stinkin cute and such a stinker right now. :) I love the way he talks though. He always says phrases and the last word always comes after a big pause. Like for instance he just told me, "I'm stinky.....Mom." And I love when I ask him something and he answers yes it Yeah with a TH at the beginning; "Theah." Love it. He is usually pretty happy and goofy and into everything. It's amazing how different boys and girls are.

Time to Download

Ok, so I just got home last night from being gone for five days in Salt Lake. Let me tell you that brought on a lot of emotions that I am trying to sort through. I went up there because of this program that I am in right now ICAN (Interpreter Certification Advancement Network) which is a wonderful program but man, I am worn out! For this program I am required to go up to SLC once a month for either a Friday night three hour meeting or three times during the year I went up for a four day "immersion" meeting (meaning no talking- all signing and workshops and staying in a house together for the four days). I am also required to meet with an interpreter mentor every other week and a Deaf mentor every other week. I have seen a huge difference in my signing and my reception since the beginning, though which has been a great blessing. But man, five days away from my kids just about kills me.

So this last immersion weekend was good- we had a few really good workshops which I was excited about. But after it was over I got to stay an extra day so I could take a test (the fourth of this year). This one was my NIC (National Interpreter Certification). It actually turned out really nice because Kelsi and Emil live up there now and I was able to hang with them all day Sunday and stay the night. That turned out great- love their fun new apartment.

I really don't have a point in all this rambling I guess I just feel the need to share some of what is going on in my life at the moment. I do want to let everyone know how amazing my husband has been through all of this though. Seriously, could not have done any of this without him. He is so supportive and never complains. He truly is amazing- what husband would take their kids for five days three times a year (not to mention a weekend every month) and not complain? That would be my husband! I truly feel so blessed and am grateful for all of my friends and my family who have helped out with my kids as well this year. Thanks guys!

I also am a bit emotional because we are going to be moving soon. We are in the process of selling our house and I have mixed emotions at the moment with that. We have prayed about it and know it is right, it's still kind of tough to digest. We have lived here for four and a half years and I'm really going to miss it. I have made some amazing friends and I really love this ward as well. I will be so sad to leave my calling too. I have been in Young Women's now for four years and I sure love those girls and the leaders in there. It's really the only real calling I have ever had for more than like three months. I know it's time to take the next step in our lives but I'm having a hard time still. (Oh, gotta mention Jeff is a licensed Nurse Practitioner now - as of yesterday!)
Right now our plan is to move across town for about 6 months and continue looking for jobs. Jeff will continue working as a Nurse and look for a Nurse Practitioner position. After that we will see where life takes us. I know everything will work out exactly how it is supposed to because it has so many times in my life. I know we are following the Lord's plan for us and that is the most important thing. But I sure will miss my sweet friends here.

Ok, I think I'm done with my sob story just needed to let it all out. haha. I know I'm pathetic, but there is what is going on in my life right now maybe it's more than I really should blog about but oh well it's how I'm feeling tonight. It might just be gone in a few days if I change my mind, thankfully my blog is private so I'm not sharing my life with complete strangers- just all you special people. Ok, the end :)

Halloween 2011 Begins :)

We started the Halloween festivities last night with our ward party and then tonight with carving pumpkins at Nana's. Skylee has wanted to be a tooth fairy for months so thanks to Nana she turned out to be an adorable tooth fairy. Jaston... was kind of last minute but hey, he's a pretty cute little guy no matter what he's dressed in right?

Staheli Farm

So tonight we decided to take the kids to Staheli Farm. The kids adored it. I think we could have spent hours and hours there although Sky wasn't feeling great so we kept it short and sweet. Here are a few of the (way too many according to Jeff) pics I took. And I had to add in a pic of the kids cleaning up in the tub after cuz they are just too cute I have to post more pics. :) Sure do love those kids!!

Update...

Nana gave the kids these cute beanies. Had to take pics of them the other day on our outing.

Skylee got to go to a princess tea party and borrowed this adorable dress from her sweet friend Lydia. She got the gloves and the hat from the party where Ariel came and visited. (Her favorite princess). She was so excited she wanted to pose (A-Lot)for some pics.

Nana invited us to her school carnival (she is a third grade teacher). The kids had so much fun playing all of the games, riding the horses, jumping on the bounce house, cupcake walk, fishing, pin the nose on the witch and some other fun games. We also got to watch Nana's class do "Dem Bones" dance. Katie and Emily got to come with us too. The kids love Katie and Emily!

It's official!

Jeff is done with all of his schooling to become a Nurse Practitioner. He took his boards/licensing test today and PASSED! SO we are done! I am so proud of him and all of his hard work and SO grateful for our Heavenly Father's help through the last several years. Now he has to apply for his license by getting fingerprinted and turning in his Master's transcripts and etc. Then he should receive his license in a few weeks. Wahoo! The next step.... get a job....

Fall Weather

Emmett and Skylee wanted to play outside today and it was a bit more chilly than they were used to so they thought they needed some big jackets to keep them warm. So they got all bundled up and Jaston had to bundle up too. That lasted about 2 min for the boys and then they decided it wasn't that cold. :) It is cooling off here though, and for the first time in I think my entire life I'm actually enjoying the cooler weather. Not sure how I will feel in a few months but it is nice to have a little relief from the heat. I love this time of year and am SOO excited for the holidays!

I did put shoes on the kids I promise... but as usual that lasted 2 seconds. :)

Glad Tidings of Great Joy

This weekend was General Conference and what an amazing general conference it was! I have been really thinking about my testimony and my perspective on the gospel. I feel like every conference just gets better and better and I learn so much more. I think what it is is I'm starting to lose the attitude of "I have to sit for four hours ..." to "I get to hear incredible servants of God speak to me on how to improve my life for such a short time every 6 months." and I cherish it.

What an amazing opportunity it is to hear these incredible men who work so closely with our Heavenly Father speak to us and tell us what the Lord wants us to know. It is so powerful I love it! That being said I was reading my scriptures this morning and found a scripture that I felt described conference really well and wanted to share. It is in Alma chapter 13: 22-25

" 22 Yea, and the voice of the Lord by the mouth of angels, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy: yea and he doth sound these glad tidings among all his people, yea, even to them that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore they have come unto us.
23 And they are made known unto us in plain terms... we are thus highly favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all parts of our vineyard.
24 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.
25 And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming;for the time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, it it I will rejoice."

Wow, isn't that a powerful scripture and SO true. Conference is given to us through the Lord by angels and plain and simple terms to everyone all over the world. I dunno it just hit me hard this morning what an amazing privilege conference is. I think my most favorite (favoritest?) talk was President Uchtdorf from the RS broadcast. SO good and such a good reminder.

For me I got so many things but most dominant for me was to cherish my time and use it wisely, improve my prayers- make them sincere and a tool to help me through the trials of life, rely on my Heavenly Father more and "Look up." I need to go back through my notes and see the rest but just from memory those were the main messages I remember. If you didn't get an opportunity to listen to conference whether you are LDS or not I encourage you to look it up and and watch them again and again. I know everytime I listen/read them again I am inspired in different ways. To see/hear the conference addresses go HERE. I promise it will change you.

Traditions

Almost every time we go over and visit Nana and Papa (Jeff's parents) we take a walk over to the duck pond near their house. It is beautiful and so fun for the kids. We have spent many a night feeding ducks, rolling down hills, trying to catch frogs, trying to see bunnies and lizards and muskrats and any other wildlife, watching nature take place, watching the change in environment, getting in bread fights, walking Maestro and just enjoying one another's company. It has been such a fun tradition that I hope the kids will remember forever.

PS: Abt Skylee's wings- My Mom just got back from Alaska (Yay!) so nice to have her back. She brought wings back for Skylee and she wants to wear them all the time. I am hoping they will stay together so she can wear them for Halloween- she is set on being the tooth fairy. :) So any ideas on how to make that work let me know.