Utah Fall Break

 We drove up to Utah for the kids Fall Break. Ty and Ash needed some dental work done from our favorite dentist Dr. Markham and we were craving cooler weather and fall colors and especially our family and friends!!! Our neighbors had just moved up to Lehi a couple months before and we couldn't wait to see the England's!!! They have this adorable home tucked up next to open fields and horses. It was beautiful!! We took the kids behind the house to visit all the animals. The kids were in horse heaven! 

 We drove up to beautiful Sundance and walked around the resort. The colors were incredible!! That mountain air I can't get enough of.......EVER!!!! We had so much fun with Kelli and the kids!!

 Our good friends and old neighbors in Provo....The Markham's......have planted their own piece of heaven in their backyard. Kevin has planted so many varieties of grapes and every fall they harvest them and bottle their own grape juice. I've only heard of this busy time for them and have never been around when harvest time happens. This trip we lucked out!! They were up to their eyeballs in grapes and we couldn't wait to help! We had some of our nephews come along and my sister in law. That day we helped bottle 190 bottles of pure grape juice. It was a lot of work but I LOVED IT!! Being with our old neighbors which are practically family to us....felt like we were back home next door. 

 Kevin has quite the system going on in their garage. It was a site to see for sure!!! 

 Lisa, Alli and I picking grapes off the stems....its a messy job but someone had to do it:)

The only picture I got of my nephew Zac......imagine this they are all on their phones playing games and texting. Zac is a busy senior with lots of things to do and people to see. 

 It was a quick and busy week but we had so much fun. It's always fun to see our family and friends and escape the hot sun for a little while. Even though each of the kids got colds and coughs one by one we made the best of it. Utah in the fall is one of my favorite times and places to be......its beautiful!!

 Parker saw these bears and stood by them and said...."Mommy take a picture of me, take a picture!!" How could I refuse?? 

Johnson Family Vacation

 Well HELLO there master bathroom of my wildest dreams!!

 Sooooooo in my 15 married years we have never planned and gone on an actual vacation with my parents and siblings. This is a crime I tell you a crime!!! Why have we allowed this to never happen??? I need to give a big HALLELUJAH to my sister Lindsey for hooking us up in this insane cabin up in Strawberry. She is an amazing photographer and did a photo shoot for the owner. In return she told Linds that she could use her cabin. We had no idea how huge and gorgeous this place would be for all 25 of us. This place was 6000 sq feet of bliss. We planned out all the meals and ate like kings and queens! Honestly, it was one of the best times I've ever had with my family. We were all there with out a care in the world just enjoying each other. The kids lived outside and made this amazing fort in the woods behind the cabin. We went on hikes and walks and played with some horses and goats, played games, had campfires and smores, sang while my brothers played their guitars and laughed our guts out. It was so peaceful, so relaxing and perfect really. It was our last family hurrah before Andrew left on his mission. I'm already dreaming and hoping for the next time.......hopefully there will be soon!! 

 Adria brought face masks and Bjorn strips for all the ladies. We masked up Grandma Glasgow all the way down to the great-granddaughters. It was hilarious. The little girls thought this was the best thing ever!!

 Love these girls!!

Not a baby anymore.....he's all grown up!

 My little brother has grown up more quickly to me in the past few months than he has his whole life!! He got his mission call to California Oakland-San Francisco Mission and reports November 20, 2013.......which was 2 days ago!! He's such a stud and I'm so happy and proud of him. He's grown up to be such a good young man and we just love him!! He received his call back in September. We were all able to be together when he was ordained and Elder and when he opened up his call. Dave was especially excited because Andrew will be serving in his home town back in Danville. Andrews going to LOVE northern California!!

Girls Night

 We have a great place in down town Gilbert to eat yummy food and to go see a fun show afterward. We had heard that "Little Women" was showing and we had to go!! Growing up this was a movie that my sisters and I LOVED to watch. My niece even calls my mom "Marmie" instead of Grandma. We got our Grandma Glasgow, our mom and our sisters including our new sister Arianna and brought our daughters too. So we had 4 generations of ladies with us and it was such a treat! Liberty Market is always delicious to eat at. Then we walked across the street to the Hale Theater and watched a fun show. It was great to all be together and have some fun!! 

Prima Ballerinas

Ashlynn started dancing at a new studio this year. Her teachers that were at USA Gym decided to go off and open up their own. We were happy to follow them!! Ashlynn and her cousin Kylee are taking a ballet class together and they love it! It's so fun to see them together!

 These adorable girls tried out for the Nutcracker Ballet together. The show is in just a few weeks. Our Saturdays have been busy busy with rehearsals. Can't wait to see them perform!! 

Moving on and up

In August we had two families that are dear friends move away from blistering Arizona. This was the first time I've experienced best friends of mine leave. I've always been the one to move away and move on. Boy was this different and I don't like it!! But for these families it was best for them and that's what matters. Thank goodness they aren't far way!!

Kelli was my neighbor right next door. Our kids played together pretty much everyday and we just love their family so much. We miss them terribly. But they are in Utah now where Greg's job is and can be together as a family all year round instead of half of the year. Now we have another stop to visit when we go to Utah which works out perfect!! 

Ahhhhhhhh the Stoker's. We have known these guys for years.......going on 9 now since our Iowa days in the corn fields!!! They moved to Arizona before we did and settled their family in Maricopa. Doug got a great promotion with his job and they were California bound in just a few weeks! We've never had friends in Cali before to visit so a 6 hour drive to see our friends is totally manageable. Lol! We love them and all their family. They were always beach bums at heart and not desert sweat bums. We are happy for them and hope to be Cali bound soon for a visit!! 

Back in School

 August 7, 2013~When it's time for school to start again I'm usually to the point to where I can't wait!!!! Summer has been a ball of fun but it's time to get back into a routine and get back on track! The kids are so excited to see their friends again and wear a new outfit to school........and I very lovingly push them out the door with a kiss and a hug and a wave goodbye. I love my kiddos and I love them being in school. It gives me a little break and some quality time with my buddy Parker. I have to admit that homework this year has been my demise......what am I saying it is every year!! LOL! Tyler started the 6th grade.....can you believe that because I sure can't!! This year for him and been a huge challenge and a big adjustment as the 6th grade teachers are preparing all the students for JUNIOR HIGH. They rotate between all the teachers for different subjects. This has brought Tyler's lack of organizations skills to a head and he will be the most organized child on the planet if I can help it by the end of the year!!! The first few weeks of school were really difficult for Ty but he caught himself up and worked his little bootie off and finally seems to be up to speed. So proud of him!! I've watched my mom for years hounding all us kids during school and having to be constantly on us. I used to get so annoyed and wonder why I had to be tortured?? Well, lets say now that I'm getting a taste of my own medicine and have to be on my kids ALL the time to stay focused, stay disciplined and do their best. It's exhausting but at the same time I want them to want these things. I want them to want to succeed and know how it feels to do well and know that they did their best. They have to learn to apply themselves and work hard. These qualities with follow them their entire lives. Now I look at my mom who is a brand new empty Nester and hope that someday my children look at me the way I look at her. My mom is an amazing woman who nurtured us and taught us well. I hope I can instill the same qualities in my own children.

Back to school.......Ashlynn started 3rd grade. She is the life of the party and has so many friends. She loves to make her teacher happy and do well in school. We just need to work on her DIVA attitude at home. Not sure what to do about that but I'll figure something out. She's all girl and we love her to bits. She LOVES to read and I love that about her. She can get lost in her room with a book for hours. She's becoming quite to ballerina and twirls all around the house. 

Pman is my little buddy. He's hilarious and animated. Doesn't like to be told what to do and wants to do everything himself. He's the sweetest little thing, gives the best snuggles and kisses. We have a lot of fun together. He loves walking his brother and sister out the front door in the morning and watch them walk to the crosswalk. Then he gets so excited to get them back home. I'm so grateful for all 3 of my children. They each are so different and bring so many things to our family. I'm so grateful to be their mother!! 

This cracks me up! This is my mom on the first day of school. No more of this for her.......she was pretty excited to have no more meet the teacher nights, no more sack lunches, no more homework and be free!! I love her:) After 6 kids she deserves this happy dance of joy!!