Elder Johnson Is Home

Barrett got home last night at 11:30. It was very exciting to see him at the airport as a cute missionary. Bree, Brandon and I made him some banners, which we thought was very entertaining. He even ran through one as he came to see us.

Barrett Meeting The Twins

Typical Barrett Smile

Barrett's New Companion.... He wouldn't let Dan leave his sight. Fortunatley, Dan refused to accompany him to the bathroom. I think its cute, little missionary Barrett.

Sign #2

This Morning, back to the usual Barrett

This is right after he got off the plane and I had to stop the video to give him my hug. There aren't any pictures of me because I had the only camera (that I stole from Debbie). We were a little too excited and kept forgetting things!

Me, Barrett, and my impossibly large belly. I MUST be leaning forward in this picture because I swear its usually not that large. AKWARD.

Anti Fancy Nancy

Confession: I hate fancy food. I am probably the worlds pickiest eater. I would be thrilled eating only pizza, spicy chicken fingers, or macaroni and cheese. That is it. So when companies we work with take us out to lunch for Christmas, we go to all of these beautiful places that are very FANCY! I look at the menu for ten minutes thinking, okay find something you can eat. There has to be something safe. Where is the chicken? The only foods I recognize are the desserts. Isn't this strange? I actually ended up ordering the chicken and it was pretty good, but $50 for a piece of chicken, I could have gone to McDonalds. Or at least (if I was in the states) Roadhouse.

Does anyone else see that count down and FREAK OUT? 12 weeks, that is coming WAY to soon.

FLAMES GAME!

Mick is officially a true Calgarian. We took the train to the hockey game friday night and it was awesome. They played the Florida Panthers. The game was tied sending them into overtime. Mick kept saying, I hope they go to a shoot out. I kept trying to explain that it doesn't happen all that often, and it was Mick's lucky day. They went to a shootout, and on the very last shot Florida scored. How sad for the flames, but at least Mick got to see an awesome game! My favorite part was the pizza and pop! YUM! Notice we are all wearing flames shirts? Thats right, team spirit! Here are the pictures from the cell phone.

26 Weeks

Birthday Confessional

Today. I. Am. 25. Years Old.

Okay, so I am one of those people that no matter how freaked out I am about the number, I still wake up at 6:00am on my birthday, so excited that it has finally come that I can't go back to sleep. I mentally count down the days leading up to it, knowing that nobody will really be as excited as I am. Even though everyone tells you 'Happy Birthday' when they first see you that day, I think about it all day long. I see people and think, oh yeah, and did you know, today is MY birthday! Sad, isn't it? To make matters worse, I have the memory of an elephant. I love getting presents, any shape or size. My mom has taught me to be ever so grateful. When someone gives you a gift, you don't just say, oh thanks and move on. You ooh and ahh over it, and bring it up again, saying, OH I JUST LOVE what you got me. I can't WAIT to use it. And because I love this day so much, items have names in my mind, such as 'the slippers Devanie got my for my birthday last year' or 'the purse from my mom'. And I think that every time I use these items. Weird right?

This year I got to be pampered. Mick took me to the most beautiful spa I have ever seen and I got a massage. It was wonderful. The room was 'themed' egyptian and of course I was distracted looking at how they built the cool pillars that look like concrete but really are made of foam. I touched them to make sure. But the best part is feeling myself relax. That NEVER happens. So thanks Mick for getting my exactly what I needed. You are the best!

Bump @ 24 Weeks

Not much is going on here, belly keeps getting bigger, I am getting more uncomfortable. The baby is a Johnson, and likes the taste of Frank's Hot Sauce. I had some last night and for the first time I have felt him kick from the outside. I made Mick feel the kicks, he just asks - "what did you feed that kid?" Every time I have hot sauce he goes CRAZY.

Work is going good, I have decided my last day is February 27th. Other than that, I am counting down for a few things. My birthday (yes, I am still so excited that I count the days every year), Barrett getting home from his mission, going to Dominican Republic, Christmas, and having a break from working! YAY!

Quality Time

Am I suprised? UM NOOOOOO. I loved this book and I think everyone should read it. Take the test to see what your love language is!

I feel loved when...

The Five Love Languages

My Primary Love Language is Quality Time

My Detailed Results:
Quality Time:	11
Acts of Service:	9
Words of Affirmation:	4
Receiving Gifts:	3
Physical Touch:	3

About this quiz

Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.

Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=Five%20Love%20Languages&tag=edified-20&index=blended&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325"> face="Trebuchet MS" size="-2">Check out the Book

Blog Stalking

I reached a new low with blog stalking. I found a girls blog who happens to be a family members cousin. Her blog was so entertaining, so I found myself reading it all the time. Well I reached a new low the other day when I realized I was so emotional about this blog. You see, she was told she wouldn't be able to have kids, and had adopted the cutest little boy. Now she found out she is pregnant and just couldn't believe it. Not only did this hit home and sound like COMPLETE Déjà vu, I was so excited for her it was all I could think about all afternoon. HELLO, she has no idea who I am, we have never met, I just read her blog. My life is getting pathetic.

BUMP

So everyone keeps commenting on how I look so pregnant all of a sudden, and I didn't want to miss moment in photos (these are more for me, but look on if you must). I made everyone take a few shots because I was so shocked as to how big I am looking. (This is the bump at 22 weeks)

I went out and bought maternity pants last week. Talk about a mentally stressful moment. Depressing in that all the pants fit everywhere except they are way too big in the stomach, odd because they are MATERNITY pants. HELLO, that is where I should need the space, but NOT THAT MUCH! Eventually, I am sure I will love it and will need them that big. I can also finally feel him kick. It is so weird feeling. Not much is new...

Fall Fishing

Halloween Party

We had a halloween party this weekend, and it was awesome. I thought Brandon's costume was Soooo perfect for him! I loved it.Bree is an amazing event planner who threw an awesome halloween party. We played the murder mystery game and carved pumpkins. Here they are as Clark Kent and Lois Lane.

Everybody dressed up. Mick is a wrestler, me a pink lady, Brandon and Bree, and Sarah and Denton were Wolverine and Phoenix from X-Men. So Fun!

And here is our pumkins we carved. Were are all pretty talented once we have the stencils from the book!

DREAM STREAMS

Belly Shots?

There isn't much to see, but its finally sticking out! The first is at 16 weeks the second is at 18. And they are 2 different shirts, just the same color! (I just noticed that).

Baby

Yes, Most people were WRONG! The girl we all thought would be joining us is a BOY! I was a little shocked to say the least. I have no idea why, I know its 50/50 but I just never imaged this child being a boy! Haha... So I am in the ultrasound and the baby is sitting in a yoga position - legs crossed, all relaxed. The ultrasound lady couldn't get him to move, he just loved his cuddly position, so she kept jabbing my stomach to make him move. It was so funny because he raised a finger (NOT the middle one, for those who know my dad) and shook his hand. SOOO cute. I was just thinking, this is so Mick's child, just loves sleeping. Other than that, we were there for 2 1/2 hours trying to get a profile picture of the child, so she gave me the CD of pictures for free. THATS MY BOY! Except that my boss wasn't that thrilled that I was gone for so long. So here is baby's first picture.




OH YES, and everyones comments seem to be, oh you are taking it so well. Or, I know you don't want to hear this, but I am so excited its a boy. I guess it was no secret Mick and I both thought it would be a girl, but I am still excited about the boy. I am just a little stressed because boy names are soooo tricky. If anyone has suggestions, I would love to hear them!

Calgary Temple

I am so excited, Calgary is getting a temple! This will be the 8th in Canada, but also exciting because the closest 2 are 3 hours away (one is Cardston, the temple shown above). I know other people have a further distance to go, but having one here is sooooooooooo convenient.

To read the article, go to http://mormontimes.com/around_church/general_authority/?id=3974.

SOME BIG NEWS!

Well, the news is starting to leak, so for those of you who haven't heard the news....

Drumroll Please........

We are very excited to tell you that I am pregnant! Yes, you read that right! Its true. I am due in the middle of March and I find out what I am having on Monday the 6th. It was quite the surprise and we couldn't be happier. It has been a challenge keeping it a secret because I have been sooooo sick. I usually don't have a very good sense of smell, and all of a sudden I can smell everything from a mile away. I have lost about 15 pounds from puking all day every day, and I am just starting to feel better. The only problem is the food that sounds really good are things that I cant get in Canada. If any could figure out a way to UPS me a gandolfo's sandwich, you would be my best friend. I also HATE breakfast, I have seen everything moving in both directions, so I also want sandwiches at 10 in the morning so I can avoid all cereals. Hence the gandlofo's sandwiches. It has been so crazy.

I am not really showing at all, so I haven't taken any belly shots yet. We will keep you posted.

Mick's Birthday

Mick's First Day of School

Mick & Holly
Mick & David

Today is Mick's birthday, I can't believe another year has passed by so fast. I thought it would be fun to post a few pictures of him when he was a little boy. I think the best part of the growing up pictures is to see what the older siblings are wearing and all of the hot styles!

Happy Birthday Mick!

Fantasies

All my life, I have fantasized about fly fishing on a secluded river yet discovered by any angler. With the world being 5/8 water, I just knew deep down that such a stream exists. I fantasized that after a long hike I would discover clear, deep, pools and dry fly slicks all containing large fish. This weekend’s trip was the closest thing to fulfilling this fantasy.

My co-coworker and I fished up Frenchman’s river here in Southern Alberta. We purchased the maps, drove the distance and arrived at the destination. The water was so clear and cold I thought no way was there fish up here. We started nymphing the little pools in search of life and quickly learned they were looking up, when one brave cutthroat took a swipe at my indicator. After switching to dries, we saw many hits but no takes. So we hiked on. That perfect spot is always around the next bend. Right?

When I saw the white fin-tips, I thought it was the biggest brook trout in the world. It took a few minutes to gain my composure. Should I try for it, or just cry? A large boulder protected me from the fishes view. I thanked the Man for placing that boulder in such a strategic position. I threw on an olive-bugger, a few bb’s, said a prayer, and chucked it in the pool with my 4 weight. After five strips, she darted, engulfed and then belly rolled. The fight was epic! She ran out a dozen times hitting deep crevasses. Luckily, I could play her in section of boulders that restricted her from running to far downstream. No chance for me with a 4 weight. When she finally surfaced, I knew that I had not hooked a giant brookie; rather I hooked and landed my first Bull Trout.

By the end of the day I had caught ten fish; two nice bull-trout and eight stocky cutthroats on a small renegade. I would be stocky too, if I had to run from bull-trout my entire life. Unfortunately, the only camera we had was my co-workers cell phone camera. It did the job, but the pictures are a little grainy.

Flashback Friday

Here are some fond memories of design school. I think this was sophmore year. Spending hours in the drafting room with Bruntie. We loved this one class because there were BOYS in it. We found out on the first day that the cute ones were married. Luckily we all married now too, so no worries!

Our other favorite class. COLOR! These were some of the winners of the best coordinating outfits! Tiffany, Kadie, and Ashley.

Catching up...

I have noticed there is a theme to my madness. Greyson is the guinea pig on all Aunties experiments. I love the last stunt I pulled. I hope his dad doesn’t find out! Hehe.

Well, I haven’t posted in a long time. Not that much new and exciting going on, but a few little things so be prepared, I am just going to write about what has been going on lately. It may be long. No pictures.

I went to Denver for work in the end of July. The weather was wonderful, perfect for laying out by the pool. Only we weren’t lying by the pool, we were moving furniture into massive houses with no air conditioning. I don’t think I have ever sweat through my clothing before. To make matters worse, I was so sick the last day we were there. Brutally sick. Filled 2 ‘bags’ on the plane sick. You know which bags I am talking about. I felt horrible for everyone on that plane to have to hear me for two and a half hours. It gets worse for the drive home from the airport, but I will spare you the details.

Mick has been playing on a softball team this summer and it has actually been fun. My whole life I have never hidden the fact how much I LOVE baseball. I will go to games ONLY when my nephews were playing, and even then, 6 year old Tyson is explaining the rules to me AGAIN. Its always cold and windy, the fields are way out in the boonies, etc. etc. However, this time I have enjoyed having something to do on Monday nights and talking to the other wives on the team. They actually play for the team, I just keep score. That’s right, I still don’t know the rules, I just write down what they tell me to. I don’t want to know the details. It’s my least favorite sport.

Here is a random story. I woke up Saturday night and couldn’t close my jaw. Isn’t that an attractive picture you all have of me in your head? I have no idea why, I just woke up and it hurt. Tuesday morning when it still wasn’t better, I went to the chiropractor (which freaks me out just a little, I am a wimp) and he did acupuncture on my cheek. INSTANTLY it could close. I am a believer. It hurt for a few seconds, but oh so worth it.

We sold our house. Finally. We close at the end of this month. We had to drive down to Idaho and get all of our stuff. Thanks Brandon and Bree for the storage space and Debbie and Joel for driving and helping with the move (yes, I call my parents Debbie and Joel, its awkward, deal with it). It was quite the trip and I am very glad it is over. Mick was so paranoid that someone was going to steal every last possession, including the trailer. He wanted to camp out, and we gave him a hard time about his paranoia. What are you going to do, sleep in the truck with a shotgun? Run after them down the road? Call the police with our imaginary cell phone? REALLY… but he decided instead to take the metal drawers from his desk and prop them up over the hitch so if it moved, the drawer would fall. And then he put more drawers in front of the tires. All while saying “we are too old to start all over” knowing I was thinking, isn’t this a bit much?
Well, for the final note. Yesterday was our 3rd anniversary. Can you believe it has been 3 years? HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.

The Stampede

I love the summer in Calgary. Not only do we have Canada Day followed by 4th of July (for us lucky few who can celebrate both, guilt free) but we also have a glorious 10 day holiday called the Calgary Stampede – the greatest outdoor show on earth! For those wonderful days, everyone puts on their best cowboy gear including all boots, wranglers, hats, etc. The event is similar to Halloween, where girls can wear whatever ‘barely there’ outfit they want as long as you have a cowboy hat and boots on! But to top off the entire week of costumes is the free good. If you are seriously into it, you can eat three meals a day for free. Every business has a stampede breakfast every morning. You can drive all over the city and see them every few seconds. Also, for lunch and dinner, every company you work with invites you to a stampede barbeque. It may not be worth it to eat chili, hamburgers and pop for a week straight, but you at least you could say you did it! To end the week, you could actually attend the event we are all celebrating. The big fair, but that would be too easy, wouldn’t it?

4th Of July

Every year we make a trip to Idaho Falls for the fourth of July. When we got married, Mick told me we could spend whatever holidays I wanted with my family, but he wanted the 4th with his. Seeing as how that isn’t even a holiday in Canada, I figured it was a deal! Just kidding, that is when most of his family is usually there. So this year, every sibling was there, from Houston, Denver, Las Vegas, and Idaho Falls. It was so exciting to see the kids play together who haven’t seen each other since we got married (almost three years ago). We went swimming almost every day, saw some good friends we really miss, had a great fireworks show and food at Holly & Justin’s house, saw the parade, went to the water park, saw “The Greatest Fireworks Show West Of The Mississippi” (ha ha), got some serious Target time and shopping in, and celebrated a few birthdays. I can’t wait until next year! The only sad part was missing Mick’s first Canada to be there. Maybe next year we can do both!

Clothes

I know my brother, Brandon, is going to hate me until the end of time for posting this. It was just too cute to pass up! The other night, the little Johnsons were over (as in Brandon & Bree, not Joel & Debbie) with the babies. Greyson had a little accident and needed a change of clothes. Debbie brought him downstairs in the cutest pink shirt and pants with ruffles all around. He made such a cute girl, and Brandon was sooooo not liking it. I am still laughing thinking about it!

Meet my neice Ginger! Haha...