MERRY CHRISTMAS!
from the
DICK   and LAWANA JOHNSON FAMILY!

We hope you are enjoying a wonderful Christmas and Holiday season! 2009 again brought many changes to our family's lives that we would like to share with you. We'll begin with us:

Toward the end of last year, we finished our 3 year mission for our Church . . .a wonderful experience! Most of our time since Dick's retirement had been given to that mission, so 2009 brought a return to more normal life and finding out what being retired is usually about! We enjoyed great times at home and on trips to Twin Falls, Texas, and Colorado to be with our most choice possessions, our 4 daughters and great sons-in-law and 15 grandkids. We've also caught up on lots of backed-up projects, even including major remodeling to most rooms in the house...WHEW! ... almost done with that, thank goodness!



















We also enjoyed great trips with good friends/family to France, Cancun, Chichen Itza, St. Augustine, Ft. Lauderdale, Disney World, Island Park, and McCall. Several road rallies came in between with our British Sports Car Club in our little green TR-6 convertible. And, Lawana had a special time with several of our daughters at the Women's Conference in Provo.









The year closed with a unique, life-changing "mini-mission" experience that we will never forget! We were asked by Lawana's brother, Corwin, to visit and serve with him and his wife, Peggy, for around 6 weeks in Kenya, Africa. They were serving there on a special three month measles prevention mission for the Church and we had the wonderful opportunity to help implement it. Such humanitarian work is very needed in undeveloped countries like Africa, where a totally preventable disease like measles still kills 500 children each day. During the closing week, around 93% of the African young children were provided measles "jabs" (vaccinations) in the area we worked around Mombasa and the Chyulu Hills. Most of our time went to this greatly-needed work and we came to love the wonderful, loving spirit of the very poor, but very noble African people. Along the way we also went on several safaris in Africa's wild bush and saw many fantastic wildlife sightings. It was Springtime there, so we saw practically every species of African wildlife with their young babies! Should you like to learn a bit about the measles work there and enjoy a taste of the wonderful African people and the majesty and splendor of that wild, dangerous, and beautiful country, just click on "Measles" at the top left under "View by Subject." (Incidentally, for you who have already seen some of our African pictures, we have added a lot more great safari wildlife pictures in the "Measles" section which you might especially enjoy).

In closing our part of this Christmas letter, we continue very grateful for freedom and America, fairly good health, loving friends and family, and many other blessings. We are especially grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. We thank you all for your love and friendship. We wish we could see or hear from all of you more often. Please know that you are always welcome in our home. We wish you the very best during this glorious Christmas season and hope that the New Year brings you & yours much success & happiness.

Please continue scrolling down for the Christmas Messages to you and fun photos from our Daughters' Families:

Sheri & Terry Cole Family

The Cole Family
Terry-Sheri-Jennie-Michelle-Justin

This year has been a year of growing and changing for the Cole Family. We have had a lot of fun together, including a big family trip to Disneyworld, Florida. We decided it may be our last family trip with everyone all together so we asked the kids where in the world they would like to go, and they chose Disneyworld. We played there for a week, amazed at how hot and humid it can be, and then spend a second week on the beach with Grandma and Grandpa, playing in the waves. It was a wonderful time.

Terry is going into his 20th year as a Firefighter, Captain of his station for 11 years now. He enjoys his work, especially because of his great schedule when he gets to be home and doing the things he really wants to do. He went on a big trophy elk hunt this summer in Utah, which was a lot of fun, but didn't see anything big enough to bring home to rival "Ed the Dead Elk Head" already on our wall. He took Justin hunting and camping a lot this year, and they are having a great time together.

Sheri has still been enjoying being a stay at home mom and has realized your kids need you even more as they get older! She is continuing her part time window decorating business, painting various businesses around the valley for holidays, promos, etc. It's a great little job, working hours she chooses to work, and the money feels like it comes for free because painting is so much fun. She continues to stay busy with 3 callings, 2 of which she shared with Terry on Activities Committee for the ward and Dance Couple (in charge of Saturday Night Youth Dances) for the stake. Also, she is looking forward to finishing her Nursery Calling which they have promised will be over in December!

Jennie is enjoying her Senior year at Rocky Mountain High School and is living it up before entering the big bad real world. She continues to keep up her high GPA and has been busy filling out college applications for next year. She has narrowed her interests of study to either the field of Nursing or Dental Hygiene. She has been very busy this year working on the Yearbook Committee, and is sure to be seen over and over in this year's edition! In the Spring she plans to once again take her place as Number 1 Varsity Singles player for her team. Cross your fingers for no sprained ankle!

Michelle is a Junior and having a great time in the Drama world of high school. She is currently rehearsing for a play that will be performed next week by the Drama classes, and has just received 2 leading parts in the winter play, A Christmas Carol, which will come out in December. She is having a wonderful time in a new class offered this year, "Musical Theater," where she has discovered not only can she act, but she has a great singing-stage voice as well! Michelle also continues to improve her piano skills by practicing everyday, and this year has begun teaching 4 young piano students.

Justin started at Sawtooth Middle School this year and is a big 6th grader. He has adjusted to the idea of having 8 classes really well and is keeping up with good grades in all of them! His favorite classes are PE and World Civ. He has made a lot of new friends this year and will soon be joining the 12 year old Scouts and will become a Deacon. Justin has also enjoyed camping and hunting with Terry and loves the big outdoors. He continues to like Bionicles and wants to design toys for Lego when he grows up. That, or an artist. Or a chef, as he loves to experiment with new recipes and share them with our family.

Shelly & Doran Johnson Family

Merry Christmas
from
The Johnsons in Texas!

I love the end of the year—not just because of the warm, cheery holidays of thanksgiving and Christmas, but because it is a time to sit down for five minutes in a room bathed in soft Christmas lights and music, wrapped in a fleece blanket, with a cup of hot chocolate and think about all the things that have keep our lives so busy throughout the year. Of course, here in The Woodlands, Texas, we have to set the AC very low so to get the desired cozy Christmas mood! Such is the case as a few events of 2009 spring to mind.

Ryan (16) achieving his Eagle rank the same week son #4, Spencer (almost 8), enters the wonderful world of Cub Scouts and Gavin (13) begins working on his Eagle Project (Doran laments he will be in boy scouts forever, but inside he secretly must love it!)

The mother/son’s campout Shelly spent with Gavin and Ryan staying up late for midnight mischief and sleeping snuggled in our down bags in the woods. And biking 18 miles together the next day.

Watching Malia (15) perform in her splashy roles in the musical “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat”, complete with Egyptian painted eyes and wild costumes.




Derek’s incessant pursuit of magic—he has the best 10-year-old sleight of hand ability I have ever encountered. I seriously think he could make money performing! His ten little fingers are pretty good on the ivories as well. He is exceptionally gifted—piano seems effortless for him.




Annalee (5) tromped off with all the kids on the first day of school to Kindergarten, her backpack thumping the backs of her calves as she walked down the sidewalk, only turning back to say, “Bye mom! I love you!” She adores school.





Spencer’s (almost 8) baptism will take place the day after Christmas. What a special time of year to make covenants to follow Jesus. He is excited and talks about it almost daily.




The countless hours we have spent pounding tennis balls around the court regardless of Houston heat, humidity, & even rain! Fortunately, our efforts are bearing fruit--Ryan, Malia and Gavin love it and are having success on their teams.

Ryan’s unbelievable ability to read, write and speak Chinese. He has incredible aptitude for abstract languages.



Piper, our Irish Water Spaniel, has grown up this year—lives to go on walks, tug on Shelly’s arm should she dares to teach piano or sit at the computer, and loves to play tag with little Jesse, our Cavalier and any kids who are home.



The momentous day Doran decided to shave his head! Have you noticed this is a cool trend among men? Thank heavens he has a handsome head!

Frequent visits with family! What a blessing it is to be in the same country. Our lives are inexplicably enriched by the love of grandparents, siblings and cousins. Getting together with family is worth every mile on the car or in the air and a complete gift!

With the kind innkeeper who found room for Joseph and Mary in his inn and found a place in his heart for the baby Jesus, we echo the words he might have spoken: Let Him in. We live in a busy world with many good things to occupy our time and energy. It is our prayer and wish for all to make room for Him in our lives, hearts, blessings and our challenges. The peace the Savior offers is real and is lasting. It tempers all our stresses and envelops all our joys. And it is a gift to all, for all. Let Him in. You’ll be glad you did. We sure are!

Merry Christmas!

Julie & Jared Morgan & Family

Jared and Julie Morgan and family

Hello everyone,

Another year has as they say “flown by” with a whirlwind of activities. We’ve been busy with life in all its many parts but we’d love to fill you in on some of the highlights of the year.

Jared – Work hasn’t change much during the economic down turn for him which is a great blessing. The human animal bond between pets and owners looks to be able to endure most crises. This summer he did get a break from work to again to be part of the young men and women at church with scout camp and weekly activities. He even got to go and be the medic for the 3 day Stake pioneer Trek that took place in the mountains south of Twin Falls. He also continues to enjoy helping with local and not so local wild life and has brought home for a short out of hospital stay such things as lizards, snakes, baby raccoons, a young deer, an occasional puppy or kitten, and even for a short time a baby alligator. You never know what might be in that box he’s carrying in the door.

Julie – A mom’s work is never done and multitasking is her middle name. Argument referee, homework tyrant, piano practice manager, Primary President, culinary artist, gardener and custodian. Despite all these activities and being pregnant most of the year she still manages to make life fun for everyone. She made it through being pregnant with number 5 and is so glad to have baby Jonah here.

Mikayla – Our oldest daughter, Mikayla is growing up fast as a third grader. She is a great older sister to all her younger siblings, especially baby, Jonah. She loves to help Mommy when she is busy and he cries. She is loving school and has a good attitude of determination to be a good student and stay ahead of Jericca.

Jericca – While she is right on the heels of her big sister and tries to compete with her in all points of life. They are best friends and do everything together. It’s really nice for them to have each other to share life with, even though they do disagree terribly at times. Then, they will be back and loving each other in a short time not remembering the problems that just transpired. They both are hard at work learning the piano this year and are making real progress.

Eliza – She really loves dressing up as a princess and is continually leaving her regular clothes behind to transform into someone like Snow White, Cinderella, a ballerina, or something else from her imagination. She is excited about getting ready for school and is frustrated about having to wait until next year to start kindergarten. To help with the waiting process she is in a preschool twice a week that Julie trades teaching and is really loving the learning and social interaction.

Skyla – Is a joy to be around despite being in the middle of the terrible two’s. She will have the occasional melt down, mostly when she’s tired and worn out, but those quickly fade and she is back to hugs, kisses, and giggles. She loves having 3 big sisters to play and run around with and is very tolerant of their bossing and ordering her around during the games they play. Now she is thrilled to be a big sister to her new little brother.

Jonah – Well, it finally happened. A boy has come into our family for a permanent stay. Jonah Scot Morgan was born August 11, 2009 and couldn’t be a better baby. Despite some early on difficulties with keeping his bowels moving he is a happy healthy fun little boy. He loves to eat and play and will even sleep through the turmoil and commotion of an active family of five whirling around him. He looks so much like all of his sisters yet at the same time there’s no denying that he’s a boy. Julie says he looks just like me! (too bad for him)

Luciana – You thought we were done but here’s one more to talk about. Luciana is from Brazil south east of Sao Paulo and will be staying with our family for the school year as an exchange student. She has definitely added a completely new dimension to our family. She is always busy with Volleyball, church, dances, and parties and soon, basketball. As well as extra home work that’s not getting done and makeup and clothes to make sure is perfect so she can maintain her constant state of “beauty,” her life is always hopping. We really enjoy the addition of having a really big sister in the house and are glad she’s here.

Rebecca & Kevin Cottrell & family

What a wonderful year this has been!

Who knew that it was possible to just keep getting better. As you all know, Jadeyn, our little boy, joined the family in April ‘08, so this is our first full year with our little munchkin. He has definitely been the highlight of our year. He hasn’t stopped us from doing any of the things that we love, in fact he has only increased them.

We camped and fished as much as possible and quickly discovered that these are Jadeyn’s #1 favorite things to do! He loves the outdoors just like we do, he loves getting dirty and he LOVES to fish.

We went on several amazing trips this year. We went to Florida’s three National Parks to continue our goal of seeing all of the National Parks in the US. What an amazing trip! The Everglades were just as breathtaking and mysterious as we expected. Exotic birds and allusive alligators, and the noise of the swamps was beautiful. Biscayne and Dry Tortugas came with some incredible boat rides complete with dolphins and manatees.

Hershey’s Park, PA was another fun highlight of our year. We couldn’t go through a whole year without visiting an Amusement Park could we? We flew to Pennsylvania and met Stephanie and family, Kevin’s sister and had such a great time with them. Who knew and entire amusement park could smell like chocolate? We stayed in Hershey Lodge where when you walk in the door, you just have to smile sweetly and you are given a full sized Hershey bar!!

Life in the working world has been going very well. Kevin’s optometry practice is doing great He has helped the practice to grow and thrive through the tough economy and enjoys helping his patients everyday. Rebecca continues to enjoy working part time for a local plastic surgeon and being able to spend the rest of the time with Jadeyn. Two days at work a week is perfect!

Life this year has been great and we try to enjoy every moment that life gives us.

P.S. This only covers 3/4 of the year as our dad, Mr. Planner, insisted on a deadline for submitting the Christmas letter! :)

Merry Christmas!
Kevin, Rebecca, Jadeyn, Dozer & Newt