Here is our little Jadeyn doing what he loves best: camping!!!!!

Spring Break in Boise

It was wonderful having the children home from Spring Break. Only Julie's children were out of school, but Rebecca, Kevin and Jadeyn joined us for a few days. We had wall to wall kids, but it was a delightful time. Sheri and Terry joined us as much as they could but with their kids in school and Michelle's play they didn't have as much time. We all attended Bye Bye Birdie in which Michelle played the lead role of Spanish Rose! She was awesome, amazing, and truly talented. Her lines were so fast and furious and involved. I can't imagine how she remember them all. We were very proud of her.

We had just celebrated a night of Hawaii with Jennie. We watched the movie "Hawaii" and had homemade ice cream. She has accepted schooling at BYU-Hawaii! She will leave in September and should have an incredible time. Fortunately, her aunt Kristi lives in Honolulu, so she shouldn't get too homesick, but it will give everyone the opportunity to visit her! We are so excited for her. It will be a wonderful experience going away to school! We love you Jennie!

Sheri, Julie and Rebecca had a blast going through all the things they had left behind and mostly took them home with them. But we still have more things to go through. With our remodeling almost finished, we want to send as much as we can to all the families to enjoy now. Terry and Jared and Justin went to pay 'army' with the paint balls games in Kuna while, Kevin and Dad went for a very long TR-6 ride. We thought they were lost they went so long. Then they came home only to go to the movies together. All the little children loved playing, dressing up, watching movies and creating things. It was fun to have 'boys' in the house, even tho they were tiny little ones. (Jonah and Jadeyn)

Each of the girls went over to see Grandma Johnson and spend time with her. She will be 93 this September and is very spry and cheery for her age. She appreciated so much having them all come. We missed Shelly and family for this visit but look forward to spending time with them in August when they will visit us.

Closing the year 2009

We were blessed with another wonderful close of 2009 with the ability to visit with all of our precious Children. Julie and Jared blessed their 5th child, a son, Jonah Scott, on November 1st and Sheri and Terry were able to attend. A brief, but memorable, time with everyone in Idaho at Julie's home in Twin Falls, ID. I had a moment of self-destruct as we left and slipped on the icy steps which has slowed down the holiday season, but also been a blessing. We discovered a large cyst that will need to be removed in January. So sometimes, blessing come with a hard fall. LOL

We had Sheri and Terry and kids over for Thanksgiving dinner in our new kitchen, which finally was finished, except for painting and a few other misc. things. We learned that Justin is a fantastic Chess player, so be prepared if you challenge him! Michelle is doing beautifully with the piano and drama this year. While Jennie is a young adult looking for work so she will be able to attend college in the fall. She is looking forward her last semester of tennis as number one seed. Can't believe we have a granddaughter who is graduating from High School.

On December 21 th, we left for Houston, TX to warm up the tennis rackets with all the kids down there. Dick played most every day with someone. We had major celebration time while there. Ryan had just had his 17 th birthday a few days before we arrive. He had requested a BSU tee shirt so he could tout the TCU people. Christmas Day came far too quickly, and then Spencer's 8th birthday and baptism. He was baptised before he even got a chance to open his presents at 10 AM. It was a beautiful day for him. Sunday, Malia sang and Shelly played for her song, Miracles. It was very moving. Then Shelly was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting and sent a beautiful message about "it matters" what we are doing our lives. "It matters" what we are doing in our lives because it develop the eternity of our future.

We had a wonderful time visiting Kevin, Rebecca and little Jadeyn in Longmont. Jadeyn really got excited to see us, even though we knew he didn't have any idea who we were. He warmed up to us and loved us. We were thrilled to have the time with them over New Year's. We watched movies, played games, and ate lots of fun things. Kevin and Rebecca are great cooks and love to cook, but we did go out to eat several times. We went to the animal shelter and almost brought home another cat. They already have two "boys" (cats) that were their first children before Jadeyn. The weather was wonderful and we played outside in the left over snow. It was a grand time. We look forward to when they can come see us in Boise.