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.

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!

Springtime fun with Grandpa and Grandpa

Spencer, Derek, Lawana and Annalee had a great time playing Sequence during their spring break in Texas.

The Woodlands

I can't believe another week has passed since we were in The Woodlands enjoying the wonderful weather and having fun with our Texas grand kids. We followed up our excursion to Rebeccas with another week in The Woodlands (Houston. TX) with Shelly and Doran and family. We aren't sure if we aged or got younger with all the fun things we did with them! Grandpa (Dick) played tennis twice a day with the older three children, Ryan, Malia and Gavin.

We had a great time playing games, putting puzzles together, playing tennis, having magic shows, painting rooms, visiting the Blue Bell Factory (Ice Cream), swinging in the big long swings from the tall trees in their back yard and enjoying the wonderful weather.
Dick and Gavin made a challenge bet about hitting the tennis ball in to the basket. Gavin had to pay Dick a 25ç for each basket he got and was going into debt, when Gavin hit the basket in one shot! Bingo! Gavin stuck it rich with a $10 bill! We all took a shot at it and found it wasn't as easy as it looked.

This is the sign the kids made and greeted us in the middle of the street when we arrived the first night. We ran through the sign and then taped it back together to take the pictures. Guess we will have to make it back again in June to see the kid's progress with their tennis. They improved greatly during the week. Ryan won a gold medal this week playing against 20 other schools. Malia plans to add to her two gold medals on Saturday in another tournament. Good luck, kids!!

The Johnson Family 2008

Spencer - Shelly - Gavin - Annalee - Doran - Ryan - Malia - Derek

Dear wonderful family and friends,

What a glorious Christmas week!

We hope you and your family have relished time to relax, read Christmas stories
with hot chocolate,
sleep in, reflect on the miraculous birth and life of Jesus Christ,
and be with loved ones! What a blessing.

Thank you for all your christmas wishes and photos!
During the holidays, the kids race to our mailbox to collect the Christmas cards!
This year, we opted for the easy way out and put up a brief youtube video capturing
our family's new passion this season--ice blocking in Texas.



Christmas in the Woodlands (ice blocking)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLCZG9D03Z8



Johnson nativity video (and yes, that is a koala Annalee is holding--
at the moment the doll we planned for Baby Jesus was no where to be found.
But Annalee looks at it so adoringly, it is cute.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwgtNebEkzQ



The Joy and Simi Vadakkan family's journey from India and Kuwait to temples in Texas
and Utah to be sealed as a family for time and all eternity (aka "Operation Miracle")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyzbHRTySvY



We want each of you to know our limited communication with many of you doesn't
begin to reflect how much we think about you, pray for your happiness and cherish
the memories we have together! (We keep wishing we were better at communication;
maybe 2009 will be the year)

Life just keeps moving along at a dizzying pace; each day presents a golden
opportunity to learn, progress and grow. May we all make the most of each day this
coming year.

Lots of love,
Doran and Shelly
Ryan, Malia, Gavin, Derek, Spencer and Annalee
Jesse (our Cavalier) and Violet (our Irish Water Spaniel)