Thanksgiving 2013

As I'm getting older, I'm becoming less excited about the actual holidays as I am a break from work. I got almost a week off for Thanksgiving this year, and I needed it! It was so fun to be off work for almost a week. The downer - I started my period with HORRIBLE cramps and was literally on the couch with a heating pad for most the week. Sigh. Still effects from birth control. I'm hoping my body will regulate back to normal soon.

 

Sachi came over Wednesday after work so we could start watching Downton to prepare for season 5, which is coming out in January on DVD. We ended up talking straight till past 1am instead.

 

While we were talking, Trevor went to the grocery store to get our weeks worth of groceries and the stuff we needed for Thanksgiving. Then he went to basketball.

 

When he came home, he set up his gaming station in our bedroom - with a brilliant idea to hook his laptop to our TV so he use that screen. His eyes got big and sparkly when he told me this plan - like a kid on Christmas. Sadly for him, it didn't work well. Oh well.

 

So while Sachi and I talked, he had his man time. A bunch of his friends get on, and they play the game together and talk via Skype. So he had man time and I had Sachi time.

 

The next morning, Sachi and I actually watched some Downton. Trevor watched one episode with us and actually liked it.

 

After, Sachi made the best stuffing I have EVER had, while I made green bean casserole and carrot cheesecake (AMAZING! It was SO GOOD!)

 

Sachi went to her brothers' house for thanksgiving, while Taylor came over and we went to Trevor's parents house. All Trevor's siblings were there, and his grandparents (and Steve - who I got the pleasure of sitting next to. I always end up next to Steve). The best part of Thanksgiving was having Taylor there. I'm so glad he came.

 

We didn't do any Black Friday anything. We did go to RC Willey on Friday to see if they had any crazy deals on a couch.

 

Trevor couldn't find his sunglasses, so he wore the Pitch Perfect ones I got for him (they came with the movie). I found it hilarious that he's wearing Pitch Perfect sunglasses with his football hat and his Sons of Anarchy shirt.

 

 

 

Getting into the car after RC Willey, Trevor ripped his pants. I mean, RIPPED HIS PANTS.

 

The tear started at the top of the zipper and went clear down his leg. I have no idea how he did this.

 

I had some better pictures to illustrate just how enormous this tear was, but they didn't make the decency test.

 

Overall, awesome Thanksgiving. So glad I could spend it with Taylor and Sachi and Trevor's family.

 

Mostly, I'm grateful I got to spend it with this handsome dude.

 

 

Love,

Brittney

Weekend

Best weekend ever!

 

Lacey's mom was out of town this weekend, with her dying grandma, and asked if we would watch Lacey. We decided to make a weekend out of it, and invited Rozlyn to stay as well, and my brother came Friday night.

 

We got dinner at KFC, where we got on a joke telling tangent - and the girls started to make their own jokes which is always hilarious (and makes me think of Bobbie when she was little. She would start a joke and then tell you a story that NEVER ENDED. Every time).

 

Then we went to the nickelcade. We thought about Chuck E Cheese, but apparently the one by us is ghetto. Then Trev suggested Fat Cats. Then we decided the nickelcade would be our cheapest option - and funnest.

 

Trev and Taylor spent most their nickels on Terminator.

 

 

Lacey spent all her nickels on this jump rope simulating game. She won the jackpot. And then spent the rest of the time trying to get it again. She was sweating by the time we left.

 

 

Rozlyn got this as her prize from her tickets (As well as a bunch of other random stuff, some of which I found in my car this morning).

 

As the girls were excitedly showing us their necklace, I said to Trev, pretend pouting, "Where is my best friends necklace? Why didn't you get me one with your tickets!?"

 

Without skipping a beat he points to my wedding ring and says, "That. That is your best friends pendant."

 

 HAHAHA. Well played husband, well played.

 

 

This was our Saturday. The girls played Minecraft ALL DAY LONG. No joke. ALL DAY. It was freezing cold and raining, and we didn't want to spend money, and couldn't come up with an alternative activity. Plus this is all the girls wanted to do, rain or shine.

 

 

It was so much fun having the girls over. But now I feel like I need a real weekend. They didn't leave until Sunday afternoon, and then the rest of the day was completely booked. We didn't get to bed until after midnight.

 

Also, amazing having my brother over. He is one of my all-time favorite people to hang out with.

 

Love,

Brittney

Family Fun Weekend

I have no pictures from this weekend, which is sad. It was an amazing weekend, so despite being picture-less, I wanted to document it.

Friday we went to the Bona’s for a BBQ, and the Bolejack’s were there. It was so nice to see everyone. They truly do feel like family.

After, all the kids (Me, Trev, Mikail, Camree, Taylor, Bob, Riley, Chris and Sean) went and watched Princess Bride at the park (movie in the park). Sachi joined us there. That was so much fun! Being outside, watching the best movie ever on the big screen.

After, Riley and Bob slept over at our house.

The next morning Trevor and I went to the doctor about that horrible cough again. It’d been getting worse, regardless of the inhaler and antibiotics.  I was impressed with the doctor’s thoroughness, and he did a chest x-ray and other tests. They confirmed his suspicions – it is an acute asthma. He gave Trevor another inhaler, with steroids. He’s had it 3 days now and already his cough is so much better. I’m so grateful for that.

On the way home we stopped and got Kneaders French toast and brought it home to the girls. I got to wake up Bob – which is one of my favorite things to do.

We all ate breakfast at our new table! I am in love with that table! (I need to post pictures. I got it for my birthday. Also – I am really particular about it – I don’t want any scratches on it. Trevor will just put tools on it and other things, which can scratch it (obviously) and I die inside, but try to remain calm on the outside and not yell at him. So the other day, I put one of our new Calphalon pans in the sink and fill it with water. Then I put another dish inside of it. Trevor lost it! He was not happy about that. I think it is hysterical – he’ll scratch the table and not care – but I put a dish inside one of our pans filled with water – and that isn’t ok. It’s funny what we are each particular about, or what really bothers us/means a lot to us). This is the first time since getting it we’ve had four around it, so it was fun (ok I realize that sounds super lame – but I LOVE that table!).

We then drove to Thanksgiving Point, where we dropped the girls off to see the new Percy Jackson movie (Bob to watch it, Riley to check out the actor) and Trevor and I went to his work BBQ. It was fun to meet a couple of his co-workers and to just spend time outside with Trevor.

We picked the girls up, drove back to our house and watched some shark week. We then dropped Riley off at her Grandpa’s house, and wen to our ward BBQ for a bit. Then we drove to Provo to spend time with my dad before he flies home. We watched Tommy Boy, which I’d never seen. I could have been ok never having seen it.

We drove home late with Bob.

Got up early Sundayto watch Camree, Cody and Taylor SKYDIVE! That was fun to be there for that. Trevor couldn’t come, since he was asked to give the SS lesson. Bob went back with the guys, I drove back home and Trevor and I went to his Grandparents’ house for a family BBQ. That was really fun.

We didn’t get home until probably 9:30. We then turned on Harry Potter (we are watching all of them in a row) and made it to the good part (aka – climax) before falling asleep.

And that was our weekend. We had no time to do anything we needed to, like cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry… But it was worth it. It’s so fun hanging out with my siblings, who I love so much, and my husband.

Next week we’re going to St.George with the guys. GLOW IN THE DARK MINI GOLF!!! WOO WOO!!

Love,

Brittney

Eye See You!

Taylor bought googly eyes and we had fun decorating Grandma's fridge. I don't think she really noticed.

Grandpa went to make eggs for breakfast the next day, and wouldn't crack any of the eggs with eyes.

Dude we need to hand out!

One of Taylor's friends posts on Taylors' FaceBook wall:

"Dude we need to hand out!"

Below is what followed.

Taylor: "Palm down. I'm not in Rexburg yet"

Friend: "When do you get here?"

Taylor: "In two days. Unless I get awristed by the police"

Friend: "lol serious?"

Taylor: "Yeah. If I forget to knuckle my seatbelt"

Me: "You always have games afoot with the coppers..."

(Friend "likes" this post)

Me: "Hey did you ever finger out how to get to Rexburg?"

Taylor: "I'll calf to find a map"

Me: "Call if you knee any help"

Taylor: "I'll ask Grandpa. Heel know"

Me: "I'll ask him toe. Just to make sure you get the right directions"

Taylor: "I would thigh of starvation if I got lost"

Me: "I nose. You really are directionally challenged"

Taylor: "Speak up I can't ear you"

Me: "Eye think you should get your hearing checked"

Taylor: "I will. To make sure your yelling didn't arm them"

We crack me up.

Love,

Brittney

Bring your Siblings to Work Day = Awesome Whiteboard Art and Infinate Amounts of Love

Happy 19th, Brother!

A Night In Pictures...

Elder

As of 8-14-11 at 7:00pm - Taylor Wesley Johnson is an Elder.

So proud.

Love,

Brittney

Grandma's Old Letters

I found some old letters in my Grandma's closet. Most of these were written by my Dad when he was little.

The last bit, on the index cards, is I presume the talk my Grandpa Dee gave at my Dad's mission farewell.

I'll start with my favorite first:

Hi Dad,

I missed you to day. Have you worked hard? I bet you have. I hope you don't come home cranky and mad, because when you come home cranky and mad you're hard to live with. Let's get off this stupid subject.

Don't question me about my homework, because it's all done. I thought I'd tell you this it would save alot of yelling. Because I'm trying to not get yelled at for the rest of the week.

Excuse the mistakes, but you will have to get along with them. Of course unless you don't want the letter.

LOVE,

JERRY JOHNSON

daddys little boy jr. Jerry Johnson

Johnson

Jerry                           Dec 5

on sunday I ho yo sunday school, I sit rite down and dont play pool I listen to the Teacher. it isnt so fun but it teaches me the holy one.

WHAT MOTHER DOES FOR ME

1. CLEANS HOUSE
2. DOES LAUNDRY
3. COOKS MY MEALS
4. TOLERATES MY MOODS
5. SHOPS AND BUYS ME NICE THINGS TO WEAR
6. BUYS ME THINGS SHE THINKS I WOULD LIKE
7. DOES NOT  GOSSIP ABOUT ME
8. STICKS UP FOR ME
9. LOVES ME WHEN I'M GOOD
10. GIVES ME SPECIAL LOVE WHEN I'M SICK
11. LETS ME WATCH T.V. IN BED
12. IS CONSIDERATE OF MY FRIENDS
13. IS FRUGAL WITH MY MONEY
14. IS GOING TO LOVE ME MORE WHEN SHE CAN

Not to be secretive on my behalf but many of the favors she has done for me I have forgotton. It came upon a day so bright she washed my clothes clear out of sight, she cooked my food she cooked my meat then after dinner she'd rub my feet. If I wanted to watch a show shed leave me alone and go out and sew, any thing shed do for me, take care of me injured or let me just be. But Im so glad to have her near, she is my sweat mother, she is my dear.

Love

Stink Head

 thanks mom for being what you are. I usually don't show I love you because thats kids stuff you understand but I do. thats all the mush Id better wright or youd think you were clear out of

SIGHT

LOVE

Jerry Johnson

I want to welcome you here today, it is really heart warming to see so many people here. I especially want to thank the people that have come any distance to be here today.

Lately people have been asking me who and what has had the biggest influence on Jerry in helping him decide to go on his Mission. Of course the teachings that he has grown up with in Sunday School and Primary have had a tremendous influence on him. Also the teachers and leaders he has had, but I think the one person that has had a big influence on Jerry has been Karen. Karen has always tried to keep Jerry on the right path.

About seven or eight months ago, Jerry was studying to take an apprentice ship test and one night Mike, Karen's husband was helping Jerry with some Math problems and Jerry said, "I think if I pass this test I won't go on my mission." Karen piped up from the front room, Michael you stop helping him right now. Also, Jerry's friends have had a big influence on him, right noe he has a lot of friends on missions. We appreciate the type of friends that Jerry chooses, and have always tried to make them welcome in our home. We can't think of a friend that Jerry has ever brought home that we didn't like. This goes for girls as well as boys.

One family home evening about 4 years ago each family member was supposed to write down all the good things a Mother does for them and this is what Jerry had to say.

Jerry is a kind, considerate and understanding person and I know Jerry with make a good Missionary and I pray that the Lord will bless him and take care of him for the next two years and I say this in the of Jesus Christ.

Amen

How many of you read the essays in Friday nights Herald on Family Life, written by students at the Timpview High School. In one of the essays, a girl wrote, "God is like Hallmark. He cared enough to send me the very best." That's the way I we feel about Jerry. 

You might call me somewhat of a skeptic, I have often sat in the audience and listened to parents of Missionaries or returned Missionaries tell about how many blessings they have when their Son or Daughter is on a Mission and how they never missed the money that they sent them. I would sit and think now lets see, 150.00 a month for 12 months is 18 hundred dollars a year for two years, that's 36 hundred dollars. It seems like a person would miss that much money, but you know even though we have sent Jerry 200.00 each month for two years we haven't missed that money, do you know why we haven't missed that money? Because Jerry had enough money to support himself on his Mission. But let me explain to you what happened.

After Jerry left, each month we would take money out of his savings and put it into his checking account. When it came tax time in 1976 our tax man said why don't you support Jerry on his Mission, that way you can claim him as a dependent on your Income Tax and that will help you on your taxes, so that is what we decided to do and didn't think the IRS would mind as long as it was for such a good cause. Before Jerry left we told him that as long as he was supporting himself on his Mission that we would try to get him a Building Lot here in Orem. In January we had the opportunity to do just that. Last Dec. e were fortunate enough to be able to take a trip to Hawaii to see Karen and her family and the three of us will be going over again this

year for the Holidays. We have been able to do some improving around the house and to be able to send out little grand children something once in a while and to have all the necessities we needed and you know Jerry still has over half his savings left. I really feel like we have been blessed and have had some extra help and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

You know getting a son ready for a mission is almost as much work as getting a daughter ready for a wedding.

I don't think many of us realize how much a boy has to sacrifice to go on a Mission, his hair, his beard, and his truck. But seriously how many of us would be willing to sacrifice everything we have worked hard for two years plus giving up all the things we love and enjoy.

Awww... Tender. Found this with my Dad's letters. Clearly the Johnson boys are cherished above all else... :)