Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

We had the joy of hosting 2 Thanksgiving's this year--one for Chuck's side on Thanksgiving Day, and one for my side on Saturday after Thanksgiving. There was a lot of prep work, but was VERY nice having everyone here! Here are some pictures:

Some of the Johnson cousins on Thanksgiving Day.....

Then, on Saturday....

Lorrie andDanielle

After Sharyn, Raquel, Courtney, and Cassidy arrived

The 'kids table'--see Grandpa sitting with them? He fits right in! :)

Dishing up...

Sawyer in his p.j.'s after a busy day...

Sharyn, Cassidy and Lorrie...

Courtney and Raquel...

Silly boys right before bed...Don't they look tired? :)

We had an awesome weekend...too bad Neve was too sick to join us. :(

Hope that everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving with family and friends.

My first doll

Here is a picture of my very first attempt at doll making. I really wanted to start making toys and dolls that I can feel good about giving--without worry of lead poisoning. :)

She doesn't have a name yet, but the girls think I should name her Alaina, since she has her hair. :)

Mitchell and I decided to paint some Christmas ornaments on Sunday since Dad and Tanner were away for a hockey scrimmage and he wanted to do something fun. He was so excited and giggled through the first few ornaments. The girls--after just waking up--saw what was happening in the kitchen and decided to do a few also. They were really happy when I took this picture. I had to hurry and post this before they erased it. :) They turned out great. Mitchell's favorite is the cardinal--his favorite animal.

Later that afternoon, after the Vikings WIN, we played kickball in the rain for Family Fun. Granted, I was NOT happy about playing in the freezing rain (we did have snow along with the freezing rain), but it was our neighbors choice and that is what they chose. Of course, it ended up being really fun, with lots of falls and slips. I couldn't take pictures outside because of the rain, but here are a few inside. We came back to the neighbors for chili and carmel apples. Yummy!

7 Random Things about ME

1. Like my sisters, I love all things nature. The other day I sat and watched a bird recover from flying itself into one of our windows. It took 45 minutes, and I cried while I watched it breathing heavy, in fear that it would stop right before my eyes.

This is actually the bird, after it got itself to standing position. :)

2. I pray every night. Mainly for my health and the health of my family. I thank Him for all that He's given me, and, honestly, I don't feel worthy of it all. I, also, pray for financial freedom....:) (don't we all?)

3. I LOVE to dance. I dance whenever I can, wherever there's music. I can't help it. I would have loved the opportunity to dance for a career, even though I'm the most unflexible person I know.

4. I have hermit crab tendencies. Some days I have to force myself to leave the house. I love the safety and comfort of home. To be surrounded by all that I love is the best feeling in the world to me.

5. I love exploring different cultures and learning about the lives of non-Americans. Our neighbors have 2 foreign exchange students, and we have great conversations on the differences of each of our countries......USA, Slovakia, and Turkey....interesting combo.

6. I hate exercising! I find a million and one reasons to NOT do it! I love to eat, however, and I'm afraid it's all catching up to me. I love to cook for large crowds and seeing everyone love what I've prepared. Cleaning up is another story. My hubby's good for that, though. :)

7. I'm a nightowl and NOT a morning person. I hate being forced to wake up via an alarm clock. If I have to, I literally don't open my eyes until after my shower. Yes, I shower with my eyes closed. Chuck laughs at me every morning, as he's a morning person. I'll find any reason to stay up later....mostly to watch t.v. I think it's because the days go by too fast, and I dread saying goodbye to yet another day.

And there you go! I think all the bloggers I know have been tagged already.

Our Family Fun Days

People have asked what we do on our family fun days, so I thought I'd put it on a post. It is, by far, one of the best ideas we've come up with. We share 10 acres of land with 3 families, which we've all become best friends. We started it out by just playing football on Sunday afternoons this fall. One night as we all sat down for dinner together, we thought we should make this a weekly thing. So, FAMILY FUN DAY was born. Each family takes turns in being the host. The host family chooses what we do on that day--whether it is soccer, football, kickball, bowling or just a movie. Then, after our fun activity we go back to the host family's house for a big meal together. It's so fun! We all get excercise and just laugh our butts off! The kids LOVE it, and it's so fun to hear what they want to play. On our next host day, Mitch has voted to play hide-n-go seek tag. Can you imagine, I think I'd need a defibrillator! :) We have a few very competitive people and it's taught them to calm down and just enjoy the game. Some of our winter ideas are sledding (if we have snow), having a gingerbread making contest, snowman family contest, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and heading to one family's cabin and clearing off a spot of ice to ice skate and have a fire (not on the ice, of course). We try to make it a no-cost event, also. We've also invited another family to join us, so it's not just limited to our families. The more, the merrier!
I encourage anyone and everyone to do this with their families and friends. It's so great making memories, and watching the kids laugh at the 'old people'. They laugh at us Mom's running the bases, or trying to catch a football...which I seem to always drop...or the Dad's tackling each other or having a face-off on one of the bases during kickball.
I have to admit, there were some days I just wanted to stay in and watch the football game, but it is mandatory for everyone :) and I am ALWAYS glad I went. The fresh air is medicine for the soul.

Updates....

Not much has been happening around here. We had a fun weekend. It really started on Thursday night when the girls and I went to see the high school performance of Les Miserables. Allison's new boyfriend was one of the leads....and I have to say....it was FANTASTIC!!!!!! I've never been more proud of those high school kids. I was awestruck, as was the whole audience. It was a great night....with many tears, mostly because it was so amazing! Every time Phil ended a song, Allison would say, "I have a boyfriend that can sing!!!" She was so proud of him, too. :)
Friday night Chuck and I attended a friends 40th Birthday party. It was fun...it's been a long time since Chuck and I have been out on the town. I ended up being the photographer that night, and it was really fun. They haven't called to say anything too bad about the pictures, so hopefully they have a few good ones. (Minus the ones where my husband was break-dancing on the dance floor)
Saturday Chuck took Tanner pheasant hunting (and I secretly did a prayer that they wouldn't catch anything), but my prayers fell short, I guess. Tanner was so proud when they brought home dinner for the family. (No, I didn't try it...sorry, Chuck) I was in charge of bringing Mitch to hockey--which is always fun to watch. We, then, went to lunch with Lorrie and the kids, and did a little camera shopping afterwards. When we started out in the car, we were so excited to have all the kids together for lunch. Then, in the resteraunt, we thought, "What are we doing??" They had a ball, just giggling at each other. So cute....
Sunday was family fun day. We did a couple games of kick ball--which were tied--so we grabbed some potatoe sacks and did a few relay races (yeah, did you know that after 4 kids, hopping in a potatoe sack and laughing hysterically may 'cause you to need new underwear?) to break the tie. Didn't work--we were still tied, so we decided to do a pull-up contest! (You may all congratulate me on doing TWO!) So, we ended in a tie. :) We came back to our house for fetticcini alfredo, a yummy salad, ciabatta bread, and dessert! (Can you tell that's my favorite part??) It was a GREAT day! All of us (grownups) are a little sore today--but a good sore. :) I didn't have my camera, so sorry, no pictures. I'll be sure to bring it next week.
Today, Monday, was back to work and school (reluctantly). Nobody wanted to go, and I didn't want them to either. But, alas...it looks like sickness may be on the way in again. So, who knows how many kids I'll end up having home this week.
Poor Alaina is sick, and Tanner's friend got sick in school and needed a ride home today, so I was the lucky one to transport her. Poor girl. Allison is home tonight from hockey due to aches and a sore throat--thank you, Phil. :)......My day, tomorrow, looks like rubber gloves and disinfectant......:(

Allergy/Asthma testing....

After a few years of debating, we decided to bring Ashley and Mitchell to the Allergist/Asthma specialist that Allison has been going to since 1st grade. Ashley has been diagnosed with asthma (no surprise there), and we also found that she is allergic to cats and dogs. :( She was also diagnosed as having Sinusitis and Rhinitis--which basically is inflamed sinuses and nasal cavities. She is on a two week dose of antibiotics, and a 6 day dose of prednisone (a steriod). Hopefully we will get the inflamation down so we can take the next step in her treatment. If it doesn't help, we will have to return and have a CT done just to make sure she doesn't have a structural problem.
Mitchell was such a brave boy, and didn't even flinch as they poked his back 50 times or so. The doctor picked out the basic things that usually trigger allergies, and tested him on those. They actually put a poke on his back to make sure he is ABLE to react to certain allergens--basically, everybody swells up from this certain poke (A dud one) . Well, he ended up not swelling up for any of the known allergens--except the dud one! He, not only swelled up, (which is expected) but he produced hives all along his side and onto his chest. His eyes started watering up, too. So, obviously, he's allergic to something...just not anything they tested him on! UGH!-----Sooooooo, she put him on zyrtec and nasal spray. They both get checked in 6 weeks, or sooner if they don't get better.

Whew!! LOTS of information thrown at me today! Hope I give them all the right medicine. Anyone have a good homeopathic book to learn how I can get them off all these meds???

The J's hotel/quarantined household

There was a "no vacancy" sign outside our 'hotel' on Friday night. We had, what seemed like, a small tournament of 9 and 10 year old hockey players staying in our upstairs bonus room, after an impromptu 'slumber party' (do 10 yr. old boys call it that?). The night was filled with hockey tournaments on XBox, many, many spilled cans of pop (Did I mention there were MANY spills?), and movies before crashing for the night (reluctantly). They all stayed til noon the next day, playing (you guessed it) HOCKEY!!! Their parents had a hard time getting them to leave. :)

On Saturday morning we were off early for hockey practice and scrimmage. Yes, this is our life for the rest of the winter. Allison had her first scrimmage against a team that went to state last year, and didn't let in a single goal! YIPEE!! I'm so excited for this year.--During her scrimmage, Mitch had his practice in the other arena. He's so cute on the ice....he's the littlest one, but is such a good listener and tries to do exactly what his coach is telling them to do.

After that, we hosted our neighbors three children for the night while they were out of town. We popped popcorn and watched 'Evan Almighty'. Or should I say "I" watched the movie--they all fell asleep 30 seconds into it. I love that movie!!

Sunday morning I made a big breakfast since we had an extra hour of sleep, and still had plenty of time to get ready for church. I took the two older neighbor kids with me, and my Sunday school class was bursting at the seams. Fun, though!

After that, I went home and watched the Vikings beat the San Diego Chargers!!! YAY! Once I got my quick rest, we played a game of football outside for our family fun day. You won't believe this, but I got my first touchdown! Yeah....I'm awesome....:) The kids were pretty proud, since I usually have butter fingers and drop, or fumble the ball.

Once that was over, it was already Sunday night, and time to head home to get the kids ready for school the next day. We had the privilage of watching our other neighbors two children for Sunday and Monday night. Our neighbor, and friend, Chad's sister has cancer and was having surgery at the Mayo clinic to remove a tumor on her spine. The surgery went well, but they weren't able to remove the whole thing....so they will be doing massive chemo and radiation treatments after she heals. Keep her in your prayers...

On Monday morning Mitch developed a case of the runs....sorry to be so gross. He was sick AALLLL day, and didn't quite make it to the bathroom on numerous occasions. :( Poor boy. He is still sick with it today, and Tanner also developed it this morning. So, yes, we are quarentined, as well. All those poor kids that were here all weekend were exposed. Yuck, I may have a few upset parents on my hands. The one that was the happiest to have the boys home was Sawyer...as you can see by his face. I tried to keep them away.....sorry, Lor.

Varsity goalie!

Just wanted to announce---Allison made varsity goaltender on her hockey team!!! It was announced yesterday. I'm soooooo proud of my 5 foot 1 inch/ 100 lb. dynamo!!! She is one quick, agile girl I tell ya! All the other players tower over her by, at least, 5 inches or more; but, man, do they have a hard time scoring on her. She has a scrimmage tomorrow morning, so pictures will be posted!! WOOOOOHOOOOO ALLISON!!! WAY TO GO!!!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

We loaded up the boys and the neighbor kids--and adults--and took them to a neighborhood that has more than 3 houses to do our trick-or-treating. Mitch went full force the entire time--never tiring, and never getting cold. I was freezing, and stayed almost the entire time in the vehicle and watched them run. Our last house we went to was set up like a haunted house (we knew them) with a strobe light and scary manequin's dressed in masks. And the scariest part was the woman had a speaker set up, and called each person by their names. Freaky. You would have thought Mitch's feet were stuck in the mud. He went running for the house, thinking it was a normal house, and stopped DEAD when he saw the manequin in the doorway. He couldn't move back or forward. Poor boy. I had to pick him up and carry him back to the car. Yeah, halloween was not all fun a games at this point.

Never once have any of my kids wanted to be something REALLY scary for halloween, except for this year. Tanner insisted on being something scary and covered with blood. I told him that we, as a family, don't participate in halloween to that extent, and I don't buy masks and costumes that will scare all the little kids out there. He refused to get a costume, if it wasn't what he wanted, up until halloween day. So, we compromised on the mask you see in the picture. He ended up being an old lady--(really a witch's mask), and wore my apron I recieved at my wedding shower. :) It was quite funny, actually, and not too scary. Everyone loved it and thought it was unique. Sigh.....Mom is not so stupid, after all.

We arrived home to smashed pumpkins (no, not the band). Why do people do that?! Out of our 3 families that live on these 10 acres, there are 5 teenagers. I guess that comes with the territory. I just wish they could see the little ones faces when they discover their masterpeices smashed all over the yard. It's too bad.

Allison spent the night at her favorite hang-out spot....sitting by the computer, at home, in her jammies. :) And Ashley spent the evening at a church, hanging with all her friends. She came home with a fever, headache, sore throat and the chills. I made her tea, and cuddled with her on the couch until late into the night. ( I didn't want it to end)

So, that was our Halloweeeeeeeeeeeen.