Memorial Day Weekend!

We had one of the best surprises you could get, EVER, over Memorial Weekend!

Even better than the spectacular weather we enjoyed... which is notoriously M.I.A. each year! 

Tyler, Rachel and the kids surprised us by coming to visit.

We absolutely LOVED every minute being together with them!

Here's what we did while they were here...

Saturday was an absolute GORGEOUS day so we decided to take a little excursion.

We first went to feed the fish at Warm River.

The fish must have been starved for bread because they were jumping like crazy!

Once the bread was all gone we continued up the road towards Mesa Falls.

Lower Mesa Falls

And Upper Mesa Falls

When we finished it was dinnertime so we decided to treat our honored guests to dinner at Big Js.

Got to love a meal that I don't have to cook or clean up!

 The next day was Sunday which meant early morning church...

and a LONG afternoon of keeping the kids occupied with appropriate Sabbath day activities.

(The dirt pile we've got out back was terribly tempting for some of the kiddos!)

After dinner we took a quick drive to show off my grandparents property

and then came home for an "intiation ceremony" of sorts for our fire pit.  Wahoo!

Rach brought s'more stuff and the fire pit provided just what we need to cook those babies up right!

Silly kids!

Here's to s'more summer nights roasting s'mores!!!

And then it was Monday!

Burke, Abby and Hannah were up first thing asking to play in the dirt! 

The kids pretty much played in that pile of dirt all day!

But once in a while we would find them doing a little bit of this...

Or a little bit of that...

Riding on these...

Or playing on that... (this is the top of our pump house!)

But mostly they were right here...

Meanwhile the dads did this...

Any quesses as to who won the game?

While the mom's hung out with these two...

We finished of the day by BBQ'ing some chicken.

Super Yummy!

And then it was bathtime for the kiddos....

packing for Tyler and Rachel...

and then our sad goodbyes!

Thanks again for coming to visit Johnson Family!

You sure made our Memorial weekend a memorable one!

Kindergarten Graduation!

Abby's Kindergarten Graduation was last friday!

She has been talking about it the ENTIRE month so it was great to finally see the ceremony in person.

The theme was Big Dreams and each student dressed up like what they want to be when the grow up.

Abby chose a teacher.

There were doctors, teachers, singers, and several future principals! 

So cute!

I got there early enough to sit on the front row, but unfortunately on the wrong side.

My view of Abby was totally blocked by the cute little pilot sitting in front of her.

So there's not many pictures of the program.  Oh well!

The kids sang a bunch of songs and each student got up and told there career of choice and why they chose it!

Abby wants to be a teacher because she likes kids.

I think she will make a great teacher some day!

Afterwards we got some pictures of Abby with her teachers.

Mrs. Ivers

And Ms Rigby

And them some with her cute friends.

Abby and Cassie

Abby and Daisy

And Abby and Shaylee

I can't believe I have a kindergarten graduate!

Where has the time gone.

Abby has absolutely LOVED every single minute of Kindergarten and ADORES her teachers.

I had to stop counting down the days until summer because she would literally tear up over the fact it was ending!

It has been a great year and I hope her love for school and learning continues forever. 

Congratulations Miss Abby!

We love you so much!

Hannah Banana!

This sweet baby girl, turned 5 years old last week!

I asked her almost everyday if she felt 5 yet, she would always say no.  Until Sunday.

During church she informed me that she finally felt 5.  :)

Oh to feel 5 again!

When Hannah was first born I remember thinking she was so small.

There is a HUGE difference between a 7 lb baby and a 9 lb baby!

I remember saying over and over again, "She is so small! I cannot believe how small she is!"

The next most common comment was always about her hair!

She was born with some pretty amazing dark brown hair!

None of my other babies have even come close!

 She also had the typical Bates baby dark brown skin. 

I once got asked what ethnicity she had in her!

She was a gorgeous baby and I loved her immediately!

Flashforward five years and...
She's still a petite little thing!  Weighing in at 36.5 lbs - 27 %!
And is probably my fairest skinned, lightest hair girl now.

Except for one little patch of black hair. 

I noticed a little streak of black underneath the top layers of her hair a few years ago. 

I thought it was interesting and used it as proof that she once had really really dark hair!
She didn't want a hair cut for the longest time because she was afraid her "black" hair would go away.

Throughout the years that streak of black hair has continued to thicken and is now quite the chunk. 

I am little curious to see if her black hair will return one day!

Hannah's hair follows suit with the rest of her personality... just a little bit QUIRKY!

Now obviously there are several other words that could also describe Miss Hannah, like...

Silly and clever and loveable and stubborn and smart and creative and happy and determined and sweet.

But she's definitely got a bit of quirkiness in her!

It's one of the things we love most about her!

Here's a little qlimpse into the quirky world of Hannah Ho!

As of right now....

Hannah loves ALL things sparkly and pink and girlie!

She's definitely a girly girl with her own set of fashion rules.

Her outfits rarely match (unless she's going to preschool...and then I insist!)

and consists mostly of the same shirt, skirt, and heels (my heels).

She loves anything that makes her feel and look mature and beautiful, hence the heels.

Her favorite outfit currently is an elastic neck nightgown pulled down to her waist as really long skirt,

paired with a ruffly pink shirt with another shirt pulled over her neck around her shoulders as bolero type thing.  

(see what I mean... Quirky, Clever, and Creative right there!)

Or some sort of dress-up costume.

Hannah is a great sister and awesome friend.

She can get along with anyone.

She's is VERY easy to please (a pink scarf and umbrella proves that!)

And even easier to entertain.... dress-ups and some disney music go along way at our house!

She is sweet and caring and has a smile that can melt your heart....and it does daily!

I mean, how could you not love this face!

Happy Birthday Love Bug!

I love you more than you will ever know!

Dear Hannah Nana,

          I cannot believe it was five years ago that you came into our lives.  I am so grateful for the opportuntity to be your mom.  Throughout these last five years you have taught me so much.  As I watch your big brown eyes light up over some sparkly nailpolish and your very own pack of tic-tacs, you teach me to find joy in the little things!  When I hear your sweet giggle as you dance around the living room to some disney tunes, you teach me it's okay to be silly and have fun!  And sweet Hannah, you teach me patience EVERYTIME it's your turn to clear the table.  I hope that you will forever continue to teach me these sweet lessons because I know I am a better mom and person because of you sweet pea!

          Hannah, I know we don't always see eye to eye, (especially when cleaning your room....sorry sis, but I will ALWAYS find your things stashed under your bed!)  but always remember I love you so SO much.  I cannot imagine my life with out you in it.  Here's to the next 5 years girlie!

                                                                Love, Momma