LOVE ~ LAUGH ~ LIVE

Forever In Our Hearts

2010-10-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

We have been lucky enough to have had General with us for 12 wonderful years.
He was so much more than a dog to us he was a
Best Friend
Pillow
Walking Buddy
Fisherman
Hunter
Swimmer
Protector (in so many ways)
Vacuum
Hand Washer
Face Washer (when Savannah was a baby!)
90 plus pound lap dog
Therapist ( he would listen all day )
Foot Warmer
Best Buddy to Jetta
And so much more!
Thank you again "Red Dog" for all the love and laughs you have given us!
We love you and miss you so much Gen!!
Dad, Mom, Austin, and your "Nana"

So Long For Now!!

2010-09-16T13:09:00.000-07:00

I have decided to take a break from my blog. I have enjoyed and will continue to follow my friends blogs. Love ya all, I hope my break wont be to long!

Crazy day tomorrow!

2010-08-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful summer we have had. So sad it is coming to an end.
I am hoping I can sleep tonight I am so anxious today. Travis finally gets to have knee surgery tomorrow. Savannah has her first day of fifth grade at her new school (yikes really fifth grade ohhh). Austin starts his senior year and his college courses at MATC.
As I type this everything is going through my head of what I need to get ready for Travis and the kids and I am writing on my blog, I need to relieve some stress so I hope this helps. We had a good time at Savannah's back to school night, her teacher is wonderful YAY!! I am fighting back tears today so worried about my girlie starting a new school and the anticipation of Travis' surgery. We had a wonderful trip last weekend and some other adventures I am excited to share but that will have to wait for another day!

2010-07-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” Charles Swindoll

Enjoying the summer

2010-07-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

This summer has been great! We haven't had a garden in two years it has been so nice to have one again. I just need to stay away from the garden stores. Every time I go in I can't help but by more plants!

All Done!!??

2010-06-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

Well the move out is complete the move in on the other hand.... Is still in progress.
We had a little delay on getting things complete on the inside because we have new family members!! Thumper the foppy eared bunny and Princess a golden sussex hen.
We are all enjoying the new home, it is so quiet and peaceful.
The patio and landscaping will be done in a couple of weeks but other than that we can't complain.
We took the kids to Lagoon for all there hard work and help with the move. I can't wait to have it all complete. But I am enjoying taking a little break and enjoying the backyard!

He Truly Is My Hero!!

2010-04-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

I have debated about writing about this, and then I keep thinking about other blogs I read and realized this blog is a release for me. A journal of my family and the events that go along with it. Some of those are happenings not things I have chosen. Since my emotions are still going strong I figured it was time to write them down. Who knows maybe someday Savannah or Austin may read about this and learn something.

Last Sunday we had a wonderful day! The sun was shining (finally) and we enjoyed the day at Boondocks riding the go carts and playing mini golf (which I kicked everyones butt). It was one of those days that was just a good family day! We got home ate dinner and we were just winding down. I started to feel some symptoms I have had a couple of times before. I quickly pulled Travis into the bathroom to see if there was a rash starting. He said there was nothing, by this time I knew it was the same thing before. An allergic reaction to something, the other two times this happened we narrowed down to stage smoke or fog what ever you call it. But this time I had been no where near it. Almost instantly my skin felt like it was on fire. Not just on my arm or in one place but from my head to my toes. The pain was so intense, Travis quickly gave me Benadryl and started rubbing me down with benadryl lotion. The time frame to this point is maybe 5 minutes. Now my skin is bright red like a sunburn all over red and white blisters forming every where my eyes and my lips where so swollen. Travis was talking to me telling me it had to be the shrimp that we had for dinner and agreed and we both realized that was another in common on the two prior reactions. So after a cold bath Travis got me out tryiIng to get me to our bed at this point details to me are a little fuzzy but Travis has shared them with me. I remember thinking Oh I just want to sit down, and down I went then my thoughts went from maybe I will just go to sleep for a mintute to I think I could go now and things would be okay. Then I remember hearing Travis' voice I couldn't make out what he was saying to me and then all the sudden I heard him yelling at me "Joy don't do this! Quit being such a girl and knock it off" I remenber just staring at him in a daze of don't do what and why are you yelling at me?! Then he said "come on Joy stay with me!" He then got me to bed and I started to feel like things were getting better.
It was a rough few days but because of quick thinking and his ability to handle it all I am here. This was the first time in my life that I had ever had the feeling that I could just go, but I wasn't ready and I didn't want to. My purpose on life is not complete THANK GOODNESS.
My neighbor is a nurse practitioner and got me some meds, and also told me because of Travis' quick thinking and handling things calmly is the reason I am still here. Travis has told me some more of the details that I don't remeber and it just brings me to tears. I think he thinks I am a little crazy, but just simple little every day things brings me to tears. He will hug or kiss me and I will just start to cry. I am so thankful to be able to still experience life and just get so overwhelmed by emotions. I am not much of a cryer so it has been a little difficult to control all of these emotions. A couple nights ago we were laying in bed and Travis told me he loved me and I just lost it non stop tears just started flowing. He asked me what was wrong and I said nothing just thankful for it all!
So now again that my eyes are blurred with tears, thinking of my wonderful life, my children, and my hero that I so luckily also call my best friend and my husband. Realize how quickly it all can change.

To my wonderful husband Travis thank you a million times over. You are the best and I love you more than you know !!
My life quote for me is "Thankful For It All"

Thankful For It All!

2010-04-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.

WE ARE LIVE !!

2010-03-31T18:50:00.000-07:00

HUNTNFISHREGS.COM was launched today! WOO HOO!!! This is a wonderful accomplishment for Travis and the guys that have been working on this. It has been a lot of hard work, but it is fun watching it grow. Follow along with us on TWITTER and at FACEBOOK
Good Job Guys!!
Especially to my awesome husband Travis, you are the best congratulations!

10 Years Ago Today!

2010-03-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago today I became a mother!! Happy 10th Birthday to my Savannah!!
WOW how the years have flown by. She came up to me today and said "mom I am soooo OLD!" I said "oh yeah why do you say that?" Savannah "because in 10 years I will be 20"
I forced a smile and a little laugh, but what I wanted to do was cry! Because yes in just a another short ten years so many things will go so fast. So I remind myself again today to cherish the moments every little one. Because one day I will miss having jelly in the peanut butter jar, bread dried out because some one didn't close it just right! The fingerprints every where she has been. The bike, the skateboard, the jump rope, the basketball, and the soccer ball (usually all at the same time) in the driveway. But as for today I cherish them, I may not always like them but I cherish them.

My beautiful daughter has the most amazing eyes, the funnest personality, the prettiest smile, and the most wonderful laugh!
I love you Savannah!!

Able To Take A Minute....FINALLY!

2010-03-10T19:53:00.001-08:00

We have been so busy hence the lack of updating my blog!!

Savannah's last surgery went well everything has stayed were it is supposed to this time YAY!!! She is still recovering but has got a lot of motion back in her elbow.
She also had her last day of school on Friday and won't go back until April 6th!

We have a lot of adventures going on right now and all is going wonderful!! I am going to keep this short but more updates will follow. Just wanted to let everyone know we are still here!!

Round TWO !!.....ARGHH!!

2009-08-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

I will keep this one short since I still don't have many details. Savannah's first surgery did not do everything it should have. So we have to go through another surgey !! It is now planned for Thursday we go in on Wed to get the details on what they are going to do!!!
I am so proud of little girl she is so brave and so tough!! She hasn't complained once!! I am so thankfull for my wonderful husband he is such an awesome DAD I couldn't have asked for any better!!! My parents have been so great thank you so much for all you do and all the love you give my family!! Last but not least my wonderful neighbors The Anderson's you are so great. I am sad that I had to find out this way that Megan you are a wonderful cook!! Thank you thank you for the meals!! I will try to post more but can't gurantee when!! Thank you everyone for your prayers and good wishes!!

Ohhh SAVANNAH!!!

2009-07-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

We had a very, very, very long weekend. Savannah had hurt her arm a while ago she wasn't in pain it just looked really bruised. So Travis was not to worried about it. The swelling finally came down but she wasn't able to bend it. All other movements she could do just not that one!! We took her to instacare who then sent us to Primary Children's. For a very long two days, and with the end result.... they didn't know and told us to come back on Wednesday. Which was yesterday, the end result on that visit is that she has a ligament stuck in her joint and they are going to have to surgery next Wednesday!! I think that is one of the scariest things I have experienced so far as a mom. She is in great spirits and has no pain. So ALL is good!!

Short And Sweet!!

2009-07-23T16:08:00.000-07:00

Travis had a business trip in Long Beach and L.A. It was wonderful. The weather was great, and the beach was fabulous !!!

Ohhh General!!!

2009-07-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

I will make this short cause I have a BUNCH of stories!! We found a cut or a gash on General, on the 6th we got him to the vet the next morning. he was in surgery for about an hour and a half. He is good but it was right before our trip to California. So we juggled things around and everything worked out great!! Yesterday we took him back for his final appt!! WOO HOO!!

4TH Of July!!!

2009-07-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

We have such a busy month planned I am so excited!!!

The weather here has finally warmed a little bit, but we keep on having rain storms. I am okay with that I love the rain and everything that comes with it!!
Savannah had her last day of school on the 2nd. I am still trying to adjust to all of the changes with year round school. I don't have long to adjust to though she starts again on the 27th of July!!
Travis and I get to go to LA this week, I am so excited for this!!! Travis is getting some awards and recognition from the company. Woo Hoo we also get to have dinner with the CEO! Why, you may ask?!! Cause my husband is a ROCK STAR!!! Haha I love him so much he is such a awesome person!!
We have a block party planned for tomorrow, so lots of pics will be coming soon!

Where Oh Where To Begin!!!

2009-05-30T11:57:00.000-07:00

So I have missed so much but I will catch up!!! First off Savannah turned 9 oh how sad and fun at the same time!!! All she wanted was a new cell phone!! Ha ha how times have changed!!!

In April we had an absolute wonderful month as I stated in a mini entry Travis got his Brokers license! We worked really hard for this and I am so proud of my AMAZING husband!!!

May was also Awesome!!!! Travis asked me to marry him again on May 1 which was also our 11 wedding anniversary!! It was so sweet he had some family and friends at our Lindon Office and surprised me with a little wedding vow renewal ceremony!! I LOVE HIM SOOO MUCH!!! He is the best!!! We then flew to Vegas for a honeymoon!!!
Travis took me to a Beatles show and a Legends show with Elvis, The Temptations, Madonna, and Whitney Houston!!! Oh it was so great!!!

While doing all of this we also got our new office which we were moving into the same weekend needless to say some of the moving had to wait!!
Our new office is in Thanksgiving Point just west of Lehi. It so beautiful I love driving into work ever morning!!

Which brings me to another fun detail I now manage our new office!! It has been almost a month and it has been great!! Travis and I usually get to drive into together! 90% of the time we get to have lunch together!! It has been awesome and Travis has been an awesome boss and trainer!!

Travis and I have been together now for thirteen years!! We have had our ups and downs and our UPS!!!! And our downs!! And our UPS!!! Just like a roller coaster! I am so proud to be his wife now and FOREVER!!! I LOVE YOU TRAVIS!!! THANK YOU!!!!

CONGRATS TRAVIS!!!

2009-04-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

This one is for my LOVE Travis!! He has worked so hard !! This month it has paid off and he got his Brokers license !!! I would like to say maybe life will slow down a little bit, but knowing Travis it won't ! He likes it that way!!

Woo Hoo!!! The Roller Coaster Has Started!!

2009-02-27T10:13:00.000-08:00

So it has been a long time!! We have been super busy!!
Savannah had another cheer comp! She received first!! We are so excited for her she is doing Awesome!!! Her Team took 2ND!! They are so fun to watch!! I did take a lot of pics so I will post them soon as well! She is off track right now so that also throws my life and schedule for a loop!! We have been painting her room, and that has been a lot of fun. I forgot to take before pics but I will take pics of the finished project and post them!!

Travis is so swamped with work, it is fun to see him so busy!! But it is also hard to have him gone so much!! He took me out to dinner for valentines which was nice we went with his sister Christy and her husband Garret. Garret hadn't seen our house yet so they came up our way!!
Travis took me to lunch for birthday again I also enjoyed that!!
The Johnson's had a birthday party for me and my two brother-in-laws Garret and Ryan! Our birthdays are all in Feb. so that makes it easy.

We had a lot of ups and downs this month but that is what makes life so fun right?!! We are holding on and getting ready for the ride!!

More Pictures

2009-01-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

These pictures I took from my back door!!
My goal for this year is to take more pictures and post more pictures with my blog! So that is my silly reasoning for the IPOD pictures!! ENJOY!

Out With Old In With The New!!!

2009-01-08T13:38:00.000-08:00

My IPOD has been acting up on me and not holding a charge!! So I knew I had bought a replacment plan, but knowing how it goes I figured it had run out yesterday!!! I took it in and WOO HOO it was still active. So I got me a new IPOD which kinda made me sick that it was so outdated but thankful because the prices had dropped so much I got to upgrade!!! So now I am charging it and adding my new audible books I just got. Just so you know my IPOS is my life saver I listen to books all day long while I am home by myself. I love this little gadget!!

SLEDDING!!!

2009-01-07T20:30:00.000-08:00

We have had a blast with all of this snow!! Savannah and Travis went out first and I stayed at home to get some house work done after all of the Christmas craziness!! But the next day I got to go with them! So I got some fun pics! We have a lot of parks in the city we live in so we went to a few different ones!

First Party For 2009!!

2009-01-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

We were invited to my friend Mandy's house this year for a New Years Day Party!! It was a blast her fiiend Trisha bought all of the girls fuzzy cute socks! Thanks Trisha!! Then we played some fun games again another late night!!

New Years !!!

2009-01-07T20:07:00.000-08:00

This year was a lot of fun we had a big party at Cameron and Jaime's!! We had so much food and of course I ate way to much but hey I just added a few pounds to that New Years resolution!!! The kids had a lot of fun. The band even played the guitar hero world tour haha !!! That was funny they got booed off a couple of times!! I forgot my camera so no pics!!! I could of got a lot of them to, we stayed there until 4 A.M. and all the kids stayed awake the entire time!! So Happy New Years to evreyone!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning we woke up to about 2 feet of snow!!! And it is still snowing today !! We had a great Christmas and hope everyone else did too!!!

We were planning on going to a movie before we took Austin home yesterday but the snow had different ideas!! We dug snow for two hours and when I say we I mean Travis and Austin!!!

This Christmas Holiday was great! The first family party was with Travis's family and it was great fun. Santa was there to hear all the fun stuff they wanted. Savannah sat on his lap with her eyes rolling she asked him for a few things. This is so sad I hate that she is growing up! But I am glad we have had a lot of fun Santa stories!!

The next party was the traditional the wagon-horse ride through the lights at Thanksgiving Point!! This year was a lot of fun usually my dad rents the wagon and they charge him per person. This year they just charged one flat price for the whole wagon. So we got to invite some of our friends with us!!

We then spent Christmas eve at Travis's parents. We played games, shared stories, and baked cookies for Santa!!

Feeling More Like Christmas!!

2008-12-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

It has snowed for the last 24 hrs and it is still not stopping!!! It isn't a very heavy snow but it has but a good 5 inches down. It makes it feel more like Christmas to me!! I think if it is going so flippin cold we might as well have snow. It makes it look prettier too!! Last night as soon as we got home from showing Grandma & Grandpa Martin Savannah's Cheer award she hurried and changed clothes. So she could help Travis shovel the snow!! She was so excited. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!!

Cheer, Cheer, & More Cheer !!

2008-12-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

I don't mean Christmas Cheer either!!! We had a weekend full of Competition Cheer! Savannah and her team competed on Saturday and they took 2nd!! Then she competeted on Monday doing her solo and she got 3rd!! It was a great time! Saturday Travis wasn't able to make it so I didn't get many photos, but I did video it. He was able to go on Monday so we got video and photos of that one! Monday Savannah had a friend there from her last school. They hung out and played all day. I got to hang out with her mom Mandy. Mandy and I became friends while I worked at the school for the short 5 months that I was there. That was nice cause Travis didn't wait for awards. So I wasn't there all by myself!! I am still new to the video stuff but I am going to attempt to post the videos. Until then here is some of the photos!

Savannah's Back To School !

2008-12-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

For a long two weeks and two days!! Because of the Christmas break she isn't back for very long!

So her first day at her new school was "AMAZING"
"she is friends with more than half of the girls." She only remembered one of there names but hey why do you need to know there names to be friends right?
Her teacher is really nice, what I got from first impression!
She had to call Grandma to tell her all about it and of course her dad!
We were driving home from cheer and she asked me if I missed her and I said " of course I did!"
She just gave a little laugh and said "huh I only felt like I was gone a hour!"
Wow no sympathy from my kid!!
I am so glad she is a trooper.
The maybe 10 min drive round trip did not suck at all! Neither did getting her up at 7:50a.m. and getting there 10 min early. So I think I can get used to this !

Our busy weekend!

2008-12-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

On Friday Savannah and I went to my mom's and set up her snowman, or should I say snow giant!! It is over 12 feet tall, Savannah thought it was so awesome and she kept telling everyone about it and that is was 12 feet tall! Later that day Savannah had her first cheer performance of the season, this is one was a parents performance basically just a a glorified dress rehearsal for the competitions coming this weekend and next Monday!! She did awesome! She was invited to do a solo again this year so we are so proud of her!! And of course as I am getting everything ready I could not find any batteries for my camera. I will take plenty this Saturday though!!

Saturday Travis and I had some training to go to and a Christmas party.
Travis and I had a great day. We also won a xbox 360 from the Christmas party so that was great!!
We topped the night off with a little WII bowling and of course I won!! \

Sunday Savannah was ready to cook, so we all went to the store and got stuff to make brownies and cookies. So Travis and Savannah baked the goodies while I cooked steak for dinner. It all turned out great and we ate way to much!! It was a great weekend.

I am being a "Girl" today!!

2008-12-08T08:53:00.000-08:00

So after Savannah being home for 4 weeks, she started her new school today! After meeting her new teacher and getting her settled, I went out to my truck and shed a few tears. This morning she came to and said " Mom I am really scared" I said " it is okay by the time first recess is over you will have friends and you won't be scared anymore, just keep a smile on your face and you will do great" she turned around with a smile on her face and said " I can do this!" I could see how nervous she was and it broke my heart but I know she is tough and my day will be a lot longer than hers!

I was reading every ones blogs this morning and clicked on the one I have for my Grandma, and tears just started flowing, they have been building up the last couple of days. It all started because I made pancakes for dinner the other night and had choke cherry syrup on them!! My grandma made the best choke cherry syrup ever! It all ways reminds of the first family reunion Travis went to and she offered him some and he just turned and gave the look " oh how gross" but of course he couldn't tell her no. So he let her pour some on his pancakes. The first bite, before even swallowing he turned with a smile on his face, and said "oh my gosh this is the best syrup I have ever had". The next night was the auction and she had made some syrup and of course Travis had to buy it! I think it was just a little pint jar and he paid $15.00 for it! With the holidays coming everything starts to remind me of her. And of course typing this all up brings tears to my eyes so I am having a "Girl" moment!!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-30T15:02:00.000-08:00

This year we stayed home for Thanksgiving. The last two years we have went to California. We went to my parents first, it was nice our cousin Emily joined our insanity!!! We did miss Tom, who is serving our country!! The rest of our immediate family was there. We then went to my in-laws. All of our immediate family was there for that. We enjoyed eating way to much and playing games. It was a great day! I am so thankful for all of our family we love them all, no matter how crazy they all are!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Thanksgiving!!

Recipes I will be making this week!!

2008-11-24T12:58:00.001-08:00

Pictures are in reverse of the recipes
The first one is good ole' banana bread.
INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

The second one Pumpkin Cheesecake
Crust:

1 cup (100 grams) graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cups (50 grams) finely ground ginger cookies, homemade or store bought

1 tablespoon (15 grams) granulated white sugar

4 - 5 tablespoons (56 - 60 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Cheesecake:

2/3 cup (145 grams) light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 pound (454 grams) cream cheese, room temperature

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup pure pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)

Topping:

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar

The third one is Sweet Potato Casserole
INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
5 large sweet potatoes, peeled and quartered
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups pecans
1 cup flaked coconut

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
Boil the sweet potatoes in a large saucepan approximately 10 minutes, or until tender.
In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, milk, butter and flour. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Sprinkle with pecans and coconut.
Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven.

WOW!! This made me laugh!!

2008-11-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Savannah's last day at her old school! I called her new school to make sure I had everything they needed. They tell me that since it is after 2 p.m. she has to wait till Wednesday to be registered. So I thought okay that will be kind of nice to have a day off before she starts her new school!!

SILLY me I went in this morning to register her before 2 and she is on track c and they are off for FOUR weeks. Ya she'll have a day off or 30!! So now her first day will be Dec.8

Oh Are You Serious!!!

2008-11-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

Travis and I took Austin driving yesterday??!! I am so glad we left Savannah home!!lol
Holy Crow how truly and unbelievable scary was that!! He almost side swiped a van! Almost ran a stopped sign, he did stop in the middle of the intersection so that counts as a almost right?!!
I am now a firm believer that these kids need to be older until they can drive, it is sooo SCARY.
All in all it made us laugh so hard. I will say this though he needs way more practice!!!
It is also scary that he is turning 16, just yesterday he was 3 and all he wanted was his "taste the rainbow" (skittles) and t.v. Now he wants a car and girls!! Wow how time flies!!

Changing Schools

2008-11-06T19:44:00.000-08:00

So after many thoughts and sleepless nights. Travis and I have come to the reasoning of changing Savannah's school. We talked with her about it today. We will be going to her new school tomorrow to check it out she is such a trooper she was excited and willing to change! We are hoping that this change will bring her some new friendships, and some sense of belonging in our new neighborhood. I am going to miss the curriculum(not the 35 min drive one way):), but I have heard great things on Jordan School district. Ahhh changes, all in all I feel good about this change for my daughter. I do have to admit this is one of the hard things on being a mom. Changing my daughters life is up to me. I feel that with a positive attitude, and great support from her dad and I this will be a positive change for my girl!! All this I love my nanagirl with all my heart, and am thankful for her every day and every minute of my life. Oh the many joys of parenting, roller coaster ride, we just have to remember it is all fun!!!
I love you Travis, and I love you Savannah!!

November 6

2008-11-06T19:41:00.000-08:00

Travis Jr. has decided that he is ready to go back to Vegas. He will be leaving in the next few days. We wish him the best in everything he does!

The Fun Is Now Over!!

2008-11-03T17:13:00.000-08:00

How sad I boxed up all of my Halloween today. I am getting ready to put it in the basement for another year!!

I just have to comment on what a true Monday today was!! I was downstairs making Savannah breakfast and she comes in and I go to brush her hair. I notice that something just doesn't look right. So I look a little closer and she has her shirt inside out. Not a big deal right kids do it all the time. Well on Mondays she has to where a white button down shirt and a cross tie. So I do not know how she buttoned up her shirt and put her cross tie on with out noticing. That made me laugh and I wish I would have taken a picture it looked hillarious!!

Haloween Party Pics!

2008-11-02T14:16:00.001-08:00

Adult Halloween Party!!

2008-11-02T14:09:00.000-08:00

This year we had the Halloween and Ty & Jens. It was great fun!! Travis's band played and we danced the night away!! We so missed Shay and Jas. We all mentioned how much we miss them and wish they would come back!!

All in all it was great night good food, great music, and good friends!! Can't wait to do it all again next year!

Cheer Halloween Party!!

2008-11-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

Thursday Savannah had her Cheer party!! The cutest one in the group is little Hannah she is the one in the banana suit cause she is "HANNAH BANANA!! They did all the fun games dance freeze, musical dots, and the participating Halloween story!! All in all great fun!!

Oh I Love Halloween !!

2008-10-31T20:10:00.000-07:00

Halloween was a little different this year this neighborhood doesn't get into the spirit of things like are last one. But that won't stop the Johnson's from scaring the *!*#**$ out of the trick-or-treaters!! AHHH another successful year!!! Happy Halloween to everyone!!! This year as one of our tricks we have little candy butler and we put gelatin (with no sugar) in his bowl with candy wrappers. The kids would stick there hand in and squeal!!

Savannah went trick-or-treating with Dad, not to long he had to get back to listening to the kids scream!! I think there is something wrong with that guy!! So overall 4 Halloween parties later and a good night out trick-or-treating, Halloween is completed for Savannah!!
As for Travis and I we have one more night for the ADULT Halloween party. So I get to leave my Halloween blog page up one more day!!

Poor Dog!!

2008-10-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

So I just got done reading my sister LuRae's blog and it had a picture of her little Sadie dog dressed up. So I thought since my Jetta dog is Sadie's sister I couldn't leave her out of the dress up fun!! I was nice enough to put her in a leather biker jacket instead of a Ballernia like her doggy sister!!

Dance Class Halloween Party!

2008-10-30T12:10:00.001-07:00

The fun of Halloween has started!! Savannah had her Halloween party with dance yesterday. It makes me a little sad, last year there were a few princesses left. Savannah not being one of them! This year in her dance class there were no princesses. The first 6 Halloweens Savannah was a princess. The first couple years of dance everyone was a princess!! Ohhh my little princess is growing up!

Little Things!!

2008-10-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

My wonderful husband brought me home flowers!! I know it is a little thing, but Travis does not do this very often. Actually I think this is the first time he has brought me flowers in 5 years!! He usually buy plants to plant in our yard. Which I love just as much. Sometimes in life I guess you need something little to remember all the little things in life you all ready have!! Thank You Travis I Love You!!

Easy,Halloween Treats!!

2008-10-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

The eyeballs picture is cupcakes I could not find one of the brownies but it is the same idea!

Brain Cupcakes

1 batch of cupcakes (red velvet cake is fun)

Frosting: ½ cup of shortening, ½ cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 4 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk

Color the frosting gray with a little bit of black food coloring or use red, green and blue until you reach the desired color. Frost each cup cake with the gray frosting.

Using a round tip in your pastry bag (or cut a hole in the end of a sandwich bag) divide the cupcake in half and squiggle down each side to look like brains.

Cookie Ghosts and Mummies

1 package of Nutter butter cookies
1 package of white chocolate chips melted in the microwave 30 seconds at a time until smooth
Candy sugar eyes, small chocolate chips for eyes, or black icing for eyes

Dip the cookies into the melted chocolate and then place on parchment paper to set. Place the eyes while the chocolate is still wet. If you want to make a mummy, take white frosting and a thick line tip and do criss -crosses over the cookie until it looks like a mummy.

Brownie Eye Balls

1 pan of brownies baked soft
1 package each of red, green, blue and black color gel
½ package of white chocolate chips melted (for directions see above)

Take pieces of brownie and roll it in to a ball, dip it in melted white chocolate and place it on parchment to set. Then take the gel icing and put a round circle of blue or green in the middle of the eyeball. Place a black circle in the middle of the colored circle and then with the red gel draw blood shot veins.

Kitty Litter Brownies

1 new kitty litter box
1 new kitty litter scoop
1 pan of brownies baked soft
2 boxes of grape nut cereal

Place the cereal into the kitty litter box. Take chunks of brownie and mold into desired shapes. Roll the brownies around in the cereal until it looks appropriate. Serve with the kitty litter scoop! Trust me this is some funny “crap”!

Moving!!!

2008-10-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

Ha ha no we did not move again!! PHEW!! My in-laws did and being the perfect kids that we are went and helped yesterday! Travis and I made a pack and signed in blood hehe, that the next time we move, we will pay to have it done for us! So moving is bad enough they bought Travis's sisters house, but my sister-in-law has not moved out. They are still looking for that just right house. While we were out in Payson helping move, we went and looked at a couple of houses with them. It was funny to see the faces when we all unloaded to see the houses there was 12 of us!! It was good fun for me I love looking at houses as long as I am not the one buying! Overall great fun!!

Which Sports Car Are You?

2008-10-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

I'm a Chevrolet Corvette!

You're a classic - powerful, athletic, and competitive. You're all about winning the race and getting the job done. While you have a practical everyday side, you get wild when anyone pushes your pedal. You hate to lose, but you hardly ever do.

Take the http://www.tomorrowland.us/sportscar">Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

I needed a smile today!!

2008-10-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Thinking of my beautiful, hand full of a daughter, to help me get through the day today, I started thinking of her funny sayings.

The one that always stands out in my mind, one day she was being quite the little pill and Travis yelled at her and said "dang it kid why can't you just be good!!" she looked up at him with her beautiful blue eyes and smiled and said " daddy sometimes I justdon't like to be good!" Ya the both of us lost it and started laughing!

Another day that Savannah was being her "perfect" little self she started arguing with me and I told her she needed to stop. I warned her a couple of times but she just kept going. So I finally told her if she didn't chill out I would call her cheer coach and tell her that Savannah would be done with cheer. Just as I was finishing talking Savannah froze and looked at me and said "mom you couldn't do that to me, cheer is my life!' I did hold in my laughter on this one but inside I was laughing so hard. For a couple of reasons for one she is only 8, and another I can not believe that my daughters "life' is cheer. Boy does life like to play fun little jokes with you!!

I know I have mentioned this one in another entry but is shows how Savannah is a combination of every thing. We were eating dinner and she was smacking her lips and just not having any manners at all!! I said to her "Savannah you need to act like a girl." She says, " but momma I am a tom boy" again with her ever strong attitude of DUH!!

The other day Savannah won a inflatable chair. She asked the boys (Travis Jr. 18 and Austin 16) for help blowing it up. They agreed so I went on doing some chores around the house. A few minutes later she came to me and said "mom the boys are so dumb!" I said " oh Savannah please don't talk like that." She said " but mom I asked the boys to help me blow up my chair and they are using there nouths and not the little blower that I all ready got out!" Ya I laughed really hard and said " well maybe they like doing it that way better" She said " well it will take forever!'"

This one always makes me laugh and she is quite aware of it so she does it often. Whenever Travis and I kiss or hug or anything mushy like that she makes a disgusted sound and says "oh could you two please get a room!"

Another one and then I will stop for today! We were in the truck and a song came on the radio, I turned it up and started obnoxiously singing to it and she looked and me with this look, and said "mom you are so weird!'" I said " I am, are you sure?" Savannah "oh yes I am so sure, but that is okay mom weird is fun!"

What A FANTASTIC Day !!

2008-10-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

First gas is $2.99 a gallon, second ya I don't think there was really anything else I was just excited to see gas at $2.99 after this summer of having $4 plus a gallon gas !!

I do get to go out to lunch with Kathy today, that is always fun! Travis is in sunny St.George so I am jealous of that. During the summer I always tell myself that the winter is not that bad, and then it gets here and I wish I wasn't!! I would much rather be hot then cold!! The sad thing is it hasn't even got bad yet!! I am glad the holidays and cheer competitions keep me busy so I don't have to think to much about the cold!!

Day By Day!!

2008-10-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

l'/

Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.-- Shari R. Barr

All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it.-- Samuel Butler

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. -- Albert Einstein

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyways. -- Anonymous
HAHA Love this one it made me laugh!!

These are some quotes on life that make me think and make me laugh!!

Happy Birthday LuRae!!

2008-10-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Ha Ha you will always be older!! There is some benefits of being the youngest!! Hope you have a great birthday filled with great chick flicks and fattening foods!

You Just Gotta Love Kids!!

2008-10-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

Tonight on our way home from Savannah's cheer class we were listening to the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. She says to me "momma you should play this song for papa when he comes home tonight" I said " oh ya why would I play this song for him?"
Savannah: " oh because it his birthday and so you can dance in your room alone tonight" (with the attitude of DUH.) then she said " I think you guys dance in your room a lot that's why you lock the door, right!" I just let it end there but I was giggling inside!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! MY LOVE!!!

2008-10-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

October 14, What a great day!! I get to celebrate my best friends birthday ! I think back of our years together and this is the 13th birthday of Travis' we have celebrated together. I think of our vows together and we have been through it all, and honestly on our second go round! I don't know where to start to honor my husband on his day, he is it all a great friend, lover, husband, father, provider, he is my strength!!
On a perfect day what would Travis do!! Well this time of the year, he would wake up at around 5 a.m. get dressed in camo clothes and head out the door. The night before he probably stayed up till midnight or later getting ready! General would be first out the door cause there is no way he would be left behind, Travis and Austin would follow right after General, and then Savannah would drag her feet but would make it to the truck very slowly. Then they would head off to Strawberry ( if it was an absolute perfect day they would all ready be in Flaming Gorge) with the boat in tow. The day would start off duck hunting, and then they would finish off the morning fishing. Depending on the weather we would either cook fish for lunch on the boat, or head home and cook it there when we got home. Travis would clean up after he got home and then take a nap!! Wake up a little later to have some steak and fish, and if I could convince him that he didn't have to be on a diet on his birthday we would have some chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream!!
What will Travis do this year on his birthday?!! Well start off the day slowly getting out of bed no need to hurry he is not going fishing or hunting today. Then Savannah and him will get out the door so she won't be late for school. He will get to work and plan the rest of his schedule. For lunch I will run down there and try to squeeze in a lunch with him (planning on Tucanos) then after that he will finish his appointments for the day. Then he will go to Austin's football game, stay for father and son pictures, and dinner. Then he would come home and maybe have a cupcake, to make Savannah happy! All though this day does not fit the "perfect day" Travis wouldn't have it any other way. He loves his family and friends!!
Again Happy Birthday To My Love!!

Soooo SCARY!!!!

2008-10-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

You all know that October brings Halloween and Halloween brings scary things, Right!!! I just wanted to share our scariness with everyone, Austin is the finishing courses of drivers ed. I think this will be our scariest Halloween EVER!! Ha ha we love Austin and our very proud of him. He turns 16 in 4 weeks!!

We Are Ready!!!

2008-10-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

Let It Snow!!! Let It Snow!!! Yep that's right we have snow Yeah!! Travis and I try not to procrastinate but sometimes it happens. But not this year we are Ready. We have winterized and cleaned the garage, and got the snow blower running. This will be our first year not in the valley, we are now on the mountain benches, so what does that mean, MORE SNOW!!

Halloween!!!

2008-10-09T07:49:00.000-07:00

Halloween Time At The Johnson's!!!!
Some say we are Crazy! Some say we are just down right mean!! Some Say Oh My *@#!!!
WE SAY THIS IS THE BEST!!!
Halloween at the Johnson's is the better than Christmas, this is Travis' favorite time of the year! We decorate are yard, and have so many crazy things, that scream, jump up, and fall down. We started this a few years ago and have a blast doing it. In our old neighborhood everybody had something going on, it was great. We started giving out full size candy bars to the kids that could make it all the way to the front door!! I wouldn't let Travis scare the little ones and I usually give them a great big handfull of candy or if they were just too cute I would give them a full size candy bar. Travis is so excited this year to be in our new home were the kids have no idea what Halloween at the Johnson's is like. The past couple of years my parents have come over, to enjoy our insanity with us!! We love it we laugh so hard this year Travis wants to set up the video camera, we will see about that! So of course pictures will follow, we have to set up little by little so nobody really knows what is going on!!

Cheer Season Again

2008-09-19T16:32:00.001-07:00

So I had to comment about Savannah's cheer. Some days I still can't believe my daughter is a cheerleader. So it is getting close to competition time and Savannah was invited to do a solo again this year!! Yeah Savannah. So she got a new coach this year and she has not been very efficient I guess you could say so I fired her as Savannah's solo coach. I did this and then told Savannah, I thought it was quite funny she told me "I am not okay with this!" Well I then had to tell her why and go into more detail. Now we have Morgan as her solo coach and now we are back on track and so excited for the first cheer competition, and no there was no sarcasm in that at all!!

Mamma Mia!!

2008-09-19T16:32:00.000-07:00

Savannah has early out Fridays from school so today we went and saw Mamma Mia!! How fun that was I am ready to go see it again. It is a good thing there was not a lot of people there. Savannah and I sang along the whole movie.

Cooking Class

2008-09-09T11:43:00.001-07:00

Last night my mom and two of my sisters LuRae and Cyndee went to the Taste Of Homes cooking class at Thanksgiving Point. They had a lot of give aways but I guess they figured we had every thing we needed and none of us won anything!! One of the recipes they did was the lava cakes or as my family knows them the chocolate molten cakes . Those are Savannah's favorites, so we will be attempting to make those. Savannah loves to cook one of her favorite shows is the Rachel Ray show on Food Network!! That is one of the things that was repeated a lot about my grandma that she was a great cook. So hopefully that is one thing we can keep going in our family!!
Thanks Mom for taking us!!

Collective Soul

2008-09-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Last night we got to go the Collective Soul concert out in Wendover, NV. It was so awesome the concert hall we went to is not very big so the sound was perfect. It was a great night. Then we went and gambled we didn't win much we stayed about even. Overall it was a great overnight trip. And it was a much needed quick little get away with my love Travis and three other couples!!

WHEW!!!

2008-09-07T16:48:00.000-07:00

So I was reading a book the other night that peoples greatest fear is speaking in public. This is pretty much known to all but after that it said that they are more afraid of speaking in public then they are of dying. Well Saturday morning I had the opportunity to speak at a seminar with over 150 people there. The seminar was for the financial management business Travis and I have started. It was really pleased with us as a couple you have a number one category to be able to speak. I thought it was going to be for all the work Travis had done. We had a number one trophy presented to us and a number three trophy, and then we also one two gift certificates for being in the top ten of two other categories!! But much to my surprise I was invited to speak because I had won the Partnership award! My presentation I felt it went pretty good, there were a few things I wish I could of changed but isn't that life. So know as I conquered one of the greatest fears of most people I figure I can do pretty much anything right!! I am so excited that our life is going so well. But I figure that is one of rewards for working so hard!!

Sept. 5, 2008

2008-09-07T16:44:00.000-07:00

I was very fortunate to be able to go to grandma's funeral on Friday. It was a wonderful service. I drove down by myself and after just a few minutes of being there I was very glad I was alone I got cry and feel how I wanted instead of being told it is okay and mommy what is wrong why are you crying. There was a lot of emotions, and I was very glad I had the opportunity of being there. I get to thank my wonderful husband for making that possible.

A Very Sad, But Beautiful Day!!

2008-09-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

To Start this off I need to keep it short because I haven't been able to control my tears.

My beautiful, beautiful Grandma passed away September 1 2008. She was 79. She is a very wonderful person and I am honored to pay a little tribute to her. I will be setting a blog in her memory, I will try to work on it this evening before I head to Idaho. But my emotions my say otherwise.

So to end this entry, I would like to say that I love you grandma, and so very glad that I have so many wonderful memories with you !! I am so glad you are enjoying your second life.
Savannah told me that she is probably playing the piano and singing a pretty song. That is all my tears will allow for now.

Mr. Spider

2008-08-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

We have had Mr. Spider staying at our house for almost a month now and he has been very nice to stay out of my way. Travis Jr. and Savannah have been feeding him and watching him take care of his food. He has actually been really fun, until he decided to get a little to comfortable. He now has his web over the corner of my front door. So as mean as I am told the kids he has to move. Savannah was not happy so I told her I would take a picture of him and write a little story on him!! If you told me 10 years ago that I would be writing about a spider I would have laughed. But here I am :) I have taken some pictures but Savannah says I need to take some of him at night time so I will post them later after I have taken his picture at night time!!

Changes

2008-08-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

The last couple of months our family has had a LOT of changes. As I have started to do the blogging thing it has helped me realize what I have. So here are my thoughts on changes. Changes are wonderful they bring a family closer together. They make you realize what you have, what is important, and what you really want. So what have these changes done for me? They have done just that!! They have brought my husband and I closer together again and more. Which I didn't think was possible. It has made me realize that financial freedom is not necessary but it is a goal I personally want to achieve for my family. And one of the main things is what I all ready have, my wonderful best friend and my husband Travis, my beautiful daughter that makes me laugh, cry, and extremely proud. Austin and Travis the boys to teach them young through all the lessons Travis and I have been through. And again realizing that some of the best lessons learned are through trial and error. Being a parent that is one of the hardest things to sit back and watch. One of our mentors said to us once that he wished he could but his head on our body so we could learn what he had all ready with out going through the hard times!! Boy is that the truth. The kids have also taught us great patience. And then my sister LuRae who will listen at any time little or big, to anything I need to share. She also is one of my best friends and it has been great to have her there with me as we start this business as financial advisers. I am kind of excited to have school start this year because will be working together. When we are to lunch and the guys ask what we are doing we can officially say "working". And we will get paid to hang out together now that is Sweet!!
So changes like them or not they happen some are little and don't take great affect on our lives, while others are big and meaningful. When this all started Travis would ask me what I thought about him changing careers and I would always tell him that " I trust you, you are a very smart and successful person in what every do, so do whatever it is that makes you the happiest and you will succeed!"
Again this little entry was more for me to clear my head and write down my ever changing life events. It helps me put my life into perspective, and too truly realize what I have in life. So a big thank you to my "little family" and my sister LuRae!!!

Savannah's pictures '07

2008-08-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Last summer we had some portraits of Savannah it was so hard to decide I think they took over 75 pics. I and I limited down to 10!!

She was 7 in these pictures. I am so proud to be the mom of this beautiful girl!! I Love you "nana'

The End Of Summer

2008-08-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on August!!

Wow school all ready lets see what we can hurry and do with the last of the summer!
How many more bbq's can we get in!!
Where did the summer go
No more lazy mornings
I love summer with no school, wish it was longer!
The house will soon be quiet with everyone gone during the days(some days that is not a bad thing)
It would be nice to home school but... I love my sanity!!

I love the long summer nights and the extra time I can spend with Savannah, I try not to think of how fast time is going. But it also reminds me to make every day count.

Savannah

2008-07-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

Savannah at 3 weeks

Savannah at about 5 months

Savannah was born on March 20 in American Fork, Utah.
She was the first child for me and the second for Travis.

Savannah was scheduled to come on March 21, but as we soon learned she would decide! She came the day before on the first day of spring. And only in Utah in the middle of a snow storm!! My envision of Savannah was that she would have blond hair and brown eyes like Travis and I both did as children. But no she couldn't be like that or it wouldn't have been HER way! She was born with jet black hair, lots of it and every where I remember crying to Travis "she looks like a monkey'. Then to top it of she has these amazing blue eyes! She was absolutely beautiful. And still is!!

Our little family bonded quickly and it didn't take her long to become daddy's girl, and to learn to tease me. General our golden retriever would sleep under her bassinet and the minute she would make a noise he would nudge us with his nose. As she got bigger she would share everything with General, take naps on him ( and he wouldn't move a muscle till she woke) and then she learned to ride him!! Her name for him was "puppy" even though he is over 100 lbs. Later she learned to call him "nenral".

As she learned to talk she started to call Travis "mpapa" and I would ask her to say mama and she would just giggle and say "mpapa". She made us laugh all the time. Another stage she went through was calling us by our first names Travis' was "tavis" and lucky me mine was "joey". As I am typing this I realize I should break her stories into age groups. So I will end this as her beginning !!

Travis and Joy

2008-07-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful part in my life!! Meeting my husband and my best friend. I mentioned this a little bit in another entry.
We meet on memorial day weekend in 1996 in Lake Powell, Arizona. We hit it off right from the start you know the old saying "it felt like we had known each forever"! The only problem that I saw was that he was living in Arizona and I was in Utah. The week after we meet he flew in and took me on our first official date. This was during the summer and I hated to wear shoes. So I would always just throw them in my car. Before our date Travis called and said to wear nice clothes. Okay no problem until I got there and went to put on my shoes and they were two different colors!! So on our first date he had to buy me shoes just so we could go to dinner. He still doesn't let me forget that. We spent most of the weekend together and then he had to fly back for work. The next week we spent hours on the phone. He then invited me out to Arizona the next weekend and much to every ones disapproval I drove out to see him. Once I got there I fell in love with the area and with Travis I ended up staying there and did not go back home. Another time in life were I am sure I put quite a few gray hairs on my parents!!
We were married two years later almost to the date. For the first few years we lived all over Utah and Arizona. We then settled and bought our first home together in American Fork, we had many memories in that home. That would also be the first home of our daughter Savannah Lynn born on March 20, 2000. What a great blessing she has been. She is a perfect mix of Travis and I. You know how parents always say I hope you have a child just like you. My mother tells me all the time I never wished that on you, you were such a hand full! Well guess what we got it!
She is our little go getter. The other day I told her "Savannah you need to act like a little girl" She said " but mom I am a tom boy." Travis spit his drink all over and couldn't quit laughing.
Travis and I have had some pretty hard times together, the hardest his when he broke his shoulder and couldn't work for two years. All though this was one of harder times in life it helped us as a couple and as friends to pull together and get closer than we had ever been.
We have also had very great times together as well. We have had many fun vacations together. As a single couple and as a family.
As a family we enjoy a lot of different activities. We enjoy everything the outdoors have to offer. We usually spend a lot of time out on the lake but on our last trip to Lake Powell in October of '07 we hit a spike rock in the middle of the channel. Which is very odd because the water in the channel is very deep at some points 500 feet plus. We then immediately starting taking on water. So we had to call search and rescue over the radio. They told us they didn't know if they could get to us before dark and said we would have to try to get to shore and stay the night. Well the only problem is we had 6 other people with us and a 18 month old baby. Long story short they ended up coming to get us and taking us back to the house boat. By the time they got to us it was pitch black out with no moon. They loaded us in there speed boat and we all had to sit up front because the engines were so loud they would cause hearing damage. We all huddled together and headed out. This experience was a rush going on a speed boat at 60 mph in pitch black with the captain just going of his GPS no lights. Wow is all I can say. We were able to save our boat from sinking but have not fixed it yet. So this summer I am going through boating withdrawals.
The other main activity in our lives is four wheeling we started out just riding in the mountains. But then we went to the sand dunes and haven't been back to mountains since. Travis spent many days as a teenager at the "dunes" and is loving be able to do it again! We all have our own bikes even Savannah who got her first one right after her 4th birthday. This child gives me panic attacks when I watch her she has no fear. And will follow her dad anywhere. I have to yell at Travis don't go up that when she is watching or she will follow you. Travis rebuilt one of his banshees into a drag bike and wow is it fast and pretty.
There are many other things we do as a family and know that I have started this I hope to keep up with our events!!
I love writing about the things we do as a family it makes me remember how grateful I am for them. It also reminds me how great life is!!

Joy

2008-07-31T07:30:00.000-07:00

This post will be a little harder than Travis'. His post was fun to write and was very easy to brag about him! So mine will probably be a little shorter! I was born in Boise, Idaho on February 19 to Ray & LuWana. I was the fourth and final daughter. My three older sisters are Marci who is married and living with her family in American Fork, Utah, Cyndee who is living with her son in Lehi, Utah, and LuRae who is married and living with her family in American Fork, Utah.
My family and I lived in Boise until I was 7. In the middle of 2nd grade we moved to Lehi, Utah that was a challenging year for our family, but like with all challenges we made it through and gave us some good stories to tell!
As a child I was quite adventurous! LuRae and I did almost everything together. LuRae was the quiet shy type and I was the exact opposite. I remember sitting on the fire escape stairs and getting as close to the edge as I could just to scare LuRae. There would be times that I would tell her it was okay just try it, it is not that scary!
I have a lot of found memories of going to visit my grandma and grandpa in Egin, Idaho. During the summer I would be able to go and spend a week with them. My cousin Kadie was around the same age and lived not far from my grandparents. We were not always good but we had a lot of fun! I remember getting yelled at by grandma and grandpa for silly little things like playing in the irrigation ditch and then running through the garden with the end result of us covered in mud! Or another time we got yelled at for shooting my bb gun (at some boys in a canoe). They are really great memories for me. My grandparents mean a lot to me and I am thankful that they let me stay with them even though I was probably not very easy to deal with. Why else do you think my parents sent me away!!
The one thing I loved to do growing up was playing soccer I started when I was 10 and played till I was 16, and then with Savannah I was able to coach her team. Which was awesome, one of the teams we would play against was coached by one of my coaches in high school that was fun especially when we won!!
I meet my best friend when I was 15, Kathy. We also had some fun experiences growing up. We made our parents worry! I don't know if I like writing this on myself, thinking of all the things I did growing up, I can't beleive my parents survived!! Kathy lives with her family in Provo they have lived there now for a couple of years and before that they lived in Minnesota. I am glad to have her back!
As of now I will finish my story maybe as time goes by I will add more!

Travis

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Here is a little about Travis. He was born and raised in Provo, Utah on October 14 to Fern and Jay Johnson. He lived in Provo while growing up and had a lot of great friends there. They caused quite a bit of trouble!! He meet one of his best friends when he was 8. His name is Jason Hunt and those two together were not always good. The way they meet is always so funny to me. They got in a pretty big fight and as a punishment there moms figured they should spend a day together so they could learn to get a long!! Well they learned, and after that day there moms spent a lot of energy and time trying to keep them apart. Jason now lives in Tucson Arizona with his wife Shaylee and little boy Max.
Travis started playing the drums around the age of five and has been in several bands and is currently in a band now. Travis loves to fish and hunt and also started this at a very young age.
Travis started his work ethics young he and his dad would catch minnows and worms and sell them to local gas stations and markets. This also built a strong relationship between father and son. He also contributes a lot of his work ethics to his grandmother who past away two weeks before I meet him. But through all the stories I feel that I know her very well.
Travis is the oldest of three children he has two younger sisters Christy and Shauna who are both married and living with there families in Payson, Utah. This is also were his parents have lived for the past 13 or so years.
Travis has had a filled life and he is not even half way done. He has worked many different jobs in his life. Through his jobs he has seen most of the United States. The one he has gone back to time after time has been a mechanic I swear there is nothing this man doesn't know or hasn't tried!! He has owned a siding company and a concrete company both of these were very successful. Now in his life he has just retired as the Service Director for Brent Brown Toyota. This job he succeeded well in and he won many different awards for his achievements and many different trips. Brent let us take his house boat in Lake Powell several times. In October of '07 Brent took us to stay at one of his houses in Maui Hawaii. Which was absolutely beautiful ! He (we) have now started a ice cream business, a company which sells fuel cleaners for big fleet companies and etc. and a finance management company.
Travis bought his first home in Payson when he was 20 this also was the first home of his son Austin who was born on November 15. Travis sold this home a few years later to his sister Christy and her new husband Garret. His home after that changed around every three months as he worked for Staker paving out of town crew. This has only been a short part of the many things Travis has accomplished in his life. I am very proud of my husband and very proud to be his wife. I Love you Travis!!

Summer 2008

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Savannah does several dance performances during the summer this year she did a mini High School Musical
This is Savannah singing her solo part in her dance there song was Hey Mickey

Savannah, Brittany,and Jennifer in Aspen, Colorado

This summer has been quite busy for our family. Travis has quit his job and has started three new businesses. For all of you who know Travis this is NOT a shocker! Travis loves a constant challenge and when he feels he has conquered the challenge he goes on to find a bigger and harder one!

Myself, I have been keeping up with all the day to day activities that come along with the new challenges ! Getting Savannah to all of her things. And enjoying all the things summer has to offer.

Austin is getting ready to go into high school this year and has enjoyed doing some football camps.

Savannah has done several summer dance performances. She was in a mini production of High School Musical 2. And has kept super busy with her competition cheer team. They were in 4 different parades this summer and she really enjoyed that, I got to drive the little girls in my truck and enjoy the air conditioning! She has done a cheer camp and a dance camp this summer. She is now getting ready to start 3rd grade on the 18th of August. She has also loved helping Travis Jr with the ice cream business.

Travis Jr. is helping Travis run our ice cream business and is working really hard. He has also signed up to start some classes in the next week or so. He has been also working hard at finding some friends. We all laughed at him the other morning while going on our walk he was complaining on how cold it was. Which was maybe 60 degrees. Just wait till winter and we will show him what cold is really about!!

This summer we have not traveled like we normally do. We went to Las Vegas for Travis Jr. graduation. We spent the Fourth of July in Aspen Colorado that was a blast. We went up with Ben and LuRae and there girls. The three girls lived in the pool the whole time we were there!!
We have also had some fun bbq's, playing in the water, and listening to Travis' band. We have a trip planned to Park City Aug 2nd and are really looking forward to doing the new Alpine coaster, and the good ole Alpine slide and the zip lines!!

Our Family

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Jetta my puppy!

Our Family In Kaui Hawaii (just getting done with a helicopter tour)

Welcome To The Johnson Family Page!
A little about us Travis and Joy meet in the summer of 1996 in Lake Powell Arizona. It was as close to love at first sight comes (ohhh)!! We have lived in Black Canyon City and Solome Az. Las Vegas, Nevada American Fork (twice) Dell, Orem, Lindon and now our family has just moved to Herriman, Utah ! We have been here for about 4 months now. We have really enjoyed it, it is peacefull yet close enough to everything except Savannah's school.
Our Family includes of course Travis and I. Travis' son Austin who is 15 turning 16 in November. Our daughter Savannah who is 8. And Travis Jr. who is 18 and has just moved her from Henderson, Nevada. Travis Jr is our nephew and has been here since the middle of July. Two golden retreivers General who is 10 and Ruger who is 1 1/2. And then our newest addition is Jetta a long hair toy dachshund who is just over 4 months.
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