What about Clarissa?

Yes, she is still with us. We have decided to keep her even though she continually changes her clothes throughout the day and makes art with her poop (you don't want to know about it!) She seems to prefer to wear anything but her own clothes (unless it's a princess dress.) Often she is running around with just a diaper on as she is in between outfits. A few favorites are putting on a pair of Ryan's underwear with soccer shorts and jersey, running around in the boys swim trunks or a swimsuit of mom's, or just one of mom's sports bras. There are just too many choices with all the clothes in the house! Yes, the laundry is piling up faster!

This is a common look. "Where are we going now?" and "Can I have another donut?"

Enjoying ice cream with Dad and the boys on the playset. She is between outfits.

Ryan's 1st Day of Kindergarten

This was what Ryan had been waiting for all his life (so were his parents!) He has loved being in Mrs. Newton's class and has made many new friends. We were beeming at our first parent/teacher conference. Mrs. Newton asked if Ryan was one of her fall birthdays turning 6 because apparently he is near the top of the class. Maybe reading each day with the kids really has some value!

First day on the rug.

Another cheesy smile!

First Day of Preschool

Garrett couldn't be more excited about preschool starting up. He now has Ms. Tammy, Ms. Terry, and Ms. Annette just like Ryan did the year before. Garrett also goes to school four days a week with Friday's off (same day's off as Dad.) Just one more year till kindergarten. Apparently, kindergarten is where it's all happening according to Ryan!

He sure is a handsome kid!

Soccer, Ryan's 2nd year Blue Sharks

Ryan has enjoyed playing another year of soccer. He enjoys making new friends and following the ball all over the field and he does well at both! Mom was team mom again and made the Blue Sharks banner (not as cool as last years, but it works!)

Demitrious and Ryan...I guess they are defending the goal???

Not a very good picture but it shows what I want it to show. Ryan is with the ball. He is really good at getting to it and sticking with it. I think he scored almost every game. Go Blue Sharks!

Annabelle's B-day 6th

Pitts Ranch Park...water games and cupcakes...kids had a great time!

Father's and Son's

The boys and dad finally got to do some camping at the end of the summer. Father's and Son's was at a camp ground in Santa Paula. They couldn't be more happy hanging out with the guys getting dirty!

Ryan's cheesy grin.

This is a common pose for Garrett.

Kick Buttowski

Ever since Kick Buttowski, a Disney cartoon, was introduced to our household the candid shots now include hand gestures (no, not the bad one's!)

Ryan's 5th Birthday

We had a great party but, sadly, I don't have any good pictures! Ryan was so excited for his 5th birthday because that meant he would be going to kindergarten soon. Everyday he would ask when was school going to start. After I told him how much longer he would respond "That's too long!" and storm off mad. It didn't matter if it was a month or a day. It was too far away for him.

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And the winner is....Uncle Tag. Ryan got this Dodger uniform for his birthday. Notice the grass stains Ryan already has on his knees? Oxyclean is regularly used to keep this pants clean!

As you may already know, his favorite team is the Dodgers. (Somebody needs to wash those windows!)

Utah - Summer Fun 2010

We headed up to Utah once again this summer. Only this time for a bit longer. I drove up with the kids and my sister, Julia. Chris met us about a week later. We had a great time driving all over Utah County visiting with friends and, of course, family! The kids especially enjoyed playing with and getting to know their cousins better. We stayed for a little over two weeks but they could have been there the whole summer. Naturally, there is no place like home. While vacations are fun, it is just nice to be back where you belong.

Our yearly pose in front of the Salt Lake Temple. Maybe next year we will have more smiles!

Sparklers with the Johnson cousins.

Ryan and Garrett at BYU's baseball field watching Uncle Tony at Baseball Camp.

Hot air balloons early in the morning on the 4th weekend in Provo. The kids loved the pig balloon best. Garrett makes me feel cold just looking at this picture!

Wow April!

Blog, no, I haven't forgotten about you! You are still on my mind like everything else I need to be doing (cleaning the house, reading my scriptures, genealogy, and on and on!) I've got some serious months to fill in with updates on the family. I guess I better hop to it or the months will be years and then it will be just too long and too embarrassing to add anything else.

Cute moment

Her smile is contagious!

Easter

Where are all the eggs?

Clarissa preferred the egg basket as a hat!

Easter was rather uneventful. We did have a nice dinner with the missionaries, Uncle Tag and Tyler. The highlight was watching the kids on their egg hunt. Clarissa really got into finding eggs until one of them cracked open. Once the candy started spilling out she sat down and shoved it in her mouth!

Spring Training '10

Ready for the game. This was obviously at the beginning!

Playing on a statue at a restaurant. Where are their parents?

She makes this face often. Too cute!

We had another great year at spring training in Arizona. Heather's family joined us again. We did some swimming. Tried some eateries recommended on Diner's, Drive Inn's, and Dives (eating on vacation is very important to us!) And of course, got in a Dodger game as a family and Chris and Christian made it to a game with out the crazy children and wives.

Garrett's First Day

Door to Ms. Michelle's class.

It was important that Garrett make the same pose as Ryan for his first day of school. He hand selected the batman backpack.

Garrett started preschool on March 22. He goes two days a week this year. We are so excited that PEEP had a spot for him. He loves it! Garrett is especially excited to have Ryan's teach from last year Ms. Michelle.

Swim Lessons

Garrett, Lindsey, and Ryan

Notice Garrett drowning? Thankfully, somebody eventually did because he is still with us today!

Spring break was filled with daily swim lessons at the YMCA. Ryan and Garrett are progressing but unfortunately will still need to repeat this class. We had a great time and they really liked their teacher Lindsey. Not only was she a good teach but she was their uncle Paul and Sam's friend.

Career Week

Ryan asked his Dad to come and visit his preschool class to tell them about what a cop does. He could not have been prouder to be Chris's son!

Dress Up

Clone troopers

My little princess

I can tell you what they are wearing but I not exactly sure what they are trying to be. They both have on a shirt of Chris's and are using baseball bats as light sabers.

The kids all love to dress up. Ryan and Garrett are most often found dressed up as a jedi, clone trooper, buzz, a policeman, or a baseball player (I need to take a picture of Ryan as a player, it is too funny....he pulls his jeans up high, tucks in a baseball shirt, and wears his black church belt. Not only does he look funny but he also talks with a deeper voice and will stand with his hands on his hips like he's the coach!)

Cousins

Did you notice the towel covering up Jack perfectly?

Clarissa and Jack are buddies! It is so fun to see the both of them play together. Jack makes her laugh. It is so cute to see the two of them play together.

Our photographer

We can always tell when Ryan runs off with the camera to take some pictures. Fortunately, he's not a very good criminal as he incriminates himself with a self photo every time (not to mention, he usually takes pictures around the house or yard with no one in them!)

Sweats, Sweet!

Grandma Johnson and Aunt Tami personalized the sweats for the kids for Christmas. The boys have a football along with their initials and the number where they lineup as a Johnson grandchild. Clarissa are pink, of course, with some flowers. Once again, they look like they love one another!

Family Pictures 2009

Here's are latest family picture. I just love the one of the kids. They really look like they love each other!

Moving on

We'll unfortunately December was a difficult month for our family. Chris and I went for a routine appointment to check on the baby growing in my belly and found out the heart stopped beating. It was the Monday before Christmas and surgery would have to wait till after the holiday. This rocked our world. We felt much peace soon after the news but it still took time to adjust back to the real world. Since our minds were preoccupied with the miscarriage we forgot to do some important things like TAKE PICTURES AT CHRISTMAS! Sorry kids, we will do better next year. Promise!