Goodness Gracious

Can the year be over already? Well, we had a fantabulous Christmas.

We joined with pretty much the rest of the world and got a Wii.

Jeff was so surprised and so excited.Mac enjoyed a good bow or two.Seriously, he loved the wrapping paper.

This is him opening his Christmas Eve jammies.One Christmas Eve we were going to have some friends over but both their kids and ours got sick. (Kam threw up 4 times!) I was totally bummed so we decided to just order Chinese for dinner.

They came on Christmas and we had lots of fun.

Chtistmas Eve jammiesKamden also got to open a Lightening McQueen sleeping bag on Christmas Eve.One Christmas Eve we sleep under the tree.

Next year we'll have to do it on the 23rd.Mac loves this ball from his G&G Johnson. He decided that he was going to sit up all by himself and play with it.He's like a puppy with that paper.I don't know if you can tell in the picture below but McKay will just sit and look at Jeff and me. He is just memorizing our faces I guess. It is so sweet.
I hope everyone had a very Merry CHIRSTmas.

Sorry the pics are so small. I accidentally uploaded them to be small images instead of medium.

Merry CHRISTmas!

I just have to say that I love love love getting Christmas cards in the mail. However, we've been a little busy the last month or so, so this will have to do.

The year of 2009 has flown by faster than any other I can recall. We've done more than ever before, seen more places than ever before, and we even added another member to our little family.
In January, Jeff suddenly got old...he turned 30! We celebrated with a small surprise party with his siblings and our parents. The best birthday present of all was a sparkly new job. He would be starting a new job with Ortho Pro in February and then we would be moving to North Carolina just a few months after his training.
In February we got to go to Hawaii with my Ma & Pa. Oh wow, that was so amazing. Wearing a swimming suit while being 5 months pregnant is not ideal but when you're in Hawaii, you don't really care all that much.
March was exciting. Kamden turned 2! He is a monkey, a gymnast, an animal, and whatever else runs around like a madman all rolled into one sweet little kid. My ears have become fine tuned to the sound of silence, yet can tune out an extremely high-pitched squeal. We love Kamden Jeffrey so much and can't imagine our little home without his joyful presence.
April, April, April what can I say? That was the month of adventure. We moved 2,000 miles to North Carolina. About the farthest east you can go in the USA. Everyone said that we moved there in the most beautiful time of year. It really was. We got to do lots of fun things and oh yeah, we can't forget about enduring the sweltering humidity. We wouldn't want to leave that out!
The month of May was pretty uneventful. Jeff was getting adjusted to his job and me, I was still unpacking and waiting to have a baby.
Oh what a wonderful month June was. McKay David Johnson was born on the 16th, a few days early even. My mom and dad came to help and welcome McKay to the family. Mac is such a special little man. He is happy, content, and full of smiles. Now that he is 6 months, he is rolling all over the place, laughing up a storm, and smiling at everything we do. He loves to watch us all, especially Kamden. I feel that Heavenly Father blessed our family with McKay because he knew that we would need a ray of sunshine on cloudy days. That is truly what Mac is for me. He carries the Light of Christ with him in his smiles and there is just a warmth that comes from him. He is so special and I just can't believe how lucky I am to have him. It's hard not to be able to share him with our family because he is just so precious.
Well, Father Time came a ticking in July and I turned 27. Moving on...
August was so much fun! We got to go to Utah/Idaho to visit family and show off our new little addition. We blessed Mac while we were out there and even though Jeff had to go back to NC for work, the boys and I got to stay and play. Kam and Mac are so lucky cause they have 4 awesome grandparents and tons of cousins that they got to play with.
Just as we got settled back in from our trip, September was here. Brooks, Andrea, and Paisley all came to visit. We had a blast. We went to the ocean and all of us watched how brave Jeff was swimming and body surfing all by himself. (The rest of us were chicken) EVENTUALLY, Jeff got us all out there and we had more fun in the water than we could ever remember having.
October as you know includes Halloween. This year was hilarious. Kamden kept us laughing with his lion ROARRRRRRRR and McKay was the sweetest little giraffe.
Do you hear that? It's the winds of change. The middle of November Jeff's boss called and offered him a new territory in Ohio. Long story short...we moved.
December Wait...What? Is it...can it really be? Yes, it's true. It is December. The year has come to an end. Wow, I can hardly believe it. Looking back, it really has been amazing. We have sadly had to leave the comfort of family, 2 super wards and some awesome friends. We have made it safe and sound to Ohio and Jeff assures me that we will have a great ward and make some super DUPER friends here in our new home.
As I look back, I think about all of the things we have gone through this year. This has been the most challenging year of our lives. I have learned the kind of person I want to become. Now it's just getting there that's the hard part. We have been blessed in innumerable ways. We have wonderful families and exceptional parents. This girl lives under the same roof as 3 amazing boys. Jeff has worked so hard this year and has really pushed himself. He has stretched his limits and has become a better man for it. I am so thankful to have him as a husband and he is such a good daddy. My faith has been strengthened this year and I have had the reassurance that Heavenly Father knows, cares about and loves me and my family. The Church is such a comforting reassurance. We would not have been able to do what we have if it weren't for the church and the members.
Thank you, all of you, for your support this year. We look forward to 2010 and hope that it's a little bit more relaxed but just as fun. I love you and miss each and every one of you!


The states that we've visited in 2009:
Idaho
Utah
Hawaii
Oregon *
Colorado
Kansas
Missouri
Illinois
Kentucky
Tennessee
North Carolina
South Carolina *
Virginia
Washington DC
Maryland
West Virginia
Ohio

*Only Jeff

Last post for a while...

Bye bye Greensboro. We had a good run though, didn't we?

After 7 short months, we are saying goodbye to our little place at Yester Oaks, wonderful friends, and the beautiful state of North Carolina. We've been able to do so many fun things while we've been here and are looking forward to what Ohio has to offer.

We had a thankful Thanksgiving too!

We spent Wednesday night with the Page's and enjoyed an untraditional Thanksgiving dinner with Chinese takeout and all. It was so fun. They are such a good family.

I love this picture, even Mac is into whatever they are looking at.

After being asleep on their couch for about 2 hours, Kamden decided to join the crowd. He even got an early CHRISTmas present of Cars cars which helped him warm up drastically.Thanksgiving Day with the Arellano's

Jeff went and played football (on a real field) in the morning and realized he's 30!

He was so sore. He had so much fun so it made all the pain worth it.

Playing before turkey.

We love the Arellano's. We'll miss them all so much.

Mac looks like he had plenty of turkey.She LOVES Mac and is so cute with him.We really are getting some packing done.

Slowly, but it is happening.

I put this box in the hallway. It was full of packing paper. Kamden had pulled it all out in about 12 seconds and was blocking the entire entryway.

He was having so much fun, I couldn't resist. At first he was just rolling around in it but then... I showed him the possibilities of throwing it up in the air.

Good thing we have the Jumperoo cause it's some good entertainment for Mac.

Did I mention that I get a little side-tracked while I pack?

Jeff didn't think this was funny until he saw the picture.

I just wanted to add this pic of Kamo in his camo. He was going out to play and he thought he needed to wear his backpack too.

Camo hat-check

Camo coat-check

Camo shoes-check

Camo backpack-check

Kamo-check

I'm not obsessed...well, maybe a little.

We'll see ya in OHIO!

Sew...like this is what I've been doing.

I know, I know, I really should be packing.

BUT...I found this scarf idea on a blog and couldn't get it off my mind.

It only took about 15-20 minutes so I figured I was okay.

Jeff LOVES this shirt. I'm not exactly sure why but he doesn't wear it very often. Every time he wears it I feel like we've traveled back to 2000.

However... there are 2 good things about this shirt:

-It's super soft.

-It makes a really cute scarf.

As soon as I saw this idea, I knew the shirt I wanted to use. Surprisingly, Jeff was more than happy/willing to let me dice it up and now we both love it. (I think I like it more now than him though. hehe)

I think I'm going to add to it. I only used the front of the shirt and once we get settled, I'll cut up the back and double it.
CHRISTmas for Kamden

It's a bean bag chair in the pattern of a baseball.

It looks flat because it is. :) I'm going to stuff it AFTER we move.

I made a minky blanket for Mac. He loves to suck his thumb and cuddle up with a blanket. Hopefully this can help replace the thumb. We'll see.

Washingon DC

Iwo Jima

My Favorite

Jeff and I read The Lost Symbol a few months ago and we realized that we lived within a few hours and not a few days. We decided that we should take a little trip.

Our first stop was just after we arrived in the city. We parked at the National Mall and walked around to a lot of the memorials at night. I had visited 2 times before and Jeff once.

You really do appreciate it more the older you are.

When I went in High School, the tour guide suggested that if we ever got the chance, we should visit the sites at night, especially The Korean War Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial was so bright. People were perched all around the upper level like little pigeons.

The Washington Monument

(up close)(Far away with the reflection pool)Korean War Memorial
WWII Memorial WWII Memorial lower levelIt had been a long day for all of us.The Capitol(inside the Rotunda)

Yeah, not really the most exciting place for a 2 year old.
The Crypt

Ford's Theater

(where Lincoln was shot)

Then we went to the Zoo.

You see that little speck just to the right or our heads?

Yeah, that's the "GIANT" Panda.

The Flamingos were by far our favorite.

Neither of us had ever seen one in real life.

(asleep)(awake and squawking...

They sound like geese)Classic Jeff Weirdo Face Kam loved this bear

DC Temple



All in all, we had a fun, short trip. We swam in a really cold indoor pool, accidentally parked in a handicap stall which lead to a little $250 ticket, got to take a double stroller on the Metro, and ate some really yucky pizza.

We also took a few wrong turns which led us to see some really old, amazing areas that we wouldn't have seen had we followed the GPS correctly. (that thing can cause some stress)

I know that it might sound like I'm complaining but it was an adventure and we are so glad we got to go.


One more thing before I go...
This picture does not do it justice. This is one of the elevators in the Metro. We had people tell us it would be really easy with a stroller. This is actually a really funny story.
We had lots we wanted to see so we left our hotel room about 8:45 which is pretty good for having the boys with us.
Started walking toward the station and felt super-de-duper out of place. We were the ONLY ones in jeans and most definitely the only ones with 2 kids, sporting a double stroller.
We had a hard time finding the first handicap entrance.
We bought our little day passes.
Couldn't get through the gate.
Couldn't find the station manager so we just helped ourselves and went through a side gate that was open.
Couldn't find the elevator so we took the escalator. This was seriously the longest escalator I have ever seen. I felt like we were plunging to the center of the earth.
We got some scuzzy looks too. People had to go around us.
The cars were jam-packed so we walked to the end.
People were looking at us like we didn't really belong there for some reason. (Which at the time I thought was so weird)
We got off and located the elevator.
Scanned our little day pass to get out. No go. It wouldn't open for us.
The station manager standing close by couldn't get it to work either. He looked closer and said, "This is a day pass. They aren't supposed to let you through until 9:30. I don't know how you got through."
Oopsies...hehe
We just kept awalkin.
We didn't tell him we just let ourselves through.
The reason we were so out of place and kept getting scuzzy looks is because we, aka "tourists", are not supposed to be able to get through. It interferes with the morning commute.
Silly us. What do we know?

Ohio???

Yep, we're moving.

For any of you that are thinking..."Didn't they just do that?"

Well, it's been about 7 months, so yeah, we did just do that.

Jeff's boss called a week ago and gave Jeff the option to stay in NC or relocate to Ohio. Long story short, we're heading to Columbus, Ohio the week after Thanksgiving. Yep, in about 3 weeks. We want to get there ASAP so that we can get a little settled and at least get our Christmas tree up.

We have LOVED North Carolina. Yes, it's about as far away as you can get from the other side of the country but it is such a beautiful place.

We're so sad to leave but we feel that this will be better for our family.

I don't feel ready to leave quite yet. I have made some really great friends here and there are so many little boys that are close to Kam and Mac's ages. However, I have learned from experience that there are great people wherever you are.

You can be as happy or as miserable as you want, wherever you are.

Everywhere has it's own, unique beauty.

Jeff and I have especially learned out here, the kind of people we are when we are faced with hard times and adversity.

I know that Heavenly Father is watching out for us. It has been such a blessing to know someone from home. Shena helped us find our apartment before we moved here and has really helped us so much.

When we decided to move to Ohio, Jeff jokingly said, "You don't know anybody in Ohio do you?"

"Well...I do actually."

A friend from home living in Columbus with his family, finishing up dental school.

It's always nice to have a connection. :)

The next few weeks are going to be pretty crazy so please keep our little family in your prayers cause we all know we could use the extra help and guidance.

60 Veteran's Days Ago...

...my dad was born. My Dad turns 60 today! Wow

He is retiring from the Federal Reserves this month as well. My side of the family is all getting together to celebrate his retirement and birthday. I am in a land far, far away and will be missing this fun celebration of my dad's accomplishments.

Since I can't be there to share in the fun, I thought I would share some of the reasons why my dad is so great.

-It's very fitting that he was born on Veteran's Day. I don't know anyone that is more respectful to America and what our country stands for.

-He has taught me through words and example what it means to be a hard worker and to stand up for what you believe.

-I have noticed over the past 10 or so years, he has really started to soften. I finally figured out what had caused that to happen...GRANDKIDS!

He is such a good Papa to all of the little ones.

-He can talk to anybody. I mean anybody. About anything.

-If you need something out of the fridge...get it out, shut the door, and go on with your business.

(The faster, the better.) "Are you trying to cool down the whole house?"

-Since moving to NC, I have really gotten to see what a great dad I have.

He has given advice, blessings, service, and so much more.

I feel so blessed to have such a great dad.

I feel honored to be able to say that my dad has served his country and helped prepare the way for future generations.

Thanks Dad

We love you