Idaho arrival

I had not been home in over a year. It was an interesting stay for sure. It sure is tough to watch your parents get old. I didn't capture a single picture of my dad L I tried to catch my dad giving Heath underdogs on the swing which was a highlight for the kids but he wouldn't let me. Here is Heath waiting for an underdog.

I also had every intention of taking pictures of my mom and I making bagels (which turned out so good and they looked good too!) Lucky for me Natalie, took this picture of Red hot Sally!

 Natalie came up and we were able to do a session in the Idaho Falls Temple.

 Then my sister and mom brought the kids up and we went to this cool ice cream place, even my mom's diabetic ice cream was good.

Me, Mom and Goose
 I also twisted Natalie's arm to stay and go to church with me, which was one of the best meetings I'd been to in a while!  Check us out in our matching dresses and jewelry.

My mom and I had an amazing late night chat, she is always to insightful! She always has to reassure me; that someday the shoe will fit. She has inspired my faith I will "step in, the light will come". It was great to hear what she has gained from her callings! And even my grandma is helping me with my Chad like little boy. He does have so much to give! It is always good to hear she is proud of me. My mom talked to me about trial of faith, trial of charity and trial of hope. She said she looked out her kitchen window and thought "I have not weeded back there for a couple of years and now that spot is just hopeless". With that thought she went to work taking small handfuls, it is getting better.   I guess everybody needs a place where they can go for hope when things seem hopeless. This kid gives me hope!

 My mom has a lot on her plate right now, things I wish I could fix but she has peace and hope, keep the faith mom. Mom for every moment when I'm where you've been; I'm sorry and Thank you! Ahh, Mom you are the best!
OK both my kids in Hopes garden

I was able to get together with my Riverton girls except Stephanie. (I missed her earlier this summerL). We all grew up in the same neighborhood and have all stayed in touch, thanks to Brooke.  We have been friends for a very long time:

Me (sporting the nice mushroom cut) JaLane and Brooke enjoying some watermelon. Now check us hot mamas out!

 Brooke, Me, Tamra, JaLane, Emily

Here is one at the same house crazy huh Brooke's (I'm guessing 5^th) birthday. Brooke, Tam, and me (on the table with some sweet pants on!)
It was so good to catch up even if it wasn't for very long. Long enough for us to trash Brooke's house.

 Here is some 2^nd generation Riverton pals checking out Brooke's horses!

I did once again over stay my welcome; Brooke's house just sucks me in! and I can't get enough of her little butt skootin' man!  I did visit Tamra in Idaho Falls too! It was so great to visit Thanks for putting that together for me girls, I sure do miss you!

By the end we were really missing Brant and couldn't wait to see him in Bear Lake for my mom's side of the family, Heath reunion!  

Round 2

I just had to stay in North Ogden with my best friend—we were roommates in college and she is lovingly referred to as "My Natalie"

She couldn't get off of work every day so we made the most of the time we did have.  I went to Costco with Natalie's sister and I saw this man staring at me and then I realized it was Annie's (one of my girls, I coached) husband Chris. Crazy small world, I didn't even realize they were back in Ogden! I'm so glad he recognized me so we all could do lunch and catch up!  Here is Ria waiting for our Lunch date.

I love the fact that Annie is coaching, she is a good one too, because she learned from the best. :) This is a perfect road trip picture of my baby boy!

My kids hung out with Joanna's kids and played more Wii. My time with Natalie consisted of mostly shopping, she is a champ! She bought me a dress and helped me with jewelry selection and many other purchases. I also went to water aerobics and didn't die, which is saying something because I was nervous! Natalie and I talked, laughed, talked, cried and talked. I can talk to Natalie about Anything and everything and we did! Do you think déjà vu is just little heavenly reminders that you are where you are suppose to be? Just a thought. She is amazing I don't know how she does all she does but someday I want to be as cool as her! And cook as good too! (I think I ate my weight in tarts) She is too good to me and my kids and I felt right at home. No matter how much time we spend together it is never enough.  I made her join in on my trip, I'm so glad because she took some great pictures and she is great company too! Next stop Blackfoot, ID. 

 

1st stop

When you are traveling alone with 2 kids and your destination is 12 hours away, apprehensive is the only way to describe what I was feeling. Let me preface my trip with the fact that the week prior my kids spent with Grandma & Grandpa Brown in Kanab. I had intentions to get a lot accomplished but with the flooding I only got in one good day of project work. Needless to say it was not the break I was looking for.  I thought that some space was just what I needed to rejuvenate myself. Little did I know what I needed was them stuck in the car with me for days on end! Really, I truly needed to enjoy them, not being the mom with "pick this up" and "knock that off" and it was wonderful. Rianne and I talked about all kinds of things while Heath slept. She is so smart and remembers EVERYTHING! When Heath was awake he was cracking me up with what he saw out the window and all his "what if" questions, like "What if there was a gold fish cracker so long that we could share it mom?" It also helped that they got along so well there was no "He's touching me" etc. and by the time we got to my parents in Idaho there were only 2 wrappers on the floor (Heath's side). They put thier travel toys back in their bags when they finished playing. I think they only watched 3 DVD's round trip! I also had some really good books to listen to! Who would have thought, the break I was looking for was me in a 12 hour car ride with the kids.
The other thing that helped was how we broke up the trip!
When we left Rianne had made some Tuna Sandwiches for lunch. They tasted so good, when I complimented her she said "well I did mix it with love"J

1^st stop Monroe, UT
Well, technically we stopped at Grandma Brown's first for something to eat. (Best Pit Stop on HWY 89)
Monroe is home to our Twin Family the Smith's. Consisting of Brady, Michelle, Sienna (who is 4 months older than Rianne) and Kinin (who is 10 days older than Heath, lucky for us he is also 2 sizes bigger!). Brady is a friendly pharmacist, who also enjoyed sanding wood for craft projects, which he loved more than he'll admit. Okay he was glad to see us go, knowing when we returned we would bring back a friend for him.J Michelle can cure any aliment and is a creative genius! I was also able to swing over to visit with my roommate from college Tonia Jorgenson, (No picture but believe me she looks great!) I am so grateful for blogs as a way of keeping tabs on what people are doing. It is so great to be able to pick up where we left off and enjoy the visit, and have an added bonus of her adorable kids and Reese's. It was so great to see you Tonia, hope I can make the trip up for your special day coming soon, J and keep me posted!
Michelle is the juice tiger; here we are enjoying our Green Drink!

If you look carefully the pantry I covet is exposed! It looks like a regular cupboard but opens to pure pantry/supplement heaven! We made some cute crafts too, with Brady's scraps from working on finishing their basement. You wouldn't know it had been nearly a year since our girls have played together, it was a total giggle fest and I think they stayed up later than us, and that was way too late! Sienna had a Christmas present for Rianne to open

(matching pearl necklaces inside oysters). The boys entertained themselves; with what would become a theme of our trip and give me even more to covet…the Wii.

Their cat which had been missing for two weeks was found and returned while we were there, see you are blessed when you take in the needy and clothe the nakedJ. Thanks you guys are awesome.  And its off for round 2 in North Ogden!

75 Brown’s and counting BFR 2010

Brown Family Reunion is always a highlight of the year. Rianne wanted to be the first one there for the reunion, so Ria and Heath spent the week before the reunion with grandma & grandpa hopefully helping in the preparations. We heard about Heath's helping in the mud making department oh the joys of boys and summertime! The Brown's now total 75 ½. 3 are serving missions, and 7 couldn't make it bringing the grand total of attendees to 65 ½. The reunion officially began on Friday with catching up. No matter how I try I never get to visit with everyone as much as I'd like, of course if the reunion was a month long it still wouldn't be enough time! After a wonderful dinner the ladies went off to celebrate with more food and what will take that ½ to a solid Brown #76-- a baby shower for Ashley & Shaye I totally forgot her cute gift and so my talented nephew Dallin drew some beautiful Holiday onesies so she will at least know what is coming! (hopefully Brittney got a picture of that)It also brought back some memories of my own Brown family shower for Rianne thrown by the lovely and talented Tye. It meant so much to me, and the memory means even more to me now. Ria was 3 ½ weeks old and we came for Thanksgiving. Tye found out no one had thrown me a baby shower and she put one together.


Then it was off to the late night movie enjoyed on the backyard!
Look how cute the two who started this are, I think their first date was even to a movie!

Early, and Arizona to Utah time I do mean EARLY the next morning we went on a little hike. I teared up as we left and watched grandpa and Alvin walk back to their car. Grandpa used to make this hike as a kid all the time my how the view must have changed. Alvin has been having real health issues but he is such an outdoors guy that I'm sure he wanted to ditch the oxygen and head up with us so it broke my heart. I know that struggle for balance in who you are and being held back on what you can do! But they did take this picture of our group not all 65 but the 1/2 came!  

 Heath of course found Caiden (who happens to have the softest 13 year old ears ever!) I think they may have been the first up the hill, thanks for not letting him fall.

Don't mind how lovely I look in the pictures didn't I mention it was early.

Here is Robert pointing out some things to Angela, by the end of the reunion his nose had grown so I don't know how much she should believe him. J

Crazy cousins who always have a good time together and get so excited to see eachother

We also went to the Pioneer day parade. Grandma and Grandpa Great (Johnson) were the grand marshals and they looked great my kids enjoyed it too!

More Backyard business was planned with games and craft time. I'm still in awe on how 65 ½ people can fit so comfortably in Grandma & Grandpa's back yard.

I have to put in these pictures I think Brant and I have the same feelings for arts & crafts! But I did finish my bracelet, and felt quite proud of myself Thanks for cheering me on Lois and Ashley, it was very "enriching" (that's for you Shaye)!

And aren't these about the cutest reunion T's ever?

And as if all that wasn't enough it was on to the Kanab pool. I was over the top proud of Heath he was really swimming! From first words to first steps and now first strokes, they grow up too fast!

The pool was the real reason for Roberts nose growing, that slide can be rough (I'm still not too sure about his stories though)! But not as rough as a game of basketball in the pool, where Brandon not even 10 minutes into the game left for the hospital, but did return for dinner sporting stitches to his nose and head. It is an injury in true Brown fashion we document with pictures (I forgot my camera but pictures were taken, just not by me)!

Dinner was again delicious more visiting and fireworks. Brant was eating up Tavin, who as Angela pointed out does really look like a cabbage patch doll. Background is nice too Brady with a fork and T and Sara sneakin' in a kiss!

We also had a little fireworks show, this Reunion was packed with go, go, go, good times!
The next day grandpa closed the reunion with most of us in tears; he showed us a map with dots for all the missionaries who have served from our family. We really are spreading the gospel throughout the world. He talked about how our family grows with each union and each birth and grows stronger with each crisis faced. I have often said with this many faithful prayers offered on our behalf we cannot fail, and it gives me courage to go on, when my faith gets a little shaky. I know who I am and I am humbled and honored to be a Brown.  Very well planned McKay & Lois you did such a great job! 

So after all that packed into a weekend, Sunday hit and it truly was a day of rest. At one point during sacrament meeting an entire row of Browns were sleeping! Heath slept so well with his head on Caiden's lap, that after church there was a drool mark. I also loved that we sat where Nate (our nephew with Down syndrome) got to pass us the sacrament, he was so proud to do that. Nate also provided another highlight for me this weekend. He gave me the best hug I've ever had from him, I wanted to melt, then, he looked at me and seemed to be appalled at what he had done. He doesn't talk but he was vocal about what he had done. I don't know who he thought I was but I enjoyed the hug.

I always get a kick out of kids; Eloise who is 5 had me cracking up all weekend, she even got after Brant when he finished the blessing on the food and told him in disgust; "you forgot to pray Uncle Alvin" my favorite was when I asked her how I could be as cute as her and she said "you'll have to get some new clothes from the store or the neighbor's"

I couldn't believe how much Kaija had changed and I thought it was adorable that she can tell you what a lion, dog and Iron Man say. I also loved holding the newest Brown, little Daxton Cowdell, he likes milk but hasn't figured out oreo's yet!

The Brown's are genuine what you see is what you get kind of people, I feel honored to be counted among them. We wanted to be to 100 by the time it was our turn to be in charge of the reunion but that doesn't look likely. So Natalie, I think it will be awesome to get to 80 by grandpa's 80^th Birthday! So come on Brown's we only need 4 more this year! 

Work hard, play hard

 We had the Johnson family reunion in Flagstaff this year. Family picture from the weekend.  Derek & Wes, Mary & Jeff, Tyson & Travis.  One thing I know about these boys is they are very hard workers, but they can play hard too! I was counting down for this not just because I love to be with the boys but I could not wait to meet baby Isa my cousin/niece or as we say it KANEESE. I ran out to their truck the minute they arrived. She is absolutely adorable and such a good baby! She has the sweetest smile but shared it most with her dad (Derek)! I have loved watching Tyson and DJ as dads to little girls! The first day we went down to Sedona for some off road adventures.

Brant took the day one off to be with us!

Rianne and Trachelle are only 12 days apart, and didn't spend too much time apart this week

I asked Heath after he found Tyler if he remembered him from last year he answered with "I don't remember him but I like him" He also found that hot bumpy rides are a great place to take naps! This may have been the only nap he had all week and he played so hard that he fell asleep every night on our way home.

In true Johnson reunion fashion we received warnings to stay on the trail, and here is TJ adhering to advice J

We went to the Honanki Ruins, I thought it was fascinating that they recorded life and then a large figure above them, One of the boys asked if they were talking about the 2^nd coming of Christ. I wondered if they were just recording history. Interesting how things do come full circle huh? I won't get too deep or maybe I'll come back to that.

After our ATV rides and with all the red dirt we kicked up, we looked like we'd received bad spray tans! We were going to go to slide rock but it was closed so we found out about the local swimming hole.

So we went there for a picnic lunch and watched a snake have his lunch too! I'm really not one for snakes but we watched him strangle a pack rat (it was big too) and boy can they open wide to eat.

It was nice a cool in the shade and for those who were crazy enough to jump in! I love Trav's face with Brant's Jump!

 Rianne the monkey  

 

Heath the "Cling on" and Tyler!

We went to Lava River Cave to hike. Wes took some great pictures I hope he shares ;)

Heath's hiking buddy was… Tyler

We gladly stayed behind to watch Isa, so Aubrey could enjoy the hike (I don't know how much she enjoyed it, broken flashlight, alone and we forgot to tell her to go Left.L Brant loves to hold babies and she was so good, see why I was so excited!  
Trachelle kept us laughing on our drive to and from the cave, that kid is a crack up, we just love her!

The kids also did a lot of swimming this week; if I had known Alyssa would push her dad into the pool I would have had my camera. The best was when Trav realized he was going in he did a cat spin 180 to see who'd pushed him, so funny and so glad it wasn't me! Heath kept asking if he could go to the "cat" pool and we couldn't figure out what he was talking about until we realized that we had been calling it the kiddie pool and he thought we were saying "kitty" pool!

 We went up to the snow bowl and enjoyed the Sky ride and Frisbee golf. Tayla enjoyed grandpa's hat!

We also went to Wupatki ruins and sunset crater  

 Me, Jeff, DJ, Isa, Tyler, Brittney, Wes and Mary

Mary always does a great job planning these get togethers, and I appreciate her including us! I swear she teaches me so much every time we are together and here she is teaching Heath!

I like routine and this week was go with the flow Johnson style!  I think by the end my kids were a little worn out, good thing Dad can carry them J

Last year at the Johnson Reunion we got a job offer, this year we made an offer on a home! My Past has often been just the preparation I needed for my future. Things do come full circle, I feel so blessed with so many miracles this year far more than I deserve, I am looking forward to my future and grateful for my past (or at least what it has taught me)! I am eternally grateful for the Johnson's! I love my cousin/brothers or "CUZBROS" and there amazing wives!