Go, Fight, Win, Manti Templars! (But what's a Templar?)

 Inspired by our love for Aunt Cindy, we went--with posters in hand-- to see her girl's basketball team play in a state play-off game.  Austin's poster was too cute....and straight from the heart:

 The kids LOVED being at the game and found opportunities to fight over who got to hold the posters.  Aunt Cheri, Uncle Steve, the girls, Poppie, Grandma Barbie came too.

 Watching Cindy in action is incredible.  She is so focused and good at what she does.  Cheri made certain the announcer let everyone know that Cindy had played for Orem High School and was now back as coach for the state playoffs. 

 Our Manti Templars lost.  :(  But we enjoyed the experience!

Will You Be My Valentine?

 We enjoyed another fun Valentine's Day in our family!  I kept to tradition and made certain I decorated each bedroom door with words, phrases, "love notes" and favorite treats for each of my Valentines.  They LOVED it!

 I also did a first at work:  I brought homemade Valentines cookies for my students.  Before receiving a cookie, I asked them to tell me something they LOVED about someone else in our class.  The responses were predictable and clever.  Soo fun!

From there, Alyssa and I drove to Deerfield Elementary so we could help with Austin's class party.  He was ELATED at our presence!  Here is is coming in and seeing me:

I made certain I was in charge of his table for the activities and games.  We dipped marshmallows in white chocolate, we played "Don't Eat Pete", we drew pictures, we did a craft and passed out our Valentines.

Later in the early evening, Poppie and Grandma Barbie surprised us with a visit and homemade cookies and cupcakes.  Grandma always makes the prettiest cookies!

Later that evening, Dave and I went out for Mexican Food.  The kids had love notes for us when we came home.  I couldn't have asked for a better day-

The Johnston Impact: Food, Fun and Homeschooling

 The day before the Johnstons left for Arkansas, we met again for lunch at the Pizza Factory. 

 After lunch, I drove Riley and Ella back to our home to surprise the kids.  Riley wanted Taylor to go to City Creek for some shopping so I convinced Jen to let Ella stay with us.  She and Alyssa colored while enjoying the most hysterical conversation. 

That night, after they left, Jaxson came running out to tell me that he and Taylor had started to homeschool both Austin and Alyssa.  Oh my gosh!  Too funny!

The visit from the Arkansans: the Johnstons!

 We have been counting down for the past two months!  Steve called us before Christmas to let us know he had found a crazy-great deal on tickets from Little Rock to Utah so they were coming in February. 

They arrived on Tuesday. Wednesday we got a call that they were in Orem swimming at the rec center and wanted to go out to lunch with us.  Alyssa, Dave and I joined them at Costa Vida for lunch.  Steve came to our home for a visit afterwards.  He kills me. He is too funny.

Dave and Steve enjoyed a day skiing on Thursday.  We all looked forward to Saturday.

On Saturday, Meredith and I went to SLC to see Dream Girls at Capitol Theater.  We parked down low and then walked to City Creek so she could buy Nate a Valentine's Day gift.  We ate lunch at the Blue Lemon (yum, yum) and then ran to Dream Girls.  It was INCREDIBLE!  We loved the show and all!

 

We rushed home after the show and headed to the River Bottoms for dinner at our favorite restaurant:  La Jolla Groves.  The Nieportes joined us along with Amy, Reuben and a few others I don't know.

 

 The kids had a blast with Riley!  No fighting: just love. 

We love our friends:  all of them.

What do we do in our freetime?

 We build giant creations with mom's cups.

 We let our sister braid our hair so we look like we've spent a week in the Caribbean.

 We put on mom's lip gloss and ask for pictures.

 We hang sheet rock with my brother Jeff.

 We wash our faces from all of the basement dust.

We get to hold new babies

 We love our KLEIN!

 We send  cousin Brittney video messages of us singing Happy Birthday for her birthday!

 We fall asleep with Poppie while mom and dad enjoy a night out at the movies

(Thanks Grandma Barbie and Poppie!  We are so grateful to you!)

 We prepare talks and then learn that there are kids in our ward who draw pictures of what was said.  Bahaaaa!!

 We laugh at our students, who after class, put on masks to walk out of class.  Too funny!

WHAT A GREAT LIFE!