Post-Cruise Blues

I’m not sure where to begin, but we had a great time on our cruise and are indebted to mom and dad for making it possible for us to go by watching the girls – THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I smiled when Macie called me at work today and asked me if grandma was going to come home with me (she left earlier in the day). We are proposing going on a cruise for a future Johnson Family Reunion. We saw multiple family reunion t-shirts during the trip.

It was hard coming back to Idaho Falls where the low last night was -8. Most of the time during the cruise the temperature ranged from the mid-to-upper 80’s.

As the pictures detail there were many activities available on and off the ship. However, the highlight of the trip – at least for Valerie – was when I choked on a piece of steak the last night we were on the ship. I will have to post more details later since I’m too tired to write about it, but needless to say it involved 1 punch in the back in the dining area and 4 Heimlich Maneuver’s in the men’s bathroom performed by Valerie’s dad. Luckily, no one walked in while this was happening or rumors may have spread quickly about strange behavior in the men’s bathroom…

Grandma reading to the girls the night befor we left

This is our room - I could touch both sides of it

I just added this picture because it looks like I'm jumping higher than I really am.

Sitting pool side was a favorite activity.

The sunsets were amazing.

All the food was great, but dinner was especially nice.

My first experience with escargot - not bad.

The ship at the port in Haiti.

Playing on the beach in Haiti.

We took second and third in the free throw competition.

Clarence - our Jamaican driver. He was showing of the wild Poinsetta bushes that grow in Jamaica.

Before the kayak trip.

The steak before I choked on it - man it was a good steak!

My attempt at spicing up my only try in the belly flop competition went very wrong - I was subsequently booed by the crowd.

Dale and I made best friends with Shawn and Deion on the basketball court.

24 hour watch

The CD is in the mail. Keep sharp things away from Margie.

KJ

no funeral potatoes

This was taken after I shot the funeral of a snake named Julius Squeezer, an 18ft Burmese Python that just roamed a guys house occasionally hunting live rabbits turned loose in his living room. Seriously. I'm wearing two of the three OTHER pythons (8, 9 and 11 feet) that roam his home at will also. Did I mention his snakes sleep with him in his water bed? As you may have already guessed, he's not married. I love my job.

p.s. I am finishing the toning on the last of the reunion pix and will ship your CD tomorrow Margie.

Please Mr. Postman...

Another day...another empty mailbox. Nothing there, not even a CD full of pictures documenting cherished family reunion memories. The sun is gone for the season in Pittsburgh. Those pictures would sure help me get through the long, dreary, grey, soggy months of winter. (Sigh) Oh well, don't mind this big, round, sick, uncomfortable, ailing, miserable sentimental pregnant woman. Don't worry about my sleepless nights, near cardiac arrests after climbing a staircase, indigestion, leg cramps, nausea, ill-fitting clothing, water retention, overactive bladder, insecurity when I feel a sneeze coming on, or the fact that I'm just a few pounds away from being eligible as a contestant on the "Biggest Loser". Don't worry about me. It's raining right now, so I guess I'll go sit on the roof.

Riley's Birthday and Thanksgiving Festivities

Here are a few pictures of the festivities over the last few days. Thanks again to all those who made the trek to Idaho Falls. We loved spending time with everyone even though the time seemed to fly by.

Birthday and Halloween and Amy...Oh My!

Above are a few pictures my friend took of the boys.

Rex as Robin. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Halloween with Aunt Amy

Rex in his Preschool birthday hat

Aunt Amy making Rex's Monster Truck B-day cake. It was a masterpiece.

Party games...Pin the Wheel on the Monster Truck

Poor Felix was sick with the flu for Amy's whole visit. He's just now starting to recover.

Bumblebee and the "Bad" Spiderman

Here are some pictures of the recent festivities at our house. Rex is 3, Halloween was a success, and the boys LOVED having Amy for a visit. Thanks for playing with us Amy! I hope you didn't catch any of the germs that were freely flowing in our house. Scott came home from California with the flu. Good times!

Caught On Tape...

Valerie's brother posted this on their family blog and I thought it was worth sharing. Apparently this game was played yesterday - BYU won 1-0.

Look-A-Like?

I borrowed this mullet wig for my costume today and when I walked in the door with it on Riley said, "You look like Keith!" - You be the judge...

Halloween At The Johnson's

I took Riley, Macie and Charlotte to Melaleuca's Halloween extravaganza yesterday - Valerie has been sick so she stayed home. The girls had a great time, but were a little suspicious of The Grinch and The Cat In The Hat in Whoville. They also weren't real fond of the Pirates in the Pirate's Cave or the robots on the spaceship.

JAM SESSION

Last night for FHE, we used our newly acquired 2nd hand karaoke machine, so of course, family night evolved into a jam session. Here are the boys rockin' out.

Me, Charlotte and Macie were playing hide-and-seek tonight and Macie introduced us to her favorite hiding place. I don't think I want to know how she discovered she could get in there!

Hamming for Felix the photographer.

The best picture we can get of Rex's broken arm.

He doesn't like taking pictures most of the time.

Feeding the ducks on the river

1st day of preschool

Rex was such a snuggler with his cousins in Texas.

Felix in dog heaven with Buddy

Felix caught his first fish.

Another summer surfing with Uncle Steve

Rex gave it a go this year.

I think Rex preferred surfing on the sand.

"Best Bruders"

We just wanted to post some pictures since we've been fairly inactive participants on the blog. Hope everyone is doing well.