Change Of Scenery

As many of you may or may not know, I recently accepted a new job with Melaleuca here in Idaho Falls. My official title will be Enterprise Records System Creator, which entails creating a records management system for the entire corporation. It was a tough decision to leave SCI, but the opportunity for a new challenge couldn’t be passed up. Plus, I get free Melaleuca product. (Valerie is excited, anyway) They actually gave me a gift bag after my second interview with about 100-plus dollars worth of product (Cologne, body wash, tooth paste, mouth wash) Hmm, maybe they were trying to tell me something. I’m also excited about the in-house gym and tanning beds. Yes, tanning beds. Seemed a little weird at first, but the Idaho winters are long enough to make even the manliest man resort to tanning beds. I start on the 15th and will keep everyone posted.

KJ tradition part II

Here are a couple more pix I forgot to include.  You can see Holika tied to a giant bundle of limbs before she becomes a Krishna-kabob, and pic 2 is Bubba and her pal Gi-gi emerging from the mayhem.

KJ

Family tradition

Here are a few pix from a KJ family tradition. The girls and I yearly attend the Festival of Holi A.K.A. the Festival of Colors at the Krishna temple in Spanish Fork. The ugly witches face is a Hindu witch/goddess named Holika who apparently would drag children into large fires to kill them because she couldn't be killed by fire (I'm not making this up). Alas, Hokika's murderous days were numbered because she tried to drag a young devotee of Krishna into the fire, but this young lad constantly chanted Krishna's name and was saved from burning and instead Holika was consumed by the flames.  Hence, before the colors fly, they stick a giant orange-faced witch on a bon fire and torch that sucker.  It's basically Calcutta's answer to Salem, Mass.  It's good clean fun--so to speak--and then I know Spring is officially in the air--pun intended--not by seeing my wussy tulips in the yard (Todd). By the way, little brother, your daughter's gesture to me is actually her showing everyone how many pages are in your joke book. I already knew.

KJ

Charlotte's Blessing

We are going to bless Charlotte on May 4 and wanted to extend an invitation for everyone to attend. We have plenty of floor space and a few extra mattresses for those interested in staying at our house. However, you may be asked to get up with Macie in the middle of the night when she shouts for, "Dada!" We hope all is well with everyone. Spring is finally in the air in Idaho Falls as our tulips are coming up and there is only a little bit (a foot) of snow left on the north side of our house.

ESPN Tournament Challenge

I tried sending out e-mails inviting everyone to participate in this, but I'm not sure how many of those went through. Here is the link to join our group, which is called JimmySyme. You will probably have to create a username and password, but that is fairly easy. We did this with Valerie's family last year and it was pretty fun.

This is the link to join our group.

time machine

Somehow my brother Scott traveled 3 days into the future to post his blog entry. Therefore, when I posted a couple of entries today, they showed up underneath his Felix birthday coverage.


KJ

Picture Mania and... Macie's special tribute to Keith!

We enjoyed all the pictures and wanted to join the fun. It seems like posts to the blogs go in waves. It must be contagious. Things in Idaho Falls are going well. The snow is melting, but now we just have large amounts of water to worry about. We went on a walk around the neighborhood Monday evening and you would have thought it was the first time Riley and Macie had been outside. Needless to say they were pretty happy!






After reading Keith's post about the "man vest" to the girls, Macie said "Keef", and made this gesture. Hmmm....

hidden post

I apparently named my post the same as Scott's so scroll down below Felix to see the KJ art show post. I didn't want to steal his thunder.

KJ

big 0-3

I see that Felix is developing nicely as a Clagger, probably by watching his father in action. Like father like son. What's that I smell? Oh, yah, it's clag breath.

Scott, I'm digging up some old recipes for you, but if I see a Heinz label on any of them I want royalties. Recipes are thicker than blood.

I am attaching a flyer from my show I had this weekend at the BLADEWORK studio. I have also attached a picture of Debi (my pseudo significant other when she isn't breaking up with me) from the show. I know, I know, I need a haircut. Blah, Blah, Blah.

So far I have sold 2 prints for 300 dollars, but need to sell a LOT more to recoup my costs. It was a lot of fun though and I trying to hunt down a couple more venues to host a couple more shows. Maybe when I'm dead my stuff will be worth something.

Hope everyone is well.

KJ

The Big "0-3"

It's official! Felix is 3, and has worked very hard to be able to proudly wave those 3 fingers in the air! He had a great birthday which started early at Dunkin' Donuts, then to Toys'R'Us, then home to play with his buddy Elsa, then to the pool for a swim, and finally home for cake and presents. Thanks to all the well-wishers and gifters. You made him a very happy 3 year old.

Also, above is also our version of a snow fort that we made in the driveway after a good storm. Felix kept talking about making a snow fort after seeing Riley's.

And below, you'll find some videos of our backyard sledding path. The snow has since melted after a day of 60 degree weather this week, but the miserable cold has now returned.

Lost and Found

My joke book was in the birth canal?? I've been looking for that thing forever. Maybe Charlie was able to read it while in the womb and will actually have a decent sense of humor. Feel free to rinse it off and refer to it as often as necessary. After seeing the new photos of Charlie, I don't think it was the ears that would be the obstacle, but rather the cheeks.

I heard once that there is a vest that new father's can wear that actually have breasts and can be filled with formula so that the father can have the bonding experience of breast feeding. Once Charlie no longer needs to nurse, maybe Todd could fill the vest with soft drink of choice and use the vest while watching a sporting event or fill it with water and use it while hiking. May as well get your money's worth.

As far as the reunion ranch shower mystery, I swear I saw grout under Scott's nails but didn't understand why until now. Creepy.

Here's ny uneducated, uninformed, unqualified opinion about Riley dealing with the baby. Maybe get her her very own somewhat life-like doll that she can feed, change and put to sleep right next to Val. Just an idea. Mom did that for me so I didn't smother Todd with a pillow when he was born. Jimmy wore "The Vest" for Todd as well. SUPER creepy.

KJ

Charlotte, it is!

Those voting for Charlotte 'Charlie' won out. The papers have been signed, but I have been informed by Valerie they can always be appended. No, Keith, she didn't get my ears, but it turns out she came through the birth canal carrying your joke book so it was smooth sailing all the way! I'm also a little concerned about you seeing me naked in recent memory. I knew that hole in the tile of the reunion ranch shower was too fresh for my liking :)

Valerie and Charlotte both came home yesterday. I took Riley and Macie to church today so mom and baby could get some sleep. I think Riley is having more issues with having Charlotte home than Macie, which we thought it would be the other way around. She just wants to help so much and gets very frustrated when she is told, no. She also started sucking her thumb for about five minutes after church, which was weird since she has never been a thumb sucker - just a blanket sucker. I'm not sure which one's worse. We'll just have to see how things shake down.

pink and wrinkled

Congratulations to my baby brother and his patient wife. Cute baby. Will it always be pink and wrinkled? Last time I saw Todd naked he looked the same, so I don't have much hope for the new yet-to-be named baby. Hopefully Riley is easier on this one. Maybe I'll send the new yet-to-be-named baby a suit of armor for the first couple years. I'm still rooting for Charlie or Drew, but I understand that the name Maggie is now in the mix. If so, I think it trumps them all. I'm glad Val and yet-to-be-named baby are healthy, home and happy. I'm especially glad that yet-to-be-named baby doesn't have Todd's ears, or she'd probably still be jammed in the birth canal.

Love,

Favorite uncle, brother , son, nephew, brother-in-law, neighbor and parolee

KJ

Happy Valentine's Day, Baby!

Here are a few pictures of the newest Johnson - and others. She was born at 3:30 today and weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and was 19 inches long. She is still in the NICU as she aspirated meconium, but all signs point to a quick recovery. It's a little strange with her not being in the room with us, but we are able to visit as much as we would like. Thanks to everyone for your calls of support. We will post more pictures tomorrow when we can hopefully spend more time with her. We are still undecided on a name, but we think we've narrowed it down to two.

Countdown to baby girl Johnson!!

I heard that we might possibly have a new addition to our family this week! I texted Toddy this morning, and he said that Val has a doctor's appointment tomorrow so they "should know more by then." Even thought it's kind of a given, this is just a quick post to let Todd and Val and their "crew" :) know how excited I am (and I'm sure I speak for everyone else, too!) to welcome their new girly into our family! Lots and lots and lots of love to you!!

Beat This Forecast!

We are looking forward to Sunday when it will be 1 degree above freezing. That hasn't happened since sometime in mid-October. I would also take the heat any day. I'm trying to convince my boss to open up a records storage company in St. George. I'm not holding my breath.

Nee-ner, nee-ner!

Sorry, I just can't help gloating a little bit. Seeing all the snow that some of you are dealing with and hearing about the cold temperatures makes me oh-so happy that this is what my next few days will look like:

I have DEFINITELY turned into a desert rat, and if I wasn't already pretty sure about that fact, it was confirmed when I was in Utah last weekend and had to deal with snow and cold for myself. No thanks...I'll take the heat ANY day!

Definitely not in Idaho...

Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman...
In the sun it melted, melted, melted...
Our snow certainly can't compete with that stuff you grow in Idaho, but here's a taste of a Pittsburgh winter for you. You'd think that since the grass looks somewhat green you'd want to go outside and play. Think again! It's cold! And windy! We lost our garbage cans in a wind storm last week. Spring can't come soon enough!

REUNION UPDATE...

I'm sure you all know by now, but just to record it on the blog for future reference, we are booked at the Northstar Lodge for July 2009. We check in on Thursday, July 2nd, at 3pm and check out on Sunday, the 5th, at 10am. We were able to book for 3 days which will save us all some money; however, we want to keep the monthly payment plan Scott proposed the same. By doing this, we will have plenty of money for food and extra curricular activities, so we don't have to dig in our pockets for extra cash while we're there because it will already be paid for. Some things to look forward to, in addition to being together as a family:

1.) 4th of July fireworks show over the lake
2.) Paddle boats on the pond by the cabin
3.) More hot-tubbing
4.) Hiking through Glacier National Park
5.) Indoor pools and slides nearby at The Wave
6.) And much more!

Don't forget to get those payments to Grandpa J. at the end of each month. He's already put money down for a deposit, so let's make sure he gets paid back!

Can't wait to see you all! Only 147 days to go!

Will it ever end?!

The girls were stir crazy yesterday so we ventured out and built a snow cave, swung on the swings and jumped on the trampoline. With no end in sight for the snow, we had to do something to break the monotony. We are hoping the snow melts before it starts falling again next fall.

Scooped Again

By now I suspect most of you have heard that President Hinckley passed away tonight. I just IM'ed the news to the Arvada clan and learned I had been scooped by Amy. We will miss him.

Moreover, on one other related note, we went to desnews.com to "read all about it" only to get...nothing. So we had to turn to the SL Trib and its article prominently reporting how he promised when the 2002 Olympics came that "everyone could get a drink here."

Can you pass along my frustration that the website was down, Keith? Or am I going to have to write to the editor?

Viva Mexico!!

It's official...I'm going to Mexico next month with the charity that I am going to do the book drive for. They take trips down there every month or so to do work for the orphanages that they support and spend time with the kids. I found out officially last night that I need to raise money to go, so I'm starting with you...my favorite people in the world! :) Now, please keep in mind that I will also be coming to you when I start doing the book drive, so don't put all of your charitable eggs into one basket! If any of you are willing/able to donate some money for my trip, I would be ever so grateful! I'm supposed to raise $100, but also have to pay a $100 registration fee, so I'm shooting higher than $100. I'll take whatever you can give me...$5.00, $10.00, whatever! And if donating money for my trip to Mexico isn't in your budget right now, I totally understand, and hope you'll just pray that I survive camping on the beach (not exactly my cup of tea!). Gracias in advance! :D

Keep Christmas with You

Reunion News

From Karen:
I'm using my "blogging buddy" to help me post a message again because when Amy was home for Christmas, she tried to figure out what our problem is and she said that we're still not "authorized contributors" on the blog.

It looks like Glacier National Park is a GO for the 2009 Reunion! It sound like there's a lot to do there, no one has been there before, and it's a reasonable distance for everyone to travel...except Scott and Margie, but they're willing to make the trip. We'll go ahead and use the payment plan that Scott suggested. It will probably be better to have one person in charge of the money because I'm sure we'll have to make a deposit at some point...Dad will be the banker. (I hope we can trust him with his sweater fettish!) So, the first installment will be due by Jan. 31st!!

Amy's co-worker, Patrick, saw our calendar from the last reunion and said that he wants to be a Johnson. We are so lucky to have such a close-knit, loving family.

We love you all!
Karen

Tractor Sledding

Two videos and a few pictures of Riley and her cousins sledding at Great Grandma Madsen's Farm. Riley thought this was the coolest thing, ever!

1st Ever JFRF

I think you're definitely onto something with the JFRF, Grandma. And although I hate to admit it, because your math works to my own family's advantage, I don't know that the exact solution you proposed is completely fair yet.

Seems like a fairer solution would be to have the base rate be maybe more like $16.00 for each of the people you mentioned, with an additional $4.50 for each member of the boys' families (the ones with kids).

This particularly strikes me as more equitable considering that the solution you propose will result in a situation where some of the individual contributors will be sharing rooms or even beds with one or more "roommates" (possibly loud snorers at that!), despite having paid just as much as the families, who'll be eating more food and presumably getting at least their own room (or more than one split rooms, albeit with some of their own loud snorers, too).

I think a "middle-ground" solution that shares the burden but also does take into account family size and still gets us to the same total amount would be a good compromise. The split I have proposed above is only one possible way to split the load...the split could be designed to require either more or less money from the families with kids, depending on the group's perceptions of fairness.

Below follows the math I did. I based my calculation on my best understanding of how Grandma and Grandpa arrived at their original JFRF proposal. The main place where I made an assumption was that I understood from Grandma’s note (and my attempt to re-create Grandma and Grandpa's math seemed to support this conclusion) that Grandma and Grandpa would be contributing a double payment. If I misunderstood, I can easily change my spreadsheet to adjust for any inaccuracies in my assumptions.

Thanks for the good idea, Grandma. What does everyone think of it? The Pittsburgh Johnson are on board as long as everyone agrees and we can find a solution that's just.

Scott