June 2011

Mom and Dad

Hmmm??? Let me think. Did we do anything different in June. Nope, we sure didn’t. We both had our entertainment by going to doctors and therapy. We think that doctors take a class about not telling the whole truth. Dad has been dealing with side effects, which we told wouldn’t be significant. Soon the therapy will be finished and we are hoping the effects of it will subside.
Our strawberries went on vacation this year, so we ended up buying some to freeze and make jam.
Mom had a reason to clean the house because Peggy held a baby shower for Jessica here. It was good to see Ivy Read, and other than her and her aunt and Mom and Peggy, everyone else was from Brad’s family and friends.
That is about it for this time.
Love to all, Mom and Dad

Brian and Jessica

We’ve had a pretty low key month. Since getting back from Hawaii, we plowed through with work and tried to enjoy our weekends at the beach or elsewhere. I’ve been feeling better as well and tapered off the Zofran this month. I had some momentary low back pain which made things like walking and sleeping tricky, but luckily it was only bad for a few days. I am starting to look more pregnant, although I thought I’d be bigger by now. Considering I’m only half way there, I should appreciate the smallish belly while it still lasts. During my last doctor’s appointment, I was told the baby was an “active one” maybe because he moved around a lot when she was listening to the heart beat? I of course diagnosed the baby with ADHD right then and there J I started to feel some movement near the end of the month, which as everyone knows is one of the best things during pregnancy. Now I’m excited for Brian to be able to feel little Scooter moving around as well!

Peggy and Roger

June went by so fast.Jess and I made a quick trip to Washington to visit some friends and ride horses a little.

Alexis has been busy practicing for rodeos and working with her show calf. Emily and Lauren came to visit for a few days. They were so much fun to have. We got to make a trip to Utah to visit with Becky and her family.Jess and Becky had to compare bellies for me even though they both had rather not. They both were more then willing to appease me. Of course a couple visits to Mom and Dad for the month. It's nice being so much closer.

Reunion is coming up on a very shortly. We are going to need a little help from everyone to organize food and activities. Can't wait to see everyone there.

Love you,

Peggy and Roger

Becky and Christian

I can't really remember what happened this month. It seems to be all about the belly lately. My belly is getting bigger and bigger. We had our big ultra sound in June. And we are having a boy and a girl for sure. It was nice to get another peek at them. Baby A is the girl and head down and baby B is a boy and he is breech. Actually he has been sitting on Baby A's head. I told the doctor if her head is a smushed then it is his fault. Christian feels he must be funny if he can make an OB/GYN laugh and feels a success since he was able to make this doctor laugh as well.

The babies both look great and are growing and developing well. One of the placentas appears to be growing into my scar tissue from the c-section with Brenten so they will watch this over the next month or two. If this continues to be the case a hysterectomy may have to happen as well. I am just thankful for all the modern equipment doctors have so that we can be informed before instead of having an emergency situation.

Our first season of softball is over. We did well until the tourney and we were lacking a few key players (me) and we were out pretty early. Christian is excited for the 2nd season to begin.

Peggy and Jazzi came up for a couple of days in June and were able to work on the tile in our basement for us. I feel bad because I am not that fun right now.

Christian has been working a bunch on the basement as well and has been searching for work. Thanks for keeping us in mind and for the potential opportunities you have sent our way.

The kids are doing great and enjoying the summer. Talk to you all soon.

Becky

May 2011

Becky and Christian

Is it bad that I don't really remember much of May? Really our lives are consumed by the babies. Mostly because I had been so sick and because they are creating a little more work for us already. Christian has been working hard on the basement. We are finishing a bedroom and a bathroom for the boys. I have already heard them say they can go outside from their window. We have had a couple of talks about that already. Peggy and Roger came and helped out a ton one weekend and Jazzi and Alexis came to hang out with the kids. And Christian's parents and a brother (Phillip) came for a few days and also chipped in. It is nice to feel all the love and support and well all the manual labor that is being donated to our home.

My friend works in Radiology at one of the nearby hospitals and she invited us in to take a peek at the babies. We were told at my last appointment that they were identical so I was already thinking either boy or girl. Well, the doctor was wrong. We are pretty certain that there is a boy and a girl. I guess sometimes the 2 placentas can fuse together and as the babies get bigger it is difficult to see two placentas. Brenten was so excited to hear that there are still going to be more boys than girls. And well Cait, likes to tell everyone that there are 3 babies. I am quick to correct her but she still says 3.

Christian and I had been playing softball and our team is doing really well. We are undefeated right now. Christian in the last couple of weeks has gotten me kicked off the team and now I get to go watch. It isn't near as much fun, but I am trying to be a trooper.

Rachel and Mark

I think this is becoming the female dominated newsletter since it is only the women who think it is important enough to keep in touch with each other. Here is a throw down to the boys that next month be all male submissions. Let's see which group writes more. I'm betting on the girls.

Since we started our trip in May to Hawaii, I get to write about it here. Hopefully Jessica and I don't repeat each other. We had a great time there and saw so much in what seemed to be a short amount of time. On Sunday, yes Sunday, we went to Pearl Harbor and paid our respects to those who gave all. We also found a swap meet and got our frugal island trinkets. It's nice when the kids are all satisfied with little momentos of $1 each. then we drove around the island looking at the beaches and found one to do some snorkeling. At Haunama bay we saw some parrot fish, sargeant majors, and a sea turtle. That wiped us out for that day.

The next day we went to the church sponsored Polynesian Culture Center. I was just as impressed with the Tahitian hip shakers as much as the guys were. But now we all know how to make fire if we are shipwrecked after a three hour tour with a coconut and a dried piece of wood. After we kill a wild pig, we can wrap it up on banana leaves and have Hawaiian pork with some tarot root rolls. I have decided that a Samoan husband would be nice since they do all the cooking there. Just Dreaming....

Besides fish, Brian and Jessica, Mark, Emily, alex went shark cage diving. They had fun and enjoyed an adrenaline rush like no other. The video they came back with looks cool. After that, the regular reef fish looked a little bland so we went on the hunt for a sea turtle. We found a beach where they come ashore and waited. We didn't have to wait long before a big 3.5 ft sea turtle floated ashore and posed while everybody snapped a picture. Then it was back into the water and the beach cleared. We had a fun time with great people and almost hated to leave.

The rest of the month was good. Emily participated in a district track meet and got 9th in the 100m, 5th in th 400m, and 2nd in the high jump. She was proud of herself and is now ready for High School. Seriously. Lauren finished soccer and 2nd grade and is now losing teeth faster than a shark. Alyssa continues to amuse us and Poppa as I write this. She says, "You can't get me Poppa as she crawls right toward him." Eric still enjoys Grandma's hot tub and Alex must be growing since his feet are as big as mine and his appetite is as big as a lion's. Such is our life.

Steve and Sharon

May was a very cold month. It snowed here and never wanted to warm up! So, the boys and i went to Alberta, Canada to hunt black bears.

There, we found warm temps and more bears than any of us has ever seen! We all came home with a bear, even Brad got his own!

We got Kelly off to Disney World where she is working for the next year. She and Sharon drove there and Sharon flew home. On the way they got in an accident so the door didnt close right. At least they felt the wind for the rest of the trip. Now Kelly has met a boy who works there too. Excellent.....

Hello Everyone!

Jazzi and Brad

Well this month we found out that Brad and I are have a baby BOY! We are going to name him Bentley Grant Johnson. We have just been getting ready for him to get here. We are both very excited. Brad has been getting Bentley toys and clothes already!

This month I also got the chance to go to Becky's with Mom, Roger, and Alexis. It was nice to see all of them, I can't believe how big Brenten, Landon, and Cait are getting. While we were there we got to see the boys play baseball, they both did a great job! I love watching them play sports!

Other than that nothing really happened, Brad spent pretty much all month on the road. He got to experience New Jersey this month. He said that it is not a fun place to drive a big truck, and never wants to have to go back there ever again. He also go to see what it was like in New York, also just as bad as New Jersey, he would love to visit in a car someday. He was lucky to stay away from the south, and all the tornadoes! Hopefully it stays that way.

Hope everyone has a great month!

Love,

The Johnson

Jessica and Brian

We just got back from Oahu this morning, so of course that’s what’s o my mind first off. It was such a great trip! We enjoyed hanging with Mark and Rachel and the crew at various beaches and the pool, and got some good snorkeling and sunning in. We also visited Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center, which were both great, and Brian, Mark, Emily, Alex, and I went cage diving with sharks yesterday which was a definite highlight. The boat ride not so much but we don’t need to talk about that. It was very hard leaving late last night, that’s for sure! We already miss the little guys, although I am not sure you can call Emily or Alex “little” anymore. And it didn’t help my mood when it was 55 degrees and rainy when we landed as SFO this AM!

As for other news, we had a NT ultrasound two weeks ago as part of a prenatal screening. Not only did everything look great, but the doc told us we were having a little boy!...with 85% certainty. I don’t want to doubt the doc because she obviously knows what she’s doing, but we were shocked she could tell so early at 12 weeks. We’re going to hold off on buying any gender specific items until things are confirmed around 20 weeks, just to be safe! I have been feeling better this month thanks to Zofran and now I am excited to start showing more.

Other than that, we celebrated our 1 year anniversary down in Big Sur mid-month. It’s crazy that it has already been a year!! We’ve had a good one and are thankful for all of the fun trips we’ve been able to take. Although Junior will be a traveler like his dad and now mom, we also know it will be a TOTALLY different experience with a kiddo in tow.

Mom and Dad

A pipe broke in our well and with the help of MArk and Rachel we were able to get it dug out and repaired. The weather has been too cold and windy to work in the garden. Dad has been going to therapy everyday, except weekends so we have been sticking close to home. He is half-way done and then we will see what the results are. Mom got a lot of comments on her bright pink cast, but thankfully it is gone now. We hope June is good for all of yor.

Love,

Mom and Dad

April 2011

Brian and Jessica

There were a couple of great highlights this month. First was sharing the news that we are expecting! I am due December 1 and we are excited to be part of a very baby busy fall/winter. I have unfortunately felt sick for about a month now, but just started taking Zofran which has made a world of difference so far. I’ve also emailed Becky a bazillion times with questions – it’s nice to have a sister on almost the same timeline as me! Granted, it is one baby versus two, but it’s been great having her as a very understanding support. The other highlight of course, was our trip to Arizona for Brittany and Kai’s wedding. The wedding was beautiful and we really enjoyed seeing everyone who was able to come! I have now met all of the nieces and nephews, which is pretty good considering it’s only been like a year and there are a thousand of them! I also had a weekend reprieve from most of my morning sickness symptoms while in AZ – maybe it was the desert air…or Jeff and Lisa’s awesome pool J Other than that, it looks like we’re staying put in California for the time being. We’ll have to figure out certain things in the next few months, like our living arrangement considering we won’t be able to fit in the one bedroom apartment for long (arguably, we don’t fit now but such is life in the Bay area). We look forward to watching my belly grow in the coming weeks/months and are excited for things to come!

Mom and Dad

Typing with one hand is definitely a handicap, but want let Steve and family, especially Brit and Kai, know how much we enjoyed sharing in their temple experience. It was great to have so many of you there to give them support. A huge thank you to Lisa and Jeff for housing so many of us and feeding us so well, for their kids being willing to give up their beds for us.

The day after we returned home Mom had her thumb fused and has spent the rest of the month healing, but all is going well. Dad almost has the garden planted, and now we are just waiting for the weather warm up enough for things to grow and produce fruit and vegetables.

Happy mother’s day to all the wonderful moms in our family!

Love, Mom and Dad

Jazzi and Brad

Over the past month Brad and I have just been on the road. We have gone from one side of the country to the other. It was nice to be with him while he worked and help him out with as much as I could. It was also nice to see what the east coast is really like. We had lots of rain, and a big storm which made it a little interesting. I have come to realize that being out on the road in a big truck has its up's and downs. The big down side is that its like camping. You only get a shower every other day.

Brad and I felt the baby move and kicking this month. It was exciting, I have felt it a couple times before but I was nicer to share it with Brad. He is even more excited about the baby now then before.

Love you guys,

The Johnsons

Brittany and Kai

This month has been sorta crazy. Kai and I got married and it was so great to see you guys! Kai definitely loves the Sawyers. I wish we could've spent more time with all of you! We've moved into our new apartment and jumped through all the hoops of changing accounts, changing names, changing wards, etc. Kai continues working and it sounds like it's been an extremely successful month for his company. I'm still working night shifts on the ambulance and taking a couple more classes (Microbiology and Biology) for fun during the day. I turned in my PA application and am now waiting impatiently to hear back about interviews. Kai and I are quickly learning how to cook delicious meals (thanks to Rachel and all of you for the amazing recipe book). Cooking at home is so great! It saves money, keeps us healthier and gives us a grand total of 20 minutes to eat food together after he gets home and before I leave for work. Anyway, life just keeps speeding along. Thanks again for coming down to AZ!! We love you guys! Brittany and Kai

Peggy and Roger

Another month gone already! It's so amazing how fast this year is going.

Alexis had her first rodeo of the year and had a lot of fun. She achieved her accelerated reader goal and won herself a swim party.

Brenten and Landon came to visit for Spring Break. We had great fun with them and made them official cowboys. Horses, tractors, cows, four wheelers, the park....nothing slowed them down until the last day. They were tired I think and ready for city life.

That's about the extent of April. It's been a busy, rainy, month...looking forward to a little more sunshine in May.

Have a great month!

Peggy and Roger

Steve and Sharon

Wow, what a month. As you all know...our daughter Brittany got married in the Mesa temple on April 16th. It was a good time to catch up with family, play some golf, and swim at the Sawyer Oasis Resort in the Desert! Our spring has been very slow in coming this year, so it was really nice to run into some warmer weather.....that is, until the kids forgot their temple recommend and marriage license. Do you know how much weight I can lose while running to a truck a number of blocks away, while in a suit, in 90-degree weather???

We all eventually showed up at the Diamondbacks' game. I thought I got good seats for everyone until I sat in Jeff's season tickets seats. Man, that is close to the action! So, now our family is one smaller with three to go. Anyone got any good ideas for Kelly?

Business continues to boom. I am working every day. Some days include the nights. A rupture abdominal aortic aneurysm. A nail gun to the femoral artery. Rupture colons. Lots of gallbladders! I am ready for a vacation.

The kids keep chugging along. Seminary, school, and video games takes up most of their time. Kelly is gearing up for her job opportunity in Florida. She leaves in a couple of weeks for the rest of the year.

Sharon continues her walking ways. She gets up before I do to go for a power walk around the neighborhood. She is getting mentally prepared to start thinking about possibly considering removing a bunch of old teaching stuff from their piles in the garage. Unfortunately, something always comes up!

The weather is finally starting to turn nice. Hopefully, this signals the start of a good thing....

See you next month.

Becky and Christian

I am so excited with all the newsletter submissions. Thank you to our newly weds and to all us old timers too. April was exciting for us. For Brenten's spring break, he and Landon went to Peggy's for a few days. They were wiped out with all their fun by the time they got home. We also got to see Peggy for a little bit too, when she brought the boys home. The boys had such a great time. Cait had a great time being the only kid at home. She was really funny when she doesn't have boys to pick on. It also allowed Christian to do more networking and things to help in the job search.

Soccer season is moving on with out me. Christian and the rest of the team just have a couple of games left. I was forced into early retirement. I refuse to say I quite but they games are pretty rough and it is common to take a shot or 2 to the stomach so it is safer this way.

I was able to fly down to Britt and Kai's wedding. It was so awesome. Thanks Jeff and Lisa for letting me crash at your house and thanks to your girls for giving up their room for me. I had a great time. I only wish I could have been down longer.

When I got back from Arizona, I had my first doctor's appointment/ultrasound. This is when we found out for sure that we are having twins. It was a bit of an adjustment and now we are excited and in full project mode. We are in the process of getting a bedroom/bathroom done in the basement for the boys. They are excited now that there is heat in the basement. And have told me they want a hotwheels room. I figured I can work on that.

Landon turned 5 this month and I turned 33. Landon is so excited to be 5.

Softball and baseball have started up. Christian and I are playing softball again. Brenten is in machine pitch (but the city's machine pitchers are broken) so really it is coach pitch but harder than last year. Landon is in his first year of coach pitch and then he can use the tee if he doesn't get a hit. They are both loving it.

Until Next Month

the Weavs

March 2011

BIG UPDATES:
-Jazzi was married in March to Brad. Her new name is Jessica Johnson.
-Brittany is getting married April 16th.

I think it is awesome that we did a special fast for Dad this month. Thanks Jeff for heading that up. I know we are remembering Mom and Dad in our prayers.

Pictures from Paris by Jessica Sawyer

Dad and Mom

March went marching in and marched right back out; Our social life is still going to

the doctors. We have been spending extra time cleaning the shop. I am sure some of you have fond memories of those days. Dad thought he would be creative in the shop and now has a cut(e) finger. It was nice to have Becky and Cait here for the weekend of Jessie’s wedding. We are looking forward to seeing you all in Arizona.

Love, Mom and Dad

Mark and Rachel

March- hmmm, was that what we call March because it lived up to its name and marched right on by. Spring has started here with all the glory of spring sports. Emily and Alex are in track and Lauren started soccer. Lauren had 4 goals in her last game but still likes to play an awesome defender position. Em & Al have their first track meet this week so you will have to read next month to see how they did.

Mark finished his office building renovations and treated us to him being home for 3 weeks straight. It was hard to see him go today. He is busy but managed to get some tractoring in over the weekend in preparation to finish my backyard.

I volunteered to coach Emily's developmental AAU bball team. It should be an interesting season. Then I thought I should help the track team and coach the long jumpers. I regret doing a little too much but I only have 4 months of freedom left so I am getting in all my community service hours while I still have time. Plus, it is fun to coach your own kids.

Eric is staying out of trouble if only by escaping to Grandma's hot tub where she rewards him with cookies. I must say, you guys are missing out not living closer. Alyssa is a budding coiffure with her weekly modern haircuts. I am less than thrilled at her skills. I am hesitant to teach her art to see where I might find her impressionism paintings. Fun stuff.

We are looking forward to britt's wedding in a few short days and the reminder of how great and reassuring a righteous temple marriage can be. Can't wait to see so many of you there.

Mark and Rachel, but mostly Rachel

Brian And Jessica

After a quick February, March has been a loooong one. The beginning of the month brought with it a possible opportunity for us. Brian and I both interviewed for positions in North Carolina – I think it is the biscuits and gravy calling him back. Once we hear about Brian’s potential job, then I will let the clinic know whether or not we will be moving and go from there. We had a fun (but quick) weekend in the Raleigh area looking at houses…let’s just say that houses are actually buyable there! Just add a zero to the end of any of the house prices there and that is about what you would be paying in the Bay area. Anyway, we’re waiting patiently and should know next week.

We also went to Paris for a long weekend…my first trip to Europe! It was a beautiful city and although the weekend was short, we packed A LOT in. I think I broke my feet we walked so much. The highlights for me were our early morning walks when we pretty much had the city to ourselves, getting to both the Louvre and Versailles early (we were literally the first in line at Versailles – who can say that?) so that we were able to walk almost all alone down the beautiful hallways of both, and seeing the main attractions at night when they were all lit up. And the croissants, of course!! I am pretty much officially a world traveler at this point and am looking forward to country number 10 – whenever and whichever that might be!

We’ve also done a lot of praying for family this month so that people will heal and respond well to treatment. Times like these always put things into perspective, and we are grateful for everything we have!

Becky and Christian-

March was busy as usual. It is the same old stuff going. I am working and it is tax season so I have been busy. Cait and I made a quick weekend trip to Boise for Jazzi's wedding. Cait got to feed a baby cow at Peggys. We stayed the first night at Peggy's and then the second night at Mom and Dad's.

We found out this month that I am pregnant with #4. So mostly I am tired and sick. But we are excited.
Christian went on a climbing trip a couple of weekends ago. They had to go to Vegas for some warm weather but the Red Rock was nice to them.

We are excited for April and hopefully some warm weather. Softball Season is about to start.

Peggy and Roger

March flew by for us! We worked everyday on the house in Middleton to get it
ready to rent. We were so blessed to have someone approach us about renting the
house. We didn't even have to advertise it. We have it all rented and they
love it! Plus, they bought our hay that is there so we didn't have to move it.


Jessica and Brad were married on the 12th. The wedding went smoothly and was
simple but very nice. We enjoyed seeing friends and family but we are glad it's
over. Jessica moved in with us in Dietrich and Brad hit the road. Brad has
three weeks of long haul driving with a trainer and then he will be able to
drive on his own. Jess is excited to make a trip or two with him.

Alexis is wrapping up dance and heading into Rodeo. Always busy...always
something to do. Between school, church, her show calf for fair and just being
a kid she stays plenty busy.

Alexis, Jess, and I made a trip to Washington ,during spring break, to visit
some really good friends. It was a fun trip but not very warm. It involved a
lot of snow, some sunshine, and great company. We miss the beauty of the
gorge. The waterfalls were in full swing. Alexis thought that they were pretty
neat. We stopped in LaGrande to visit Aunt Marvyl. We all enjoy visiting with
her.


Roger took me to see George Strait, Reba McEntire, and LeeAnn Womack for my
birthday. I haven't been to very many concerts but I have to say that was a fun
experience. We went with some friends from Jerome. Their car broke down so we
picked them up along the way and their kids, we went looking for a specific
restaurant and our friend (who is an IT guy) got out his phone and got us lost
so we ate pizza instead of steak, it was dumping buckets after the concert and
the half mile it was to the motel we all managed to get dripping wet, the truck
wouldn't start because we couldn't plug it in and the temperature dropped to low for
a diesel, and then for breakfast buffet line at the hotel was a 30 minute wait
so we ended up at Denny's. It was the best weekend we have had in a long time.
Even with everything it was a blast. I forgot how fun it is to walk in the
rain, the pizza was good, the concert was great, the truck started and we were
in great company. Very fun and funny weekend.

Hope you all have a super Easter and enjoy the good weather that we are so
hoping will come eventually.

Love ,
Roger and Peggy