Canning Pears

My dad and I went down to Grandma's last Friday to can my pears.  Well, the plan was for my dad and Diana to play with my boys, while Grandma helped me with the pears...that didn't quite work out!

My dad decided to just have me help Diana occupy the boys, and he and Grandma did them all!!

Isaac had fun reading some Halloween books with his great-grandpa!!

Max is still pretty much welded to my hip - so the plan worked out pretty well in the end.  I wouldn't have been able to do much anyway!

Thank you so much Grandma and dad!!

More family highlights

Here are a couple more...

Renae, Presley, Aaron, Avery, and Caleb

Megan and Presley, Amberly, Renae and Avery

Brian Jr., and uncle Brian

Erin, Megan, Amberly, and Renae

The Family BBQ

Well, I'm so sorry this has taken so long (Leanne - thanks for the reminders), but here are some pictures from the family BBQ that we had up here in Sandy a few weeks ago.

As you know, Renae and her family were here from NC for a couple weeks.  Then Megan and Pasquale came - overlapping their trips for only a few days.  Amberly and I took advantage of those couple nights, and packed them full of FAMILY, FAMILY, FAMILY!!

Grandma and Megan

It was so fun to have the Johnson's stop by from California - just a few short days before Michael entered the MTC!

Joseph, Pasquale, Brian Sr. and Brian Jr. - trying to look tough during their 'old man's game' of Bocci!

Megan and Heidi

Pasquale, Megan, and Grandma

End of Summer Family Gathering

Location: Storm Mountain Park 1000 East 11400 South, Sandy
When: Monday, August 25, 5:00PM
Phone: 801- 486-6778 (Amberly- call me with any questions)

I sent out an Evite Invitation, but realized that I didn't have everyone's email addresses, and some of the ones I had I'm not sure if they are the most recent. I know people see this blog so here is the invitation:

We are shouting out to any and all who can come to a Monday night celebration for our family. Brian and Diana are excited for their families to meet one another and celebrate their marriage. Renae and Aaron will be here from North Carolina (with their cute kids of course!!) and Megan and Pasquale will be here from Italy. What great reasons to try and get everyone together!!! We will have some BBQ's set up at the park and you can bring your own hamburgers or hotdogs to roast. Condiments and drinks will be provided. Bring your own buns, and something to share (salad, dessert). Bring your tennis racquets (if you have any) to join in some competition, and/or any yard games that would be fun to share. There is a fun playground for kids and a nice pavilion to sit under and visit. Hope everyone can come!! Aunts and Uncles, please tell your kids who might not be on this list!!! Thanks Thanks

They just keep getting older!

We celebrated Isaac's 3 year old birthday over the weekend. He is getting to be such a big boy. Wanting to do everything himself. He actually is a very good helper to mom and his little brother. Thanks to visits to Great Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's house, he has become quite the little puzzle expert!!

Grandma and Grandpa - we love you!

Johanson's on the move...

We just wanted to update all of you on what is new with the Provo Johanson's. We are officially becoming Draper Johanson's next weekend!! It has been long awaited...but we have sold our home here is Provo, and are headed up to Camden Park Ct. I have been frantically trying to pack, sort, clean, and chase around my three kids!!! (so sorry we haven't come to visit lately Grandma and Grandpa)
We hope Grandpa had a wonderful 90th birthday! And we will visit soon. Love to all!!

Happy Valentine's day

We took the kids to Build-a-Bear workshop this year for Valentine's day. Here is a group shot with their completed stuffed animals. Isaac chose a dinosaur and named him Spikey, and Annalyn chose a bunny and named her Seraphina. Max just hung out in the stroller the whole time!

We hope everyone had a great day!!

Sunday - Jan. 27th

We have been spoiled having Renae and Aaron and their beautiful family here from North Carolina for a week or so. We were able to participate last week in the twins' blessings. It was such a wonderful night.

Grandma wanted to invite everyone over to her house Sunday night to come and enjoy some food and visiting with Renae and her family before they are off again to NC.

5:00 pm Grandma and Grandpa's Home

a light buffet will be served

Hope to see you there!

Each life that touches ours for good

Aaron, Presley, Avery, Caleb, Renae

What a treat it was to stand next to Grandpa and bless three newborn babies. I wonder just how many he has been a part of over the years...children...grandchildren...and now great- grandchildren. The words from one of my favorite hymns comes to mind...

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for exemplifying the life and love of Christ. I believe I speak for everyone when expressing great gratitude and love for you.

Aaron Syrett, bless his heart, gave three wonderful blessings right in a row. His brother's little girl, and then his own prescious twins, Avery and Presley. They were marvelous blessings.

Great Grandpa and Grandma Johnson with the twins!

Great Grandpa with Avery
Great Grandma with Presley

The Johanson's

We sure had a wonderful time at the Johnson Christmas party. Thanks so much Barry and Tonya for having us all over, and for the nice gift. Joseph and I are so very grateful for a wonderfully supportive family. We love to see everyone and get together. I hope you all had a great holiday season and are geared up for the great 2008!!

Generations...

Jayce is so grateful that he has such sweet great grandparents!

Baby Jayce Brian Johnson

Hello family! My name is Jayce Brian Johnson. I'm two days old already! This new world is a little different, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. My Dad says I am a fast learner just like him...He also tells me it took Mom 23 hours to get me out. Believe me, I was tryin' my best. Mom was so brave, she was so patient and calm. When I came out, Daddy did something I wasn't too happy with...he cut our embilical cord. When the doctor tried pulling me away I had no choice but to grab back onto the cord and hang on! I didnt feel quite ready to leave Mom's tummy...Mommy and Daddy sure love me though. They wrap me up tight...kiss me all the time...Mom even feeds me. She is so patient...its so hard to learn all these new things. Sometimes it takes me over an hour to eat. I'm slowly catching on to this sucking thing...
We got to come home today. Dad was a bit nervous to drive with me in the car...but we made it safe and sound. Home...a little different than my last home. Still, its warm, cozy, and I can still feel the peaceful feelings the Spirit brings. Sometimes I miss my real home...so many friends and family there. Sometimes I dream about Heavenly Father and Mother...I remember them assuring me my daddy and mommy here on earth would take very good care of me. They said I was coming into a marvelous family...lots of different grandmas and grandpas...lots of cousins...aunts and uncles...even puppies! Its so comforting to know they all love me. I am so grateful for their love. Last night I even got to sleep in Great Grandma Joy's arms...
I am real excited to meet everyone. I hope I can learn from everyone's great examples...I hope I can grow up real strong and serve a mission one day. Dad keeps telling me I have to learn chinese...he even gave me a chinese name! Sounds a bit weird, but he says the translation means little flying dragon. He says maybe one day I can serve a mission in China...
Mom thinks I got her hair...lots of dark hair...she also hopes I keep my blue eyes like Daddy...Dad doesnt share the same optimism. Dad gave me small lips and big hands...it looks like I got mommy's nose. I feel great all over...I feel so blessed that nothing went wrong. Heavenly Father is kind...
Hope everyone can come and see me. Mom gets tired...she likes to take naps with me...Dad's got big circles under his eyes...
Love you all!

Love,
Baby Jayce

If you'd like to visit our family blog to see updates on Jayce, we would love to have you. Just email Brian xiefamily06@gmail.com and we'll send you an invite!

puppies!!!

We have nine black lab puppies at our house that are the cutest things you have ever seen. Yes, we did it on purpose. We have always thought it would be fun to do puppies at least once. Sage is a great mother. She is our almost five year old lab that is out of one of my dad's dogs, Voodoo. She had nine puppies....a huge litter....and it has been so much fun. I have set up a blog for the puppies....maybe after they go to their different homes I will get on the ball and start blogging for my family!! I have relived some childhood fantasy moments these past five weeks. I always loved getting right in the doghouse with my puppy when I was little, and I watch Elise wanting to do the same thing. It is so fun. We have sold five of the nine puppies and I am looking for three or four more great homes. If you know anyone that wants a puppy for Christmas send them my way. They are pure bred, papered puppies. We are asking $500, but if the demand doesn't take them all for that much I will be taking whatever offers I can get. If someone in the family wants one....let me know!! That would be so fun....and I might just give it away....maybe after some compensation for the first eight weeks of life!!

Check out this blog: www.sageandninepups.blogspot.com

Syrett Sisters!!

We are excited to announce the arrival of Avery and Presley Syrett. The girls were born October 19th and doing great. Avery was 6 lbs and Presley was 4 lbs 12 oz. Renae and Aaron are thrilled to finally have their little girls here and are planning on being able to leave the hospital on Monday or Tuesday. Caleb is wondering what he is going to do with two little little sisters!!