"USE IT OR LOSE IT"

That is something I had always heard from people. Including my piano teachers and my mother. I never believed a word of it. I was talented, I knew how to play, I even had piano students. Then I graduated high school and college happened and what do you know... MY TALENT IS GONE. I have so enjoyed being able to get back into the groove of things by learning a hymn every now and then. Although when asked to be one of the ward pianists, I panicked. I have always been the soloist: my own timing, a ritardando or two thrown in where I please, adding notes or chords whenever I want etc. Accompanying singers is so much pressure and a whole different ballpark. BUT. . .

I am lucky. I am lucky that I get to share this calling with my husband. Shaun is the ward chorister. He keeps me calm each Sunday that I'm up to bat (it's seriously like clock work. i am always having a nervous urge to run to the restroom right as i am needed to go up and play. tmi?). He has taught me a lot about timing, when to come in, how to follow him with those darn fermatas and guess what? We're still a train wreck and I love every second of it. It's my entertainment each week. We always end up laughing our way through the closing prayers. Thankfully we are behind a giant piano so nobody see's Shaun's mouth say "what was THAT?!" and me laugh till I cry. Last week I played the introduction with some crazy notes thrown in so I just decided to stop the intro and start playing the hymn, which resulted in Shaun doing a crazy arm-seizure situation and a wide eyed look (only a few came up to us and said they noticed that one). Long story short, if I have to accompany people, I am glad that Shaun is my right hand man in the matter. Plus he's cute...DUH!

Rock Canyon

My older brother and his wife live in Texas so we are all rarely together as a family. It is sometimes difficult to make our trips to Utah overlap, so with everybody in town for Kristine's wedding--it was some much needed family time. The last time we were all in the same room was for my wedding, almost three years ago. We learned from experience that we needed to do a separate casual family photo shoot because the family pictures on the wedding day don't always look the best due to the stressful day. I am so glad we did that. 

My parents live right at the mouth of Rock Canyon in Provo. It has become a part of my Dad (he hikes it, runs it, walks it, snowshoes it) so we decided to take the photos up Rock Canyon so they mean a little more. We were happy about how they turned out, which is hard when you're dealing with three picky photographers in the family. It's always nice to have someone else take the picture for a change. Thanks Sherry!

Rock Canyon, Provo UT

the men in my life

sibs

Mr. Speedo

Yep. I knew that would happen. Right when I say I need write more on this blog, here I go again posting pictures. But I wanted to document our Christmas card of 2014. After I searched high and low for a sled in Florida (I even got laughed at), I had to come to terms with a boogie board. I was gone for most of November and December so I dragged SJ to the beach right after Halloween to get these taken. He was a saint. I am sure the beach walkers that night didn't know they were going to get some good entertainment.

"Woah, you guys don't waste any time" 
"Merry Christmas? What about Happy Thanksgiving?" 
We even had some people ask if they could take a picture of us.

 Listen people, it was worth every weird look!

But in order to get that perfect shot we had to take a lot. And by a lot, I mean..a lot.

Some people were so nice and went around the crazies in front of them. But only some...

A 'Merry Christmas' from Mr. Speedo was the highlight of the night

Dashing through the SAND..!
Love, The Johnsons

Hands Up

I feel like I used to write posts more about my thoughts or random stories where I could look back and laugh. Nowadays all I do is post about my trips. I am going to try to write more this year because I have found that those entries are more fun to read and mean more. Don't worry, I won't get too serious on y'all. Just for fun I am going to throw it back to the time I got held at gun point for doing laundry in my own house...

If you want to be scared laugh, click HERE for the link to it. It is written on an old blog of mine.

ps it's 100% true and still haunts me sometimes (haha). 

Meet The Parents

One of the reasons I love Florida is...THAT PEOPLE WILL VISIT YOU! Obviously our families will come visit us anywhere we live but Florida makes the long flight worth it I think (ha). SJ had his big national sales meeting up in Orlando all week and my parents were wanting to escape the snow. I say it was a win-win (although we missed Shaun our entertainment). I loved this one-on-one time with my parents. They had been here a few times last year so we were trying to do things they haven't done yet. That included an overnighter in Key West. I love Key West! The drive is long gorgeous, you feel like it is a vacation because you are far enough away from home, so many AMAZING places to eat, and the town is just CUTE (except at night when the homeless drunks come out).

We haven't been able to find a place that tops The Parrot Key Hotel. They have these adorable little villas. The contrast of the turquoise and white colors are my favorite. The grounds and pools are gorgeous as well (no I don't work for them--just like talking about their hotel apparently).

We went to the Hemingway house while we were there. When Shaun and I went last year we passed on this so it was cool to see. I love old historic houses that they haven't changed or restored yet (so the Georgia plantations treated me well!!). The backyard/pool area was adorable. There were cats EVERYWHERE. I guess Ernest Hemingway loved them and had a bunch that would roam around, so they continue to be everywhere. Even on his bed. I hate cats but I was just so amazed at how many there were. People probably thought I was some cat lady because I kept taking their pictures (no really, I hatehate cats. I don't even know why I'm posting them on here).

We tried Pepe's cafe which is the oldest restaurant in Key West. And let's just say it LOOKED like the oldest restaurant in Key West. The food was surprisingly good though. 

Speaking of food, I wanted to write these down somewhere so I know the next time I go there. 

My absolute favorite places to eat are:

-Duetto Pizza and Gelato (the nicest Italian family owns this place. Highest rated Gelato)

-Paseo Restaurant (no idea that I would enjoy Caribbean food this much. Famous for their corn on the cob which they cover with so many different delicious toppings) 

-La Creperie (very charming little french crepe cafe. Their crepe's are huge)

-Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe (chocolate covered key lime pie. And we even tried all three key lime pie shop's while we were there so we know what's up!)

Front St.
Key West

Bonita Beach

Marco Island

Marco Island