Christmas in February sounds good to me

Let's see it's February 3rd so perfect timing to talk about Christmas break right?? I am such a procrastinator on this blog. Christmas was a dream. People always say how nice it is that both our parents live only twenty mins from each other so we can go back and forth but we actually think how much easier it would be if our families lived in totally different places. That way there would be no back and forth trying to coordinate between the two families and THEIR families. It's pretty exhausting. But I felt like this year was finally just low stress year where we didn't have the stress of that. It also was super special to see the Christmas season through our nephew's eyes.

There was a lot of music, dancing, tree cutting, eating, temple square lights, more eating, and eating. Shaun's family sang in sacrament meeting (you could call them The Osmonds. They ALL sing. And I don't mean they all can hold a tune like all mormons can because of primary. They are amazing and there is something ridiculously good about family voices harmonizing together). They were kind enough to let the sister in-law's join their group this year. It was beautiful. So beautiful that we decided to record it. Yep, piece by piece in my father in-law's little recording studio (yes it was terrifying and I was standing about three feet away from the mic). Another highlight for me was attending the First Presidency's Christmas devotional (where the kid behind me sadly figured out that Santa may not be who he thinks he is through a lady's talk--guess she didn't think the kids were listening). The very most magical thing was wishing for snow all Christmas break and then finally getting it on Christmas morning. I felt like I was in a Christmas movie. It was perfect!

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

Sundance Fall

Considering that my favorite season is fall, it's a wonder why I live in Florida. Thankfully I was able to sneak away to Utah for my bff wedding (more on that later) and fall was in full force! One of our traditions each year is going up the chairlift @ the Sundance Ski Resort to just breathe in the gorgeous-ness. Got a few weird looks with our giant tripod we were carrying around, but it is always worth it in the end! {too many nice strangers don't know how to take pictures properly} 

plus, you need a good five tries to get a jumping picture right!
I repeat, tripod..always.

PS. My mama's new thing is table settings. 

Halloween's set up was one of my favorites this year!

(drooling over that table cloth)

Utah & Dion

"Congratulations, you have been picked for a ticket upgrade. 

Go to the service desk to get your new seats"

Those were the marvelous words that we heard on our way into Celine Dion. I was SO giddy I think I skipped to the service desk. We had originally decided on the nose bleed seats so this was the best news! We ended up in the middle of the ground level. I didn't even need the binoculars I had brought. It was like they knew our shows had been cancelled the last few times that they did it on purpose, but there was no way that was the case. Our name was on a list of 50 out of the whole theatre that got randomly picked. Good Karma? The show was magical in every way possible. You just need to experience it to understand. We went with our favorites Becky & Matt and stayed at the Cosmopolitan resort. After Vegas it was homeward bound for an awesome 4th of July with our families.

[quick little video from the trip.

why am i such a picture fanatic?]

4th of July picture overload

Utah is rad. Provo is even more rad. Provo, Utah is the "raddest" when it is celebrating a holiday, specifically the 4th of July. It has been one of the very best weekends home in quite a while. Celebrating our country with people we love, called for the happiest of weekends. My mom is a pro at table decorating and helped me tremendously with a table setting at my in-laws. As you can tell, our nephew is at a fun stage so the camera seems to gravitate towards him. Shaun & Clark are obsessed with each other and it's the greatest to see. Our families are both 'outdoorsy' so between the two we got a lot of bike riding, pickle ball (my new favorite sport), and hiking in this weekend. The weather was amazing and we just felt super blessed everyday. What a great reminder for us.

Fifteenth Anniversary

Shaun is many things. One of those things is an improv comedian {which means all of what is performed is created at the moment it is performed}. The comedy club that Shaun performed at in Provo for six years was having it's fifteenth anniversary in March. They flew out all of the old alumni for a weekend of special shows. It was so fun to see Shaun with all of his old friends. He had always talked about doing improv in the old days with these guys every Friday and Saturday. The relationship they all had together trusting and playing off of each other was awesome. I was so glad I was able to attend this fun weekend in Utah!

Glad some of my family could come support SJ

----

It was also so fun to see some of my favorites during my quick visit.

 

'Motra Wait'

My best friend sister is off serving the Lord! I was so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to go spend her last week or two with her. I had been sick the previous day but was getting better I thought so I was for sure going to be able to travel the next day. I didn't pack the night before because I was so tired so I set my alarm early to pack. I woke up that morning still super sick and decided there was no way I was getting on a plane all day long! Shaun being the smart person that he is KNEW that in a couple hours I would be feeling better and regretting every minute of not going and seeing Kristine for A YEAR AND A HALF. So he threw my clothes in the bag and said "lets drive to the airport and see how you feel then." Well I didn't feel any better but I was so close to Utah! A security line was in my way at this point. So I decided to at least try to get there. Shaun waited until my plane took off JUST in case I changed my mind---which almost happened. In the end he was right, that night being with my family and feeling tons better I knew I would have totally regretted it.

Kristine's farewell talk was incredible and the day was perfect. The only time I would plan stuff with my friends was when Kristine was saying goodbye to hers. I felt like I needed to spend every second I could with her, which pretty much happened. 

We did all of her last minute shopping with dance parties intertwined. 

Like I said, I followed her around everywhere that week. I think this was the night before she went into the MTC. Her last tooth brushing at home. (seemed like a good idea at the time)

The setting apart was amazing. THAT was the night worth coming for. I'm so blessed with an incredible family and an amazing sister. I wish Steven could have been with us.

All my tears were the night before because I think the day of, I was probably in shock/denial and it was just such an EXCITING day. Kristine was just so excited to get out of here. I think since her call came back before christmas, she was getting a little antsy. We took pictures and then had a 3 second drop off. 

Missing Steven.

Like I said, she was just so happy. Adriatic South Mission here she comes! (Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro) I'm so incredibly proud of my girl, Motra Wait. She's loving the MTC and her emails are so inspiring. I'm so grateful that she chose to serve and will bless so many people's lives with her happiness for the gospel!

Johnson Gangnam Style

I forgot to include one of the number one highlights of Christmas in Utah. The Johnson klan made this video to send to our missionary brother who is serving in Pittsburgh. It's one of his favorite songs. Shaun was pretty proud that it was all filmed with his iphone 5. Aren't my in-laws AMAZING?!

side note: please at least make it to 2:45 where my father in-law's 
boot totally comes off.
I died. died.

one more side note: do not be alarmed about my hair.

some people think the half high pony-tail was a serious thing.

I can assure you, it was not. 

Utah Highlighters

Had to get the klan together before everybody left for the break.

Early Christmas present: N64 (BEST EVER)

Spending time with the girls.

Attending the most favorite cousin's wedding. He found a good one!

Spending much needed time with my goofy family. (Minus Steven & Lindsay)

Yankee Swap

Temple Square pretty much everyday.

Time with Miss Shepherd: 3rd grade teacher-extroadinare

Lots & lots of nephew time

Missing Kev

New Years Eve cheers.