Summer vacation 2008

What a great trip!!
Our family decided it was time to take a serious road trip. We had planned on going to Montana this summer, we just took the long way to get there. Mount Rushmore called!!!! Early Friday morning we took off. The start of the trip was a little bumpy but after we got going it was smooth sailing except for the hourly stop we made for Spencer to "go" in the weeds along side of the road. (This happened for the WHOLE trip mind you.) The Grand Tetons were beautiful in the early morning but by the time we got to central Wyoming, the novelty had worn off, along with the beauty of the mountains. The good new was there was plenty of grasshoppers along the road for Spencer to "go" on. About mid-day we made it to Martins Cove and had a great time pulling hand carts going through the visitors center. It sure made us appreciate our air-conditioned van! We made it to Mount Rushmore at about 8:30 that evening, just in time for the lighting ceremony. What a spectacular program! We stayed in Rapid City and couldn't believe how much there is for families to do around there. The next morning we got to spend more time at Mount Rushmore, tour an old gold mine, pan for gold, and do some shopping. Sunday it was back in the car for the trip to Fairfield with a side trip to Devils Tower. Luckily there was tons of weeds and bugs for Spencer to "go" on through Wyoming and Montana. We had great fun visiting with friends and family in Fairfield. (Sorry to all of you that we didn't get to see, we love you dearly but time ran out.) We spent time in Choteau at the Dinosaur Museum, Great Falls at Giant Springs and the State Fair. The kids loved playing with the cousins. It was great for Spencer have some good "boy" time, playing in the mud and dirt. We also discovered the even dads and moms can have fun playing with Barbies:) We really had a fabulous trip but we were so happy to be home again. The trip actually went really well, we might do it again (in a year or two:)

These things never happen to me!

On Saturday, Jon and I took the kids to the free fishing day at Lone Pine Nursery. There were tons of people there and it was really hot. As we got there, we were able to put our names in for prizes. Well, we mozy over to the pond and Jon gets the kids poles set up and in the water. This requires quite a bit of energy so Leann and I went over and got us each a hot dog. While we were standing there waiting, what should happen??? They drew Jeri's name for a prize. It is a beautiful hanging basket, valued at about $250.00. The basket is HUGE. It took up almost the whole back of the van and the stand is taller than the kids. I was so shocked. The best thing I have ever won in my life was a coloring contest from the Great Falls Tribune in the 2nd grade. I got a skateboard then. We were all pretty excited to bring this giant thing home. It now sits in the front of the house.

Fun in Utah!

This last weekend, May 23-25th we had a Melvin Pearson family reunion in Utah. Paul and Ramona were kind enough to host us all at their home in Tremonton. On Friday we celebrated mom's 60th birthday with gifts and a cake with all 60 candles! We couldn't get them lit fast enough so she just blew out a portion of them. On Saturday most of us spent the day at Lagoon. We had decided that all of the adults would wear red shirts and all of the kids would wear a bright green shirt so we could easily spot everyone. The morning was so cold that we all ended up wearing jackets. Luckily by the afternoon it warmed up so we could show off our great fashions:) We really had a fun day and rode as many rides as our tummies and heads would allow. That evening we went back to Tremonton to celebrate mom and dad's 60th anniversary. Ramona had made a beautiful cake and Melanie helped the kids learn a song about grandparents. I just helped shop for the gifts. Us Johnston's took the long way home on Sunday and drove through Logan. We stopped at the temple and showed the kids the University and all of the places that Jeri lived while she attend school there. We really took the long way home by going through Soda Springs, Freedom, Wyoming, and Swan Valley. The kids were screaming to get home by the time we reached Ririe but it was really a fun time.

A perk of living by the river

One of the perks of living near a river is that you can go fishing pretty much whenever you have time. We finally had a nice evening this spring so the dads decided to take the kids fishing. The kids had fun playing and exploring but didn't get much fishing done. Luckily the dads got to wet their hooks. It was a great evening to be at the river.

Leann's baptism

We had a great day on May 3rd. Leann made the great decision to be baptized. She was so excited for this day. The weather was perfect and she absolutely glowed in her white dress (made with love by Grandma Pearson). We had so much support from our great family. We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Leann's wonderful choice to become an official member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I chopped it off !

After growing my hair for more than a year, I decided it was time to cut it. My good friend, Christy did the deed and cut a little more than 11 inches. We promptly bagged it and sent it to Locks of Love. I felt like it was a great way to put my "old" hair to good use.

Jon, Jeri, Abby, Leann, Spencer

Ok, so I have decided that blogging is kinda fun and I are starting one for the fam. Hopefully for anyone interested, you can keep up to date on the happenings of the "Grant Group" (the area we live in is called Grant, thus, the name:) We hope to keep it interesting enough that you will want to visit again and again. We'll be in touch, so you be in touch :)