Summertime and the weather is fine

Actually, the weather's crazy, but that's beside the point. We have started out this summer with so much fun!

 While Dad and Elliott were at the Fathers and sons campout, Lucy, Kristine, Maric, Archie and I had a girls and baby night out! We had sushi, went accessory shopping, bought shoes, and had icecream! Then we came home and the girls danced! Perfect girls night 

We took the kids to see The Avengers movie. Elliott went as Iron Man, and Lucy went as the Black Widow. I was such a proud Mama!

 We've had some fun experiments too. Thanks Croziers for this idea! Baking soda and vinegar and food coloring: fun!

 Thanks Johnson family for this idea! Marshmallows and toothipicks: fun!

The ole pickled egg; a Johnson family classic



Milk, food coloring and dish soap: fun!

Some days have actually been warm enough for water fun.

 Every summer I get one of these pictures. I love when they play so hard they can't keep their eyes open. That's how summer is supposed to be.

Fishing with Dad. This is Elliott's first totally independent catch!

Lucy has always been an amazing fisher-woman!

 Archie's new favorite thing is this little tunnel. It's a portable tight squeeze anytime he wants it!

 Dad and Elliott and Lucy planted a Japanese Maple in the backyard. Mike has wanted one of these since we bought our house! That was 9 years ago. It's about time!

 Archie's first splash-pad experience. He fell asleep while drinking his bottle. Being a sicko can wear you out.

Elliott finished his first t-ball season! Mike got a ball signed by the team for being a great helper-dad!

 We are hoping to spend a lot of time at Harmony and HadAbogi's pool this summer. We got to go once, and Archie and Elliott loved it. Archie's first prunie fingers.

 Lucy tested for her Deputy belt! We are so proud of her and so impressed! This is a HUGE accomplishment! Next stop: BLACKBELT!

 Mike and I are planning on running a lot of races this summer. Our first was last week, Run For Dunn. I love doing this because it is the only time we get to run together. Lookin' good for a bunch of old folks huh!??!

 There are perks to living right next to a park. We get to go enjoy the weather on a whim. We are looking forward to a lot of park time this summer too.

 I love Archie's face in this picture, it looks like a little cocky-man face. Cute.

What a summer we will have. 

Believing Like a Child

 

Let me tell you something about my boy Elliott. He is amazing. He is a believer, through and through. When Christ told us to have faith like a child, he was talking about Elliott, I just know it. Whether it's Leprechaun gold or prayers for a friend to be home for a playdate, Elliott believes unconditionally. These are some great pictures of him when he was younger, he happens to be super-cute too!

It is not an uncommon thing to look over and see Elliott with his arms folded, eyes squinted shut tight, and his mouth mumbling a silent prayer. In the car during carpool, with his buddies right next to him, at the table, on the couch, wherever he is, he stops to pray if he feels a need.  If he gets scared, worried or concerned, his first instinct is to pray. His prayers are so sweet too. He doesn't just recite, he thinks about what he's saying, so you can always know what's on his mind. 

The other night, on family home evening night, we had a big storm rolling into town. If you know anything about Elliott, you will know that weather really makes him nervous. During dinner, the lights flickered. I could see the familiar series of events telling me Elliott was ready for an emergency prayer. I took the opportunity to have a family home evening lesson on prayer. We turned off the lights, grabbed some flashlights and huddled on the floor to talk about the things we knew about prayer. I told them why I knew prayer worked, and they told me. Then Elliott prayed. He prayed that the power wouldn't go out, and the storm would go over quickly. We finished with a movie and some popcorn and thought nothing else of it.

 Later that night, Dad got home from work, not knowing what we had talked about that night, and said he was surprised our power was on because every other neighborhood he drove by was without power. You should have seen Elliott's face; it was better than Christmas morning and Easter Day combined. He looked at me, walked over and just buried his face in my shoulder. We talked about how Heavenly Father loved him and wanted him to know He listens. It was a little FHE miracle. Elliott said a prayer of thanks with tears in his eyes. Before he prayed, he said, "you know Mom, if Satan ruled this world,  the power would have gone off and we would be in the dark." Yep, he's got it right. Such a sweet kid. Such a good example to me of just believing; not worrying about what other people think, not worrying about what makes sense or what should or should not be, just believing.

Get Ready...

Ok, hold onto your computer screens, you're in for a fast ride! Here is our month of May in a nutshell! I hate being behind in my blogging, and I am CRAZY behind right now! So, we are going to do a series of picture-heavy posts to catch up. Here we go:

Family came up to celebrate Heather's graduation from BSU!!! YAY Heather! 

Mike took the kids shooting with their cousins

 And fishing with their cousins.

 And to father's and sons campout with their cousins.

 Elliott learned he is a super-cool t-ball player on the Volcanos team!

 Mike got to assist coaching a few times, and Archie enjoyed watching his brother play.

 Elliott's favorite position was catcher. I would say he takes after his Mom's catching skills, but I think he just liked wearing the sweet uniform.

We have a new family favorite treat: peanut butter honey popcorn! YUMMY!

 I got to volunteer at both kid's field days at school. This was my favorite station. 

 The kids' favorites was tug-of-war because they were on the winning teams.

 You can't tell me you've ever seen a cuter girl than this one!

 Nothing better than this smile. Love you LuLu!

 Elliott convinced Mike to get him a pitch-back. It wasn't a hard sell because it gave Mike a little break from constant catch!

 And on to the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION!!!!

 I made Elliott these yummy graduation treats.

 Look at my little first grader!

 Some of the boys: Thomas, Carter, Cooper, Elliott, Jake and Ethan

 Lucy didn't get to graduate from second grade, but she did get to run through this awesome summer banner!

 Here she comes!

Here comes summer break!