Halloween

Cody's boss and his wife (Alex and Maureen Vakula) invited us to join his family trick-or-treating tonight in downtown Prescott. I couldn't believe how crowded the streets were! It was like the movies where the streets are blocked off from cars, and people we handing out the big candy bars too! We had so much fun, and I'm sure the kids did too :) Our last stop was at a judges house, where we went inside and the kids roasted marshmallows. Fun times!

Cody-Lawyer, Richelle-Mom of 4

Hailey-Angel, Xander-Spiderman, Brielle-Pirate, Weston-Tiger

exploring our surroundings...

Today Cody and I took the kids to Montezuma's Castle. It is ancient ruins nestled in a limestone cliff that was built over 1000 years ago by the Sinagua People. Quite an amazing sight! I can't believe how crafty people were so long ago and could build what they did... into a cliff without today's technologies and tools! They used to let people explore by going in the ruins, but now you have to look at them from a distance... you can't even go near them because they are "re-vegetating" LOL!

I found a picture of what the Ruins looked like in 1887...

After exploring, we went to Sonic! WHOO WHOO for Happy Hour half price drinks and slushies :)

Then we drove to Clarksdale where we saw the Verde train depot, a bunch of mines and the Tuzigoot Ruins.

After that we went exploring in the Mingus Mountains where we found some great views and fun areas for trails and possible camping sites. I also found out that I may be the only one in the world who thinks that a wild animal might jump in the window while driving in the mountains... but I have it down anyways...

Today was a fun day!

Official Certificate

Cody got a special package in the mail today... it was his certificate from the Arizona Supreme Court stating he can offically practice law! YEA!!!!

Dear Weston,

My Sweet Baby Boy,... between last night and early this morning you had a rough time sleeping. You were tossing and turning, and didn't know what you wanted...but you weren't crying... yet I knew you wanted to cuddle. So I conceded to your wish. I got little sleep; however, I truly felt your love for me. Your big gummy smiles you gave me when I picked you up from your bassinet, falling asleep in my arms in what your daddy likes to call the "football hold"; and having my circulation cut off from my fingers. I could just feel your absolute love for me. I actually wrote this blog post in my mind while rocking you in my arms. Watching you watch me was just an incredible experience. Humming to you and watching your eyelids droop was so peaceful. I always knew that babies truly depend on someone, but last night I could feel it. I know that you trust me, depend on me, and completely love me. I'm so glad I got the chance to have that experience with you last night Weston... and I'm a little sorry that I kept the experience mostly to myself... although your daddy did get 2 bottles for me. But I was being selfish, so I told your daddy to go back to sleep, and I enjoyed feeling the bond between you and I. I love you!

                                                                          Love, Mommy

3 months

Weston is no longer a newborn...   :(  We started him on Rice Cereal on tonight, and he loves it! I usually start around 4 months, but he is a hungry boy! He now downs 6 ounces every 3 hours, and it's a hit or miss with his sleeping the nights. He can roll from his tummy to his back, and snorts when he is hungry. He sure is a good boy, and a smiley one at that! We love him so much, and we're so glad he decided to come to our family to play here on earth!

School Pictures

Well, it's that time of year,... school pictures have arrived! Why couldn't I have taken such great shots when I was Hailey's age? I think she is just adorable! She's in 1st Grade - (she started at Entz Elem. with Mrs. Coble, and is now at Lake Valley Elem. with Mrs. Ritter)

She's on the top left... another difference between her and I... I was always one of the shortest!



Sedona

We took the kids up to Sedona taking the 89A through Jerome and Cottonwood. We had a lot of fun. It was a gorgeous day, about 75 degrees. We pulled off the side of the road and took a hike up through some pretty changing leaves. It was about a half mile past mile marker 386 on the 89A. The one taken of our family turned out blurry... but it was on timer. Oh well :) Xander was especially excited because we let him pick up a big stick and whack trees with it like it was a light saber or a sword. He even asked if we could stay there forever, and didn't want to leave. But alas, Weston got hungry, so we headed back to the car. We got Coldstone in Sedona, and had a fun time. The leaves weren't as colorful as I thought they'd be right now, but it was still beautiful!

Baking in High Elevation

It's been hard getting used to baking in high elevation... I keep forgetting to look at the bottom note of the brownie/bread/muffin boxes... but today I didn't forget! I guess you have to usually add more flour, cut some of the time off, and turn the heat down 25 degrees. I made pumpkin muffins today with Xander as my big helper as Brielle and Weston were taking their naps (Hailey was at school). Xander was really excited because he got to help and lick the bowl clean... by himself. He thought the pumpkin muffins were a little too "cinnamon-ee", but that's alright... I didn't make them from scratch :) And I wish I had chocolate chips to add, but alas,... I've run out.

At least they didn't burn!

I liked them with some butter, we'll see what Hailey thinks when she gets home... and what Cody thinks... if there are any left tonight when he gets home :)

Utah Trip

We left on Friday after Cody was done with school and I was done with 3 of the kids dr. appointments for Utah to celebrate my mom's 50th birthday. We got there late at night, and woke up the next morning to homemade breakfast! We had ice cream cake, gave my mom a set of nesting dolls (that each of her kids make their own), went to DI where I found great deals on snow bibs for Hailey and Xander, went to Valerie's lacross game, watched my dad build a huge fort/tent out of a real WWII parachute for the kids, went on a mini date up the canyon on my dad's Harley to see the leaves, went out to Rodizio's Brazilian Steakhouse to celebrate Cody getting sworn in, went back home to listen to my dad tell the kids the story of how he was chased by a purple gorilla in Sarasota while he was a deputy in the tent, went to Walmart with Valerie to get diapers, stayed up late talking to my mom,... and that was just Saturday! Sunday morning came, and we had to get ready to leave, but first... Valerie made everyone hot chocolate, she painted the girls toe-nails, we went to the Timp Temple to have Xander tell us a lesson on Temples, where he let us know that it is a Holy Place... Heavenly Father and Jesus' house, and if we don't get married there, we won't be together forever. We then told them about baptisms for the dead, and then headed off for Prescott. On the way, we stopped at the dam for Lake Powell, got out and stretched and let the kids have a potty break, and looked at the beautiful scenery that God made for us. It was a great trip home. I love that we live closer to Utah! It was such a great trip! And as always,... too short!

  Brielle LOVES my dad, and he sure loves her! She's wearing a shirt that says "Papa's Sidekick"

  This is the WWII Parachute my dad made a fort out of for the kids... Hailey is holding my parents latest,... Tank (Teancum)

  Our mini-date... the views were breathtaking!

 This picture of my dad telling the story doesn't do it justice... the kids were laughing their heads off and my dad was soooo animated... it was hilarious!

Big Day!

Today was a BIG day :) Other than it being my Mom's 50th Birthday (Happy Birthday Mom!), Cody got sworn in as an attorney! He took his oath in the Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescott, Arizona. Cody's parents came up for the big event. We went to Gurley Street Grill for lunch, and waited for the time to pass until it reached 2:30... the time of swearing in :) We took a family picture before on the courthouse steps, and then went in. We met with Judge Jones, who was very friendly and funny. (Cody has met him before) Before taking the oath, Judge Jones asked if Cody really wanted to do this... Cody replied, "After waiting several years,... YES!" The office staff was also in attendance (Alex was in Mexico on a family vaca).

And then Cody took his oath as an attorney... documents were signed, and after getting ice cream with Mom and Dad Johnson, we went to the Post Office to send it in the mail! In about 2 weeks, Cody will receive his "card" with his bar number on it... offically stating he can practice law!

YEA CODY!

Cody dropped the kids and I off at home, and then went back to work since he helps teach a business law class at a college here.

Quote

Today's Quote of the day comes from Xander... said to me while in Church... "Isn't it awesome how we can come to Heavenly Father's House and we don't even have to fly through the sky?"

Blessing from on High

Today was quite a day. Every text that I got from Cody entailed something to the effect of, "I think all the clocks are broken... time is going so slow."

Why? Today was the results of the Bar Exam.

I picked Cody up early from work, so we could open the PDF file together. We came to the computer, with the kids gathered around, and each offered a prayer to Heavenly Father, knowing we would accept his will either way.

Cody opened the PDF file through the Arizona Bar Website, and scrolled through the names of those who passed. 612 applicants, 434 passed... 71%.

I swear he went through it so slowly.

Then we came to the J's...

Ellen Stutheit Jackson; Tieton, WA

Elizabeth Jean Jarczyk; Mesa, AZ
Bryan Taylor Jensen; Mesa, AZ
Ronald Jared Jensen; Gilbert, AZ
Shannon Freeman Johanni; Phoenix, AZ
Cody Warren Johnson; Mesa, AZ
Rebecca Kathleen Jones; Sun Lakes, AZ

His name was there! Cody passed the Bar! We all got down on our knees again, and each thanked the Lord for his help and his blessing. His MANY BLESSINGS!

Then after calling family, and texting/facebooking friends, we headed to Red Lobster to celebrate. Then we drove down to downtown Prescott, to drive around the Courthouse, and Cody's work... we came home to have hot chocolate, and just put the kiddos to bed.  What a great night!

Cody's new suffix is no longer JD, it's .... Cody W. Johnson, Esq.

He kept these ticket stubs in his wallet while waiting for the results (they were from the exam)...

We're so proud of Cody, and so thankful to Lord for all His help and guidance! All the glory goes to Him!