The Johnston's: December 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

1st Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Johnston!

Wow! Our first Christmas as husband and wife! We had a fabulous Christmas this year. I woke up at 5:30am (as usual on Christmas morning) and tip-toed out to the living room to see if I could catch a peek at Santa. No such luck. He's just too fast.

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to sit in front of the tree with all other lights off but the tree lights. I enjoy just sitting there, thinking about the giving season, and acknowledging all I have to be thankful for. This year, Christmas morning, I thought about how Taylor and I did not buy one single gift for each other, but were able to buy for those less fortunate, as well as for our families. It filled my heart with so much joy to be around family and friends during the holiday season, and to know that we enriched others lives by giving what we could.

We spent Christmas morning with Taylor's immediate family at his parents house. From there we went to my Grams' to celebrate with my family. Little LC was so absolutely darling! Her age is so much fun...so many smiles and laughs! I love her to pieces! After Grams' we went to Taylor's Granny's for their yearly Christmas with Taylor's Mom's family.

We had a fabulous day being around those we love so much and are so thankful for all of the gifts we received....but most of all, the love we share among our combined families.

Grandma and Miss Haylee

Taylor and his new toy

Chris and his new toy!

My Handsome Husband

Acting Santa aka Haylee

Taylor's favorite cookies!

Nice robe babe!

Dom and Bill

Tri-Pod Buddies!

Cute Rebeka with her frozen yogurt machine

The blanket my Mom made us!

Grandpa Fred, Bear and Gypsy

Grams and Kaila opening gifts

My Mom

Auntie Kari and Niecey-poo LC

LC and Uncle Taylor

Niecey-Poo LC and Uncle Taylor

No I'm not squeezing her...but look at those adorable chubby cheeks!!

I love you LC

Auntie Kari, LC and Uncle Taylor = LOVE

We hope everyone else enjoyed their Christmas, and that everyone was mostly nice but just a tad bit naughty ;-)

Love,
The Johnstons

Santa comes tonight...

Last year, we had Taylor's sister, her boyfriend and Taylor's brother over on Christmas Eve. We vowed to make it a tradition, but I'm not sure that it will continue on. At least not a late night Christmas Eve- perhaps just a dinner. But since Parker was in Hawaii this year, just Dom and Chris joined us. We enjoyed some pizza and had a very merry Christmas Eve, rockin' around the Christmas tree!

Dom loved her bump

Crazy Brows

The Johnston's

Chris and Dom

Santas Elves

Alli saw Mommy kissing Santa

Christmas Tree Model

Photo for Parker

Merry Christmas Eve!! (I know, I'm a week late posting this! haha)

More Birthdays!! December 12th, 2010

We finally found the time to celebrate Dom and Heidi's birthdays! Dominique's was in November, and Heidi's was December 5th. Due to Bill being out of town, then some family was sick, the celebration was post-poned until December 12th! We had a nice dinner at the In-Law's in celebration of both their birthdays!

Dom opening her gifts

Perhaps a new outfit for work?!

Heidi guessing what her gift would be...

Taylor won't buy anything but blu-rays!

Dom and Chris

Heidi with her purse from Greece!

Happy belated Birthday to both of you!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Snoqualmie

This past weekend, Taylor, Alli and I had the opportunity to visit some of Taylor's distant cousins who live up in Snoqualmie. The weather was horrendous so we didn't get to go hiking or visit some of the local area attractions like we had hoped to, but we did manage to visit Snoqualmie Falls for a few minutes before sight-seeing via front row van seats. Just while outside of the vehicle for 15 minutes viewing the falls, we were all soaked and freezing! My fingers were bright red from the cold. Regardless of the weather though, the falls were absolutely stunning.

Alli had a great time playing with Lucy, their 1 year old golden retriever. They were both running around like crazy girls, but once Alli had the opportunity to crash she did...HARD. I feel like Alli is a little anti-social when it comes to other dogs, but perhaps it was just the size difference. She really couldn't compete with Lucy. Her paws were half the size of Alli's head!

The sole purpose of us visiting was for us to babysit while Lori and Daryl enjoyed a night out on the town. Prior to them heading out on their date, we did a little sight seeing, chatted over pizza and played Gassy Gus. What a great game! Even the adults enjoyed it! For those who haven't played, you simply try to get rid of the cards in your hand, whoever gets them all down first wins. However, each card has some type of dinner: beans, tacos, spaghetti, etc, with a corresponding number. So for instance the beans were 6. You would have to pump up Gus' stomach (a balloon) 6 times and HOPE he didn't pass gas!!! It was hilarious!

Once the parents headed out, we watched How to Train a Dragon with the kids and made popcorn. Lena and Corbin are both so sweet and full of energy. Lena stayed up until 11:30pm (if not later) and didn't seem a bit tired! She wore us out for sure! Hide and seek, tag, puzzles....it was hard to keep up :-)

Alli, Lena and Lori

Alli was the perfect size for Lena

Corbin at the falls

I spy with my little eye, something brown

Lena and Alli cuddling (Alli has crazy eyes...sorry)

We had a great time and can't wait to get up there again to visit.

My Mom's Birthday

December 8th was my Mom's 43rd Birthday!!! We had tacos at my Grams' house to celebrate the occasion. My sister wanted to prepare dinner on her own, so she along with others in the family, prepared dinner. I made the birthday cake and placed 43 candles on top in the shape of 4 and 3. Unfortunately I was sick, so I couldn't hold LC, but she sure was a riot to watch with all of her new expressions and on purpose smiles and giggles.