We are so blessed that people give us things. Very Very blessed! Jeremy's brother and his wife had some friend that were getting rid of some gently used toys to make way for new ones and we were the lucky receivers.

I think Xander totally scored this year due to the love of these kind people.

Christmas Jams

The Christmas presents I love the most
We all look so divine
in our new Christmas
Jams!

A simple Christmas

Christmas has come and gone
It was a simple Christmas for us
I think my favorite part was getting Xander this outfit. Jeremy and I went to his Brother's house in Castle Rock the weekend before Christmas to exchange presents with his siblings
and after the party we went to the Castle Rock outlet. Jeremy had never been and I had not been since I was a kid
I forgot how much I loved that place and now how much more I love it now that I have
My Xander

First stop was Carters to find some cute Christmas Jams for little X man
For some reason the ones I picked out at Target did not make it home
We did not pay for them so somehow they were lost between checkout
Where they disappeared to I will never know but I am glad
I found some that I liked more

Second stop was Children Place where I found this outfit
I love that store
Vest- 5.00
Shirt- 5.00
Pants-5.00

He looks like a million bucks for only a fraction of that


Jeremy and I had a blast walking around that place
We found this little random store where we bought Ace
a Wood Carved Sling shot and the other Downs girls
Butterfly necklaces

I love that Jeremy will shop with me
I honestly married my best friend

Merry Christmas

XANDER AND THE COAT

So I noticed on my birthday that Xander
likes something or recognized that it was his.
My Mom came over and was picking up around the
house and she picked up his
VEST
and he started following her and whining
He wanted his
VEST
He loves to try and put it on
as he is attempting to do in this picture

Jeremy bought him a matching green Columbia Coat to go with it
We really like the idea of fleece Jacket and Vest Combo because in the car we
can take off the Vest and make car travel a
little more comfortable

I have to say dressing Xander in
Cute outfits is one of
MY FAVORITE
things to do

I think he likes it to!

My Birthday

SO it was my Birthday on December 1st
and now I am
33


Wow!

Day was great!
Mom and Dad came and
CLEANED MY HOUSE
DAD VACUUMED
and
went to the Mead Cafe
with Mom and Dad
and
Xander and Jeremy
And then they bought me a cake.
Here are 33 things that I would like
1. Endless supply of Aveda product
2. Endless supply of clothes
3. Trip to Italy for a year
4. Win enough money to
5. Pay of House
6. Decorate it like Pottery Barn Catalog
7. Finish backyard
8. With fruit trees
9. And a Fire Pit
10. Have as many childern as I want
11. When I want
12. That is it!!!


21 wishes to go
maybe next year!

Thanksgiving

I did not take one picture
of our trip to Utah
I can't believe it

Oh well here is the 10 things I would have taken pictures of
if I would have remembered

1. Xander in the Car Seat (HAPPY and Wonderful the whole way)
2. Kandin's house (She was kind enough to let Jeremy, Me, Xander and D, M, stay W choose not to participate and went home t0 his Mom. Oh well. We will not force only show love)
3. Lemon pie (Johnson family does not do my favorite pumpkin but their Lemon which I have never had was a tasty treat)
4. Seeing Cousin Ty's new little Baby Girl Lexi (Beautiful Eyes)
5. Tree house Museum (Great place for the kids)
6. Playing games (Would you rather game was a hoot)
7. Baby Shower for Emily (My onesie clothes line fell down on the guests oh well)
8. Walks down the dirt road (Ahh the Country)
9. Aunt Margaret's house (So fun to visit and Talk)
10. Xander lovin Jill's dog (He is his father's son)

So sad that I didn't take any pictures but
At least I have the memory

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

THE JOHNSON FAMILY
of
JEREMY
NICHOLE
and
XANDER
is
BLESSED!

Ahhh WATER
and a
Mom that
let's it
Run
With drain
open
and Mom watching the
whole time
of Course

I am in AWE!!
I am so
HAPPY

I scream with delight!!
NO need for
fountains
Water Features
5.00 entrance fee
20 min drive
and swim diapers
We have a
Bath tub

Isn't the Simple life
great

My Over Achiever

Jeremy had to do a phases of the Moon project for his Astronomy Class
He had to do 3 detailed observations
He Airbrushed his Moons

Hope he gets
the
A

He received one in my book for
A
over
A-CHIEVER!!

But a very A-wesome one at that!

Xander's Birthday Card

So Jeremy was a little late with Xander's Birthday Card
But this weekend he finally had time to
get it done
He has a little flexibility with the first one
Xander did not know the difference
The important thing is that he has it!
We have started a tradition and
I
LOVE
IT
Hand Painted Cards every year
from
DAD

He even says he is going to do them for the future grandkids
LOVE
MY
JEREMY!

Natalee came to town.

Due to unfortunate event of Natalee's dear friend Carrie Lewis's father passing away.
I was able to meet my newest little nephew
Mr. Abram Thomas Maxfield
What a doll.
I love him!
He had such good gas that produced the most wonderful
smiles!

Cousins from both sides.
My little Xander
is not so little
anymore

They are going to enjoy seeing this picture when they are both 16

Welcome to the world little Abram
We are glad you are here!

Yoda walking

Little Yoda

Halloween 2009
We went to Aunt Laural's and Uncle Ryan's
Yoda had fun with the two warrior
Barbie
Princesses
They were to interested in other things to take a good picture.
We had to Safety pin the Yoda ears hat underneath his chin
so he would not rip it off!

Before the Treating Jeremy did some Tricks with his
Carving skills
Teghan LOVED
Watching Uncle Jeremy and getting out all the
Pumpkin Guts
or
BRAINS

Our HAPPY PUMPKIN

Our SPOOKY Pumpkin

Strong with the Halloween Force
is this one!

Love to all

Nichole

Witches Night OUT 2009

Every year my friend Bridgit invites a group of ladies to go out to EAT!
We all go as Witches
This year it almost did not happen
because of all the
SNOW!!!
Colorado received this year.
Last year we went to Chillies
This year Panera Bread seemed more fitting for
SOUP!!

I was so happy to find a hat that would fit on my head!
Jeremy was going to make me one
because every place we went to
NO FIT
One size does not fit
ALL
Finally yesterday we stopped at a HALLOWEEN STORE
And I found one for only 10.00
I know you can find them cheaper
But a hat that fit my big head
it was worth it!

Last year I had to be a witch without a hat because I could not find one to fit.
This year
and for the
years to come....

I now have a Witches hat.

Here are all the ladies that decided to Brave the
unfavorable weather and hit the town.

Happy Halloween!

Xander

Yesterday Jeremy and I went to Wicked and Xander went to Grandma Jannet's
He is such a fun little boy.
He has been getting into
mischief lately.

But like one of my favorite songs from Wicked
I am better because I knew You
I am better because I have this happy little boy
Who smiles and screams and is such a good
natured little human being.

Who gets so excited for his bath time that he flips over the side without waiting for me to take his clothes off. I turned my head for two seconds and he was in the tub.

I am better for having this little guy.
I am better for having Jeremy come into my life
I am better because I have a testimony of the Savior
I am better because of my brothers and sisters who are so good
I am better because of my loving parents

I am so glad I went and saw GA-Linda and the "GREEN QUEEN"
To remind me of all the reasons why
I am a better person
every day
it
is
because
of all
of
you

Love
Nichole

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Watchin Emma

So, there is this girl in my ward who I switch off kid watchin with. She likes to sub and I like to sub and once a week we sub and watch each others kids. So today with my "super woman strength" I brought the Train Table upstairs so the kids could play. And as they were playing they kept getting distracted by a fuzzy red guy who sings LA LA LA LA

Working Full time from home

So last year around the end of Feb, I received a call from a lady named Tina. but first let me explain something...... My aunt worked for this company American Envoy. She told me she called places and collected records. I said hey, can I maybe do that? So she gave me her e-mail address and I emailed Tina...and 4 months later at the end of Feb I received a call.

At first I was not going to take the job. I had just invested a small sum of money in starting a Usborne book business and I was all prepared to be a "Home Party" woman! But Jeremy said just do it! What could it hurt. You can do both!

So I did! I am so glad. It is a great job to work from home. I am so blessed to have it. I am able to be with my Xander. We need the money and when Jeremy was fired at the end of August. I e-mailed Tina and asked for more work (I get paid by the record not by the hour). And she said, "You want it you got it"

I work early in the morning when Xander is sleeping, and eating and watching T.V. which he really likes T.V. Handy Mani, Mickey's Club house, Imagination movers, and little Einstiens are his favs.

And then we play a little bit and he goes down for his nap. And I work some more and my day is done by 3pm because I work Florida standard time. And then Xander and I go outside and play.

Sometimes I think....Man my life is kind of boring. I am not doing all the cool Mom things that I thought I would be doing like, play groups and lunch dates, and sewing....and organizing rooms.

But I am happy! I am! I call hospital workers in Florida and collect medical records. I have a lot of information on a lot of different people in Florida stored on my little computer. (kinda scary)

I get to let Xander sleep in and wake up and give him a bath....There is no rush. and when I am done at 3pm, I am done, nothing to bring home or grade or worry about what I am going to do tomorrow.

Jeremy is doing so well in school! I am so proud of him. It is such a small time in our life and even though it is hard right now. I know we will enjoy the fruits of our labors.

God Bless

Nichole

Xander's first steps

Little Scribbler

Xander loves to Draw

He does not eat it
like
most one year olds
I have met

He really likes to see
the marks he is
making

He switches colors
He is so
much
fun!

This is Bob
the fish

Jeremy's Family
He has pictures
of Bob
and his cousins
Frank, Henery
Jesse
Jacob
Holly and LuLu and 1000's
of others

In his computer
on his iphone
and even in his
SCHOOL NOTEBOOKS

This man
loves
FISH

Xander

This is Xander
Xander screams
I shut the door
he screams

I open the fridge
he cruns (fast crawl)
to play
I hurry and close the fridge
he screams

I try to put him in his car seat
He Screams
arches his back
and I have to wrestle him
in

Dr. Justin and Nurse Annie
My favorite medical cousins
who live in
Colorado
suggest sign language
it helps with
frustration

Jeremy and I teach Xander
"MORE"
He learned
He can now tell us when he wants more
of something
more drink
more food

But no
he only hears
more

Like yesterday when I said
"Xander, No MORE screaming"
He looked at me and
signed
"MORE"

Sometimes you just have to look at yourself
and smile

I am in a greatful mood

I read a blog
nienie

She has had 90% of her body burned
and doesn't look the same anymore

She is still beautiful
but in a different way

And I just got to thinking
how sometimes I worry
too much
about the way I look

But never again
I will not complain
I am thankful
for the skin
I am in

The freckles
the zits
my swollen foot
my funny nose
and unmanageable hair

I love it all!

Thank you
Heavenly Father
for blessing me with this healthy body

If anything were to happen
that would be ok too

Because I have a testimony of our
SAVIOR

Who died so that we can live again
In a perfected state

God bless all who are suffering in anyway

The Harmons

Every once in awhile
you make a good friend
one who really likes you
and you feel like you can tell them
anything

And they get you!

I will never forget them.
They totally befriended Jeremy and I
Welcomed us in their little group
and were down to earth and fun

I am not good at making friends
never have been but I am good at keeping the ones I make
So it was fun to have her
and her awesome family

she had to move
to
Georgia

I had a young one take a picture
she almost got everyone in

The one who is moving away is closest to Jeremy's
cut off Head

I will miss her
but lucky me

I made a celestial friend

What a reunion in Heaven
Hopefully I will get to see her before that
but

I can't wait

Natalia Downa

This is Natalia
She is Jeff and Jami's
#3
and my niece

She is so much fun
She is so happy to see you
when you see
her

She always runs
and gives you a big hug
isn't that cool

That is a good trait to have
Makes people feel good

She can make her belly roll
I am jealous
wish I could
mine just sticks out
she won't do it anymore
because she is older

But when she was 4 she would show you
her belly rolling
moves.

She also went to Lutheran Preschool
and was really good at singing

God is good
God is great
Thank you God
for what is on on our plate

Love you Taly

Grandma

Here are some pictures of the Liotta Women.

I am at Mom's house
This is a random picture from her
Computer

Only one of these ladies are still
Alive
The rest are
dead

But don't they look cool.
I can't wait to meet them

I wonder if my Grandma would have liked me
and what we could have done together

Can't wait!

A New idea

The people in my life. I have decided to start writing about them. Jeremy and I borrowed my Mom and Dad's nice camera to take pictures of Xander for his one year old pics (which we still have not done) And with the camera came lots of pictures of the family.

I downloaded them all because I love my family and then I thought about blogging and how I love to write, and I should be writing more. So I thought I am going to start posting a random picture every day and writing about it.

Of course as new exciting events happen with Xander and Jeremy and Me. Those will be bumped up in importance. But on the days when I just want to write and post something new. RANDOM PICTURE DAY

So this is the first picture I picked.
Matt and Emily.
and their family minus there newest addition
Helena Maryanne Downs.
Whom I have not had the opportunity to meet yet, but very excited to do so!

Today I will talk about Matt
He is my brother.
He is a bishop.
He lives in Chicago

He is learning Spanish to speak to some Ward Members
Que Chido!
(That means "How Cool")
He is a great Dad.

I remember when I lived in Provo, Matt and Emily were fun to live by!
They always made me feel at home.
Emily helped me with Math
and Matt gave me a blessing when I needed it.

I remember when I decided to fly out to California when
Matt was attending Stanford.
And Isaac was born.
I love Family dinner at their house
We made guacamole
And Laughed
and laughed and
laughed

Emily has the best laugh.
But this is about
Matt
Who is my brother
Who lives
in Chicago
and is
a Bishop.

Lucky Ward.
I bet they laugh
Because the Lord loves a laughing Man

Xander throws a football

Xander begins to practice Walking

Hiking with the Family

I have always loved to hike. When I was a Junior in Highschool during the Summer I would drive 35 minutes to Boulder about 3 times a week to hike Mt. Sanitas. It is about a 3 mile round trip hike and you hike to the top of a mountain and it is pretty straight up. I have always loved this hike and have taken many friends, dates, ect...on this hike. So fast forward to June 8th 2009, I decided to take Jeremy on this hike. He did like it but was not in shape to do it. I felt like I had a little kid hiking with me, because I only heard crying and whining the WHOLE way. It was a not so happy thing. But, it inspired Jeremy to decide that he did not want to be out of shape anymore. He signed up to do a competition with some people in our stake. Basically he paid 20 dollars and the person that lost the most weight won the cash.
He did not win but he lost 15 pounds and still is inspired to do more. We have gone hiking a couple of times this summer. Yesterday being one of those times. I love that now I have a husband, I don't have to stick to the same populated trail so that I will be safe. We can do more remote "backwoods" hikes.
We also decided that instead of buying plastic for Xander for his birthday, we would invest in a kid carrier! Jeremy, my good deal finder, found the one we had been debating over for the past few months on clearence. I am SO HAPPY! With our purchase and can now enjoy hikes as a family!
Can't wait until we can go hiking again!

Random thoughts

It is officially back to X and me.
Very Happy
Had a fun time with M, D, and W
but now just
X and me

I guess my challenge in life is to have 3 step children who hate everything I love
Fruit
exercise Sports
and
fruit
and fresh vegetables
and did I mention FRUIT

I make sure to feed Xander extra helpings of fruit
because he is not hating fruit.
He can't

But on another more positive note
Here is a top 10 highlight of what has been happening the last
6 weeks

1. Went to cool park in Longmont
Sandstone Park! Very cool with Water features

2. Mom and Dad Johnson came for a visit
took us to OCEAN JOURNEY
Worker lady to Xander "You are the first baby I have ever seen get so excited about FISH!"

3. Hung out with Ward Friends. Thank goodness I made a few and they let us join their play groups.

4. Xander turned the BIG ONE! We had a BBQ at the park and kids and I made cupcakes. Lots of families came to help us celebrate. Bought Xander a

5. Went for a hike day before the 4th of July. BEAUTIFUL ! We made the kids walk 4 miles and the only one who loved it was Xander. The rest complained the whole way but slept well on the way home.

6. Went to Estes park for the Fourth. RAINED A LOT. Almost went home before the Fireworks as we were headed home the sun came out and we Watched Fireworks over Lake Estes.

7. Swim Lessons. Makenzee was the only one to pass, but all had fun and Dylan is not afraid of Water slides anymore BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT

8. Played with Kandin and kids and Downs kids. Went to WATER WORLD. Wyatt Loved the THUNDER BAY.

9. Camping in the back yard. We set up a tent on the trampoline and dug a hole and roasted hot dogs and Mellows. MMMM Mellows (smores with nutella) yum!

10. Bellview Park. Cute train with a tunnel. Big clean creek to play in with sand. LOVE IT!

Now it is back to work
and soon back to subbing
I am excited for school to start in a little bit

I really enjoy being a sub!

The kids are here

The Family of 1
Has turned to 4
Therefore
We
Will see how many
more posts
I can get done. For our six week
Visit.
Probably
not many

By the way
I was trying for a cute family
pose
The only one where everyone
was smiling
was when Wyatt smiled
because he put his
Cat
on Dylan's head.

So it goes with our
Blended family.

Baby steps

Happy Anniversery

Two little years ago today
Two people were dressed up pretty fancy
Two people were sealed
forever.
one was me
the other
was
my
sweet
wonderful
hard working
fun loving
husband


After our reception we went to our hotel
All still dressed up
and we
danced
for
a crowd
of
Strangers
and a one man lounge
singer!
who
were so
happy
to see
two people
so
much in love!
I am soooooooooooooooooooooooo Happy!

SURGERY

Xander went in for Surgery on May 28th 2009 almost a month before he turns one
When he was born the docter's and nurses noticed that his
little man parts were not in the proper place
He even had an ultrasound to see if one was there at all
It was
I was told that there was a possibility that they may not descend on their own
and he would have to have surgery.
I really hoped and prayed that nature would take it's course and Xander would not have to have
Surgery
But that was not in the cards.
So Xander got his first trip to the hospital
The appointment was at 10am.
I never received any instructions about pre-surgery eating and drinking and I made a
Mistake
I fed Xander a bottle at 6am
So his surgery was pushed back to
2pm
So we WAITED

AND FOR TWO HOURS LITTLE MONKEY
PLAYED
IN HIS LITTLE MONKEY CAGE

NO FUSSING AT ALL
BECAUSE GRANDMA AND MOM
LET HIM PLAY WITH CELL PHONES

AND THE ONLY THING HE WANTED TO DO
AFTER THE PROCESS WAS
GET OFF MOM'S LAP AND START PLAYING
AGAIN!
BABIES ARE MIRACLES
I AM SO HAPPY THE STAFF
AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
TOOK SUCH GOOD CARE OF MINE!

SAYING HI!

Here is another FIRST! XANDER SAYING HI! WHILE GETTING HIS FIRST HAIR CUT!

He is getting close to #1

As the the little boy approaches the big ONE!
He has been doing
a lot of FIRSTS
This morning after his morning nap I found him
standing at his crib.
The boy has begun to pull himself up on
bathtub
crib
dishwasher and
Mom's leg

Dad gave him his FIRST haircut
which he loved
and he is sucking on his fingers
because his
FIRST tooth
has finally poked through

He took his first ride in Dad's new
Toolbag

Had his first trip to the Zoo
with
Maxfield Cousins

And has been enjoying his FIRST
Tastes of REAL FOOD!
YUMMY
MASHED POTATOES