Where did the Johnson's go?

  

So we were visiting a Very good friend the other day and she reminded me that I have not been blogging in a very long time.  Yes, that is true.  So, Jana, I am humbling myself and repenting of my grievous act.  In my defense, the last year has been a whirlwind in which I am barely regaining my footing.  So, where have we been and what have we been up to?  Lets just say that in the last year we have lived in 3 different cities, 3 different houses and the kids have attended 3 different schools...I am so grateful for resilient children.

To catch many of you up, in April 2011, Tyler decided to leave UPS and accepted a position as a Financial advisor with Edward Jones.  This took us to...

The beautiful East Valley of Phoenix.  

Tyler had to complete a 9 month training at the Tempe Edward Jones Corporate Headquarters.  

We rented an apartment at Biscayne Bay apartments

We spent many many hours in this pool...

 Enrolled the kids into Islands Elementary and Mesquite Jr. High in the Gilbert public school district, 

We were so impressed with the Gilbert School District...

and I got a full time job as the counter manager for Estee Lauder in Dillards at the San Tan Village Mall.

Our time in Chandler was very short, but made such an impact on our lives.  It was the first time that we were not near our families and the first time that we got to see the church in a different light.  Our ward became our family and I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to experience this.  We had the most awesome ward.  Haley started Young Women and her leaders were AMAZING!  Her Beehive class was great.  The girls fellow shipped her every step of the way.  They made her feel like she belonged.  It was this love that made it very difficult to leave, especially for Haley.  

Tyler finished his program just before Christmas.  So on December 22, we packed the UHaul and moved to Utah.  Yes, this was tough.  So, to try and make Christmas as normal as possible, we dropped our stuff off in the garage of our new home and spent the next week at Grandma and Grampa's.  Christmas became a vacation and not a stressful, we're moving in time.   Thank Goodness! 

After New Years, we moved into our new home located in Holladay, UT.  

This is the view from our deck, the gray sky on a clear day would show the beautiful Salt Lake Valley.  The view is breath taking especially at night when all the lights are up.

 So far everyone has adjusted.  Trey and Daisya jumped right in with no problems.  They made friends right away at school and jumped right into Soccer and Basketball.  Haley had a little more difficulty.  She had such great friends in Chandler, that moving was hard on her.  She loved her school, our ward and had the best friends a girl could ask for.  Our move to Utah was in the middle of the school year.  haley was not going to a middle school where she knew no one.  She has since adjusted well and fits right in, but it definitely took more time.  Tyler loves his job.  His office is in downtown Holladay.  He works with his dad right now and then in 2.5 years, his Dad will retire and Tyler will take over.  I have to admit, I love it here.  I love the mountains, the green grass, the flowers, the crisp cool air first thing in the morning, the ability to open the windows and cool the house down.  This is a very beautiful place.  I am no longer working full time.  I substitute teach at the kids school when needed and stayed on with Estee Lauder as a make up artist.  I get to do special events which works out to being once or twice a month.  Our new ward is amazing.  We have felt so welcomed.  Each week a new family would show up at our door with a plate of cookies welcoming us into the ward.  I joked around with Jana about how they have made me feel like a Rock Star!  I feel like everyone really wants to know us and truly cares, already...

Here are some of the things we have done since we moved here:

 Jazz Basketball...Nose bleed Section :)

Haley and I attended the Young Women's General Conference.  What an amazing experience.  It's not very often you get to be in the Presence of the Prophet...

Temple Square...

An Easter Egg Hunt at the Park...

There was money in some of the eggs.  The kids walked away with about $1.00 each.

crazy......

Hikes...

Bell Canyon in Sandy.  Tyler said this was supposed to be easy, but we soon found out that that was not the case.  45 minutes straight uphill.  The view was the reward though.

 Picnics in Liberty Park.  Look...Green Grass :)

The splash pad

The lake

Field-trip to Murray nature Center.  It was cool, they have protected land right next to the Jordan River.

Field-trip to Sweets Candy Factory...

The Children's Museum

Ally was in Heaven.  It was so much fun to watch her play...  She'd shop for the food, check out and then take it over to the playhouse and unload it in the kitchen.  Then she'd go back for more.  I'm sure the workers loved her that day...

Pinewood Derby...Funny Story, Trey had a perfect record.  Straight losses...

If you notice the car, its awesome.  Looks cool and fast.  During production, Tyler and Trey went to Tyler's brothers house to use the blow torch to melt the metal into the car.  Rob was holding the torch and tyler was directing the metal into the bottom of the car.  Somehow Rob spaced out and lit the car on fire...

They were able to fix it physically, but the thing never worked quite right...  Trey was a great sport about it though, he began rooting for his car to lose so that he could get the perfect record...

Daisya played indoor Soccer...  She scored her first goal during the last game of the season.  It was a great moment...

General Conference...Who's paying attention?...

Conference spread.  Even Uncle Rob showed up for this stuff...

Fruit and Vegetable Pizza, Broccoli Slaw, Nachos and Hot Wings...YUUUUMMMMM

 And Finally, You know that song:

I looked out the window and what did I see, Popcorn popping on the Apricot tree...

I Get It Now!!!

Overall, this past year has been crazy.  There is no doubt about that.  However, I can honestly say that our lives have been richly blessed.  This has been a work in progress for a long while now.  We finally made it.  We are where we are supposed to be.