CHRISTMAS....JUMPING FOR JOY!

Is it obvious that we got a new camera that helps us capture action shots! We had so much fun trying new things...especially the jumping...what is it about jumping that is so much fun? Brad and Michelle weren't with us during the jumping moments so we'll have to document that at another time. We stayed in Utah after Brad and Michelle's wedding and let me tell you this was a momentous occasion. We have lived in Ohio for almost 16 years (in March) and this is the first time we have been back to Utah since we moved! So all six of us moved in with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson with all of our junk ( and let me tell you they reminded us often exactly how much junk we actually have) for 2 1/2 weeks! Now that is a lot when you are used to peace and quiet all of the time! They are good to put up with us whenever we come for a visit and we really appreciate it! Since we were there for such a long time we had time to do quite a few different things...

*recuperated from the wedding

*enjoyed many different snow storms...it was so beautiful. I was so happy to miss the rainy Christmas season in Ohio

* went sledding down a reaaaally steep hill ( ask Becca how her tailbone feels..hopefully it is healed by now, but she was hobbling around for a few days

*attended the annual Pearson family Christmas party...some asked us who we were and what we were doing at their family party! (just kidding!)

*attended the annual Johnson family party and were glad that the girls planned an impromptu song for the program so we weren't scratched out of Grandma and Grandpa's will

*Enjoyed getting to know Michelle's family while eating a Russian specialty...Borsche

*Movie for 50 cents...yes only 50 cents because we went on monday to the dollar theater and it was half price... you really can't beat that! Grandma was glad she was treating that day!

*Wackee six game night!

*Skiied at Brighton without any casualties except Michelle's bruises (only her 2nd time skiing...what a good sport!)

*tried to work off all of the Christmas food by working out at the Sports mall...what fun!

*ate ourselves silly at Cracker Barrel...an annual Steve Pearson family tradition ( we felt like we were in Ohio when we walked in the doors since they all look alike inside!)

*connected with Kathleen's cousins at the annual Wood family gathering...lots of laughs!

*laughed a lot, ate a lot and played a lot!




JUMP!



JUMP!



JUMP!



CHRISTMAS MORNING ON THE STEPS....ANTICIPATION

ANNE AND HER COUSINS PLAYING THE PART OF THE SHEPHERDS...ACTUALLY ANNE IS JUST GETTING READY TO GO TO JERUSALEM!

BRAD AND MICHELLE CAME FOR OUR FAMILY DINNER WHILE THEY WERE ON THEIR HONEYMOON...GOOD SPORTS HUH?!


ENJOYING THE NEW FALLEN SNOW...WE JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT...ESPECIALLY JANE...WE OHIOANS MISS LOTS OF SNOW!

A wonderful wedding!

Wow can it really be that this 47 year old lady is now a mother-in law? Unbelievable! Whether I want to believe it not though it is true and I have many pictures to prove it in case my old mind fails me! December 20 was and absolutely wonderful day...in fact there is probably not anything I would change other than the 10 degree weather during pictures outside the temple. We at least had coats on for that, but poor Michelle had nothing. She said she wasn't that cold... that's a newlywed statement for you! After our part of the pictures was finished we walked across the street to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where the lunch was held and thawed our feet, our hands and everything else! In spite of the snowy weather we had a large group join us for the lunch and it was so much fun. Brad and Michelle asked the parents to say a few words and I worried that I would just cry my way through it, but I surprised myself and did better (as far as the tears go) than I thought I would! Brad's best friend, Dan Talbert, gave the perfect toast as he officially handed off the best friend title to Michelle and made all of us laugh hysterically while doing so. Dan has been such a great friend to Brad for so many years...we love that guy! Becca sang a beautiful song... The Prayer, and Grandpa Johnson gave some newlywed advice as only Grandpa can do with a few of his many jokes! Steve did a great job as did Robert and Nally (Michelle's parents). We ended the lunch by having a slideshow of Brad and Michelle and I was so happy with how it turned out. My friend Becky Stansbury helped me put it together and it was great! It seemed surreal having a son get married, but it was a perfect and unforgettable day for sure. We couldn't be happier with Michelle as our daughter in law...she and Brad are perfect together...they really compliment each other which is what you want in a marriage.

The reception that night was held at the Red Butte Gardens and it was so beautiful! It sits up on a hill and you have a perfect view of the Salt Lake Valley. We had votive candles along the window sills and tall candles on many of the tables along with amazing floral centerpieces. We saw so many of our friends from the Salt Lake area and that was so much fun! We haven't lived in Salt Lake for almost 16 years and yet we still had many friends who came which we were so grateful for. Michelle and her mom chose great food... a crepe dessert bar, a hot chocolate bar, sandwiches, cheeses, crackers, meats etc. We of course didn't have time to enjoy the food, but I think all of the guests did and that's what is important! We loved getting to know Michelle's family better as well and felt so happy that Brad is getting such a great family to be a part of. I know how much he loves them already!

Well I have definitely rambled on way too long...but it was an exciting day for sure and I had to write about it! Enjoy the pictures!