Desert Trip

We stayed Christmas night in Mesa (@ hotel Johnson). The next day we headed to Mesquite Wash to ride 4-wheelers, shoot guns and other red-neck activities. It was a beautiful day. Kind of chilly, but the sun peeked out just while we were there. We all had a good time! You've got to appreciate Arizona, when you can enjoy the great outdoors like this in December!

'Cus and his cousin Cannon. They had a great time running around in grandpa's trailer.

Mmm.. chili and cornbread. Marcus preferred chewing on grandma's hoodie string.

Taking Marcus on his first 4-wheeler ride. He liked it so much he fell asleep.

A little target practice.

WE were shooting safely, unlike the guys Ryan chewed out because they came within feet of shooting our brother-in-law, AND shot a hole in the side of Grandpa's truck!!!

Eli showing Aunt Traci some sweet Jedi moves.

Is there a better way to end the day?

Christmas Morning!

The boys were cracking us up!

Everytime they opened something, they would yell,

"Yes!, this is EXACTLY what I wanted!"

The most coveted gifts of all, Sabers of Light!

Stop #1 - Grandma & Grandpa Martinsen's

Nice photo of the boys with their grandparents...

but this is more true to life.

We played with the train,

and opened some sweet gifts.

Then, grandpa held the pinata up for the boys to hit since it was raining outside.

The loot!

Stop #2 The Greats!

aka Grandpa & Grandma Heap

The Heap's house can't be missed on Christmas. I mean, they serve up some awesome Mexican food! Grandma assures everyone that it is very healthy and low-fat, but I have my doubts...

The boys were mesmerized by grandma's village all lit up. Caleb named it "Christmas Town!"

Stop #3 the Johnson's

Every year around near Christmas, we gather at the Johnson's to share our "spiritual gifts."
Each person or family shares an experience from that year that they consider a gift from Heavenly Father.
Eli told about the time Grandpa Johnson saved him from a swarm of bees!

Caleb told about the time Daddy picked up a homeless man, gave him a ride, some dinner, and got him a hotel room for the night. Ryan even gave him his Ned's Crazysub shirt!

Eli opened up Power Rangers goods!

And, Caleb got a brand new bike!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

We carried on the Johnson family Christmas Eve tradition and had a candlelit dinner with all sorts of appetizers to eat and Martinelli's Cider to drink.

We each opened one gift, which just happened to be pjs...

We finished off our advent box by singing the whole "12 Days of Christmas" song.
Then, ended the night by putting out cookies and milk for Santa and oats for a reindeer snack.

Grandpa Martinsen and Aunt Sarah came over to deliver a special, secret gift for our

family to open on Christmas Eve. Who would have guessed it turned out to be pajamas!
The boys had so much fun jumping and having battles with them on the trampoline!

Eli loves to ride his Daddy's longboard around. On his belly, down the driveway's slope that is...

Gettin' His Grub On

This boy still only eats baby food. He pukes whenever I try to give him solids, even mashed bananas! All of my boys have been this way until they are well over 1 year.

Is it the Johnson trait of a small esophagus or just a sensitive gag reflex? Hmmm...

We had fun making these ribbon bookmarks for all of the

grandparents and greats for Christmas.

A Rare Moment

It's pretty rare that my boys ever take a break from running around. While we were watching the Christmas Devotional from Salt Lake City on tv, Eli cuddled up next to me on the couch and fell asleep. How long do boys cuddle with their mom? I hope it lasts a while...

Baby On The Rocks

This boy is so ready to walk but prefers crawling, even on our backyard rocks!

CAP Christmas Party

Central Arizona Project (Ryan's work) had a kid's Christmas party. The boys were so excited to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. They had a magic show. Here's Caleb being the magician's helper.

She made a helmet and sword for Eli.
Caleb is all business telling Santa the exact specifications of the lightsaber he is expecting.