Being brave

Poor Natalie had her first cavities last year. Unfortunately, whatever germs invaded her mouth really did a number on her. And she ended up with 9 cavities. So we've been a little more diligent in making her brush and floss regularly. We recently had checkups, and she only had one small cavity!! I love her little lopsided smile from the lidocaine. I also had one small one, and everyone else was clear. Thank heavens for that.

Introducing LeiAnn Johnson RNC-OB

My work gives a pretty strong incentive (money) for people who decide to certify in their specialty. I finally decided it would be well worth my time to complete my certification. I travelled to Las Vegas (by myself!!) the last week in February to take a review course and the test. I was really glad I took the review course first. A lot has changed in OB since I was in school and even since I precepted for L&D. The test was really hard, but luckily, I passed!!


I had a great time down there besides studying. I shopped at a huge 3-story ROSS on the strip for hours, probably, and didn't worry that anyone (kids or husband) was bored or sick of sifting through racks of clothes. I also walked to the mall one day and saw all kinds of fun stores that I didn't have time or money to shop at! I also finally got to see the fountain show at the Bellagio, which was spectacular! It's a shame that Las Vegas has the gambling and the disreputable establishments because there's a lot of really great and fun things to do/see there. I want to go back with Joe and see shows next time.



I celebrated my 30th birthday all by myself studying for my test in my hotel room. Joe (my too-sweet and wonderful husband) sent these to my room. It was perfect! The kids told me that they had a surprise coming (they can't keep a secret to save their lives), and I was really worried that he would try to send flowers or something equally difficult to take on an airplane. But he totally knows me. I loved it!


One of the best parts of my trip was my 3-hour layover in Salt Lake. My brother, Ben, and his fiance, Stacy, brought me Costa Vida (YUM!) for dinner and hung out with me. Stacy is my brother's twin. It's so crazy! They are exactly alike and obviously perfect for each other. I can't wait for their wedding!

De-Motivational Posters

Joe and I think some of these are really funny. A lot of the ones online are dumb and hugely inappropriate, but these were worth passing on.















This is our favorite:

Of the terrible/terrific two's

It's hard to believe my little girl is already 2 years old!! She is absolutely terrible and terrific at the same time. Like last night when Joe told her that dogs say "Meow", she rolled her eyes at him, slumped her shoulders, and shook her head. It was so hilarious!! This picture was one night after family home evening when she set up the stools in the living room and started dancing on top for us. She was really upset when we made her take them down. She's into everything and wants to help us with everything and do everything that we do (including wear deodorant-she throws a fit if I don't put a spot on her arms for her every day). Crazy, silly, adorable girl!!!


Brooklin got her own pink cake for her birthday. I figured she'd dive right in, but she wouldn't touch it without a fork! Grandma and Grandpa Johnson, the missionaries, and Liz plus some of the nephews were all there to wish her a happy birthday.



The official stats from the two-year doctor's appointment are 27#5oz. (58%) and 34.5" tall (60%). If the old wives' tale holds true, that means Brooklin will be 5'9" tall as an adult. I think Natalie will be 5'0" if she's lucky!!

The bad news from the appointment is that she has yet another ear infection. If this one doesn't clear up, or if she gets another one, I think we'll be getting tubes again this year. Poor girl.

What's a pinewood derby if you have to stick to the rules?

Here is AJ checking his car's weight before his very first pinewood derby in scouts. He won a couple of his races and had a great time participating. And we have all kinds of ideas for next year.


AJ decided he wanted his car to be a "Decepticon". I'm actually really proud that I was able to design and make the sticker with my computer and cricut.


Joe challenged the Elders' Quorum to a no-rules contest after the boys' races. Actually, it was a one-rule contest because you can't use pyrotechnics in the church. Joe's car is built on a basic car platform with an RC jet engine strapped to the top. It was really fast! Here's a couple short videos of the car on the track.






Natalie makes friends wherever she goes. She and a couple other girls decided to put on a ballet for us while the cars were racing.

Favorite Reads of 2010

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien has been on my to-read list since I read The Lord of the Rings trilogy forever ago. I finally made it around to it and was rewarded. I love to good book, and this is just such a fun story. I never thought I'd enjoy Bilbo Baggins like I did.


I read Nathaniel's Hawthorne's classic tale of adultery, repentance, and redemption out of my need to make up for all the books I didn't have to read in high school. I fully expected to wade through it. Instead, I was totally drawn into the storyline. Some books are classics because they are simply good books. This is one of them. P.S. Do NOT read The Grapes of Wrath. It may be a classic, but there were no redeeming features to this book!


This book was my most anticipated read this year. Mockingjay is the third in a series by Susanne Collins about a girl forced to participate twice in a reality-show type competition where she has to kill off other kids to survive and "win." She ends up as the face of a revolution and suffers immensely for her efforts. The series is full of drama, heart-rending defeats, and little hope. But it's enough, and the ending was perfect, I thought. Her characters are messed up after their experiences, to be sure, but you're left feeling that the world is a better place because of them.


Deanna Raybourn's Silent in the Grave is the first in Victorian-era series about a widow, Julia Grey, who becomes entangled in mysteries after the death of her first husband. Getting a taste for the intrigue, she follows Nicolas Brisbane around trying to vie for a place as an agent and possibly more. I absolutely love the temptestuous relationship between Julia and Brisbane, and this series fits totally within my current obsession with historical novels.


The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is one of those rare books that is just good all the way around. It's written very creatively through the letters of the characters to one another and takes place on an island post-WWII. Fantastic book!


Linger by Maggie Stiefvater is probably my favorite YA novel of the year. The story about teenage werewolves in perhaps not my favorite, but her writing is so fluid and beautiful. It feels like you're reading straight poetry. I love it!


The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig is my absolute favorite book of the year. In fact, it's well in the running for my favorite book ever. Set in Napoleon French era, it's full of swashbuckling spies, and romantic misadventures. The characters are hilarious, and the plot to unmask the Pink Carnation was totally surprising. I love the commentary from our modern counterpart, Eloise. I love Richard, Amy, Jane, and the whole gang. I'm reading it a second time right now and love it even more. Side note: There's a couple decidedly PG13 pages in this book. Beware sensitive readers.

Silly Natalie

Joe was cleaning out his garage and found Brooklin's infant carseat. Natalie was cold watching tv, so she found a place to sit. Ridiculous how comfortable she was inside there.


One day, Joe put Natalie's tutu on his head and told her it was a new fashion. Later that night, I went to tuck her in bed and found her thus!


Another night, we found Natalie like this. She told us the next morning that she just thought it would be funny to stick them to her head.