West Side Pride

All 23 Johnson's got together for family pictures. Fortunately, we live in the bestest valley in the world and could just drive down the street for a beautiful background.

Here goes from left to right: Emma, Josh, Jer, me, Erin, Tasha, Collin, Jenn, Trevor, Livvy, Hanah, Kathy, Darrell, Noah, Ben, Steph, Elliot, Cameron, Seth, Brady, Sadie, Melinda, Aiden (and baby Brady boy due in the fall).

Ben and Steph with kiddes.

Brady and Melinda with kiddies.

Trevor and Jenn with kiddies.

This is on Cemetery Hill - notice CHS behind us? Love it.

In front of the old newspaper building on Main Street.

Colosimo's is a Magna original. We love this place. And the BIG sign makes us look like LITTLE people.

I think we forgot to have a picture done in front of Kiwi Bakery (which is a big time favorite) so let's pretend this is the back door to the donut shop.

This is at Pleasant Green Cemetery. Gorgeous. Not comfortable, but gorgeous... and a little windy.

Now tell me you don't love the west side. If you are interested, our photographer is one of Steph's good friends, Evette. Her blog is: www.bellaphotographyutah.blogspot.com.

Let them go....

For Christmas, Emma got a butterfly kit from Santa Claus. It has been so much fun. We saved it (for what seemed like forever) until it was closer to Spring. Finally, in March, we sent in the request for the larva. We only had to wait about a week before they came! We opened the box and inside was two little containers - each had 5 little baby caterpillars. We read about what to do and how. Seven or eight days later, they were huge caterpillars. Then suddenly, they were hanging from the lids of the containers in little cocoons. We carefully moved them to the butterfly home. This was interesting. You have to pin them to the wall of the net. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, after wondering if anything was ever going to come out of those little things, butterfly's started breaking out. One after another. It took two days for all ten to come out. It was so crazy to watch! The entire family had fun waiting and watching.

This is Erin, standing on a chair trying to see in. You have to hang the little "home" in an area that is away from direct sunlight, but where there is natural light.

This is a picture of the little paper from the lid of the containers. The caterpillars hang from this and then once all have emerged, this is what it looks like. The red spots look like blood, but it is actually leftover color from the wings. When the butterfly breaks out and slowly spreads his wings, the red color drips from them. It's normal and happened with all ten of them.

After feeding them (sugar water and orange slices) and nurturing them for a week or so, it was time to let them go. It has to be at least 50 degrees outside for them to survive. The weather has been a little crazy so we had to keep them indoors a little longer than we initially thought we would. Finally, this week brought a couple of good days in a row and we let them go!


It was a little sad for the kids to see them fly away. The girls were entertained for over an hour with them. They don't just take off and leave your yard right away. The stay in the area for a while and in fact, don't leave the neighborhood for several days. The girls were worried about hurting them, but all they had to do was stand still and the butterfly's came to them.

I got so many great pictures of them. I could post a million, but I won't. If you are looking for a way to keep the kids busy with something and you want them to learn something - I give this little kit 5 stars! The whole family was interested and we got online several times to learn more about the whole transformation. So fun!

Preschool Graduation

Friday night was Preschool Graduation of Miss Katie's Preschool. Erin was very ready! She is not quite ready to leave Miss Katie, but she is ready for Kindergarten. This is a video of her "proving" that she is ready.. This one goes out to all those that think she doesn't talk. . .

Pictures on Main

I'm so excited to announce the "Grand Opening" of Photo by Aimee J. My passion for picture taking has exploded. I find myself scoping out new locations, backdrops, props and models for my creative outlet 24/7. I have four little models of my own, but in order to expand my portfolio, I need more! So, good news for all my fellow mom bloggers: I'm offering 45 minute sessions this Saturday only (May 15) for $50! Isn't that exciting? Okay, well I think it is. I have already had an overwhelming response from my favorite friends on FB, so the time slots are filling up fast. I may have to consider a second Saturday if more of you are interested. If you didn't get to have the kids pictures taken in their Easter outfits or if you need to give yourself a late Mother's Day gift, call or e-mail me!

So why only $50? Most photographers start at a $75 sitting fee. My favorite fellow photographer (Photo by Emilie) charges $150 sitting fee. That's just the sitting fee. I am charging only $50 for the sitting fee and your proofs on disc (copyrights included) as I get the ball rolling. Rather than making a buck, I am looking to simply borrow your smiling faces to gain experience (and I need to cover my cost). If you love my work and decide that you are thrilled with your portraits, all I ask is that you spread the word. You can start by becoming a fan on my blog: www.photobyaimeej.blogspot.com.

"Pictures on Main"
Saturday, May 15
Magna Main Street

call or email
to schedule a time
801-548-7186
aimeebjer@msn.com
$50 includes:
45 minute session
24 - 36 proofs on disc
up to 6 people

Easter Pictures Take 1

I know it's May and Mother's Day is this Sunday, but this Utah weather has forced me to put off taking the kids pictures in their Easter clothes. I have taken Erin and they turned out great so I want to share while I'm still excited about them. As I get the other kids done, I will post those as well.

A Beautiful Day

Elder Beck, Natasha, Elder Hardy

Inna (Natasha's sister) and Natasha

Jenna (Tasha's BFF) and Tasha


Look how many people love this girl! There was standing room only by the time we got started.


Only a day or two after Natasha moved in, she asked to have the missionaries come give her the discussions. We were so excited that she came to us. Jer talked to the missionaries right away and only a few days later we started having the discussions as a family. We all learned a little more about what we may or may not have thought we understood. It has been amazing to watch the kids take everything in. After only a few visits from Elder Beck and Elder Hardy, Natasha decided to be baptized on April 24, 2010. While Natasha was having her interview with Elder Diaz, I was sitting outside the room talking with Elder Beck and Elder Hardy. They knew very little about Tash, but had been overwhelmed with the Spirit each time they taught her. As I gave them a brief summary of who she is, where she is from and where she is headed, Elder Beck commented on the fact that none of this is a "coincidence." He said, "it was only about a month ago when we were asking your husband if he knew anyone we could teach. And now here we are." He was so impressed with Natasha's story. There are so many that have been touched by her.


Josh, Erin, Me, Natasha, Jer
(I'm bummed we took this picture after everyone was gone and Emma had taken off in Joel's car. So this is as close as we came to having a family picture.)