Bananas Unite

Genesis, Ivy, Brielle, Tasha, Alyssa, Katie, Carli, Jessie, Sydnee, Taylor, Kaetlyn, Jill, Jackie,
Ashley, Tammy, me, Kristin, Maddie, Hillari, Whitney, McKel, Aubriel, Tegan.

Flushing toilets, running water, air conditioning, a real bed, clean feet... these are just a few of the conveniences I am glad to be back to. You know it's been a good week when you walk into the Park City Wendy's and the girls get excited about how "nice" the public restroom is.

Girls Camp is seriously one of my favorite things. I know I'm a nerd. I loved it when I was a Young Woman, and I love it still. Aside from having no water this year, it was an awesome experience. I love camping. I love the dirt and the grime and cooking in dutch ovens and feeding the leftovers to the chipmunks. But, most of all, I love the girls. I know. Sap. I don't usually get all cheese head on my blog. But, there's such a rewarding feeling when the girls stand up to share their testimony and you realize they really have been paying attention - that it all hasn't been for not.

We had a huge group this year - lot's of young women and and lot's of great leaders. There's a lot I could say and details I could share, but I think I'd rather summarize with pictures. Bare with the appearance of us all - this is one time when it's a good thing pictures don't smell. 4 days + 24 girls + 7 leaders + 3 mile hike + 4 hours sleep at night - water and flushing toilets = ew.


The last couple of years, we cover the tables in plastic and let the girls design them with sharpies. Love it.

This is moments before I experienced my first fire roasted twinkie. Thanks Maddie. And roasted Starburst (tastes like a warm fruit gusher - pretty cool, actually).

This is Tammy experiencing camp for the second time - she's now a professional when it comes to songs around the campfire. BANANAS UNITE - and you peel to the left and you peel to the right... my mom gave me a dime so I can buy a lime, but I don't buy no lime.. I buy me some BUMBA CHICKY CHICKY BUMBA...


These are the leaders that are teaching your daughters. Sad but true.

Tammy, Jill, Ashley, me, Kristin, Jackie, Hillari and Maryanne

I had the best Secret Sister. On day two, I got a bundle of dark chocolate and a poster of Taylor Lautner (Shark boy/Jacob). And, me being Team Edward, thought I would give it away. This was the highlight of girls camp. A bunch of screaming teenage girls as I unrolled the poster... begging... drooling... wanting. It was great. From that moment on, I was getting back rubs, foot massages, special cookies frosted for me and love notes. I worked it.. took advantage.. made them suffer a little. And, at our awards party, I will give it away. (note to girls: no decision has been made. I'm still open to some brown nosing.)

Tasha and Alyssa are both fourth year campers/youth leaders and needed to pass of "dutch oven cooking." It was fun to teach them. I think I will put it to the test and see if Tasha really knows how to light charcoal, cook in the dutch oven and then clean them. .

Overall, camp was awesome. It always is. Even though I'm a complete waste at home now and can't get caught up on my sleep. Until next year...

He's a "Keeper"

I realized I haven't spent much blog space on my Josh in the last while. He just is so consistent with who he is that I guess I take it for granted. School ended and he came home with a packet of awards as well as a report card with all A's on it. Sadly, at this point, if he came home with anything less, I would be disappointed. He is my overachiever and it makes life easy for me. I used to stress about keeping up with him, but he has passed me up in so many areas that now I just let him teach me. It's a good thing I'm not a home schooling mom.

Besides being awesome at school, Josh is awesome on the soccer field. I love it. He loves it. Jer loves it. I have to laugh when friends with little one's tell me how their little guy just stands in the middle of the field and won't even run. There is hope. The first time Josh played soccer, he stood out in the middle of the field and bit his fingernails. I was so embarrassed. Now he's almost 12 and makes his mama proud every time he plays the game. We ended our season with a Fathers vs. Sons scrimmage. It was most entertaining to watch Jer and Josh on the field together. Josh had save after save ... he never did let his dad score on him.

The last week of May provided some serious stress for us. It was tryout time. Jer decided it was only fair to take Josh to a couple of clubs. He took him to the Utah Glory tryouts and was not thrilled with the club itself. And, he took him to the USA tryouts. Josh has been playing competition soccer for two years with USA and the plan was to stay with his team and scout out a few new players. After 3 nights of "performing" for 4 hours at a time, Josh had coaches fighting over him. Jer has been coaching so if Josh was to leave his team, that meant Jer had to leave as well. In the end, Josh was offered a position on the Utah Glory Premier team, his current USA Blue team and the USA Select team. Decisions. Wow. Jer and I finally decided to do what was best for Josh (versus keeping the old USA team together). It was tough and it really pulled hard on Jer's heart strings. He has coached those kids for two years and didn't want to leave that team. But, do you hold your own kid back or do you stay loyal to the old team? In the end, Josh went with the USA Select team. We left the Blue team and decided that was the best thing for Josh. He loves the game more than I've ever seen a kid love something. Jer was asked to coach along side Tim Ruff for the Select team (which is flattering for Jer). The team is excited to have Josh and has already started with 60 minutes of drills a day, 2 team practices a week and 3 tournaments this summer. This is serious now. :) I am thrilled for Josh and so proud of him. Soccer has been such a passion for him and now he gets to take it to the next level.

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.