Snow Cones & Baseball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXLUncbZKbs
I watched this on Lola again and it reminded me so much of Garrad when he was around 8 years old and playing baseball. He really wasn't into the game.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf - CREATE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLlnq5yY7k&feature=player_embedded
A reminder that we all have special talents, and the more we use them the better we will become. If you don't think you have any talent think again.

Kalee Bug

Layna and her new Granddaughter

Kara, Brandon & baby Alexis

Our ward float

Garrad, Syndi Kaylee & Kael

Brady holding Chloe

Little Kyler holding his sister Kaylee's hand I love this picture

Cindy, Michelle, Gary, Corey holding Trey, Casey, Brady throwing one of Kami's kids in the air.

As you can see we all went to the 24th of July parade as I have for as long as I can remember. To get a good place to sit we have to go down the day before around 10:00 AM and set in the spot we want you can't put your chairs out until 6:00 PM so it makes for a long day. Were running out of people to set their all day because we all work, but Casey went down and saved the spot for us this year, Thanks Casey. Next year we decided that we have to go even earlier because when Cindy took Casey down there wasn't many places to choose from. So hopefully we can find someone that would love to set out in the hot sun for like maybe 10 hours. Maybe a little money will do the trick.

My son Brady send this to me and it really hit home. Life isn't perfect, it's what we make of it that makes the differences. We need to appreciate the things that are done for us even though they might not be just the way we would like it.

Burned Biscuits
When I was a little boy, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!
When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Baby, I love burned biscuits."
Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"
You know, life is full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people.. I'm not the best at everything, but what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults - and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.
And that's my hope for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life. Since when were burnt biscuits a deal-breaker? We could extend this to any and all relationships, in fact - as understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!
"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

Our Granddaughter Kalee is in New York competing in a dance competition. We just got word that she got 10's from all the judges & took platinum the highest award given. The comment was made while she was there, that she blew away the Judges and brought the audience to tears. The song she danced to was Your Joy by Chrisette Michele. Kalee loves dance she not only dances extremely well but her facial expression shows her feelings as well.

I tried to find a close up picture of her dancing and mine were all at to far of a distance so here are a few of her not dancing. Shes quite the beauty isn't she. I was looking on her dance studios page and found this note that she had wrote.

MY HEART & MY DANCE SHOES!
"I love the way I feel at dance. I forget what’s going on all around me. It’s just me, my heart and my dance shoes"!
—Kalee J. (Dancer) 2/2009

Lyric's to Your Joy

Walked down the sidewalk Staring at your feet Wishing my steps were longer So by your sides I could keep Hold your hand much bigger Never wanted mine to grow So I could always feel perfect Inside your palms just so No one loves me just like you do No one knows me just like you do No one can compare to the way my eyes fit in yours You'll always be my father And I'll always be your joy Laid me on your belly Nights when mama wasn't home Lightning made me shiver And you never let me feel alone I tried to match your breathing Beating my little heart against yours Perfect were the nights we were sleeping I never want to end what we are 'Cause No one loves me just like you do And no one knows me just like you do No one can compare to the way my eyes fit in yours You'll always be my father And I'll always be your joy One day he'll come on bended knee And ask my love away from thee And when I give my love to him He'll always have a place within One day he'll come on bended knee And ask my love away from thee And when I give my love to him you'll always have a place within No one loves me just like you do No one knows me just like you do No one can compare to the way my eyes fit in yours You'll always be my father And I'll always be your joy.

Vacationing with friends

Waiting for lunch in Rapid City

Lynn hanging out with President George W. Bush In Rapid City

This is what the Crazy Horse Memorial will look like when it is finished.

Crazy Horse

Mount Rushmore. You can see people on top putting lights on the Presidents heads for the fire works show on the 4th of July we were there on the 3th of July so we missed the light show.

Old Faithful doing it's thing

Dinner at the Old Faithful Inn

Yellowstone National Park

The beautiful Grand Tetons

Lunch while floating down the Snake River

Relaxing in the Million Dollar Bar

Dinner and a show in Jackson Hole

My new friend Scout from Houston Texas He was traveling with his Grandma

Bear Lake

Temple Square

The last night at dinner at the Hilton in Salt Lake City

Gary, Lynn, Lynda and I just returned from a 8 day Caravan trip. We started out by flying into Rapid City, South Dakota. We spend two days there visiting Mt. Rushmore & Crazy Horse. then we visited the Indian Museum of North America. Then we return through the Black Hills.

Day 3: We entered Wyoming and headed West across the high plains into Sheridan Wyoming. After lunch we entered Montana "The big Sky Country" We visited Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in the crow nation. We then continued to Billings Montana nestled between the Yellowstone River and the Red Rimrocks. Lewis and Clark camped near here in 1806.

Day 4: We journey the wide-open spaces of Montana en route to Cody, Wyoming. We visited the world famous Buffalo Bill Historical Center, The Indian Museum, and the Whitney Gallery of Westernarts In the afternoon we crossed the Continental Divide and enter into Yellowstone Park. We stayed two days in the Old Faithful Inn. We watch old Faithful geyser go off It goes off every 90 minutes.

5: We had a full day doing acomplete circle of Yellowstone Park.

Day 6: we entered the Grand Teton national Park were we ate lunch while we floated down the snake river for 1 1/2 hours. Fun Fun! Next we stop at pristine Jenny Lake. Then on to Jackson Hole. We even went in to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar for a drink No not the hard stuff a Dr. pepper for me. Know one wanted to wait on use so we took a few pictures and went on our way. Later that night our tour guide surprised us with a diner and entertainment at the Bar J Chuckwagon it was so much fun the food was great and the entertainment was wonderful. If your every in Jackson you really need to check this out.

Day 7:We drove through the Bridger-Teton National Forest then into Idaho and a cross the route of the original "Oregon Trail." then had lunch in Bear Lake and then continued through Logan Canyon To Salt Lake City. We visit the Temple Grounds. Then onto the Hilton for the most wonderful Salmon dinner and sleep.

Day 8: We have breakfast at the Hotel, and then we get a shuttle to Diamond parking to get are Cars and return home. We really have a good time when ever we go with Lynn and Lynda. As I've said before how blessed Gary and I are to have them as friends.

One word LOVE

Happy Birthday Garrad

Garrad's modeling shot

Mr Utah All Natural Garrad Johnston

Today is our son Garrad's 35 birthday. It's really been a ride with Garrad From the minute he was brought home from the hospital our lives changed. Garrad didn't like to sleep EVER! as soon as you would pick him up he would settle right down. Our doctor told us that I needed to make sure all his needs were made and then put him in his infant seat and let him cry and soon he would realize that the crying wasn't working and he would become more content so I tried this. While I listened to him cry I was crying just as hard but after awhile it did work somewhat. I also discovered that he liked to watch TV. so that's where Garrad spent a lot of his time while he was an infant. When he started walking he would wonder all over the house day and night we would try and put him in our bed so we could all get some sleep, but he liked is freedom, he also loved butter he would get it out of the fridge and hide in his closet and eat it. When anyone would come and visit us he would have to be the center of attention. His favorite thing to do was become the incredible Hulk. He also like to dance he could really move his booty. To this day Garrad still likes to be noticed I think that's why he got into body building.

Although Garrad makes our life interesting most of the time, he has grown into a wonderful young man and his life is on the right track. I have always admired Garrad for his will power. When he sits his mind to something he will go all the way to accomplish it.

Garrad I'm so proud of you and of the way you are living your life. Thank you.

Love, Mom

Our Second to the oldest Grandchild Hagen has been on adventure of a life time. Him and Three of his friends left in April for Europe. I was so worried about him going, because all I could think of was when Gary and I were there last year and we got lost and we couldn't find anyone that talked English we walk and walk for over Two hours and finally we found a store owner that understood Taxi and called us one.

All I here from Hagen is I'm having a ball don't worry Grandma. I have been able to chat with him through facebook a few times and that was nice.

His Mom Mykla keeps her computer on facebook at all times. She keeps the sound way up then when Hagen is on line she can here it. Were looking forward to his return in August. Anyway I wanted to share a few picture that he has send.

Hagen just before he leaves

Corey the fisherman

Look what Corey caught He

even took it in the house wanting

Michelle to take a picture of it.

My friend Pat just send me these pictures
of the Timpanogos Temple. Aren't they beauitful.
Thanks Pat for sharing.

MOTHER'S DAY 2009

I had the most wonderful Mothers day. My children truly love me. I already knew that but it's so nice when they validate it. Last week Garrad was telling us how wonderful the prime ribs was at a restaurant they had went to, so Gary and I went and tried it out, it was not very good, so right there and then I decided I was going to fix a prime rib dinner for my family on Mothers Day so they could taste what prime rib is all about.( the recipe will follow) IT WAS SO GOOD! We had broccoli salad, new baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, Crab salad, rolls, cherry cobbler, & cookies. I bought a 20 lb prime rib and so not trusting the time on my recipe for such a large roast I started the prime rib earlier than I needed to. I had a meat thermometer in it and thinking I had much more time than I did, I didn't check it soon enough and when I did check it it was done more than I like and when you pay $6.49 a pound you want it just right. Don't get me wrong it was still delicious but I wanted it my way.

Judi's Prime Rib

3 teaspoons grated fresh ginger root
1/3 cup orange marmalade
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon mustard powder
1 cup beer (I know shame on me, but it cooks out)
1 (8 pound) prime rib roast
1/4 cup olive oil
ground black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Mix together the ginger, marmalade, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and mustard. Stir in the beer. Prick holes all over the roast with a 2 pronged fork. Pour marinade over roast. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (I do this over night), basting at least twice Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Place roast on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour about 1 cup of marinade into the roasting pan, and discard remaining marinade. Pour olive oil over roast, and season with freshly ground black pepper. Insert a roasting thermometer into the middle of the roast, making sure that the thermometer does not touch any bone. Cover roasting pan with aluminum foil, and seal edges tightly around pan. Cook roast for 1 hour in the preheated oven. After the first hour, remove the aluminum foil. Baste, reduce heat to 325 degrees F, and continue roasting for 1 more hour. The thermometer reading should be at least 140 degrees for medium-rare, and 170 degrees for well done. Remove roasting pan from oven, place aluminum foil over roast, and let rest for about 30 minutes before slicing.
ENJOY!

Broccoli Salad

2 ½ pounds broccoli heads
1 Cup bacon cooked & crumbled (you can buy REAL bacon in a bottle & it works great
10 to 15 mushrooms sliced
1 med. Red onion chopped fine
¾ cup raisins (if desired)

Dressing
1-cup mayonnaise
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
Mix together and pour on salad let set up a few hours before serving.

I got some wonderful gifts for Mother's Day and I love all of them especially the two letters I got from my sons Garrad and Brady sharing there testimony's with me.

There's times in my life when I feel like I have failed as a parent and then theres times I feel has I done my best and this Mothers Day I felt the ladder. My children love me in spite of my short comings, and they know I done my best in raising them. I look back on some of the things that took place in raising my children and I realize that I should have done some things differently but at the time I thought I was doing the right thing, so I have learned much in raising my children and hopfully when they come to me with questions concerning there children I can give them good advice.

I missed my own Mother this Mother's Day she has been gone 13 years now and I still miss talking to her everyday, I miss her coming to eat with us, because she thought I was the best cook on earth. Mom I love you. I hope I can always make you proud of me has you watch from above.

For Mother's Day I made aprons for my girls. I only got pictures of three out of the six that I made, so that's all I can share with you.

This is the latest bag that I made. I love everything
about it, and so those everyone I show it to.

Easter 2009

Easter was a bit on the chilly side, but that didn't stop the annual Johnston Easter egg hunt. Some of our kids were unable to come The ones that were here were, Bert, Mykla, Hagen, Cody, Bailee, Corey, Michelle, Nash , Trey, Garrad, Kyler, Tyson, Alexis, Chloe & Brady. Grandpa hide 84 eggs after church. So there were plenty of eggs to be found. After lunch we send the kids out on there hunting adventure. Here our some of the pictures.

Gary cutting the Easter Ham

Trey, Nash and Alexis waiting for the hunt to begin











Even the older Grandkids got in on the hunt

Looks like Trey found a egg

Nash and Alexis on the look out for eggs

Mykla and myself

Happy Birthday to Mykla

Mykla on her first Birthday with her big haired skinny Mom.

I made both of these outfits Mykla is wearing. I even made those cute pom pom's in her hair.







Today is Mykla's birthday, it really seems that just yesterday I was in labor with her. Half the time I can't remember what happened yesterday, but I remember everything about giving birth to my first born 43 years ago today. I was in labor for 47 hours with her with out anything for the pain. I was only 18 when she was born, a baby myself, so I'm sure I was wondering what I had got myself into. But I soon found out that I loved being a mommy to Mykla she was such a sweet baby that learned very fast, walking at 8 1/2 months and potty trained at 2. When Mykla played she could create so many things. When playing with her barbies she would make the cutest houses out of shoe boxes, or play houses out of blankets. These weren't your everyday things they were something you would look at and say how cool is that. To this day Mykla can still create about anything she puts her mind to.

She's a great Mom to 3 wonderful kids, a great house keeper a great gardener. I guess you could say she's a great all around person, and I have the privilege of calling her my daughter. How blessed I feel.

Happy Birthday Mykla I love you!