Texas Johnsons Checking In

Hey All,

Love the idea of being able to meet up and share some pictures on line. Nicki, I can't believe how big your kiddos are! They are adorable. Do you think that Sadie will have the blond curls too? She looks like a Johnson to me! :)

Taylor and Aubrey are doing great. Taylor is almost 3 1/2 already. She is in preschool and LOVES it. She asks every night if tomorrow is preschool. Aubrey is diving into toddler hood and I feel like we have hit the 2's a little early (she is 1 1/2) - I won't say terrible, because she is my baby - but I will say she is challenging.

Justin and I are doing great as well. Getting used to Texas and enjoying the very mild winter we are having. Today its 80! We love where we are living - the area has a lot of trees, walking paths, parks and shopping... There is every single store you could ever want within 10 miles - well I take that back - we aren't closed to Costco... :)

Justin has a long commute to work which is the only downside about where we live. He rides the bus though and its nice to have time to read or sleep - so at least he is refreshed when he arrives home to his girls (all three VERY excited to have him home). He likes his job and has gotten several opportunities to travel and see wind farms in all states of completion, factories where parts are made and future sites. The company is treating him very well. I think he finds the work rewarding - so that makes him happy - which makes me happy. :)

I am busy with the kids - they really keep me busy. Good busy. I sometimes wonder what I have actually gotten done at the end of the day, but that is when I am grading myself on how clean my house is or my list of things to do... in truth, I feel like the opportunity to be home with them right now is priceless and by just being with them I am doing my job - and when I am looking around my messy house, I repeat that over and over. :) I have found time to do a triathlon (not the really long, hard ones, but a sprint triathlon) with my good friend who lives about an hour from me. We had a blast and plan to do another in March. I am finding time to read some books, work in our yard, ride my bike... mom does get out!

Well, that's what is up with us these days. We, too, have a family blog, http://tjtajohn.spaces.live.com/. I try to post once a month or so with new pics of our adventures!

Happy Turkey Day to everyone! Enjoy the holidays!

Tiffini, Justin, Taylor and Aubrey - the Texas Johnsons

Hello Again from the Morton's

I am so excited to see the post from Jess! Way to go! You may be new to "blogging" but it won't take long until you get the hang of it!
We (the Morton's....Nicki Johnson) live in Wauwatosa, WI (right by Milwaukee). We originally moved out here for a job with Kohl's (the department store...love it!). Now, and for the last two years, Jake has worked for Harley-Davidson. No, we don't have a bike yet. With three kids under age three; and Jake attending the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University in Chicago; we don't have the time to "ride" now. Sadly....
I'm still a stay-at-home mom and don't rent out chocolate fountains anymore. (Again, it's a problem with that "short on time" thing) We just bought a cute, old house...which also seems to be sucking up any extra time and money. So, guess we'll have to "ride" later.
Here's the latest pic of our three kiddies...you can also check out my blog at mortoncheeseheads.blogspot.com!
By the way, if someone has a current email address for Grandma, please let me know! I think she will really enjoy this. I think I also need Craig and John...

Hi...

Hi to the Johnson Families...
I am completely new to "blogging." So I have some researching and messing around with this thing to get the hang of it. Anyways, this is Jessica - Matt's wife.
We are all doing great. Matt works for the family business still and is busy as the District Manager. He travels often. We are used to it, just don't have to like it.
Rylie is 4 1/2 years old now, and is in her 2nd year of preschool. What a smartie pants she is. We are working on getting her ready to start reading. She goes to the "Big School" next year (Kindergarten). She just finished up soccer and did pretty good. She is not a sports enthusiast - she has informed me that she is a "Ballerina!" So we are currently awaiting for the info to get her started in that. She dresses as a Ballerina everyday at home anyways. But she is ready for it...
Chase is a two year old little boy. Need I say more! He boggles me each and everyday as I have never been a little boy, so everything he does, I'm like "what the heck is he doing?" Rylie - I get it... Chase is starting to talk more and more each day. Little boys take longer to talk and understand. Rylie was saying her ABC's clear as day and perfectly before she was two. Chase won't even attempt to say his own name. But we are getting there and enjoying having a girl and a boy - both are HEALTHY!!! And after losing our 1st baby, we know we are blessed to have two healthy ones at home.
We are doing soooo good, and really feel that life can't get any better. We are just trying to be a "normal" family raising two children and hoping that we are instilling good and lasting morals and values. Only time will tell, and I hope no tv show calls me up because I messed my kid up. :)
Well, hope this finds all of the extended family happy and healthy...
Take care - Matt, Jess, Rylie & Chase Johnson