Johnson Halloween Party 2012

As in several years past, we celebrated our annual Johnson Halloween Party.  And just like always, we had a blast! 

Brad was in charge of the game this year and he decided to do "Fear Factor."  Yeah, just the title made me want to run, but some of the family were very interested in playing. 

The rules of the game:  If you "dared" to play a round, you could, but if you didn't want to do it, you didn't have to.  Of course, if you decided to bail out, you were no longer in the running for the prize...

There were seriously some creative and gross things to eat (all edible).  Here's Josiah in the beginning.  What a trooper.  Oh yeah, and you had to be blindfolded, so you didn't know WHAT you were eating!  And Brad spoon-fed you himself....

 

 

Joshua was by far the best participant.  He was so cute and did so well.  He was always willing to try/taste the next round...I love his expression in this picture...yuck!



Here are some of the foods that Brad had prepared.  This is baby food peas, mixed with raisins, I believe.  UGH!

 



 

 

 

And this is cottage cheese mixed in sweet potato baby food....or something like that.  I don't really remember, and honestly, I didn't play the game.  ICK!

 



 

Even Jacob took a crack at it.  Way to go, buddy!

 



 

 

 

In the end, whoever was still in the game, got a bowl full of whipped cream, and they had to find the piece of bubble gum somewhere in the bowl....no hands allowed! 

 



 

 

Here is a picture of a few of the combinations that Brad used....mustard, raisins, cottage cheese, sour warheads, plantains (not pictured) and bottled cactus (not pictured), and of course whipped cream and bubble gum.  And incidentally, my dad loved the cactus stuff, so he got to take it home.  It was so disgusting...slimy and stretchy...oh my gosh, I might throw up just remembering it.  Let's move on...

 



 

 

Way to go Brad!  Awesome party!  And as in years past, we all watched "It's a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."  Fun times!

 



 

 

My mom made these graham cracker ghost treats, with chocolate chip eyes.  No one can say we're not creative!  :)

 



 

 

I made pumpkin cupcakes...I know, admit it, you want one!

 



 

 

And my mom also made these deviled egg things with spider olives on top.  Creepy!

 



 

 

All in all, the party was a success!  This is a fun party and I look forward to it every year.  Now we're ready for Halloween!  :)

Grandpa Johnson turns 72! Happy Birthday!

 

Happy Birthday Grandpa Johnson!  

What a great picture of Grandma and Grandpa!

 

 

And here's a close-up....totally awesome!

 



 

And here's a picture of a couple of their offspring!  What good-looking children!  :) 
This is Gina and Melissa...

 



 

This is going to have to go down in history!  Even though it's not our entire family, it's a rare occasion to get a shot with even some of us...

 

 

(and by the way, if you think I look weird, you're right...I do!  But Brandon wouldn't snap the picture and I lifted my eyebrows as a gesture to "hurry up and take the picture" and this is the result.  Oh well, this is still for posterity, so we're keeping it in!)

 



Happy Birthday Dad!  We love you!



Crazy Hair Day!

 

Seriously, wouldn't school be soooo boring if you didn't have events like "Crazy Hair Day?"  Kyle and Jacob couldn't wait to display their support!

 

Jacob, with his spikey-do (is that a real word?)

 

 

And Kyle couldn't wait to wear this wig.  Todd's mom gave us this wig (and another one) when Eric was little, and even though these wigs have had TONS of regular play throughout the years, they have held up pretty good....

 

Funny kids!  (and do you notice Kyle smiling?  Maybe I just need to put a wig on him more often)...



Pinewood Derby

 

Well, we survived another pinewood derby!  I was trying to figure out what number this was for our family, but alas, I do not know....too many to count, I think. 

 

Here are Jacob's and Kyle's cars....Jacob's is the tank and Kyle's is the police car.  Pretty cool!

 

I love this picture, because look how high Jacob is jumping!  This isn't his first race, but it IS one he won!  So funny!

 



Proud Jacob and his tank-car...

 



 

Proud, (non-smiling) Kyle and his police car...

 



 

 

And what would the derby be without cake?  It just wouldn't be the same, no way!

 



 

 

And Grandpa Jones came too, which was awesome! 

 



There were no trophies awarded to either Kyle or Jacob, but they were both winners in my eyes!  Way to go guys! 

 



Remembering Grandma Jones--1 year anniversary

 

On September 23rd, all of the Jones family got together at Ann's gravesite.  It was an amazing experience.  Steve wanted everyone to come prepared with a memory to share.  It was a beautiful day!

 

 

 

Steve asked Aaron to be in charge of the "program."  So Aaron welcomed everyone and then Steve took a little bit of time talking about his own memories of Ann.  Steve gave us all a copy of what he talked about, and I'm going to type it here, so we can always remember what he said that day.

GRANDMA'S TREASURES

 

Grandma is a very rich person.  She has seventeen treasures.  I remember how she loved to talk with each of them and snuggle them, especially when they were first born.  One day she told me this story.

 

She was talking to one of the grandchildren.  It could have been anyone of you.  She said, "Oh __________, (put your own name in the blank), do you know how much Grandma loves you?"  And the grandchild answered, "Oh yes Grandma, we know.  We're your treasures."  Grandma loved that idea.



So Grandma got an idea one day:  why not get pictures of all the "treasures" and put them up on a wall.  If you have noticed in our house, most of the pictures on the wall at our house are pictures of those Grandma loved best:  pictures of Jesus and pictures of family.

 



 



 

About once a week Grandma would ask a question:  "How did we get to be so lucky?  What have we ever done to deserve such wonderful children and their spouses and the grandchildren?"  And then she would almost cry and say, "Every one of them is a treasure. (actually that means that Grandma and I have 27 treasures.  Very few pirates or even kings and queens ever had so many riches).

Grandma sometimes said that when she got to the Spirit World she had lots of questions she was going to ask.  Maybe now that she is there Grandma has an answer to her question:  "How did we get to be so lucky?"  (and that's what Grandpa said...)

 

Most of us were in tears by this time.  Aaron then invited the family to share their own memories of Ann/Grandma.  It was very sweet.and tender, something she would have absolutely loved and enjoyed.  But I think she was there that day, listening.  We could definitely feel her close to us. 

 



After the visit to the cemetery, we all drove to Grandma and Grandpa's house to have dinner together.  I think it was the first time we were all together in that house again since Grandma passed away.  We've had family socials, but not at Grandpa's.  It was the perfect place to gather.  We did see all of our pictures on the walls, and the pictures of Jesus, and we felt her love for us and for Him.

 



 

It really was such a nice day and it was awesome to all be together.  (I had a headache later that night from all the crying I did....but it was worth it).  :)

 

 



We miss you Grandma!  We miss your hugs, your laughter, your smile, and even your advice!  :)  We think of you everyday and even though we know you are ok and in a better place, we still miss you tons!  We love you!