Happy Holidays 2005!

It’s that time again! Time for me to brag about my wonderful family, and write about all the exciting things we’ve been up to this year!

Austin and Brandon have had a busy year. They celebrated their first birthday in February. Shortly after, they learned to walk…then run…then climb…and jump! They are so full of life; it’s impossible to contain them…I know, because I’ve tried.


Austin always seems to have an agenda. When we take him anywhere, he walks ten…no, more like twenty feet ahead of the group. When he laughs, he giggles. He loves to sleep, and suck his thumb. He also loves to eat…and eat…and eat. It’s really a wonder he’s the smaller of the twins. He certainly eats more than Brandon does.


Speaking of Brandon, I doubt there’s a gentler giant in the toddler world. He loves babies. He loves books. He loves to smile. He is happy all the time, and can charm his way out of anything! Brandon adores his big brother, Brock. He follows him everywhere, and wants to do everything that he does.


Brock turned three in April. It’s unnerving to see what a big boy he’s become. He serves as a third parent to Austin and Brandon, and knows how to use all of the parental phrases that he’s heard Justin and me say. He also loves playing games, wrestling, eating ice cream, and watching movies. When Brock grows up, he wants to be a super hero. In fact, he recently started wearing his cape to church.

In May, our family took a road trip to Durango, Colorado for a Johnson family reunion. We rented a beautiful cabin on a private lake and spent quality time with five families under one roof. It really was a lot of fun, and the scenery in Colorado was gorgeous!
After a few days in the mountains, we took the scenic road to Utah, where we spent a week visiting our family and friends there. What a wonderful time that was! Brock still talks about his cousins in Utah, and asks when we can play in the snow again.

In June, I was asked to serve as our ward’s young women president. Shortly after, I went with the young women to Nauvoo, Illinois to participate in the celebration surrounding Joseph Smith’s 200th birthday.
That was such an incredible experience! The spirit there was amazing, and my love for the prophet, the gospel, and the early latter-day saints grew tremendously.

In August, our family attended Justin’s ten-year high school reunion. We won the prize for having the most kids. Surprise, surprise!

In September, I went on a seven day Caribbean cruise with Justin’s grandma, and six of his aunts and uncles.
That was such a fun time! We visited Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, and Cozumel, Mexico. They were all such beautiful places, and the stress-free environment on the cruise ship left me spoiled rotten when I got home! I think I’ll be dreaming about midnight buffets and maid service for a long time now.

Currently, Justin is halfway through his third year of dental school, and spends the majority of his days working on teeth. Speaking as one of his patients, I can tell you that he is going to be a wonderful dentist! He’s very confident and professional, and if he doesn’t know what he’s doing, he’s certainly good at faking it! Now that is genius!!!

When he’s not hovering over a dental chair, you can usually find Justin surrounded by three of his biggest fans: Brock, Austin and Brandon. Earlier this year, Justin purchased a lime green Kawasaki KLR650 (a.k.a. motorcycle), and the boys can’t get enough of it! Every day when he pulls into the driveway, there’s a stampede of little boys fighting to get through the doorway, followed by frenzied jumping up and down until they’ve each taken a ride around the block with their daddy. As if being a super dad and dentist weren’t enough, Justin also serves as an excellent role model for his 11-year-old boy scouts and primary class. What a guy!

At the end of this memorable year, we feel most grateful for our wonderful family and friends. It is the relationships we have with each of you that makes life truly rich. We give thanks for the blessings that we enjoy each day, and wish you all a joyful holiday season!

Love,
The Johnsons