Holiday Spirit

It's that time of year again.  I can't believe how quickly the holiday season has popped up and now is nearly past.  Again, we are having another meager Christmas this year, but we have been blessed so much I truly am naught but grateful for all we have.  I am so grateful for the generosity of a neighborhood Santa who graciously left a $100 gift card to Walmart on our doorstep.  I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's answer to our prayers by helping Alan find a better job! I am grateful for family members who continue to help us with Faye while we juggle our many jobs and who have helped us buy presents this year.  I'm grateful for Alan's family who have been so kind as to share their extra vehicle with us. I am grateful for our friends with young kids who let us come play frequently.  Thank you to all who help us through this life.

Above all, I am grateful for the Savior and his sacrifice.  I am forever baffled by his generosity, mercy, and love.  My deepest wish is to help my Faye to know Jesus and to know of his love.  

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Santa Sitting

Santa and Mrs. Clause came to visit at Grandma Lisa's House this morning!  I love seeing them ride up in a red Corvette.  Faye is still quite cautious around Santa.  There were no tears, but she was very insistent on not getting too close to him.  We'd try to put her on his lap and she'd exclaim, "Woah! Woah woah woah woah woah!"  So cute.

 This is as close as Faye got to Santa, and is trying her best to get away gracefully. 

Santa and Mrs. Clause came with a bag of gifts!  Faye was lucky enough to receive a Mrs. Potato Head while Viv was given a stacking tower.  It was so fun to spend some personal time with the Clauses!  What a fun way to kick off Dino's Birthday Party.

Faye's Slight Obsession

It all started on Faye's birthday.  We gave her a stack of books with facts about different subjects: bugs, big cats, science, mythology.  The book she favors from this stack is about sharks.

We read the shark book several times a day.  Faye can even say "sark" and will growl and chomp her teeth while we look at the pictures. (I assume sharks growl, but that may be Jaws talking).

 

On a trip to Thanksgiving Point's museum of awesome, Faye picked out a stuffed animal shark from the gift shop to take home with us.  Since then, Sharky and Faye are inseparable.

They eat meals together.

 This time T-rex joined them.  Such a polite bunch.

Sleep together.

They even watch movies together.  Currently Faye's favorite movie is The Little Mermaid.  While watching it for the first time, she giggled with excitement when the shark came on screen.

If Faye finds a toy fish laying about, she will feed it to Sharky.  We often brush Sharky's teeth when it's bedtime, sing the theme song from Jaws while chasing each other around the house with Sharky, dress Sharky up in bows and tutus, and give him many kisses. 

Christmas Preperations.

We helped my mom set up her Christmas Tree this weekend.  Faye was much more interested in the big empty box than the beautifully lit Christmas tree.

Thanksgiving Photo 2013

Annual Dudley Thanksgiving Photo!  Best picture taking weather we've had in years for the Thanksgiving picture.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Johnsons!

Thankful Half

 A few months back, Camille asked for me to run a Thanksgiving Day half marathon with her.  Unfortunately, my pain levels have been so intense that running down the driveway brought tears, running 13.1 miles was out of the question.  However, I didn't want to miss out on the fun!  Thankfully Annette could join Camille in running the race, and they both put up with my loud cheers while they ran.  The race was at Thanksgiving point and on a gorgeous morning for late November.  The Johnson ladies ran wonderfully!  Camille even PRed!  The surprise of the day was Kelly driving down to meet his girls at the finish line. 

 Half a mile from the finish! 

Keeping strong!  I watched as Annette and Camille passed several runners in the final stretch.  It's so exciting just to be at a race, even if I can't be in the race.  

Kelly and his girls!  The refreshment table for the runners included the usual bananas, Gatorade, and water but also included some Turkey Day treats including Pumpkin Pie and frozen turkeys for the runners to take home!  So much fun.  Way to go, Annette and Camille!  Hopefully I can join in the fun next time.

Little Cuties

 After a year of being consumed with cake decorating, I remembered how much I liked taking pictures!  We took Faye and Miss P to Wheeler Farm for a friend photoshoot.  Unfortunately, I'm rusty, but hopefully the pictures turn out fantastic next time.

So much personality in such a tiny body.

Luckily the girls didn't mind if the pictures turned out fantastically or not, they were more interested in the farm animals.