Graduation

We had a few graduation events, so Graduation gets a post all on its own.

Our next Major event was Dax's seminary graduation.  This was a sacrifice for him.  For the past four years, he had Seminary as his first-period class at the Chandler High Seminary building.  He would then take a shuttle bus over to his school, Arizona College Prep (ACP) for the rest of his classes.  Often times he missed announcements and important events going on at  ACP, he also had to take online classes to make up the missed credits for taking Seminary instead.  Overall Seminary was a great experience for Dax.  His first teacher was Brother Steven Palmer, who ironically his family is from Flagstaff and I knew many of his Aunts and Uncles.  His Dad, Mel Palmer, used to be the Seminary teacher in Flagstaff many years ago.  He had Brother Palmer for two years, he absolutely loved him he was sad to hear he was being moved to a different Seminary assignment.  We were told, he would love the new one just as much.  They were right, Brother Andrew Gordon (aka Captain America), didn't disappoint.  Dax said he liked him even better.  I'm glad Seminary was such a great experience for Dax and he even looked forward to it.

Dax with the other seminary grads from our ward.
Alesha Bailey, Halle Wilson, Lynzee Cramer, Ashley Cannon, Dax, Julia Scott, Ashley Hernandez, Mallory Carroll, Olivia Blacker

Grad Party
This year there were ten high school grads from our ward.  Many of these Dax has known at least since kindergarten.  Dax said he wanted a graduation party, I thought the easiest for everyone would be if we joined forces with the other graduates and had one big party as our ward has done in the past.
The only difference is in the past there were 4-5 graduates, this year TEN, and Dax is the only boy.

All the parents were on board, I was a little surprised by that.  I volunteered to host the party at our house.  All the mom's contributed with decorations, invitations, pictures, food etc.  It was honestly the easiest party I have ever done because I had so much help.  The party was a huge success, a ton of people showed up.  I'm guessing about 100 strolled through our house throughout the night.  It was a little crazy at times, but the kids had a great time and felt the love.

The invitation, Dax among nine cute girls

High School Graduation

It was a great day.  Grandpa Brent and Marilyn flew in for the event.  Aunt Alisa and her boys came to the ceremony as well.  Dax was so happy to be done with High School and move on to better things.  It was a very nice ceremony.  Because ACP is such a small school they made graduation more personal.  They put up current pictures of each grad, and then a baby pick.  They also had each graduate video a thank you message to their parents.  It was very sweet.

Graduation pic and Senior Pic

Dax and his family

Kenny & Isiah Zoccoli, Trey, Dax, Derek, Marilyn Johnson (Dax's mom), Brent & Marilyn Johnson (Curtis' Dad) and Curtis

 

Dax and his proud parents.

Class of 2018

Marvelous May

May is always a crazy month, I think it is as busy as December. This year May did not disappoint, I'm only going to talk about the main events.

This event technically didn't happen in May, just right before.  Our ward had it annual youth talent show.  Dax decided it wanted to participate this year.  I thought this was pretty original.  Recently Derek found some old Irish song, that has been redone with a modern twist.  For whatever reason the kids love it.  Dax memorized all 5 verses.  He wanted to dress up like a Leprechaun sing this song and do a jig at the same time.  He did a great job with the song, but realized not having rehearsed the dance beforehand was trickier than expected.  He still did a great job.

One out of the ordinary event was the all the Teachers in Arizona went on strike for 6 school days, so the kids essentially got a second spring break. It went from April 26-May 3rd.  It was very frustrating for so many reasons, mainly we didn't know day to day if there would be school or not.  It would have been nice to know in the beginning that this would go on for more than 1-2 days and we could have planned something fun. Prior to this, we were very supportive of the teachers, I always helped in the classroom, donated supplies etc.  I was originally happy for the teachers when I heard the governor was going to give them a raise.  They still went on strike, it caused a lot of havoc and frustration for families.  I believe it was very selfish on their part. They signed a contract agreeing on pay and terms of the job.  They go on strike, they do not show up for work for six days and still get paid all on the taxpayer's dime. I'm done.  I will no longer volunteer or donate supplies to the classroom. Dax was supposed to be in a school play, that got cancelled, it messed up graduation. It didn't change anything that the Governor had already promised before the strike. They suck.

Dave and Cindi Nelson

Mint Juleps

Amy and Marilyn

Spencer Wilson and Dave Nelson

Marilyn Johnson & Tammy wilson

Cindi Nelson, Tiffany Andersen, Janae Thomas, Liz Carroll

Lori Fries, Tiffany & Scott Andersen

Marilyn & Curtis

Janae & Steve Thomas

Todd & Liz Carroll-Todd was the big winner.  He put everything on Justify

Janae with Maren & Analena Knauer

Knauer Ladies, Analena, Anna, Maren

Susan & Ron Talbot

On to better things. The first weekend in May is the most exciting 2 minutes in sports.   We had our second  Kentucky Derby Party.  This year with adults and kids.  It was fun, the horse "Justify" won.  I don't know why I get into this, but I do.  My cousin, Amy, came to the festivities as well.

As an update, all three of the main horse races have taken place, there is a new "Triple Crown" winner. It has only happened 13 times since 1930. Justify won all three; Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and the Bellmont.  I guess I'm getting a reputation for this horse race event.  Several people mentioned it to me that Justify won the triple town.  I think that is funny.

The next long-awaited event was Derek's Eagle Court of Honor.  His friend, Garrett Kubricky, also earned his Eagle, we were waiting for Garrett to complete all his stuff so we could hold them together.  It was a nice night. We had great attendance from all of their other scout buddies and families.  Steve Thomas put together a nice slideshow of their scouting adventures. I'm glad the Eagles are behind us.  Especially since the LDS church announced they would be parting ways with the BSA.  Perfect timing for our family.

Derek with Scout Leader and friend Steve Thomas, Garrett Kubricky

Derek with Wes Lueck.  He presentd Wes with the mentor pin, Wes was one of his leaders.

Derek and Grandpa Brent with grandparent pin

Grandpa Brent, earned his Eagle as a youth.  The BSA lost his paperwork so he never got the award.  Derek gave this pin to him as a token award.

Next event is Dax's High School Graduation, which will get its own post.

Childhood Home-Mesa

Recently I found out that the house my family lived in before we moved to Flagstaff was for sale.  I was born in Flagstaff, then my family moved to Mesa for a few years then back to Flagstaff.  This is where my earliest childhood memories begin.
The house was vacant, I asked Curtis to take me through with his lockbox key. 

Although we have lived within 20 miles of this house for about 20 years and even been nearby at times when we had been in Mesa for one reason or another.  I have never been back to this house since my family moved away in 1977.  I was four years old when we left.  I didn't know the address.  I had asked my brothers a few times what the address was, but then I didn't get back to it and had lost the address again.

I loved going back to visit.  It has been redone to more modern colors. The 1970's golds and browns had been changed to a modern gray color scheme, which is very popular right now. 
The tile in the bathrooms was the same blue in the hall closet, green in the master.  My mom preferred wallpaper to paint (I don't know why)  All the 70's wallpaper has been removed, changed to neutral colors. The paneling from the family room removed and cabinets updated.

We used to have a portable dishwasher sitting at the end of the cabinets here.

Kitchen in 2018

Kitchen of the Mesa house in 1976

Gold shag carpet has been changed to hardwood floors.

You can see a hint of the old paneling on the beam.  The rest has been painted over.  I believe this carpet used to be dark brown.

The big tree was removed and the pool was added where we had our garden

Original Blue tile in the

Master bath.  Gold wallpaper was removed

I thought this tile was blue also, maybe not.  I do remember my mom painting this bathroom blue, I kept putting my little hands in wet paint.

Original green tile in Master bath.  

Master bedroom.  Walking in the closet brought back memories of watching view master slides in there

This was my two brothers room they shared.  It had wood shutters back then, not sure if these are the original.  They look pretty good for 40 years.

This was my bedroom.  It seemed to have a red carpet with some bright colored red and blue floral wallpaper.  I think lacy curtains.  I slept in a crib until we moved to Flagstaff.  It was a big deal that I was going to get a big girl bed in the new house.

The pool, where there was a garden.  I remember always asking my dad for a pool he always said "no they're dangerous" yet we still went swimming often at the community pool.

The front looks the same, except it used to be yellow and white

The house seemed smaller than I remembered.  It was about 1600 feet, our Flagstaff house was 2200.

Overall the house and neighborhood were still in good condition.  Funny thing...when Curtis started driving down the neighborhood street to take me to this house he said: "oh I sold a house on this street."  We pulled up and it was the house directly across the street from my childhood home, that he sold.  We had no idea at the time because I didn't know the address back then. 

If our numbers are correct, it seems our parents bought this home for about $30,000, sold it for $33,000 in 1977. I remember they had a difficult time selling and had to keep lowering the price, and even changed realtors.  This was a time when interest rates were really high, I don't think the economy was great.  My dad had started his new job in Williams, AZ and lived temporarily in my grandparent's camper while we stayed in Mesa waiting for the home to sell.  This home just sold for $239,000 in April 2018.

Split Britches and Stake Conference

Last Sunday we came home from Church and both Trey and Derek had split their pants.  About a week before I started thinking how we had bought them these church clothes nearly two years ago, and they were starting to get a little small.  I asked Trey about it and he said he was fine.  I guess they no longer are.  Derek had recently lost nearly 20 lbs.  I was a little surprised his split, now rather than a few months ago.

We had a fun Saturday yesterday.  We started out getting rid of our junk.  Our neighborhood had its annual garage sale.  They do all the advertising and open the gates and people come.  The kids decided to sell their rubble pile of Lego's.  I was a bit sad to see it go, but I also believe in passing things on so they can get used and have a new life.  They made $95 off the Legos.  I think I have invested close to $2000.00 over time.  They also cleaned out a bunch of books.  Their room is looking much better now.

After the Garage Sale we dropped off what didn't sell to Goodwill, then we headed over to JC Penny to get Derek and Trey new suits.  They were very patient with each other as they waited for one to pick out their clothes then the other.  It was an enjoyable time.  I talked Derek into trying a new color suit (gray) and Trey wanted a blue.  Previously both were in black.  I thought it was a nice change.  When it came to accessories, shirts, ties, shoes etc.  They were done.  Trey did want to try a bow tie so we found one on clearance. They are not much into shopping or getting new clothes.

After the suit shopping, Curtis and I went to Shushi and had a nice late lunch.  We then got ready and headed out to the Adult session of Stake Conference.  Now that our kids are older we have started attending Stake Conference more regularly.  Since Curtis was put in the High Council we make it a higher priority.  It was a nice meeting, they talked a lot about the new "ministering program" and also the Church's self-reliance program, and the service missionary program for young adults that come home from their missions early.  I had no idea there was such a thing, but apparently a growing need.  We sat being a lady who was very fidgety,  She was driving me crazy playing with her hair, adjusting her clothes, then getting up and walking out about five times.  I thought it was just me, then Curtis mentioned she was driving him crazy as well.

This morning we had a leadership meeting at 7:00 a.m.  I had to go because I was in the RS Presidency, Curtis was speaking.  It was a really nice meeting. Curtis did a great job talking about how he was less active and he had a bishop who really worked with him, treated him like a friend, then eventually got him on his mission.  Several people came up to me and told me how great he did.  I think it was one of his best church talks ever.

We came home hustled the kids to get ready then we went back.  Dax and Derek were singing in the youth choir.   I don't know that they really wanted to be up there, but they needed boys and they did a great job and they looked very nice.    Derek said it sounded really neat when the congregation joined in singing with the Choir.  Afterward, all of us started working together with everyone else to take down the chairs.  All three of my boys stepped right in, and just started folding up chairs and staking them on the racks, no questions, no groaning.  Everyone got to work.  The whole entire gym was cleaned up in just a few minutes.  Men, women, and children all in their Sunday best just got to work and cleaned it up.  I thought it was kind of cool to see everyone work together so efficiently.

It was just a great day and weekend.  I just felt like with our callings, going to the extra meetings, Dax and Derek in the Choir, new suits etc.  We had all really grown, matured  and stepped it up this week.

Spring Break

Spring Break Started out with Trey going to Cub Scout Day camp.  He didn't love it... I was a little surprised because the boys usually love it.  It improved greatly since they started having it during Spring Break rather than the HOT HOT summer.  I think the problem is his nemesis, Rocky.  As usual Rocky harassed him, I told the leaders to keep them away from each other turns out they rode in the same car, someone made them buddies.  I finally showed up to volunteer the afternoon of the second day.  I absolutely kept them apart and Trey started to have fun, by then he already decided he didn't want to go the last day, so he didn't go.  I don't really blame him.

Dax and Derek were supposed to go to Youth Conference in Tucson.  Derek got sick again.  So he stayed home.  Dax went and performed baptisms in the Tucson temple, and they learned about family history.  I heard really nice reports on Dax from President Johanson, and Hillary Jiminez.  I think he had an enjoyable trip.

Ashley Hernandez, Bella Lines, Analeana Knauer, Jenna Bailey, Garrett & Lauren Kubricky, Dax Johnson

Dax came home Saturday 3/17 in the afternoon, I left for Flagstaff that morning.  Before we left we had a little St. Patty's fun.

I bought the Lucky Charms, Curtis colored the milk green.  Even picky Trey enjoyed the green milk.

I headed up to Flagstaff to help my dad, he is getting really bad with Dementia.  His cars were in the shop and it was blowing his mind. We are going to have to do something drastic soon.

I woke up Sunday morning to this

Spring in Flagstaff.  Meanwhile....

back in Chandler 2.5 hours way.  Beautiful Spring weather.  Trey and Oreo at the neighborhood Lake

I didn't come home to Chandler until Sunday afternoon.  That day he was ordained a High Priest.  A few weeks ago someone contacted him and said the Stake President wanted to meet with Curtis and me.  I kind of thought he may be asked to serve as a High Counselor.  He had already been working in the Stake Sunday school. I couldn't think of another reason why the Stake President would need to meet with both of us.  My hunch was correct.  Curtis was very surprised and humbled.  He is excited for the calling.

I missed the ordination, but grateful his cousin, Josh could perform the ordinance for him.    Here is a post from Curtis' FB page.

Josh Manwaring, Curtis Johnson

Grateful for not just the strong leaders in my life, but also the true disciples of Christ who inspire me.

Always looked up to my older (and better looking) cousin Josh ... he was one of those who inspired me to serve a 2 year mission that really changed my life.

Honored today to have him help ordain me to a position at church, where I'm sure I'll be stretched to learn and grow more personally, and spiritually.

Great to see you today cuz. Family is forever.


While I was in Flagstaff, the plan was for me to bring back Zane and Seth Lund (my brother Steve's kids) to spend their spring break with us.  I just thought it would be fun to do something different, have fun with cousins and just have new experiences.

I think all five boys had fun together. 

Hiked up to Hole in the rock near ASU (a very easy hike)

Trey at the hole

Seth, Trey, Derek and Zane spending some time in the hot tub/pool

Service work at Feed my Starving Children.  Love the cool hairnets

Derek and Seth on the hike again.






Our friends, Eric Engle and Shadow Asgari, invited us over for Persian New Year.  Shadow's family is from Iran, and the New Year celebration actually starts with the Spring Equinox. It is one of their main holidays I have heard Shadow talk about this for years.  This year she decided to share the event with friends.  It was a really fun cultural experience.  Shadow did a great job teaching us her customs and feeding us really good food.  Shadow is really good and feeding people really good food in large quantities.
The celebration lasts for 9 days, we jumped over a fire and wished ourselves good wishes in Farsi (their language)

Shadow's table with all her customs including a bowl

Yummy Persian food.  It reminded me a lot of Mediterranean food.  Shadow says they stole it from Persia.
Yogurt Soda, Scott Andersen's face says it all.  Yogurt mixed with soda. Shadow won't even drink it, although Eric does. Eric said he started to drink it to impress his Father in Law.


Overall we had a great spring break.  It started a little rough with Trey at day camp, but it got better from there.