Par-tay At The Johnsons

Work today was really good, b/c we had Sid (the company trainer) come in and do a training for about 3 hours.  It was excellent and I could listen to him talk all day b/c he is from Australia and has the most awesome accent.  Anyways, I rushed from work to pick up Autumn at daycare and then we rushed to Mom & Dad’s so I could change Autumn into her swimsuit.  Then we rushed to swim lessons and then rushed home so I could get my camera and then rushed over to Mom & Dad’s again.  We had perfect timing and walked into the backyard right as the prayer on the food was finished.

There were about 5 cars in the driveway when we pulled up and this was why…we had lots of company visiting us!  There’s Aunt Tafta, Maggie, Bro. Nelson & Lexie.

Maggie also had her two of her grandkids w/ her, Sis. Nelson, Kourtney & next to Dad at the end of the table was Uncle Kerry.  We had a big shrimp boil and I ate so fast b/c I had been rushing around so much after I left work.

While we were eating, I noticed that these bushes in the backyard bloomed yesterday (b/c they didn’t look like this on Saturday when we were swimming).  They were beautiful and make the backyard just pop with color.

After the kids ate, they wanted to go play in the pool.  I went and sat on the edge and watched them to make sure they didn’t fall in and drown.  They made up this game where they would walk around the edge of the hot tub and walk through “the rainbow.”  I loved the look on their faces as they would walk through it and come out on the other side.

I like how you can see the big spray of water in this picture.

After dinner, Dad had said something about having ice cream for dessert, but everyone had super full tummies and wanted to sit and talk for a while.  Two hours later, I wanted ice cream so I talked the kids into going over to Dad and saying to him, “Papa, it’s ice cream time.”  They did and he said, “Do you want clear ice cream or air ice cream?”  They both said air ice cream, so he went in the house and got bowls and put a spoon in them and pretended to scoop ice cream (that’s why there’s no ice cream in the bowls in this picture).  They were not very impressed w/ his air ice cream and wanted the real stuff.

He dished up ice cream for everyone and we sat and talked some more.

The Nelson’s are leaving in the morning, b/c they were just driving through to pick up a truck on their way to their new home.  They have been stationed in Japan for the past two years and are now stationed back here in the states.  It was SO GOOD to see them and they are such great people.  Kourtney & Kim went to Sam Moons earlier today so I had Kourtney do a “show & tell” for us of all the great stuff they got.  I can’t believe that she will be 16 next week!  That makes me feel so old,b/c I remember when she was born!

Anyways, it was a WONDERFUL evening of just sitting outside and relaxing and enjoying the company of incredible friends and amazing family.  It made me so happy to be surrounded by these people I know and love.  It reminded me of the days when our house was like a revolving door w/ people always coming and going.  There is always good food and good friends and good conversation and good memories made when we get together.