The Johnson Family

2012-01-16T12:04:00.001-05:00

This New year 2012 is in full swing and we are loving it!

I have been taking lot's of pictures and as I am not a writer I will just share them.

Photographer for Ashtan Evans Bridal shower

Experimenting with Bulb mode for a future photo shoot.

Indiana Johnson

Little Indy Johnson

One of my goals for this year is to Participate in Project 52 on G+. There will be a Theme each week to use as a guide in practicing photography. I hope to improve my skills by the end of the year.

New Years Eve 2011

2011-12-31T21:23:00.000-05:00

It has been a very good year for us! We got to watch our first Grandchild grow and progress from a new born to a walking one year old. We welcomed home our 2nd Missionary. We had some wonderful visitors and hope to have more next year. We had the opportunity to see a lot of family and friends at Lauren and David's wedding. We have enjoyed our backyard Brick Oven and are grateful for all the taste testers who have helped us eat the pizza made in it. We are grateful for good health this year!

Here are a few pictures to close this year and move us forward into 2012.

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Christmas Festivities

2011-12-26T21:43:00.001-05:00

Such a special Christmas with everyone home this year!
We had a wonderful Christmas Eve Dinner prepared by our favorite Chef.

It is a tradition to open one gift, which is always new PJ's.

We had fun helping Santa put out gifts for everyone;)

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Bennett was a bit overwhelmed at first but enjoyed having lots of new things to explore.

We enjoyed being able to go to Church as a family and even had the pleasure of having

Darren (serving as Bishop) sit with us for most of the meeting.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Road Trip

2011-12-11T16:14:00.000-05:00

Darren and I took a fun road trip down to the Florida Key's!

We left after his last meeting on Tuesday night and drove to Yulee, Florida just past the state line.
After a quick breakfast we drove on to Ft. Lauderdale where we spent the evening and night at Embassy Suites. We enjoyed dinner at Outback Steak and watched the sun go down over the city.

On our way out of town we followed this Rolls Royce a few blocks. ( we are not big fans just fun to see one)

After about 2 hours we were on the Overseas Highway or the southern end of Highway 1. It is a 127.5 mile drive to Key West, but we stopped and checked into the Cheeca Lodge Resort. Jill, McKay and Tyler met us for lunch on the beach. (Hapari was shooting their new styles for 2012)

After hanging out with the Hapari crew for a while we hit the Hwy for some Key Lime Pie in
Key West! If you like Key Lime Pie you must go to the Key Lime Outlet, it's the green and yellow building on Greene St.

With all the fun activities to do at the Cheeca Lodge Resort we decided to spend the day enjoying some. Breakfast out on the patio and then bicycling around the resort and over to the Moorings Village.
We paddled around the shoreline shooting some of the photo shoots going on, Hapari and Lands End were just a few.

We ate dinner at this great Brazilian House~Braza Lena make sure you are really hungry if you go.
It was time to pack and start heading back. One more stop on the way home, Downtown Disney for some Christmas shopping. We stayed at the Hilton across the street so we could walk. The weather was just perfect for our weekend away!

Thanksgiving Weekend

2011-11-25T23:18:00.000-05:00

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend together as a family here in warm and sunny Summerville. Darren made our Turkey in his brick oven and Jacquie made the pies and stuffing.

I set the table and made green bean casserole. Bennett liked eating stuffing for his first Thanksgiving dinner. It sure was fun having everyone home this year!

All Photography By: Dream Lane Photography

Nerd Birthday

2011-11-19T21:25:00.000-05:00

It's A party A birthday Party that is!

Ben turned 26 today!

Jacquie created this cute invite for his special day.

Happy birthday Ben!

November has brought us cooler nights.

2011-11-13T09:14:00.001-05:00

A few of the pictures taken at Azalea Park and the "Fall Activity" at Bargatze's Farm.

Happy Fall 2011...

2011-10-31T22:47:00.000-04:00

A quick shot taken from the car today.

Don't worry no creatures were harmed during this photo shoot!

The cutest Caterpiller!

A bit of work happened here!

2011-10-26T21:22:00.001-04:00

Today was a beautiful fall day in Summerville!

We have been waiting for a day like today to get some painting done outside. Everyone pitched in where they could and a lot got done unfortunately it is not finished yet.

Darren painted and stained

Nick pressure washed and painted

Nick's fun new used car. He is working off his first 6 months of insurance.

Jacquie, Bennett helped me paint too;)

Missionary homecoming weekend

2011-10-16T09:49:00.000-04:00

Nicholas spoke in church and Grandma & Grandpa Martineau came to hear him speak.

We had fun showing them around Charleston while they were
here.
Friday

Downtown Charleston & Folly Beach

One of the Oldest Museums in the United States.

Lunch at Bubba Gump's on Market St. after we picked Ben up at School.

The Marsh was beautiful in the fall sunshine. Sunset over the Atlantic and then on to Jim and Nick's for some southern BBQ. The waitress want's to go to Dad's for some of his homemade Mac & Cheese. You will have to ask him about that one next time you see him.

Saturday

Carriage Ride Charleston history tour & lunch at Santi's in Summerville.

Sunday

Homecoming talk in church ( Oakbrook ward, Charleston Stake).

Roast beef sunday dinner lots of visiting.

4 generation

Nick, Grandma & Pa Martineau

Monday

Fort Sumter

Lunch at Coconut Joe's over looking the Atlantic on Isle of Palms.

Brick oven Pizza outside, the weather was perfect.

Remaining exterior Fort Wall

A beautiful Day in Charleston!

Jam Session!

2011-10-07T21:59:00.000-04:00

One of the things my boys have always loved doing with their Dad.

The boys were playing while Darren was gone and this is what I found after I heard him come home.

I believe this is the first time I have seen him play in a suit;)

Can you see me in this one?

We love having Nick back Home!

He's Home!

2011-10-05T16:58:00.002-04:00

Nicholas competed a two year mission in the Oregon Portland Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. We picked him up at the Charleston SC airport last night at 9:40. We then went straight to the church where he met with President Reeser who released him as a Missionary. We celebrated his homecoming and birthday by eating a piece of Ice Cream cake.

Welcome Home Nick!

Today we did some badly needed shopping and then met Ben downtown and ate lunch at the

King Street Grill. Burgers are half price on Wed!

Laundry Room gets New Color!

2011-10-01T12:13:00.002-04:00

This change was a long time in coming. I have wanted to paint this room for a long time. I was not fond of the yellow walls. Yellow is a nice accent color in my opinion

(my opinion is not based on any design rule).

Before

Here you see the two trial patches.

Preparing and masking

After

Everyone likes the new color!

Thursday Update

2011-09-29T04:30:00.000-04:00

I have finally done a bit of sewing!

As you know our Missionary is coming home.

That meant I needed to move all my sewing supplies out of his room.

Here is his bed with two new pillows sewn just for him;)

I didn't make the quilt, shame on me.

This was my first try at a neck roll pillow, I thought it was easy and plan to make more in the future.

Don't you just love making matching buttons!

I made a square pillow with one side textured and one side smooth, that way both sides are useful.

There are only 5 more sleeps until this bed will be unmade!

Are you prepared?

2011-09-03T11:06:00.000-04:00

As you may know if you live in the South or on the East Coast HuRRicane season is in full effect!

What are you doing to be prepared?

We have 72hr kits but I always wonder if I have everything I need or would want in them.

I would love to hear what some of you who have had to use yours wish you would have had in them.

We are now keeping our eye on Katia. The remnants of Lee should bring us some rain later this week, we need it so no big issues there.

Thursday Update

2011-09-02T13:31:00.001-04:00

It's the end of summer and I have one project that i have been working on here and there. I have been seeing this on blogs lately and have been wanting to do one. It took me awhile to find the old windows and then they did not look the way I had imagined them. They had nasty paint colors on them. So I would go out to the garage and try to sand, but it was just way too hot until about a week ago. I like how this one is turning out. I have another matching one that is in the process of being sanded.

I want them to display all the fun things we do together with family each year. I think I will change the pictures around at the end of each summer to enjoy all winter long! I will have a total of 12 spaces. I will share the finished project after it is hung.

Irene brings in some waves to ride!

2011-08-29T21:06:00.000-04:00

Darren and I got up before first light. We wanted to get to the beach early so I could try to catch the sun coming up over the ocean and he could catch a few waves before everyone else came out to surf the hurricane produced sets of waves. Irene was not close enough to cause any major problems here in the Charleston area. I never did get a picture of him surfing because by the time the sun came up he was way down the beach.

This is my favorite

Update on Irene

2011-08-26T09:54:00.000-04:00

This morning it is slightly windy and we are under cloudy skies, the type of clouds you see in oregon all

year long. Here is a satellite picture from the weather channel.

Will this be the one!

2011-08-22T22:29:00.002-04:00

It's that time of year again! We are watching Hurricane Irene wondering where she will go in the next few days. We hope we are ready if she should track west rather then east like all the others did last year.

I will be going to TN if she continues to grow in strength and heads toward us. Darren and Ben are staying. I will keep in touch via cell and facebook if I do leave. Tomorrow morning will give us a better picture of what we are in for. We feel lucky that we have not had a Hurricane hit while we have been here.

Tue Morning Update

Looks like Irene is going to spare us of a direct hit. We will know more this evening as she moves closer to the Bahamas.www.weatherchannel.com

Latest Threat level map

www.weatherchannel.com

Thursday Update

2011-08-19T16:42:00.001-04:00

August is flying by and so much has taken place this month already!

We enjoyed a visit from Aunt Sally and Uncle Larry. We took them to see some of the sights around the Low Country and of course feed them some home baked Pizza!

Then it was off to San Diego for a wedding!

Lauren & David were married in the beautiful San Diego Temple!

I did not bring a camera (I know huh that is so not like me) So all of these were taken by wonderful members of the extended family!

The bride dancing with Elder Nick Johnson (thanks to uncle Derek making it possible for the missionaries to be their in a Jedi type of way.)

The bridal shower at the Marriott pool deck.

The beautiful teen cousins!

Grandma Marlene & Papa Joe.

Darla & Mom

Elder Taylor Johnson

Elder Nicholas Johnson

Four generations of Johnson boys

Twenty Seventh Year!

2011-08-04T10:50:00.000-04:00

I am so very lucky to be married to my very best friend!

We enjoy being able to attend the Temple together and with our family!

We are so blessed to have two wonderful Boys and an amazing Daughter (in-law)!

We adore our first Grandson!

We look forward to many more happy years together!

Combined YM/YW Activity at Lake Moultre

2011-07-30T22:34:00.037-04:00

It was a Hot day in Summerville today and that was just perfect for this months combined activity!

We had a fantastic day at Lake Moultre!

I enjoyed taking some artistic liberties with some of these photo's.

Jake Wright

Ryan Branham

Travis Wright

BBQing hot dogs in the 100+ degree heat for his youth!

Soaring over the lake!

South Carolina Youth Conference 2011

2011-07-23T22:43:00.005-04:00

~SOAR~

We were able to attend the 5 stake Youth Conference this weekend.

The conference was held at Western Carolina University in North Carolina.

It was a bit of a drive and we had to leave at 4:30am in order to get there in time for registration at 10:00am.

Reynolds Hall where we stayed, not the newest or cleanest place(described by most as Army Barracks).

All of the girls and some of the boys!

I thought this was a pretty spot on campus.

Cousins Came to visit!

2011-07-11T23:57:00.041-04:00

We have been having a blast with Blake, Derek, Witney and her friend Blayke!

I will be posting pictures and tell you a bit about what we are doing each day.

Day 1

The Kids arrived at midnight Sunday night. They stayed up watching a movie with Ben until 3am

Day 2

After sleeping in we spent the afternoon at the beach. They all got a chance to surf and swim in the warm Atlantic Ocean. It was HOT, HOT, HOT, for them!

After playing at the beach we had yummy Pizza made by Darren!
Another movie all nighter.

Day 3
The day started at noon at the Waffle House for breakfast.

After a healthy dose of southern fried food. We piled back into one big black truck and one little black BMW for a tour of the Low Country whilst driving to Hunting Island.

Looking out across the Atlantic from the top of the Hunting Light house.

Darren and Bennett waving to us.

Seafood for Dinner at the Charleston Crab House
Fried Green Tomatoes
Shrimp & Calamari
Frogmore Stew/Low Country Boil
Grits
Grilled Ahi
Mahi Mahi
Shrimp Scampi
The after dinner entertainment was a good dose of loud music played by all in the music room.
Day 4
Afternoon at the beach (video coming soon to Vimeo)

A storm was brewing off shore in the distance, we saw lots of cool lightning strikes hit the water.

After the beach Ben and Jacquie made Taco's for dinner.
Darren and I had a wonderful evening at the Temple. Two of the members of our ward went thru for their first time.
Day 5
Sightseeing in Charleston

Driving over the Arthur Ravenel Bridge. (5K run held on this bridge every spring)

Blake holding up the big guns at the Naval Museum.

In the flight briefing room.

No babies or teenagers were harmed while shooting these pictures!

These two are ready to fly that is, while they dance with the Vibe!

Wit & Derek way up on the control tower.

We could not leave Nick out of the pictures, see Ben pointing to him;)

Waiting while everyone went on the Submarine, everyone who passed by wanted to talk to Bennett!

Bubba Gump's For Lunch downtown Charleston. Witney & Darren just before we went in.

We walked down Meeting, King and Market Streets.
Stopping in a few shops mostly just enjoying the sights and sounds of Charleston.

Darren took the cousins to Brusters Ice Cream for treat on the way home.
We sure are having fun with our Family and new friend blayke!

Day 6
Our last full day together.
A beautiful day at the beach and then some mini go cart fun!

Enjoying some Brick Oven Pizza made by Darren

We have enjoyed having Derek, Blake, Witney and Blayke here this past week and hope they will come back soon.

In Remembrance

2011-07-08T18:45:00.035-04:00

Ellanora Bywater Schneider
January 1 1925-July 8 2011

Grandma Wheeler, Schneider and Martineau

My Maternal Grandma passed away this morning peacefully after some physically uncomfortable trials.

I wish to take this opportunity to relate some of the wonderful memories I have of her.

My Grandmother lost her own mother at the very young age of 2 3/4.

She married my Grandpa on her 18th birthday.

She Gave birth to 7 children 6 girls and 1 boy. Three of her daughters lived less then 40 days ea.

My Grandma lived on a farm in Idaho and I loved going to visit her and play with my two aunts and Uncle who was 2 months younger then me.

I remember going down in the cellar to get some of her delicious home grown and canned dill pickles.

I remember homemade Ice Cream and watermelon on hot summer afternoons out side on the cool back lawn. I remember going to town with Grandma and Mom to the grocery. When I got older I realized Town was not as far as It seemed. I remember being called to clean up for dinner while swinging as high as possible on the farm swing. Crossing the ditch as a child to get to the swing could be daunting. As I grew up it became a challenge to jump the ditch. I remember sitting at the kitchen table listening and talking to Grandma while she cooked. Her Chocolate Chip cookies where heavenly, Mom makes them too, but Grandma's have the magic touch.

I remember going to the Beauty school while she had her hair done.

I fondly remember her excitement when the ward building would be built on a piece of property adjacent to their fields across the highway.

I remember when we had a family reunion at LakeTahoe and we rented a boat. Grandma loved going fast across the lake and she never stopped smiling the whole way.

Grandma enjoyed a good card game and she was very hard to beat;0)

She enjoyed attending the temple with her friends and family.

I can look to my Grandma as an example of how to be a Grandmother myself.

I am so Grateful for wonderful women in my life who have given me examples to pattern my life after.

I will miss you but know that you are with your loved ones who have gone before.