The Grahams

2012-01-11T11:03:00.000-08:00

So we made it to 25 weeks!!! Yea :) I feel huge... pretty sure I can't grow anymore but am so excited to get bigger :) Little Logan moves around all the time these days, I love to feel the motion and the kicks, it is so fun, and Ry gets to feel it more and more :) Little Logan is growing so awesome, at 24 weeks he was measuring 26 weeks, so he is right on track :) He is almost 2 lbs!!!! He is starting to grow more hair, as you can see in the ultrasound :) He is around 13 1/2 inches!!! We are still trying to get ready for him, pretty sure we will never be "ready" but hopefully some what prepared... I am so excited to meet this little guy, I can't wait, time is flying and I soon will hold him, and cuddle his and kiss him like CRAZY!!! We've waited so long for this!! Love you Logan :)

2011-12-21T16:34:00.000-08:00

Here are the 3D ultrasound pictures!!! It was so much fun... My parents were able to come and Ry made it :) My dad left in tears, pretty sure we all did :) It was such an amazing experience... I was so happy to have my parents and husband by my side!!! While we were doing the ultrasound Logan was being so good, he gave us plenty of wiener shots and lots of facial shots :) We got to see him swallow, yawn and then he got the hiccups!!! It was so fun to see.... Everything looks perfect!!! He is 1 lb 1 oz and all his organs are developing fantastically :) I can't wait to meet him!!! My heart is so full with gratitude, love, and appreciation for all we have, it is such an amazing experience to go through, I am so blessed to be able to share it with my parents and everyone around me!!! (If you notice in the first picture... He is definitely a boy :)

2011-12-21T16:32:00.000-08:00

22 Weeks ALREADY!!! Time is flying... Here is the finished cradle... it turned out awesome... I am so excited :) It is ready and waiting for little Logan :)

2011-12-13T11:18:00.000-08:00

21 WEEKS!!!! Only 19 more to go :) I was able to go have breakfast with a great, wonderful friend that I went through nursing school with, she is only two weeks ahead of me, and the same size!!! She is tiny :) Here is us showing off our bellies :) The server at the restaurant was peeking at us and says "Do you both have baby bumps??" We sure do!!!
So Ry was able to feel little Logan move the other night, I was not expecting that, I thought that maybe around the 30 week mark he could feel him, but he felt him, and what an amazing experience, Ry thought it was cool, but a little weird :0 I just told him it confirmed that we are aliens :)
Little Logan is growing and making me grow so fast, I love the feeling of movement inside my belly, and know I will soon miss it... Hoping this won't be our last, I cherish every moment and every day thinking we may only have one child... but have been so blessed to be able to have this little one!!! I love him so much!!! We have our 3D ultrasound next week and can NOT WAIT!!! I hope he has dimples, just like his Daddy :)
So the progress of little Logan... He is 3/4 of a pound (but has added 8 lbs to mom), and is 10 1/2 inches long, about the size of a carrot... I feel him move like crazy, now more and more during the day, he still loves to move at night whenever possible... I can't even explain the excitement that I have for this little one!!! We are so overjoyed and can't believe this is happening!!! Saydie is a little momma's girl, if I'm home she is not far from my side, she sticks by me, not taking her eyes off me, she knows something is brewing in my belly... every time I sit, she comes and lays on my lap, not bad for a 56 lb lab... the little turkey, but I love it!!!

2011-12-08T16:29:00.000-08:00

20 WEEKS!!! Half way to meeting little Logan :) I turned 20 weeks on Monday and had a project to do... sanding and staining my cradle... As you can see Saydie helped :) It took us three hours in the freezing cold but we finished it!!! Yea :) I was so excited, one project down, 100 more to go :( The cradle has a history... a 28 year history... This cradle was made by my Uncle Keith when I was in my mom's belly... 28 years ago :) This was the cradle I had when I was young, how my parents kept it for 28 years who knows... My rents gave me the cradle five years ago when we started trying to have a family, I soon gave it back when having a family wasn't working out... I got it back from their basement when I found out we were pregnant!!! I have been waiting five years to get it back and put a fresh coat of stain on it, and get it ready for our little one... Thank you Mom and Dad for keeping it around for so long, I can't wait to take pictures of Logan in it :)

2011-11-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

This is the Christmas tree!!! Ry did an awesome job, Again :) It didn't look that big when he was cutting it down, but it's huge!!!! It touches our ceiling, which is pretty tall :)

2011-11-28T10:20:00.000-08:00

Our annual Christmas tree hunt!!! Every year, the day after thanksgiving, we go with Ry's family and my parents to go cut down our own Christmas tree.... I have been doing this my whole life with my family, so to marry into the same tradition was AWESOME!!! It is one thing I look forward to every year!!! Ry's family always searches for the blue spruce trees, and Ry LOVES the trees that nobody wants, then my dad always gets the charlie brown trees, don't know if he means too, but he does :) This year we got kind of a normal tree, but no not really :) We have such a good time, love this tradition!!!

2011-11-23T15:42:00.000-08:00

Ok... so we are at 18 weeks and 2 days :) So thrilled... Got another ultrasound today, Dr says he looks GREAT!!! Little Logan is measuring at 19 weeks and 2 days so the Dr said we can deliver anytime between April 16th and the 25th... So we'll see when he decides to show up :) Hopefully he waits till we get back from Moab (wink.. wink...).

I am still feeling great... things are going awesome... Love the amazingness of being pregnant, I feel so blessed to have this little guy in my belly... I am so thankful for all we went through to get to this point... My thoughts and prayers are ALWAYS with those who struggle to have this experience... Know that there is hope!!! Miracles do happen!!! Love you Logan, what a true blessing you are and will be for Eternity!! You are so loved by MANY :)

2011-11-17T11:13:00.000-08:00

So it's 99.9% official that it's a BOY!!!! Yeah :) We are so excited!!! We love this little guy so much and think that we are so ready for him.. We just want him here!!!
I am 17 weeks along and feeling GREAT!!! Pregnancy really has been easy for me... I love it!!!! I love to see this little guy... I wish I could keep an ultrasound plugged into me all day... he is so fun to see and moves ALL the time!!! I don't think he ever sleeps :)

2011-11-09T08:58:00.001-08:00

So at 16 weeks this little guy is about the size of an avocado... He should start doubling in size and hopefully I will too :) I have felt the "bubble popping" sensation lately, mostly at night, think this little one knows I work at night, so thats when he is waking... I also have felt, it seems, like my whole uterus will move!!! It's crazy weird, I can feel my lower abdomen move and harden and switch from side to side, so weird!!! But I love it!!! and Ry thinks it's weird he can feel my uterus moving all over, but I think he's a little freaked out by it :) HE is a little mover!!!!

2011-11-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

We made it to 16 Weeks!!!! yeah :) I hope this little guy knows how much we love him and adore him...He gave us a scare the other night that landed me on bedrest for a couple of days and now I'm on limited activity... He sure did scare us... We want this little guy here safe and sound and healthy. "Love is like the wind, it can't be seen but it can be felt"... I hope this little guy knows and can feel the love that we have for him... I will give anything and everything to get him here safe... I can't wait to meet you :)

2011-11-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

Happy belated Halloween!!!! Saydie dressed up as a clown, she was such a good dog... she sure does love her mama :) She does anything for me!!!

2011-11-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

Ok so these are some undated pictures of my "belly" I know sweet huh??? Can you see anything??? Most can't but I can definately fill it growing :) Pregnancy has been GREAT so far... The sickness left around the 12th week and I have felt great since... Minus the bladder infection and head cold :) but at 14 weeks we were able to do a ultrasound where the dr saw WEINER!!!! Yea!!! So he said he's not 100% but pretty sure it's a boy... We are so excited.. We would take whatever at this point, but are so happy with a little boy :)

2011-11-07T11:42:00.000-08:00

14 weeks :)

2011-11-07T11:41:00.000-08:00

10 Weeks :)

2011-11-06T14:36:00.000-08:00

In October we went on our annual Moab trip with the Graham family... We always have such a great time. We are part of the most wonderful families, we couldn't ask for better!!! While in Moab Ry celebrated his 30th birthday, old man :) It was such beautiful weather, and I finally went golfing with Ry and had a blast!!!! We also did what they call Indian Ladder, Ry try to make it to the top but couldn't :) We did a trail, Seven Mile Rim, it was such a fun trail, we of course, like always, LOVE our trips to Moab!!! Can't believe that on our next trip I'll be 9 months pregnant!!! I hope I make it :)

2011-11-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

Indian Ladder

2011-11-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

Ry golfing in Moab for his birthday!!! Happy 30th :)

2011-11-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

Seven Mile Rim

2011-11-06T14:01:00.000-08:00

So I'm a little behind.. but at the end of September the black powder hunt opened and it's a tradition for all the MCQuiveys to go down and enjoy!!! We all go to Joe's valley which is outside of Orangeville Utah. My dad drew out for big bull elk, he was so excited, and then HE GOT ONE!!! We were all so excited and he was saved from the wrath of my mom, because she didn't know he drew out for big bull until the trip down to the hunt...Opsies... guess dad forgot to tell her :) Well we had a blast like always, the weather was perfect and the company was amazing... We missed grandma Mc, but knew she was watching out for us because for the first time in 10years my dad brought home an elk, my uncle Kirk got an elk and my cousin got a deer, we have never been so blessed!!! We love you and miss you Grandma, and thanks for watching out for your boys :)

2011-11-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

2011-11-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

2011-09-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

Ok here it it... the little Stinker :) I am 10 weeks, and everything looks fantastic. Dr says everything is right on track!!! We are super excited, so unreal!!! My Dr. was even super excited, he gave me a great big hug, he has been through the last four years with me, I couldn't thank him enough for all he has done, he has been an amazing Dr.!!!

2011-09-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

2011-09-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

So at the end of August Ry and I took off and went for a little get away to Florida :) It was for his Snap On Conference, so I got to lay by the pool all day while he attended seminars, and then we also went to Sea World!!!! Sea World was so so so much fun... they have the best rollar coasters in Florida, just want I hear... I couldn't ride them due to well... we were Pregnant :) and not taking any chances... I hope to go back one day and ride them.... We had a great time, and I loved the break from everything we left at home!!!

2011-09-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

So here is the picture of the two eggs that they implanted... only one survived, but we are ok with just one :) These were the only two eggs that survived the 20 that they removed from me on egg retrieval day... They were fertilized by Ry's sperm, and then grew in a lab for six days... On the 6th day they transferred them to my uterus...Crazy what they can do... and we are so thankful for what they can do!!!

2011-09-16T10:54:00.001-07:00

So While in the final month of nursing school Ry and I decided to venture into being parents!!! I know crazy, but we were so ready and so excited... I decided to tell MY STORY :)
My mom is so happy and goes around telling everyone our story, mine and Ry's, about getting pregnant, so I decided it is important for me to write it down and tell all :)... I'll try to keep it short, but the ending is truly the miracle.. And so begins Our Story...
So many may know that Ry and I married in 2006... a year after being married we decided to try to have a family, so begins 2007... The year of 2007 was pretty uneventful... I stopped taking birth control that year and Ry and I tried the "natural way" to get pregnant, with obviously no success... So after a year of trying I ventured back to my OB...
and so begins 2008... My OB decided to inform me that they don't handle infertile cases.. I was shocked.. Infertile??? it's only been a year... how are we already infertile??? Well so began the search for a new OB, one who deals with "infertile couples"... the search ended and I found a great OB who started right away with testing us...The year of 2008 was full of tests and more tests... that year we found out that Ry's little swimmers weren't champion swimmers :) actually they didn't swim at all... so we were referred to a specialist where they found the problem... Ry had a varicocele, varicose veins in his testicular sac, well thses little veins were heating up all those little swimmers and killing them off, so he had a surgery that fixed those varicose veins and the wait began to watch those numbers rise... it took about 7months or so before we saw a rise in his counts but they were rising, we were so excited... but that year had come to an end so..
begins 2009....This year we still had no success... My OB decided to do a laporoscopy on me, it's where they go through my belly button to view my uterus and tubes... they were making sure everything was ok... well it wasn't, they found extensive endometriosis that covered my tubes, uterus, and bladder, the dr lasered it out and also put dye through my tubes to make sure that they were open and patent, the dye turned out to be good, my tubes were open and working... After my surgery the dr said that this was my most fertile time, so we decided to do some more ovulation tests and artificial insemination...My dr also put me on clomid to increase our chances...Artificial insemination is an expencience little procedure, it includes the spinning down of sperm to get the best ones you can find :) and then they inject them into my uterus, so that they hopefully find my egg and fertilize it, just like a turkey baster... well we did this three times, with no success, it is crazy how the timing had to be perfert for this.. we had to make sure I was ovulating and the sperm had to me injecteced within an hour to survive.. we did all we could...Some may be asking what my mental health was like at this time... well the struggle to get pregnant tore at me.. it challenged my strength, my courage and most of all my faith... I had crumbled, I was angry, at everyone.. no one can ever understand the heart ache that you have when all you want is to be a mom, and you can't... the mind games I had struggled through, I knew I was being crazy, irrational and I couldn't do anything to change it... This challenged our marriage... but it only made it stronger.. the suffering was always welcomed by my husbands loving arms, what an incredible man...this year I also started to take anti depressants... that was a huge step to admit, I was not ok.
So after no success through all the years, I felt like I gave up.. I started 2010 with nursing school so we laid off on the "trying to have a baby" I focused on school, but it was hard... I felt like I was not a nice person, I was jealous and envious of all the women out there who could get pregnant by just talking about getting pregnant, I hated them for not ever understanding the heart ache, but I wanted to be them, so bad... It hurt. The summer of 2010 we broke down and met with the reproductive endocrinologist, what this means is in vitro... it was our final step to having a family... We met with them and they went over all our records and gave us our options... it was so discouraging.. the money, the time and the fact that it might not work... We decided to try to get all our finances in order and get things paid off and get a savings... We were drained... It took a year, but we paid off everything but our house and car payment and had a savings... still not enough to do the in vitro, but after a year of my husbands prayers and mine, we knew this was what we had to do... I had to try it, or I would always regret it... I wanted so bad to be able to go through the process of being pregnant to feel that little one inside moving, to nourish it and to go through the process of delivery, some take this for granted, others pray daily for the experience, I prayed daily...
All this brings us to 2011... My final semesters of nursing school and the final months of deciding what to do... I had such a strong feeling that we had to do in vitro to bring a family here to earth...there was no other way...so in the final months of nursing school.. I endured another surgery, where they again went into my uterus and lasered out my endometriosis and removed my cysts and endometriomas that had formed through the last two years since my last surg... we knew that we had to do in vitro within two months of this surg, so again... timing is everything... I started more testing, blood work, ultrasounds, saline sonograms in June of 2011, then came July when I started the injections... I'm not gonna lie, I wanted to give up, was it really all worth it??? the injections were horrible, the blood test every other day, the drive one hour each way, the money, the uncomfortable feeling in my body, the aches, the bloating... was it worth it???
I still don't know.. but what I do Know is a miracle happened... Four in a half years later... WE WERE PREGNANT!!!! What a joyous day... I cried, the test was positive, it had never been positive before...
No one will ever understand the endurance that Ry and I had to go through to have a baby.. the heartache, the pain, the struggle... but we did it, we made it, and YES... It was ALL WORTH IT!!!

2011-09-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

Ok all.. so here goes.. I GRADUATED!!!! I finally graduated nursing school... I don't have any pictures because well since I graduated in July they don't do a ceremony untill December... So I'm out :) But RN here I come!!! I met so many lifelong friends in school, but what a relief to be DONE!!!!

2011-09-05T00:23:00.000-07:00

YEAh!!! So I finally figured out how to get back into my blog!!! It's been lost so no updates have been added... but boy do we have news... What a crazy couple of months :) More to come later... Stayed tuned :0 so glad to be back to the blogger world!!!

2011-06-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

So what a whirl wind the last two months have been... We welcomed an new little one into the family, just in time to see my grandma pass...The emotions have been crazy and the time has flown by... Ry is still doing his business and excelling at it.. he is so busy lately, that he's almost overwhelmed... but still loving it... I am in my last 30 DAYS of nursing school!!! Yeah :) so excited... the stress level is off the scales... between working, precepting, going to school and dr appointments I never stop... I can't wait for July 27th, when at least school is over :) Ry and I have grown so close in the last two years with all the hard times, I say hard times but I know its nothing compared to others, but to us we have struggled, he is so good to me and puts up with so much... We love each other more each day and grow everyday!!! Enjoy!!!

How far in the future will you go??? There are generations unborn whose lives will be shifted and shaped by the moves you make and the actions you take...

2011-06-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

Grandma left behind a legacy... What an amazing family she has built!!!

2011-06-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

2011-06-27T08:25:00.001-07:00

The viewing was held on Sunday June 5th and what a rough one... wow!!! My grandma was such an amazing women!! So many memories of her and the family, she is so greatly and deeply missed... The funeral was on June 6th, the services were amazing, what a wonderful tribute to my grandma... She was laid to rest in Downey cemetery, where my grandpa can visit her everyday, he lives across the street... I know grandma had a wonderful reunion in Heaven and Heavenly Father had open arms, what a rejoicing reunion for her... we will miss you grandma, but until we meet again!!! p.s take care of my little ones, and send them to us soon :)

2011-06-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

2011-06-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

After arriving back in Utah we hustled up to Idaho for the viewing and funeral... Ry took me out to Lava one night, I needed a date night, I had been away from him for almost two weeks!!! We were able to stay with my grandpa, he was having such a hard time with grandma passing, after 58years of marriage what do you do??? It was such a rough emotional weekend... Ry was amazing, he helped out with the kids so much... while we tried to get everything ready and together he played and entertained the kids:) Jared and Jamie and the boys made it just in time too, it was so good to see everyone.. I forget sometimes how important family is... I have such an incredible family everyone is so strong and we all love each other so much... and we all have so much fun together!!

2011-06-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

2011-06-27T08:09:00.000-07:00

Just six days after Connor was born we got the news that our wonderful grandma had passed away... What a heart breaker... We love her so much and miss her.. So in the haste to make it home for the funeral, I had to get my ticket moved up and what a pain!!! Southwest SUCKS!!! thanks goodness I have a very patient kind husband who dealt with that :) Jodi also had to do some work... Connor was jaundice so we had to get permission for him to fly, he also was only 7days old when we flew to Salt lake, the airlines don't like babies to fly unless they are 14days old... but all worked out and we flew to Salt lake on June 3rd just in time to go to Idaho and spend time with family...

2011-06-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

With Connor home.. Kara was unsure... but LOVED her baby brother!!!! Jodi was such a trooper... We went to the park and the zoo... They live in such a beautiful area where a lake is just a block away with a park, it was gorgeous.. so nice and peaceful what a wonderful break it was to get away... Connor wasn't a very good sleeper, he liked to be held and wouldn't sleep in his crib.. So aunt Lynnie will hold him!!!! I had such a wonderful time it was so much fun... Jodi and Curt have such a cute little family and it was fun to see them!!! Jodi is such an amazing sister, she is such a example to me and how I want my family to be!!! Shes an incredible mom who handles it all!! Your awesome Jo!!!

2011-06-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

2011-06-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

So I arrived in Indiana on tues. May 24th, just in time to see Jodi pregnant!!! I was so excited to go out and help with little Kara while she had baby Connor.. On wed. we did what we do best and went shopping only to be stuck in the mall with tornado sirens going off and we were herding to a corner to sit and wait... It was pretty scary.. Ya know how they always say "they only had seconds after hearing the sirens..." well thank goodness someone was watching out for us cause WE MADE IT!!! Jodi went into the hospital on Thur May 26th and had baby Connor that afternoon.. What a breeze of a delivery :) I got to stay home at Jodi's and watch little Kara... We had a blast... She kept me so busy :) Good thing she is a good napper, cause I am too :)

2011-06-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

2011-04-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

So we arrived in Moab on Wed April 20th, set our new tent up, and I'm in shorts!!! The first time this year... It didn't last long. We decided to go to Gemini bridges on thur one of favorite places, we took Bill and Pattie along for the ride, but when we got back to our camp our tent looked like this!!! It was so windy, look at the Colorado River in the back ground, it's going the wrong way!!! The wind ended up doing some damage to our BRAND NEW TENT, but REI is awesome, and they are taking care of it... All the aluminum pools got bent and two holes, crazy, we don't have very good luck with tents, we probably should take up a different hobbie... But nothing can get us down, we love Moab too much to not have a good time!!!

2011-04-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

2011-04-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

So Friday was Hells Revenge... We've done this trail before and loved it, so we did it again. Saydie is hanging on for dear life :) She is such a good little trooper... This time we decided to do the little obstacles, The Hot tub and tip over challenge... Ry did good... I say good because on tip over he decided to "hop" the truck, scared me to death, that is my ride home!!! But we made it through the trail with no dents or scratches!!! Way to go!! Love it!

2011-04-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

2011-04-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

2011-04-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

So on the BIG Saturday we did Strike Revine, which was an awesome trail... Finally we were on a trail that you had to have lockers to make it through the whole thing. It was one of my favorite trails that we have done.... It was gorgeous as welll.... We went down into a canyon and followed the river bed... So much fun... Then Saturday night we went to eat dinner at Red Canyon Lodge... It was gorgeous and delicious food... What a great end to a fantastic trip!!!

2011-04-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

2011-04-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

So five years ago today, Ry and I got married :) I love him so much... I thought we lost track of time... I couldn't believe it's been five years already!!! What an amazing five years... I can't wait to see what the next five bring us... I am so happy and he is such an amazing husband!!! Life really couldn't get any better....

"If you have found love, you have been given one of life's greatest gifts.
Treasure it. Savor it. It's not what you have, but WHO you have in your life
that counts. The possibilities are endless. Dream together. Plan together.
Laugh together. Grow together. Go where you've never been. Appreciate each
other. Be spontaneous. Be romantic. Fall in love with life all over again."

Love you so much Ry... You truly are my everything, my Eternal companion!!!

2011-04-08T08:42:00.002-07:00

2011-04-08T08:42:00.001-07:00

2011-04-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

2011-02-27T08:56:00.000-08:00

2011-02-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

So... March here we come!!! Life has been crazy. First, I want to say how much I love and adore my husband... His hard work and long hours to support me. He trully is incredible. Life is tough lately, and Ry is always there to comfort me. I love him so much and am sorry to him for what I put him through... We take one day at a time and have to these days, my mood changes by the hour :) Ry is doing really good at his business, he loves it which makes it easy for him to work the long hours... I can't believe it's been a year since he started this thing... I couldn't be happier with his decisions. I am still drowning in school, work and house duties, but seem to keep going, most days with my head under water... We have a room mate that moved in, her name is Lindsay, I love her to death!! She has been so much help, and such an incredible support. We are looking forward to spring and can't wait for all the fun trips this year... We start with Moab in April, Indiana in May and June to help welcome my new nephew... so supper excited... then off to Denver to see Josh get married in July... and then Florida in August.. Our year is packed but this year will be a year of fun and change!!!
Oh and for those that know how old our TV was... it finally broke!!!! Yeah!! New TV for me!!!

2010-12-21T10:19:00.001-08:00

So here it is.. The Famous Christmas Tree. Ry was so good at picking it out.. Me not so much on the decorating... I couldn't find one of our boxes so... no lights and no "special" ornaments... but it does the job...

2010-12-21T10:18:00.000-08:00

2010-12-07T16:34:00.000-08:00

2010-12-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

THIS IS MY WONDERFUL GRANDMA... SHE HAD AN ARTICLE IN THE DESERET NEWS...SO EXCITING FOR HER. WE HAVE GROWN UP WITH HER SNOWMAN SO IT WAS SO FUN TO HAVE HER SHARE THEM, THAT I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE THE ARTICLE. ENJOY !!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Virginia Johnson has a lot of smiling men in her life — snowmen, that is.

She's surrounded by them.

They're on the mantel, hanging on the walls, perched on the floor, climbing ladders and sitting on the sofa.

They're wreathed, singing and dancing and shaking. They talk and giggle.

The most fragile are tucked up high, while the ones that are kid-sturdy are positioned on low shelves.

Everywhere you look in Johnson's Avenues home, there are snowmen, a collection that represents a lifetime of

gift-giving and gift-getting with friends and relatives.

"My family knows what to give me," she said.

Johnson started having a snowman party the day after Thanksgiving for her grandchildren, where she gives every guest a snowman gift. In turn, the grandchildren bring her the latest in frosty characters.

Over the years, she's had snowmen brought to her from all over the United States. She has everything from snowman cookie jars, candy dishes and pitchers to plush pillow snowmen to standing wooden caroling snowmen.

Some she made in her LDS Relief Society. Several of the most precious were made by grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Some are tiny, like the snowglobe snowman and the salt and pepper shakers.

Others are good-size, like the one made out of 4-by-4s.

A couple are on sleds or wearing skates. Several are wearing shades.

Johnson has a snowman quilt and a snowman tapestry. The lawn ornaments outside are snowmen.

One has long tied legs. Another's legs are jewels. One bunches up and stretches out.

They're all interesting and colorful, and provide lots of entertainment and wonder for little ones, she said.

When the whole family comes for the annual New Year's Day Christmas party, she has to watch over her collection so the great-grandchildren don't love it to death.

"They love them," she said. "And they're really pretty careful, although I have one this year, I expect will be right up there on the top."

As Johnson has gotten older, the many trips up and down the stairs to set up the collection has started to tire her out. So she considered skipping the whole deal this year.

Her neighbors and friends wouldn't hear of it. One even called the newspaper.

A friend came over and built the wooden stage for the snowmen. That really helps, she said.

"So here it is," she said. "One more year."

2010-11-30T14:07:00.000-08:00

Got a sugar cookie from the best place on earth... Taggarts Grill... Working at 34 hours NO SLEEP!!!!
Way to go mom and dad!!! They found a TREE!!!

2010-11-30T14:05:00.000-08:00

Pretty sure it's been 24 hours without sleep at this point... Still chuggin along...
Ry found the "perfect tree" finished product will come later...
Yeah We got him out!!!

2010-11-30T14:02:00.000-08:00

Dad getting stuck in his new jeep :(
Still stuck :)
On our way to go Christmas tree hunting... I've been up for 20 hours at this point.. I look pretty hammered... Yuk!!!

2010-11-30T13:59:00.000-08:00

Ry so happy to be going "family hoping"... Then I was off to work...
So good to see Kyle and the "girls", Danielle, Kylee, and Madison

Grandma and Grandpa Mac... So good to see them. I love you!!!

2010-11-30T13:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Uncle Kirk and Ry. Saydie was playing with Cailin.

2010-11-22T16:22:00.000-08:00

Hannah was a blast...She always knew when to capture the moment!!! We had a blast!!

2010-11-22T16:16:00.000-08:00

So Hannah took our "family" pictures (not much of a family, just Ry, Me and Saydie... But we're working on expanding...one day :) She did such an amazing job I had to blog them!!! They are incredible!!! I had so many to choose from that I only put a few up, so that everyone could get a feel of what she does... She has amazing talent and if you would like her to do you pictures... I know how to contact her!!! She also is very reasonable at price!!! Love it... Thanks so much Hannah, you are so amazing and did AWESOME!!! Some may ask how we had time to do this... Well Hannah is very flexible and fast!!!

2010-11-22T16:10:00.000-08:00

2010-10-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

Cam and Mccall biking we had to have proof that they did it !!!

Gemini bridges...

2010-10-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

View from our camp in Moab...

So loyal :)

2010-10-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

Love these two men!!! We just got back from Moab... it was our annual Moab trip with Ry's family and Alex flew in. It was so good to see him!!! Moab was amazing like always and it was our last trip of the season :( So hope you all finally liked my update!! Sorry it took so long but life is crazy busy!!!

2010-10-21T15:51:00.000-07:00

Soaked after our night at Universal Studios!!!
Night show of Universal....
Love this Guy... So handsome....
Me kissing jaws with my awesome fantastic delicious funnel cake!!!

2010-10-21T15:46:00.000-07:00

Beautiful view from our hotel...

2010-10-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

So after Vegas Ry and I took off to Orlando, Florida for his Snap On franchisee conference!!! It was beautiful.. While Ry was in classes all day I got to sit at this lovely resort and enjoy this amazing swimming pool!! Can't wait for next year, same place some time YEAH :) After Ry was done with all his classes we got to go to Universal Studios on Saturday night... Half the park was closed just for Snap On and we could eat and drink all we wanted!!! It was an amazing trip, I love my husband so much for all he has to put up with and this was a time to relax and enjoy each other before the craziness of school, work, school, and more work started!!! Love you babe.. thanks for being the BEST!!!

2010-10-21T15:36:00.000-07:00

Love this Picture!! So freakin Cute :)

2010-10-21T15:05:00.000-07:00

So happy to be in VEGAS!!!! We went with our really good friends, Tyler and Elisa, at the end of July... It was so hot but so much fun!!! We obviously walked the strip a whole lot, went to the aquarium which was awesome... and went to the coke factory and m&m factory!!

2010-08-15T08:45:00.001-07:00

Ok... So sorry I have to take a break with the updating... I need to get ready for work and shower... So enjoy and there is more to come :)

2010-08-15T08:40:00.000-07:00

We found more mud....

Stuck AGAIN!!!!

2010-08-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

Jared is stuck... Leave it to him to get stuck in a mud puddle... or mud lake!!!

2010-08-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

Ridin the trails...

2010-08-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

Time for some fun... the ATV trails were awesome.. We were able to leave right from camp and go into the Manti La Sal mountains... There were trails EVERYWHERE... and they were the good ones... Your ATV had to be less then 50" to ride the trails

2010-08-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Ry and I were sealed in this beautiful Temple two years prior (July 27th 2008)

2010-08-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

Quote "I will never let my kid get that dirty" end quote from Jodi BEFORE she had Kara :)
Cailin not so Happy.... Neither is mom :)

2010-08-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

We made it... happy sisters!!! We are now in Manti and ready to have a ball....

2010-08-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

The start of our 2 1/2 hour trip... It turned into 7 HOURS!!!! We left at 4:15am and when we got to Draper my dad's alternator in his truck went out... So we waited, and waited, and waited :)

2010-08-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

My Favorite !!!!

2010-08-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

2010-08-15T08:11:00.002-07:00

2010-08-15T08:11:00.001-07:00

2010-08-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

2010-08-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

2010-08-15T08:08:00.002-07:00

2010-08-15T08:08:00.001-07:00

2010-08-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

2010-08-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

Ok So I'm real real real behind on the blog thing :) Summer started and is ending in a flash... This summer has been a busy one... With me out of school for the summer I worked, and worked, and worked... Then had some vacations towards the end... June was nothing too exciting. The excitement started in July with a SURPRISE visit from my sister, Jodi. Then another SURPRISE visit from my brother and his family... Then (yes there is more surprises :) SURPRISE... G-ma and G-pa you get to take pictures with all your grandkids... Thank you so much to a very special friend, Hannah, that was able to do pictures on the fly and a fantastic job at that... She did so amazing here are a few...

2010-05-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to climb the ropes course...
Silly girls.. :)

So being the camp director in my ward I get to spend wonderful time with the girls... This last weekend it was the YCL retreat which means that we did a overnight campout with my youth camp leaders. I have such a great bunch of girls that I love to hang out with... They are amazing young women... We did a ropes course and they did awesome... It was way too much fun!!!

2010-05-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

That is the best smile I could get out of both the guys... Lame!!!!

So Ry and I took the opportunity to go to Park city again with some of our bestest friends, the Hollands!!! We didn't do much but hang out in the room, and I flirted with Traysen, the cutest boy in the pictures... Thanks for such a great time!!! We always love hanging out with you guys!!! We did play battle of the sexes, and I don't think Therese will play that one with me again!!! Sorry, I think we lost...

2010-05-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

So last weekend Ry and I spent two nights in Midway Utah, thanks to Jenni and Jason (you guys are the best). Ry and I needed a little vaca just the two of us... We had such a wonderful time just relaxing enjoying the scenery and sitting in the hot tub... It did snow on us, so you better believe I was making snow angels!!! Thanks Jenni and Jason for the vacation.. We had a blast and what a wonderful place to be..

2010-04-08T19:48:00.000-07:00

So Happy Four Years!!! Yep we made it to four years and we're able to make it to Moab!!! Ry and I went to Moab over the Easter weekend and had a blast, Just the two of us (and Saydie of course). We were able to go on a trail with all the jeeps, and I realized that our truck is truly the bomb... It was awesome!!! We had such a blast even though it was such a short trip... The Jeepers gave us a hard time because we had the nicest shiniest vehicle and we left the trail without a scratch... GO HUMMER!!!! This last picture with Saydie and I, we have the same smile, pretty cute huh? They always say that owners look like their pets!!!

2010-02-21T08:11:00.000-08:00

So many have been asking me to post about Ry's new job (Curt and Jodi :). Here is his new office... Crazy huh? It is huge, Can you see our house? Cause his office is as big as our house :) Ry's last day at work was on Friday and he can't be more excited to start this new business. Ryan is a Snap On franchisee. Everything fell into place for Ry to start all this business stuff and so I went along with it, not excited at first... But seeing how my husband is so happy and can't wait to sale the tools that he loves so much has brought me back to reality. I love my husband and will support him in where ever he goes. I am excited to see where this adventure will take us :) (ps can you find Saydie?? She is the new truck work dog :)

2010-02-21T08:06:00.000-08:00

Cailin in her hat and sun glasses at a sports bar!! SWeet huh??? So cute...

So with Glo in town the fam got together and went to dinner... We got to dinner to find out that my dad had shaved his head!!! We laughed at first, but then through tears my dad told the story behind that bald head... His Sargent that he works with has breast caner and had to shave her head, so showing support, my dad being the best dad ever, shaved his head. Believe me it was such a heart stopping moment to see how my dad was, I love him so much and I am so blessed to have a father so passionate about other people!!! I love you Dad!!!

2010-01-22T14:46:00.000-08:00

So last weekend it was a three day weekend for me, so Ry and I took off and went to the Auto Expo. It was so nice to be just the two of us, we had such a blast together. Sorry it has taken a week for me to post it, but school gets busy. Here's a school update.... I LOVE IT!!! I am having such a blast I have met a wonderful bunch of girls that I just love.. Everyone in my class is so awesome and we have such a good time together. Between aaaallllll the studying and sleeping (only at night :( and working, we all get together and just have a hootin of a haulerin time... It is awesome, I couldn't have asked for a better class to spend the next two years with!!! You Ladies (and the nine gentlemen) ARE FREAKIN AWESOME!!!!