Damon's Birthday, Kyle's China Trip...

Our Damon turned three on July 3rd.

He is learning and growing so much, we are so proud of him.
He is such a wonderful boy, and big brother.
We love you Damon!

He requested a 'Choo Choo Train' cake for his birthday, so I did my best.

Ang, Char, and Da

Brookie, me, Sarah, Lish, and Allison.

Claiming his spoils

Daddy would be proud...(Not quite BYU, but we can cheer for the Huskers!)

Our sweet friend/sis, Aud

We are so grateful for our friends and family. We loved seeing all of you. Thank you for your sweet gifts, letting us intrude on your space, and just for spending some time with us. We love you all and miss you.

We were sad not to have Kyle here for Da's birthday, but he was having some adventures half way across the world! Hopefully he can put up some pictures and stories soon. We sure missed him,...so happy we are back together again!
We made the 18 hour drive home Friday. We started out early, but for some reason this did not help much. Both boys had a rough time. Let me just say that I am not dying to take a drive anytime soon. I hope the next time we make that trip in the car it will be when we are moving. But we are happy to be in our own place again. Damon walks around the house saying, "I love my little room, and my little bed. I love my house, and my cute cute kitchen."



Kyle spent three weeks in China with his law school. A professor that he was doing research for was in charge of setting up a study abroad program with the Xi'an Jiaotong University law school, and she took Kyle along to translate. Two other students also went along to do research.
This was the hotel he stayed in on the University campus.

One thing we miss about China - the crowded markets

The drum tower at night

A long string of traditional Chinese kites

Kyle at the city wall

These pictures were taken at a thousand year old Muslim Mosque

Another one of our favorite things in China - the incredible food. The food in Xi'an was super spicy (the beer bottles aren't Kyle's)

The Small Goose Pagoda. Kyle climbed to the top of the 13 stories. Pretty daring since the building is 1,300 years old.

There is a strong Muslim influence in Xi'an, as could be seen by the beautiful architecture.

The terracotta warriors. One of the world's wonders.


After the soldiers were uncovered, only one was found completely in tact, the kneeling archer

This is the Great Goose Pagoda

A Buddhist Temple

While on the trip, Kyle got to attend a murder trial in the Xi'an High Provincial Court, the equivalent of a State Supreme Court. This picture was taken in front of the courthouse with Judges, professors, and a classmate, Holly.

After the trial, the justice department treated them to the most exquisite feast in the history of the world

Kyle, classmates Holly and Neil, Professor Shavers, and Liu Nan - Xi'an law school graduate

On his way back, Kyle got to stop and visit his favorite places - Hong Kong and Macau - with his friend Nathan Burby. This is Kyle in downtown Macau.
We're sure glad Kyle had such a great time in China, but we are so happy to have him home and safe!

Blessing, Family and Friends, Parade...

We blessed Jonas on June 6th. It was a wonderful, bright sunny day. What a special little boy he is. He has such a sweet pleasant personality, and is full of smiles. We feel so blessed to have such fun little boys in our family. They make our lives so happy! (Thank you to all our family for helping with this special day. Grandma Johnson is responsible for the perfect blessing tux, isn't it amazing?)

Such a sweet little guy!

Damon and Jake playing ball

Bitter family picture

We took the kids to the Aerospace Museum. The boys really liked all the planes.

I love how I got Damon jumping into the pool, and a sweet shot of Jayce running in the back

Oh boys, boys, boys...it is so fun to have them together again (Even if they get into it good sometimes. Just like brothers!)

Damon rarely looks at the camera AND smiles at the same time. Alisha got this picture with her amazing camera and I love it (Thanks Lish!) The kids were all riding the odyssey in the backyard so their faces are covered in dust.

Damon loves to go to Grandpa Johnson's house and ride on the tractors with him. Whenever we go over to visit, he can't stop talking about the tractors and going outside.

Angela got the boys these matching BYU shirts! They are so fun, and of course Kyle loves them too.

Chaleese invited us over to her parents house for a water party with the kids! It was so fun. Crazy to think that out of us four girls there are a total of 10 kids! They had so much fun, thanks!

Damon was more interested in watching the worm than swimming. Funny that the two girls are there along with him!

Group picture of the kids...minus a boy, girl, and three little babies.

The Syracuse Heritage Days Parade was today. Damon loved seeing all the fire trucks, floats, horses, and getting lots of candy!

Bruce and Jonas

So much candy...hard to hold up the bag!

Lately Damon has been really into holding Jonas! He is such a loving older brother, he can't wait till Jonas is old enough to do things with him. He is always trying to feed, talk, and play with him.

My little sugar bug is 4 months old now! He has grown so much, we just love every inch of his chubby little body. He does so well pushing up from his belly. He has rolled over and looks like he could take off crawling any day (please no). He loves to stand up while we hold his hands. His dimples, smiles and laughs melt my heart...

Kyle left for China a little over a week ago for a study abroad program through UNL. This will be the longest time we have been apart since he got home from Hong Kong 5 years ago. He will be gone for three weeks. He is in Xian for two weeks, and then Hong Kong for one. We are missing him so much, but happy that he is safe and having amazing experiences.