Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

These pictures were taken at our ward Christmas party! Preston wasn't sure what to do on Santa's lap so that is why he is just sitting there, no smile or anything.:) Maybe next year there will be a smile. At least he wanted to see Santa and sit on his lap, so that was good!

We have had quite the snow storm up here! It is so beautiful when it is snowing, so pure and white and clean. It has snowed at least a foot, and I wish we had a camera that worked! I am not sure what happened to our camera, it broke. We have had it for about five years and it was our first digital camera and was probably the cheapest one there!
So I wish we could post pics of the snow. We have been enjoying it so much. Which is kind of strange for me, I usually don't like being cold and out in it very long, but this year it is different. I think my attitude is different all around since we moved here for Joel to finish school.

I am truly humbled by this time of year and having the extra opportunities to reflect on the birth of our Savior, his life, and his Atonement. I think it is the greatest time of year. I love everything about this time of year, the Christmas tree, the lights on the houses, the music, the goodies, and the nativity. We just put up a little fake tree (to save some money) and Preston just loves it! We have the rest of our stuff in storage, so we bought some cheap bulbs to put on the tree and had a couple of ornaments Preston got from Grandma and Mom and Dad. He loved hanging the ornaments and got really into it. I loved watching him be so involved this year.

I am 33 weeks now and have 7 more weeks to go! I am pretty much all ready and have everything I need, except for my suitcase for the hospital.

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love,
The John Family

First Snow in Flagstaff

These pics were from the first snow we had. I think it was in November, and I finally got these pics back so I wanted to post a couple! It also snowed a little last night. This is a funny one of Preston!

Halloween 2008!

I know this is so late, but I wanted to post a couple of Preston's Halloween costume. I LOVED his costume this year. He was a little red dragon and I thought he looked sooo adorable. I was thinking that it is probably my last year of picking his costume, but who knows? Some of them turned out fuzzy, I think it was because he was moving so much. He liked Halloween a little bit more this year. We attended our ward's trunk or treat and on Halloween we took him to a carnival they had at the college for kids. That was really fun! We also took him to our dear friend Paula's house to trick or treat. She loved seeing him and we were able to visit her for a bit. By 6:30p.m. he was pretty pooped. It was a fun night!

Barbershop!

This is at the High Country Chorus Show in Pinetop, AZ, Summer of 2008. Dallin Durfee joined them as their new tenor. William Sullivan and David Sullivan complete the quartet.

I just love my husband so much! He is so cute! Those of you who know him know that he loves to sing barbershop more than anything in the whole world. He has done such a great job on his barbershop blog, which is on my links, I think it is called Composition 4. You should all go check it out, it shows videos of them singing, it is a really neat blog. I am so happy that he loves his hobby, I actually enjoy it too. I enjoy going to his concerts, competitions, conventions, and the music is great, it is so wholesome and uplifting and I am so happy he loves it and our little boy is starting to love it too. There is a DVD where Joel is singing with his former quartet "JDJ and the Upright Bass" and Preston will want to watch his dad and he will sing some of the words too! I just love it!

I still need to post Halloween and the little EAC get together pics, so keep checkin' back.

Voting

Well I just got done voting and let me say that I was a little nervous when I was there on NAU campus voting, and maybe a little scared after leaving the precinct. I am a little worried about our country, our freedoms and what's going to happen. I hope things go well and the marriage proposition (102) passes and our new President turns out to be a good, patriotic, God fearing man. I am just hoping and praying for the best right now. That is my little blurp on politics. Hopefully those that read this feel the same way.

Solomon Family Reunion in Tucson October 6-10

All of my family, excluding Joel (school) and my parents(mission), had the opportunity to spend some time at a beautiful time share in Oro Valley called Rancho Vistoso.
I had such a wonderful time with my siblings, visiting, swimming, and seeing Tucson. I enjoyed the resort and the warm weather so much, I want to go back! We were able to go and see some really neat museums and the zoo, which was Preston's first time.
Here are a few pictures from the trip!

Standing on a crocodile at the International Wildlife Museum, which was a really cool museum!

Playing checkers with Melissa at the U of A museum.

His favorite part of the zoo! Getting soaking wet!!

His cousin Ian lifting him up to see the Rhino! In the background, Scott and Emily.

Eating breakfast with Melissa.

This was at the U of A museum, it had a lot of hands-on exhibits for kids. Here with his cousins Elise, Jaden, and Ian, Melissa's at the bottom.

I thought this pic of him by the wheel was priceless!
Look at his face, so happy, so content sitting in the water.

Standing on the rail to see the Rhino with cousin Ian.

Tired from walking at the zoo, it was really hot outside.

Joel's Dream Come True!

We found out about a week ago that we are having a....




We are both really excited! (especially Joel!) I think Preston will LOVE having a little brother to play with and be best buds with.

Get Ready for Number 2!

This is a funny picture! Joel said he cut off my head so he could fit my belly, isn't that sad? I thought I would post and let everyone know that I am expecting again. I am half way there, 20 weeks, and we get to have an ultrasound next Wednesday and I cannot wait! Joel wants another boy for Preston to have a brother to play with, and secretly he wants to have his own quartet,(3 boys in a row). Yikes! We'll see about that! One at a time, I say.

Back to School!

Go Lumberjacks!

It is Joel's first day back to school! It is really exciting for both of us. He actually excited to go this time. He came home from class and had lots to say! Which is very different from before with school and work. I am really happy for him. I hope it keeps!

Preston's 2nd Birthday!

This post is late, I apologize. Preston's birthday was on June 25th, almost two months ago. Time just flies, doesn't it? He had a great time eating cake and opening gifts with his cousins. Many of our family members were there, except for the Crookston fam and Grandpa and Grandma Solomon due to a mission and other engagements. Thanks to all of those who did come! We love you all!

We had his birthday party at his Uncle Jordan and Aunt Shari's beautiful home in Mesa. His birthday happened to land on a weekend when we had a wedding to go to also. So the weekend was filled with fun activities. We appreciate them and all they did. His Aunt Shari even made his cake, it was sooo cute! Thanks again Shari!

Memories...

I got this game from my friend Angela's blog. I thought it would be fun to try.


Here are the directions:1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Update!

I want to apologize for not posting for ages. I cannot find my camera and have looked and looked. I wanted to post Preston's birthday party he just had but I will have to wait until I find my camera. I am bummed. So don't give up on me!

I found my camera! Actually, Joel found it in a drawer that I would have never looked. So I will post some new pics of Preston's birthday party very soon! To be continued...

What a Beautiful Day!

It is the most beautiful day today in Flagstaff. It feels like it is about to rain and it is overcast. So beautiful! It is nice and cool too, which is such a refreshing change!

Preston Dee

Preston will be 2 years old on June 25th. He is a lively, active, funny little boy. He cracks us up all the time! He is saying a ton of new words and learning new ones everyday. His favorite words are car, truck, tractor,and train. He love to "choo choo" with the trains as they go by. He can count to ten, sort of, and spell his name, sort of. We also think he's quite the handsome little boy, I think we'll keep him.

Our Move to Flagstaff

Well, we moved into a little 2 bedroom apartment at the beginning of May. It was hard on me at first because I missed my cute little home in Taylor, which we will rent our while we're here. I was sad for Preston too, because he was leaving his favorite things like the horses and dog next door. I also knew I would be leaving my sisters and that was really heartbreaking. I love being close to them. I love seeing Kristi's kids grow and I LOVED giving them piano lessons and spending one on one time with them.
But..we are getting used to Flagstaff again and all its perks. We are in are old ward and that is fun, to get to see old friends. It is such a great ward.
Joel is excited to start school and I am excited for him, but sometimes it is hard to imagine two years stuck in a little apartment when I was so used to our 3 bedroom home with a large front and back yard. I was spoiled I know. I didn't know how good I had it!!!

Joel's Singing

Update: Joel's quartet will be singing at Blue Ridge High School July 12th in Lakeside as part of the High Country Chorus annual show.

Their quartet also received a wild card invitation to the Far Western District quartet competition in Bakersfield, CA in October.

Joel is still actively participating in the Barbershop Harmony Society (SPEBSQSA). He and Will Sullivan started a quartet when we moved to Taylor. They sang in a quartet called 'JDJ and the Upright Bass' and competed in the annual division contest in Phoenix the following spring. They also sang for various functions in and around the White Mountains and had a great time doing it.

They competed again this year in April in Phoenix and had a 120 point improvement over
last year, but just missed out on qualifying for the district competition by 0.8%. This year the competed under a new name 'Composition 4' and used a new tenor Chris Palmer. It was a blast and Joel and Will stayed up until 3:oo a.m. singing tags at the afterglow. Joel has a blog of his own for his quartet at www.jdjquartet.blogspot.com