The big 3-0

I didn't blog last weekend because I was busy turning THIRTY years old!!!  Instead of a Friday Five this week, I thought I'd share some party pics.

My sweet husband and wonderful parents threw a fabulous birthday bash for me last Friday night, and I so appreciate all of our friends and family who came over to celebrate (especially the ones who came from out of town!!).  I am an extremely blessed 30 year old.  Unfortunately, I don't have photos of everyone who came, but here are some photos from the party. 

Susan & Laura

Gorgeous flowers from Susan!

Vern & Belinda

Rick & Toy

Laura's baby Ava, Kimmy & Caleb

Mom

Gina, Laura's baby Ava & Laura

Thank you family and friends for making me feel so loved!

Friday Five - 12.30.11

1. Our Christmas Tree

We still need to find a topper that we like.

2.  Our mantel in South Carolina

I found the garland at Michaels BEFORE Christmas and it was 60% off!

3. Lights covering a F-86 Sabre at MCAS Beaufort

I wish we had a better photo, but this was the best we could get using an iPhone from our car.

4. Christmas #1

Tara, Toy, Rick, Erin, Kevin, Kelly

5. Christmas #2

Vern, Belinda, Erin, Kevin, Kelly

Christmas #3 (with my parents and brother) was great as well but we didn't take a single family photo!  Pretty shocking since photos are a BIG deal in the Johnson household. :)  Oh well, we had fun and made memories. 

We had a fabulous Christmas with all of our loving families, and we hope you had a wonderful Christmas, too!

Friday Five - 12.16.11

So, these Friday Five posts seem to be the only things I blog anymore...but at least they keep me blogging regularly!  8 weeks in a row! :) 

1.  Kevin came home this week!  He just spent 4.5 weeks training in the desert, and I'm incredibly grateful that we get to spend Christmas together.  Here's a video that one of the guys in his squadron made, and it gives you a glimpse of what Kevin saw while he was flying/working.

2.  Here's a family Thanksgiving photo that I meant to share a few weeks ago.  We had a wonderful day together, but Kevin and Adam were deeply missed!

3.  Today I'm doing something I've never done before.....I'm using my crockpot!  It's pretty sad that I've had it for at least 5 years and I've never used it, so I'm changing that today.  My hesitation wasn't due to fear of the crockpot, but the fact that it seems a little too good to be true.  You can throw some things in there in the morning, and it produces a tasty dinner 6-8 hours later?  I'm still not sure I believe it, but I'm finally willing to give it a try.  If it turns out well, I'll post the recipe I used next week.  Also, if you have a crockpot recipes that you love, please share it with me! 

4.  Kevin and I are putting our Christmas tree up tonight!  Last Christmas, we spent two weeks in Oklahoma and we were moving so soon afterward that we didn't put up our tree...so the Christmas card tree below filled the void.  One of our favorite things about Christmas season is receiving Christmas cards in the mail from family and friends.

5.  Check out this Christmas light display that honors our great military.  (My favorite part is the Marine Corps hymn, of course!)

Friday Five - 12.9.11

1.  The 12 Stages of Deployment - My friend, Stacy, shared a link to this YouTube video on Facebook recently, and I think it is worth sharing.  Major props to this military wife for keeping a humorous attitude during a really difficult time!  Fellow military families, you will relate to this and non-military families, you will get a glimpse into life during a deployment!

2.  Another gift idea - If you're looking for a fun and very inexpensive gift then I have a solution for you. The Vera Bradley Shopper Tote in Folkloric.  It's only $8.00, and it is one of the cutest reusable bags I've seen!  You can use it as a grocery bag, carry-on travel bag or in any scenario where you need a lightweight, foldable tote. 

3.  Have you ever seen a fully furnished, multi story, adult-sized treehouse?  I hadn't either...until I saw one on The Nate Berkus Show recently.  Check it out here and I think you'll find it interesting!  I love the idea of using mason jars as outdoor light fixtures.

4.  It doesn't feel like Christmas time when you have flowers blooming in December!  What's crazy is that these flowers were gorgeous when my Dad planted them this summer (thanks, Dad!) but they died rather quickly due to sprinkler system issues (or so I thought).  Now, it's almost winter, the sprinkler system has been off for a month and they are blooming!

5.  I found this saying back in June, but I came across it again today and felt the need to share it.

Friday Five - 12.2.11

1.  Holiday Mail for Heroes - As a military wife, I can't help but think about the men and women who are currently serving overseas and the fact that they will be away from their families on Christmas day.  If you'd like to send a card to a servicemember, please visit the American Red Cross blog to get the address and other information you will need.  If you'd like to create a card online for $1.00, you can do so through this website and it will be printed and mailed for you.  Cards must be postmarked by December 9th.

2.  Sophia Grace and Rosie - After watching these adorable little girls (ages 8 and 5) appear on the Ellen show a second and third time, I've decided that Sophia Grace reminds me of Russell Brand!  Watch their second hilarious appearance on Ellen here.  I know it sounds bizarre that an 8 year old girl could remind me of a 36 year old man, but she really does!  Their British accents are very similar, both have bold personalities and both are laugh out loud funny!  So, you can imagine how ironic it was to see Russell Brand discussing Sophia Grace and Rosie on the Ellen show the other day!  Click here to see him talking about and imitating Sophia Grace on Ellen.  In the same segment, Ellen said she wants to have Sophia Grace and Russell Brand appear on her show together, and I cannot wait to see that!  Click here to see the girls sing along to their favorite Nicki Minaj song and click here to see the girls interview stars on the red carpet at the American Music Awards.  These videos are sure to make you smile!

3.  Union High School (our alma mater) won the Oklahoma 6A Football State Championship for the 4th year in a row last night!  Way to go, Redskins!!!

4.  I just love spending time with my friends' sweet kiddos, and I got to see some of them recently!

5.   BEDLAM - OU plays OSU Saturday night!  This is always a big game for both teams, but this year's game is huge because both teams are ranked in the top ten in the BCS.  It starts at 8:00/7:00c on ABC!

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday Five - 11.25.11

1.  Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you were able to see loved ones and enjoy tasty food yesterday!  As I mentioned in a recent post, my late Grandma Johnson's pumpkin bread is my favorite Fall recipe.  I made it again this week, and I think that everyone needs this easy recipe.  So, here it is.

My Grandma Johnson’s Pumpkin Bread

3 c flour                                                                           
3 c sugar                                                                         

1 ½ tsp salt                                                                     

2 c pumpkin (approx. 1 can)                                        

4 eggs                                                                             

2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon                                                   

1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cloves
2/3 c canola oil
2/3 c water
1 c chopped pecans

Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix well.  Divide batter between two large loaf plans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 ½ hours. 

2.  My mom and I made another pillow this week, and I can't wait to take it back to South Carolina to see how it looks in our living room!

Translation: Make yourself at home :)

3.  Gift Idea - Christmas is just one month away, and slowly but surely, I am getting my shopping done.  If you need a gift idea for someone who likes to cook or read then I highly recommend The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook or The Pioneer Woman's book, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.  The cookbook is full of delicious, step-by-step recipes, and the book is intriguing and laugh out loud funny!

4.  UNION HIGH SCHOOL (our alma mater) beat Jenks High School tonight, 30-29!  What an exciting game to watch on TV with my family.  Next week, Union will play for the 6A Football State Championship...and yes, Kevin and I have been out of high school for over a decade, but high school football pride runs deep in Oklahoma. :)  Go Redskins!

5.  Operation Christmas Child - I mentioned this on Facebook, but it's such a wonderful cause that I want to post it here too.  If you're looking for a way to help a child in need this Christmas then go to this website to find out how you can pack a shoebox and send joy to a child in another country.