School Time.....

With much excitement from both Luke and Sarah, we started school this week in the Johnson household.  Here are pictures from one of our art projects.....finger painted apple trees. 

The Last 72 Hours.....

Over the holiday weekend, the kids and I had the opportunity to go on an adventure!!!  We boarded a C-130 very early on Sunday morning and flew 9 hours to Hawaii.  It was really a God thing that we even made it on the plane with very limited seating.  It was quite a ride. The best part was who was waiting for us on the other end......Justin.  We were able to spend 36 hours, enjoying the warm Island weather.  We swam in the pool, played at the beach, went to a Luao, hunted down a few famous landmarks, and just spent time as a family.  Sadly, we had to drop Justin off Tuesday morning, return the rental car, take a cab to the USCG base, and board the same plane back to Kodiak.  It was a great gift to be able to spend a few days with Justin.  It is definitely an adventure I will never forget. :)

USCG C-130









The Hale Koa Luao 



Climbing Coconut Trees is a sport in Hawaii.



Enjoying some Shaved Iced.....

Diamond Head....used to be an active Volcano

Wikiki Beach

For all you Hawaii Five-0 lovers.....the King Kamehameha Statue in downtown Honolulu.

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific....it is very awe inspiring to stand where so many who gave their lives for our freedom are laid to rest.

The Best, Most Yummiest Sugar Cookie Recipe

Last week, I stumbled across an awesome Sugar Cookie recipe.  They are soft and chewy.  I have no idea where the recipe came from now so I can't give credit. :)

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups Flour

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 cup Butter

1 1/2 cups Sugar

1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

3 tsp Milk

1 tsp Vinegar

Sprinkles

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees. 

Pour Milk and Vinegar into a bowl (don't stir) and let sit for atleast 5 minutes.

In mixer, cream butter and sugar together.  Scrap bowl. 

Add egg and vanilla, mix until blended. 

Next, add in baking soda and baking powder.  Mix and scrap bowl.

Add flour and mix well.

Finally, pour in your milk liquid and mix.

If you want sprinkles on your cookies, pour them into a separate small bowl.

Roll dough into 1 inch balls and dip the top into the sprinkles. 

Then place them on a baking sheet, and slightly smash them flat with your fingers.

If you don't want sprinkles, then drop 1 inch dough balls directly on baking sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Beautiful Sunshine....

Today we adventured down to White Sands Beach to enjoy the absolutely beautiful day that the Lord greatly blessed us with.  The kids had a blast running and splashing in the water, which I just don't get.  It hurts to put my feet in.  Sarah totally wiped out; I just happened to get it on camera.  If only you could have seen her face for real, it was too funny.

Jewel Beach

With a break in the rain, we went to the beach for a few hours of fresh air and rock climbing.  If you can believe it, Sarah is wearing one of Luke's old sweaters.  It is hard to remember when he was that small.  You never know what treasures the tide will wash in.  Luke was so excited when he found an old rusty chain link.

Backyard Playtime

Climbing Mount Barometer...

 If you look really close, you can see us climbing.