Johnson May Stacation
We’ve been planning our two and a half week Johnson St. George staycation for over a year! Before Graham was born, Ryan knew that he was going to be able to have 2 weeks Paternity Leave at his birth and then another two weeks sometime before Graham turned six months old. We also knew that it’s hard for Katie and Taylor to take any time off in the summer and even though we had no idea when Luke would leave on his mission the timing boiled down to May, when Chris had several weeks off, and since the boys were finishing up their Junior and Senior year we needed it to be a STAYCATION at our home in St. George.
And it all worked out with some careful planning for everyone and their different schedules.
We started with a weekend up at the Lodge with the Christoffersons. Our first weekend there with both families, which is crazy since we’ve owned the Lodge for years now and have wanted to do this forever. So fun to have Ryan and Cassie and Spencer and Brinnley there together. (See a different post for a few pictures)
Chris, Luke, Matt and I came back to St. George late Sunday night after spending Mother’s Day evening at Nikole’s house with Granny J. Katie and Taylor followed us down on Monday after their new couch was delivered to their cute new basement apartment and then Ryan, Cassie, Megan and Graham came down on Tuesday night.
Girls Day at Fika and Cliffside
So fun to spend the day getting a massage and going out for lunch - just the girls. Em doesn’t love massages so she told us to do it on a day before she got there. So excited for her to join us for the rest of the fun. The massages were perfect and the food at Cliffside is always the best. Love it here! Meanwhile, Taylor and Chris went golfing and Ryan hung out at home with Luke and Graham.
Katie and Graham
Katie, holding Graham any chance she can.
Pool Time
How are my three boys all the same size now. It’s just crazy. Love these guys!
We’ve been dreaming of being together and hanging out at the pool together. And having Graham with us was just the best.
Side by Side Adventure
Chris was excited about adding a little adventure to our staycation. We’ve never riden side-by-side’s so we found a company and Chris booked a tour where we followed a guide through the red rock and sand near Sand Hollow and took turns driving. It was a blast!
Fun to ride and stop at a few places to take pictures. Ryan stayed home to watch Graham and Katie stayed back because she is pregnant but we loved having Taylor and Cassie… SO glad to have them as part of the family! We love our bonus kids!
Oh my gosh I just love this picture of Chris and Matt - they are just the cutest!
Matt’s 17th Birthday!
Matt’s birthday was the day we drove to the Lodge to hang out with the C family but we postponed the presents until the whole family would be together and it was so fun!
Katie decorated the family room with streamers and balloons and then she and Ryan came up with a digital birthday poster that they added to the TV, and then wrapped all the presents. I could not have done it without them. Everyone in the family loves Matt and it was fun to spoil him.
Papa holding cute Graham as much as possible
We were sitting outside eating and Chris was holding Graham while he played with the silly goose toy. I kept grabbing for the toy and pulling it out of his mouth and he kept smiling so big so we did it over and over. It’s just a fun memory. Love our Graham boy.
Wingspan Tournament
Ryan organized our next game tournament and picked WINGSPAN —Of course he started with a slideshow presentation and had a full plan of which games with which expansions and how people would be eliminated. Everyday there was a game going on and they were long but it was fun!
Dinner and Bike Rides from the Park
Katie and Taylor rode the e-bikes to the park and we met them there with food from home in the cooler. Ryan, Cassie, Emily and Megan picked up food from In ‘n Out and we ate at the pavilion while people took turns taking rides up the Virgin River Trail.
Tuacahn to see Les Mis
We headed to Tuacahn to see Les Mis on Saturday night. They did such a great with the set, cast and performance! It was so fun to watch it together!
Graham and Little Lion
Lots of Wingspan
Ryan and Graham
Dinners by Chef Taylor
I hired Taylor to make five different meals for our little staycation and it was money well spent! He put together some great things and I didn’t have to worry about buying food or cooking all week. It was great.
Baby Wood Announcement Pics
So fun to head over to the park and take pictures of Katie and Taylor — so happy to be expecting their first baby in mid-September. They are going to be the best parents. Love them.
Taylor’s Birthday
Outside Dinners
Walks around the Neighborhood
Gigi Gelato
Little Graham - 5 1/2 months old
Graham obviously loves Maverick and Lord of the Rings.
Luke’s High School Graduation
More pics on another post about graduation, but it was so great to have everyone here (except Katie and Taylor who had to run back up to work for a couple days) to support Luke who graduated with honors from Dixie High. Love this kid!
Grandma Walton and Baby Graham
Classic Brian
Glad we could have my mom and Brian join us to go through the temple with Luke and stay for all the Farewell Festivities that weekend! It’s always wonderful to have their support.
Luke’s Endowment at the Red Cliffs Temple
It was such a special day going to the temple with Luke the day after his graduation. He and I had a lot of great conversations about the temple in the last several weeks. It’s always a little different than what you expect, but I think he had a good experience. So happy Ryan and Cassie, Megan, Brian and my mom could join us in the temple. Granny J, Emily, Matt, Rune and Romney joined us afterwards for lunch at Red Fort — Luke’s pick.
Playing Architects and Holding Graham
Wingspan Champion!
Taylor did it! He won the Wingspan Championship and he had hardly even played before! Well done Taylor!! Taylor won a Bird puzzle and some special speckled eggs for the Wingspan Game that he needs to buy!
Second place, Ryan! And third play Chris!
Traditional 9 holes at Dixie Red Hills
Chris made tee times for everyone in the family - such a fun family tradition. I watched Graham at home and then we drove and met up with everyone at the end … then off to Pizza Factory for a late lunch.
Let the games continue as the Johnson family came into town for Memorial Day Weekend. We loved having Nikole, Ashlyn, Lindsey and their families hang out, swim in the pool, watch movies and play games with us! It was especially fun to have them all meet and take turns holding Graham. Cassie, Katie and I enjoying our SWIG and Azul by the pool.
Luke did a great job on his talk in Sacrament Meeting. He’s ready to go! After church we gathered in the living room and took the opportunity to share our feelings, testimonies, words of encouragement and love. I just immediately was emotional and spent the whole time crying as each person spoke and shared their admiration and love. It was just beautiful — a tradition we’ve loved as we’ve sent off each missionary. Fun to have Brian, my Mom and Rune there as well.
At 4:00 we hosted all the Johnsons for a big honey lime chicken taco dinner — Luke’s favorite. Then at 6:30 we opened our home to friends from the ward and Luke’s high school friends to come say farewell. It was Memorial Day Weekend so a lot of our friends were out of town, but the weekend worked perfectly for all of our kids to be there — and a lot of extended family too. So grateful.
Saying Goodbye!
On Memorial Day Emily, Ryan, Cassie and Graham all headed home and said their final goodbye’s to Luke. What a memorable end to a wonderful couple weeks being together.
