This is the act of desparate parents!

Right around his birthday, Devon decided he was too big for his crib. He could climb in and out whenever he wanted. Like many toddlers who climb out of their cribs, Devon used the slats to shimmy up the side and whip his leg over. So Ryan put some cardboard pieces on the inside and taped them so Devon couldn't use the slats. Then we left the room only to hear a big boom 10 seconds later and Devon crying. We finally gave in, and decided that Devon was not going to be contained in a crib any longer so we took off the side of the crib. He thought the coolest thing about that was that now he could jump from his toy box right onto his bed almost collapsing his crib every time. Without his crib to contain him, nap time especially was becoming a problem. So we tried locking him in his room. That lasted for about one afternoon until he realized that he could simply unlock the door. He thought this newly awarded freedom was awesome and took it upon himself to toddle into my room in the morning at 6:15 in the morning demanding his chocolate milk. Anyone who knows me knows I wasn't exactly giving him a high five for this. Finally, we discovered we could switch the door handles so the lock was outside his room. He was less than thrilled at this development and took to banging any available toy against the door as hard as he could. Half of his toys are now regularly on his dresser, but at least he takes naps again!

We took Devon to Peter Piper Pizza for his birthday - this tractor was one of his favorite rides there.



Don't let Devon's "deer caught in headlights" look fool you - he had a great time on the merry-go-round. We rode it many times - too many times!



Devon is probably saying "three" and holding up his "two" on his fingers. Apparantly, he wasn't sure if he wanted to skip two and go right to three or not.



Boy dress up stuff was a must on Devon's birthday list - Ryan was tired of Devon running around in Marissa's pink princess dress. Devon didn't even want to put on his fireman dress up at first but once we finally 'persuaded' him he thought it was pretty cool (at least he thought the water bottle that squirted water was cool:).




This lawn mower was the big hit - I often tell him to go mow the carpet and he takes this job very seriously.

He also got a pirate ship from Grandma and Grandpa Earp. He thought it was just okay...until Marissa showed him the cannon from which he could shoot 3 missiles simultaneously - that was pretty hard to beat!

Let it Snow!

My kids finally got to wear their winter coats I got such a good deal on last year...before I found out we were going to Arizona. Luckily, they were with their cousins in Chicago so they could borrow everything else they needed to successfully play in the snow!


Marissa with her cousin Anna.

Devon Makes Himself Pretty!

Marissa always asks to put on my make-up. I guess I should just be glad she doesn't take a page out of Devon's book and forget the asking. He just came to show me once he'd put my mascara on.

Earp Family Christmas 2010

This is our shepherd/Joseph in the family nativity who was too cool to keep the towel on his head - he preferred the 'Rambo' look. This was the first Christmas that we haven't traveled. It was nice to have our own family Christmas and start some traditions of our own. Ryan also had Christmas day off and the day after, which was almost more than we expected. However, the holidays seemed so much shorter since we didn't go anywhere, and we had to get back to real life so soon after Christmas. We also missed seeing family over the holidays, but we did enjoy the mild weather!



Marissa loves her vanity table. We got her this hoping she wouldn't have to climb on our bed to dance in front of the mirror in our room. It has helped slightly with that problem.



Devon thinks his 'Cars' couch is pretty cool.




This is the kids with most of their loot. Marissa is wearing one of her princess dresses from Grandma and Grandpa Earp. Her dress up chest is by far the Christmas present that has seen the most mileage so far:)!

Just a few days after Christmas the Lord saw fit (I'm sure my dad as well) to call my mother home. While it deeply saddens me to think that my children will not get to know my parents now I know they will someday. I feel like my children and more especially I still had so much to learn from my mom and dad, but I know the Lord is watching over all of us. While I will always feel a void from the loss of my mother I take comfort in knowing she is with my dad and they are doing a great work on the other side. This is her obituary as seen in the paper:

Louise Elizabeth Carbine Johnson Louise Elizabeth Carbine Johnson, our beloved mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away Dec. 29, 2009, in Naperville, from pulmonary hypertension. While we will miss her wise and constant guidance, we know Louise had a joyful reunion with her eternal companion, Kim, who was anxiously awaiting her arrival. Louise was born Dec. 6, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the second of three children born to Leland and Melva Carbine. Louise lived on Chadwick Street in Sugar House and attended Highland Park Elementary School and graduated from Highland High School. She attended the University of Utah for two years and then worked full time at First Security Bank where she met her husband. Louise married Delbert Kim Johnson for time and all eternity on Sept. 6, 1968, in the Salt Lake temple. Louise found her true calling in life as a wife and mother. Together with Kim, they were blessed with eight children. Louise devoted all of her time and energy to raising her children. She made individual time for each child: attending sporting events, lending her talents to help with their homework, and spending time talking to and counseling with her children. Even as adults, each of her children counts her as one of their best friends. Her greatest joy was spending time with her posterity. Her children and grandchildren all "rise up and call her blessed." Louise loved to grow things and maintained a very extensive garden. She spent significant time growing fruits and vegetables that she canned or froze for her family. Her salsa will be missed by many. She even loved the satisfaction of pulling weeds. Louise loved playing the piano, watching old movies and crossword puzzles. Louise is known and loved by many for her even temper, good nature, and wisdom. She chose to live a simple life but enriched the lives of everyone who knew her. A faithful member of the LDS Church, Louise served in many different positions. She loved to serve others and teach children about the Gospel. Louise is survived by her eight children, Jeffrey L. Johnson (Lisa) of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Joshua D. Johnson (Katy) of Yakima, Wash., Sara L. Smith (Kurt) of Nashville, Tenn., Jessica J. Child (Andrew) of Naperville, Adam K. Johnson (Nikki) of Round Lake Beach, Matthew H. Johnson (Sharon) of Provo, Utah, Katie C. Earp (Ryan) of Tucson, Ariz., and Elizabeth W. Earp (Daniel) of Kyle, Texas. She is also survived by her 23 grandchildren: Maren, Talia, Miles, Grant Johnson, Emma, Timothy, Savannah, Caroline Johnson, Sean, Trevor, Leia, Myla Smith, Tyler, Rachel, Tanner, Anna, Ellie and Claire Child, Dallin, Caleb, and Natalie Johnson, Marissa and Devon Earp. She is also survived by siblings, Rita Ann Best of Harrisonburg, Va. and Daniel Carbine of Salt Lake City, Utah. Louise was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kim; and her parents, Leland D. Carbine and Melva W. Hudson Carbine. Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 2, at 11 a.m. at the Naperville LDS Meetinghouse, 1411 95th Street, Naperville, IL 60564. A viewing will be held Friday, Jan. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540, and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Graveside services will be held Jan. 4, at 11 a.m. in Santaquin, Utah.

Published in Chicago Suburban Daily Herald from December 31, 2009 to January 1, 2010

Ward Christmas Party

We just had our ward Christmas Party tonight. Here we are in front of the tractor Santa arrived on. We were told to dress warmly for this - and a good thing too because it was outside where it was a 'chilly' 72 degrees!