Dear Chris

I'm so sorry Chris... I wish with all my heart I could be there with you. Please know you are ever constant in my thoughts and prayers. I love you dearly and pray you can find comfort in the Saviors loving arms. I know He loves you. I love you.

hi...

I just wanted to make it in writing in case any of you wonderful people needed these dates. Chloe, Porter and I will be there in Utah from March 17th-31st....!!!!!!
I'm way excited! So, everyone prepare to get behind in school, take your last days left off from work and put all thing aside to make all possible time for me....right?
Just kiddin'...I was only wishing out loud...well kind-of because I'm not really talking so I can't be loud really...hmmm I was only writing out loud?
Okay, I'll stop. Love you all tons!!! (couple more for Sam, I know how he loves these!!!!!!!!!!)

To bean or not to bean...

May I peas call your attention to the fact that I am not trying to (if I correctly read your cu)cumber your lives with senseless conversations about vegetables. Although it sounds fruity, we could expand our conversational content, if a pear of us want to participate, it would be just peachy. I will even settle for just (not wanting to b-eg)planting the idea in your (this will make Artchoke)hearts. I'm willing to push the idea, even if I don't get paid a celery to do so.
Kinda sounds totally rad(ish), don't you think?

Read Mom's Post!

Okay, ALL, read Mom's comment on Mikes sputtering communication post - HILARIOUS!

(Oh, you clever Mommy, you!)

All bets are OFF!

So, I was so hopeful that we had finally overcome the plague of sicknesses................

Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I got sick with a bad cold Wednesday, and for the past two days have had severe laryngitis. Allie laughs at my voice!

Anyway, I still wasn't counting myself as continued sickness to our family, but tonight Anastasia fell asleep on the couch.... she only ever sleeps during the day when she's sick...... Yes, she's sick. I think she has the flu. *Cry!!!

SOOOO...........*sigh.

On a happy note, after YEARS of planning and saving, I finally have purchased my very own Elliptical! Wahooooooooooo. It's so heavy it had to be transported upstairs in pieces, and in pieces it remains until we can assemble it :-) THEN I will be an exercising Queen! Wahoo.

On a somewhat happy/sad note, Paul went NC Snowboarding today, and had a blast! However, he fell and hurt his shoulder. He heard it pop, so I'm guessing he 'subluxed' it. If it doesn't show improvement, we'll have one more thing to get us closer to meeting our huge deductible....

On a very happy note, I have a great family, and I love you all! We are very blessed :-D.

I hope it works!

If it works, no need to thank me I know I'm smart... If it doesn't work you guys ask too much!
Love ya!

Goodnight!

For the last three hours, I've been studying the delicate details of nouns for my grammar class. I'm tired and I'm going to bed. Goodnight.

Nobody is here (and awake) to complain to, so I just thought I'd throw that out there. Loves to all.

Communication...watch it sputter; communication...going in the gutter

So I agree with most of what my beloved sister has suggested. However, I maintain that the title must always be "The Vegetable". I appreciate the poll, but as you can see I am about 15 days late on voting. At this rate, y'all could elect Sam the Supreme Chancellor of Bloggendom and I would find out 3.7 years later.
One idea is for Alexis, Allie, and Becca to take turns leaving me phone messages, emails, and weekly treatises on how things are going with the family. They could also send me care-packages with baked goods, souvenirs, and pictures. Any takers??
As soon as you find out how we can get the blog updates to be sent to our email, I think it will help. Lots of love to everyone! (especially you oh revered Chancellor Tito)

New Post for the Johansen Family

Hey Y'all! I (amazingly) have posted an update on our family these past two months . . . :-D

http://paulandalexisjohansen.blogspot.com/

Communication! Makes it Happen! Communication! Working Together!

Okay okay... it's time to spew forth some thoughts that I haven't had time share:


Thank you Becca for setting this up! Now I need to follow my own advice and keep in touch, right?... I have a few thoughts/questions about how we can best utilize this tool of family communication.

FIRST, is there a way we can set it up to have an email sent each time there's a new post? I don't remember to check blogs regularly, but I DO check my email. With an email reminder I know that I, and perhaps others, would stay on top of the Howard Happenings.

SECOND, for PC users, I have discovered if you have multiple tabs open w/various websites, and you re-"set your homepage," then when you open explorer all tabs will open up. This is a great additional or alternative reminder-option that I have happily discovered. For example, I have my favorite homepage, but now I can have a few favorite homepages all on one explorer! Yea!

THIRD, what's the punishment for not posting on the blog? Wilted Lettuce Leaves thrown at you? Pickle Juice for breakfast? Oh yes, a natural consequence - we all continue in ignorance of each others' lives and miss out on choice stories and experiences that bring us closer and increase the love and happiness in our family! If you (and I) feel guilty..... :-D

FOURTH, a blog title - this is tough. I wrote Howard Happenings earlier only because it came naturally, so I am going to have to vote for that one. Not very exciting, but at least it's an alliteration...

COMMUNICATION HAS BEGUN . . . now to keep it going :-)

Yeah!

Hey Family!
So, I really need to go to the bathroom, but I'm going to do this first or I'll never get back to it. So, I have a thought...maybe we can all just take turns naming the blog? It'll be funny!
Ted is in Miami, there until tomorrow and been there since Thursday. So, I decided to be ambushes (Becca, you're my inspiration) and do lots while he's gone. I finally put some frames up on my walls (a BIG Ta-duh!) and today me and the kids took our recycling to the place where they can recycle, aka:recycling center. Went to the zoo, where we're able to hear a big lion do his BIG ROAR!!! Swen, Mike I now understand a bit of what you're talking about when you said you could hear the "roar" from miles away. In the early morning we went for a walk to the mailbox. At night after a quick cat nap for me and little-man and a quick movie for Chloe. After dinner we went to the grocery store then exchange some ink at OfficeMax and then because Chloe was such a good girl we went to the pet store to look at the birds and puppies. In between these trips add getting lost twice... Overall, I drove a little more then 90 miles...
Needless to say, I don't have that bathroom urge anymore...darn...to much information I know, sorry!
Well, I hope all is well for everyone.
Oh, one more thing. Ted was nominated to be a leeazon (spelling?) for, ah, well I don't really know all the details of what exactly. Anyway, he was nominated by the current soon to be not current leeazon which speaks nicely of Ted! There was one other person running for the position, but I got a text from Ted telling me that he got it! Yea for Ted!
I'll give more details when I find out more myself.
Love you all tons!

Notice the Poll

Vote for your top 2! Loves all around!

A Happy Birthday to Chloe!

So, yesterday was Chloe B-day and we all had a blast. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the shirt and goggles...she looks adorable in both...at the same time... she REALLY likes to wear the goggles with any outfit she's wearing. The cake was a lot of fun, she helped decorate it and after helped dig her little fingers into the frosting. She was quite darling.
Love you all so much have a wonderful day! Oh, and if any of you think you're cold,I have NO sympathy for you, it's a nice "feels like" -20 right now. Gggeeetthhh!
;)

Pictures

I added a few pictures off to the side of all of the members of the family. I didn't have an individual one of Mom and Dad, and the rest of the pics are probably not the best (Ted is missing completely from his own family shot :). They are just what I had. Please replace them if you want to!

Get the party started!

Nice idea. As a very amateur blogger I will undoubtedly make myself look silly. However, 'tis better to blog and fall on one's face then to have never blogged at all.

Let me start by letting everyone know that I am postponing taking my comprehensive exams until Fall. I have met with several of my professors and they feel I should take more time to prepare so I can ensure that I pass my exams. I will also be working on my dissertation proposal so that I do not fall too far behind. Angela says I absolutely have to be done before Christian graduates from college. : ) (ha, ha!)

Becca is the Best!

Thanks Becca, you're the best!

We need a name for our blog and a background. Any ideas?

Christmas Banter

Welcome to the Howard Family Blog! To start things off, I have copied the Conversations of Christmas Cheer that we all enjoyed so much! Unfortunately, I don't know how to copy Christian's lovely photo editing onto the blog. If someone knows how to do it, it definitely needs to be added because it was HILARIOUS! Alexis is in red, Chris is in blue, others are in black...

In times past we have agreed to either MAKE a gift, or PURCHASE a gift around the suggested amount of $20. As it has been $20 for over 10 years, I propose we raise this amount to $30(except Christian get a 50 or more dollar gift), but it's perfectly fine if we keep it around $20. Personally, I was so excited to make a Christmas gift this year because I had my first brilliant idea to make an awesome Christmas gift, but alas it wouldn't work for Christian. SO, Mike & Angela you are in luck!..... I digress.....)( MORE FOR ME!!!) -Chris

Anyway, if there are other proposals or ideas for family Christmas giving, let's chat about it! REPLY ALL and we can connect from across the nation!

Love to all, and to all a good night! (wait, it's still afternoon.... :-)

Alexis

Hello, Family!

Can you believe that Christmas is here again? Wahoooooooooooo! I love this season! Christian GETS MORE PRESENTS EVEN THOUGH THE ECONOMY IS FAILING!!!

Here is the GIFT GIVING list for the Howard Family for 2008:

2008
GIVER Receiver
Swen Christian
Michael Christian
Alexis Christian
Samuel Christian
Allison Christian
Trevor Christian
Devin Christian
Christian Suprise!!!!

In the most humblest of ways, I think i speak for the family when i say: I propose that since i am the youngest, i should get a 50 to x number of dollars gift, and i should get Devin's gift since he is so humble and i KNOW he would want me to have it and keep whatever the gift may be "safe" until he gets home. :D And since i know you all love me so much, NONE of you will disagree or try to make me feel guilty!-Chris P.S. I have made the appropriate changes to Alexis's message below just because i am so nice!P.S Look at them!

LOL!!! Here, here!!! I agree w/ Christian! Let's give all our presents to Christian this year in celebration of a 'receding' economy (kind of like all Christian's older brother's hair lines!). Love you Christian! You made me laugh! And that's a gift well given! Love you all. Swen.

As I am the one who really has Christian on my list, I feel it appropriate to respond to his request.

I am impressed at the humble nature in which he requested this great gift to be bestowed upon him. I will go ahead and foot the bill for all my siblings, so that each of you can have a Merrier Christmas this wonderful, yet economically hard season. But as we are talking about humility, I'm sure Christian won't mind if I humbly tell him we just purchased a new Ferrari and can now only afford to buy him a gift for $1 - here we come, Dollar Store! Woot!!

Love always,

Alexis

I've been reading this email for the past couple days and laughing every time... I figured I should respond to let you all know how funny I think my youngest brother is.Thanks for the laugh Chris! See everyone in less than a month!
Allison H. Butterfield

Oh sure, of course lexi is the only one (besides sam with one look) who can come up with a way where she doesn't make me feel guilty or disagree with me in the same sentence. Sneaky, very very very sneaky. I am proud to know you...you little loop-hole finder with your "new" ferrari. Since we are on the road of finding loopholes, let me let you know, lexi dear, that your giver (trevor) is really close to me and i am sure will do me a few "favors". With loopholes, >:DChris???

Trevor and I go WAAAAY back, AND I took pictures with his awesome hat so now he's going to get BIG BIG business. He wouldn't want to risk loosing a relationship that would cost him his source of income...... :-)

So, you Mr. Clever Guy, You - if you could choose between $1 Plastic Army Toys or a $1 Dart Gun that has bent darts so they don't really stick to anything anyway, which would you prefer?

Oh, I gotta go - it's time to 'walk' my Ferrari ;-D

As ever your dear sister,

Lexie

Oh ho ho! Lexi lexi lexi, i have underestimated your level of evil-ness. Black mailing trevor, so sad, so sad. This act of aggresion against my brother must not go unnoticed. You have forced me into actions that i had hoped-ish to avoid. But when your husband comes home in a box after hitting a tree on a night of snowboarding with bented darts in his eyes and teeth, i will just smile innocently and reload my 1 dollar dart gun.With great anticipation for the coming snowboarding season, >:DChris P.S No offense Paul, you are just in the wrong marriage at the wrong snowboarding season.P.P.S Paul, i would suggest "convincing" your wife to reconsider my first offer, for both of your best interests of course. ;)P.P.P.S Think of the children.

Hey you two! Don't even try to bring me in between your little 'tiff'. I'm as poor as it is without all this talk about 'money' and 'presents'. My heart about stops if i start think about it.... argh...*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*_________________________/\/\/\_*beep*___/\/\/\_*beep*___/\/\/\_*beep*___/\/\/\_*beep*. Phew! That was close. I'm going to get back to studying before any more stress related aliments occur.Good luck, and i love you both.......equally.--Trevorp.s. ok maybe Lexie a little more, she DOES have cutie little kids.

With the passage of a little time hopefully tempers and egos have had a chance to subside.
I have been carefully plotting... i mean planning my response:

Christian! I simply apply a LITTLE pressure to Trevor, and you threaten to leave me
and my three daughters homeless with no daddy to love and support us?
Nothing but 'bented' darts to remember him by?
Blackmail, you say, eh?

Think of the Children, Christian!!!!

I practically raised you!!! I treated you like you were my own! And now this? *cry!!!...









Dearest Christian, beloved youngest brother of my beloved family,

Pride goeth before the fall - You have 'requested' ALL and now you have... well, you might not have much Christmas gift before this is through...

I would like to share some scriptures with you mostly taken from Mosiah 11, but I have taken the liberty "arrange" some of words to help your understanding. (I know all of these words can be found somewhere in the scriptures....)

And it came to pass that (the self appointed) King *Christian (Acts 26:28)..... laid a tax..... upon his people (a.k.a. family)... yea great was the burden thereof....But behold the warnings to the King..... were not heeded.... and the people.... revolted.... and the self-appointed King.... was left with nothing.... but did serve the people.... all the remainder of his days.... making them wealthy and prosperous...

Have a great Sabbath, Dart Boy! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night

Your loving and dear sister, always....

Lexie (with an 'e'...)


p.s. I was enjoying speeding around in my new Ferrari so much that I neglected to see the police officer - (ya I didn't HAVE to stop because of my incredibly FAST car, but I'm a good person...) - so anyway I had to tip the cop $0.75 to let me off the hook, so I only have $0.25 left to spend on you, so how about a bubblegum ball? Chew on that for a minute....

p.s.s (like Tom Brokaw...) I was driving down highway 40 in my big'ol pickup FERRARI!

I apologize................for not having a proper photo editing program! I believe the attachment will be just as funny/sad though.Be proud Lexie dear, for you have indeed raised me to who i am today. Now how does that makes you feel when you see me plotting to destroy your family...? Look what a great job you did! *wink with Sam's signature triple snap*With evil laughter and a warm hug for my "going to be without a father" nieces.Uncle Chris.P.S Don't make me come up with ideas of how to destroy your family with bubble gum...P.P.S I REALLY hope the attachment works.

I was laughing so hard I cried... Masterful...both of you. Truly genius. Throw more brandy! (Sam)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Swen)

¡Che, me matè de la risa! ¡Increible! ¡excelente! ¡maravilloso! ¡expectacular! ¡todo chiche! or as others say, JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAAAAH!I am amazed, utterly and undeniably amazed. I don't think I've laughed so hard since a long time. I'll have you all know my companion enjoyed it a ton as well. I had to stop because everyone started looking at us weird, but thankfuly everyone's favorite soap opera came on the t.v. (phew). I'm going to have to start thinking carefuly what I'm going to do for christmas as to avoide the wrath of my war mungering blonde siblings (you two are still blond, right?) DON'T worry that wasn't derrogatory...DON'T HURT MEehehhh!with love,--Elder Howard--p.s. I can only imagine mom and dad's expression as the sit back and watch the battle...a type of "what have we done?" look.

Christian, Christian....

Let me make this short and sweet - to the 'dart'-point:

We have held a family council and have decided to acquiesce to your request for the sake of "peace on earth good will to men." We have Christmas in our hearts, so we are going to give you our new......Ferrari!!! Wahoo!

I just have two more questions for the WHOLE family:

1. I propose we pretend I never made a proposal, and we keep the family gift suggestion to $20. IF ANYONE THINKS THIS SHOULD CHANGE, then speak up ONLY on this specific thought :-) - $20 or $30, or forever hold your peace ;-)

2. Mike is obviously the only one who hasn't seen any humor in all this as he has yet to respond, ..... I know your busy, Michael, but "isn't it about time???..."


Love to you all, and we can hardly wait to see you in a few weeks! Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Always,

Alexis

p.s. I may have exaggerated a LITTLE bit on the ferrari-

To all,In an effort to spurn dysfunctional elements of capitalist propaganda and culture, in which many of us have become saturated over the years, I want us to question our motives for spending money around Christmas time. Are we spending money to show our love for one another, or are we just trying to keep up with cultural expectations? It took several years for this to happen, but I'm at the point where I don't care if anyone gives me a thing...except for cheese balls and summer sausage, of course. As long as I get to hang out with y'all around Christmas time, I'm happy. Let me be clear in saying that I think gift giving is still a very worthy tradition; however, must the gift have a price tag attached to it? For me at least, it really is the thought, service, and love that go into the gift that counts. Thus, I propose that we hold no price expectations for our gifts. Let's be creative! Babysitting, beanies, pies, car cleaning, a slide show, a music mix, a letter, whatever... If the gift costs money, fine. If it doesn't, all the better. Just wanted to put this out there for all of your consideration. Love you all, -Sam

Here here!

As young children perhaps we need something concrete to guide our decisions. As"grown-ups" (snicker) it's time we graduate to the SPIRIT of Christmas. I enjoy the opportunity to give gifts at Christmas time, and I enjoy bringing Christmas cheer to at least one of my family members. Thank you, Sam, for this new proposal! I believe we can adopt this philosophy of family gifts and enjoy a greater Spirit of Christmas.

Alexis

Love to all!
May i start of this message by saying that i am honored to be considered in your group of "adults" as stated below. However, i am now going to take a huge hold on my family love, peace, joy, giving, happiness boat and veer hard left. *Buckle up* :D. I was reading that last message and it almost brought a tear to my tearless eyes. Then i said to myself, i said, "self, i just turned seventeen, i am supposed to WANT money spent on me. That is the way other "normal" 17 year olds act... right???" Anyways, i will just have to accept lexi's Ferrari as a small gift.What kind of an American would i be if i didn't wish to put money into this Christmas to help the suffering economy. Yes, i did say that as a statement. With love just like everyone wrote on their closing,Chris