"Hollywood" Baby Shower

Even though I am having baby girl #3, Laura (my boss), threw me the most amazing shower at her beautiful home. It truly was a "HOLLYWOOD" shower. An amazing dinner was served with all the fixins along with the most delicious, "home-made" desserts you can possibly imagine. The other hygienist that works at the office, provided all the floral arrangements. These flowers made my arrangements from my wedding look pathetic in comparison. They were absolutely breathtaking.

This picture doesn't do the flowers justice. I quickly took this photo right before I was leaving!
A girl in our ward is famous for making "tye-dye" outfits.
Just some of the gang!!!

Many, many thanks to all those that helped with my shower. It was so much fun and I really took home some fabulous gifts.

We are officially due Oct. 2nd, but at my last appointment my doctor said our baby is going to be pretty big, so he wants to look at inducing aroung the 38th week if things look ready!!!

I completely understand now how you get bigger with each pregnancy. I have only put on 14 pounds so far, but look like a house. My brother-n-law, Brett, never lets me forget!!!

Madison's First Day of Kindergarten!

Madison has been so excited to start Kindergarten that she couldn't wait to get up today and get dressed to go. When I walked her into the Kindergarten play yard, we put her backpack and lunch bag away and then she says, "Okay mom, you can go now!" Does she sound ready to go or what? Last week she had mentioned she had to make new friends and was too shy, but this morning she seemed fine. Of course I wanted to stay and see her march into her new classroom with the rest of the parents.

Madison is waiting for the time to jump in the car and go.

Madison had to wear that tag pinned to her shorts that says who will be picking her up after school! Ashley was bummed she couldn't go to school too! She goes to preschool T, W, and Th.
Lining up after the whistle! Madison is a head taller than the rest of her class. It was funny how most of the parents would talk to Ashley thinking she was the one starting Kindergarten.

Happy Birthday Dad

My Dad celebrated his 73rd birthday on August 11th. Ashley sure enjoyed his birthday dessert at Outback!

Summer Fun!

It has been a while since my last post. With computer problems, a digital camera that went in a sink full of water, and a busy summer schedule, blogging has been on the back burner. We have had such a fun-filled summer that it has just flown by. I can't believe Madison starts kindergarten next week. How did she get so old so quick???

The following pictures are some of the things that have occupied our time and have made our summer something to remember

Breakfast in bed for Joe's 31st birthday! Yes, Ashley is holding a Rock Star. They knew what he wanted to drink with his pancake and egg sandwich!!!

Joe celebrated his 31st birthday on July 26th. The week before his birthday I arranged for my family to take the girls so I could surprise Joe with an all day spent by ourselves. I told Joe we had to be at my parent's house by 9 a.m. so we could help them load up some tiles for their new patio. Joe never complained and agreed! He was very excited to hear we were dropping the girls off and we were headed for a day of fun.

Ashley and Madison had swimming lessons at the YMCA. They absolutely loved it. I can't believe how much chlorine is in the pool. The girls now have a green hue to their hair.

Brett and Amy came up for a visit. This is Brett showing Madison how to perfect her cart wheels.

Not having a digital camera for a while prevented us from capturing many other activities. Just to name a few:

~Madison mastering her bike with no training wheels and the hula hoop.

~Many pool and beach days weekly

~My ever growing belly!!!

Fourth of July "Gap Fire"!

The past few days here have been CRAZY! On my way home from work last Tuesday I noticed right above our house in the foothills a fire had started. Little did I know how MASSIVE it would soon turn out to be. We live about one block away from mandatory evacuations and were VERY concerned if we too should follow those orders. We have amazing firefighters who have been working non-stop since last Tuesday night, July 1st and so far it is about 24% contained. Luckily it has moved far enough away where it is no longer a threat to our city. I can finally put away all of our belongings that we packed up in our car. Joe of course packed up all of his electronic stuff and made sure it was safe while our wedding pictures were still in the garage. He reassures me that if we did have to evacuate he would have grabbed the pictures from the garage on our way out!
This picture of our home was taken around 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 3rd! Within hours the smoke that loomed over head quickly turned into an "ash blizzard" and you could barely see the homes across the street due to the heavy smoke, ash, and power outage. It felt like a scene from a movie! We had three straight nights without power in 80-90 degree weather. Let me tell you how miserable that is especially when you are pregnant!
These two pictures of the flames were taken from our driveway!

We didn't let the fire ruin our Fourth of July though! We headed to my brother's pool and enjoyed the holiday smoke and ash free followed by an amazing BBQ and fireworks!

I am extremely grateful for our ward having harped on having your 3 month food supply ready! Because of this we didn't worry about our food in the fridge spoiling and all of our emergency supplies like: flashlights, batteries, candles, etc were handy and very accessible!

Madison's Preschool Graduation

Last night Madison had her Preschool Graduation. We have loved sending Madison to Good Shepard and are ecstatic that Ashley can now attend. Every time I would drop Madison off at school she would run to her friends yelling, "Bye Mommy!" It was too cute!
This is Madison's cute Preschool class! Ashley quickly jumped into the picture too!
This is Jeanene, Madison's teacher! Madison just loves her and she will be truly missed. Hopefully Ashley can have her as a teacher when she is five.

I know its just a Preschool Graduation, but it was really fun to have my parents come out and support Madison. They even gave her a graduation present. I didn't even do that!!!

Johnson Family Reunion

We got back just in time from Washington to start my Family's Reunion here in Santa Barbara/Solvang! Usually we meet at the lake for water skiing every year, but this year everyone chose to come back to SB and see my parent's new home, go to Disneyland, Universal Studios, the beach and of course to my brother's pool. We had a total BLAST!!!
My girls love spending time with their cousins. I have nieces and nephews that range in age from 19 all the way down to embryos!!! Madison and Ashley are in heaven with tons of kids to play with and stayed busy and content the entire week. Joe and I loved it!!!
Family picture taken above Steve and Angie's pool!


From left to right: My brother n laws Terry and Mark, my twin brother Gary, my brother Steve, my Dad, by brother Doug and Joe. My brother n law Keith had just left and missed being in the picture.Madison became quite the little swimmer this past week. No more life vests for her!
Ashley loves to swim too, and hopefully only a couple more days at the pool and her life vest can be eliminated as well!
The boys just can't seem to get enough of the camera.
I just love getting together with my sisters and my sister n laws. We could sit and talk for hours if we got the chance!
This is my handsome brother Doug entertaining some of the cousins!
Ashley, Madison, Kayla, and Doug's daughter Caitlyn
Two of my nephews Taylor and Shawn. Shawn just found out that he got a full ride scholarship to BYU for the Lacrosse Team. Way to go Shawn!
The cousins enjoying fun in the sun at the beach.

Todd and Christianne's Wedding!

We just spent one of the most memorable weeks ever at Todd and Christianne's wedding in Pasco, Washington. Todd is Joe's brother and he married such an amazing girl. We just love her to death and are so happy for them.
We have been anticipating this vacation because not only was there the wedding, but all 5 Holbrook Boys hadn't been together since 2001. Our girls hadn't ever met Ryan and Julie's boys before either who are now 3 1/2 and 2. We couldn't wait for the big REUNION!
The morning of our trip we were to fly out at 6 a.m. but we received a phone call at 3 a.m. saying our flight had been canceled. After many hours of negotiation and long layovers we finally arrived in Washington (nine hours late). We were so disappointed not to have arrived on time and have wasted an entire day at the airport. Due to such a late arrival we had no idea all the Holbrooks were waiting at the airport for us. As soon as all the BOYS saw Joe they encircled him and started jumping up and down. It was hilarious and made the stressful day seem meaningless in comparison.

This is Madison and Ashley enjoying movies on the plane rides!
Here are all the cousins cuddled up! Mason, Madison, Ashley and Caleb.
All 5 boys back together again! They couldn't get enough posing and camera time. This was taken out in front of the Columbia River Temple in Washington. I can't explain the feeling we had when all of us were able to join Christianne at the temple for her endowment.

The very happy couple!


Christianne's Mom made all the bridesmaid dresses, my girls' dresses, and the vests that all the nephews were wearing. Didn't she do such an amazing job?

My girls were so excited to see Christianne in her beautiful white, wedding gown. I think Ashley tried to stay by her side most of the day when she could.I had to post a picture of me and the handsome groom, Todd. I truly used to think whoever snatches him up is one lucky girl, but after I met Christianne, I realized just how lucky Todd is too!
This is the beautiful view from Christianne's Grandmas's house where the reception was held. Surrounded by cherry, apple and alfalfa fields. It was breathtaking!
This is Joe's Uncle and Aunt, Rick and Tracy Bigelow. They have always been one of the biggest supporters of the Holbrook Boys and fly out for every occasion and we love them so much for it.

Had to catch one more shot of Todd as he was off to his honeymoon. Does he look excited or what?

Overall, we had fun filled week with family, ate lots of food, and let the kids stay up way too late!
But, hey, it was all worth it!!!

Happy Father's Day

I usually don't brag a lot on my blog about how lucky I am to be married to the most amazing man, but I thought because of Father's Day it would be okay! I feel so blessed to have by my side the most ambitious, hard working man I have ever met. He is exhausted at the end of his day, but always finds time and energy to fit his girls in. Happy Father's Day babe! You truly are the best. Thanks for all you do, we wouldn't be where we are today without you!

I always get Joe a new photo tie for Father's Day.
This is how Joe wanted to spend his Father's Day afternoon while the girls were having quiet time!

I also want to give a big shout out to my own Dad. He set the standard pretty high on what a TRUE Dad is supposed to be. He is one tremendous guy and I love him to pieces!