We are Superchicks!

Oh my goodness… I can’t believe I never posted these pix!

A few weeks back, I surprised Kenna B by taking her to her first rock show. Albeit a Christian rock band, but still. It was a rock concert non the less… it was the "Hey Hey Tour" and I tell you what- Superchick rocked it out!

I have loved this band ever since my friend Jessica first gave me their CD years ago when I was newly Christian. I had never had the opportunity to see them live, so when I heard their concert advertised on the radio, I knew I had to go. Better yet- I knew it would be the perfect mom/daughter date. (Especially because it was at a church… I figured it couldn’t be that bad right? No doobie’s being passed around, or groopies on dudes shoulders flashing or people getting stomped on in the mosh pit- like at my first concerts. )

And boy howdy was it!

Let’s be clear. This aint no- “So-good-only-a-mother-could-love” type band. This is a full blown, light show, smoke machine, stage diving band. This is a Grammy winning band. Their current album, Rock What You Got, is ah-ma-zing, and the message they spread is even more powerful. If you don’t know, you best find out! I strongly believe that girls need this type of power influence.

In addition to the show there was an amazing motivational speaker, Rachel Hockett, and opening act that I wasn’t familiar with… It was a sister duo, Tal and Acia. These girls were phenomenal and definitely one to watch, if you don’t know how they are-Get to know them real quick because I'm positive they’re going to make it big. That is, if/when mainstream media accepts faith based artist as opposed to your standard “sex sells” pop icon. (But don’t get me started on that whole topic right now.)

So the night was a total and complete success. McKenna and I danced our tooshies off, were revived with the Word, and bonded like he never bonded before. Now that she’s entered this whole “Tween” category it’s been a definite adjustment for me,. So something like this concert was exactly what we needed to reconnect. And seeing my baby girl so grown up and mature, and so free in her own skin as she learns more about who she wants to be… well that was just a feeling I cant quit put into words.

This is us waiting in the line to enter the church... wrist bands and all.

Hello! Full on rock show or what?!

The "merch" area... OMG- was it overflowing with Tweens... I was actually feeling really old!

They were the most gracious people EVER. They stay until ever single last person was taken care of.

Can you tell they're sister's?

After dancing like crazy people and then waiting in line for an hour to get autographs; Kenna and I did what any other rocked out person would do… we went to In N Out. The night was simply perfection!

(this is me at midnight thinking, OMG- how old am I?? Im frickin' exhausted! And Kenna was clearly full of sassiness!)

Looky Here!!

This Friday is Lani and Kenna’s end of the year, music festival and celebration at their school…

Each year they in addition to all the kids doing a performance and all the fun games and such, they do a silent auction. Last year and this year I donated my Mary Kay products to help the cause. This year however, is the first time I tried my hand at gift baskets…

Pretty fun right?!
I would have preferred to use shrink wrap rather than cello wrap, but you get the idea.

Here’s before the cello:

And then after the cello:

Now lets see how much this sucker fetches at the Auction!

**Shameless Plug (Don't mind if I do! Cuz, you know you want a gift basket!):

Log on to: www.crystalsjohnson@marykay.com and email me today!

Bi-vull

Have I mentioned lately how stinkin' awesome my kids are???

As you probably know we go to church every Sunday... every Sunday its the same thing. Waffle Sunday as we like to call it- starts with Team Johnson sleeping in (if you can call 7 o'clock "sleeping-in") all of us creating a huge breakfast complete with waffles from scratch, and then off to church we go. Its the perfect Sunday morning if you ask me.

And every week its the same thing... Kenna goes to the class for 5th graders. Lani goes to the Kindergarten class, and MJ and I go to the main sanctuary for the best worship bands I've ever heard, and a sermon that is sure to rock our socks...

And every week, as we separate into our designated area, we check with Lani.
"Now Lani, do you know your bible verse??"
It turns out that in Kindergarten they teach the kids a new Bible verse each month, or Bi-vull verse, as Lani calls it. And each week, if they are able to recite it correctly, the children get a stamp. And with each stamp they have the option of getting a treasure from the treasure chest, or storing their stamp, to get the big treasure- A new Bible!

All on her own, Lani opted for the Bi-vull instead of a weekly treasure. Each week she practiced and learned her Bi-vull verses, and each week for 8 weeks she worked her way up to getting her very own Bi-vull!

So this past Sunday as we got to church she could hardly contain herself, because she knew that THAT would be the day she got her very own Bi-vull!!

I could go on an on forever about how adorable the whole Bi-vull experience has been, but I'll spare you the details. Lets just say that she is glued to that Bi-vull, and MJ and I couldn't be more proud!

40 years and counting!

Sunday was a very special day in the Johnson's world. My in laws, Chuck and Dianne, celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary! Can you believe that?! Michael decided to surprise them with a decadent dinner at our place... the evening was a smashing success.

Chuck and Dianne were touched and surprised to find that we had such an extravagant evening planned- they really enjoyed the intimate time with just us and the girls. And although Chuck & Dianne somehow managed to avoid my camera all night, I do have pictures of the evening to share. So here goes it:

I'm not sure many people would showcase their table setting, but I'm all about it! Look how cool it turned out! Not bad for not having any formal entertaining flatware!

(my sister always takes these really cool up close shots so I tried to do the same. Clearly it didn't come out as cool as her photos do, but oh well.)

Here's MJ hacking up some seafood...

Lani girl, posing instead of helping sissy hang up the homemade banner...

Kenna B, being such a ham.

The girls even made up a "Happy Anniversary" song and dance and performed it for everyone.

And we couldn't have a proper celebration without the traditional VG's cake. Oh. My. Gawd.

If you don't know about VG's Bakery. Figure it out- QUICK!

All in all, the evening was perfect. I'm so blessed to have such a solid family. MJ and I recently celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary (in Feb) and we cant wait until we hit #40!

Happy Anniversary Chuck & Dianne! Here's to another 40!

Beer Bread... shut up!

I tried my hand at baking beer bread recently. Who would have thought that meshing 2 of life biggest joys would be this pleasing! I have to admit that it turned out quit nicely. First of all- it's the easiest thing I have ever made. Seriously, it's like a couple ingredients in one bowl... hardly even any clean up. If you are planning to go to a party and need to take something to share I strongly suggest beer bread. It's a definite conversation starter and a solid crowd pleaser every time.

For this recipe I used Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar.


One loaf was plain, the other was chive and cheddar.

My husband is muy bien...

MJ made enchiladas the other day... actually it was more like a couple weeks ago because I'm seriously lagging on my blog posts. But I was so proud of him that I had to post this...
Check it out- cant you just see the deliciousness radiating through your computer screen??