Work the Suisse Way!

Paul, started the first week of his new job in Geneva, Switzerland. We have had some phone calls, at really odd hours. This whole, him being awake when I am asleep takes some getting use to and planning. My phone calls to him consist of his yawning and dropping at the end of a busy day. It will be good when we join him in the same hemisphere and we can have conversations at normal hours. According to Paul, the scenery is beautiful, with the lake, mountains and gardens. His company occupies the fifth floor, of a seven floor Genevese style building.(see the view from his office) Pretty nice view from his office, huh? The first floor of the building is taken up by a chocolate factory. Seriously, I am wondering how you would get anything done with Chocolate wafting in the air?

The Johnsons of Colorado are moving to Switzerland

Life is an adventure and that is what this move will be. First, we moved from California and on to Colorado. Now we are off for our European Adventure. We will be living in Geneva, Switzerland. This is surreal. Now where is that French dictionary...and does that mean we need to change the name of our blog??? :/

The count up to Happy St Nicholas Day!!!

December 6th is here in Highlands Ranch, Co, but no snow. We have a lot of brown lawns though. Paul takes his last business trip of the year this week. After each trip, he seems to be able to add a few days of travel to see one of our boys. He got to see Cortland a few times this year, and in the last month alone he has seen Austin and Jessica in Arlington, VA. Laura is counting down the days to Christmas Vacation and I have been busy cooking and getting ready for St. Nicholas Day. Today, December 6th, St Nicholas brought surprises to tuck in our wooden shoes, and lots of treats to start off our Christmas season. So, Happy St Nicholas Day to you all!!!

Infantryman PVT2 Austin Johnson

Austin's Graduation from Basic Training Sept 2010

It was a great few days in Georgia, as we attended Austin's Turning Blue Ceremony and his graduation from Infantry Basic Training. Here are a few pictures from Fort Benning that weekend.

Our Handsome PVT2 Austin Johnson

Two weeks ago, Austin completed Basic Training, at Fort Benning, Ga., where he made the prestigious SHARPSHOOTER in riflery! This is extremely hard to achieve, and very few get it. YAY Austin!!!. We are so very proud of him. You can see that he is still thin, but despite this, he carried full Battle Rattle, a 60 pound pack and a 20 pound Machine gun on his ruck march, 12 miles. OUCH! Now he is in Advanced Infantry Training. They have started intense field exercises this week. He has learned all of the advanced signals that you use, so you do not need to talk at all, and everything else he needs to go into combat ready mode. They are working with SAW, Grenade Launchers and other huge machine guns and ammo.(as a side note, he has told me, "Yes, Mom I am being careful." HAHA) On September 24, we will be going to his graduation and his Turning Blue Ceremony in Ga. On October 7th, Austin, reports to Washington D.C., where he has been chosen to be part of the 3rd Infantry, The Old Guard. This is the ceremonial guard in Washington D.C. You see these soldiers at Arlington cemetery, the White House, the Memorials in DC, color-guard, parades, horsemen, and in colonial uniforms at times. Austin does not know YET what he will be doing, but he will be stationed at Fort Meyer at the edge of Arlington, VA. We are very excited to see him in the uniform of the Old Guard. HOOAAH!!!

Our sweet Shelby Dec 5, 1997 - August 2, 2010

It has been a VERY hard couple of weeks. Shelby has been very sick. She was almost 13 years old. Shelby put up a brave little fight with her health. Today we held her and comforted her for the last time. Lots of tears here. It was an absolute joy to have her in our home. She will be VERY missed.

Seattle Summer Trip

Last week I took a little trip to the Pacific Northwest. My cousin Janice's daughter was getting married, so my sister and I decided to meet up in Seattle and make a girls weekend. We had fun visiting, going to wedding festivities and touring the city a little bit.

With Neighbors like these........

Another adventuresome weekend was had a few days ago. The weather was wonderful and we were able to take some welcomed hikes as a family, but the big adventure was our neighbor, Carol, who popped by to show us their new ATV. After taking me on a rip-roaring ride, (that girl can drive fast) she took Laura on a quick turn about the neighborhood. With neighbors like these........we always have fun!!!

Laura and Austin

Last week Laura was in a production at her school called, Gold Dust. She did a excellent job singing and dancing. We all went together as a family to see her. I love this picture after the performance. She was so happy. There were hugs all around, but the best was with big bro, Austin.