Motab Christmas

Ahh...I can finally breathe and relax....the busiest week of my year is over with...and while I am really happy that it is over with, I really did enjoy it this year!

So this acts as an apology post, and a "I'm back" to the land of the living.

I play with the Orchestra at Temple Square for all of you who don't know me and are stalking the blog.

This year we had Brian Stokes Mitchell...Go ahead and google him. I really didn't know who he was before he came, but man was I impressed! He has an amazing baritone, tenor, and bass voice. What a range. He just had my opinion of a perfect voice. Not too much vibrato, pure ringing tone and wonderful charisma. For any of you who went, you can agree or disagree, but I liked this show better than last year!

Not to put in a plug or anything, but this Christmas album will be one to buy. There were many numbers that were definitely out of character for the choir; Jazzy, soulful...I loved them. There was a Broadway feel and we even did "Through Heaven's Eyes" from Prince of Egypt, Brian is the original singer of of this one! So this album is going to be amazing. Even if you aren't a fan of the Choir and the amazing, but predictable music, get this album. It will satisfy.

Ed Herrmann, Mr. Gilmore himself, was also there and did some narration. He was hilarious, off stage, and very fitting on. I will also give him 4 stars.

All in all, I'm all Christmas music charged and ready for a great Christmas.

Let it snow let it snow!

Emily here....

Don't we all wish that Aisha would up date already. She was doing so well, even making us jealous by blogging from the bahamas. Just doing another hack mostly because I can SORRY sis

Bahama Pictures

Here we are on the lovely beach! It was a little overcast during our stay, but we still swam in the warm water and got our tan on!

This pic is in our room on our anniversary day! It was fun to be wearing my white skirt :)

Our first day on the Island! We got our drinks, suits, and sunscreen and ready for some ocean fun!

This is the sweet view from our balcony! Gorgeous!! I love the blue blue ocean!!

Bahamians

Greetings from San Salvador, Columbus Isle Club Med, Bahamas!

Well, I have a little time to write. Brad is off doing the night scuba dive, he'll be back in a couple of hours...so I am here relaxing on our balcony with lappy and a strawberry daiquiri, enjoying the view of the teal and navy blue waters...listening to the lapping waves and my new fresh dowloads. I guess you could say it doesn't get better than this! We've had a great time. If feels like we've already done so much and it is only Monday!

It seemed from the beginning that this trip was quite the comedy of errors. We choose to go to spa treatment before the airport and get lunch which put us leaving a little late. We get to the airport and can't find our reservations. We are waiting in line and I hear someone yell out "Dr. Brad" and Brad's friend Eli, who works at Delta, is sitting behind the desk and we get to go get helped right away!! The line is really short for security check, shocker, so we are rushing to our gate which is of course far away and we get there and our flight is delayed 30 minutes! Classic. Alas we have a connection in Atlanta so it is going to be tight....we get to Atlanta and our gate was supposed to be right next to the one where we landed. Of course we deboard and our plane is leaving in 1/2 hour on the other side of the airport. The terminal was poorly marked and we were almost leaving the airport trying to find it. We did, but didn't have any time to eat. So the last I had eaten was in Kenny's car chocking down a wrap from Rubios...we get off our flight in Fort Lauderdale and I just had to eat! I know you know the feeling. So we got from terminal to terminal looking for food. This was like 10:30 pm and of course nothing was open. We go to our hotel, and our nice nice friend Melanie Teerlink gave us a friends and family discount through her hubby. Alas the price weren't what was quoted at the time I guess and the hotel was double what we thougtht it would be, but it was still very nice....but no time to worry, we were short on time because the guy said the bar closed at 11:30...it was 11:15 and I was about to rip someones head off for food. We went down and I told the Bar keep, who finally showed up, that I needed food right that minute! I believe it went more like "Are you still doing dinner, because you better be, I need food" and I wasn't being funny. I think I choked out a laugh because he looked a little scared. So the kitchen was closed, chef gone, but he looked around and there was a lone turkey sandwich in the fridge. Who knows if it was the night helps' snack, but he brought it because he said "it sounded like an emergency"! Classic! So I ate the sandwich and shared a little with Brad. We ended up finding some delivery place and they delivered more food to us. Finally at 1:00 am we are going to bed finally fed! Saturday went a little bit better on the food front until we were done with a nice dip in the ocean and went to go get a little snack. Apparently at the resort right now there are 2 restaurants that are under construction from hurricane season. So that leave one restaurant and a snack shack. And at 6:00 pm-7:30 pm everything is CLOSED. No food! AHHHHHH! So we've gotten on a schedule of when we eat and where so as to avoid crazy Aisha. No, I'm not pregnant...but I might be hypoglycemic...

We are loving it here. It truly is Paradise! The beach is amazing. I really could live here. The food is good and it has been warm and a little cool at night...

Biggest news is that I decided that I wanted to get scuba certified. So I've already sat through classes, taken a test (passed!) and done all of my pool dives. Yes, I just went scuba diving in a pool! It was so cool. So tomorrow I am going scuba diving in the ocean!! Like real diving!! Brad gets to come on the dives which is good because it has been a little sad today not being to spend any time with him. So, when we return, I will be a scuba sista' !!

So needless to say, our Anniversary was amazing. It was "pink and white" theme for dinner...yeah, I didn't know they were going to have that option! Good thing I usually have a pink shirt lying around! So it was fun wearing my new white skirt because it was like a year ago when I was wearing white while we got married! I know cheesy, but I love stuff like that. So as I finish up this post I am watching the sun go down and listening to Brad's scuba boat pulling away from land. Ahhh....what to do now, take another dip in the pool? Ocean? A pina colada maybe? Hmmm...so many options!

Future posts: how we saved a french man's life, the "Road Show" at Columbus Isle, Brad and Aisha Scuba diving!!

Dear Blog

Dear Blog

I am so sorry I have neglected you for so long. And to think, while I've been away, you were even kidnapped by my sister! How could I have done this to you. You've always been so good to me...letting all of my friends, family, and any other Internet stranger in on the fabu life of the Johnson's. You've always done everything I could ever have asked and been very user friendly during the whole process. I guess the least I could do in return is let you do your job, let you display my pictures and written word the way you do so well. I apologize...I will make special effort to post more often...even if it means taking time out of my person time, not my work's time. We all have to make sacrifices. You've done enough for me, now it is my turn. Oh dear blog, let us please move on from and never speak of it again. I will return soon with weekends of wild joy, tributes to babies, and pictures, of course pictures...many many pictures.

Love ,
Aisha

Emily here....

I was just taking a blog walk today and am just sick of seeing this same blog from Aisha. So I hacked in  :) added some color thought that I would leave a little message to the Aisha's audience. Now here is the funny thing, lets see how long it takes Aisha to notice... This could be fun. 

Grievance and Confession

I am so sorry to report that my already sporadic posting will now be even less. This is all because my work has blocked all blogging websites. This happened about a week ago, and I have really not blogged since. I am very upset with my place of employment. How dare they rob me of my occasional "break" my outlet to my friends and loved ones. How dare they decide how I spend my Internet time...oh wait I guess I do work for them.

Okay, so I blog at work. I really haven't seen it as a problem but I guess "the man" does and has forbidden it for me and all of my coworkers. It really wasn't the only thing I do for money, I do work, I would say that most of the time I work too much...so I am morning the loss of my daily dose of catching up. Along with the blogging website, You tube is also banned. These tragedies are almost more than I can take. What am I to do when I do need a break? Work more?? Are these grounds for quiting??

Yes, I have the Internet at home, but after sitting at a desk all day the last thing I want to do is get on the computer at home. But now I have more reason to. I have two great weekends that I need to report on. So maybe sometime soon it will come. Until then, please know I already miss you all, dearly.

Kermit the Teags here

Here is the latest email from Emily! Thanks sister, so cute!! Teagan had a big weekend. She was blessed on Sunday. Devin did a great job and it was fun to see his family again and get together with ours. She has promised me pictures of blessing day, so more to come!

another TEAGAN post

One of my favorite things these days is getting to work and finding an email from Emily with pics of my little Teagan! She is getting so big

Love the pop belly!!

Husband Tag

So, I've never been tagged...and I love that the first time I am it is for Brad!! Yeah for him. Mostly I love that this blog is for "Brad and Aisha", and that I showed it to him for the first time the other day :)

Okay here we go, thanks for the tag Jude!

1. What is his name? Bradley Lynn Johnson
2. Who eats more? Me, oh yeah baby, I always get his leftovers!
3. Who said, "I love you" first? He did, but I quickly said it back :)
4. Who is taller? Me by about an inch or so
5. Who is smarter? I'll let him take this one, he is a doctor...I guess that means something...
6. Who is more sensitive? I'll completely take this one, sorry Brad, he's getting used to it though!
7. Who does the laundry? We both do, thanks babe!
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me
9. Who pays the bills? We both do, we like to have financial pow-wows
10. Who cooks more? I do
11. Who is more stubborn? Brad
12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? He is, I'm never wrong ;)
13. Who has more siblings? He does, he has 4 I have 3
14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? I like to wear skirts, he sticks with mostly cargo shorts
15. What do you like to do together? Motorcycle, yard work, travel, hang
16. Who eats more sweets? We are probably pretty equal on that, we don't eat much
17. Guilty Pleasures? Our cable bill...
18. How did you meet? On a four wheeling trip he put together...mistletoe was involved, the rest is history
19. Who asked whom out first? Brad kissed me then asked me out
20. Who kissed who first? He kissed me!!
21. Who proposed? He did, and it was PERFECT
22. His best features and qualities? His smile, his work ethic, how much he loves me and how well he takes care of me...couldn't live without you babe!
23. Tag you’re it. Who do you tag? Sabrina F., Kortney K., Robin N., Melanie T., and Mallory J. (anyone else who is reading this, do it! I want to hear about your husbands...but those named most definitely have to do it or they will be cursed with bad luck for 5 years).

24th Fun

Every year for the 24th of July we head up to great wild Wyoming with the Johnsons! We stay in these cute little cabins that are on Freemont Lake which is right by the gateway to the Wind Rivers. It is very beautiful and a lot cooler up there! We were happy to miss the 103 degree weather in Utah. Here is the Johnson clan minus the brothers/wives/babies that are at dental school...we missed you guys! We just went to the Pinedale ward and here we are in our Sunday best on the dock. Thank you so much Lynn and Ruthann for such a fun trip!!Brad and I hanging on the boat...trying to get some sun...I think we are hopeless... Here is Brad getting some sweet air on the wake board. I was going to post my wake boarding pics but I didn't want to show him up...yeah right...way to go Brad!!Here is a new sport for me that I picked up when I started boating with the Johnsons. It is called scurfing or landlocking or probably lots of other names. You are basically standing on a surfboard and you get up with a rope and then get to the sweet spot where you let go of the rope and surf!! Apparently it is illegal in Utah, but you know, everything is legal in Wyoming!And, voila! I am surfing behind a boat, so fun and you don't get nearly as sore as you do with other behind boat activities. Here is Camille, our little niece,Brad's sister Andrea's oldest...and yes, she is as cute as she looks!! Here is my wonderful sister-in-law Kim with her boys Michael, Richard and Issac. I love those boys!!

we Moto!!

One of our favorite summer time activities is taking out the dirt bikes! Yes, motorcycles. Last year when we were dating Brad taught me how to ride them and I actually really like it! I still get scared every time we go. What keeps me going is something that my mission president said to me. He said that every day he tries to do something to get him out of his comfort zone. I think that as adults this is especially hard. But I believe that it is important. Every time we go, I am scared, I tip the bike, I fall, and always bring home new bruises...but I come home feeling empowered and really like I can tackle anything! So here's to growing and learning! Sorry for the tangent. But really, we have a great time, get dirty, and get some good QT with each other and the great outdoors.

Here is cute Brad. The day after I met him (March 30, 2007), he purchased his motorcycle. He loves it. Then a couple of months later he decided to purchase another one, an "extra" one. You know for like anyone who doesn't have one, or like if someone needs it...this "extra" one is mine :) When we pulled up to look at the bike I knew it would be purchased because it is blue, and it matches Brad's. Duh...you need matching motorcycles!

Yes, this is me...the pink jersey gave it away...even though how tough this picture looks is what should give it away. Brad has really taught me everything thing I know!

Our friends that we ride with gave us jerseys for our wedding. Brad- Blue, and Aisha-Pink!

down town RISING

I work and I work downtown...so we've had the joy of dealing with the downtown rising/city creek/downtown revival jazz. My building is right next to where they imploded the key bank tower. So I have prime real estate on a daily basis for monitoring the progress of our fair town's biggest remodel yet. And I'm here to report that all is well, and working according to schedule. Except for the rouge crane that ran into a building a couple of months ago!! and thus is born my worry. My sweet office has windows...for which I am not complaining...but I sit facing the huge cranes that are at work everyday lifting and moving. This morning it was like 5 feet away from my window and I was ready to run. I'm always ready to run. I watch very carefully for them to come swinging my way; I know where all of my valuables are and they are all ready to grab in the mental fire drill that I take when those cranes start a liftin'. Last month I noticed extra activity down in the pit as they started building the crane that they are now using to build the parking lots. I was glued to that window, camera in hand, and kept telling everyone outside my office that they just had to come see what was happening. For reference, I am on the 11th floor, yes that is high up there and yes those are real human beings who are on top of this very thin looking crane. They are all strapped in, but don't get me started on when the wind blows...those things are swinging more than relief society arms!

I love the the cranes brand name is: Bigge. You can see it on the sides of the cranes...bigge...I wonder how they thought that one up.

So this project really is going to turn out nice, I hope I am alive to see it all. What with all of the New York cranes falling, I've really learned to live every day to its fullest; smell every rose, taste every chocolate and really dream every dream because today could be my last day as I sit and watch the cranes.

Here is a website to see a really cool animation of what this is all going to look like when it's done, until then I'll keep you all posted. http://www.downtownrising.com/city_creek/

This is Aisha Johnson, signing off as your downtown RISING correspondent.

More Baby Teagan!!

Hi everyone! My name is Teagan Chipman. I'm a very healthy, beautiful, loved, pooping, eating baby girl. You should all comment on this blog and tell my mommy to make a special blog just for me because I'm so cute!

Sorry it's been so long in coming...but here are some better pictures of this adorable precious baby that has blessed our family so much. She is just over 2 weeks old here and I think she is just gorgeous. I keep telling Emily she needs a blog...because even if I was to be her blogging link it would be like she doesn't have a blog because as you all know...posting hasn't been added to my daily/weekly/monthly routine yet. But I want to be better. But for now just enjoy these pictures of our little girl, I can already tell that I'm going to be one of those aunts that spoils...oh well.

She's HERE!!

Emily and Devin had there baby!! She was born at 6:50 pm on Friday June 20, 2008. I think that is a great date to be born. She weighted 7 lbs and 7 oz. and was 19 inches long and enough of this "she" business...they named her Teagan Chipman. I think she is just adorable. We are just having a little conversation her and I at the hospital a day after she was born. She has tons of hair dark hair and we are all wondering where it all came from!! We have TONS of cuter pictures that will be coming soon...I just wanted to get something up to announce!!

Emily

I just wanted to give a little tribute to my cute little sister. Any of you who know me, at least know a little bit about her. She has always been by best friend and I am so happy for her and her husband Devin because they are having a baby in 4 WEEKS! You can bet your bottom dollar you'll be getting pics of her cute little bundle of joy when she comes!! Emily doesn't have a blog so I'm going to take the liberty, and also complete this tribute with some pics! I love you Em (she doesn't have a blog, but I know she is blog stalking you as you are reading mine!) My mom and I totally went for the big guns for her shower and made a diaper cake! It was so fun. Here is a pic of Emily at my Mom's house when we had a shower for her.

My dream...

So Brad loves snowmobiling, motorcycling, rock climbing...all things I never really did before I met him. I do them now, and too find joy in them.

Aisha loves dancing, and until now has had a very hard time getting the Bradster on board...
Check out the link below!

http://www.jibjab.com/sendables/view/NU13fgkptmuefzp06F8YKJX8

Inspiration

I just found this really great quote from Ali Vincent who just won the Biggest Loser after loosing almost 1/2 of her body weight.

“I feel like that’s what beauty is — to feel strong and confident"

Check her out http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24159091/?GT1=43001

My mother is amazing!

As per tradition, my sweet mother drew a portrait of one of our engagement pictures. We now have it hanging in our home and it is beautiful. She is so talented. She has done this for all family members for their weddings and takes commissions as well to do any kind of portrait. She did a drawing of me and Brad when we were each 4 years old and put them next to each other. It was really the cutest thing ever! I've also put the original picture in this post so you can really see how amazing she is! You can't even tell the drawing is a drawing!! I think the drawing looks better than the pic! Maybe because one of the great advantages of having your mother draw a portrait of you is you can have a moment of seeing what it would be like if you had a little plastic surgery!! I tried to convince her to add some sweet upper arm muscle to my arm, thinning out the nose and Brad requested more hair...he he!!

More wedding!

I was so grateful that my dear friends Chelsea, Erin and Melanie could come to our sealing at the temple. We've all been friends since Jr. High so it's only fitting that the girls that were there through all of the dating dramas of high school through college were there to celebrate with me! I know that my friend Kortney was there in spirit, she was home feeding her new baby...I guess that is a good excuse for missing the big day;) Thanks ladies for helping me be who I am today!!

Let's start over...

Aisha fell asleep during Brad's photoshoot, normally I hate those cheesey shots where on has their eyes closed...but I really like this picture because it visualizes exactly how I felt that day, not sleepy, but full of peace, gratitude and happiness!! Aisha with fuzzy Brad totally checking her out :)

Aisha and Brad at Salt Lake temple

...So I opened this blog with all good intentions of posting, updating and keeping you all updated with our life...but alas, this has been opened for 6 months and there are only 2 pathetic posts. So, with new resolve, I ask forgiveness and I am going to start anew. So...Here are some wedding pictures...might as well start where our lives beautifuly started together as man and wife (sniff..sniff)

Updates!

Well, it's official, we've been married for 4 months! Here is a picture of us on the night we got engaged. Just reminiscing! We've been enjoying married life. Before we got married I warned Brad that a lot of girls that I know got really sick after they got married. My sister came down with laryngitis, and other friends have gotten colds, the flu and other such joys of being human. While I was just teasing him with my threats, I actually did get sick after we got married, then I a little better and then I got sick again and then it came back...I won't bore you with the details....but, in January I was diagnosed with Mono! Hello, Mono! I seriously made it through Jr. High without getting it and I catch it now. Well, so, as far as updates for the old blog go, I've been sleeping, getting hooked on day time TV and rejoicing when I can actually do the laundry! It has truly been miserable and frustrating but I am getting better!! Brad has been busy with the dental clinic and getting in a little snowmobiling (usually once a week!!). We've taken a few trips to St. George for motorcycling and relaxing (and of course shopping trips to Vegas!). I'll try and do this updating more often, and get better pics!!