March in Summerville

The weather is starting to feel like spring and everything is starting to blossom and turn green! We had a wonderful day yesterday relaxing and playing at home. Nick had a few friends over and they played x-box, music and watched a movie! Darren did somemore work on the front landscape and I finished 4 pages in our 1999 scrapbook! After Dinner it was still warm out so Darren and I played a little basketball and watched the dogs chase each other around the house. One of Kirra's favorite things to do while she is outside.

Spring is on it's way

We were very lucky That the storm that swept the south on Thursday left only puddles after a lot of rain here in Summerville. Thursday morning a truck load of dirt arrived and Darren managed to get it spread before the storm hit. We also had our porch screened in. It is nice to be able to let some fresh air in. We are enjoying warmer weather now. There are blossoms slowly coming. I will post some pictures of all the color as it becomes more plentiful.

New Driveway

We are so thrilled to have a paved driveway. Darren was at Home Depot getting some pavers for the front walkway and saw the paving company's truck. Darren talked to the guy about our driveway. He came out and gave us a bid that afternoon. His bid was better than any we had. The company was in Summerville doing a few jobs and fit us in the next day. They were fast, 3hrs start to finish. We could not drive on it for the next 24hrs. So my car stayed in the garage and Darren's truck was parked around the block in front of a nice neighbors house. It was worth the inconvenience.

Progress on the Gate!

Well it is a cold and cloudy Saturday here in Summerville. Darren worked all day on the electrical and lighting for the gate. People who were going out early this morning would wave and tell him how much they like his new gate:) I love that he can see something in his mind and then create it! You should see the call box, it is serious business. This is the 4th gate he has built. It is by far the largest!

Missionary news

Hey everyone just thought you would like to know, Ben has been transfered to the Antelope Stake. He did not say which ward he is in yet. He will probably stay there until he comes home. His companion is from Savannah Ga. He is actually from the ward that Elder Richard Shelman is serving in. How funny is that? We are so cold here, its in the 40's when we go to seminary, and the upper 50's in the afternoons!

Winter Day At The Beach

Darren surfing IOP. The weather was nice that day at the beach. A warm breeze and lots of sunshine:)

Christmas Day 2006

After the sunrise we woke Nick up and opened gifts, Ben called at 9:30. It was so fun to talk to him!
Nick found a Bow and Arrows left for him by Santa. He is having fun dispite the rain. It was a warm tropical rain :)
We enjoyed a southern style Christmas dinner. Some wonderful friends invited a few families new to the area. We sure have been blessed this year!

Zone Leader Inservice Meeting in Gridley

Great Grandpa & Grandma Bagley visit with Ben for a few minutes after his meeting at the Gridley building.

Decorating for Christmas 2006

Darren rented a Cherry picker yesterday so he could hang the lights on the house. It is much to high for a ladder. I was a little worried when the motor shut off becouse it became unbalanced. He had to wind himself down for a few feet until it became level again. We turned it back on and he came down all the way no problem! It was sunny but very cold for Summerville.

Everyone wants in on the action!

Inspection of the lights before going into the bucket.

Disney Dreams movie trailer

COMING SOON TO HOME THEATER!

My vacation motion picture "DISNEY DREAMS" is in the works. There is a ton of footage that I have to go through and edit and it takes a long time to put together a good quality movie. Im trying to do my best to make it in the style of a Major motion picture and since I am not a professional I have to do everything the hard way. To view the trailer you will need WINDOWS MEDIA or QUICKTIME applications. The entire film was shot in HD Widescreen 1080i video / Dolby Digitlal 5.1 surround sound with my new SONY HDR-SR1 camera. The DVD will be available in the following formats: SD widescreen 16:9 @ 720p (Played with a standard DVD player) and in full HD quality @ 1080i AVCHD via Blu-Ray Disc technology (To view in HD requires a Blu-Ray player)

The DVD will have Setup options and scene selections as well as bonus material with deleted scenes and trailors for other upcoming movies that Nick and I are Filming. Here is a snapshot from my DVD Architect program of the main DVD menu:

To download the Disney Dreams Trailer please click on the following links:

Windows media (low res)-

Quicktime (low res) -

The weather was very bad the day we arrived at Disney's Cay(key) so the ship could not be docked. We spent a day at sea instead. We loved it! We watched an Ice Sculpter carve this 300lb block of ice into fish and coral. It was amazing! That is one cool job! We attended a class by Chief Donovan from Jamaca. He taught us how to make Shrimp and Sundried tomato risotto. So Yummy! I will try it soon, we got a copy of the recipe.
More Ice!
We also took a towel folding class and learned the secrets of creating animals with towels. Who knows maybe when you come to visit one will be waiting in your room!

Thanksgiving in Florida

Sun setting over Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Nick at Disney's MGM Studios
Pirate night in the dining room aboard the Wonder.
We spent a wonderful week in Florida and on the Ocean with alot of our Johnson cousins and Grandpa and Grandma Watson. We drove down to Florida on friday. just as we were arriving on the Cape we saw a rocket that was launched go into space. That was a site to see.

The Stadium as they left Knoxville.
Nick the aviator
Nick worked on his aviator merit badge while taking this 2 hr flight.

Game Day

Darren and Nick enjoyed a day of flying and football on Saturday. Kevin Gadd a friend of ours flew them and Bishop Cunningham to Knoxville in a four seater. They had a great time at an awesome game! Nick took some great pictures. I will post a few more. While they were gone I enjoyed a stake Relief Society enrichment. Sister Jenny Phillips Came, she spoke and sang and it was so awesome! 

Pumpkin Carving

On Monday night for Family Home Evening we picked out 2 large pumpkins. After dinner Darren and Nick cleaned out and carved them. Rusty and Kirra helped with the clean up, eating all discarded pumpkin pieces.

Jack-O-Lantern

This is our tall Jack-o-Lantern, it was a bit scary looking. Kind of ghostly looking don't you think? 

Pumpkin Carving

Today we attended our first annual pig pickin' put on by the Summerville ward. We were pleasantly surprised this morning after 2 days of rain, the sun was out and it was warm. The perfect day for a picnic. The pork was so yummy slow cooked southern syle. ( kinda like the polyniesians do only in a closed grill) There was a hay ride for the kids and lots of room for the young men to play football. The waves were really good so we left early so the guys could go surfing. they said it was awsome. Now the big game is on Carolina & Tennessee!

Annual Pig Pickin'

Today we attended our first annual pig pickin' put on by the Summerville ward. We were pleasantly surprised this morning after 2 days of rain, the sun was out and it was warm. The perfect day for a picnic. The pork was so yummy slow cooked southern syle. ( kinda like the polyniesians do only in a closed grill) There was a hay ride for the kids and lots of room for the young men to play football. The waves were really good so we left early so the guys could go surfing. they said it was awsome. Now the big game is on Carolina & Tennessee!

FALL IN SOUTH CAROLINA

The weather has cooled a bit and it is a great time of year to start those outdoor projects. We are getting ready to have our driveway paved. Darren of course needed to do some tractor work. I think when he is on a tractor it brings back lots of great memories from his childhood. Not to mention the memories of building the roads on Mt. Sexton! We have a bit of Fall color here. Some people say that we won't get much the leaves just turn brown and fall. I suppose that is because it does not get down to freezing here until winter if even then.

Elder Benjamin L Johnson

This was taken while Ben was helping to get the Sacramento Temple landscaped before the open house. The Landscape company pulled their contract at the last minute. The Elders and volunteer members from the Sacramento area did the work. It was hard work because the ground was so dry. He said it will be something he never forgets along with the open house and dedication. We are so happy that Ben is having the best two years of his life!!

This picture was taken last week just before Darren and Nick left to go golf. It was a beautiful fall afternoon here in Summerville. The days are not too humid and still nice and warm.

176th Annual General conference

Today we enjoyed both sessions of General conference. Between sessions we took a drive over to Johns Island. It was about 83 degrees here this afternoon. The sky was clear and everything is in bloom or turning green. The Marsh is the exception, it is still a redish brown. I have been wanting to take a picture of the Marsh since we arrived here and today was a good day. I really love the trees that shade the roads here. I took this as we were driving home. I'm glad the windshield was not to dirty.
Conference was fantastic it was so great to hear President Hinckley speak. He is a remarkable man!