February: Nature walks, Concerts, Trip to Utah for Mara's wedding, Julian's birthday

 

The sun came out and so my friends and I walked around Killin wetlands to see some birds

Such a fun group of ladies

Hyrum, Jason and I went to Portland for a unique concert. The man on the left, Ballake Sissoko, played a kora (21 stringed instrument you pluck) and the guy on the right, Derek Gripper, played guitar. It was a really nice concert.

Another concert we went to in February.  Violin soloist Gil Shaham was amazing!

After the concert we walked over to Pioneer Square. Portland was hosting a light festival and it was fun to walk around and see the exhibit.

Lots of fire to light up the night

I went down to Utah for the weekend for my niece, Mara Porter's, wedding. It was super fun to see some family while there. This is Mara with her family, my sister Kristen is 2nd from the right.

A few of the Johnson girls plus mom at Mara's wedding reception

Craig and Andrea Merrill took me and Oma to Salt Lake for Music and the Spoken Word at the Tabernacle

Oma and I went for a nice walk out near the Provo River delta

Hyrum took the kids on a bike ride in Portland while I was in Utah.

Stevie started eating solid foods and LOVED it!

For Julian's birthday we went to Fire on the Mountain wings in Portland

We also went to OMSI to watch Spirited Away on the big IMAX theater screen. He wanted to see it in Japanese with English subtitles. It was great that his brothers both came home to celebrate his birthday with him.

My 17 year old man/child!

Family hike in Chehalem Ridge Nature Park

Cool statue at the park

Julian requested teriyaki chicken for his birthday dinner:)

More cake and presents for his actual birthday

Petey with Papa

Family walk along the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington

There was a little fish swimming close to the shore so Hyrum just reached into the water and picked it up:)

We explored this derelict sail boat....so sad to see it washed up on shore.

It's so fun when the sun starts coming out a little more in February. It's just great to get out for walks and bike rides after being stuck inside all winter. 

Saki and Rachelle Trip to Las Vegas

I planned a trip to Las Vegas with Saki so that we could go prom dress shopping. My sister DeNae and her daughter Leah (also 17) joined us for the weekend. It was so wonderful to spend time with them and to have other peoples opinions about prom dresses. Leah and Saki both found beautiful dresses and we had a blast exploring Las Vegas. What a great weekend!

We stayed with DeNae's friend Chisa and her family. They were super great to host us all. Of course I had to go to Cafe Rio for dinner on the first night...wish there was one in Oregon!

Enjoying Chisa's backyard pool and hot tub

Yummy breakfast at Lola's cafe

Saki tried on about 30 dresses from 4 different stores but we finally decided on this dress. I think it's so beautiful and she will love wearing it to prom

Yummy gelato at the Venetian casino

Saki trying out the slot machines at the casino!

Inside the Venetian casino

Leah enjoying the worlds biggest milkshake:)

Outside the Sphere theater where we saw the Wizard of Oz later that night

With some Las Vegas floozies!

M&M store...so fun to try all the crazy flavors

The fountain at the Bellagio casino

Inside the Bellagio

The Bellagio garden was decorated for the Chinese New Year

Waiting for the show to start at the Sphere

It was a great show. Lots of interactive elements, like snow falling from the ceiling and our chairs would shake. It was really cool

A little frozen yogurt treat after the show

On the way to the airport...what a fun weekend with my sister and our girls!