Meet the Johanson's

We like to name things. Well, give them nick-names. Like our 1974 Toyota Land Cruiser (may she rest in peace), we named Ruby. (Who we loved so much, we later named our daughter after. Okay, not completely, but it was a swaying factor.) At Safeway, we love to eat “chicken and jo-jo’s.” We don’t have Safeway in Utah, but we still affectionately call sliced/battered/fried potatoes, ‘jojo’s.’ I think they call them something boring, here, like “potato wedges” or something. Booor-riing. And in reference to those we love, we love the Johanson family, who we lovingly refer to as, The JoJo’s. Which brings me to the subject to this post.

An evening with the JoJo’s.

This is a family from the time in our life we call, “the glory days.” This was before life beat the heck out of us and we realized how spoiled we were back then. We lived in a ward for three years, I’ve written about this time before here, and loved every second of it. The Jojo’s lived down the street, two houses from us. They had a house full of kids, ranging from about six to sixteen. And we loved them. They spent hours at our house, and us at theirs. We were young marrieds with a house to hang out at, and they had room for us to be “family” in their lives. We were available for confiding in, and they were the constant example of fun family life.

We laughed so hard last night, my stomach hurt. Their youngest daughter was having a bridal shower, here in Utah. (The JoJo’s now live in SanAntonio, Texas) They come from a long line of great families, and are a great example of sisterhood and family.

Some of the reminiscent highlights of the evening were:

When their 15 year old, Tiff, gave her 14 year old sister, Mandi, “a countdown.” “Mandi, I’m going to count to ten and you better have this mess cleaned up! 1,2,3,…” Peter and I taught a large part of her senior year in seminary. We had so much fun with their class. She was lucky to have a close group of great friends. She married one of the boys in our ward we love and adore, too. Tiff in a word was, responsible. And a delight.
-Who doesn’t love the oldest child?

I think if I were Mandi, I would have protested dish duty after she sliced her finger open washing the mandolin blade and had to have stitches. (We called her Mandolin (Mandi Lynn) - So I found the whole ordeal quite ironic. One year at girls camp Mandi and the other JC’s stole every-last-pair of shoes at camp. They tied them all together in knots and stashed them in the amphitheatre. This was the last morning of camp, I was their leader and SO tired. I totally lost it and had a big fat fit and cried all the way home
-What a laugh! I had to apologize, again.

We also enjoyed memories of another year at camp that I snuck them out and took them to the Granger’s hot tub and went to Dairy Queen in Cle Elum. I’m so responsible, I know. That year, everywhere we went, giggling the whole time, we were stopped and asked where our “leader” was. “I’m right here.”
-Gotta love being a 22 year old camp leader. Lots of fun!

Holli, the one getting married, was about 10 or so when her hamster got stuck in his hamster wheel. We laughed over that again, I know it sounds horrible, but it really was funny. There were lots of tears, and I think in the end, he died after that. Sorry for the giggle. She also had twin dolls named Jordon and Jennifer that went everywhere with her. They had car seats, clothes collections and the like.
-I told her I hope the twins like their new daddy, Abe.

Peter and I still quote their littlest all the time. Every time Austin came over and music was on, he say, “Is this Yanni?” Could have been Iron Maiden, and Austin would ask, “Is this Yanni?”
-He was the most adorable little boy.

I still remember Nic, a teenager, having to share a bed with Austin, a little one. I loved how much they loved each other. And now I see with my boys how much they love to sleep in the same bed as well.
-Boys are wonderful.

Steph, the mom, is the greatest. She is always full of insight and fun. She’s just enough older than me, that she always has great advice and “has been there.” When she’s surprised, she practically wets her pants. We once had to blow balloons up for a dance, and every time one popped, Steph would squeal. When a bug comes near her, you will find her flailing and squealing and yipping like a dog is trying to rip her leg off. But, you’ll end up wetting your pants because it’s such a sight to see. And, last of my favorite funny things of Steph…her mouse sneeze. Again, Peter and I still joke around about this. Just last night I heard a tiny little, “ha-nhew”. Teeny, tiny, mouse like. I’m never sure to say “bless you” or “I think you just sat on a mouse.”
-Love, love, love Pinky. (Stephs nick name at our house, named after her sweet ski suit)

And last, but not least, Boyd. The dad. I had never even seen a lawn edger until I met that man. (see, in Washington your yard generally consists of weeds and moss – who needs to trim that?) But he groomed that lawn, in his dockers and penny loafers, regularly. He’s all business, where Steph is all fun. (well, not all the time for either, but they make a good team) I laughed about him setting up “the workstation” for the kids homework and what not. And him always laying down the law about “the bottom line.”
-Every house needs a Boyd. At least once in a while.

So, there you are. You’ve met the Jojo’s. Being the youngest in my family, I missed seeing a lot of the growing up action at home. By the time I was old enough to pay attention, the house was quite empty. So the Johanson’s gave me a little insight into the joys of a home filled with a growing family. So very many of the things I do with my kids, I learned from them. Like asking my kids “who did sit next to at lunch” everyday, asking detailed questions about their daily life. Or just lounging around, scratching backs and talking. Actually spending time with your kids.

I come from a great family who taught me so much. But it’s funny sometimes how it takes seeing others, to teach you certain things. This family was such a great part of our lives. I hope that I am reaching others, as they did. I hope that as I continue to learn, I am helping to teach others as well.

Sorry for the long post. But it was fun and I hope it reminded you of your dear friends and family. Give them a call, or write them a note. Tell them thank you for the influence in your life. Tell them you love them.

“Thank you Johanson Family. I love you.”