Offically 22!

Yesterday was my 22nd Birthday and I think it was one of my best Birthday's yet!  I woke up, got ready, and took Lynea with me out to the farm to go for a morning ride.  For all of January i'll be babysitting the farm so I got a quick low down on the chores list before we saddled up.  Lynea and I grabbed Cat and Kate, tacked up and headed out for a brisk morning ride out in the field.  It was such an awesome ride...so relaxing, the sun was out, hardly any wind, and Lynea and I were giggling the entire time singing and havin' a ball. We got back, turned the horses out, and headed to town to meet up with Shayne, Layton, and Landon to head to the WEM Waterpark.  We did some shopping/returns for a couple hourse, grabbed a quick Taco and then raced to the pool.  Oh my goodness...they have this new ride where you climb into this little capsule, they close the glass door around you, and then it counts down 3...2...1..and then the floor gives out and you DROP! That is one of the biggest wedgies ;) and adrenaline rushes I have ever had next to skydiving :)

We spent all night in the Waterpark until around seven o'clock and then went to the "delightfully tacky yet unrefined" HOOTERS for some drinks and appetizers (leave it to me to pick this hot spot eh?).  We all literally piled into the car because we were absolutely exhausted from the pool and made our way home where mom had a cake sitting out! So we all sat down, everyone sang Happy Birthday and dug into the Triple Fudge Chocolate Cake and ice cream...YUM!

It was so awesome to spend the day with my siblings and friends and wouldn't have wanted it any other way! In 364 days I'm assuming I'll have another birthday...I wonder what the next one will have in store...maybe another HOOTERS visit? Or a trip to Vegas? Ooooh the possibilities :)

A Life Changing Experience

My mom, my two god-sisters, my god-father, and several more have gone to see Vicki who is a spiritual intuitive.  I went and saw her yesterday for an hour as she sat there talking to me, flipping cards, and having a cigarette.  I came out of that visit an hour later with so much direction and as I posted on Facebook, I have so much to look forward to in the next five years of my life.  In my opinion Vicki is able to access things that I am not able to.  Lots of people say she is a psychic or that some of the things these types of people say can be so general.  I agree with it, however what have you got to loose?  If you can take one thing from that visit and apply it to your life, whats the harm??  Vicki told me this:

1. She thinks I don't belong here in Camrose.  She says that I will move somewhere else because she thinks that I can do bigger and better things and Camrose won't allow me to achieve my full potential.  She told me Calgary or Southern AB/BC is where I will likely end up.  An eclectic community is where I will thrive in I think that is so cool.  She mentioned eclectic because it's these types of communities that have a variety of different people and personalities that I will get along with.  She also said that sometime soon she sees me travelling to England! She said I will either go their on a holiday or just as a timeout from life, and she said I'm not going alone :)
2. She said that I won't last at Augustana much longer which was really interesting.  She said my last year will be 2013.  I wasn't quite sure about this one but she brought something to my attention that I would have never have thought about before.  I have been so set on doing my schooling here while living at home because it's convenient and close to friends and family.  She said I'm a traveling soul who will reap more benefits from this "other place" than I will in town.  Crazy!
3. Of course she talked about my love life which was amazing.  A lot of things were made clear for myself and it's so incredibly exciting hearing about what she thinks will happen in the next few years and how I am going to meet up with "him."
4. She said I need to stop pleasing everyone else because my health is starting to take the brunt of it all.  This all makes total sense to me.  Because everyone has such high expectations of myself I'm constantly focusing on pleasing rather than focusing on what is important to me and doing things that will make me happy.  

There are so many more relevant things that she told me about...but the most interesting part is I never told her anything. Not one thing.  It was so refreshing to hear what she had to say and if you have the opportunity to go and visit someone like Vicki, I highly recommend it because it gives me yet another reason to wake up in the morning and be excited for what each day has it store.

Cheers!

I'm makin' changes.

I WANT TO:

• Live,
• Dream,
• Be healthy,
• Be successful,
• Be responsible,
• Forgive and forget,
• Be a good example,
• Work towards more,
• Learn to look at myself differently,
• Lead a life that's totally worth living,
• Spend more time with my friends and family,
• Be young and live the years that I will never forget,
• Remember that the sky is my limit and remember that if there's a will, there's definitely a way.

Second year...here we go!

I am now well underway of my second year of University, and I must say....I love it!! You all {whoever you are} are probably wondering if im feeling a little under the weather but I am happy to say that Im perfectly fine :) I decided to go ahead with 5 courses per semester this year being that Im not playing volleyball this year {tear tear} but its going to be awesome to have a little more free time and Im sure Mark will be fine with that too. Whats hilarious is that Lynea and I are even in the same class together for Outdoor Ed.  Were going on a 5 day Canoe Trip and a 3 day Hiking Trip together....its goin' to be a riot!!  Dad's uber jealous of Lynea and I, and he even asked us to seriously talk to our professor about him joining in!  I think he wants to re-live his backpacking/camping days.  He's so awesome. 

Playing with her "aminals" haha!

As for the rest of the day-to-day activities, not to much else is going on.  Mark is plugging away at work during the week; he's an Apprentice Heavy-duty Mechanic for one of the trucking companys here in Camrose and absolutely loves it.  Mark had Danika for the weekend so we took her out to he farm on Sunday and here she is cuddling with one of the bunnies {adorable!!}  This weekend is the big HARFEST out  at the farm so we will all be helping out there and I can't wait because...my girlfriend Tara and I are going to be doing the dunk tank!!  It's going to be hilarious and I'm sure the water will get colder and colder as the...{you know where I'm going with this}  So be expecting a big post on HARFEST next week!  Have a great week everybody and take advantage of the weather while its here!

Cheers

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1st Annual Ponoka Summer Send Off 2011

Steve, Casey, Debbie, and I on Friday Night!

Over the weekend, Mark, Danika, and I all packed up the trailer and headed out to the Ponoka Summer Send off with 12 other friends.  Thanks to our friend Terry Resler who got tickets, and another thanks to his brother Kelly who actually put the whole show together!  In 2 days they had Dierks Bentley, Hey Romeo, Joe Hick, Deric Ruttan, Easton Corbin, The Boom Chucka Boys, and Tara Lee all playing on the main stage and in the beer gardens. Friday night I even got to meet Casey Clark from CMT :) Pretty neat!  But of course Dierks Bentley was the highlight for me...I just wanted to run my fingers through his hair...just once! 

The UBERFIST

Lovin`up on Daddy!

Reading Disney stories :)

Saturday we geared up and went over to the concert bowl and caught Charlie Major and Hey Romeo.  In the retail area, they were selling UBERFISTS at one of the booths so all the girls got one and it was hilarious seeing them all drag em`around ha ha.  In between a few stage changes they had some Freestyle Motorcross which was so wild to see in real life--Mark was in his glory! Haha. We all had a wicked weekend together spending time with friends, lazing around the campground, sleeping in, and eating like little porkers!  Sunday afternoon came around so we all got up ate breakfast, and packed up the trucks and trailers and headed back to Camrose.  I can`t wait for next year...I wonder who will be playing next year!

Saturday Concert

Me and my girlfriend Debbie :)

AE Wedding

I can't believe that one of my best friends has finally tied the knot. It seems like only last week that we were 12 years old taking the bus together on the farm, having sleepovers, going through high school, doing "single people" stuff, venting, and talking about future aspirations.  Then *BAM* the next thing I know she has Karen in one arm, Glenn in the other, and she is in the most amazing wedding dress I've seen yet.  Eric and Amanda have quite the history with one another being that their flame nearly ignited while Amanda was seeing another friend of ours!  They've known eachother for 8 years, been together for 5 years, engaged for 2 years, and now have been happily married for nearly 4 days.  We lost touch with eachother for nearly a year and a half, but have thankfully rekindled our friendship and I couldn't be more blessed to have been able to attend her special day.

Amanda is a beautiful, determined, outgoing, and loving individual who has promised to share the rest of her life with Eric who is so sweet and loves Amanda for everything that she is. The wedding itself was held St.Francis Exavior in Camrose, and then the reception and the reading of the vows were done on the farm.
Amanda's dad Glenn is a landscaper so you can only imagine what the yard might look like...you could literally cut it out of a Country Living magazine.

The whole day was sentimental and elegant and went so smoothly and I couldn't be happier for the newlyweds. Congratulations to Eric and Amanda Kroetch and I wish you a life full of love and complete happiness. You've got love now your ready to live the good life.

  Congratulations 
      Mr & Mrs Kroetch!

Aced!

Mark aced his exam and is well on his way to being ma' new sugar daddy ;) He doesn't look near as thrilled or as excited as moi!

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Meet My New Buddy Squirt

This is my new buddy Squirt who is one of the 6 miniature donkeys out at the farm. He loves to follow anyone around like a puppy just lookin' for something to dive into. Lately I've been helping out quite a bit at the farm. The month of August has been extremely busy at the Hildebrandt household with Dale's wedding last weekend, Jojos Corn Maze and 18 Hole Mini Golf, and just everyday chores has kept everyones hands tied. These past few days have been really enjoyable for myself. It's incredibly serene out in the country with the whinnies of the horses and the sqwawks from the chickens...the farm is the place for me. I got to thinking the one afternoon, with Squirt close behind, of the farm or acreage that I hope to have one day of my own. I envision a place where kids can play in the mud, explore, and reap the benefits of what mother nature has to offer and for us as adults it's private, serene, and a place some call home that continuously keeps us grounded. What we call home may differentiate between us all, but it's nice to know we all feel comfortable where we are and our constant drive to share with others. Good people = good homes. Your probably wondering how all these thoughts came about, and my answer would be Squirt. He may not be able to speak, but his actions speak louder than words. He feels at home on the farm wondering around following whoever is in the yard, he enjoys the company of the kids, and always makes it home to the rest of his family at the end of the night. Home is on the farm for me and I can only hope everyone else has a vision of what their "home" is or will be like someday.

The Last of the Johnson's--Finally Graduated!

Well that's it that's all! Lynea was the last of us Johnson kids to have graduated and it seems SO weird.  Like all say, it feels like only yesterday that we graduated when it's been 4 years for me now!! So amazing how time flies by so incredibly quick.  It was, however a wonderful weekend.  Mark, Danika, and I all left town at 6:30am on Saturday morning, and got to Outlook, Saskachewan at 1pm.  We unloaded everything into the hall, set up camp, shined up our shoes and headed to the school for the Grand March.

Graduation at LCBI is much, MUCH different then your typical graduation.  For LCBI, it is a 4 day event for graduates, and 3 day event for family and friends.  Friday night the grad's have their barbeque at one of the locals house where this year, they had a barn dance! How cool is that right?!  Then on Saturday evening we have what's called the Grand March which is where all the grads are gussied up, walk down the stairs of the stage into the center of the gym under the spotlight where everyone gets to hear what their post High School plans are.  The grads then perform their own wicked coreographed dance, which is then followed by a talent show.

Sunday morning we have our church service, and then lunch, and then the graduation ceremony itself where they walk across the stage in their cap and gown, recieve their diploma, pull the Balloon Drop and continue outside for the receiving line.   Phewwfta!!  Nothing short that's for sure but it is always so sentimental and enjoyable for both the grads and family.  The Class of 2011 picked a bible verse most suitable for their group and it was all about walking the path to their new future.  With that said we are so proud of you Lynea and can only wish you all the best in all of your future endeavors.  We can't wait to have you home for summer and for this upcoming first year of University.  Your all grown up now! (You wish ;)

 

Congratulations Lynea and the Graduating Class of 2011!

Loon Shit Run 2011

Ever year there is a quad rally that takes place every spring called the Loon Shit Run! That morning, I woke up at 6:15am and all I saw was snow outside!! Mark said we go rain or shine so I put my big girl panties on, hopped in the truck and hit the highway with him.  Thankfully, by 9:00 am the warm sun came out and made for an absolutely perfect day for quadding. This year Layton came with Mark and I and holy cow did we ever have fun!  We started out at Dave & Pam Omoth's house at Dried Meat Lake, ventured over the river, across the ice and into the trails to Edburg, down into the valley, found a spot to cross the ice again and then made our way back.  Laurie and I rode together for the whole trip which was awesome she is such a cool mom  who loves speed and mud!  We made several beer stops and watched the boys wheelie the quads n' Side by Sides, play in the mud, and swim through sloughs.  For lunch we stopped at one of Dave and Pam's friends place for a fire, warmed up, cooked some weenies and marshmellows and then hit the road home.  I was the first back along with a few others, so we decided to pull some stunts on the ice.  I hopped on Craig's quad and went rippin' around and started spinning the quad in circles...fast enough to lift the front right tire off the ice--so awesome.  Then I flipped the quad and bruised my butt lol.  With rosie cheeks and mud-caked faces, we all said goodbye and headed home for a good hot shower.  Within 10 minutes after cleaning up, Mark and I were absolutely exhausted and completely passed out.  Loon Shit Run 2011 was definitely a good time to get a lil' sideways and have some good laughs together :)

CNCFR--Canadian National College Final's Rodeo

Playing with her favorite toy...Mark's cheeks ha ha.

This year we were finally able to make it back out to the Canadian National College Finals Rodeo.  I always love this rodeo because they have more female events in it versus normal rodeo.  Mark, Danika and our friends Curtis and Katelyn all walked throughout the Farm and Ranch Show before the Rodeo started which was really cool.  Danika HAD to pet all the performance horses and some of the show cows ha ha.  We looked at tractors, barns, tack, clothes, all the good stuff (to bad we were only window shopping!).  All of us had fun and like always and its super fun to see our friends at these types of events!

This is where Curtis taught her where the horn was...:/

Katelyn, myself, and Whitney <3 you girls :)

Daddy and Danika

Cute lil' girl!

It's Rodeo Season!

It's finally here! Rodeo season is in the works with the Camrose Spring Classic Rodeo (now a 3 day Rodeo) already finished.  Mark and I went for all 3 nights and it seems like our hometown Rodeo keeps getting better and better each year.  This year, Ken worked out a deal with a man he met up with and was able to get a huge re-play screen above the buckin' shoots for playbacks and crowd interaction etc and it looks amazing!

Friday night, one of my best friends Whitney (Clarence ;) ) Banks came down to spend the weekend with us.  We headed to the Rodeo and then out for drinks with more friends to the new and improved "Taphouse," which was formerly Caddies :) Saturday morning we spent lazing around the house, and that night we headed back out for the Rodeo and Cabaret. This year we had Burt Davis as our Rodeo clown who brought out the "Mutley Crew" who are a group of 10 dogs that he has picked up from the SPCA, has trained and turned into this absolutely fantastic intermission show.  The oldest dog is a 17 year old Chow (160 human years!!) and is the last of the original Mutley Crew.  This group of pups' was featured on the America's Got Talent TV Show!! After the Rodeo we went to the Cabaret which was of course a lil' to much fun ;).  We ended up being some of the last few to leave, and headed over to our friend Jason and Kristine Hastie's house for some more fun, and finally headed home to the farm.  Sunday morning we all got up, Mark's roommate made us some coffee (and Baileys hehe) and breakfast, and then we all piled in the truck again for the afternoon Rodeo finals.  Mark and I had such an awesome weekend with friends we haven't seen in a long time and its always good to get caught up with everyone again!

She's here! Meet Miss Callie Ross Campbell :)

Sleeping on her belly.

Debbie Hildebrandt is my old roommate who I lived with for not quite 2 years.  She's so beautiful, determined, has a huge heart, and has been a great friend to me over the last couple years.  We didn't expect everything to happen like it has but like one of Deb's friends said, "Those Hildebrandt's can't be patient...everything's gotta happen RIGHT NOW!!" 

Debbie gave birth to Callie Rose early Thursday morning and at just 25 weeks, she weighed 1lb 15oz and was 13.5 inches long.  She is the most adorable little girl who seems to be doing better and better as each day comes and goes.  The doctors told Rob and Deb that her vitals are all very strong and she seems to be handling everything very well for a meek but mighty babe.  Deb says she loves to sleep on her belly and her eyes have just opened so slightly. She is quite active and loves to stretch out in her little incubator.

I got to meet Callie on Tuesday and it's just amazing the things that doctors can do for these little premature babies.  She is a little miracle baby thus far, and because she has the Hildebrandt blood in her, she's destined to fight.  I'm so happy and excited for Rob and Deb to start this new chapter together creating their own little family and it's so exciting getting updates on the website they've created for little Callie. 

Congratulations and best wishes to Rob and Debbie, you two are, and will continue to be such wonderful parents and are so fortunate to have Callie in your lives :)

Just wee up against Papa Ken's hand.

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Bath Time!

This is Danika, or Squeak lol, and she is such a bundle of fun 24/7! Mark was giving her a bath last night and all I hear is, "Quick Joe grab the camera!!" Love you Squeak!

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Oktoberfest

In Camrose, there is a group called the Kinsmen Club.  They are an organization of men who fundraise all year long and give back to our community organizations, clubs, and all different types of events.  This year, they put on Oktoberfest at the Elk Hall,  So Mark and I bought tickets! We had so much fun even though we never dressed the part (next year for sure).  At the beginning of the night, they played all different types of games, and the first one I played was musical chairs. Who would have thought that the WINNER would have to chug a glass boot! Well I did it---never ever felt so full in my life!!  Best dressed and other prizes were given out, traditional Oktoberfest games were played, and the rest of the night was a blast with all of our friends who came to support the Kinsmen Club.  Great job Guys!

I won!

 Mark, Me, and Mike.

 Chugging da' Glass Boot!!

Oktoberfest Friends!!

Greg and Levi-part of the Kinsmen Club. Thanks guys!

CHEERS!

Sunday's Are Always the Best

This weekend, Mark had Danika for the weekend so you can imagine how busy it was!  Friday evening Mark picked her up, had to give her a little bit to settle down, and then we went to the Kodiak's game and sat in the Sky Box with my family.
Saturday Mark went target shooting in the afternoon while Danika had a nap, and when she woke up, her and I went for a walk out in the field and around the hay bales.  Every time we walked by a tall piece of leftover straw, or a ginormous rock....she put it in her pocket or at least tried to which made things even more enjoyable for me to watch this all go down.  Once Daddy came home, we got dressed and headed over to Calvin and Trudy's place for their little girl Brook's Birthday/Halloween party.  So we spent the whole rest of the evening snacking, visiting, opening gifts, and eating Dairy Queen Cake!  Did I mention that we had an hour long towel whipping fight? Ya, my butt looks like "carnage" (one source says) and did I mention it was 4 guys and 1 girl???? Ya I did some house cleaning against the guys and left them with some welts too! :)  And by the end of the fight, we were black and blue, gasping for air, and jumpy!

Sunday was the best day yet, we woke up had breakfast with Blake and Smitty asked us if we would like to help him and his dad move a herd of cows home! Of course we said yes, it was a chance to get outside, take advantage of the weather, and go for a tractor ride!  So we put the Carhartts on with the long underwear and were out the door!  We brought them from a pasture 2 miles away back to the farm, and let me tell you, when you have a group of 6 guys there's always something going on! I walked about 3/4 of the way because by the time the cows got tired we were walking right beside each other :) Mark and Danika rode in the tractor and of course she fell asleep in the tractor with Mark which was so cute! Then it was time to take her back to send her home...always the hardest and worst part of when we have her.  We had a great weekend together and made a ton of memories...such is life :)
 

 Mark, Danika and I, and Mark`s Dad....such a wonderful man.

 Mark and Danika goin` for a tractor ride! This was when she was still awake ha ha.

 Trailing them home the first little ways

 Of course someone had to get stuck...HUNTER!

 Blake and Steve walking the Jeep and Chevy...absolutely hilarious!

 Me in my glory.

Looking for the cows ``I wanna ped-um Joe!`` aka. I wanna pet them Joe. And this is the face she gave me ha!