Random Fact Wednesday: Meet Marie Johnson

Here is a little known fact. I had another identity once. For a little over 2 years of my life I decided to go by Marie instead of Tanya. I am not sure exactly what caused me to think this was a fabulous idea but there were things going on in my life and I like the idea of changing my name, even now I may decide to just go by Tawn, or some people call me Ton Ton and Tawny and I kind of like it. In my family we have always had nicknames and nobody is called by their full name EVER. At home with my family I am officially Tawny, if someone calls me something else it is because they are extremely angry at me. My sister's bf's and husbands even call me Tawny. So here is Marie Johnson.

She played volleyball and basketball (played on the 8th grade team in 7th grade....big stuff there), took jazz and ballet classes, and was a beginner flugal horn player in the pep band for the LaConner Braves. Yes I was in band through 8th grade then I bowed out in favor of sports my true passion.

Yes that is an actual place, our front porch of our home during the winter in LaConner, Washington. (and that is definitely a perm, looks like we all got one :D ) I totally looked like a Marie back then don't you think?

When I moved to Tennessee I changed my name back to Tanya upon my mom's request and making me feel a little guilty since she pulled the "I gave you a beautiful name" trick on me so back to Tanya Johnson I went. But it is nice because I always know what era of my life people are calling or writing from by what they call me. I love the call..."Hey is Marie there?" I just know this is going to be good because it is a way blast from the past.

There are many things that Marie got to do that were first like a first kiss, a first BFF, my first dance, my first dance recital, yikes, and my first non country tape (yes tape) it was Brian Adams. Our family listened to country so did I until Brian Adams. So a little history lesson, who knew I had a secret identity????

Firemen in the making

Today we ventured into Burbank to attend the annual Fire Service Day. We went to a pancake breakfast which was very yummy then went and saw all the fire trucks, and police cars (and motorcycles) We, of course, forgot our camera but we took some pics with our cell phones so excuse the quality of some of them. But we had tons of fun and the boys got to listen to the Alley Cats, a singing group that sang Kevin's favorite song The Lion Sleeps Tonight. and we went to the farmer's market they had there and got some yummy peaches and corn on the cob for dinner. It was such a fun day and so nice to be out and about again now that the boys are all back to normal.

the first thing we did was that Kevin did the obstacle course where he got to hook the hose up to the fire hydrant, then spray out the fire, climb a little roof and hammer on it, then he picked up a hose carried to a designated area then raveled a hose back up...here are a couple pics from that adventure....oh wait I almost forgot then he was interviewed by the Burbank Leader about what the best part was...we will have to see if he makes the newspaper at 3 and a half.

We spent the rest of the morning testing out the vehicles to see if we liked them. WE DID!!!

the fun we've had

So most people know we have been racked with a horrible flu virus lately at our home but we did manage to get out once between the two boys' illness' and were glad to do it. The light at the end of the tunnel was disturbingly farther away than I had anticipated but we are doing better now in that both boys are feeling pretty good, Yay!!! So we went to the park last Friday morning, that was super fun.

Then Adam, to pass the time while Kevin was sick found things to do like dressing himself for the day...as he says, "Let's Go!" He can put his own boots on so they are his favorite shoes right now.

Then finally today we walked up to the Ralphs shopping center (I say we, but I walked they rode in the stroller), and got some smoothies...yum. I think things are looking up here at the Low residence. We were very sad that we had to cancel our trip to Tennessee this week but in the long run we are glad that when we go out later everyone will be feeling much better and we can enjoy Dollywood much much more :D !!!!

A light at the end of the tunnel!!

Well the last week has been pretty horrible. We have been battling illness at our home. Adam got very sick last Friday and landed himself in the Emergency room on Sunday (Dehydration). Then he was super fussy by Tuesday and on Wednesday I took him to the pediatrician to find out that he has , also, a raging ear infection. All that being said we are now on antibiotics and he has not thrown up since Tuesday (yay!) and we seem to be coming out of our fog. Although Kevin woke up in the middle of the night last night saying his tummy hurt. I am praying really hard it was just gas. I don't know if I can go another round. We will hopefully be out and about in no time, we might even make it to a park.

here is a pick of what we are looking forward to in the near future... Fun and Friends!! Notice little Abby Nash (the Princess) and Jonah Barty!!

Random Fact Wednesday!

This is my favorite movie (that is not a classic, classics top my list). It came out on DVD about the same time that I met Bryan and I was sure it was a sign that I had met the love of my life online just like my favorite gal...Meg Ryan. If you haven't seen it, you totally should. It is fun and cheesy and perfect. So there you have it, I like cheesy movies.



This is another favorite of mine because when I talked to Bryan the first time I was ever on the phone with him (I loved this movie before I met Bry too) He said he looked a little like the guy from the Princess Bride, not knowing I loved that movie and it was the only movie poster I ever had in my bedroom and it was a huge one and it was hanging there that day. It was yet another sign :)

Fountains of Fun

We recently took a trip up to Universal City Walk with some friends. It was a super hot day, high 90's and to beat the heat we took a tram (because kids love trams, and parents love free) up to Universal for one purpose alone....to play in the fountains. Here are some pics, not great b/c I only had my phone but it was such a blast and my boys have not stopped talking about buses (trams) and fountains since.

Kevin and Oliver just getting started!!

Kevin in the fountains!

Abby being so brave and running through.

Did you notice Adam missing? He didn't go in the fountains at all he is really not one for cold water and surprise sprays. He liked putting his hand in the other non splashy fountain though. The big boys ended up soaking wet from head to toe and shivering by the time we were done, what a fun way to cool down!!

Random Fact Wednesday!

Here it is...Drum Roll Please...........ddddddididididdiididii....It is really not that exciting. But wait for it.



I collected teddy bears the entire time I was growing up. I had hundreds of them in every shape and form. I had fuzzy ones, glass ones, porcelain ones and wooden ones. My room looked like Boyd's bears had set up shop and wasn't leaving. I recently sold all my bears in a yard sale for 50 cents a piece almost every single one sold. I was really surprised that anyone would want my old bears but they were in perfect condition. I never played with them I just collected them. So there you have it something you never knew you didn't want to know about me, lol



p.s. that pic is the picture I sent to Bryan in the mail to show him what I looked like when we met online. I guess it won him over :)