Wisconsin State Capital Building

Today we went to Madison, about an hour from Dodgeville. I LOVED Madison. Something about old towns where all the trees are mature, all the buildings ancient, and all different types of people EVERYWHERE. There's just something about it that I love.

Farmers Market

I loved this place too. It was the reason we came to Madison. So many interesting people there. it was set up on the outskirts of a park and the Capital building was sort of nestled in the middle of it all. Also, this city is a college town. So you can imagine what I mean about all the different people. Very fascinating for someone who doesn't get out much! aka ME.

Cheese and Pretzels

Pops and I sampling Wisconsin cheese...mmmm I think my favorite was the fire house jack!

Loose Meat Sandwich

So after returning back to Dodgeville, Chris, Pops and I made the 40min drive to Dubuque, Iowa to experience a Maid-Rite Loose Meat. To our surprise, we had to cross over the Mississippi River to enter Iowa. Then we noticed you could cross the Mississippi river again on a different bridge to enter Illinois! So we did :) And yes, we did drive that whole way for the sole purpose of the Maid-Rite loose meat. But the experience of seeing new country was worth it! Pops would say being able to eat that loose meat sandwich was worth it alone!

Full Bellies & Oh Sooo Content :)

Enjoying a phosphate in Dodgeville

Chris and I surprised Natalie and Austin and came with his parents to Dodgeville, WI for Cooper's baby blessing. Natalie was anxious to pick her parents up from the airport but all of us and baby wouldn't fit in her small car. So we decided to rent a car and follow Natalie and her parents and at some point, drive up along side her, waving with huge smiles. The only problem was Natty's crazy driving and deciding to take the scenic route. So the map we had pulled up on GPS wasn't the same route. Hence the reason Pops had to stage an intestinal problem at Mcdonalds just to kill time so we could locate them. Soon enough, we were following right behind her, driving like gangsters with our seats back, with the worry she'd spot us! Luckily it was raining cats and dogs, which made it impossible to see us. So after following her and losing her for about 30 mins, we were finally right behind her again and decided it was time to make our appearance...so we drove up next to her but Chris wasn't quite ready and just kept driving! I, of course, had my nervous/excited laughter going on. So after some debate, we let her pass us and kept at her pace until she decided to look over...I wish we got her expression on video! It was the whole jaw dropping, both hands over the mouth, straight out of the movie expression. Hilarious!! We thought she was going to crash. Luckily, she did not :) I'm not sure I was able to make it sound as fun as it was...but it was so fun! Oh and afterwards, we found out that when we past her the first time, she saw my profile and thought 'hey, that girl kinda smiles like Christy' but felt dumb to say it out loud.
Now, we're just enjoying each others company and seeing what Dodgeville is all about. In this picture, we're at the Pharmacy corner store on Main St, enjoying phosphates, milkshakes and malts :)

6 Years!

Happy Anniversary Love! I consider myself very very lucky to have you as my best friend for eternity! Thank you for your patience with me :)

(picture taken 4 years ago. Sundance, UT)

Elder Owens

I'm pretty sure my Dad is having a great time on his mission?! What do you think??

Introducing Cooper Clark Johansen!

Natalie and Austin welcomed this precious lil boy into the world one week ago today! Isn't he just perfect? I'm just so sad that we don't get to meet him for awhile. Natty and Austin live in Dodgeville, WI. Yes, too far away! Love you guys!