An Arlington man learned just before Thanksgiving that he had won millions from the Washington State lottery, and he hasn't stopped smiling since.

Kristopher Johnson has been struggling to support his girlfriend and three children since being laid off from his job as a software support analyst last year.

"We've been moving money around to buy a turkey," said Johnson. "We don't have that problem anymore."

Kristopher and his son were on their way to his grandparent's house in Lake Stevens November 21 to help make some household repairs when they stopped into a local Chevron. On a whim, Kristopher decided to pick up a Mega Millions ticket and two Lotto tickets with three extra dollars he had in his pocket.

Kristopher's girlfriend was checking the tickets online Sunday night and yelled out, "You got three! Oh my gosh!" By the time Kristopher joined her at the computer, she had matched all six numbers on the screen to the paper ticket in her hand, and the couple realized they had won the jackpot.

Kristopher explained the moment that followed.

"I didn't know how to feel," he said. "It's not that I didn't believe it. I knew I'd won. I just didn't understand."

While initially he didn't quite know "how to feel," Kristopher does have a few ideas about where his money will go. Apart from becoming debt free, he says he'll help his grandparents out with their house, buy a fancy new Christmas tree, invest in his children's college education and take the family out to dinner.

The Arlington man was scheduled to start a temporary job the Monday after Thanksgiving, but said he "probably wouldn't make it in on Monday."

Kristopher bought his winning Lotto ticket at the Lake Stevens Chevron located at 621 Highway 9 at Frontier Village. For selling the winning ticket, the store will receive $65,500.

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