Little Squirt

So I've been thinking Jack is so big...until I took him to his 6 month doctor visit. He's TINY! His doctor measured his height 4 (yes, four!!) times because she couldn't believe how short he is! He is 25.5 inches tall, which is the 20% for his age. AND he's only in the 15% for weight, and 30% for his head. He's just a little guy. A cute little guy for sure! And the HAPPIEST baby ever. Last week I took him to get his picture taken before his teeth start coming in because he has such a huge round mouth when he smiles and it is ADORABLE. So, I took him, thinking the photographer would take a gruntload of pictures. It literally took five minutes. He was so happy and cooperated fully. I think they only snapped like 10 pictures, and Jack was smiling in every single one. He's so happy all the time! Anytime we're in public and he catches someone's eye, he starts smiling and "talking" to them. And his eyes...oh, they're beautiful! They're so big and bright...and they sparkle whenever he smiles. It's really funny to see how he can engage people. And he loves to cuddle with people who hold him...he is so sweet! He buries his head in my neck and LOVES it when I kiss his cheeks or ears. And he is so ticklish...he gets laughing so hard when we tickle his legs and tummy and neck. Can you tell I'm in LOVE??? Ooohhh...I love my baby boy!

Time is flyin'

This is just a funny (and not very good) picture of my cute kids playing together...Ellie is so sweet to Jack and was showing him her doll house.
Wow! My baby boy Jackson is 6 months old...where has the time gone? I was just telling John that the past six months have gone faster than any other time in my life. And I am having the time of my life! My life is so sweet right now...I wish I could freeze time just for a little while. My kids are at such fun ages, and we have stayed so busy this summer.

Ellie has been in swimming lessons for the past four weeks and I have been amazed at her progress. We thought she would only go for two weeks, but she is having so much fun and is making so much progress that we have kept her going and will keep her in them for the rest of July.

Last week we took Papa to the Zoo for Father's Day. It was so fun! Oh how we love Papa! It was just me, my kids and my dad...what a treat. And of course he wanted to buy Ellie a big stuffed animal to remember our trip to the zoo...but she only wanted a little tiny "baby" cheetah that she can take care of. Funny Ellie. She's been taking it everywhere with her.

Then we had an outing with Nana and some my sisters to This is the Place State Park. The kids LOVED it! We were there almost all day. I hadn't been there for years and didn't think Ellie would be very interested in it, but I was way wrong. She thought it was awesome, and even rode a horse for the first time! Ellie has been obsessed with horses since she turned one, so she had a perma-grin the entire time on the horse. It was so cute! But of course I forgot my camera for the zoo and This is the Place...I was so bummed!

My parents have been home from their mission one year today! My, how time flies! It seems like they've only been home a few months. And I am SO glad they're here. It's been so great having them home.

We're going to a Woodward family reunion in Midway this weekend for the 4th of July...It should be a great time. Oh my brothers make me laugh...well and Anton too, but not because he tries to :). I'll try to remember my camera.

Puppies and my big boy Jackson

Look at these adorable puppies...and kids! Ellie is so funny...and quirky - She couldn't get enough of organizing them...she kept picking them up, putting them on the chair, then putting them on the ground, then putting them on Jack. Jack thought they were awesome! Thanks Liz for being so patient with Ellie!

Jackson is sitting up great these days! He's getting so big...I can't believe how fast time flies. It makes me kind of sad. He is the BEST baby...he is so happy...and so social! He loves people, and has the cutest smile...it starts in his eyes (I've mentioned before how expressive his eyes are) and then he can't open his mouth big enough - it's a perfect circle (see above picture with the puppies). He's my little charlie brown :). I love him so much.

Lucy

Vic and Molly said goodbye to little Lucy one month ago today. My heart aches for them. We have been able to spend some time with them and they are so tender and close to the spirit...I've loved being in their presence. They are amazing. I continue to pray for them daily. Vic, Molly, and Lucy have taught me many important lessons. I am so grateful for my friendship with them and am a better person because of them.

John

I couldn't have asked for a better daddy for my kids. I am so grateful that John is such a wonderful dad. I always knew he would be a good father, but he has far exceeded any expectations I had. I love to watch him interact with Ellie and Jackson. They LOVE him so much!! And I love that he genuinely enjoys his children. He is so wise, warm, patient, giving, gentle, and generous. Thank you, John, for being the absolute best daddy I could have imagined for our children.

Also, my dad. Wow! My dad is unbelievable. It's hard to believe I'm his offspring :). I am so grateful for our relationship...it is so special. Anyone who knows my dad knows what an incredible man he is. I am so grateful for everything he has taught me and continues to teach me and my family. He has been the most amazing example to me. And he's my friend. The older I get, the more I realize just how unique and special my relationship with my dad is...I am so blessed!
My dad & Grandpa Woodward

Fun Stuff

Here are a few things we've done in the last week...

My family had a fun shower for Liz and her baby, Lily. She is so beautiful, and everytime I see her I can't stop running my fingers through all her hair! One day I'm sure my kids will have hair to play with :).
On Thursday we met the Evensen cousins at the Mayan for lunch. Ellie LOVED it! She had so much fun running around with her cousins and couldn't get enough of the divers.
On Friday I took my kids to Wheeler Farm. We were there for 3 hours (there's not that much to see there...especially for a two year old)! Ellie just wanted to keep walking around looking at all the animals. We also fed the ducks and went on a wagon ride. I'm such a bad mom, the only picture I took was of this funny pig...
On Saturday I started working out with a trainer at the gym (I'm not motivated enough to do it on my own!), and I loved it...but then I couldn't walk for three days :). My trainer is awesome. No more muffin top for me!

Saturday night we had our friends Shannon & Ryan over for dinner...they are so great. I could talk to them forever.

Sunday we rested. I even got to sit out on our balcony and read for an hour without interruption...nice!

Monday I took Jackson to a Gymboree class. He's so animated...his eyes are so expressive...and he LOVED the class and the teachers. He was by far the most smiley baby there. This picture has nothing to do with Gymboree, but it's a funny picture of my 'old man' baby boy. Ooh I love him!!
Then Molly came over Monday afternoon. It was so nice to spend time with her and process things together. She is so close to the spirit...I loved being in her presence. She's awesome. Lucy's accident has affected me more than I ever could have imagined. I am grateful for the things I have learned from her. And I loved talking about how special Lucy is. After she left I was a wreck for the rest of the night.

Yesterday I took Ellie to Gymboree. We made a lady bug crown and an egg-carton lady bug that looks much more like a spider...it's kind of creepy. John's so nice to display it proudly on his desk at work. Then last night Kate, her kids, and her sister Becky stopped by!! Yea! I always love to see her, even if it was just for a second.

Then today I took the kids to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point with my sister and her kids. What a cool museum! I think I enjoyed it more than Ellie or Jack, but they love being with their cousins so it was great.

And now...well, I'm just sitting down to write this while my banana bread is baking. I know, I know...those of you who know me are thinking, 'what?' Well, I had 6 bananas getting over-ripe, and I didn't want to throw them out. So, I'm making three loaves of bread. It's taken me all night...I even had to borrow two cups of flour from my neighbor. Thank goodness they're so nice (my sister, Emily). So pathetic. Who doesn't have flour? I guess it's time to start on food storage :). And I guess it's time start being domestic again. John is playing racket ball and the kids are in bed (why aren't they ever in bed early when he's home??? They're too busy playing and get too riled up when he's around :)).

Here's just one more cute picture of Ellie and her cousin Abby in their princess jammies. They are 2 1/2 months apart...

Yesterday

Yesterday was little Lucy's funeral. It was a beautiful memorial service and a great tribute to sweet little Lucy. I pray that Vic and Molly were comforted by the words and music. The musical numbers were so touching, and there was a very sweet spirit throughout the service. I'm grateful to have been touched by Lucy's life. And my perspective on life and my priorities have been forever altered by the events of the last 10 days. I have been so amazed at the grace and wisdom of Molly and Vic.

Anything else going on in my life seems so hollow to "blog" about. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow...