The Brog Family

1st Haircut

2012-01-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

Before:

During:

After:

Quite the improvement, don't you think?! I think it looks so cute on her, and she did really well!! Love that little bug!

Maui

2012-01-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

This was by far one of the most fun, and relaxing vacations I can remember. I LOVED being with Anton, and we had a ball with my parents. Everything about it was perfect. No wonder it was so hard for me to come home (I cried the night we got home). Some of my favorites:
Relaxing by the pool or at the beach * Sunday Brunch at The Four Seasons * Swimming/snorkeling and seeing whales and sharks * Nightly runs to Lapperts Ice Cream * Laughing, a lot * Road to Hana * Volcano * Shopping * Eating the most delicious meals * Sleeping in (slept almost 13 hours my first night there!) * The toads at night * Watching Anton body surf...he is right at home in the ocean * Meals at the Grand Wailea * Having it be just the four of us.
Mom & Dad, thank you for one of the most fun, relaxing and memorable trips!! We love you!

So many people asked me when I got home if I missed my girls...am I bad mom because I didn't?! It was such a nice break. And, it was SO nice and easy to leave them knowing they were loving being with Grandma and their cousins. Thanks so much Nicole & Deb!!

Hard Work

2012-01-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

Being a mom is honestly so tiring, and such hard work. But, I couldn't love it more. My girls are so busy, and keep me moving all day long. It has been very interesting not being able to get around very easy. I have taken my good health for granted. The process of getting up to grab a toy, change a diaper, put kids in the car seat...basically every day things, has been at a lot slower (sometimes painful) pace. I am getting the girls ready to go visit grandma, and it has taken me about 3 days to get everything together! Every time I get ready to pack a bag here, I have to go pick up a mess over there (yesterday it was a whole bottle of fish food, this morning it was cupcake smeared and scattered all over the living room floor). Craziness, I tell you! Anyway, I am so glad I am on the mend...and really looking forward to a break from this crazy, tiring, life of being a mom!

The Surgery

2012-01-08T12:18:00.000-07:00

Well, the knee surgery was successful! It was better than we hoped, and also a little worse than we hoped. The nice thing is that it is a permanent fix. I won't have to go in to have them "repaired" again in several years, like we originally thought. The hard part is the recovery has been much more painful and harder than what was originally expected. I went in after years and years of pain in my legs. Thinking the problem was from playing tennis most of my life, the doctor decided to do a scope on both knees to clean up some cartilidge problems (which he thought was most likely the problem). When they got in with the camera, they found that I had some tissue that needed to be removed. Oddly enough, the tissue had never completely severed when I was a fetus. So, I had these two big peices of tissue attached to my knee caps, with nerve endings and the whole nine yards. So, because these never severed completely, they were what was causing so much pain my whole life. So, they shaved those off...which is making the recovery so much harder. I am SO glad I did it. Knowing that I won't have the nightly leg aches, and that I can actually go for a run without wanting to cry from the pain is the best feeling. In the meantime, I am hobbling around the best I can. It is giving wonderful entertainment to Anton!

This and That

2012-01-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

1. It was a BUSY Christmas. We had a lot going on, but it was so fun!! I was telling Anton this morning that this is the first year that I am kind of sad that the holidays are over, and we have to get back to the usual grind. That's saying something since me and the girls do so much better on a routine (which goes right out the door over the holidays).
2. Anton gave me the very best Christmas yet. I couldn't believe how thoughtful and sweet he was to me this Christmas. I absolutely adore him.
3. Lilly and Claire both got sick over the holiday. Claire started off with Croup, and after a couple days was not improving so finally I took her to the doctor and she had ear infections, her oxygen was really low and her lungs were full of junk. So, it was a big bummer. Poor baby. Since the antibiotics and steroids, she has been SO much better. That's the first set of ear infections I have ever had to endure...let's hope it's not a regular thing.
4. My parents are taking me and Anton to Hawaii really soon. I can't wait!! It will be the first time we have left Claire, but with how busy she has been lately, I am thrilled for the break! We are so excited!
5. I am having my knees operated on tomorrow. I am not going to lie, I am having a lot of anxiety about going under anesthetic. Wish me luck!
6. Anton and I weren't big nerds this year, and actually stayed up passed 12:00 on New Years! Thanks to our friends. They came over and introduced us to the fabulous game of Ticket to Ride. That game is SO fun. In fact, we had so much fun, we made them come back the next night and play again. That makes two nights in a row staying up passed 12:00! We are such old nerds.
7. Lilly bug is finally getting passed her three year old attitude. Anton and I keep commenting on how sweet, and helpful she has been. She is truly a delightful little person to have around.
8. Claire is so funny, and such a stinker. I don't remember Lilly being as busy as Claire. She has the most quirky personality and makes me laugh and want to rip my hair out all at the same time. Love that little squirt!

Christmas Morning 2011

2012-01-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

Look at the pure joy on Lilly's face...

Christmas morning was even better than I had hoped for! It was most definitely a very Merry Christmas!

Over the past week...

2011-12-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

1. Snuggles with Coopey. Such a cute little guy.
2. Zoo Lights.
3. "Lilly, don't you think those tights are a little small?"..."No Mom, I think the fit just perfect!"
4. Christmas party at Nana & Pops house. She has worn her princess dress every single day, all day long.
5. Miss Claire got the perfect present....more books! She LOVES books.

So excited for Christmas this week!

Visit with Santa!

2011-12-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

The only request while sitting on Santa's lap: A Hello Kitty toy!

Her many looks

2011-12-11T15:41:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-30T17:01:00.001-07:00

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone, and again, I did not take any pictures. What is wrong with me?! Drives me nuts that I don't take more pictures. Anyway, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We spent it down in St. George with Anton's family. We had such a great time (with the exception of our crazy 18 month old). I feel so blessed, and am so thankful to have such great in-laws. I was telling my sister today about how lucky I am to have such a wonderful and sweet mother-in-law. She isn't invasive, she is beyond darling with our kids, and she is one of the most humble women I know. She is always such great company. I always have a wonderful time with Antons family...I feel really lucky. I can be myself around them, and they always make me laugh. We ate and ate and ate, and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Lilly of course had an absolute ball, Claire however was not on her best behavior. In fact, she has been giving us a run for our money lately. That's another story though. I was thinking a lot about the things I am most grateful for. And what it really boils down to is family. I don't really know, nor do I want to think about, where I would be without family. My immediate little family is my life...Anton, Lilly and Claire are the greatest blessings. I can't even begin to express my love and gratitude for them. I am grateful to have amazing parents so close, and siblings whom I adore. Each of them are such wonderful examples and they are good people. My in-laws are so wonderful. They are some of the least judgmental people I know. There are so many things in my life to be thankful for....material things, and non material things. But, where I feel the most gratitude is when I think of my family. I am blessed, and so very Thankful for each and every one of them.!!

Must Remember

2011-11-21T15:09:00.001-07:00

Some things I never want to forget...
1. Lillyisms:
*I vant to suck your Bloog.
*Nemember
*Sure...sure you do...sure.
*I sink (instead of think)
*I want to show you sunkin.(something)
2. Lilly was watching Dora last night when we were cleaning up after dinner. Dora asked "Say Backpack"...then asked again "Say Backpack". Lilly answered in a rather annoyed voice "I DID!".
3. Claire's impersonation of a Gorilla. It always manages to make me smile.
4. It was so neat at Grandpas burial when the Marines paid tribute to him, and gave my grandma a flag. I was so touched, and was reminded of how incredible those serving in our military are. I am very grateful for them.
5. We took the kids out to dinner then a little shopping on Friday. We went into Petco and showed the girls some of the pets. Lilly thought the Hamster running in it's wheel was the funniest thing she had ever seen. That night when we were tucking her into bed she said, "Hey Mom, I really want one of those Chinchilla things for Christmas".
6. Anytime either Anton or I sit or lie down on the floor Claire is all over us. She loooves to wrestle.
7. Lilly says to me while I am walking past her room, "Oh hey Mom. My kids are on a rollercoster. When you are done folding laundry do you want to go on it with them? It won't bonk your head or make your teeth fall out." Well, then sign me up!!

I hate that I haven't taken any pictures recently. Must be better about that. Next post will have pictures...promise!

Grandpa Woodward 1925 ~ 2011

2011-11-15T10:06:00.001-07:00

My sweet Grandpa Woodward passed away on Sunday evening. I was so glad I went to see him that morning and kiss him goodbye and tell him how much I loved him. My Grandma & Grandpa were married for 64 years...her heart is broken. When I got there on Sunday morning, she wouldn't let go of his hand. Grandpa was quite a guy...Served in WWII on the USS Enterprise, incredible athlete, teacher, and grandpa. I have so many wonderful, and funny memories of him. He will be missed! This is the first of my grandparents to pass away, and it has been such a great blessing to know them in my adult years, and to have them know my children.

Building tables for his grandchildren. Such a keepsake.

In his Marine uniform.

Grandma & Grandpa

On my grandparents wedding day....64 years ago.

1925 ~ 2011
Jim passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 13, 2011 in Salt Lake City. He was born June 21, 1925 to Charles S. and Marion Woodward. Graduated from East High. Joined the Marines in 1943, serving in the Pacific on the USS Enterprise receiving five Battle Stars. Graduated from the University of Utah with Masters Degree. Mens Student President, member Phi Kappa Alpha, Skull and Bones, Owl and Key, Beehive Honor Societies, U of U National Championship 1947 Basketball Team, State Handball Champ, All Church Golf Champ. Champion in sports and many peoples lives. Married Marsy Hall in the Salt Lake Temple, 1947. Head Basketball and Golf Coach at Skyline High School. Master woodworker making beautiful furniture for his entire family. Went to Jacksonville, Florida on a mission with Marsy. Faithful High Priest serving in many capacities. Never quit coaching, smiling and never complained.
Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marsy; three children James H. (Carolyn), Jamey (Gary) Toomb, and Chris (Heidi); sister Marion and brother Ralph; 13 Grandchildren, and 29 Great-Grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and a sister.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 17, at 11:00 a.m. at the Big Cottonwood Stake Center, 1750 East Spring Lane. Family and Friends may call on Wednesday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, and again one hour prior to the services at the church.

Wild Woman

2011-11-09T16:38:00.001-07:00

This child.
She is a WILD WOMAN.
She exhausts me. I swear she could have all the movies, all the books, the pantry, the laundry and the pots and pans on the floor in about 15 seconds flat. She is honestly like a tornado. Last night, I packed up the girls and we took dinner up to Anton because he was working late. She immediately opens the top drawer to his desk and finds the coins. I can see her going for them, and yell "Claire, No No!". Her response...she puts the handful of coins in her mouth as fast as she can, and runs. Nice.
Right now I am looking at her with her thumb in her mouth, snuggling on the couch for a quick little break. It won't last long, so I am taking advantage of it. Even though she is super busy, she melts my heart. I love how she talks to me all day in her own little language. She will always answer you if you ask her a question.
Some of my other favorites of hers at 18 months:
Laughs every time you give her her "softie"
How she is always wanting to wear her swimsuit or swim cap.
She loves my gramps. She loves to give him kisses. So funny.
She loves to play with Lilly and chase her.
She is tiny. Only in the 10%.
Her big beautiful brown eyes. They are so expressive.
The way she loves to give kisses.
She could play outside for hours if I would let her.
Her laugh. It happens often...which I love.

Though she is exhausting, there is absolutely no way humanly possible that I could love her more. So lucky she is mine.

Halloween Parade

2011-10-27T14:40:00.001-06:00

This morning was Lilly's Halloween parade. Unfortunately we were a little late, so we missed the program but got there in time to see the parade. She was SO excited for the parade she could hardly sleep. She was especially excited that Daddy, Mommy and Nana were coming to "school with her". Anton has been so busy at work, so I know it wasn't the best timing for him to slip away, but it was worth it...As soon as she got a gimps of her daddy standing there, she ran from the parade and gave him a great big hug. She was genuinely SO excited to see him. It was one of my very favorite moments!

Playing in the leaves

2011-10-27T14:32:00.000-06:00

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-23T16:10:00.000-06:00

We went to a pumpkin patch last week with Lilly's preschool.
Claire loved wandering around with everyone, and Lilly loved having me "go to school with her"! The pumpkin patch was so darling. I have adored Lilly's preschool. Her teacher, and "Grandpa Avery" are so great with the kids, and Lilly has learned so much and really enjoys going to school. It was fun for me to go and get a glimpse of how she is in school...preschoolers are so funny!

Frightmares!

2011-10-23T16:07:00.000-06:00

Anton's Mom and Sisters came into town for their UEA. We met up with them and went to Frightmares. It was our first time going, and we couldn't believe how fun it was. Lilly adored being with her Grandma and cousins, and of course, she loved that everything was spooky. We left Claire with a sitter (thanks!), and Lilly just wanted to be with her Grandma, so Anton and I kind of did our own thing...it was a blast. One of the most fun nights we can remember having! Can't wait until next year! Thanks Nicole and Deb...we had such a great time with you guys!!

Mountains On Sunday Afternoons

2011-10-05T20:39:00.001-06:00

Random

2011-09-23T14:44:00.000-06:00

Just another random post...

*Lilly and her outfits lately. Our neighbors must think I am a nut - or that Lilly is a nut. Either way, her outfits are killing me. Yesterday she was wandering around in her Halloween costume, today she was running around in her dance costume. And, the picture above, that is a typical outfit. I get her dressed in the morning in a normal outfit, then after lunch she usually goes in and changes into something that she wants.

*Going on a date with Anton tonight. It is so needed. For both of us. It is amazing how with busy jobs, kids, and activities how quickly you can become disconnected. I am so excited to just be with him...on an old fashion dinner and movie date.

*Claire is NAUGHTY. Oooh, I love her to peices, but she is giving us a run for our money. She is turning into a terrible sleeper at night. I am hoping it is just a phase. I don't do well on lack of sleep.

*All of us have had colds...nothing nasty, but Lilly had to miss school on Thursday. She was feeling fine, but I didn't want to have her get the other kids sick.

*Shin Splints. Holy cow. I feel for runners. Last night in Boot Camp it was all I could do to not start crying in the middle of class. I feel like someone took a baseball bat to my shins. Awful.

*I am in LOVE with this weather. I want to be outside all day. It could not be more beautiful. No wonder I love autumn so much. Plus, I got my favorite candles...Harvest and Pumpkin Spice. Mmm, my house smells so good when one of those are burning.

*Last weekend had a Woodward girls overnighter in Midway. So much fun. I can't remember a time when I laughed as hard as I did...thanks to my sister! Good food, good conversations...just a great weekend.

1st Day of Preschool

2011-09-08T10:59:00.000-06:00

Lilly started preschool!! She woke up super early, which she never does, probably because of nerves. She was excited to go, but was a little sad I wasn't going to be coming with her. As I was getting her in the car, she said "I going to miss you Mama". Such a sweetie. Then, on our way, she said her tummy was hungry...then that her tummy was feeling funny. I am sure she was very confused over these new set of feelings she was having. She is such a sweet pea, and I know she will love preschool. I am so excited for her. But, I still can't believe she is in preschool!

giving Claire loves before she went...

there she goes.... (sniff, sniff)

Sugar House

2011-09-08T10:55:00.000-06:00

On Friday night we took the girls to Sugar House Park for a picnic and to play at the playground. The girls were in heaven and the weather was so perfect. What a fun night!

So long summer....

2011-09-08T10:51:00.000-06:00

...I am certain we will miss you. We will most definitely miss the swimming pool.
Until next year!

My Thoughts

2011-08-30T22:10:00.001-06:00

1). Lilly is starting preschool next week. I am having some mixed emotions about it...like every other mother does when she sends her kids to school. Lilly is going to love it, I know she will. Every time I tell her about school though, she hates the thought of me not being there. I am excited for her though, she seems ready. She loves to color, and sing, and be around other kids.
2). My mom took all the girls in the family out for dinner to "Francks". Holy Moly. YUM. It is a place I would never think to go with Anton, thus making it even more fun :) The food was delicious, and the company even better. I feel so lucky to have such extraordinary women in my life.
3). Today we went to the pool - probably one of the last times before summer winds down. Lilly is such a good little swimmer! She refused to swim with her floaties, and she did so much better than I thought she would. She was swimming all over the place....except for, I didn't want her swimming where she couldn't touch. But, at least she has the concept of face in the water, kicking and using her hands to get to where she needs to go. I was so proud!
4). Claire and Lilly are finally starting to enjoy one another. Claire has always loved Lilly, but not so much the other way around. Now that Claire can run/walk, it has made a big difference. Lilly realizes she can actually play with Claire now. Don't get me wrong...about 75% of the time, they are still fighting over someone taking someones toys, but it's getting better. Slowly, but surely.
5). I feel so grateful for my little family. I think of my life without Anton and my girls, and it honestly makes me want to cry. We aren't perfect, and there are days where I just want to rip my hair out (cleaning up non stop messes, cooking every meal, laundry that is endless...you get the point), but there isn't a place in the world I would rather be. I mean I love to go on dates with Anton, but some of my very favorite nights are when we are all settled in relaxing watching movies...just the 4 of us. I adore them more than I even know how to express.
6). Lilly does the funniest/saddest thing lately. See, Lilly is a tender little soul. She hates to get in trouble...it literally breaks her heart. Claire on the otherhand could care less, but that's a different story. Anyway, so if Lilly gets upset, she usually starts crying, then wants to leave the room. Any time you try and stop her and tell her to come back, she looks over her shoulder with THE saddest look and waves...all while walking away to go cry. Basically giving the sign to stop talking because nothing you say can make her feel better. SO funny, and so tender sad.
7). By this time of year, I always get ready for fall to come...but this year I am kind of sad. I look forward to the cooler weather because it allows us to do things that in my opinion are too hot to do (The Zoo, The Farm etc.), but I have had SUCH a fun summer. I am sad to see it all end. Especially our cousins swimming days at Willow Creek.
8). Zucchini Bread made with zucchini's from the garden is a favorite at our house right now.
9). Claire loves to sing "Ashes, Ashes, Ashes, Ashes aw fah dow". She says way too many "Ashes", which makes it so funny.

Lake Mary

2011-08-19T15:22:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago we went with our friends the Larsen's on a hike up to Lake Mary.
It was fantastic - until Lilly fell in the lake, and I fell down while carrying Lilly down the hill.
I am sure Anton was super proud to be seen with us!
It was fun none-the-less!!

Catch Up

2011-08-19T15:19:00.001-06:00

1. Lilly is so proud of her "crossed eyes". I am always doing it to her, and she thinks it is so funny. One day she walked up to me and said "Hi Mom!" - with crossed eyes. Such a proud moment for both of us ;)
2. Claire is walking. Claire is also wanting to run. YIKES!
3. Lilly drew her first portrait. I am going to frame it...it honestly is the cutest thing.
4. I went to Lake Powell with some of my family a couple weeks ago. Oh, My, Word...so much fun. I have the greatest husband and friends who helped out with my girls while I went.
5. Anton has been working his guts out this summer - but also has managed to get some great hikes in (which he loves)! Granger, Mt. Olympus, Snowbird, Dog Lake...I know I am missing so many.
6. "My hair is kinda ugly". Lilly talking to herself in the mirror. So funny!

Claire's Good Looks

2011-08-19T15:13:00.000-06:00

I don't know how she does it, but this child is always dirty.
And, she hates the bath.
Nice combination.
But, we have had some good laughs over her and her many good looks.
She is such a quirky little bug! Love her to pieces!

Summer so far

2011-07-26T22:05:00.001-06:00

I have been horrible about documenting our summer, and equally as horrible about taking pictures. It has been such a fun, busy summer...the best kind in my opinion!

We have been to "The Farm" several times. I love packing a lunch and taking the girls over there. They love it, it is free, and its so fun to get out and do something with them.

Lilly finished her second round of swim lessons on Friday. She adored them....she loved swimming, she loved the teachers, she was so happy. Claire was a little trooper too. I hardly let her out of her stroller because she would head right to the water. So, given she had to stay in her stroller every morning, she was such a trooper. And, as you can see in the picture above, she actually let me do her hair. She eventually figured out her mullet was missing, and yanked out her piggies. What can you do...she loves her mullet. We were joking with my parents that her name should really be Ricky Bobby. Fitting if you ask me.

We celebrated Anton's birthday! He probably isn't thrilled that the world knows how old he is now, but I couldn't help but show the cake. See, Lilly has figured out how to climb up onto the counter. BUT, she can't get down. So, I was getting out of the shower after making Antons awesomely ghetto looking cake to hear Lilly yelling "Mom! Can you get me down!". I knew right then she had done something to the cake, or she had eaten the cake. She was decorating it with "seeds". Lilly loves to work in the yard with Anton, so she thought she would "give daddy some seeds". Silly bug!

Some of my favorite things about the girls right now:

* Claire is a Jabber Mouth. Talks and talk and talks. And, is actually starting to say things now. I am proud to say that her first phrase was: "That's MINE!". Yelling it, of course.

*Lilly says something every day that cracks me up. Still, my favorite is while we were listening to the Sleeping Beauty song in the car she said, "Oh, when Dylan hears this, he is going to want to come out and dance with me". Dylan is her "Handsome Prince" in case you were wondering!

*Lilly is so affectionate and loving right now. She is always giving loves, or kisses or telling me how much she loves me. I, of course, love it.

*Claire is SO BUSY. I honestly can't believe it. She is like a cyclone. Either she is sleeping, or she is destroying something in the house. Exhausting, I tell you.
*"Hey Claire, are you a cute girl?"..."YEAH!!".

*"Oh, that's just my mom. I love her. And, I love Dylan. And Daddy. And, Claire. Oh wait, not Claire." That was Lilly talking to herself in bed one night when she heard me walk by. So funny!

Dirt Face and Sassy Pants

2011-07-08T15:35:00.001-06:00

I love this picture. It is so right on for how my girls are:

Lilly being miss Sassy Pants.

Claire, aka: Dirt Face, eating her one of many helpings of dirt.

Squirts!!

Lonesome Dove

2011-07-05T16:53:00.002-06:00

I loved the characters (Especially Gus)...I loved that it was a western...I loved that I always caught myself thinking about it... I simply loved the story. Such a great book. I am sad that it's over.

Visit #3

2011-06-24T12:42:00.000-06:00

Lilly took a spill while twirling on our hardwood floor last night, and split her chin open. Darn! She was an extremely brave girl while getting stitched up. And, afterward Daddy went to the store and bought her a "very special" Ariel doll (that's what she calls it) and a box of special princess bandaids, so in her mind, it was a great experience! Squirt!

Seriously though....She is three, and she has been to the InstaCare 3 times. Yikes! Look like we have an accident prone kid on our hands!

Fathers Day

2011-06-20T21:15:00.000-06:00

Lilly was SO excited about giving Anton presents for Father's Day, but she kept singing"Happy Birthday to you Daddy"!
*Lilly sang to her Daddy in Sacrament Meeting for the first time.
*Gave him a new book with his girls hands traced in the front of it along with their signatures (or scribbles!).
*A new book light so he can read until the early morning without keeping me awake (score!).
*A smoking kit for the grill.
*Spaghetti dinner - one of the Antons favorite meals.
*Cupcakes from Lilly.

We love you Anton. You are a darling father...our girls absolutely adore you.
Happy (late) Fathers Day!

Swim Lessons

2011-06-20T21:00:00.000-06:00

We are in the second week of Lilly's swim lessons. She loves them! She is such a happy girl in the water. She was doing so well, so they moved her into a different class to push her a little harder, but the change in the teacher really threw her. She cried every second she was with the new teacher. Today, they asked me if I would like her to go back to her old teacher, but keep her on her level...I was thrilled. The moment she got with her "old" teacher, she was back to her happy self. Funny thing is, the first teacher is more strict than the second. She must just feel more confident with her first teacher. I am really happy so far with how much she is learning!

We get to see lots of her cousins who are coming and going from swim lessons to swim team. And, her cousin Jack is in her class with her. She loves it! I am so glad swim has been a good experience, and not a scary one for her.

Gratitude

2011-06-09T17:09:00.001-06:00

While Lilly has been gone, I have been able to catch up on my reading. I feel like I never get to read anymore during the day. Every afternoon while Claire is sleeping I have been able to go outside and read...I love it. I am still reading Lonesome Dove (looks like Anton might win that bet!), but I also have been reading the latest issue of the Ensign. A lot of the articles were focused on the family, and the importance of family. As I read the articles I, of course, found many things that I want to strive to be better at. While at the same time, I had such a huge feeling of gratitude come to me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have my own little family. For the opportunity I have to bear children and raise them. Gratitude for my marriage. We fall short of many things, but the one thing we seem to be pretty good at within our little family is love and respect. I was able to attend a sealing in the temple this morning. I couldn't help but think back on the day Anton and I were married. I remember details of our dinner, but I remember almost every detail of our ceremony. I feel so lucky to have found him. He is so respectful of me, is so good to me, and such a darling father. He is a good man, and an honest man. I see how often he is in service of others, and it amazes me. His parents taught him well. Not a week goes by, no joke, without him doing something for someone else. In fact, he has plans this Saturday to help someone out. And, he does it quietly. No one ever knows. He is so humble about it, and yet so willing. I adore that about him. He is not perfect, but neither am I. I feel comfort in knowing we are in this together...that we can learn and grow together. We have plenty of that ahead of us, and I am glad I get to take the journey with him. How can I talk about gratitude without mentioning my girls?! For the gift of being a mother?! My love for them is unmeasurable. And, it will be everlasting. My gratitude and my love of the concept of eternal families grows each day. The only word I can describe on how I feel about my little family at the moment: Gratitude.

Latest on the girls

2011-06-06T11:57:00.001-06:00

Lilly is down in St. George visiting her cousins and Grandma & Grandpa for a whole week! I am really looking forward to the break, and the chance I will get to catch up on some things I have been wanting to do. Claire is still home, but she is so darn easy, she just entertains herself all day long. I, of course, had my panick attack in the shower before Lilly left, but once I got it out of my system, I was pretty good. My greatest fear, like I have mentioned a million times before, is car accidents. So, sending Lilly off was a little hard for me...but I did much better than I thought. And, as soon as I knew they had arrived safe and sound, I was able to relax. I took a nap yesterday for the first time in who knows when. Oh, how I miss those naps!

Lilly Bug:
*Over the past few months, she has gotten some freckles on her nose and cheeks. So darling.
*Loves to go in her room, and pick out her own outfit and get dressed. She has put on some sketchy outfits, let me tell you! The little number she has on in this picture, is pretty good. Minus the shoes that are about 3 sizes too big!
*Loves anything cooking. About 85% of the time she is pretend playing, she is cooking. She is always cooking her stuffed animals something, she is always cooking me something. Cooking, cooking, cooking.
*Swinging. Another one of Lilly's obsessions. I prefer to go to parks where there aren't swings, because she could swing for two hours straight. No joke.
*She still loves everything princess. Particularly Sleeping Beauty, or "Sleeping Bee" as she calls her. She can't really say beauty very well.
*Has a lisp when she says anything with an "S" in it.
*Is getting really good at her "ABC's" and can count to 12.
*3 has been an adjustment for me. On one hand, she has gotten a lot easier because she is able to do most things on her own. On the other hand, the attitude is a killler. She has an attitude that can give 15 year olds a run for their money. Ugh.
*She has her first real crush, if thats what you want to call it. She is so over the moon, smitten with our friends little boy Dylan. Oh man, if Lilly sees him, she goes into hysterics! She asks if he can come play about 75 times a day, and the other day she came out of her room in one of her killer outfits carrying her princess purse and was telling me she was leaving to go pick up Dylan at school. Oh man!
*She starts swimming lessons on Monday. I am really excited for her, and I hope she enjoys them. It is weird to me that I am entering that stage with my girls where we have "lessons" and have places to be. So far, we have always had a fairly open schedule.
*We are starting to exit the napping stage. Bummer. If she naps, she is up super late, which I don't like very much. So, quiet time it is!
*Lilly still isn't a huge fan on Claire. She likes her, unless Claire starts to come near her and her toys....which for most of the day, is a problem. I keep trying to work with her on sharing, but it's a hard concept for her to get.
*She loves to help Anton out in the yard. She is such a cute little helper, and loves it when he helps look for bugs. Especially spiders and worms.

Claire Bear:

*Pulls herself up on everything, and is the world's fastest crawler. To heck with walking when she can crawl as fast as she does.

*She is working on teeth 11 & 12, both of which are molars. She got her first two molars in a couple weeks ago.

*This child can entertain herself all day long. It is heaven sent. Lilly was never like that. As soon as Lilly left yesterday, I let her go outside and play with Lilly's water table and her toys. She would have stayed out there for a really long time, if I would have let her.

*She has the most beautiful coloring. Everyone always comments on how light her hair is, but how dark her skin is.

* She is starting to communicate now. She says: Uh-oh, Num-Num (yum-yum)Dada, Mama, Nana, Baba, Bye-bye, Hi, No-No. She waves Bye Bye, plays Peekaboo, puts head bands on (but heaven forbid if I do it), Claps when you say "Yay!", shakes her head when you tell her No No.

* She loves Cooper and always crawls over to pet him....more like pound on his back. He doesn't care though!

*Will eat anything, I mean ANYTHING, in sight. Dirt seems to be the favorite. Sick! Lilly was like that too. But, since she eats anything, she is a great eater at meals. There isn't anything I have given her that she doesn't eat. It is really nice.

*She isn't the best sleeper. So opposite of Lilly. I was telling Anton this morning, that when Lilly was Claire's age, we were getting up most mornings around 9:00, and she was still napping and going to bed at 7:30. Not Claire! She is like her daddy...doesn't need much sleep. I am afraid she is going to be a terrible napper as she gets older.

*She loves to go on walks. She holds onto the bar most of the time, and points at everything (including people).

*When she is tired and you go to put her down in her bed, she starts to laugh. It is so funny! It is like she is so excited to get in her "cage" with her softie, blankie, and baba.

*She gets so excited when Anton comes home from work. When she hears his truck, she starts yelling "DaDa"!

*One of the girls very favorite things in the entire world is when Anton comes in the door from work, they run up to him, he takes them back into our room and throws them both on the bed over and over. It is so funny how hard they laugh, and how much they love it. I love it too...they both adore their daddy.

Dream of mine

2011-05-25T09:35:00.001-06:00

If you know me, you know my favorite band is U2. But even more than that, my very favorite song in the entire world, is One Love by U2. Such a beautiful song.

I have been to several U2 concerts, and they never have play that song. It has always been an honest dream of mine to hear them play that song live...and actually be there.

When they started to play it last night, I couldn't help it...I got emotional. Yes, I shed a tear or two. It makes me snicker at myself, but I couldn't help it!

It was AMAZING! Better than I could have hoped for. I had such a fun night! It was easily their best concert I have been to of theirs. Thanks to my cute husband for getting us tickets. Now I can mark that off my bucket list!!

Last few weeks

2011-05-17T17:03:00.000-06:00

I have been lacking in my blogging duties lately. Not because I don't want to, simply, I run out of time...or I get selfish with my time, and the last thing I want to do is blog. As my girls grow, they also demand more attention. Thank the heavens for quiet time. It is the only time of day to catch some precious time to myself. Which, usually consists of a Diet Coke along with watching Oprah, or looking online. I look forward to 4:00 each day.

Anyway, so what have we been up to? Let me share:

* Went to St. George with my sister and her kids, along with my mom. I LOVED it. I didn't want to come home. Lilly had SO much fun with her cousins and being around so many people who love her. The weather was amazing. It felt sooo good to get some sun, and play by the pool. Lilly and Claire both adored going swimming each day. Now I am even more anxious for the weather to warm up around here.

*Claire is still working on her molars. Poor girl. They look like the size of my molars. They are huge!

*While we were in St. George she started pulling herself up on furniture. She loved it at first, then would panic about how to get down. She is continuing to do it more and more! Little squirt.

*Lilly has the 3 year old attitude. UGH!

*Anton and I went out to dinner and bowling with some friends a couple weeks ago. The last time we had gone bowling, was on our first date. Hard to believe it had been that long since we had gone. It was so fun! And, what are the odds...we are going again this coming Monday with our girls for a work event. Lilly is going to love it.

*Heard of the website Houzz? I am obsessed! I could spend hours on that website. I look almost every day. A girl can dream, right?!

Lilly is 3

2011-04-30T15:32:00.002-06:00

On the night you were born,
the moon smiled with such wonder
that the stars peeked in to see you
and the night wind whispered,
"Life will never be the same."

Because there had never been anyone like you...
ever in the world.

"On the Night you were born"
Nancy Tillman

I love you. I adore you. I can't get enough of you!
Life has never been the same since you came into my life...it is so full of joy, thanks to you!
Hope you had the most magical 3rd birthday!
xoxo

List for Monday

2011-04-25T16:35:00.000-06:00

01. First off, lets talk about this weather we have been having. Could it be any worse? I mean, it is almost May. We should be having beautiful days. Not rainy, cold, sunless days. Lilly refused to stay inside and play today. She was out in the pouring rain, playing in her little car and digging in the dirt. It took a lot to get her to come inside. We are all looking forward to the warm weather. The girls and I, along with my sister and her kids, and my mom are all heading down to St. George next week for the whole week. I can't tell you how excited I am to go. I can't wait to see the sunshine!

02. Holidays with kids are definitely more exciting, but they are a lot more exhausting too. My parents had their annual Easter party, and by the time we got home, all 4 of us were exhausted. We had jammies on at 6:00, and Lilly was in our bed settled in for the night at 7:00. We had a wonderful Easter though!

03. Well, the day has come. The Altima is up for sale, and the new car has been bought. That beater car took us to California and back several times, to Jackson Hole, to St. George too many times to count, and all over the valley. As much as I disliked the car, it really was a good car. I am thrilled to have a much safer car for me and my little family.

04. The joke is, I am not going to finish my book until July 4th weekend. Anton better pay up, because I am LOVING it. I am now understanding why Lonesome Dove is on so many peoples "Top 5 Favorite Books" list.

05. It amazes me how I can go from mopping my floors on my hands and knees, and having the house spotless sparkling clean on Saturday, to right back to square one just two or three days later. The floors wouldn't bother me nearly as much if I didn't have a crawling baby, but when I pick up Claire and her clothes are dirty from my floor, it drives me nuts.

06. Lilly's birthday is on Friday. We are throwing her a Princess party. She lives and breathes princesses. Today while we were driving in the car, and she was snuggling with her blankes, she asked me "Mama, do princesses have blankies?". Her mind is always on the princesses. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday the other night while I was tucking her into bed, she followed with: a princess cake, princess balloons, and a fishing rod. You got it!

Her Big Day

2011-04-15T16:33:00.002-06:00

Claire's big day was pretty mellow...which, in all honesty, was really nice. We went to the doctor, had some visitors later on, took her out for some yummy "french fries" (her favorite) then came home and had cupcakes. So mellow, but so fun!

At one, Claire is:

In the 10th percentile in height and weight. The doctor has given strict orders to get her plumped up!

Currently has 8 teeth, and is working on 4 HUGE molars. Poor baby.

Crawling all over the place.

Will only stand when she is playing with one toy, but that's about it.

Is a Daddy's girl.

Makes the funniest noise when she doesn't like something.

Loves eating "real" food.

LOVES her baba.

She will not let me put anything in her hair.

She loves to snuggle.

oooh, I love her.

1st Birthday

2011-04-08T17:51:00.001-06:00

My Dearest Claire,

April 8th, 2010 was truly one of the happiest days of my life. "It's a Girl" were the most exciting three words I could ever imagine hearing. I was blessed to have yet another beautiful little girl. Beautiful doesn't even being to describe you. From the moment you were born, your dad and I have been so madly in love with you. And you, with us. Every single day with you is a joy. You couldn't be loved any more than you already are! I love every teeny, tiny little thing about you. But, the thing I love most if that you are mine.

I am so lucky.

We love you "Claire Bear". Thank you for making our life so happy.

Happy 1st Birthday!

Love,

Mama & Dada

Photos of My Girls

2011-04-06T13:37:00.003-06:00

Catching Up

2011-04-05T16:51:00.000-06:00

It is amazing how each day comes and goes so quickly. I find myself saying the same thing about every single day: "I can't believe Claire is going to be one", or "I can't believe Lilly is going to be three". Crazy! I am so over the moon to be their mom. Every day, I give thanks. I feel blessed to be the lucky one to raise them. They are funny little girls, I tell you what. Claire is a fire ball. She lets you know when she isn't a fan of what is going on...and she will let you know quickly. I love it. I think it is so funny. I probably won't be laughing when she hits the terrible two's though! eeek! Lilly is terribly funny right now. The things she says and does, kill me. I laugh at her every single day. My goal is to get more of her on video, so one day she can see how funny she was. I look forward to each day with my kiddos....even though they wear me right out!

I am trying to organize, and have all my photos printed so I can put them in an album. Big Job. HUGE JOB. I hate the fact that all my photos are only on my computer. What if my computer was stolen or something? I would loose everything. Thank heavens for Costco's photo printing. Inexpensive, and quick. Now, if only the organizing part were that easy!

My sweet sister-in-law had her baby. What a little bundle he is. We are so thrilled for them! I am headed to St. George to soak up the sun in a few weeks, and I can't wait to meet him, and hold him!

I am reading Lonesome Dove right now. I am not a quick reader. Anton makes so much fun of me. He can read three books, in the amount of time I read one. I swear. But, to my credit, by the time I lay down at night to read I am tired. One chapter is about all I can fit in. BUT, Lonesome Dove so far is so good. SO good. I keep hearing it gets better....can't wait.

We have been catching up on season six of The Office. One word: Creed. That man makes me laugh SO hard. I was laughing so hard the other night, I was crying. I love a good laugh, don't you?

I am going to say it again, how is it that this little bugger is turning one?!....

Best Friends Forever

2011-03-24T16:44:00.000-06:00

Meet Lilly's BFF's:
Maggie, Taylor & Charlotte
Our weekly outings are not enough for Lilly. She loves these little girls so much, and talks about them all the time. I also love these little girls, and absolutely adore their mama's.

Hopefully Claire and Kate will be BFF's too. Although, the slapping of Kate's head will need to stop in order for that to work out.

Isn't that get-up wonderful?!

Change

2011-03-16T16:32:00.000-06:00

Change is good right? I took Lilly to go get her hair cut this morning. See, Lilly is not one who likes to have her hair done. She rips out her pig tails, won't keep a head band in, and it was getting to the point where she didn't really like me to even brush it. Which, in turn, always made her look like a lost child. Don't even get me started with Claire, and her stubbornness with her hair. Notice that you will NEVER see her with a clip or bow in. Anyway, back to Lilly. So, I took her this morning and told them what I wanted...they took a bunch more off than I wanted, so I am trying to get used to it. I am hoping in this instance, change is good!

Another change: Antons job. He gave his notice this last week at work. It is a looong story. I won't go into much detail. See, Anton is very humble and very rarely talks about his job, and will never tell about his opportunities. So, I am going to brag for him...even though he probably wouldn't want me to. Over the course of several months, Anton has had 4 job offers. So, while we were in Newport, he met with one of the companies recruiting him (BNY Mellon) . They wanted him to be the representative for their company here in Salt Lake, and in Phoenix. While he was interviewing, he had another guy back here in Salt Lake ask him to not take the job until he talked with him. So, Anton did just that...he waited to give anyone an answer until he talked with him. This guy, who Anton respects so much, offered him a job to partner up with him. It was very stressful for Anton to try and figure out what job to take. See, the job with BNY Mellon could have potentially moved us out of state, and it is a remarkable firm, so it was a really hard decision. After some restless nights, and much anxiety, Anton decided to not take the job with BNY Mellon, and is partnering up with an Investment Specialist here in Salt Lake. He will be housed in his same office, which is nice, but will be doing something different than what he is currently doing. I am SO proud of him. I recognize how blessed we are to have had these many opportunities, especially in such a down market. I know in this instance, change is very good. I am so thrilled for Anton...and so unbelievable proud of him.

Can it be?

2011-03-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

Can it really be true that in ONE MONTH, Claire will turn One? I can't stand it. A couple of months ago, I was shopping in the newborn section, frustrated that I couldn't find any of Claire's sizes. Duh, what was I thinking? She wasn't a newborn anymore. It was honestly sad for me when she grew out of that section. I swear she has grown in a blink of an eye. This last month especially.

To name a few of her latest accomplishments:

*She grew four more teeth. We are up to 8 now. Funny!

*She has learned to crawl, and is in to everything. EVERYTHING! Guess it is time to put the plants up where she can't get them. Those seem to be the favorite.

*She went from being Lilly's enemy, to Lilly's favorite thing. Once Claire started crawling, and somewhat playing, Lilly has become quite the fan of Claire. And this has all taken place within the last week or so.

*She mimics, and loves to show off her tricks. Her latest trick: giving Kisses when you ask for them. Open mouth, slobbery kisses of course!

I can't stand that she is soon turning one.

She is like sunshine to us. She brightens our day...every single day.

Love her, adore her, can't get enough of her.

Love you Claire Bear.

California 2011

2011-03-04T16:18:00.000-07:00

We are home from our two week "Woodward Family" vacation. I am not going to lie, it has been a little bit of a let down leaving beautiful Newport Beach, and coming home to bare trees and ugly brown grass everywhere. I am wishing I was still there! We stopped in St. George on our way there, and on our way home, and it was so nice to have a break between drives. And, of course, Lilly loved being able to see her Grandma and her cousins. My mother-in-law would take Lilly in the afternoons, and it was so nice for me to have a little break from her. She is a busy one I tell you!

Anton and I mentioned last night that after being on vacation with the kids, we need a vacation! Lilly struggled on the trip a little bit because I think she was a little overwhelmed with everything going on. It was crazy with all the cousins around, she was off her schedule, and not sleeping terrible well. So, it took her a couple of days to kind of adjust. Claire on the other hand, couldn't have been better. She was a dream. One of the days we decided to head down to Long Beach and see the aquarium, while the rest of the family was at Disneyland. Right as we were arriving, Lilly says, "Mom, I don't feel good...", then proceeded to you-know-what. All over. It was sad. We hemmed and hawed about what to do, but once she threw up, she seemed to feel so much better, so we decided to just take of her shirt and go after all. So, while she was at the aquarium, she was rocking a giant sweatshirt from the gift shop that we bought on our way in. Of course, I just happened to take out the change of clothes I had in the diaper bag, RIGHT before we left. Good times!

Disneyland was not the best experience I have had there. I have never had it be as busy as it was. Lilly wasn't a big fan of the crowds. But, there were three things that she LOVED, and talks about every night before going to bed. I bet you can guess....

1. The Haunted Mansion. Her favorite thing of the whole trip. Go figure.

2. Pirates. She keeps making me sing the song over, and over, and over.

3. The princesses. We had early admission, so we ran (my sister-in-law actually did the running) and waited in line before it got too busy (the day before it was an hour, twenty minutes. No thanks). We scored! She got to meet Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and her favorite...Snow White. It made me emotional to see her get so excited. She really thought that they were the real deal. It was so sweet. Even though the crowds were hard, it was still so fun to take her. Seeing her meet the princesses is a moment I will never, ever forget. It was priceless. That made the whole chaotic day at Disneyland worth it!

Two of the days we went to the beach. The first time, she didn't realize that the waves could knock her down. She went running out there, fully dressed, and low and behold a wave got her. It was SO funny. I thought for sure it was going to scare her, but no, she loved it. The next time we went she was in heaven running around and making sand castles with her daddy. Claire was just Claire...happy as a clam just sitting there with everyone. She is a hard baby, let me tell you :) Honestly one of the cutest things that day was I pulled my camera out to take a picture of Lilly and Anton, and right when I snapped it, she turned and planted a kiss right on Antons cheek. She didn't even know I was going to take a picture. So sweet.

So, there you have it....a two week vacation in a nut shell! It was such a great trip! Sad to be home, but so happy that spring seems to be right around the corner! It was a fun surprise to come home and see our tulips popping out of the ground. Yay!

Whoa!

2011-02-15T16:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks Dad for styling my hair so awesome!

February 9th

2011-02-10T22:14:00.000-07:00

I turned 29 yesterday.

It was a fabulous birthday! It was celebrated 3 days in a row. Who could complain with that!?

Tuesday was shopping and lunch with my mom. Honestly, it was one of the most fun days I have had in a long time. It helps that we spent well over an hour in JCrew. And, my girls were angels. I had never taken Lilly to the mall. Isn't that pathetic?! She has been before, but it has been a while, and pretty sure she was strapped down in a stroller. Anyway, she loved it. Why didn't I think to take her there during the freezing cold, boring, stay-at-home-with-nothing-to-do days? Duh. She also loved being in the dressing room with me while I tried on all my clothes. She thought she would get undressed too. Cute little bug. Then we all headed to lunch. I am telling you, it was a fun day. Thank you so much mom!

Wednesday was my actual birthday. Nothing too special about the day. I spent some time at Costco getting the tires on my car balanced and rotated, and eating hot dogs with Lilly....if that doesn't sound like fun, I don't know what does! But hey, while I was there, I bought my own birthday cake! Success! We did go out later for a really fun dinner with just our little family. Then, we came home and Lilly was dying for some cake. Anton bought me my very favorite treat in the whole world....Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Cummings. So, I opted out of birthday cake and polished off those lovely strawberries. Yum!

Today, Thursday, my siblings and Dad took me out to lunch. It was so much fun, as always! My brothers know how to make us laugh, that is for sure!

I received so many notes, emails, texts, visits, gifts etc. from so many of you. So, thank you. You helped make my day so special.I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends, and family.

Happy Birthday to me!

Judging by the look on her face, I think she was a little excited to finally get her hands on that birthday cake. Squirt!

Biggest Fan

2011-02-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

So, if you know Anton, you know he loves the Rolling Stones. I mean, he LOOOOVES them. He might be one of their biggest fans. Just out of pure curiosity, I thought it would be interesting to see how many Rolling Stones things he has. Here is the tally:

* 21 Cd's. That is just the number of CD's in the house. So, excluding the many CD's that are in our cars.

*Movies: 4

*Books: 4

*Clothes: 8

*Other items: 2

*We have gone to see "Shine A Light" when it came out in the theaters.

*He has seen them in concert, I think, 3 times.

*Both me and the girls have Stones t-shirts/sweatshirts.

*He knows so many details about them. He could tell you where which album was made, details of members of the band etc.

*He was ticked when they were voted number 4 on the list of greatest Artists behind Michael Jackson, Beatles, and Led Zepplin.

*We had the song "Shine A Light" on our wedding video.

*Probably his favorite thing....he has successfully converted me into a Rolling Stones fan!

On My Mind

2011-02-03T15:52:00.002-07:00

*We took the cousins on the "train" down to the Discovery Gateway. We happened to do it on the COLDEST DAY EVER. Not the smartest thing I have ever done. It was still fun. Even though I lost my debit card on Trax, and we about froze to death. No kidding.

*Went on a date to the Jazz game with Anton. It was so fun to be with him. We laughed and laughed. It was good for my soul.

*Lilly was so angry at me the other day. This was the best insult she could come up with: "Mom, you....you're...you're a SNAIL"....then slammed the door.

*Reading The Female Brain. So glad to know that girls are drama....and not just mine. Poor poor Anton with all these girls in the household.

*Not only am I wishing for warm weather so I can take my girls outside....I am ready for a wardrobe change. I get tired of wearing the same clothes over and over and over again.

*For the first time since Claire was born, I feel like Lilly is really jealous of her. It is kind of sad. Anton has noticed it too. Every time we pay attention to Claire or play with Claire, Lilly reacts. She either shows off, or gets really snotty so we pay attention to her. And, lets be honest....she isn't very nice to Claire at the moment either. Poor thing. I feel bad for her. I guess I better take her on a special date...just the two of us.

*I am really excited for Valentines Day. Not because I particularly love Valentines. It is really because Lilly is understanding holiday's now. We went and bought her her Valentines to give out. They are Disney Princess ones. Imagine that.

*About those Disney Princesses....she is OBSESSED. Santa brought her all of the Disney princess Barbie dolls. She loves them. She has a princess dress. Loves it. Has a princess book. She has to read it every day. Loves her princess kitchen. Has teeny princess dolls, loves them most of all. Loves Cinderella, and wants to watch it several times a day. She is going to go NUTS in Disneyland. But the thing I think it cute...she still loves to play out in the mud and look for bugs. Perfect combination in my humble opinion.

Trying

2011-01-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

We are trying our best to keep busy around here. It is a hard thing to do when the weather is so cold and yucky. Thankfully, we had some sunny days last week that allowed us to bundle up and play outside. While we were in the car, headed up to Nana's to swing, Lilly shouted "Mom, the sun has come up!". Sad. I know she misses being outside. To me, January is always the worst month...so I am kind of glad we are on the tail end of it.

*To help keep us busy during the day, we went shopping for lots of new arts & crafts. She is loving her new paints. Her room is full of her creations. I love that she loves it.

*I have this silly plant on our table. Claire loves to get it. Usually I am pretty good at keeping her away from it. Not this time. She is so proud!

*Sunday we went to the school that is just down the street from our house so we could let Lilly and the Cooper run around. As you can see, she was in heaven.

*Look at that face. Ooh, I could just gobble her up!

In other news:

*We have been watching the TV show "Lost" for what seems like years, and we finally finished the series last night. To be honest, I am kind of sad that it is over.

*Lilly had three teeth when she turned one. Claire is going to have 8. What the heck?! Currently she has 4...and she is cutting 4 more.

*Both my girls are great sleepers, so with this teething, I am struggling. I feel like I have a newborn again. Getting up twice in the night isn't the most fun.

*Last week, I had a melt down. Anton was so sweet and just let me cry and cry. I worry myself sick sometimes thinking about what I would do if something happened to one of my girls.

*Lilly and I got sick last week...with the stomach flu. NOT fun.

*We finally got our California trip all planned. It can't get here soon enough! So excited!

Way Too Funny

2011-01-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

My moms dear friend sent this to her. She in turn passed it on to me and my sisters. I thought it was too hysterical not to share. Not too far from the truth either!

11 Step Program for Those Thinking of Having Children:

Lesson 1
1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)

Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.
Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8
1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

The Rut

2011-01-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

So, Anton and I have both come to the conclusion that Lilly is really an easy child...most of the time. Every six months or so she gets into a rut. That rut is the following:

*"NO!" (a million times a day)
*Kicking
*Screaming
*Yelling
*Hitting
*"I DON'T WANT TO!"
*Crying
*Slamming the door (I thought this wasn't supposed to start until she hit 14 years old)
*Lots of quality time in the time out corner.
*A few spankings here and there.

Lets hope she doesn't stay in this "rut" for too much longer. I hate it when she is like this. It is a battle ALL DAY LONG. Kill me now.

In other news...Anton watched the girls for me on Saturday while I went and spent 3 hours at AquaVie day spa. 3 hours! It was glorious! I had a massage, a 45 minute pedicure, and a 45 minute manicure. Bliss. My parents gave me a gift certificate there for my birthday last year and I finally got around to using it. It was so needed, and even more appreciated.

Claire has finally gotten her top two teeth! We have a grand total of 4 teeth now. She is enjoying those chompers...she will bite down on everything. Yes, everything. And, it hurts. And at the moment, she has no interest in crawling. She gets into position (with our help) and panics. She would much rather just be a house plant, and I am OK with that. I don't love the crawling stage!

Again, lets hope Lilly is back to her old self soon. I have a feeling it is going to be a long week. Ugh.

Miss Lilly

2011-01-07T16:00:00.000-07:00

I just love this little face...

A New Year

2011-01-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

Favorites of 2010:
*Claire Elizabeth Brog. Born April 8th.
*The holidays with Lilly. This year she finally got them. Halloween and Christmas will never be forgotten.
*Girls Trip to Arizona. Can we please go back?!
*Being a mom. I look back on the year, and it seems like most everything I loved or enjoyed was because of my family. They have brought a joy into my life that I can't hardly explain.

Looking forward to 2011:
*Lilly's first real trip to Disneyland (she went when she was like 4 months old. we don't count that one!)
*It should be an exciting year with Anton's job. I am really proud of him.
*Lilly will start preschool. I don't know if that is really something I am looking forward too though.
*A vacation for just me and Anton is in the works. Can't wait!

Hopes for the year:
*Become more organized, and get rid of "junk". I really dislike my small little house having clutter in it. It makes it even that more small.
*Less TV, More books. For everyone. I read books with Lilly today for about 45 minutes while Claire was down. It felt SO good.
*I want to have at least one day a week day with my kids where I devote the whole day to them. No cleaning, No laundry, No Vacuuming...just them. Well, I will still have to cook - but that's ok! :) This will be a hard one for me. Sad, I know. It drives me nuts to have a messy house, but what would drive me more nuts is to think back one day and say "why didn't I spend more precious time with them". It scares me how fast time flies, and I just don't want to have any regrets with how I spent my time.
*Grow in the gospel. Become more Christlike. Remember all of my many blessings.
*Get in better shape. I am working on it...but, want to work harder.

Here's to 2011...looking forward to another great year!

My Girls

2010-12-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

I laughed when I took these pictures, because they are SO typical of their personalities.
Lilly:
So flippin funny.
My sister in law describes her as being "Zany". Perfect description.
She has such a tender heart.
She is hysterically funny.
"What Happen to Wiwwy" is the funniest phrase she says.
Decided the Nutcrackers mouth was the perfect place to put her booger. Sick? Yes. Funny? Yes!
Is such a home body.
Loves to "snuggle on the couch".
Favorite foods: popcorn, chips, grapes
My favorite 2 1/2 year old in the whole world!

Claire:

Has two little teeth that are crooked! So funny!

Does the stinky face on demand.

Shakes her head when we say "No No No!"

Every time I go to put a bow in her hair, she shakes her head No.

"Ba Ba Ba", "Da Da Da", "Ne Ne Ne" is her language.

Doesn't do well in crowds or when people get really close to her face to talk to her.

Finds Lilly so funny

Is really wanting to be mobile.

Loves her new lamb and play table she got for Christmas

Loves to suck her thumb.

My favorite baby in the whole world!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-29T15:26:00.001-07:00

To start off Christmas Eve, Anton played a mean game of racquetball with my brother and I took Lilly with my parents and most of her cousins to go see Tangled. It was so fun!! Each year, I cook a fancy meal and we stay in and watch movies. This year, we decided to mix it up a bit. Neither of us were feeling like cooking a big meal, and cleaning it up, so we decided to go out! If you know us, you know we love Mexican food...so thats what we decided on. Not your traditional Christmas Eve meal, but it was so fun. After dinner, we decided last minute to go downtown and take the girls to see the lights at Temple Square. We chose a good night...it wasn't that cold, and really not that busy. The girls loved it! After the lights we headed home to get working on "Santa's gifts". wink wink. Setting up all the toys and laying the presents under the tree, brought back that feeling of being a kid again. I left the room for a minute, and came back in and when I saw all the presents laying there...I could barely wait for morning. All I wanted, was to see how Lilly was going to react to her special gift from Santa. Christmas Eve this year was so much fun. I loved that it was just our little family. It was a perfect night.

Christmas morning was truly magical. We both went in to wake up Lilly, and she SHOT out of bed. I had to grab her hand to slow her down so Anton could get it on film. Of course the moment she walked into the living room, she said "A Kitchen!". We had to convince her that her kitchen wasn't going anywhere, and that Santa had brought her more gifts. Claire was just Claire...mellow and happy to be with us! She loved the paper and the bows....more so than her gifts. Typical baby! Lilly's new toys have been a life saver for me! She just plays and plays and plays...she pushes her babies up and down the hallway with her stroller, she cooks for them, she is in pure heaven. It is really fun - and quite nice!

Anton and I don't really do much for each other throughout the year, so we take the opportunity of Christmas to really spoil one another. And, I tell you what...every single year, I think "oh man, he is going to love what I got him", and then he always manages to up one me. He is so sweet with how much thought he put into my gifts. I just adore him.

This time of year can be hectic with going from here to there, making sure you have gifts for everyone, schedules are off etc., but really the best part of the holidays is the time spent with our families. We don't get to see Antons family very often because they live in St. George, so around the holidays they always come up and it is great to see them. Lilly adores her Grandma (and pompa of course!), and loves every moment she gets to spend with her. It is also so fun for Anton to get to have his family around for a few days. There are always tears shed between Lilly and grandma when it comes down to saying goodbye, but we are grateful they come up to see us for a couple of days during this crazy time of year. And, we are grateful that they live in St. George and not farther away! I am so mad at myself for not getting pictures with them this year. There is always next year!

I am so in love with my little family, and this Christmas could not have been any better. It really, truly, was a magical Christmas...one I will never forget!

Woodward Christmas 2010

2010-12-29T14:57:00.000-07:00

Another year, another fabulous party!
My parents Christmas party is now one of my very favorite Christmas traditions. I get so excited when the party is near. Lilly absolutely loved every moment of the night. She adores her cousins, and is so in love with her Nana & Pops. The evening started with a delicious meal my mom cooked (to be honest, I had the flu so I didn't eat much, but I heard it was SO delicious!), then the grandkids did the nativity scene, followed by talents. Lilly showed everyone her special trick of winking. Talented, I tell you! Then, it was time for presents. Too fun!
This Christmas tradition is so special, and so fun. I adore it. There is just something special about that night.
Thank you Mom and Dad for yet another fabulous Woodward Christmas party!

A Visit to Santa

2010-12-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

Lilly was THRILLED to see Santa! She let him know what she wants most for Christmas: a Teddy Bear. Claire's feelings about Santa are obvious from the pictures. Maybe next year!

Friends

2010-12-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got the sweetest email from one of my longtime friends. It was sent to a group of us girls, who are still friends after years and years of knowing one another. I still keep in touch and get together regularly with my friends whom I have known since early elementary school. It is so fun to see where all of our lives have taken us, and feel blessed to still call them my "dear friends". We have seen each other move away to school, get married, some divorce, some have children, some have great sadness with their children...but regardless of the different paths our lives have gone, we are still dear friends. I can always count on a good laugh when I am with them, and I love that I can show up in my pajamas with no makeup on and no one will care how I look. Not only am I lucky to still be friends with my girlfriends from high school, but since I have been married and and lived in this home/ward, I have met some truly remarkable and dear women who I am so lucky to call my friends. They are such wonderful examples to me, and I am so lucky to have my girls grow up with their children. They are the type of mothers who just get it. I will never have to worry about Lilly or Claire being at one of their homes, and in this day and age, I feel like that is so rare. And, I can't speak about friendships without mentioning these women: my mom and sisters. Don't get me wrong, I adore my brothers and dad, but there is something about your mom and having a sister. I was over the moon when Claire was delivered and the doctor said "It's a girl!". All I could think about is how lucky Lilly was to have a sister. Being the youngest of 5, I was never very close with my sisters (who were the two oldest), it wasn't until I have been married and since had children that I feel so close with them. My sister called me the other night, so sad and upset...and after I hung up the phone from her, I just thought how glad I was that she felt like she could call me and lean on me when she was so sad. Then there is my mom...she gets me, she knows me, and she loves me...unconditionally. Is there a better friendship than that? I don't think so. I don't have to act a certain way with her, I can just BE....and to me, that is the best feeling. I have mentioned before how for the birthday's in my family, my siblings and my parents get together for lunch. Just recently, we got together for my brothers birthday's. We spent a good two hours talking non stop about everything from books, movies, our children, funny stories, sad stories...you name it, we covered it! I love this tradition! I love the relationship and friendship we all have as adults.

I hope and pray that Lilly and Claire will be blessed with good friends, and that they will one day understand the importance of good friends. I don't want for them to strive to have lots of friends...I just want them to have good, dear friends. Because I know that my life has been better because of all the wonderful and dear friends I have.

#2

2010-12-05T13:46:00.001-07:00

Meet "Squirt #2"!
These girls are keeping me on my toes lately!
She was so super proud of herself for pulling out the brand new roll of paper towels!

SQUIRT!

2010-11-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Remember in my last post, how I called Lilly a squirt? Well, she is exactly that! Let me explain:
*It's Friday night and Anton is at the Jazz/Lakers game with my dad.
*I am feeding Claire.
*Lilly comes in crying and pointing to her nose.
*She has shoved a piece of sponge up her nose and I can't get it out.
*It looks small, so I hesitate to even do anything.
*Call my mom and sister for advice. End up calling the InstaCare.
*Anton has my car with the car seats. Calling neighbors to borrow car seats so I can take Lilly in.
*Pile into "daddy's big truck", and scream "weeeee!" the entire time there.
*Meet my dear mom at the InstaCare, who is there to help.
*1 doctor, 2 nurses, and me holding down a screaming hysterical 2 year old.
*I BIG piece of sponge pulled out of Lilly's nose. It wasn't as small as I was thinking.

The doctor told me that if I would have let it go, it would have gone up into her sinuses, where they would have had to put Lilly under and done surgery to get it out.

See. She is a squirt.

A darling squirt though.

Finally

2010-11-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

I applaud those mothers with 3+ children and still function like normal human beings! I feel so behind on things. My house is always messy, I am behind on my "journal" aka: my blog, I should exercise more...you know, all that day to day stuff. I always have to remind myself of balance, and that Anton and my girls come first. The other stuff can wait. Anyway, I thought it was finally time to catch up. So...this is just a little bit about what we have been up to:

*This past weekend, I went up to Midway with my mom and sisters/sister-in-laws. It was SO fun and SO needed. We all worked on projects that we have been wanting to finish (my photo album), went out for a fun dinner, and stayed up WAY too late. Not a good idea when you have to get up with a baby first thing in the morning. Anton was awesome and stayed home with Lilly bug. He said he enjoyed having a night of "bachelor living" again. Which means, he ate fast food, watched sports, and stayed up till 1 am. It think we both needed a night "off".
*He will be so mad at me for mentioning, but I am going to anyway! Anton has been the very most stressed I have ever seen him since we have been married. I guess you could say it is "good stress". In this economy I am so incredibly grateful for his job, and the stability it has brought us. Recently he has been offered to make some changes with his career. Not just one offer, but three! It has been one of the hardest things for him to decide what to do. I am so proud of him, and I have every confidence in the world in him.
* I am so excited for the holidays this year. Lilly is going to flip out over what Santa is bringing her! I can't wait! We have Thanksgiving with my family this year, and I always look forward to the wonderful feast my mom puts on.

Hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving!!

(I posted below on whats the latest with our girls...)

Lillian Virgina

2010-11-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

Oh Lilly Bug...I can't begin to tell you how much I love this child. What a squirt! That is the best description of her right now. She is so lovable one moment, and the very next moment she is spawn of Satan!! She makes me laugh so hard. I wish I could carry around a tape recorder and get some of the funny thing she says on tape. I love how quirky her personality is. Poor little thing had a 24 hour bug a couple of days ago...throw up and the works. Yuck. All she wanted me to do is "lay down and cuddle me mom". It is moments like those that keep me going as a mother. She has so much love for her mommy and daddy....what a sweetheart. It is so hard for me to believe that I am going to be registering her for preschool in a couple of months. I hate it. She is so innocent and sweet. I can't bear the thought of her growing up. Her favorites at the moment:
*Listening to the Nightmare Before Christmas song 450 times a day.
*Shouting "I did it!!" when she goes to the bathroom.
*Helping me wake up Claire from her naps.
*Luke, April, Dylan and Izzy. She talks about them all the time. The other day she said "Lets go to the park with Luke and April and Nana". Uh, OK! Luke painted her nails the other day, and she is still so thrilled to show them off.
*Anything Christmas! But, sometimes she still calls it "Nightmare Before Christmas"!
*She loves to "cook". Every night in the bath, she makes me something. "Hey Mom, I got some dinner for ya". It is so darling.
I Love her.

Claire Elizabeth

2010-11-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

I am having a hard time with Claire growing up. I was shopping the other day to try and find her a Christmas outfit, and realized I was shopping in the wrong area because I was in the newborn section. I keep thinking she is just a brand new baby girl. I hate that she is closer to one year, than a newborn. She is pure joy...really, truly, she is a slice of heaven. She has brought such a sweet spirit into our home. Every time I am holding her, I maul her. I could kiss those cheeks all day long! Some of my recent favorites....
*She LOVES to maul whoever is holding her. Especially her Pops (as you can see below)
*She is a jabber mouth. She talks all day long. It is the sweetest sound.
*She is going to be a busy busy busy child. Her little hands are so quick, and she wants to grab everything in sight.
*She is so close to sitting up. She almost has it down, but still falls backward.
*Her little "jumper" toy is her favorite thing. She loves it!
*She still loves to gaze up at whoever is holding her. This is Antons very favorite thing she does. I am glad I caught it on camera.
*There is a budding friendship between my girls. Claire has always been fascinated and throughly entertained by Lilly, but the feelings haven't always been mutual....until just recently. Lilly loves it when Claire comes in her room to play. I love it.

Beautiful!

2010-11-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

This morning, I was sound asleep when Anton came in to kiss me goodbye. I rolled over to wish him a good day and he started to laugh. Apparently, I looked really beautiful!

I had a sticker plastered to my face. Nice.

Oh the joys of motherhood!

On my mind

2010-11-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

1. This fall has been so beautiful. Sunday after church, I took Lilly up the canyon (one of her favorite things to do) for one last hoorah before the snow gets here. She loves to think about Ichabod (one of her favorite movies) while wandering around in the "spooky forest". So funny.
2. My baby turned 7 months today. SEVEN MONTHS. Are you kidding me? Where has the time gone? I seriously cannot get enough of her. Every single little thing she does I think is adorable. Even when she cries, I think her cry is cute. Now that is what I call whipped!
3. My parents just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary! They are such a cute couple - I am very lucky to have them. We went up to Log Haven for dinner Friday night to celebrate. Fun!
4. I can't hardly believe how close we are to the Holidays. Man oh man, I better get some shopping done.
5. I made Lilly a CD of Disney songs and primary songs. She was listening to it the other day while playing in her room, and I peeked in on her and she had grabbed her pillow and her blankie and was laying on the floor singing along. It was darling. She is so sweet and so innocent.
6. Today was a wake up call...what am I going to do all winter long couped up in my house!? Yikes!!
7. The girls in my family are having a "sewing/crafting night" up in Midway. I am so excited to have a night away and be with my sisters/mom. But, I am struggling with what to make. Suggestions are welcome :)
8. As darling as Lilly is - that child is really testing my patience at the moment. She says my name maybe 750 times a day, and is throwing major attitude.
9. Anton is amazing. His work is keeping him super duper busy, he is teaching at the University of Phoenix at night, and now is going to be teaching a finance class for our ward on Sunday nights. I am so grateful for everything he does for us. I love him.
10. My dearest "angel" on earth has been diagnosed with cancer. I cried so hard when I found out, and am still so sad about it. I love her so dearly, and am praying and pleading that she can beat it.

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T16:17:00.000-06:00

Well, I think it is safe to say that Halloween was everything Lilly thought it would be and more! We had the ward "Trunk or Treat", my family Halloween party, Trick or Treating...she was in heaven! I am so glad I went and took the girls to go get their pictures taken, because with everything going on that day, I didn't get very many good pictures of them in their costumes. Lilly was a spider, and Claire a little duck. Lilly really got into the Halloween thing this year, and didn't want to come home from Trick or Treating, so Anton stayed out with her for a little while more and I took Claire home to sleep. At my parents annual Halloween party, their neighbor Lisa came dressed up as Snow White. Lisa was born with some mental disabilities, and is very special to our family. When she came to the door in that Snow White costume - Lilly was star struck. (she really did look a lot like her). Lilly thought she was the most beautiful thing she has ever seen, and truly thought she was the real deal. It was SO sweet. Brought me to tears and everything! My parents set up a "spookly alley" in their basement, and of course Lilly was getting anyone she could to go through it over and over and over. It was a hit. So, needless to say, it was a very fun Halloween!

My favorite costume of the night...

So beyond excited for Jake & Katie! We thought they were "done", so it was such a fun surprise!!

Claire with Uncle Jake

Lilly with some of her favorite people in the whole world. They were so cute to help her go from door to door. She loved it!

Happy Fall!

2010-10-28T16:12:00.000-06:00

Time of year

2010-10-24T16:50:00.000-06:00

Wheezy breathing

Two oxygen treatments, and even more from home

One sick little girl.

Guess its that time of year! Darn!

Now, lets just hope Claire doesn't get the virus.

Pictures

2010-10-18T22:29:00.000-06:00

Pretty Pretty Princess. I mean, doesn't that hair just scream "Beautiful!!"?

We finally lit a fire this weekend in our fire pit! So fun! This picture makes me smile because it is so typical...Claire hanging in the background, Lilly jabbering on and on about something, Anton thinking "I have no idea what she is talking about"... all while lighting his marshmallows on fire. Good times.

We have teeth!! Two of them!! What a love bug - I didn't even know she was getting them. Oooh, I love her.

Mission Accomplished!

2010-10-13T09:52:00.000-06:00

Lillian Virginia is now potty trained.

HALLELUJAH!!!

She is such a big girl now, and is very proud of herself!

Another accomplishment: she puts her dirty dishes from breakfast into the dishwasher. Of course, they don't go in correctly, but that's OK, at least she puts them in there!

6 Months

2010-10-11T22:10:00.002-06:00

6 Month Stats:

Weight: 15 pounds (38%)

Height: 25 inches (43%)

Oh my little Claire Bear...you melt my heart. I love you so much, I can hardly stand it. I am so glad you are forever mine. And, your daddy is so absolutely smitten with you, I have never seen anything quite like it! I can honestly say, this is one of the happiest times of my life...and it is because of you and your darling sister. I am so in love with being your mommy. I love every single teeny tiny thing about you. Some of our most favorite little details about you are:
*When one of us is holding you on our lap, you always turn up to gaze at us. I can't even describe how sweet it is. It is our favorite thing you do.
*The moment one of us comes and gets you out of your bed, you smile. No matter how tired you are.
*They way you twirl your little feet when you get excited about something.
*When you are ready to go to sleep, you kick your legs up in the air, roll away from us and suck your thumb. That is one of your daddy's very favorite things you do.
*You are fascinated with Lilly. You love to sit and watch her.
*You love your mom and dad very most. We tease that you are the sweetest baby in the world...but only to us. You are slowly starting to let others snuggle you...but not many!
*Your laugh is so funny. It sounds like an old man laugh....deep and raspy.
*Your eyes are the most interesting color. We aren't sure what color they are, but they are gorgeous.
*You love the sound of your voice, and talk the very most when you are on your changing table, or in your red chair.
* The way you scrunch your nose when you cry.
*Your smile. It is addictive. The moment you smile at someone, they can't help but smile back.
*You like to be snuggled. The feel of your squishy little body is the best! Especially when you are in your snuggly jammies.

We love you little Claire Bear! So so so very much!
Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Lilly Bug

October

2010-10-04T09:15:00.000-06:00

We are so glad it is October around our house! We put our Halloween decorations up on October 1st, and now I can finally dress my girls in these adorable shirts. As you can imagine, Lilly was in heaven wearing her new Halloween shirt that Nana gave her! I love October!!

Chicken Pot Pie

2010-09-29T15:40:00.000-06:00

I don't usually post recipes, only because there are a million food blogs out there for someone to go find a recipe. But, I am making an exception with this recipe. I am telling you what...it is a keeper. It is so delicious! I will never use another Pot Pie recipe. It is that good. And, this is a perfect recipe for fall!

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
1/3 cup Butter
1/3 cup Flour
1/3 cup Chopped Onion
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
2 cups Chicken Broth
2/3 cup Milk
2 cups Cooked, Pulled Chicken
2 med. Potatoes, diced & cooked
2 Carrots, diced & cooked
1/2 cup Frozen Peas

Melt butter; mix flour, onion, salt, & pepper, then blend with melted butter.

Add Chicken Broth & milk. Heat to bubble & cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Add veggies & chicken. Pour into casserole & top with pie crust.
Bake @ 425 for 30-35 minutes or until pie crust is golden.

*I use the Marie Callender's frozen pie crust or the Pillsbury refrigerated crust. They are both very good, and I like the convenience of them rather than making my own crust. Also, I would cook it for closer to 45 minutes. My potatoes didn't finish cooking in the 30-35 minutes it called for. But, be sure to check your crust to make sure it doesn't burn. I have also used turkey in this recipe, and I actually think Turkey is better. Perfect recipe for left over Thanksgiving turkey.

Worst EVER

2010-09-29T15:14:00.000-06:00

I HATE potty training. I loathe potty training. It is the WORST JOB ON EARTH.

OK, I might be over doing it a little. But, it still sucks. I have been locked in my house for the last two days, trying to get Lilly trained. I figured we can't do much with the girls being sick anyway, so it was the perfect time to just stay home and do it.Yesterday was just a disaster. I am not even going to try and go back to yesterday. Today however, is a much better day. Lilly is SO proud of herself for being "a big girl" and using the potty! We have only had one accident today - which is pretty good. I am hoping tomorrow is even better!

Wish us luck!!

GRS Meeting

2010-09-26T09:57:00.000-06:00

Every year, my mom and sisters head out for dinner then settle down at my moms house to watch the General Relief Society Meeting together. I love the tradition! So, we headed to Trio for the most delicious of dinners, then took some yummy dessert back and watch the conference together. The talk from President Monson was truly beautiful. It couldn't have been a better talk. Because of the way he spoke with such sweetness and love, the message was even that more touching. It was a talk that applies to every single person. It was such a good reminder to not judge and be accepting of those around us, and reach out to those who may get over looked. I love it. Absolutely loved it.

In other news, both my girls have big fat colds. Boo!

A Must See

2010-09-24T13:22:00.000-06:00

This past week, we have been watching this show:

It was fascinating. Before, I didn't have much knowledge of Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda etc., so it was very interesting for me to learn about all of that. The show is in two parts: the events leading up to 9/11, and then the day of the attacks. It was so sad, humbling, scary, interesting, and SO well done. I highly recommend it. We have really enjoyed it.

(p.s. we found ours on Netflix)

Likes

2010-09-18T14:49:00.000-06:00

Claire: Little bug had cereal for the first time yesterday. She kept grabbing the spoon and shoving it in her mouth. I think she kind of liked it.

Lilly's latest "like": wearing her fairy wings. Everywhere. Had a fit when I took them off to go to Walmart.

Antons "like": Hiking. Anton and Luke hiked the Pheifferhorn last weekend. Pretty impressive.

Me: Playing cards with sister and brother-in-law. Can always guarantee that Anna's mascara will run down her face, from tears of laughter. Good times. And, I am making these tonight for dinner. Going to use fresh peppers from our garden. Holy Smokes, they are beyond delicious. You must try them!!

Honesty is the Best Policy

2010-09-15T16:46:00.000-06:00

Listen, I love being a mother. I really do. Today however, I am a little luke warm on the whole thing. Is that terrible? Probably. But, it is the truth.

I am tired.

I feel like I have a big cry that is ready to erupt at any moment.

I am sick of listening to my two year old whine.

I am beyond sick of trying to potty train that two year old.

I am so done with cleaning up the house Every. Single. Day.

Do I really have another load of laundry waiting for me? Already!?

I am so done with my husband being gone at night.

I am really burned out.

There, I said it.

Let's hope tomorrow I feel better.

Chatty Cathy

2010-09-14T15:24:00.000-06:00

I can't even stand how cute she is.

August

2010-09-07T15:22:00.000-06:00

Well, things around here are starting to slow down. I have really enjoyed this summer, and it seems like it has lasted a long time. Most summers seem to go by so fast, but not this one. It has been nice! This past month has been a fun one. We have...
*Been to St. George. Lilly thought she had died and gone to heaven.
*Gone up the canyon. Lilly loved it, because she thought the woods were "spooky".
*Went to Thanksgiving Point with the cousins.
*Spent many days swimming. What am I going to do when we can't go swimming anymore?!
*Midway with my family. Lilly is starting to love to play with her cousins.
*Anton and I went on another much needed date. It was my first time leaving Claire with a babysitter.
*Wheeler Farm. Greatest place on Earth according to Lilly.
*Packed away all of Claire newborn clothes, and broke out the 6-9month clothes. Sniff Sniff.

Nails

2010-09-07T15:03:00.000-06:00

On Sunday, I walked around the corner and found this....

Yes, that is Anton painting Lilly's fingernails. I love this picture SO much. These two have such a special relationship. They are so lucky to have him as their "daddy".

Her First

2010-09-02T16:05:00.000-06:00

Last night I was holding Claire while we were on the back porch. I was play peek-a-boo with her, and she let out the most adorable sound ever to come out of something that small.

A little giggle. Her first giggle, mind you.

Loved it.

28 months

2010-08-31T16:26:00.001-06:00

Lilly at 28 months:

*Wishes every day could be Halloween.
*Favorite movies: Monsters Inc., Nemo, Nightmare Before Christmas, Backyardigans "Ghost", Ichabod & Mr. Toad, Poohs "Halloween".
*Talks all day long.
*Is so sweet to other little kids. I am really lucky.
*Is starting to say really funny things. I laugh every day at something she says.
*Climbed into Claire's swing the other day and put her hands behind her head and rocked away. It was so funny. Oh, and she buckled herself in...just in case she fell out.
*Does NOT want to be potty trained. Ripping my hair out over here!
*When we say prayers, she folds her arms, somewhat closes her eyes, and whispers along with whoever is saying the prayer.
*She loves to go to the bushes by the side of our house and pick the "blue berries". She does it every single day.
*One of my favorite times with her is when she first wakes up from her nap. She is so chatty, and so sweet.
*Every time I turn the oven on, she thinks I am making a cake. "Cake!?!".
*Cries almost every morning when Anton goes to work. Especially the mornings when she can hear him leave, but didn't get to say goodbye.
*Loves to do "Hip Hooray" and "swing".
*Loves to wander around the yard with Anton when he gets home from work.

There are so many things to love about her. I am one lucky mama.
We love you Lilly bugs.

Lazy Reader

2010-08-23T15:14:00.000-06:00

Since Miss Claire has come along, I haven't been doing as much reading as I would like. I just finished a book...and I think it took me almost 4 months to read. Yikes! I used to do a lot of my reading while Lilly was down for her nap. Now, during nap time, all I want to do is sit and Vegg...look at a magazine, look online, sit outside. You know...turn my brain off. Reading my book is too much work. That's pathetic. Anyway, two things that I have "read lately" and thought I would share.
1). If you are a mother, you need to go pick up the latest "Family Issue" of this...

Such great ideas and so fun to read!

2).This lady came to our ward last week to speak. Brilliant! If you know me, you know I love to cook. Not so much in the summer though. So, I was very excited to pick up a new cookbook for this fall! That's OK, I won't be offended if you call me a nerd. :)

3). I couldn't resist putting a picture of Claire up. She was looking mighty cute for church yesterday. We headed to a friends sons mission farewell. Disaster. My two year old was announcing to the whole congregation that she "Wants to Go HOME!" over, and over and over. Claire decided to cry, so I went out to nurse her. Apparently after I left, Lilly went nuts and was calling for me. Or, I guess I should say, yelling for me. Then, once I got back, Claire decided she didn't want her lunch anymore, so she barfed it up all over her dress and her dad. I was a little frazzled. Anton was a LOT frazzled. Surprised?! Aaah, who doesn't love Sunday's with two young children!?!

Oh Dear

2010-08-19T15:31:00.000-06:00

1. See that little brown "thing" on the floor there?

2. Apparently Cat Fish can jump out of their tanks. What!?
3. Lilly learned her first lesson about the "Big Fish tank" today. aka: the toilet.
4. Hysterically funny thinking back on Lilly walking in to see her fish on the floor.

Pool Days

2010-08-18T15:41:00.000-06:00

Judging by the look on her face...I am pretty sure this one is going to miss all the lovely pool days.
Boo to summer coming to a close!

Please

2010-08-11T16:49:00.001-06:00

Do you ever have moments where you wish you could just freeze time? Recently, I have been having those moments...a lot. Like when Lilly is running around the yard, and her gorgeous hair is blowing in the wind. Or when we are putting Claire to bed, and she smiles at us so big it is hard for us to leave the room. Or when Lilly is swinging and says "Mama, I can touch the moon!". I don't want my girls to grow up. I put slippers on Claire last night, that are now almost too small. Lilly's pink shoes that she has been wearing all summer, are now so small her toes hang off the edge. Why? Why do they have to grow up? Can't I just freeze time? Sure, my house always looks like a bomb went off. I never have a "clothes free" laundry room. I am always changing someones diaper. I am tired. My car has now turned into a "mom car" aka: a disaster. But, would I ever change it? No. Not ever. I love snuggling my grumpy two year old when she wakes up from her nap. I love holding Claire and having her goo at me with her adoring eyes. I love listening to Lilly talk to her stuffed animals. Most of all, I love that they need me. That they want me. I don't ever want that to change. I know eventually that time will come when they don't want me to hold their hand, or give them a million kisses. You might as well tear my heart out when that day comes. So, really, can't we just freeze time?

Her Birth Day

2010-08-03T16:51:00.000-06:00

I have been trying to organize all my pictures. Editing, deleting, organizing them into monthly folders. It is a big task. It has been really fun for me to go back and look at pictures of me and Anton just after we were married and working on our house, me being pregnant and having Lilly, Lilly growing up, and now our life with Claire. Pictures always bring back memories I had forgotten about, or didn't think much of. The day Lilly and Claire were born, I can remember every little detail. It is so funny. Even now, I look back on when Lilly was born, and I can remember the strangest things. Same with Claire. The morning I went into Labor with Claire, I was such a basket case. I thought for sure I was going to go into labor with her the night before. I was up all night with contractions, but they weren't consistent enough to have me go to the hospital. So, the following night, I decided to take a Tylenol PM to help me get all the rest I could. Apparently it worked. I woke up with soaking wet pajamas and sheets. My water had broke, and I didn't even know it. I hopped in the shower, and had a good cry. I was so worried for the big change that was going to take place. I worried for Lilly. I worried for me and Anton. It was just a roller coaster of emotions. I remember calling my parents and telling them "it was time" and that we needed to drop Lilly off. I also called my sister to tell her I was in labor. I cried to her on the phone about "what if it is a girl, and I can never say to Lilly 'you are the most beautiful girl in the world' again. I cried again when I got to my parents. I was a wreck. We stopped at The Store to get some breakfast for Anton, then we were off to the hospital. I remember being so afraid of my epidural. I was shaking I was so afraid. I couldn't handle the thought of having complications again. But, all went well. After a while, I had progressed enough to send the doctor down so I could start pushing. At the same time, my epidural was wearing off. The pain, OH THE PAIN. I don't know how women do it naturally. Really. Finally, the anesthesiologist came and gave me some more of the good stuff, and it was starting to kick in right when I had my first push. Claire came into the world, not 15 minutes later. It was the best moment I can remember, when the doctor said "Its a Girl!", I remember looking at Anton and laughing. I was so excited I had another little girl. My mom cried, then I cried. I loved that the nurses and doctors that were in the room were so excited and anxious to find out what we were having. My dad, and sister who were outside the door, could hardly wait to hear the news. Anton called his mom seconds after she was born. Letting everyone know what we had, was so fun!

The whole experience was amazing, and exciting. I fell in love with her the moment I met her. I couldn't imagine my life with her, and instantly I couldn't imagine my life without her.

4

2010-08-02T13:05:00.001-06:00

I took little miss Claire Elizabeth to her (almost) 4 month checkup today.
Height: 23 inches (50%)
Weight: 13lbs of pure squishiness (50%)
Shots: 3 - ouch!

Imagination

2010-07-28T15:35:00.000-06:00

One of Lilly's favorite things to do while playing outside, is to go under the giant pine tree in the front corner of our neighbors yard. One day I found her under there talking with her "blankie" and "lamby". I am so glad I captured this moment.

Details of her

2010-07-28T15:30:00.001-06:00

Her smiles, which happen a lot, melt me.
Her beautiful eyes! I love them! They are the most beautiful color.
Her hair makes me laugh. It is SO straight. No curl whatsoever.And, she is starting to go through the old man stage with a comb over in the back!
The feel of her squishy little body is so comforting to me.
She sucks her thumb. When she is sucking, you can hear her in the other room!
She squints her eyes when she smiles really big.
I love how different she is from Lilly, but just as beautiful.
I am so in love with her.

A List

2010-07-23T15:49:00.002-06:00

01. I had forgotten how fun date night can be. It had been SO long since Anton and I were able to go out on a real date. While Antons mom was in town, she graciously watched the girls for us while we went to dinner, shopping and a movie. Then, when we got home, we stayed up until 1:40 talking. I loved every second of our date night. It was so needed.

02. It was Antons birthday this week. "Happy Birfday" is what I have been hearing all week from Lilly. I have also been hearing "Can I have some chocolate cake Mama". She LOVES chocolate cake. Smart girl.

03. I am a little sad that summer is close to being over. I have loved taking my girls to the pool this summer. Lilly has come a long way since her first time swimming this season.

04. Little upset about this one. Claire hates two things. Two of which happen to be things I love. Number one...she hates the double stroller now. Ugh. It was so nice to get my workout by taking them for a jog in that. Number two...she hates to be hot. I can't blame her. Although, now it makes it a little hard when we are at the pool. She is always in the shade, and sometimes she even comes swimming with us. But, her happiness only lasts maybe 10 minutes. Then, she is ready to head home to the air conditioned house to take her nap. Oh well!

05. My cute little Granny is sick. I went yesterday to see her in the ICU, and tonight we are going to visit again before she has her open heart surgery tomorrow. Makes me so sad to think she is sick. We were driving to the Sports Mall this morning, which happens to be by Granny's house, and Lilly asked "Mama, go see Granny?". I told her granny was sick and was in the hospital. She said "Granny need a drink?". I guess she thinks if granny had a drink she would feel better. Cute thing.

06. I can not WAIT for Season 4 of Mad Men to start on Sunday. Love that show.

07. My house is in desperate need of a cleaning. And, I am on the computer. Go figure. I guess I better go!

The Difference

2010-07-17T14:49:00.003-06:00

Lilly at 2 months & Claire at 3 months! I think it is safe to say that Claire likes to eat.

Busy Week

2010-07-14T19:50:00.003-06:00

Over the last week, we have been doing lots of fun things to keep us busy!

*Took dinner over to Wheeler Farm on Saturday and had a picnic, then took Lilly to see the animals. Wheeler Farm is probably one of Lilly's favorite places to go.

*We go swimming at Nana & Pops house probably two or three times a week. On Monday, she finally got the guts to jump in the pool by herself. Now, she jumps in over and over and over.

*We went to go visit Granny & Gramps. Lilly has a very special relationship with Gramps. They are drawn to each other, and she talks about him all the time. I am glad I had my camera with me, because Gramps pulled out his guitar and sang to Lilly...which he doesn't do very often. It was really sweet, and a memory I will hold dear.

*We went to the zoo with our friends. Lilly liked it, Claire hated it. It was fun to be with our friends though!

*On Sunday, Lilly drew on her face with permanent red marker. She was "putting makeup on". Nice.

*Grandma Brog was up to visit Lilly for the day. Of course, Lilly LOVED having her Grandma here.

*We went to "Sneaky Sams" (my nephew Sam) swim meet at Willow Creek. So fun!

We have been busy busy busy...I love summer!

Good Look!

2010-07-09T08:59:00.002-06:00

"Here Go Mama. Here go!!" Lilly didn't think she had enough bows in her hair, so she kept handing me more and more to put in. Such a funny little girl!

Tender

2010-07-08T21:56:00.002-06:00

Happy 4th!

2010-07-06T16:19:00.003-06:00

The 4th of July has always been one of my very favorite holidays! This year it was grand. On Sunday, my sister had us out for dinner, followed by delicious desserts, and a fantastic firework display which Lilly adored. After my sisters house, we got home just in time to see the fireworks at the Cottonwood Country Club go off. They are always really well done. And, of course Lilly adored those too! The following morning, my parents had a big breakfast, then afterward some played tennis, and others went swimming. So fun! I laughed so hard at my brother trying to do a back flip into the water, I almost drown. Good times. Such a fun holiday!

Hope you had a Happy 4th!

Girls Trip

2010-06-29T16:34:00.003-06:00

Really? Does it have to be over? Our girls trip was

so much fun - I don't even know how to explain how much fun it was! I laughed SO hard, so many times. And the shopping, OH the shopping - I went nuts! I don't think I have ever shopped like that in my life. The whole trip was too much fun. Little Claire was such a trooper...even though I had her there with me, I was still able to relax and enjoy myself because of how easy going she is.

The Highlights:

*My Massage. I was in heaven.

*Laying by the pool.

*The "girl talks". We didn't stop talking the entire flight over. It was rather funny.

*Our hotel. SO NICE.

*As mentioned before...the shopping.

*Laughing at Anna. "CODE RED!"

*Laughing at everyone, really.

*"I am not sure if I have it on backwards".

*"Oooh they have a roasted beet salad!"

* The yummy restaurants.

* Sleeping in.

* "How long do we have to lay there?"

I could go on and on and on about how wonderful the trip was. I missed everyone when I woke up this morning. We are all going to save our pennies, because we can't wait to go back.

Dad, thank you so much for such a wonderful trip. I love you.

Cute Anton did so well with Lilly while I was gone. They had such a great time together - that made my trip even better. And, my sweet mother-in-law made the trek up from St. George to help out with Lilly too. She and Lilly have such a sweet relationship - it is really cute. So, thank you thank you Deb and Anton!!

(p.s. i had my old ghetto camera with me...so that's the reason for the lack of pictures.)