Over the past week...

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!

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

Her many looks

Thanksgiving 2011

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

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

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

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

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

Pumpkin Patch

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!

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

Random

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

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

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!