Jan & Feb

I have had the best intentions to blog more - but here I am. I will blame it on Picasa because for some reason it wont upload pictures, so I have to save the pictures to my computer and upload them...just a lot longer process. Any who, enough of that! Life is so good. Everyone is happy, and healthy. Here is the latest with everyone:

Claire Bear. Some little person with a terrible temper and major attitude has taken over my little Claire. She is pushing my patience lately. I remember with Lilly, three was much harder than two, and I am finding that to be the case with Claire too - although it is happening a lot later on than I would have though given she will be four really soon. When she is sweet, she is heavenly and lovey and I can't get enough of her. So, this little temper/attitude thing is driving me crazy! She is still in tumbling, but doesn't love it. She still loves dressing up as SpiderMan and Merida, but now she thinks she loves Batman. Such a little tomboy! She doesn't love going to school, but loves it when she is there. She is so happy when I pick her up. It is one of my favorite things in the world to pick her up. She is so happy and runs as fast as she can when she sees me. Melts my heart.

Lilly Bug. I can't believe how big Lilly is getting. It is so bitter sweet. I knew the day would come when she didn't live, breathe, dream, love Disney princesses...and SO sadly, that day is very near. She is understanding that they may not be real, but I do my best to convince her otherwise!! She is loving school, and is really doing well with reading and is ahead in Math (she did not get that from me!). She is such a sweet girl, and already tries to include the underdog when she plays with her friends. It makes us so proud. She is still obsessed with ice skating, so I signed her up for the next session already. It is so funny to watch her. She jumps, and twirls and thinks she is pretty amazing - she is determined, I will give her that! She is becoming such a good little helper around the house with her laundry, setting the table, cleaning her room, and unloading the dishwasher. I love her so much, she is such a little love bug.

Me. Life with me is good, but busy. I feel like a taxi service a lot of the time, but life is so happy. A few weeks ago, my previous boss called me and asked if I would be interested in coming back to work. I told him my first priority was being a mom, so if he could work around that, I would love to go back to work. So, I go into the office when Claire and Lilly are in school which is only twice a week, and then do the rest at home when needed. It was so fun to walk back into work and it has been great to have something other than laundry, cleaning, cooking etc. Then several days after I got a call from someone in my ward asking if I would be interested in making and taking two to three meals a week into an elderly couple. They pay really well, and it is so easy. All I have to do is make a little bit more food than what I usually do. So, lots of change - but good change! I am really excited about it!
(Sorry, no picture of me - I am always behind the camera!)

Anton. He has been home for so long, and now the traveling is going to start again. I am sad to have him leave!! He is so happy with work, probably the happiest I have ever seen him. Another thing making him so happy: hiking. I can't believe how mild and nice the last few weeks have been. He has been up Olympus so many times...at least 3 times a week. I am glad for him because he loathes winter, and still wants to move to a warmer place like St. George. So, having him being able to get out and enjoy the winter as best he can is a big deal. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this guy. We were lying in bed the other night, and talked for what seemed hours...about everything. I love that I can talk and talk and talk with him. And, he makes me laugh every single day. Not just chuckle, but laugh. He is so good with the girls. He is the perfect combination of fun and strict. The girls think I am chopped liver next to him, but boy oh boy they do not want to cross him! I am dreading the several weeks he is gone, but grateful for all that he does for our little family.

Recently...

 

1. I thought it was finally time to get Claire into an activity. She chose tumbling, since she saw Lilly take tumbling and thought it looked fun. So far, so good! She really likes it!
 

2. So, remember when I said we had a fantastic Christmas?! This beauty was a gift from my parents. We couldn't be more thrilled about it! I am super rusty, but am excited to start to learn to play again. And, the girls are really looking forward to taking lessons soon.
 

3. Claire saw this batman shirt in the store, and I couldn't resist getting it for her. Funny thing is, right before this picture was taken she had her heart just broken in two. Some friends teased and laughed at her for wearing a batman shirt. I came downstairs and she was shirtless and crying. She had shoved her shirt behind the piano, and was refusing to put it back on. She was so embarrassed that these friends were laughing at her. Anton, Nana and me all gave her a good little pep talk to help ease the broken heart. Now, she wakes up everyday wanting to wear it. Love my little tom boy!
 

4. We decided to make a sledding hill in the front yard. It was actually really fun!
 

5. I was so tired of the brown in the girls bathroom, so I just started on this last night. It is going to be so darling, and so girly! Can't wait for it to be finished!
 

6. Lilly just started ice skating, and LOVED it!!! That is all she can think about. She is simply obsessed, and I think it is so darling that she loves it. And, since I am her mom, I can say she is one of the best in her class. Love my Lilly Bug!

Winter Break

Because of Claire's pinkeye, all of us were literally broken hearted that Anton's sister couldn't stay with us while they were here for Christmas. Lilly was SO sad, and cried and cried that she couldn't be with Prentice 24/7. I called the doctor and got some eye drops for Claire, and she was no longer contagious come Friday. So, we finally got to see them! We took Lilly to be with them on Thursday night, and we got to see them for a long time on Saturday. We don't see Anton's family all that often, so it was great to see them for the time we did. We look forward to seeing them again soon - and more importantly, we can't wait for our Disney trip with them that we planed!!
Because pink eye is so contagious, we had to keep Claire away from doing some fun things with family. She was really sad about it, and it broke my heart. Now that she is done being sick, Lilly is sick!! She just has a cold/cough, but I swear it never ends :) Hoping it all clears up soon!
 

 

 

Lilly got to go to her cousin Lucy's birthday party at the hair school! I think her hair dresser might need a tad more schooling. She had so much fun though, and that's all that matters!

Took the girls sledding. It was pure ice, and I was a nervous wreck they were going to crash on it and get really hurt. Sledding is fun, but nerve-wracking! They loved it though!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning started off a little rough. As we were putting Claire to bed the night before, she screamed (which is unlike her) and screamed saying her eyes hurt. When we went to wake her up the next morning, her eyes were literally sealed shut. She couldn't open them, so we had to put a hot moist rag on them to loosen the gooey gunk up. Once she opened her eyes, we could tell she definitely had pink eye. Poor little squirt. She didn't really cheer up until she made it downstairs. It was all smiles after that! Santa really pulled through! There is only one word to describe how perfect Christmas morning always is: Magic. The smiles, screams and giggles are enough to melt my heart. So blessed to have my little family.
I can't mention Christmas without mentioning Anton. He is so sweet to me and the girls. He spoils us, and loves us so much. He always says he doesn't want anything, and I really believe he would be OK if I didn't give him anything...I do get him stuff though! The joy for him, is when we open our gifts that he has given us. There is nothing I love more than being with the three of them!!
 

 

"On the stairs" photo before presents. Claire looks thrilled! I remember doing this as a kid. When I am older, I think it will be fun to go back and see all the Christmas morning stairs pictures!
 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve

Christmas eve, to me, is almost as fun as Christmas. I love it! I could tell Claire was starting to not feel well, so we stayed home and just relaxed. I love to cook a traditional dinner on Christmas Eve. This year, since we have the space now, we invited my parents over. Cheesy, but we were so excited when they accepted the invitation! I have never used my Christmas china, and we have never sat down as a family at our new dining room table. It was really fun for us to finally have the room to entertain. I made a traditional dinner, then after dinner the girls did some crafts with Nana & Pops. They made paper chains for the tree - and yes, they are still up :) The girls got to open their "one present" while they were here, then we nestled them down to watch Mickey's Christmas while we played games. Anton and I love to play 5 Crowns with them - we always have a great laugh! It was such a great night - definitely one to remember!! After Nana & Pops left, "Santa" got to work!
 

 

 

Woodward Christmas 2013

The Woodward Family Christmas party is always my favorite party of the month!! The food is delicious, the nativity is always chaotic- but so darling, the gift are amazing, the talent show is always entertaining, and the time spent with family is precious. I look forward to this party all month! Thanks Mom & Dad - we love you SO much. 

Starting off December

I have a love/hate relationship with December. I get SO excited for the holidays - especially because of my girls - but get major anxiety about all the commitments. By the time the holidays are here, and almost over, all I want to do is just be home. But, there are so many things to love about the holidays. It was a busy December, but so much fun.  The girls were ecstatic that "Poppy" our elf came back! Poppy had to report to Santa once, because of bad behavior. I call that a success! They wrote letters to Santa - and even got one back! The holidays with my little bugs makes all of it so exciting!
 

Lilly asked for an American Girl doll, and Calico Critters. Claire asked for Spiderman stuff and Batman stuff.
 

 

Woodward Refugee project!
 

Owl Chorale concert. Oh, how I love those two little faces!