One!

Happy 1st Birthday, Lennox!



It is unreal how quickly the time has passed, Jig! You came into this world very quickly. That tradition continues because you have grown quickly, you learn quickly, crawl quickly, think quickly... you have changed from this tiny one on our bed...



... to a happy grown-up-looking boy TOO quickly!



Here are a few things about your character...

You are one touchy-feely guy. It is just that way for you... you have to touch anything and everything, you just can't help yourself! If you are being held back from touching something, you will most certainly dive. That would explain why you have consistent bruises coming and going on your forehead :( But you're not afraid of a single thing.



You are incredibly tolerant and good-natured. I tote you and Croz around with me EVERYWHERE! Many days when we're at home I let you roam or play by yourself while I run in circles trying to get something done. Even when you are extremely tired you're usually still smiling.



You happen to adore your brother Crosby! And he adores you back. Days are getting harder for the two of you though because sharing all of the cool trucks and construction machines is really hard work for two boys. In fact the other day you started biting your good 'ol bro - guess it's your survival technique - wow hopefully you won't do that anymore, Jig! You love to stand right next to Croz at the couch playing trucks and going for walks in the wagon while I pull and Croz pushes.



Taking baths is another love of yours... you are still fascinated with water. It's fun to see how much you love watching water flow out of the faucet! You and Croz have lots of laughs in the tub when I let you both go in together.



Here's that touchy-feely side coming out again... any interesting-looking surface, ridge, shape. You're on it! It's neat to watch you learn this way.



When you're upset it is NO secret. You've got a set of pipes and let out a very frustrated yell when you are driven to it. When you're sad you sport the MOST sad lips/face I've ever seen. You're entire face turns into a squished lemon and so it's hard not to smile when you're sad because your sad face is downright adorable.



You have a very distinct mischievous side that rears its head from time to time. Maybe there's a good reason Crosby named you "Spider Man." When you crawl into the room he yells, "Mommy, look - here comes Spiderman!" You definitely have a mature sense of right vs. wrong for a 1-year-old... when you dropped and smashed all of these crackers in the wagon, I told you "No!" and you put your head down all shameful-like... awwww Jig!!



I love you so much, Lennox. You are a complete delight. Your morning smiles are the best reward every day. I love our songs that just you and me sing. You love the elephant picture in your room and singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" as you look at it.



As much as I love you and you love me, a daddy's boy you'll be. (For now!) Dad LOVES to just hang out with you. Wrestle a little and chill out a lot. We are both in awe that you are growing up like this but it is such a joy to watch you learn... We love you with all of our hearts. HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!



Since your favorite thing is puppies, we were so excited to throw you a puppy 1st birthday! Nan made your pup cake.



And your job was to pet the pups...



The night before while you were sleeping Nan, Beth, and I had a fun time creating your puppy cupcakes-



A whole bunch of them.



Went a little overboard on Diet Coke and frosted Milanos, but you have to enjoy it while it lasts



You had many loved ones come to see you at your party! Your cousins Milo...



And Eden with her dog shirt!



Both Grandmas. And even your Great-Grandma Beck too.



Crosby had a few friends to play with



And your buddy Isaac gave you boots to match his! Awesome!



Tavi had fun chasing the pups and getting muddy... speaking of getting muddy, Aunt Alice gave you a book about a muddy puppy. And you got two other dog books too!!



Elese brought Dawson, you'll be running around like him pretty soon-



Your friend Callan with his mom and dad



Uncle Suman brought their dog Bird to play at your party; we followed him down the road to the dog park spot



Beth stayed warm by the fire.



This dog must have known you're the birthday boy because he came right to you and gave you a slurp.



We all watched the dogs run and play in the water



Roxy was just your size



Pat brought Snoop



After enjoying your time with the pups, it was time to enjoy your cake... you knew just what to do! You took it slow... didn't dive into your cake amazingly enough. You just kind of savored every crumb and frosting.



We are so happy you are part of our family, Jig! You make our days bright... we love love love you so much.

Love,
Mom & Dad

10.2.2011

As I sit here waiting for my hubby of nine years to come home from studying at the library, I've had a few quiet minutes to think about our history. There's lots to it and lots more to come, but each year of our time together feels like a new layer. It reminds me of growth rings on a tree. Some of the rings smooth and some squiggly. But as things stand today, I cannot picture growing into who I am or D growing into who he is with anyone else. I feel that we have transformed each other in our own ways. He surprised me for our anniversary this morning by dropping the boys off to my parents and whisking me away in our truck up to my uncle's property where we had a mountain to ourselves. I will never be able to clear the image from my mind! Hours of quiet conversation, his guitar, Autumn sun. It is so cliche but so true that I love him more than ever before.

Helpers

Every day I look at these guys and realize how incredibly lucky I am. My sweet, considerate Croz and my curious, four-wheeler of a Jig... gon' make us some gingersnaps.

Stupid Job

Crosby has claimed the little couch as his construction site/play area and now that Jig can roam wherever he pleases, Crosby's toys and playtime are jeopardized BIG time!

The other day I heard Croz say, "Ugh this is such a stupid job," as I peek around the corner and see him dragging Lennox by his baby legs as far away from his toys as possible. Not sure where he learned stupid, but the camera was right there and I said, "Wait Croz what did you just say?" And he repeated the scenario all over again, lucky me. Makes sense though. Don't you feel that way about all kinds of things? Say... washing the dishes? Laundry? Trimming your toenails? Having to physically drag your brother away from getting into your toys every 30 seconds? They are just stupid jobs. (You have to listen carefully to hear it!)

Potty Trained

It happened like everyone said it would... one day he decided it sounded good to use the toilet and wear underwear. He has been going 2 weeks strong and he's got a proud Mom and Dad. Even Lennox likes to crawl into the bathroom to sit there and watch the big event. Gooooo Croz!

He likes his Spiderman underwear the most (go figure), still calls them "Bobs" from time to time like his cousins, and hangs them on his dresser for the next day.

No Words

Making the Most

Time is speeding faster than I can keep up with, and summer's starting to feel like it is winding down. I cannot BELIEVE how short this summer has felt! Does anyone else feel this way? And now - already - there is that hint of Fall. Unbelievable, but exciting!

Got the boys packed up - apple slices, toys, and all - to head out in our "double stroller" but couldn't get the tires pumped for anything. Notice Jig's eyebrow, which has a mind of its own.



Gulp. Cam, Auds, and Fam. I try to avoid thinking and talking about the fact that they are moving in less than 2 weeks. This is not gon' be pretty. I might as well not wear mascara for the next week and a half.



While Cam's been gone, Auds and I have tried to do lots together, though we are both separately quite busy. We definitely have managed to fit in fun times. We hauled everyone to Park City on Friday and made some memories for sure! Digging for one possible quarter to let all four kids ride one ride together. Yes, buy the green coat, but RUN back to the van fast. You know why. Mickey D's on a very steep hill. Chocolate hamburgers on Nan's porch and don't anyone mess with a woman who knows how to work a hammer stapler! I love you Auds and I will DIE to not have you 3 minutes away. Don't even go there with Croz to not have his cousins around... oh nooooooooo



The kids had a grand time at Thanksgiving Point, where we visited the farm. It's a great petting zoo type of experience if you're looking for one. The kids get nice and up close/personal with the animals if they want to... I couldn't believe how Lennox was reaching for the cows and horses! Croz & Claire take their milkjug jobs very seriously.



Waiting for the pony ride... love midget Jig



Everyone's gotta ride a pony some time







Our Jigga has been a crawlin' fool these days



Dressing room at Gap, wish I could've gotten a better shot. We were laughing SOOOOO hard at the mirror morphings!!



Surprise surprise, what has D been doing? He had a bunch of tile pictures he had to take for a school project, so I thought I'd show one of his own



Luckily though the jobs are wrapped up for the present time. I live for D's breaks in between semesters. I think he does too. That is how life should be anyway... it is chill time at our household for sure.



It is heavenly to have D be able to hang out with us all the time! In case you couldn't tell, that's him and his mini-me in the lazy river.



Our boys love their dad, no doubt. I sure love him too. He's a wrestler, go for walks guy, silly, diaper changer, baby food mixer, take 'em to Munga's kind of dad.



Mirjeta's day finally came! Just over a week ago she was able to take Baby Tayt home! After 5 months in the NICU it was about time. In true Mirjeta fashion, Tayt was not allowed to leave the hospital without a GRAND farewell. She wanted signs, people, balloons, cheering, and glitter. There were other signs and lots of balloons, but this was the one we made.



I cannot even imagine the glory of that day... well, I definitely saw it on her face. And I'll never forget it! Their little family packed up and ready to go.



I had to put this picture, even though I should be kissing her! I feel like it says a lot. She had just found out she could take Tayt home in a matter of days. I love Mirjeta so much and will forever be grateful for our friendship!



Well, Red Butte Garden has been our spot recently. Having a membership there is primo wonderful.

It offers a whole lot, especially photo shoot ops!



Mystery Men



I get to look at these impossibly cute faces all day long. Lucky me.





Notice anything about Jig's eyebrow again?!



Jigga loves it when D does drums with him



All pictured out



D & I stopped to talk to people from his work and so Crosby was pouting. He was making it very clear.



Stool fit for a Jig



One day we went to Red Butte in our grubs strictly to play in the huge pot of red sand. I think Crosby had the time of his life.



And so did Lennox.



Such soft sand



BYO diggers, shovels, and trucks and you're good to go.



Spent some time at Red Butte with the gals one morning. Amy just had her baby girl Melina about a week ago!



Aimee's little girl Charlotte was making the cutest faces and was showing off her sign language skills



What a doll!



I took dinner one night in May to an old lady around the corner. We visited for a while and found a lot of common ground/connections. She invited me back to come check out her hobby... quilting. Oh my gosh! She was showing me her drawerfuls of beautiful fabrics. Showed me some projects she's been working on. She said, "Oh I've got so many fabric scraps that I was going to give away... I would love for you to make a quilt."

I never had touched a sewing machine previous to this... she has given of her time and energy over the last couple months and I have brought fabric home to make combinations, measure and cut, then take them over to her place to sew. Seems simple enough but it has taken hours upon hours upon hours!

Marian is an artist and I love her. We have enjoyed visiting, getting to know each other, laughing. She is 90 years old and has truly become my friend. Just this afternoon I was over there for FOUR hours! D was able to watch the boys while I stole away for a while. She made me a ham sandwich on rye bread and then some lime jello with grapes in it! It has been so cool to see some of the things she's done with her creativity and hear her stories. Here are some of the color combinations for the quilt that we're starting to lay out and block together:





As we were laying pieces out tonight she asked me, "Do you think it's too gaudy?" I told her no way! I feel like this quilt is ME... all over the place.



When this is done (October maybe??) it will be a king-sized quilt for mine & D's bed. I will have to take a picture of it when it's finished! I am so looking forward to completing it.

Over the weekend I saw the movie 'Crazy Stupid Love' and I liked it. What I LOVED though was the song at the end of the movie. I just now looked it up and have fallen madly in love with not only the music but the masterpiece of a "music video" that has been created. If ever there was art, this is it for me. Please enjoy!



Ta Ta for now!