Happy Birthday Granny!

I feel like a loser today that Granny had to remind me that it was her birthday!  She never forgets a birthday, and even reminds me to wish my other family members happy birthday.  I just wanted to give her a little tribute because she is a very special person to me.  Here are a few things I love about Granny:

1.  Her favorite thing about Facebook is wishing her friends happy birthday
2.  All babies love her, and she is the best at getting them to laugh/smile.

3.  She has a tender heart and is sensitive.  She is probably crying if she is reading this.
4.  Until she retired a few years ago she used to work full-time, keep a spotless house, maintain a beautiful yard, and cook almost every night.  I've never had that much energy in my whole life.
5.  She is short!  I was so excited when I was about 13 and was taller than her.
6.  She used to buy her and Poppy matching shirts.

7.  She can cheer me up even when she isn't feeling happy.
8.  She has a great sense of humor, and I don't know why, but it's especially funny when she swears (it's rare).
9.  One of my favorite things she used to say is, "I'm ____ years old!  I think I know a little something!"
10.  She is too humble.  I wish she would learn how to accept a compliment!
11.  She is spotlessly clean and organized.
12.  She likes to scrapbook, but says she isn't good at it.  She has an amazing collection of scrapbooks and family history books that she's put together over the years.
13.  Her hair and makeup always look perfect.
14.  She will tell me if I'm wearing too much eyeliner or my foundation doesn't match, even if she knows it will make me mad!
15.  She puts family first.
16.  She throws the best parties!  She plans them for months and buys way to many gifts!
17.  She used to babysit my siblings and me while my mom worked for a lot of years.  She showed us the best time and always made us feel so loved.
18.  She worries too much.  Sometimes I don't tell her when I'm driving to Utah because I know she'll be worried until I arrive.
19.  She makes up fun games.
20.  She makes up songs for different grandkids.
21.  It was so special to me when I went through the temple and she was there in her little white muumuu.
22.  She is so much fun to be around.  I loved working with her for a lot of years.  She would give me rides, buy me lunch, and compliment my outfits!
23.  She tells me I'm her favorite granddaughter my age. 
24.  She is the most beloved person I know.  All of her grandkids and great-grandkids adore her.  She has a lot of friends.  She still keeps in contact with some of her high school friends, and has a list of all of her classmates that have passed away.   
25.  She has always been one of my best friends.  I've been very close to her my whole life.  I love her dearly and think about her and pray for her every day.

Words can't express how much I love you, Granny!  I wish I could give to you as much as you've given to me my whole life.  I hope you had a happy birthday!  Love, Jen

Will Three Months/ Fourth of July

Here is Will at three months.  He is laughing all the time, has rolled over three times (he still can't figure out how he did it), and grabs objects.  His eyes are still blue and he has tan skin like Jayce.  He's got a bald spot on the back of his head and is looking a little bald because his hair growth can't keep up with the rest of him. 

Blake had to work on the Fourth of July, so the kids and I just hung out at home.  There was a firework ban, so we could only play with pop-its.  It rained in the evening, so we didn't even get to watch fireworks.  Jayce was bummed out and said, "The Fourth of July is all about fireworks!"  We watched The Patriot so she could see a little of what it is really about. 

Kids' Pictures June 2013

While we were in Utah this June, the kids got their pictures taken by their very talented aunt, Lyndsy.  I love how they turned out!

June 3013

This June Blake had to go to Oklahoma City to complete radar training for his job.  It is the last training he will have to complete to be a certified air traffic controller.  It's amazing how long they have to train, but his job is so intense that it's definitely necessary.  The kids and I spent the month in Utah while he was training.  It was hard to be away from him for a month.  We've done it before, but it's something I could never get used to. 

We went swimming before we all left.  This was Will's first time of many at the pool this summer. He loves the water.

The first day in Utah I went and saw Les Miserables at the Pioneer Theater in Salt Lake with Kevin, my mom, Jayce, Granny, Nicole, Emily, Amanda, Mollie, and Adam.  Kevin bought us seats on the front row, and it was amazing!  It was incredible to be so close that we could see the actors spit when they sang and look down into the orchestra.  It was a great cast.  My favorite was Javert.

My camera broke and we usually depend on Blake's cell phone for our pictures, so all the pictures I have are from my mom and Nicole's phones.  I feel bad that I don't have any pictures of the Yakiwchuk family.  We went swimming with them a lot, the girls had sleepovers, and we spent a lot of time with them too.
Here are a few of the pictures from hanging out with my family. 

Grandma Geneal had "boot camp" for the kids like Poppy did before about 10 years ago.  Hers was a little easier than his, though.  They went bowling and played in Granny's yard.

Jayce took private swim lessons with Doran and Brock.   She had a great time and improved tons!

We went to the Hogle Zoo with the Engmans and Grandma Geneal.  It was awesome!  The kids all liked the polar bear the best.  They had some really cool lego animals all over the zoo that the kids loved.

The girls loved visiting Aunt Lisa and Madison and playing with their new kittens.  Lisa really wanted us to take one home, but Claire was way too rough with them.  She kept picking them up by their throats.

We stayed at Grandma Geneal and Papa K's house.  It was a lot of fun.  We got to work out in their gym, have a weenie roast in the backyard, and have movie parties in the theater room.  We had the best time!

At the carnival with the Engmans and Grandma G

The girls had a great time at all the sleepover they went to. They had sleepovers with Papa Don, Grandma Renee and Grandma Sirrine, Sami and Susan, Lyndsy, Dustin and Kelley, and the most with Coley.  Here are a couple pictures from their sleepovers with Coley.

Here is Will with his two very special great-grandmothers.

And with Christine.

Finally back home with Daddy.  Blake couldn't believe how huge Will had gotten after a month, and how much louder he cries!  I really think Will remembered Blake.  He just kept staring at him and smiling the first day back.