Swimming Lessons: Take One

Jack and India with their teacher Missy

Erin took this weird artsy one...just teasing Erin...Jack could see himself very easily. :)
Poor Erin, I made her take pictures and I'm pretty sure I put the camera on whacked out mode.This is Griffin at swim lessons. Apparently he isn't comfortable in the water yet either.

Jack kind of got a little done with swimming lessons. They were everyday for two weeks and he was feeling like he had done that swimming thing and all and boy was he ready for something else. I would mention India's name and suddenly Jack was at the front door ready to go. I really should have taken a picture of the two of them holding hands and running down the front hall of the Orem Rec.

I LOVED watching Jack from the observation deck. I just really wanted to know what he was saying. See Jack doesn't really like water in his eyes...:) One day the kids got to wear "sun jackets" aka life jackets and take a jump off the diving board (to their teacher). Jack marched his little way to the end of the board and I swear his toes with gripping the end of the board...did he jump, or fall? Nope. He just contemplated his fate and marched right back to safety. So the first line on Jack's certificate says, "Jack is still a little afraid of the water." Oh I was laughing!

Can Four People All Smile At Once???

That's right. I've never held a baby before...
So Steve is pulling my drill team smile. He' s so cheeky...
Fuller cousins we miss you!
Family picture time and Wayne was awesome! We love Wayne, he took our engagements too. The hardest part now is getting everyone to smile at the same time. I'm sure Steve will be excited to try again. :) Here's a couple...the funny thing is that one person would look decent and at least one other person would look ridiculous.

Sweet dreams.

Candid sleepers.

I Do Get Out of the House

Ta-Da! I do get out of the house and Steve and I do actually see each other now and then. His summer really makes me feel like he's becoming a doctor and finishing med school. He has been gone so much. Jack called me dad twice yesterday and I'm thinking he's a bit confused. Sometimes when Steve is in town, but at work/school, Jack asks if he's ever coming home. :(

This is our fun trip to the Spanish Fork Reservoir with wonderful Uncle Wayne.

First Critical Comparison

I'm totally copying Leisy (I like how she posted pics of Zeb and Ike). It is fun to see the similarities. The pictures I am using really don't do justice to the gigantor size of Griffin. He is over 12 pounds and just about two and a half months old. I think Jack was about 9 pounds at this time. For a real comparison I suggest all of you blog readers come visit and get to know these two boys and how completely different they are.
Jack is the top picture and Griffin is the bottom.


Here is the Corn Salad Recipe:
6 ears corn (I cheated and used frozen sweet white one bag)
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes (I used grape tomatoes)
1/2 C thinly sliced red onion
1 large avocado, cut into cubes
1/3 C chopped basil leaves (I didn't have basil, but it would have been fabulous)
2 tbsp Champagne vinegar (I made up the dressing, but it was too strong and I rinsed the entire salad and it was great. Next time I use a little olive oil and S & P)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 C Olive oil
S & P

Going Bananas

Griffin is two months old and look at those lovely rolls! Hopefully the more rolls he has, the less I have. I think Jack is helping me lose the baby weight too.
This is my favorite summer salad. Sadly, it doesn't seem to agree with Griffin. He has been super cranky the last couple of days and I'm ready to give up corn and tomatoes until next year.

Saying Good-bye

The best family reunion (at least for this year!) and Griffin's blessing
and saying good-bye to mom and dad
derek and rachael and co.
steve
amy, craig, peanut, taylor and sofa

The pictures don't need more explanation, do they?

Horned melon and flowers for Hailey

So has anyone ever heard of a 'horned melon'? I think that it is only available in Ely, Nevada. It grows wild on Wheeler Peak(okay, I think that it is really from New Zealand). It is not very tasty, but it is fun to hold and eat.

Hailey, I was going to sent you some flowers, but they only wilt and waste away. Here are some that will last as long as we have something to read these digital files. I wish that you were with me to see flowers and caress the 3000 year old bristlecones with me.

When you know you're still far from home

Bristlecones and the Great Basin. I'm tired and I want to get home.

When you know you're far from home

Good Times on the Circle

Buying ice cream from the ice cream man is such a waste of money, right? We are constantly filling Jack's sweet head with talk about "good values." Oh blah! Here is a picture of Jack having a highly sweetened, expensive treat right before dinner. Oh yeah, and he is using his scissors too! Breaking all the rules! This is why every kid wants to be a grown up right? :)He looks so sweet, you would never guess how he grunts and passes gas.If you don't think he looks like a Howell, don't tell me. I'm still crossing my fingers!

The pinata was a little late due to our lovely June thunderstorms.

Oh yeah, I have two kiddos now

Poor Griffin hasn't received very much coverage lately. Let me just say that my computer usage time has gone WAY down. When I have spare time I am usually reading a book or talking to Amy on the phone (hooray for Verizon)!

He is growing so well and smiling much more. I sure love this guy. He is pretty much enamored with me too. :) He loves Daddy's voice and Jack...well let's be honest, Jack gives Griff shifty eyes.
He was smiling and cooing at me and the silly little monkey on his mat. Hooray!That is a cute, little, scrunched up bum!

Three years with Gravy J

Jack just celebrated his third birthday, and things have changed a lot since the day of his birth. Time marches on and its hard to see the changes, yet we keep anticipating the next 'stage' of life. Right now I'm wishing somehow I could put things into slow motion or at least have the chance to rewind our life every once in a while. Regardless, he's just as wonderful now as he was when we was first born. We love him. Happy birthday Jack!

The Wiz

This was the Orem library Teddy Bear Picnic with a Wizard of Oz theme...sounds confusing, huh? It was hard enough to get us dressed and there, forget bringing a teddy bear. Oh and apparently it isn't the kind of picnic that you eat at...whatever. Before we left home Jack and Griffin were both crying. Jack told me through tears and screaming that he didn't even want to dress up anymore. It made me feel awful..probably because I wasn't feeling patient or loving. Thankfully Jack loved the puppets and stories and, of course, the theme.
Little Griffin along for the ride. Steve promises to never call him Biff again.

Utah Lake Festival

Another year at the Utah Lake Festival. Last year it was so fun. Perfect weather, moderate crowds, and a quick visit. This year it was still nice, but the crowds were way worse and we stuck around longer than anyone wanted. Hailey thinks that the way I dress is a disgrace to our family and has been threatening to take me shopping every day this week (she only succeeded once and bought my my first pair of plaid shorts). I couldn't let that happen again and I new that they were giving out free "Utah Lake Festival" shirts. I told them my sad tale and they gave me three. With three new t-shirst I'm set for the next year and Hailey won't feel like I'm letting down the family.

This is our first complete family picture since the birth.of Biff.


Close up of chunky Biff.


Jack only had to wait about five hours to get his face painted. He was so excited to painted up like Spider Man and was really confused when he walked away with a dragons mask. Hailey and I think Jack speaks pretty clearly, but then again last night watching a movie neither of us could understand what the adults were saying. We keep asking each other "Huh, what'd they say'.


One more - take a vote on what color you think Biff's hair is, please.

Another Week

Look at that man. He is a natural father. I love him so much. I like the two little ones too. :)
Griffin is going to catch up to Jack in a couple months!
Last week I said goodbye to my job and my fabulous Macs (desktop and laptop). I also said goodbye to my paycheck and insurance...why did I smile for that picture?