The Woodwards

Fund Raiser Photos

2011-01-28T12:25:00.008-06:00

So, the young women in our ward decided to do family/kid portraits for their annual fund raiser to help earn money to spend on girls camp stuff. I thought it was a great idea - without talking to Jon, I signed us up for 4:40 on Saturday. Imagine my surprise when my husband got home from church and informed me that he signed our family up for the same time slot on a different sign up sheet going around! (keep in mind the whole day was an option - every twenty minutes from 10am to 6pm) I think this is the first time in our married lives that we have read each other's minds. The only difference is that I signed us up for $10 additional dollars to do kids portraits as well.

We have been trying for a while to get a family photo to come out clear - I am not very impressed with my $250 cannon point and shoot I've had for a year now. I am thinking of declaring it the kid's camera and buying a new one for myself! So, at the fundraiser photo shoot - for the most part, the girls (young women) took the pictures. They had some great cameras that were loaned them for the day. Here are the worthy pictures we have as a reminder that fundraisers are so much fun!!!

It's a......!

2011-01-07T13:18:00.006-06:00

I decided to surprise the family with the news of the sex of my new baby. Hannah and Lindsey were desperately rooting for a girl, and were in fact adament that the baby in my belly was a girl. Early on in my pregnancy, Jon and I had both felt also that I was having a girl. We still allowed ourselves to hope we were having a second boy and quite enjoyed the thought of Tanner having a brother.

I went alone to the Sonographer's while Jon waited at home with Lindsey and Tanner. I went to Baskin Robbins on my way home from the Sonographer's and grabbed a ready made ice cream cake and had them write the three surprise words on the top. I hid it in the freezer in a brown paper sack and went and thanked Jon for cleaning the house and doing the laundry while I was out - I definately didn't expect that, as I had in fact told myself as I was walking out the door that I would find the house messier and dirtier than I left it and not to be surprised or angry when I did. So, I was definately surprised and happy.

Jon didn't ask right away what I found out. It took him about 15 minutes of my talking about other things before he ventured to ask regarding the sex of our child. I told him it was a surprise and he would have to wait until Hannah got home from school and I shared it with the whole family. He was fine with that idea.

Jon was a little baffled at the build up and suspense I was giving this child's sex - whereas none of the others recieved the same treatment. Well, I guess I am learning to make a bigger deal out of things in order to have more fun and excitement in life. I was proud of myself for being able to keep the secret all afternoon - just for the sake of anticipation and celebration itself. So, after much patient waiting, here is what my family found out...

Here are the two big sisters who were quite pleased and happy with the news:

Tanner was all about the ice cream - he finished his, he got seconds, and then recieved a few bites off his sister's plates as well. I think he will be quite a well fed boy throughout his life!!!

Jon said - "So it IS a girl - we thought it was!"

Merry Christmas - from all of us!

2010-12-26T14:13:00.012-06:00

Merry Christmas All! Hope you had a great day remebering the Savior and giving gifts of love. Here is a picture recap of some of the things we've been doing this year.

Lindsey is 4! Lindsey had a great party - a luau theme. She picked out all the decorations at the dollar store. We bought her guests hula skirts and taught them how to hula. Her cake had rainbow sprinkles and was rainbow swirled inside - because Lindsey loves rainbows - notice her dress. She loves animals and playing make believe and playing with her alvin and the chipmunks figures.

Hannah is 6! Wow - she is growing up! She is the one in Lavender. One of the things Hannah loves is Strawberry Shortcake, thus her party theme this year. I couldn't believe how kind she was at her party. She considerately shared everything that lended itself to sharing with her guests - even allowing them to help her blow out her candle!

Tanner is Two! "What a big boy!" everyone keeps telling me. "How did he grow up so fast?" my friends all exclaim. It just sort of sneaks up on ya! Jon and I have decided that two is our favorite age. All of our kids at two are just full of personality, love and humor. We really are enjoying this phase of Tanner's life. Though he keeps me on my toes and my heart ever racing, I am truely greatful to have this little boy in our family. Hannah and Lindsey say they are hoping the new baby due Memorial day is a girl because boys are just crazy.

This picture was taken in November at our friend's house who lives on the lake. That is their pool in back of us which we enjoy sharing with them during the summers. Jon got all the kids dressed in matching attire. The only thing we couldn't quite work out was smiling into the sun!

I made Hannah and Lindsey angel costumes this christmas season. My origonal idea was to have costumes to use for our family nativity pagent on christmas eve. I tried to get one of them to choose a mary costume, but they were both set on being angels - with wings. I decided you can never have too many angels, so they both got angel costumes. Our church had a special event called return to bethlehem where each family dressed in period clothing and came to bethlehem to pay our taxes and watch the story of the nativity. Hannah and Lindsey were in the children's cherub choir, so their costumes were just perfect.

Here is Hannah at her party the last day of Kindergarden before the break. She is a true student and lives for vacation days. She likes school and her teacher and is doing really well. Her class had a book exchange during their party that I was able to attend with her.

One of Lindsey's preschool co-op mom's went all out. On the last day of school before break, she did a skit with the kids, and a party for the parents and kids. The big hurrah was when Santa came and gave each child special one on one lap time. Lindsey swears that it was her freind Brianna's daddy. Even siblings got in on it. You can't see it from this picture, but Tanner really took a liking to Santa and enjoyed getting to know him better.

Jon's Birthday song and cake: Carrot Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting - a big hit! Lindsey said, "Daddy, so you are 73?" Jon got a good laugh out of that one.

Hey Family!

2010-03-02T11:33:00.011-06:00

Hey family - here are a few pictures over the last 3 months so you can see what we have been up to.

Here is Tanner - he loves to be on top of things - the kitchen table, chairs, and here he is on my sewing table! He is a very happy very active little boy - 16 1/2 months old.

Here are Lindsey and Hannah getting a ride outside in the front on my feet - I have a cute picture of Tanner doing this too several months back - They all love it!

Tanner is quite interested in cupboards - and what lies behind them. Since I have not installed baby locks - I spend a significant portion of my week putting pots and pans, playdough, cleaning supplies and everything else back behind cupboard doors!

We had quite a magical Christmas Eve - we got snow! It was quite blustery and cold - but that didn't stop us from getting out that evening and enjoying it! Here is Lindsey playing with and eating some snow.

We got a parakeet after Thanksgiving when our fish died. The kids and Jon really want a dog - but I am not up for that committment. Turns out parakeets are a lot louder than I remember (we had a few in the house growing up). I have one more small living thing in the house that yells at me and demands attention. I told the girls when the keet dies, they can have a dog. I hope it lives at least 5 years! (I've heard they live 10-20 years - just don't know if I can stand the squaking that long!) (Luckily - the pet shop will take it back if I get fed up before then!)

The girls are in their Christmas Dresses!

Here are all three of the kids in their new Christmas pajamas. Hannah calls these snuggies - I'm sure the adopted name was influenced by the recent phenomenum in couch lounge wear.

I have lots more pics and happenings - but have run out of time for now! Hope everyone is well and happy!

lOve yOu all!

Hannah is 5!!

2009-10-02T15:53:00.008-05:00

My little girl is growing up!

It is crazy how the first child really has to blaze the trail for the rest to follow. We let Hannah choose the place we would eat for her birthday - she chose Chuck E Cheese. I didn't know she was expecting to have a party. We waited a few minutes for our pizzas to get there - after we had eaten, we said, "Hannah - come on, lets go play some games!" She wouldn't leave the table because she said she was waiting for Chuck E Cheese.

It seemed that she knew something we didn't.....we were there on a Wednesday at noon and there was only one or two other families there besides our own. I didn't even think it was likely Chuck E was around. So, I asked Hannah what she thought was going to happen, and she said that Chuck E was going to come out and put a crown on her head and put a medalion around her neck. I said, "I am so sorry Hannah - I didn't set that up for you - we are just here to eat and play games". She was so sad - and dissappointed - you should have seen her face. I started to feel terrible. I was tearing up when I explained to Jon, who was playing games with Lindsey, that Hannah was waiting for Chuck E Cheese to crown her and wish her a happy birthday. He felt really bad too - and I dare say he was tearing up - he said it is sad to think that your kid is dissappointed on their birthday - especially when they are so young with realativley simple expectations (though I hadn't thought to ask her what her expectations were!)

Anyways - I went to the front and got it all to happen. After she was crowned and greeted by Chuck E - she was all set to go and spend her tokens, earn tickets and buy her trinkets. All in all - I think Hannah considered her birthday a success. Now I know what she will be expecting next time - or better yet - I will ask her before we go!

Hannah's new Littlest Pet Shops decorating her strawberry birthday cake.

Hannah and her 15 year old cousing Julia - born on the same day - 10 years apart. This picture was taken after Julia took Hannah out to hamburgers to Celebrate their mutual birthdays on the 30th of September.

Cute Cousins

2009-02-15T16:53:00.008-06:00

Look at those cute kids!!! (notice Cache grabbing Hannah's hair!) We had a crazy picture shoot at Picture People - to commemorate my sister Cheryl's visit the first week of February. The fact that we got such a great shot is a miracle, and a bit of good luck. Kids grow so fast, so although we took pictures last year when we all got together, we had two new babies to add this year.

It is so cool that my sister Cheryl and I had baby boys one week apart. Tanner was born on October 10th, and Cache - pronounced "Cash" was born on October 17th. I have selfishly been urging her to move to Texas so all the cousins can grow up together. I feel a bit guilty at times, because they are outdoor lovers like myself, and Texas is not quite the outdoor mecca that some other places are. It is a dilemna I have been personally fighting for 8 years. Stay and live close to family (Jon's and mine) or move somewhere that awakens my soul with its natural energy and beauty.

Well, for me, at least so far, being close to family has won out. I really try to see the beauty in Texas, and sometimes, I do. Texas has some pretty great sunsets - made better by the temperate climate most of the year. I just saw a great one on Friday night as the kids and I were enjoying yet another trip to the park this warm winter.

While Cheryl was here, she couldn't get enough of our 60 and 70 degree weather. Coming from below freezing, she was in paradise! Needless to say, her and her husband are seriously looking at moving here in the not too distant future! Yeah - having family close rocks!

This picture was my Valentines day/Anniversary present to Jon to put on his desk @ work. (as the two occassions are only one week apart I made only one card and bought only one present.) Luckily, my husband and I are on the same wave lenghth with this system!

Crib Surprise!

2009-01-23T08:54:00.002-06:00

This morning, after Tanner woke up at 6am, I put him back down at 7:30 am. About 8:30 I heard him softly talking in his crib. I was online - looking at pictures of Temples posted on Facebook's club The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints site. There are some pretty gorgeous pictures. So, I just let him coo, and softly talk in a contented way. He started getting louder, like he was tired of being in his crib and I was about to go get him, but then it got quite - I thought he had fallen asleep. So, I finished looking at the pictures - I was able to see 200 of the 430 posted before I got tired of it!!!

I walked over to his room to check on him, and this is what I saw....

****Notice the rocking chair pushed up to the side of the crib - That chair is usually in the hallway - where I do time out for the girls when we are upstairs.********

I heard Tanner's mobile going, and looked in the crib and saw - Lindsey!!!! Loving on her little brother. She loves him so much!!! I said, with a smile, "Lindsey! Did you climb up there?" and she said, "yes, Baby Tanner was crying!" She had to turn him over - he sleeps on his stomach - and scoot him towards the mobile. She accomplished all of this without making Tanner cry, and much to my surprise, he was happily content with Lindsey snuggling him and watching his mobile with him. Lindsey really dose love Tanner, and she makes quite a great big sister!

Celebrating Christmas

2009-01-14T13:33:00.012-06:00

Here are a few pictures from the Holiday season -

Jon and Tanner snuggled up and keeping warm, when it DID get cold this December, in MY lavandar bath robe. (I had a pretty good idea of what to get Jon for Christmas!)

Jon loves to make cookies with the girls - at all the holidays. But especially at Christmas time - he loves to give Christmas cookies away to family and friends. He took this picture of the girls dressed in their baking attire (sent by their aunt Marcy) and they are looking sooo adorable! They are becoming quite the little bakers - I chose this shot cuz it shows Lindsey doing what she loves best - pushing Hannah's buttons!

We had our good friends the Grumbles over for Grahm Cracker Ginger Bread house construction. Lots of candy and lots of fun! Hannah and her 4 year old friend Reaganne were able to make true to form houses - while Lindsey's and Taylor's (2 1/2 and 3 respectivly)resembled more of a tent. Only Hannah's house made it past the afternoon at our house - Lindsey's had been all but eaten a few minutes after construction! Hannah used it as a doll house!

Jon and I got both of our families together for Christmas Eve dinner at our house. We had bread bowls - that Jon made. They turned out fantastically! Everyone loved eating the broccili and cheese and potatoe soups from them!

Christmas Eve, and Emily, Hannah, Kylie and Julia pause for a picture!

Sipping Cider - or is it Whasshal!!??!!

Amy Woodward put together a fantastically fun "night before christmas" story with occompanying treats inside boxes that Hannah and Lindsey got to open at each part of the story. They were filled with fun treats for everyone to share. Thanks Amy for all the effort you always put into our Family get togethers!!!

Oh, the bore of it all.........Luckily Julia had texting to keep her interested!!! (teenagers!!!)

In Leiu of our traditional christmas tree from Grandpa Wells, we asked for a christmas amaryillis. Boy, is it goregeous. It was fun to watch it grow from bulb to flower on our kitchen table.

December always seems to bring a bought of sickness to our Family, and this year was no exception, making the season go by even faster than usual. It is always so wonderful to be able to get together with family and friends and celebrate the season of giving and love. We love you all - and especially those who wern't her to share it with us!

Life is Good

2008-12-21T13:23:00.008-06:00

Ok, I have to say that aside from having food poisoning and being up 3 hours last night writhing in pain close to that of labor, Life Is Good!

Where is some wood to knock on?? Things with the kids are going really well, and I am being blessed with the patience and love that I so diligently have prayed for...(don't quit now!!!)

Among those things that are going really well is Lindsey. I was so sad during the first two months following Tanner's birth, because Lindsey was really struggling - and I was really struggling with her. It was like all her happiness vanished away and she lost her adorable little devilishness. She has this grinn that looks like she is up to no good and she is in pure bliss. Well, it was missing for the past two months, and I am happy to announce, that Lindsey is BACK!!!!

Here are a few pictures that I snapped in the back yard a few days ago that show Lindsey enjoying her charmed life again!!!

The Blessing of Tanner

2008-12-09T15:43:00.008-06:00

I finally have a minute!!! I can hardly believe that all three of my kids are asleep, and I am awake!!! Time to take a minute and share some thoughts and pictures.

This past Sunday in church, my wonderful husband Jon blessed Tanner with a circle of worthy priesthood holders. It was a really good experience for Jon and our family. Sometimes I can't tell if Jon has become super dad because he now has a son, or if he has just gotten better at it with practice. I'm gonna say it is because he is getting better at it!!!

So he fasted and did research on what to include in a blessing and read several talks from leaders of the church. I love to learn about what he studies and he loves to share what he learns. He learned about the significance of names we recieve throughout our lives and how each major step in our lives is associated with receiving a new name, and a promise, or blessing from God.

Tanner is a very sweet little boy, and I am glad Heavenly Father sent him to me and allowed me to give him the name he will be known by here.

Here are a few pics I took the morning of and after church. The cute little outfit he is wearing was loaned to me by my friend Meaganne - whose little boy James was also blessed this sunday. It was neat to have them share their special day with eachother.

Dino Day!

2008-11-21T16:44:00.004-06:00

We went to the Heard museum today with Meganne, Reaganne, Taylor and James. The Dinosaur exhibit was outside and was done really well with realistic looking dinos of all shapes and sizes. They moved and made noises, and one even sprayed water. We four wheel drove our strollers on a rocky pathway for about 1/2 mile and chanted, "Going on a Dinosaur hunt, rawrrrr!". The kids got into it and we had loads of fun. Here we are in front of the museum.

Before we even got into the museum, Hannah fell in the parking lot on an unpainted road bump. I thought she took a face dive, but luckily she only scratched up her knee and hand. A bandaid from my purse made it all better. Lindsey fell next along the dinosaur path going down hill. She landed on her face - scratching up her cheek. She is really tough and just cried a little. Baby Tanner was great and took a pacifier the whole time we were there! So, no broken bones, and no one got eaten by the T-REX! We were pretty tired when we got home. After putting Lindsey down for her nap, I laid Tanner down on a pillow on the couch after he fell asleep, and Hannah cuddled up next to him. Good Day!

Clear baby skin

2008-11-17T13:19:00.010-06:00

You wouldn't guess that this little guy had a really bad rash two weeks ago. It was so bad that it covered his face and head. We didn't know what it was, we thought it was just really bad baby acne. Then it started to turn a crusty yellow on his ears and forehead and head. My husband looked online and diagnosed him with a severe case of cradle cap. Turns out that the solution, given by our new Pediatrician, is a few washings with dandruff shampoo, and a consistant covering of the scalp with olive oil. A few hours after the first treatment, his skin was remarkebly improved.

These first few pitures are from today, and as you can see, he has beautifully clear skin. I had before pictures on my camera, but it seems that I lost them in the process of trying to download them. You can't see how bad it was, so it is sort of hard to appreciate my joy over his clear skin. Here I am applying some organic cradle cap oil my friend Heather gave me after his bath.

The girls take turns getting in the bath with the baby, and helping me bathe him. They love to help with Tanner and giving them jobs helps them to feel involved. Lindsey got the towel today.

Below is Hannah and Tanner, when he used to sleep half the day. The other day, I was letting Hannah hold Tanner and she said, "ok mom, you can leave now - I am going to babysit Tanner by myself!" She is just 4, but tells me she is 13 almost every day!

Lindsey holding Tanner and loving every minute of it.

Tanner and Us

2008-11-03T09:19:00.010-06:00

Time really flies by - I struggle to get things done - and find posting in addition to everything else I want to do, a challenge. I have however, been able to take a few pictures of our family, each of us loving on little Tanner.

Hannah and Lindsey have really enjoyed baby Tanner - the hard part for me is lovingly teaching them boundaries about how to be gentle and treat a new little baby.

They say sleep when your baby sleeps - this is good for a first, and sometimes even second child, but by the third, I have found that when the baby sleeps, I have better give some loving and time to my older kids and let them know they are still so special and precious to me. Or else, they act out in rebelious and sometimes agressive ways.

I told my midwife about this adjustment period and how it causes me a bit of guilt, and she said, sometimes, you just have to ignore your kids. I am not good at doing that! Though, I have let little Tanner cry himself to sleep already - it only takes him 3 or 4 minutes when he is tired! I can't stand to listen for longer than that! It is hard to take in three little kids - I feel that even though I am a stay at home mom, I am missing things - my kids growing up - it seems to happen overnight. I wish I could just savor them in the moment more.

Tanner's Home Birth

2008-10-16T11:31:00.004-05:00

Makings of a Home Birth

Having a home birth is the Rolls Royce of birthing options - says my Midwife. Though I am sure that is a controversial statement, I have to agree with her. Mostly because you dont' have to go anywhere, but get to stay in the comfort of your own home, have only people there who you want to have there, and get to do what you want to, when you want to. When I tell people I am giving birth at home, they usually think that I am really brave, or really crazy or both.

To tell you the truth, after my first home birth with my daughter Hannah, I didn't think I would ever do it again. However, when I got pregnant with Lindsey, I couldn't bring myself to go the OBGYN route in a hospital, and decided to try a home birth again. My second birth at home couldn't have been a better experience. It went so smoothly, I was so relaxed, and just remember it being an almost spiritual event.

So, with my third, Tanner, I didn't even think twice. When I finally went into labor early morning on the 10th, I wondered how I could have forgotten how difficult labor is. There was deffinately a point - at about 5 am - with still two hours to go - when I told my husband Jon that I really wanted an epidural. In other words, I was being pushed to my limits and wanted the pain to stop! I was struggling to relax through contractions, and as a result, was experiencing more pain than I had during my last labor.

My midwife reminded me that every birth is different - though not very comforting - very true. And so, I will look back at Tanner's birth and remember how challenging it was, and how birth doesn't necessarily get easier with each child.

I have never been to a hospital birth, as I imagine most people have never been to a home birth. So I wanted to share these two videos of the time immediately after birth to give you an idea of what it is like.

In both of these videos, Tanner is still attached to the umbilical cord. The first video is right after he came through the birth canal - seconds really. Though I was in the tub and out of the tub, on the bed and off the bed, Tanner was born in my bathroom on a birthing stood - a low to the ground seat shaped like a horse shoe. I chose this position, because it uses gravity and shortens the path the baby has to travel. In the second video, I am resting on my bed, with labor technically not quite over because he is still attached to the cord and I have not delivered the placenta yet.

Hannah's 4th Birthday Party!

2008-09-29T13:43:00.002-05:00

Hannah had a princess/knight themed party this year. She'd been looking forward to this day for many months! She invited all her friends from preschool last year to attend. We played some fun games, and below is a video of part of the game, Princess, Knight, DRAGON! (a form of duck, duck, goose!) Thanks to all the friends and family who came on Saturday and made her feel like a true princess!

Her favorite part - opening the presents!

I almost didn't make her cake, because it seemed pretty intimidating. She insisted on a barbie princess cake, even when I tried to convince her cup cakes were better! I went ahead and made the cake, and it turned out to be really easy. The hard part was cooking the rounded cake - it took nearly 2 hours in the oven!! Putting the cake together with barbie inside was easy - that took 10 minutes! Hannah helped decorate the barbie princess with the hearts and I did the little pink frosting dots and tadah!! A cake fit for a princess!

Hannah's first day of Pre-school!

2008-09-29T13:07:00.003-05:00

The first day of preschool was pretty great. I didn't realize how stressed my little girl would get, but she had a furrow on her brow on the long walk into the center, and didn't want her dad to take pictures of her until she got to the room. She was asking me things like, will my friends be here? When I told her no, she would be making new friends, she told me that she didn't want to go if her friends from preschool last year wern't going to be here. There was no melt down however! And I think a big part of that has to do with the fact that her teacher is Molly Freestone, a good friend of the family, and a good friend of Hannah's! So, at least there was one familiar face in the crowd!

Check out the videos below for the walk from the car to the school and inside to her classroom. You only get a backside view - sorry!

As soon as we got to the classroom, the first thing Hannah did was make her way to the baby dolls and home play center! She LOVES babies!!!

Here she is, settled in doing a puzzle, willing to give me one more smile before I go...

Photo Shoot with Ku'ulei

2008-09-29T11:58:00.003-05:00

A few months back, we had Ku'ulei Stephenson come and take some candid photos of our family. It was a great experience....so much easier than going to a studio, and I love the results. I highly reccommend using Ku'ulei's services. She is great with kids and families, and can really capture the moment on film. I finally have some cute family pictures hanging up in my house! Thanks Ku'ulei!

The four of us....

Emphasis on the bump! We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby boy - Tanner!

Sweet Sisters!

So cute and adorable Lindsey Brynn

As my friends call her - "Fancy Nancy" - AKA - my all girl little girl Hannah Shay!

My two little princess....

Lindsey and her baby doll

I have tons more shots that are so cute, but this is a pretty good example of our fun family photo shoot at home.

Following the crowd

2008-08-28T21:42:00.000-05:00

So, this is new for me - Blogging that is. I feel a bit uncomfortable about it, but I think I am ready to give it a try. I have begun to do many things I didn't think I would ever do. Like, buying a mini van. I never thought I would drive a mini van. Partly because I do not like following the crowd and it seems like everyone has one. But, I have recently become a mini van mom because I realized that everyone has one because they are so convenient and nice and well, just a good choice for a mom expecting number three. Following the crowd was good in the case of me choosing a mini van, and I am hoping that I feel the same way about starting this blog. Not too long ago, I didn't think I would ever do it.(Blog that is) But, I have decided to keep an open mind - after I read several entries from some friends blogs, I wondered if they knew something good that I didn't. So, here goes my attempt to follow the crowd and find the magic in blogging.