We're awesome!

Yes! We did it...We finished...and we did well!

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom! We are so lucky to have you as our very own. You make us so proud, and we admire you so much. You are so graceful and so beautiful. Mom, you have been a wonderful mother - you have had faith in all of us, and you have made each and every one of us feel so special, and you are a friend to each of us. What more could we ask for? You are the best! We hope you have a wonderful birthday. We love you Mom!

Happy Birthday to Ann Elizabeth!

Annie is 1! We can hardly believe it...For the first year of her life she has been overwhelmed with starwars, trains and dinosaurs. She finally got a baby doll for her birthday. Right away she put it up to her shoulder and patted it's back. She loves to put her baby in her crib, cover her, then uncover her and take her out and do the whole process over and over. Lot's of love to our little one year old.

A really great book

Dudes,

I just finished a really wonderful book last night called "Peace Like a River", by Leif Enger. It's the story of this little family whose father has so much faith that he can perform miracles, which he does so very quitely.

Shat!

Nate

Hi all--

I wanted to mention to you all what an amazing experience it has been for Dad & I to get involved with the Utah Refugee Center.  We've been able to help them through the family foundation by providing money to hire additional employees to reduce the case-load that each employee has.  Additionally, I've been "assigned" a family to help that is from Somalia with 9 children, two of which have special needs.  Their mother is tied to the home with caring for them, and the husband works and at the D.I.  They speak very little English.  Recently the mother asked for a few bikes for her kids, and  we've been able to secure 4 bikes through Debbie Reid's "Bikes for Kids Foundation".   It's so amazing to see the good that we can do for others in such desperate need.  Thanks, Dad for setting up the foundation, and for letting me be a part of this experience!

Em

Good Times!

Thanks Mom & Dad for such a fun weekend. We have such a fun family - I love you all!

Here is the awesome picture of Jake and Nate...and a funny video of the sack race. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw William.

The Book Thief

I finished "The Book Thief" last week. It was such a great book. I can't wait for our book club (woodward women book club) to discuss it!

Fathers......

I want to pay tribute to all of men in my life who are fathers!

First off, I have been born to and raised by and influenced by such a unique and (mostly) adorable man - My Daddy. Even though I am almost 59 years old, I still call him Daddy. I love him and I am so blessed that he is still such an important part of my life. I wish that I had inherited some of his amazing talents. Alas; not one! He still asks "what do you want ?" when I get him on the phone. He is a cute Gramps and Gr. Gramps to all of my family.

My mantra since I was about 12 years old: "choose wisely and carefully the father of your children". I followed my own advice. I chose well. Jim is the perfect parent to all of you for various reasons. You are lucky that I was so wise in that decision so many years ago. He has been a wonderful partner in parenting , and is the most loved and popular Papa on the face of the earth. "Oh, hi Nana - where's Papa?" is what I hear several times a week. I am happy for him and for the grandkids that they have such a sweet and happy relationship. Even though I do all the work.

My two sons Nate and Jake have delighted and awed me with their ability to care for their children. They are great Dads and loved by their kids. They comfort, they change diapers, they teach, they play and they provide a great environment for their families. And, they married well.

My three sons- in -law are incredible men too. I love them more than I ever knew I could - I didn't know them as children, but I love them like I have always known them. I trust them, I appreciate how they care for their families, and how they make my daughters so happy and content.
I am a grateful and blessed daughter, wife, mother, and mother-in-law.

Happy Fathers Day!

Eventful week few weeks...

There have been emotional highs and lows these past weeks. First off, the birth of a healthy, perfect and beautiful baby girl - Lily - to parents Anton and Lizzy was another highlight of my life. It is an amazing thing to witness the birth of these precious babies. I am blessed to be a part of it all.... It is so fun to see Liz and Anton with their baby. Just ask Anton about Lily, and watch for the change in his face. He melts. Liz must realize that Anton has another girl he is in love with; she has him wrapped around her finger. But I am betting that is fine with her. Liz is adjusting to motherhood like I thought she would - with confidence and calm. Lucky baby.
We had to say goodbye to a good friend - Dick Dorius- last Saturday. He put up a gracious and good fight. He will be missed by us and many others. Poor Shauna; she is just my age and I can't imagine a life without my husband. Life is too short for some! Also, it has been such a sad, sad week for Anna with the death of her friend's daughter Lucy. Our lives can change in a heartbeat - literally - as it did for all who know Molly and Vic. I have been touched and proud of the tender and poignant concern and love for Molly shown by Anna. All of the prayers, the fasting, the tears and the pleading did not change the course for Lucy, but I am sure it lightened the weight of the sorrow for the Jacksons. Lucy left many - myself included - looking inward a bit more to my beliefs and my priorities, and making me want to be kinder and more aware of the suffering that others experience. I have been spared such grief, and I pray that all of my children will as well. The first thing we always think of when we learn of a death is "we will see them again" and we know this only because we know the Savior has made it possible.

I think summer is really here - time for summer reading! I must recommend "march" by Geraldine Brooks, author of Year of Wonders. Pulitzer prize, good. Not to be confused with "The March" by Doctorow which is good, but a little rough. Both deal with the Civil War.

Girls, we need to plan on a review night for The Book Thief! Let's talk when everyone has had a chance to read it....Mom/Carolyn

BEAUTIFUL BABY BROG

CONGRATULATIONS, LIZ & ANTON!!! She is SO beautiful! I am so happy for you, and glad everything went well.

Good Book

I just wanted to second Carolyn's recommendation for "The Book Thief"...I just finished it and loved every page. That's all. Good-Bye. -Megan

The Family and Wieners

We had the whole Woodward clan Family Home Evening last night. And I just wanted to state how proud I am to be related to such neat people.

Every member of our family is so unique and so much fun.

I have to tell you all a funny thing that happened last night afterward. Clayson and Cece came over to our house to go to sleep while Jake and Kate were at the hospital with Penny. I took Clayson's crocs off and his feet were really dirty and STINKY (exactly like his dad's!). So I decided to give him a bath with Will. When Will got naked, Clayson yelled "Hey you have a Wiener too! I have a wiener! Your wiener is small, why is your wiener small?" Keep in mind both wieners are the same size.

Will was like "why do you call it a wiener? We call it 'boy parts'."



Weiners are awesome.

Why we'll never leave Iraq

I needed a good laugh today, so I rewatched the video of Iraqi soldiers Jake posted a while back. I got the laugh I needed! So pathetic and disturbing...

Great Book - I reccomend it....

I just finished The Book Thief and loved it from the first page. It was reccommended to me by my LON friends. Nazi Germany, about a 9 year old girl, as told by the narrator who is 'death'. Has won many book awards, anyone who wants to borrow it, let me know! Mom/Carolyn

We returned from a great vacation to San Diego on Sunday!  One of the highlights was that Amelia was chosen to meet Shamu, to pet him and feed him--lucky dog!  Caroline also got to help with the seal show and was privileged to shake a seal's flipper!!

Jackson's Blessing

Thank you everyone for coming to Jack's blessing on Sunday! John gave him such a beautiful blessing...It was a wonderful day for us. Isn't Jackson a 'mini-me' of John???

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Happy Birthday Dad! I am sure I speak for all my siblings when I say that I feel truly blessed to have you as my dad. I love you very much. Hope you have a wonderful day!

(I thought this picture was so perfect - when you think of Dad, don't you think of what a cute "Papa" he is to his grandkids?!)

Fantastic!

Isn't this picture marvelous? This one is supberb as well...

There is a slight resemblance to Jakes "hook" in that top picture. And, I say next time we go to Disneyland, none of this T-Shirt nonsense, we should go in matching Outfits!!

Girls Only...check out this site!

You all love "Pipers' in Sugarhouse, or you will when you visit just once! They have a great blog now, as well as their web site. Look at www.pipersgirls.com for some inspiration, and links to other fun creative blogs. I love their taste, their selection of fabrics and yarn, and everything about the place. There is a new class schedule available, if anyone wants to take an evening class with me let me know. I think I want to make the shoes....
Have fun looking...Mom

Why the US will never leave Iraq

This is one of the funniest/most pathetic things I have ever seen. I have shared it with many of you in the past, but it always makes me laugh. I can just imagine the soldier that first saw this and said, "Hey guys, have them start over, I need to film this so people back home will realize what we are working with over here."

Woodwardtimes

Germs And You PSA - Watch more free videos

Much Easier

Hey Buds. This is much easier for me to sign in with my own username.

Yes, I played ward ball for the first time in years. And I was dominant, I can't believe how easy it was for me to play...and be good. I was hitting three pointers, I was driving and making crazy "dipsy doodle" shots. The game went into overtime, but we won. I scored 18 points, and 4 in OT.

Maybe the reason I played so good was this.....the guy guarding me was about 55 years old, he was shorter than my wife, he kept complaining of chest pains, and best of all he was wearing jeans.

I don't care, it felt good to dominate again....

Whats up dudes!!

I am finally posting somthing, but I feel like we should all have our own username and passwords for this account. Nate told me that Liz is the one driving the ship, so is that the case or are we all using the same username and password. All entries on the blog say "posted by woodward fam" Whereas it should say "posted by the legend, Jake Woodward" you follow me.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Energy Solutions Arena.

The REAL date for family home evening....

Hi! We realize that our family home evenings are going to be held the SECOND Monday evening of the month ( at least that is what we are shooting for right now...subject to change of day and/or frequency). We will miss Anna and John who will be in St. George, but we are going ahead anyway with the 11th of Feb. I will prepare a simple main dish and all that goes with it, and assign out two desserts. the dinner will be quick and easy, a quick lesson for little ones, then down stairs for them while we have an adult lesson/discussion. We can have dessert than and go over family business items like vacations, house reservations, upcoming things, etc. Being a school night, we hope to start at 6:00 and be done with everything by 8:00-8:30. Remember - it only takes a few minutes to eat! Suggestions? someone mentioned doing birthdays on this night for anyone who has had one - and that would be fun too. Let us know what you think - this is for all of us- so input freely! You can bring p.j.'s for the kids and get them ready for bed here if your would like.
Talk soon? Maybe see you Sunday...Love all, Mom

Super bowl party

Would anyone(especially guys) want to come to a Super bowl party at our house Sunday at 4:00? Won't be a big production because we have FHE the next night. Dad

My little Caroline is one brave cookie!  She has extracted two of her own teeth, including her front tooth seen in this photo.  I can't even be in the same room with her when she wiggles them because I'm so squeamish.  She pulls and yanks on them till they bleed and finally come out, leaving a huge gaping hole!  Yuck!  --Em

Finally a name for the little guy

Yes, we officially and finally have a name for our recent addition.......
Jackson John Evensen

(aka... "little cowboy" as his mom calls him, or "JJ")

Sure is great to finally have him here!!!!

We found the interval book- Diana will have it. Or go to their website-intervalworld.com. Dad

Good Movie

Anton and I rented a good movie that I think some of you might like (Dad). It is called "The Endurance". It is about Ernest Shackletons expedition to Antarctica in 1914. It is a documentary, so it isn't Hollywood, but it is just the most interesting story about the instinct to survive. We both recommend it. Has anyone else seen any good movies lately?
Liz

We have a Marrriot time share that has to be used by Sept 08. If you're interested, see Diana about the options. By the way, I think one of you might have the Interval International book with the resorts that are available. Let's get that back to Diana. Love Dad

Congratulations to the new parents!!  My thoughts are with you right now as you adjust to being home with a new bundle of joy!  Ahhh.... the sleepless nights, the 55 diaper changes a day, the sore bottom, the jello-belly, the hormone fluctuations, the night sweats...  it almost makes me wish that I could do it again!  

My little family had a fantastic weekend, thanks to Mum & Dad!  How lucky are we that we have access to beautiful homes in Midway AND St. George?!  This idea of not having to clean the place as we leave is a great thing--because after the hour that it took just to pack up our stuff and load it in the car, Harry was screaming and the girls were ready to roll.  Thanks, Mom and Dad, for granting me the peace of mind that I didn't need to spend an additional hour or two to clean while my kids howled for dinner.

Happy New Year!!!  (Em)