Jill learned how to crawl just in time to get into everything at Christmas time. Awesome.
In January I did one of my months of teaching for the joy school that Jaxon was involved in. Let me tell you, I have a new appreciation for teachers and I pray for the soul that will have Jaxon as a kindergarten teacher. Not that I think that he's going to be particularly naughty, but just wow, the energy that kid gets when he's amoung his peers (especially his BFF Brody). Seriously, it should be examined and researched. Riley also turned 30 this month. He discovered it's not all that bad.
February came and I started looking after a couple of kids for a friend of mine. One was a little two year old girl and the other was a 7 month old little boy. Once again, I gained a new respect for mothers who have twins, what with Jill being just a couple months older than the little boy. Steph, I am in awe of you. But it was a good thing, and kept me busy, and I'm glad that I could help out.
Jaxon and Sammi were also involved in a dance class that my sister, Emily and a friend of her did for their dance major. They absolutely loved it and keep on talking about when they will be able to do it again.
Sammi also went to the dentist for the first time and was a model patient.
In some of March and April I taught for school again. Whew. Really, these kids were pretty great. So incredibly smart and funny. One girl could totally draw better than me. Don't know how I feel about that.
In April Jill turned 1 year old! It's very exciting, but I still think that she should be a little baby.
Shortly after her birthday Jill started walking and loving being mobile. It wasn't long until she started running. About a week after turning 1, Jill also started sleeping through the night finally!!! Words cannot describe my joy! Well, it lasted a while, but she's back to waking up to tell me how much she loves me at least once, but mostly 2-4 times a night. What a gal.
May came and with it my birthday and our anniversary with an awesome Staycation with Riley. BIG thanks to my parents and Mark and Katie who made that possible. Riley also went through a major transformation at this time.
We had a rocking Hall family reunion that was pirate themed. Barbara did an absolutely amazing job with it all.
June came with a whole lot of crazy. Jaxon learned how to ride his bike without training wheels. Big stuff. Sorry, no picture.
The kids stayed with Rick and Barbara and had a blast while Riley and I took a road trip with my parents and Mark and Katie to go to my Uncle Brent's wedding to his now lovely wife Melinda. It was fast and furious, but a serious amount of fun. Riley and I got to dance the night away at the wedding and pretty much made fools of ourselves. It was great!
Michael and Anne came with the kids to visit us crazies out in Idaho. It was soooo good to spend a lot of time with them. We went to the circus, the zoo, the museum, the spray park, out to the Hall farm, had 4th of July celebrations, and just played until we dropped. Well, we dropped, but the kids kept on going. I really hope they eventually make it out closer so we can hang out more. Like soon would be good.
So our life keeps on plugging along and we are just trying to enjoy the ride. Thinking back on the last little while has really made me realize how blessed that we are as a family. Hope your family is doing great as well!
