I can't believe my little guy is already 6 months old! Where has the time gone? He has been such a joy and so fun to get to know. I am so in love with his smile, his smell, his laugh, his slobbery kisses, his pouty face, his chubby legs and hands and his happy disposition. (As is evidenced below - one second crying, the next a big smile).
So, as predicted, Jacob learned to sit before rolling. On May 26th he sat for the first time (for a significant duration that is) and he's been doing it ever since. He LOVES to sit and definitely prefers it to laying down. Then 3 days after his sitting success he completed a stomach-to-back roll. He is now rolling back to front too, however that way is rare. 
A few of my other recent loves for the month: Jacob is talking and laughing a lot more. He has noticed his tongue and likes to play with it and stick it out all the time. He plays with his feet all the time and seems to have to always be holding something - my finger, his toes, my hair, Emily's hair, a toy, his burp cloth, his sippy cup, his bib, his paci. He loves to wave his burp cloth around while taking his bottle. He is such a little social bug and adores kids and babies - especially Emily. He loves to grab faces and try to eat you. He still is enamored with Emily and just lights up when he sees her.
We all sure love our little man and I definitely can't get enough of him.
After we ate we gave Jeff his birthday presents - "The Blindside" DVD and Mario Party 8 for the Wii. Then Jeff played soccer with the kids and Jacob had his first experience with grass.
That night we got together with friends from our ward. We had pizza, homemade root beer, and pie from Marie Callenders. In order to accomodate everyone we had the party at my parents house. We jumped on the tramp and played Jeff's new Wii game on the big screen. It was fun to spend time with good friends and to celebrate Jeff. He is such a good husband and father. We're so lucky to have him. We love you Jeff!
Friday we were up and going early. We spent our first day driving to Williamsburg to go to Busch Gardens. Emily was very excited to see Ella and go on rides. Her enthusiasm quickly died after a couple hours though. It was HOT! Jacob drank an entire sippy cup full of water while we were there and we were all hot and sticky. After eating lunch in the shade and cooling down a bit, Emily was ready for round two and enjoyed a few more rides. We ended the day with a popsicle for Emily and a funnel cake - with ice cream - for Jeff and me.
Congrats Brad!!!
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All of the cousins had a blast together and loved every minute of the trip. They laughed, cried, built cushion forts, wouldn't share toys, threw fits, then shared toys, went on walks, splashed in the ocean, built sandcastles, read books, and giggled like crazy.
The sun did eventually come out and we spent the last three days playing in the sun..jpg)
Jacob LOVED his first experience with the ocean and the sand
Our last night at the beach house we grilled hamburgers, had smores, and birthday cake for Stan. 
I think we'd all agree that the week went by way too quickly and we could have used several more days at the beach and together. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Dave and Arline for planning and taking us all on such a wonderful trip. We enjoyed every minute and appreciate your generosity.
Last week we also had another goodbye. My little sister, Lisa, and her husband, Spencer, have now officially left the state of Utah and are trekking across the country to their new home in New Hampshire. It was an emotional week for us all. We had our last Sunday dinner together (at least for the next 5 years) last week. We got together again Wednesday night for a final goodbye. To help them on the road we gave them lots of snacks and to help them with moving so far away we put together two books. Jenn made herself sick by practically staying up all night two nights in a row to finish putting together a book of letters and memories that we had all sent her; and a second book of pictures. They were both so nice and were perfect gifts to help Spence and Lis remember all the little kids (and the rest of us). 
The girls - oh, we have so much fun. It's going to be so hard to not have Lisa here with us. Thank heavens it's not a permanent move - right Spencer???
Jacob's monthly post is again late. Life has gotten pretty hectic but I wanted to post his accomplishments so I'd remember them. He is growing up so fast! He's getting closer and closer to sitting every day. He is still loving food and growing like a weed. He completely adores his big sister and watches whatever she does. Emily can always make him smile. For the most part he's napping well and still sleeping through the night. He got sick and was really stuffy and just wasn't sleeping as well a little bit ago. It reminded me what it was like to have a newborn and man, I'm glad we're past that stage. Although I didn't mind all the extra cuddle time.
May 1st Jeff's sister, Niki, got married - and I was a lot more invovled with this one. The day was pretty much non-stop for me. Actually, everything started on Friday when I went and picked up the flowers, then I squished in a wedding dinner, and topped the night off with staying up till 1am finishing everything. Thanks heavens we didn't have to get to the temple till 10 the next morning. Saturday we dropped the kids off at my parents - again - and attended the ceremony downtown. Niki looked beautiful. I love seeing how happy Niki and Mike are together. 
Niki & Mike with all of the nieces... and the one nephew
