Jack the swimmer...

We put Jack in swimming lessons this summer. I had him signed up for group lessons, but when the lady called with news of canceling the class due to low enrollment, we started searching out other options. She recommended private lessons and since we weren't a "member" of the pool they ended up being almost the same price. So, we went for it!

Lesson #1 put his face completely under the water

Lesson #2 used a kick board and swam across the pool with teacher at his side

Lesson #3 float on his back and got out of the pool all by himself

Lesson #4 swam across the entire pool by himself

Lesson #5 dove into the pool... off of the block!

Jack LOVED his swimming coach, Ryan (to say the least).

Jumping into the pool and swimming to his teacher!

I'm not sure what's going on here, but I can only guess... Jack negotiating some brilliant plan to get out of something he doesn't want to do.

floating on his back

always so much fun!!

Don't forget, Jonah and I were there as well. While Jack was doing his lessons, we did a little playing/swimming of our own!!

We had a great time this summer at Hope Valley Farms pool. Almost every single morning we would pack a lunch, swim, then come home and take naps!! Jonah became (a little too) comfortable with the water, I got a nice tan and Jack became completely independent in the pool. Hooray for summer days!!!

Blog Book

It's time again for playing ketchup!! This time I've got to work double time.

John's one request for a graduation present was a book of our blog. (Granted he didnt' tell me this until last week... a month after graduation so I'm a little late for that!) We started our family blog our 1st year of laws school so we thought it would be fun tribute to our 3 years in Law School!!

So, wish me luck becaue I've got 6 months to do. Here we go. . .

Lil Miss Eliza Rutledge

Jack's future bride!!

It doesn't get much better than a day at the pool with your girl friend! Jack was putting the moves in Eliza and Ashley and I didn't mind one bit :)

Kisses for Daddy

Happy Hump Day!! We're so glad this summer is going as fast as it is!! It's hard living without daddy!
3 weeks down, 3 more to go.
Kisses from your boys... Jack gives a great pucker kiss...

When Jonah hears the word kiss, he comes running with his mouth wide open, like so...

you know you want some of that open mouth action. The drool is quite enticing don't ya think??
Missing you lots :) Hurry home to us.

Breast Cancer-- 5K

Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure came to Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday June 12th, 2010. I hadn't run a "real" 5K for several years, so it was really fun to be in a race. Besides it being a great cause who doesn't want another t-shirt in your drawer?!?

Me, Ashley Rutledge, Cathy Busby
I'm not sure exactly what my finish time was, but my goal was to not stop running and I did it!! It was stinkin hot after the race, but lots of free water, bananas and power bars later we were doing alright :)

You could run in honor/memory of someone. I walked over to the table to write my Aunt Lana's name and these sweet girls followed me over and did it with me! Aunt Lana died of breast cancer 7 years ago at the age of 45 leaving a wonderful husband and 9 children under the age of 18. My uncle John (Lana's husband) wrote an book about the experience called, "Mom Interrupted: A Young family faces Cancer". My mom was reading it graduation weekend and I hope to get my hands on a copy very soon.

The boys loved all the swag I brought home from the race. Coupons, pens, notepads and don't forget these awesome pom-poms.

Lovin my boys and wishing Daddy was here!! Today John ran a 10K in Washington, DC with his law firm. They ran for some kind of heart defect. It was really fun to realize that we were running at the same time... I just wish it wasn't 250 miles apart. Thanks Devin Busby for watching my boys. WOW it's a lot easier running when I'm not pushing a double jogging stroller with two screaming boys!

A few more days in DC

After our weekend with John and Kyerin in PA and Sunday with the Grovers, I stayed a few more days with John in DC. Since his apt had nothing but an air mattress, fold up table, and one sauce pan, we spent most of our time outside.

I took the boys on a lovely morning jog to see all the monuments. (I'm trying to get ready for my 5K next weekend)

Later that evening we met John for dinner in the park. When the boys and I are NOT in DC, he typically works long hours then studies for the bar late into the night but the few days we were there, he did much less studying (hence we're living apart for the summer!!)

Each morning we were lucky enough to have live entertainment from our balcony. This lady was doing some kind of slow karate movements/stretching/exercises from about 6-7AM. It was awesome. A great way to start off our day.

We gave Jonah his first haircut while we were there. Yes, it was much over due but I wanted to hang onto my "baby" for as long as possible.

I know, I look awesome... stay focused on the adorable 15 month before your eyes. We did the haircut early in the morning, before John went to work that day. But, isn't my little man so handsome?

We jogged John to work that day and got to see his office. I continued a few more blocks and ran up and down the street in front of the white house. Oh DC is such great place to people watch. The crowds were hoppin this June morning.

The hydrangea bushes were in full bloom.

I thought this picture was so appropriate... Intrigued by the bug crawling on his hand, not to mention he's wearing his "This is my bug shirt".

I love DC. It will always hold a special place in my heart, but I agree with Jack when he said,

"Mom, lets go home, there are too many people here for I can't play with my cars outside on the sidewalk." So, we're going home to last 2 more weeks without Daddy... until he comes home for Fathers Day.

Sunday in DC

June 6, 2010

We left PA in hopes to make it to make it back to the the Grovers ward for their sweet little Tacey's baby blessing. The Grovers are good friends of ours that we met summer of 2006 when John interned in DC for Senator Bennett. We haven't seen them since so we were SO excited to get caught up.

We brought all of our Sunday clothes with us to Shipensburg so we could go straight to the ward, but somehow John forgot his pants! Imagine that?!? So, we drove as fast as we could (without breaking the law), pulled into John's apt complex about 2 hrs later, rushed onto the freeway and got STOPPED in traffic. Seriously? There is always traffic, even 1pm on a Sunday afternoon. So we finally made it over to their ward building and walked in just at the Sacrament song was starting. We missed it by literally 3 minutes. Oh... we were SO sad.

But, we went over to their house after church for a little gathering in honor of Tacey!

Here we are. 4 years later with 2 kids each!!

Kurt and Mallory Grover with their kids Carson and Tacey

and us!!

Carson and Jack became friends instantly!! We can't wait to get together again soon :)

After a few hours at their place, we headed to the monuments for a little family time. We hadn't been alone for over 2 weeks, so it was so fun to just go on a walk on this gorgeous summer night in DC.

The kids experienced fireflies for the first time... They were mesmerized!!

Each of us take great pride in the State we were born in!!

Jonah Ray

March 31, 2009

City: Chapel Hill

County: Orange

State: North Carolina

Melanie

March 29th 1985

City: Mesa

County: Maricopa

State: Arizona

Jack Truman

December 9, 2006

City: Orem

County: Utah

State: Utah

John Jacob

October 11, 1982

City: Burley

County: Cassia

State: Idaho

It was a gorgeous night and a perfect way to end a fabulous weekend together. Luckily for us, we still had a few more days with Daddy.