We miss you already!

You know how sometimes you meet people and you're kind of amazed at what good people they are? Like, genuine, kind, salt of the earth type people? We know some people like that. Well, lots of people. But in particular, McKay and Lynndi Littlewood, and they just moved a state away.

We're pretty much in mourning around here (although since they can no longer live three blocks away from us, it was pretty considerate of them to move to Salt Lake, since we average about a trip a month to Utah anyways!). We LOVE the Littlewoods. All of them. Here's why:

Lynndi (pictured here playing with Will) is amazing. I can't even tally the number of hours she's watched my kids over the last eight months or so (or the number of diapers she's had to change while doing so!!). Hmm, I have Scouts and Chuck has to work and my mom can't come over that night? No problem, Lynndi will watch them. Hmm, my almost-two-year-old split his chin open and needs stitches? No problem, Lynndi will take Clyde for the entire afternoon. AND she's this generous with all of her friends - and happily so.

She also helped me realize that I can run (well, jog) a mile without stopping. I know that's not impressive to you marathon runners out there, but I am NOT a runner and I did NOT think I had that in me. And I do . . . if Lynndi's with me :).

Lynndi's also a really great shopping buddy. She's the one who encouraged me to try on the white framed aviator sunglasses that I now refuse to leave my house without.

McKay is super awesome too. First of all, see this nice picture of my family on a teeter-totter? McKay took that. He saw us playing on it and thoughtfully grabbed my camera and took a few pictures of us. McKay is always willing to help out or serve others. I'm pretty sure he (or at least his truck/trailer) is responsible for moving at least half of our ward in and out. He also helped immensely as Chuck and our friend Troy tackled our backyard renovations last fall and this spring.

McKay has been such a great friend to Chuck. Here they are getting ready to race down the slides at the pool last week . . . they're like little kids :).

Hmm, maybe too good of a friend at times . . . here's Chuck resisting McKay's advances after a double date to the temple.

Probably the thing Chuck and I appreciate most about McKay is his special bond with baby Will - they are best friends (although I don't think McKay was ever successful in getting Will to ice block!). Every time McKay saw Will, he would say, "Little Will!" and scoop him up for a snuggle/toss in the air - which Will LOVED. It has meant so much to Chuck and myself to watch McKay (and Lynndi) completely accept and love Will without any question. I seriously tear up when I think about it... so I'll stop!

It makes sense that such good people would have such cute, sweet (and admittedly spunky) daughters, McKenzie and Paislee.

Clyde is only a month and a half older than Kenzie, and it's sooo hilarious to watch them interact.

Lynndi and I (and another good friend, Melissa) did a little co-op preschool for our kids this spring and for "H" we made hats... and Clyde waited until McKenzie chose pink for her hat to select his color - pink. Love it.

Cute little trampoline jumpers! Clyde has already asked a few times when we're going to go visit Kenzie.

Before their movie date the day before Kenzie left - with their dads as chaperones :).

Ahh, Paislee and Will. A much harder to photograph duo, but still very adorable.

They were a pretty good match for a friendship - Paislee knows what she wants and Will learned pretty quickly to give in :).

A few nights before Lynndi left, a group of us got together at Olive Garden and basically talked all night. I'm thinking a reunion dinner is in order, especially since in the hustle and bustle not everyone got their invites to this one - we'll close the place down again!!

The boys had a farewell adventure, too - floating the river with some of the Young Men in our ward and hitting up Los Betos for a midnight snack afterwards. Being the dutiful memory-preserver that I am, I made them pose for a couple pictures as they dropped Chuck off:

Chuck, McKay, and Troy. . . can't take their eyes off one another :).

And this is the best I got - goofs!

Lynndi and McKay, thank you SO much for your friendship. We wish you all the best in Utah - I'm sure we'll see you there soon!!