Family Time

Life has been crazy busy around here and even though I'm with my kids most of the time, we were in need of some quality family bonding.  My kids are at such fun ages to do things.  I mean Sam isn't really at an ideal age but he goes along with us anyway.  As soon as Randy got home from work we headed to a pizza joint in Salt Lake.

This isn't the best picture but it demonstrates a typical seating arrangement at dinner.  All the boys fight to see who can sit closest to Randy and then there's me, sitting by myself on the other side of the table.  It's fine, sniff sniff.

Sam got a sweet surprise when he tried Max's sprite.  He would not take the straw out of his mouth.  At least it kept him entertained for 5 minutes.  

Our next stop was the bowling alley.  We played in the arcade first and then got our bowl on.  Lucky for us, it was cosmic bowling night.

It didn't make for the clearest pictures but I've never seen Hank and Max get along so well.

Max and Randy teamed up against Hank and I and barely beat us.

Hank kept Sam entertained when it wasn't his turn.

Sam mostly wanted to cuddle with me, which I don't mind in the least.  He was getting tired so he just needed his mommy.  The kids were ready for bed when we got home and the last thing Max said before he went to bed was, "That was the best day of my life!".  Mission accomplished.

The next day we decided to brave the 40 degree temperatures and take the troops golfing.  Taking 3 small children golfing is totally relaxing, haha!

I love his picture with all my heart.  These boys are all mine!  Hank is really shaping up to be a great little golfer and Max isn't far behind.  

Sam on the other hand, should never hold a golf club.  It's truly a miracle someone didn't end up with a club to the forehead.  

We really had such a fun weekend together.  I cherish these moments with my little family so much.  As crazy as it gets at times, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Spring Break

We had a pretty laid back Spring Break this year.  It felt nice to be home and relax after a crazy couple of weeks, plus the weather wasn't all that great to do anything anyway.  The boys had haircuts early in the week and Hank had an idea for his hair....

A full on Mohawk was never the plan, however due to some miscommunication between Hank, Weston, and I combined with me chasing Sam all over the salon, that's what we got.  I really felt sick when I realized what had happened.  After an initial freak out, I realized Hank's hair grows insanely fast and it will be back to normal before any time at all.  It is just hair after all and Hank can rock any look.

Towards the end of Spring Break I was feeling like I needed to do something fun with the kids.  Lucky for me, Jenni called with just the adventure we needed.  It was highly ambitious considering we both have one year old babies but we pressed on anyway.

First stop was a ride on Frontrunner up to Salt Lake.  After missing the first train because we forgot Max's glasses and spilling Chick-fil-A everywhere (Dyson), we were ready to have a good time.  

I mean, who doesn't like a train ride? 

As long as Lennon and Sam had their beverages, they were happy.

Max didn't want to be bothered by the mamarazzi, sorry buddy!

These four giggled the entire ride.

Once we were in Salt Lake, we headed to the Planetarium   The only problem with flying by the seat of your pants is you tend to miss show times.   

The laser show would've been cool but we missed it by 15 minutes.  We decided  to walk across the street to the Children's Museum next.

I have no clue what everyone else did after that because I was chasing this crazy man everywhere.  

He was perfectly content putting  balls in these little holes but I had to introduce him to the water, big mistake.

It started innocent enough with a little splashing but then he found the cups.

He insisted on trying to drink the nasty water probably a thousand dirty kids had their hands in.  I swatted the cup out of his hands in disgust.  The poor patrons then witnessed the most high pitched scream they'd ever heard.  Sam can shatter glass with his screaming, I'm convinced.  That put an end to our little museum experience.

Jenni and I deserve a medal for our noble attempt at finding something fun to do with our kids.

(The kid on the left is Dyson's friend Ben.)

It's days like this, memories are made.  I'm so glad she invited us.  We are always up for an adventure!

I love my crazy boys.

Random pics, Random kids!

This post is dedicated to the random pictures on my phone that need a home.  I'll break it down by kid.

Max

Max's best friend Ryan invited him to his birthday party.  He came home fully outfitted in Jedi gear.  

Max was recently the leader in preschool for the last time.  Little Bear will take a break from our house until Sam goes to Bear Hollow.  Max insisted that Little Bear sit right next to him while he played Minecraft.  Hank and Max are obsessed with that game right now.

Who says Max can't fit in Sam's baby car?  That face needs no caption!

Hank

With warmer weather comes hours of driveway basketball games with the neighbor kids.  Hank loves to show off as you can see.  Dallin and Hank usually take on the rest of the kids.

Today was the annual Snow Springs walk-a-thon.  My inner cross-country nerd was beaming with pride.  Hank didn't stop the entire 45 minutes.  He beat his previous record and ran 15 laps.  That's more than any other 2nd grade boy!  I love how Hank gives it 100% all the time.  He never gives up.  I tell you, this kid is going far in life. 

Sam

Sorry Hank and Max, I've taken way more pictures of your baby brother!

Sam goes absolutely nuts when he knows a horse is near.  This sweet horse lives at the end of our neighborhood and Sam would walk a mile to see him.  All I have to say is "Do you want to see the horse?" and he nods and runs out the door to the end of our street.  This particular day we got to feed him some carrots.

My little buddy continues to grow up by the second.  We ditched the high chair a few days ago.  Sam has a new love for meal time now.  He loves joining the rest of us for dinner.

Sam had a very traumatic accident on Tucker's birthday.  He did a face plant on the tile at Sarah's.  I thought he broke his nose until I noticed a piece of tooth on his tongue and on the floor.  I felt like I was going to throw up.  It took me 20 minutes to get the courage to look at the damage.  I got a really good look at the pediatric dentist office.  The break didn't go into the nerve but the majority of his front tooth is gone.  There really isn't much we can do until he gets older.  What is it with my kids and their snaggle teeth?  I'm still so upset about this.  He wears it well though.

We've been able to watch Lennon a few times recently while Jenni has been working. 

Sam and Lennon are becoming cute little friends.

I can't believe how old they are!  

SAM DUNK!!

Thanks for the caption Sarah!

Here is my very own Baby Einstein!  He puts Max's glasses on every chance he gets.

Sorry, no random photos of Randy and I.  We're too tired to take pictures.  I'll work on that!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

My amazing mom just celebrated a milestone birthday.  We partied for days in honor of her.  I can't believe how lucky I am to have her as my mom.  She is the most compassionate, understanding, strong, loving, and accepting person I know.  I can come to her with any problem, thought or topic and she always knows just what to say.  There have been multiple days recently, she has just shown up unannounced at a time when I really needed her.  She just knows when I could use a shoulder to cry on, or a cupcake to indulge in.  I cherish and appreciate her so much.  Especially now since I am a mom myself.  What an incredible example for me to follow.  My sisters and I took her to City Creek for some birthday shopping.  It's not hard to find clothes my mom looks adorable in.  I love these ladies so much.   

  

We just had to indulge in a little photo shoot on the Anthropologie couch.  

This is her updated make-up from Clinique. 

On her actual birthday, I hosted a birthday lunch with all the kids. 

Tucker and Sam love their grandma.  They are constantly fighting for her attention.

After lunch we headed to Yogurt Bliss for dessert.  Look at this posterity.  Nice work mom!  

Later that evening, the adults went to Trio for dinner without the kids.  It was such a fun night.  I honestly don't think my mom has ever looked better.  She really does get better with age.  Happy Birthday to my mother, my best friend, and my biggest supporter.  I wouldn't be the woman I am today without her incredible influence.  I love you mom, forever!

Easter Weekend

Prepare yourself for some serious picture overload.  Easter was full of family and fun and I had my camera out and ready to document every second of it!  Sarah took this picture of my family on Easter.  It's definitely  one of my favorites.

Let's start at the beginning...

The boys and I colored over 50 eggs!  

All the cool kids color eggs in their underwear, duh!

The Saturday before Easter, we headed out west for an event only Grandma Griffin could host.

Our camp site was on a steep hill full of jagged, sharp rocks.  A perfect spot for the babies.  Lennon and Sam were really enjoying giving me a heart attack.

I seriously can't believe they didn't hit each other with all the rocks they were throwing.

Sam in a baseball cap needs to happen more often.

It was so fun having Rick and Anna here.  

Rick and Sam had a cute little photo sesh!

After some hot dogs and smores, it was time for the annual egg roll.

Nice form Hanksta!

Max decided chucking the eggs was much more fun.  

After everyone cleaned up we headed to Jeri and Scott's for dinner and an Easter egg hunt. 

Sam was far more interested in eating the chocolate inside the eggs.  This kid has a sugar addiction!

See what I mean?

Along with the eggs, each kid had a kite to find.  Luckily for all of us, there was a slight breeze so we could try them out.  You be the judge who had more fun flying kites...(photo cred goes to Jeri, she is really getting good with her new camera!)

This pic has to be one of my favorites.  I think it needs to go on a Hallmark card.

Kites are really fun, I'd forgotten just how fun it is to fly one!  We spent the rest of the evening posing for cute pictures and laughing.  

Jeri kept all of us entertained singing along to the videos Sam and Lennon like.  These kids are so lucky to have a grandma like her.  

The next morning, the kids discovered we had been visited by the Easter bunny.  The clues he left behind helped them find candy and toys.

Candy for breakfast? Yes please!

My mom hosted a beautiful Easter lunch later in the day.

The kids were anxious to head outside to roll eggs and find more candy.

My dad had hidden eggs all over the back yard. 

The kids played in the river for hours.  

Sam loved taking rides on Grandpa Curt's new 4-wheeler.

The weather was gorgeous.  We had such a beautiful day with my family.  It was an Easter to remember!