Hank-man

Such an incredible photo right?  I mean who has a picture of the back of their eyeball?  Hank sure does.  Part of his diabetes maintenance requires annual eye exams and blood tests to make sure his blood sugar isn't having a negative effect on his eyes, liver and kidneys.  His eye doctor was a little concerned about the faint white mass you see just to the left of his retina.  He said it wasn't related to his diabetes but referred us to one of his partners who has more experience with this sort of thing.  

It's always an unsettling feeling with the doctor seems to take longer than usual doing a routine exam.  Especially when he doesn't say anything but keeps changing equipment, and typing furiously.  Much to my relief, the doctor told us he was most likely born with this scar tissue.  It doesn't appear to be getting bigger but they will continue to monitor it every year since it is so close to where it could effect his vision.

Even though Hank is killing it this baseball season, stupid diabetes seems to always be a variable we are contending with.  Since he is pitching quite a bit, it's so important to make sure his sugar isn't too low or too high which seems impossible to manage at times.  He puts up with my constant testing and adjusting throughout the game but I know it's really annoying.

Despite it all, he manages to pull off a win almost every time he steps on the mound.  It's heart breaking and inspiring all at the same time watching him deal with this stupid disease.  I will tell you one thing for sure, he has the best cheering section at Vet's Field.  The support he receives from our family is like nothing you've ever seen.  It means the world to me and to Hank.  My sweet dad has yet to miss a game.  I captured this darling picture after one of his games.  My dad went to the mound to give Hank some pointers and I couldn't resist snapping a pic.  Nothing is going to stop this kid from giving it 100% every game.

The Latest and Greatest From Max

Max is growing up before my very eyes!  It's hard for me to comprehend the fact that he's nearing the end of his Kindergarten year.  It seems like yesterday I was pushing him in a stroller to watch Hank run in his first Snow Spring's Walk-a-Thon.  I had a dental conference to attend so my sweet mom and Sarah showed up to offer their support and snap some awesome pictures.

I love Max just blazing past these girls.

Sarah said he would saunter around the corner of the school and the second he saw them he would take off on a dead sprint.

That's my boy!

I think he did nearly 10 laps!

He is also in the middle of his soccer season and I have a feeling it's going to be his best one yet.

Randy loves the point at the goal tactic.

Not only is Max super fast, he has the ability to kick the ball with his left foot which really throws his competitors off.  There are many more action shots to come.  

I almost forgot to mention that Max just hopped on a bike the other day with the training wheels off.  He took off like he'd been riding a bike for years.  Only Max would just figure out how to ride a bike that quick.  I love how he always surprises me.  It makes being his mother very exciting.  I can't wait to see what he does next!  I love my little Maxi!

Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend was non-stop!  We started our celebrating on Saturday with a few games for the boys.  Max had his first soccer game of the spring season and did awesome as usual.  They faced some pretty stiff competition and played their little hearts out.  Hank had a practice baseball game and pitched amazingly well.  It's going to be an exciting season for Hanksta.  He's going to get tons of playing time.

In between games, we had time to squeeze in the neighborhood Easter egg hunt.

Hank opted to sit the hunt out to help Sam find eggs.  What a good big bro.

Sam loved finding his eggs, in fact we had a hard time getting him to stop at his 12 egg allotment. 

He agreed to stop finding eggs once Hank showed him the candy inside.

He pretty much ate all his candy before he made it back home.

Man we have a lot of kids in this neighborhood.  I think there were 76 kids participating this year and it's probably not even half of the kids that live here.

Who's that stud?

I'm not sure what he found in this egg but he was impressed to say the least!

We also crammed in a little Easter Egg coloring before Hank's game.

Hank and Max are getting pretty good at coloring eggs.  I hardly had to help them this year.

This chocolate faced goober on the other hand, had to be watched constantly!

I'm not sure who the genius was that bought 5 dozen eggs to color.

Ok, well maybe not all 5 dozen eggs survived our coloring.  We got hungry.  The kids did a mighty fine job.

Later that night Jeri had us over for pizza and fun.  It was really relaxing, so much so I didn't take one picture.  The kids love playing at her house.  Makes my job pretty darn easy.

On Easter morning, the kids were pumped to find clues from the Easter Bunny.

Sam tried his hardest to keep up with his big brothers.  They were running furiously to each clue, outside, upstairs, downstairs, and in the kitchen.  Why do my boys suddenly look so old?  I dread the day they are "too old" for the Easter Bunny's treasure hunt.

Sam was stoked for his sidewalk chalk and bubbles however Hank and Max enjoyed them just as much, if not more than he did!  We quickly showered and headed up to my mom's for Easter Brunch.

Look at this beautiful table!

My mommy dearest really outdid herself this year.  The food was absolutely as divine as it looks.

The kids even gave it a thumbs up.

My kids looked so adorable in their new Easter duds and I tried my hardest to get a cute picture.  It just wasn't in the cards.

Sam refused to look at the camera and the second he opened his new swimming suit from grandma and grandpa, he wouldn't wear anything else the rest of the day.  His shades really add to the outfit.

I can always count on Max to take a cute picture.  I love Sam strolling in the background.

My parents set up an Easter egg hunt down by the pond. What a perfect setting for and Easter afternoon.

Next, the annual Easter egg chuck!

Everyone got in on the action.  Of course it had to end with egg yolk in Hank and Max's hair.  So gross.

Even though I didn't manage to capture one good pic of the family together, I did get a few great photos.

These kids could play Survivor next to this stream all day.

If Sam wasn't on the 4-wheeler...

he was throwing rocks, 

playing in the mud,

or finding sticks 3 times as big as he is.  He was in heaven.

This was my view from the pitchers mound during our softball game.  She was a pretty intimidating batter.

The stakes were high in our Griffin Family vs. Everyone else match-up.

I don't think I need to even tell you who completely dominated.  I think Hank alone could have taken the entire family.

He was so good even Tucker needed a cuddle from the all star.

Sam made it approximately 5 minutes before completely passing out on our way home.  He may have slept in his dirty swimming suit.

Despite the fact my dad took 8 Zyrtec earlier in the day, my parents hosted the perfect Easter celebration.  It was relaxing, fun, delicious, and full of memory making experiences. (I promise I was there, no photos to prove it though.)  How did I get so lucky to have these two as my parents?  I appreciate all their efforts so much.  Love them!