Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from the Griffins!  We have so much to be thankful for this year.  Our health is a big one.  I'm so grateful for these boys.  They are my everything and give me more meaning and purpose to my life than I ever could have imagined.  I'm also thankful that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and my sisters.

My mom did an incredible job with the table.

Such a beautiful bird.

Post meal snuggles with Russ.

Max's favorite, pumpkin pie!

Shellie spent Thanksgiving with us and was kind enough to keep the little boys entertained.  Bless her heart, she really tried to explain the game to Tucker and Sam.

Once they lost interest, she ended up playing with Max for hours.  Max loves getting some one on one time.  It was really sweet.

How's this for sweet!

We are in love with baby Russ!  It was a beautifully relaxing day filled with fabulous food and my favorite people.  

The next day we got a beautiful snow storm.  Griffy loved romping around in the fresh powder.

I found the energy somewhere to put our Christmas tree up as well.

With the only present I need for Christmas underneath.

November Randoms

November is nearly over and I have my monthly random pictures to post.  Max had his first experience getting cavities filled.  My streak of no cavity kids sadly ended.  He made it longer than I ever did as a kid and handled the procedure like a pro.

I have no idea how Hank got the idea for the habanero pepper challenge.  He invited some of his buddies over and requested I buy a few peppers.  I have to admit it was extremely entertaining watching these boys freak out.  They counted to three and they all took a bite...except for Hank.  I couldn't believe it.  He somehow talked all his friends into doing it and then he chickened out.

Like a good mom, I made him take the challenge.  It was his idea after all.

After taking a tiny bite, he proceeded to drink a gallon of milk.  Such a wuss!

Griffy continues his snuggling, stopping all of us dead in our tracks.  The kids refuse to move when Griffy is snuggled up.

We love our little snuggler!

The Turkey Trot happened.  Hank finished in the top 25.  Not too bad for saying he was going to walk the entire way.  His competitive nature wouldn't allow it.

These boys acted like they had run a marathon at the end.  The 2nd graders race was much closer and I was in charge of determining the places so I failed to get a picture of Max.  He did so aweome.  Top ten finish for him.  I found myself lingering around to watch the other grades.  I missed my calling in life.  I think I'm meant to be a cross country coach.

After my hair had reached it's longest length ever, I decided to chop it off.  I needed a change.  

Hank's grades for term 1 were perfection!

Gina has been anticipating her date at the tatoo parlor for months now.  I'm so glad I was able to tag along for her moral support.

The final product was exactly what she wanted.

Basketball season has started for Hank again which means I have my early morning gym buddy back.   He never complains about his 5:50 a.m. practice time.  I may have bribed him with a donut to get this picture.

I've been helping in Max's class with reading.  Max is such a fantastic reader.

My little sidekick tags along with me where ever I go.  He's getting smart and bringing his toys.

Two days a week of preschool is simply not enough for Sam.  He is so bored on the days he is home with me.  Good thing Tuck man and Jack can play at a moments notice.  I love how close Sam is to his cousins.

Lighting Ceremony at The Riverwoods

My kids were so excited to be part of the lighting ceremony at The Riverwoods.  They were a little disappointed they didn't actually get to turn the lights on.  It was cool to see them standing up there and promoting JDRF though.

The MC had a good time teasing them about singing a holiday song.  The boys were secretly freaking out inside.  Good thing they only had to announce the s'more kit fundraiser available that night.

Max was such an awesome helper.  People would purchase the kits and he would hand them out.  How could you say no to that face!

Or that face!  We had so much family support that night.  The Ross, and Jones family were there as well as the Crott's family, the Thomas family, and Phil and Tiff.  Of course my parents were there as well as Scott. And don't forget Griffy!

Scott was the man that night.  He coordinated all the people cooking their s'mores as well as recruiting people walking by to donate.  He stayed the entire night to help us out.

Hank and Colby were running around all evening.  I was so busy selling s'mores I have no clue what they were doing!

I'm happy to report it was a very successful night of fundraising.  We sold 300 dollars worth of s'more kits!  Not too shabby.  The event was capped off by a beautiful fireworks display that nearly gave Griffy a heart attack.  Holiday season has officially begun.

World Diabetes Day

Today is World Diabetes Day.  Novemeber 14th is Frederick Banting's birthday and he is the physician responsible for discovering the hormone insulin in 1921.  Before that discovery, a type 1 diabetes diagnosis was a death sentence.  As hard as managing this disease is, it is doable thanks to him.  I'm forever grateful that I have the tools I need to keep my boys alive.  It is a day worth celebrating.  Sidenote, I think I've decided on a new team name for our fundraising next year.  Team Hank to the Max! 

I'm loving this new awareness campaign by JDRF.  It's so powerful and heartbreaking to see these images pop up all over social media.  

We decided to treat our boys to a special night out at the local Japanese steakhouse Tepanyaki to celebrate.  They got such a kick out of watching the chef's prepare their food in front of them.

Watching Sam use chopsticks was enough entertainment for me.

I will celebrate these awesome boys any chance I get.  A night out with our family was just what the doctor ordered.