Grandpa Griffin's 80th Birthday

After months of planning by Grandma Griffin, the birthday party for Grandpa Griffin in Parker Arizona finally came. Here are a few highlights from the trip. My picture taking skills were less than stellar on this trip so I apologize if I missed you!

The boys were AMAZING in the car. There were hours upon hours of driving and for the most part they either slept or watched their movies. In total we spent almost 20 hours in the car over the course of 4 days. Since Randy still can't drive with his bad foot, I navigated our entire trip. We stopped in Vegas on Thursday and met up with Rusty, Collette, Landon and Erica and their twins, and the Royster Family. The California Pizza Kitchen will never be the same after we graced them with our presence!
After a quick trip to Trader Joe's on Friday we drove to Arizona with Rusty, Collette, and the Royster's. Thankfully we did because....

Yep, that's my car and a trashed tire! No worries my expert driving skills helped me control the car after the tire blew.

Rusty, Lynn and Randy handled the situation like men and had the spare on in no time.

Colby, Dyson, and Hank kept themselves entertained by throwing rocks at glass bottles on the side of the road. Totally safe!

Love the Boot! We finally arrived at Emerald Cove to meet Grandma on a beach cruiser. Oh man I wish I would've captured that picture...priceless.
Griff and Karen, Randy and I, Lynn and Jenni, Colby, Dyson, Hank and Max all stayed in this beauty...

Talk about getting to know your family members!

Max fell out of bed a few times so I ended up sleeping in the bunk bed with the other boys. Sleep was hard to come by on this trip.

Hank had a BLAST with Dyson and Colby. He was so independent this weekend he hardly had time to hang out with me. Max made up for it!

Colby taught Hank how to properly torch his marshmallow.

Max only needed a shovel and dirt to keep him occupied.

Don't mind the poor picture quality...I had to include a picture of the "outlaws". It's hard to tell from my pictures but there were over 90 family members camping and celebrating Grandpa's birthday. We stuck to our little family most of the time. The "outlaws" totally bonded!


Saturday morning, 12 of us headed out to play 9 holes of golf. Yes, Randy golfed with his boot! There was no way he was missing out on a round of golf. Look closely because you can see Grandma and Grandpa in the background waiting to tee off. It's the only picture I have of Jerry.

Randy and I always have a great time on the golf course. I shot a personal best 43 on 9 holes. I counted every shot too! It was so fun.

Rusty and Collette were excellent company. Collette came out of a 10 year retirement from the game. She did fantastic! I wish they lived closer so we could golf more.

We actually got in trouble for slowing down play to take this picture.

These two make quite the pair in their matching shirts!

The kids were ready for some miniature golf when we got home. Max mostly threw his ball.

Hank counted every stroke! He was very competitive with Dyson and Colby.

Next stop was the pool. The weather was beautiful and hovered around 70 degrees.

Max pretty much crashed anywhere he could. Poor little kid didn't get a real nap for 5 days!

Max couldn't wake up for our family picture and Hank was too busy chilling in the hot tub.

Here is the man of the hour! It was so good to see him behind the wheel of a boat again. I have very fond memories of Lake Powell with the Griffin's.

I'm so glad the kids got to ride on a boat driven by their great-grandpa Griffin. Rusty taught Hank how to eat sunflower seeds. He held onto them for dear life on the boat. Before I knew it, Randy was going mock 90 on a wave runner, next to the boat. So much for taking it easy on his leg! I can't thank Stan and Jerry enough for providing us with so much food and fun last weekend. Jerry spent countless hours organizing and planning a fun trip for us and I'm really glad we were there.

We headed to Vegas on Sunday in search of new tires for my car. We found a Big O store that was open and ended up spending 3 HOURS waiting for our car. The kids were beyond tired and Max was losing his mind, throwing rocks at cars, laying in the road, spilling his drinks, etc. I told Randy we needed to stay in Vegas at the nicest hotel we could find. He told me I would get a massage and we promised Hank we would swim. Well, the hotel we picked had a closed pool and spa by the time we checked in. I may have had a minor melt down but after a hot shower and an all you can eat buffet we were all feeling much better. The kids had a blast at the arcade. We slept in the most comfortable beds ever! Monday morning we met Grandpa Griff and Karen for breakfast at our hotel. The kids insisted on an ice cream cone with each meal.

Hank made a make shift Shirley Temple with sprite and cherries.

Grandpa wasn't down for swimming!

This pool area was awesome! I would definitely stay here again...oh yeah, it's called the Green Valley Ranch. It's off the strip and there is everything you could ever want at your fingertips.

More sand makes Mino a happy boy, throw in a shovel and he's entertained for hours.


We went from the beach area to the pool then to the hot tub about 5 times.

Max was in full vacation mode just in time for us to head back home.

Hank LOVES Vegas! He wants to move there because they let 5 year olds swim in the hot tub! I was in no hurry to head home and get the laundry started so we got a late check out time and didn't get home until around 9 last night. Today the kids are suffering from vacation withdrawl as am I. They have been fighting non stop all day!! Is it bad I'm ready for another trip already?

Snow in March?

Last Friday we had the biggest snow storm of the winter. I looked out the window after I got dressed and quickly realized I needed to rethink my spring-like attire. On the way home from preschool Hank proudly exclaimed "Mom, we need to go sledding today. It's the perfect day!" Normally I would come up with some excuse why we couldn't go but he got a sled for Christmas that we hadn't used so I thought...o.k why not. I'll get off my lazy butt and take him sledding at my moms. After Max's nap we headed over to get our sled on.

My dad was so excited to have us over. He quickly paved the way for some serious sled action to happen. Max made a few runs and then decided it would be best to head up to the house and eat some of grandma's freshly baked cookies.

Hank and I had an epic snow ball fight.

He is the biggest stud on the planet! He trudged up the hill about 50 times. I love the positioning of his hat!


Since Randy is still out with his injury...I did the dad thing and built Hank a jump.

Look at that form!

He doesn't even need gloves...that's how hard core he is.

His hair is wet from sweat! He gets his good looks from his mama!

As we walked up to my moms Hank said "See mom, I told you that was a genius idea". Yes it was sweetie. I enjoyed every second of it!

The best thing about a foot of snow in March is that it's already melted! Bring on spring!

First Annual Karl Tucker Ski Day

The First Annual Karl Tucker Ski day was yesterday at Sundance. I couldn't think of a better excuse to come out of my 4 year skiing hiatus. I had the old skis waxed up and I was more than excited to enjoy a day full of sunshine on the slopes in memory of my dear grandpa. I wish Randy could have joined us...stupid achilles! He gladly stayed home with Hank and Max so I could go. My mom and I were the first to arrive so we decided to take a few runs and make sure everything was working right.

I was thinking "please don't drop the camera off the lift...please". My mom looks to hard core in her helmet!

I guess skiing is like riding a bike because it felt like I hadn't missed a single season. We had a an hour or so together to reflect, laugh, and cry before the rest of the troops arrived. My grandpa would've LOVED this day. The weather was perfect, the snow was perfect, and we were all together.

I didn't have any trouble keeping track of this colorful trio!
Riley, Chloe, and Wyatt

Larry, Mom, Grant, Hayley, Chloe, Wyatt, Riley, Me, and Becky
If you are not in this picture...(I'm talking to my sisters and their husbands mainly) you were really missed. I'm sure we will have an even bigger crowd next year.

Melanie and Chuck Barber on the left and Kevin, and Logan on the right also joined us. Craig and Tina Boswell took the picture and helped coordinate this great day. It has been WAY too long since I've skied with my cousins and it brought back so many memories of my childhood. I had to take a moment and just take it all in. I'm surrounded by so much love and support and it feels amazing. I really wished I could ski behind a tree and just see my grandpa one more time, giving me a thumbs up and telling me how great I was skiing but also telling me to quit dragging my poles! A few of us spotted a man who had my grandpa's mannerisms, ski gear, etc...kind of weird but cool. His spirit was alive and well and felt by all of us. Truly a perfect day and a perfect tribute.

After a long day of skiing, we met up with the rest of the family who didn't ski for a fiesta provided by the extremely generous Boswell family. The tacos were delicious. Everyone was feeling quite festive!

I can't wait to teach these two how to ski! Hank got really excited to learn when he could see the mountain up close. He is a bit scared of avalanches but we'll deal with that! He really enjoyed the beef as you can see...Max on the other hand ate chips and brownies.

My mom, Jack, and Grandma Joanne looking especially festive. I love you grandma! She is really such an amazing woman.

Brett, Randy (no comment), Craig, and Dad. Randy still had a cheery attitude...crutches and all.
Next year Griffin's ledge will be back in rare form.

Riley looks like he's holding a little doll. The hat is covering up Monet's sweet little face.

Sombrero man is killing me, Dan is looking quite mischievous!

Lucy, Chloe, and Isabel

Lindsey was sweet enough to stay back and tend Monet while we skied. Next year...she will officially be a Tucker and therefore must ski!

Speaking of must ski! Next year sisters...

Me and Hayley

Becky, Larry and Mom (brownie in cheek, ha!)

Max found a comfy spot on Grant's lap next to the fire.

He was in the zone! Grant gives a mean back rub apparently.

Isabel and Max were feeling the love.

Not quite as much as Sarah and I

Mom, Dad and my little family

The Ross Family

Grant, Wyatt, and Logan

Thanks to Riley my kids didn't want to leave! They had a blast throwing snowballs at everyone.
I know my grandpa would've been so proud seeing all of us having a great time together, after all he is the one responsible! I miss him everyday, but yesterday I felt close to him again, doing the things he loved the most. Thank you to everyone who made this day possible.