"Kiap"-ing His Way to a Yellow Belt!

It's been nearly 2 years since Hank began his Taekwondo journey and he's come such a long way.  Had I known you couldn't advance to the next belt until you are 6 years old I might have started him a little later.  Even though he is a few months shy of being 6, Master Augustine allowed him to test and move up to the Junior Dragon class.  It has renewed his love for the martial arts.

 He performed his basic forms and recited his Student Pledge without hesitation.  He also broke his board on the first try. (A much thicker board than last time I might add.)

Of course he had a huge fan base there to cheer him on.

Randy and James were hard at work in Vegas on the golf course and couldn't be there but we had Grandpa Curt, Sarah, Grandma Jeri, and Grandma Jackie on hand for support.  Dyson came over to play with Max so I could totally focus on Hank.

That yellow belt is well earned Hank!  You continue to make me proud everyday buddy.

Zoo Lights with the Wanks!

I've been struggling to find my holiday spirit this year.  The fact that there are only 19 more days until Christmas gives me serious anxiety, since I have yet to buy a present.  Last night was just the thing I needed to get me into the holiday mood.  My parents surprised us with an impromptu night out to see the lights in Hogle Zoo.  My family is known for their precise planning so a little spontaneity was a welcome change.

Thanks mom and dad for getting us all together. It's just what I needed.

 The kids were bundled and excited...Hank was being too cool like usual.

 Apparently I needed to go to the bathroom.

The kids got to see Santa's Reindeer and then they had a chance to sit on his lap.

Isabel wants a drum set.

Jack wanted to run away.

Hank wants paper jams and games for the Wii.

Lucy wants an Ipod.

Max couldn't think of what he wanted...think, think, think

He finally came up with cars and monster trucks, since we don't have ANY of those!

Santa took one look at Max and said, "Oh this kid is on the nice list for sure!" ha ha

Max loved riding the zebra on the carousel.  He's been obsessed with the movie Madagascar lately so he was overjoyed to ride "Marty".  He even let Grandma ride next to him!

Hank on the other hand was terrified.  He is the toughest 5 year old I know and yet the sweet calm little carousel had him in tears.  He couldn't wait to get off!

The kids loved seeing the snakes and other creepy crawly creatures.  The animals were awake and ready to put on a good show for the kids.  Hank loved the scorpions and the tigers, and Max loved the bunnies and the spider monkeys. 

Don't mind if I did steal this picture off Sarah's blog.  I have very few pictures of Max and me with cute smiles.

It was really foggy out, if you couldn't tell, so this was the clearest picture we could get of the family.  I had no idea Hank was posing as a monkey!  

Hank and Max required some nourishment in the form of chicken fingers on our way out.

Jack had to deal with the entire family fighting for his attention.  We can't get enough of this kid!

Hank as a jaguar.

Mom and Sarah were inspired by Hank's look.  Sarah, what sharp teeth you have.

Jack-man...too much!

Thanks again mom and dad for everything.  We had a great time.  O.k., I think I might be feeling excited for Christmas now.  I guess it's time to get shopping.  Put in your requests ASAP! 

Thanksgiving Weekend

I am still recovering from last weeks activities.  Rusty, Rick, and Collette came into town for Thanksgiving on Wednesday and we spent as much time as we could with them.  I had really good intentions on Thanksgiving to document all the food and family but I lost steam after our first Thanksgiving feast.  We managed to eat two fantastic meals with my family and Randy's family.  I couldn't have asked for more! Instead of my usual witty recap after each picture I will keep it brief.  I'm lacking creativity and energy tonight.

 I love my family.

 Mom and her beloved bird.

 A thing of beauty.

Dad managed to carve the turkey and clean the blade on his clean shirt at the same time.

Perfection

The ladies enjoying pie while the men watched football.

Love was in the air.

We need Danna to finish this family picture.

Tryptophan induced nap...oh wait, he failed to taste the turkey.

Angry Birds on the Ipad = Hank's idea of heaven on earth

Awake and full of hell.

Next stop was Scott and Jeri's home.  I apologize for my lame recap for Jeri's Thanksgiving.  She pulled off dinner for 30 like a champion.  The food was delicious and once we were sufficiently stuffed things quickly got loud and out of control.

The kids love to wrestle with Uncle Rick.

The rest of the week was dedicated to Grandma Dot who passed away earlier the week before.  The viewing and the funeral were beautiful and a perfect tribute to her.  She would've loved every minute of it. I was lucky to know her over the past 11 years.  She has been a constant at every birthday party, summer BBQ, Christmas Eve party and Sunday dinner.  I will miss her beautiful voice breaking out into song whenever the mood struck her.  She always treated me as if I was one of her granddaughters.  Every time I told her good bye she would tell me she loved me. 

I love you Grandma. 

Max managed to have a tender moment with Grandma Jeri and lift her spirits before the funeral. 

Needless to say it was a very emotional and tiring week.  I'm feeling the let down this week.  It was so great to have our Portland family here.  Somehow Collette managed to escape my camera last week but I swear her and her baby to be were here!  It's amazing how as one life ends, a new life is beginning.  It gives me hope at an especially hard time.

These two manage to make me smile every single day.  They are the biggest blessing in my life.  Two short months ago Hank was recovering  from a life threatening illness, and now he is healthier than ever.  He took 2nd place out of the entire kindergarten in the turkey trot race at school.  He amazes me.  I have so much to be thankful for.  After I took this picture, Hank told me it needed to go on the blog!

Big Changes

Last week brought some major changes to our home.  Despite my efforts to slow the whole growing up process down, my kids couldn't be held back any longer.

After more than a week with an extremely loose tooth and a mom who insisted on keeping it in just a little while longer, Hank finally pulled it out himself!

 

I resisted getting Max a big boy bed for several reasons. I pictured him roaming the house all night, never taking a nap again, and more importantly no longer being a baby. As I rocked him to sleep and hoisted his 30 pound body into his crib, I realized it was time to get this 3 year old a real bed.  He has far exceeded my expectations.  He is so happy to have a big boy bed he can hardly wait for bedtime.  Max loves it, never gets out, and still takes a nap every afternoon!  

 

 

Apparently I am the only one upset about them growing up.

 

Jack-Man

I had the honor of taking Jack in as one of my own last weekend.  Sarah and Brett had a funeral to attend in Idaho and they entrusted me to care for their precious child.  Jack is officially the happiest kid on the planet.  I've never seen a kid laugh as he goes to bed and laugh the moment he wakes up.  The entire Griffin family was smitten.  Hank and I took Jack to his house to sleep each night since I knew he would sleep like a champ there.  Once Jack fell asleep, Hank and I had some quality mother-son bonding time watching movies, eating popcorn, and reading books in Sarah's bed.

I  bravely bathed all three boys at the same time!  Jack couldn't stop giggling and neither could I.  Surprisingly there wasn't any fighting, pooping in the tub, or massive flooding to report.

 

We spend the majority of the day upstairs in the playroom.  Jack was a little timid playing basketball with the boys at first.  He looks terrified in this picture.

It didn't take him long to warm up and show off his skills.

Most people would be terrified if they saw Max pull this face, but not Jack.  He loved throwing anything he could find in the hoop, football, play food, chalk, spatula, measuring cups,  it didn't matter!

 

 

 Max doesn't let just anyone share his pillow.  These two bonded while they watched Toy Story 3 over and over again.

Hank told me he wished Sarah and Brett would be gone for 100 days so we could have Jack longer.  We had so much fun with him.  Randy even taught Jack some Griffin-style wrestling moves.  I am so lucky to live so close to all my nieces and nephews and spend so much time with them.  Come back real soon Jack-man, we miss you already!

Happy and Healthy

Hank had his final appointment with his pediatrician today and according to his latest blood work, he has completely recovered from HUS.  This is the third blood test we've taken since he's been home from the hospital and with each one came more relief and confidence his body was going to beat this.  His kidney function is back to 100% and he is no longer anemic. I feel so incredibly blessed, fortunate, lucky, happy, and overjoyed that my baby is better.  He just got his school pictures back and judging by the look on his face, he's pretty pumped about his health as well!

 

A few days ago Hank turned to me and said, "Mom, remember how the doctors thought I had that really bad disease?  You know the thing Lucy's friend has?"  I said, "Yes, I remember." (Are you kidding me?  I think about it every day of my life!)  He then said "I'm really glad I don't have that."  ME TOO BUDDY!  He is thriving in school, he loves his teacher and his friends, and gets excited to go everyday.  He's even riding the bus again.  I look at this picture and I see my little boy growing up.  He no longer needs to stress out about that disease and his daily blood pressure medication.  He can worry about typical 5 year old troubles like when his loose tooth will fall out, or what Halloween candy Max stole from his trick-or treat bag.  Life feels pretty sweet today.