21 Month Sam

Sam just passed the 21 month mark and is as hilarious and adorable as ever.  I don't want to forget him at this age.  Most days, he drains the life out of me with his ridiculous requests.  He more than makes up for it when he decides to turn the charm on.  He is really starting to talk a lot now.  One thing is for sure, this kid knows what he wants and won't rest until he gets it.  Sounds like my other kids.

 For example, I had to convince him that eating watermelon with a fork is how most people do it.  He used a tooth pick once and thinks that needs to be how he feeds himself.  

It doesn't get much better than feeding himself watermelon and making a huge mess.

I don't know, the kiddie pool is a close second.

Especially if there is a hose nearby.  His loves the water and loves to get wet. 

I caught him one morning having a gay old time splashing around in his jammies.  The water was freezing but he could have cared less.

The fact that there happened to be a watering can nearby was icing on the cake.

I love the expression on his face when I caught him.  "What mom?"  

Sam loves to play at the pool.  He and Tucker make pool time so relaxing and enjoyable...oh wait.

Being the baby of a very active family means you get taken everywhere.

When he sees the boat and says "so fun!"  He hasn't really had an opportunity to experience just how fun the boat can be.  He spends most of the time sleeping.

He has endured his fair share of Hank and Max's baseball games.  He's a real treat to contain, let me tell you.

Jenni and I had our hands full with Lennon and Sam at Dyson and Colby's games.  Good thing they are so damn cute and good thing there are suckers and popcorn to keep them occupied.

He has no problem making friends with random kids at the ball park.

He really does watch the games most of the time.  In fact his favorite thing to do is carry around a plastic bat,  swing it, throw it, yell "go go go go", run in a circle and slide saying "safe".  He can play that game for hours.  You can't tell me he isn't paying attention at those games.  I have a future athlete on my hands.  His sliding technique is pretty impressive!

He calls the slide "weeeee!" He is far more adventurous at the park than the other boys were.  Probably because I'm much more relaxed than I used to be.

He enjoyed a delicious cupcake at Isabel's birthday party.  Last time we were at Costco, he spotted the giant frosted cupcakes and screamed pretty much the rest of the shopping trip because I didn't buy them.  He loves sugar, I've failed.  In fact he says "candy" and "cookie" better than most of the words he says.

He loves to bathe in my tub especially when Hank and Max are also in.  He copies every thing they say and do, in fact, I caught him trying to say "butt cheeks" today after Max said it.  Hank and Max crack up at everything Sam says and does.  They always ask me why Sam is so cute. 

He is pretty amazing if I do say so myself.  Other than mom, dad, and ball, here are some other words he says and their translation.

"Dinkdy"=Binkey

"Mickdy"= Mickey Mouse

"Neigh Neigh" followed by tongue clicking= Horse

"Gycle"=Motorcycle

"Ahhhnie"=Annie..although I don't think he realizes it's my name.  He hears Lennon say it.

"Dy-shun"=Dyson

"LaLa"= Lennon

"Bampa"=Grandpa

"Mamaw"=Grandma

"Outsha"=Outside

"Tankdu"=Thank you

"My Mom"= He got this from the Regular Show.

"Ka Ka"=Tucker

I'm sure there are more but that's all I can think of right now.

His favorite Bruno Mars songs are "Locked out of Heaven" and "When I Was Your Man". 

Every month that passes, Sam's hilarious little personality continues to come out.  Man, I love this little rat.

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend was a fantastic way to kick off our summer. We enjoyed fabulous weather and great times with family and friends.  The neighborhood kids are out in full force and there is nowhere Sam would rather be than outside.  Although he wasn't too sure about Kennedy being his personal taxi driver!

We spent a fun evening at Sarah and Brett's trying out their latest business venture, Waverunners.  While the older kids played in the water balls, Grandma Jackie snuggled with Tuck and Sam.

We took the boat out for the first time this season and the kids were anxious to get their tube on!

Farewell boys, hang on tight!

These boys stayed out there for an hour, enduring all the bumps and tossing and turning Randy steered them into.  The wind was annoying but we forged on.  

Sam loves the boat but the second it starts going and we put his life/straight jacket on, he's out!
It feels so good to have him snuggle up to me like that again.

On Memorial Day we loaded up the 4-wheelers and headed for the hills above Saratoga Springs.

Randy rode with Sam, Hank rode solo, and Max and I brought up the rear.

It was an absolutely beautiful day and beautiful ride.  Here are the boys at the summit. 

Man, we are lucky to live so close to the outdoors.  

Sam couldn't wait to throw some rocks.  Total boy right there.

He could have stayed up there all day.

These little dudes are troopers.  They are at such fun ages to do things.

After our ride, Max really wanted to try out Hank's 4-wheeler.  Randy decided it was a good day to teach him how to drive but his face clearly shows regret!  Max actually was really careful and did a great job.

I had plenty of time to reflect during our long ride.  Being up in the mountains always reminds me of Grandpa Karl and the incredible times we shared on the horses.  The smell of the sage brush and wild flowers brings it all back to me.  I think about grandpa and grandma every single day.  My biggest tribute to them is spending quality time with my family.  That was always the most important thing to them.
It's weekends like this that make me so grateful to be a mother to 3 boys.  I love getting outside and enjoying the beauty that surrounds us.  I'm so glad the boys love to do things with us.  It's going to be an active, fun summer for the Griff's!

The Snakes Finish Off a Great Season

Max's soccer season has been over for a couple weeks but I just downloaded some sweet action shots from one of the parents on the team.  Max's signature left footed kick was even captured!  

These kids wouldn't have had nearly as much fun without Randy as their coach.  He has more patience than any human I know.  My kids are so lucky to have a dad who is so willing to coach all their teams.

Good-Bye 2nd Grade

If the upcoming school years fly by as fast as this one did, Hank's going to be graduating high school before I know it.  2nd grade seemed to be over before I ever really got attached to it.  Hank's teacher, Mrs. Roberts, had some complications with her pregnancy and she missed the last couple months.  Although it wasn't ideal to have multiple substitute teachers, Hank managed to do exceptionally well.  He is a great student and has so many great friends.  I can barely remember how shy he used to be.  I watch him in his class and he has so much confidence and is a natural leader.  He has become so independent with his diabetes management.  I trust him completely, as he's never given me a reason not to.  I feel so incredibly lucky to be Hank's mom.  Sometimes I can't believe he's really my kid.  I'm so proud.  This picture was taken at his end of year program.  Jack adores Hank.  It reminds me of how Hank used to follow Dyson around everywhere.

These lovely ladies. and boys braved the enormous crowds and heat to support Hank.

This is Hank on the last day of school with proof that he indeed completed the 2nd grade.  

To say he's excited for summer would be the understatement of the year.

Such a little nut!

Farewell school nights and early bedtimes.  Bring on the late nights at the ball park! 

The Cardinals finished first in their division!  They closed out some nail biters and are so much fun to watch.  I look forward to every game.  It's tourney time!

I'll finish off my post with this hilarious picture.  Hank is the youngest player on his team but he's not nearly as small as he looks here.  There is no way this 1st baseman on the Dodgers is in 4th grade.  He's bigger than Randy!