A Spontaneous Trip to Yuba

I was having a particularly frustrating summer day, the kids were fighting non-stop, and I felt like I had been yelling at them constantly.  This isn't what summer is supposed to be like.  Then, I got a text from Randy saying "let's go to Yuba Lake tomorrow, I already have a motel booked".  It took me a minute to process and instead of over-analyzing the logistics of taking 3 small kids to a lake for 3 days, I said "let's do it".  This is one of the reasons I love being married to Randy.  He loves to be spontaneous and he loves to spend time with his family.  I have definitely learned how to roll with things better since we've been married because I realize it always works out and creates memories that I cherish forever.  The kids didn't quite know what to expect but they were excited.  We found a cool little beach once we got there and the rock skipping and throwing commenced. 

Here is Randy demonstrating the art of the rock skipping throw.  I think he may have strained his arm a bit in the process but Hank and Max were amazed.  I was amazed by how entertained boys are by throwing rocks.  Between the 4 males, thousands of rocks were thrown during the week.

Our fearless captain spent most of the afternoon dragging the kids around on the tube and teaching me how to drive the boat.  Good thing Randy is such an experienced water skier because he managed to get up and stay up with me behind the wheel.  I got lots of practice and I'm feeling pretty confident pulling a skier now.

Hank and Max were loving the tube!

 

And my sweet little Sammy-boy found a darling princess life jacket to wear.  

We spent the night in Nephi at the Economy Lodge, a real classy establishment I might add.  Thankfully we spent very little time in our room.  The kids all slept great and were pumped to get back to the lake the next day.

We set up a nice little base camp, the boys threw rocks, played in the sand and water, and ate treats.

I really think playing at the beach was all three of the boys favorite thing on the trip.

Sam kept saying "waa waa", "kuh, kaa" (meaning mud and rocks), and "bote" (boat).  He managed to keep himself occupied quite nicely on the shore.  It may have been the most content I've ever seen him.

While the boys were entertained throwing rocks all day, Randy and I were itching to get out on the boat and enjoy the perfect glass like water conditions.

My turn first!  I don't think I've ever had so much fun skiing.  I felt like I could go for hours.  The water was incredible, so incredible I had to let Randy have a turn.

I was concentrating on not hitting any boats so Hank took some photo's of Randy jumping the wake.  I felt like we were still in high school.  

Sam found a comfy spot and crashed while his parents were whooping it up.  Hank and Max helped hold Sam and the flag.  It was some great teamwork.

Sam really was a little angel on the boat.  When he wasn't napping he had his eyes closed and occasionally fist pumped to the music.  I think the lake is his zen place.

Hank and Max tried to see who could stay on the tube the longest.

Once Max knocked Hank off it was war!

Sam thought it was hilarious, almost as hilarious as wearing my flip flops.

Max was pretty proud of himself when he became the king of the tube.

Hank reclaimed his position as the tube master.

Riding the waves!

A rare moment of compromise.

We were positioned perfectly in a little cove so the kids could learn to ski from the shore.  Hank was a little apprehensive so Max said he would try too.

Randy held Hank in position and I drove the boat, I can't remember what Sam was doing at the time...prob. chucking rocks.

Hank got up for a few seconds on his first try.

Max made good on his promise to try and did amazing.  He got up too for about 20 feet!  It was so cute to see Randy teaching the boys how to do something he loves to do.  I'm so glad we got a boat.  Randy really is in his element.

Day 3, our final day, was more fun in the sun.

Mr. Baywatch himself

What a little cutie.

He's got some serious quad strength.

I couldn't resist a photo op with Max.  It was such a beautiful morning.

Hey there Captain!

Lunchtime ended up being on the boat and Sam kept all of us laughing with his dance moves.

It was really hot so I jumped in the water and got my ski's on. 

Randy snapped this awesome picture while I was out on the water.  My little family is so incredible.  Randy and I are so lucky to have each other and these awesome boys.  This trip was exactly the thing we needed.   

Once we got off the lake, we headed back to Nephi  for dinner and ended up at a park teaching our kids how to do the spider on the swings.  That's how us Griffin's roll.  Summer needs to slow down, I don't want it to end! 

Go Card's Go!

The Lehi Tournament came to a close and the Cardinals did an amazing job.  They played their little hearts out every single game and it was so exciting to watch.  Almost every single game was a nail biter.  Hank tied up one of the games by stealing home.  I thought I might have a heart attack.  I had no idea baseball could be so intense.  They qualified for the state tournament and finished 5th in Lehi.

Hank had so many supporters cheering him on all season.  He loves his fans and so do I!  I'm so excited to see how they do in the State Tournament next month.  Hank is the youngest player on the team and I love how he steps up to bat with so much confidence.  He's not afraid to swing and he can steal a base before the other team knows what's happening.  It's been such a great experience for him.  His coaches have been awesome and his teammates are such good kids.  It's been so fun going to the ballpark almost every night.  Now that we have a break I really miss it!

T-Ball

Oh T-ball, what a sport.  Max's body language in this picture speaks volumes for his attitude towards it.  He has watched Hank play baseball all spring and summer so he fully expected T-ball to be similar.  He was extremely annoyed that no one ever got out, and no score was kept.  Hank never played T-ball so I had no idea what it was all about.  

Randy deserves a medal for agreeing to coach.  Max's team never really had their hearts in it.  

The fact they only had 6 kids show up for pictures demonstrates their lack of passion for the sport!

Max really tried his hardest though.  He always demonstrated focus and concentration when he was up to bat.  That ball better be very scared!

He got to be a pretty good little outfielder always knowing where to throw the ball to get the other team "out".  He loved to chase the other team with the ball to tag them.

As frustrated as Max would get, he only walked off the field and quit during one of his 8 games.  That's pretty good right? Oh Maxi, so misunderstood.  On our way home from the game I told him I couldn't believe he quit in the middle of a game.  His response..."I didn't really quit, I was fake quitting".  No bud, you actually left the game with 20 minutes remaining.  Oh well, it's just T-ball I suppose.

The last game they played was the most enjoyable.  They finally acted like they knew what they were doing and listened to Coach Griffin.  

Max loved having these beautiful ladies cheering him on.  He may not have acted like he loved having them there, but trust me, it meant the world to him.  So long T-ball, on to bigger and better things.

June Thus Far

Here are some random pictures from our first month of summer.  Hank completed the Westlake Basketball Camp and came away with the "3rd grade Player of the Week" award.  He also had a week of golf camp at the Ranches golf course with Isabel and Lucy, sorry no pictures of that.

I haven't golfed nearly enough this summer.  Hank makes a great driving range practice buddy.  I can't believe how well he's hitting the ball. 

Hank and Max also had swimming lessons at Riverside for 2 weeks.  Max was apprehensive at first but conquered his fears and became, in his words, the "master of swimming".  We stayed a couple of times to swim and Tucker and Sam sure weren't afraid of the water!  Hank dared me to go off the high dive so I had to do it.  Thankfully there isn't a picture of that!  I was freaked.

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June brings birthdays for Jack and Isabel.  The kids had a blast at Jack's zombie birthday party.  He played to role of Judge Hopkins flawlessly.  Hank and Max thought he was hilarious.  Sam was terrified.

On Isabel's birthday, we had fun at Hang Time and then ate lunch at Melty Way.  I can't believe she is 9!! I love that my kids best friends are their cousins.

Sarah and Brett began a new business this summer and my kids were happy to test it out.  I still can't figure out how Hank and Max are so coordinated inside these balls.  When I tried it out, I flopped around like a dying fish.  I don't think I've ever felt like more of a spaz.  It's really fun though.

While Sarah and Brett were busy hitting the carnival circuit, I got some much needed one on one time with Tucker and Sam.  Our house was full to the brim with all things boy.  Tuck amazed me with the amount of food he put away.

Sam loves to show Tucker all of his awesome toys.  He hates to share however! 

Unfortunately Max had a bout of illness.  I've never seen him so sick.  He was throwing up and feverish for 24 hours straight.  There has never been a cuter sick patient though.  He was so sweet the entire day and kept telling me thanks for taking care of him.  It made it even more heart breaking.  Thankfully it didn't last too long.  Being sick in the summer is the worst.

Father's Day

We had non-stop celebrating Father's Day weekend this year.  Of course we had to spend some time on the lake.  Jenni, Colby, Lennon, and Griff joined us for a fun filled afternoon.  Sam loved riding on the tube with Randy and I.

This is Sam trying to tell me about the "waa waa" "wee".  He is such a good little boating baby.

The tube saw lots of action that day.

Randy took Colby and Hank on the ride of their lives.  I'm surprised there wasn't serious injury.  Hank and Colby were sufficiently freaked out by the end of the ride.

Nothing like boating hair, and freckles!

Randy and Max were next up on the tube.

Such a handsome little surfer dude.

Griff was determined to ski.  I had to go first to prove to him it wasn't too cold.

The kids loved watching their grandpa ski for the 10 seconds he stayed up!

Lennon couldn't watch, so funny!

This picture is priceless!

We rushed back to go to Max's T-ball game, which he quit in the middle of, and then took Hank to instacare for a quick round of antibiotics for an infection where his pump site was.  I made it back just in time to prepare a BBQ.  It was a crazy afternoon.

I definitely am as tired as I look in this picture!  It was an eventful day for sure.

The next morning, Father's Day, Randy took Hank and Max golfing with Griff.  

Let's just say, it wasn't a relaxing golfing experience.  I had a very quiet afternoon while they were gone though!

As soon as they got home, we hurried up to spend some time with my daddy.  

Hank and Max crashed on the drive.  They didn't stop for two days straight.

We had a delicious dinner and relaxed in my parents beautiful back yard.  I don't know what I did to get these two incredible men in my life.  Grandpa Karl is the only thing missing.  I miss him every single day.  I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have such strong men supporting me.  

And then there is Randy...talk about lucky, my kids have the one of the best dads ever.

Randy is the kindest, most patient, loving, caring, and attentive father.  He always finds ways to spend quality time with each of his sons.  They adore him and I do too.  I've learned so much about parenting from simply watching him.  Sometimes I feel a little bad because the boys prefer him over me 99% of the time, but I can't really blame them.  Our family couldn't function without him, that is for sure.  Happy Father's Day love!