Goblin Valley

The beautiful landscape of Utah combined with the Jones' "burb" can only mean one thing...CAMPING TRIP!  Sarah and Brett kindly invited our family to join them on an adventure in Goblin Valley over Memorial Day Weekend.  I'm so glad we were able to go.  Camping is so much work but so worth it, especially when you are traveling with 5 little boys.  Just watching them enjoy nature, get dirty, and do boy things was good for my soul.  It is such a spectacular place.  Between Sarah and I, I think we took nearly 500 pictures so sit back and enjoy!

Once we set up camp, the boys started digging with shovels, playing baseball and exploring.

Randy, Hank, and Max took off up the mountain so Sam and I opted to take a less strenuous hike with Sarah and Brett.

What a darling family my little sis has.

Speaking of darling...

The boys, and the adults were fascinated by the different types of rocks and sand.

They played for a long while and then we decided to head back to camp and fix some dinner.

Sarah made this beautiful bouquet with flowers we found on our hike.

Boys and fire are a match made in heaven...or hell!

It's a miracle one of these crazy boys didn't end up in the fire.  Sarah and I made some pretty tasty tinfoil dinners and then it was time for s'mores!

Sam was pumped!

Max was mesmerized by the fire, but what 6 year old boy isn't?  Everyone settled into our tent at a reasonable hour and we made it through the night without much of a problem.  Sam woke up in the middle of the night a little scared, so he slept next to me on my comfy cot.

This is the perfect thing to wake up to in the morning.  Everyone slept pretty good so we were ready to head to the Goblins.

This is what it's all about.  Quality time with the family is the best time.  I've never been to Goblin Valley and it didn't disappoint.  It is a haven for little boys.  They ran around for 2 solid hours and climbed every rock they found.  We had so much fun which is why I took about 1000 pictures!  

Sam was a little hesitant at first but by the time we left, he was a climbing fool.

Randy, Sam and I followed Max through this narrow little canyon.  It proved to be a little treacherous for a 2 year old but Max had no problem climbing his way to the top.

My kids are little rock climbers.

Hank was always 100 yards ahead of me but I managed to snap a few pics of him.

Hank is such a sweet older cousin to Jack.  It's so cute to see Jack follow him around.  It wasn't that long ago that Hank was following his older cousins around.

Max was killing me!  He would climb to the top of a rock formation and then patiently wait for me to take a picture of him.  He is the posing master. 

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

Exhibit D

Exhibit E

Exhibit F

Exhibit G

You get the idea. This one might be my favorite, hand on the hip.

He even agreed to pose with me for a few pictures.

Such a cute kid.

Cutest cousins.

Tucker was running around like a mad man, hence his absence in most of the pictures.

Sure do love my sis.

The Griffin family gives Goblin Valley their stamp of approval!

We went back to camp and Sam crashed for over 2 hours.  Randy and I also took a little catnap.  It was just what the doctor ordered.  Our other children however, kept themselves occupied.  Hank was smashing every rock in site with a hammer.

Max dug a hole and he had a blast climbing out of it and sliding back in.

Pleased as punch.

Brett hit a lizard with his sling shot and Max was amazed.  Here they are trying to determine if it was dead.

Sure enough, dead.  Max was pretty happy about it.  Brett also taught Hank how to burn holes in wood with a magnifying glass.  It pays to have a scoutmaster on hand.  I think a few camp outs a year with Uncle Brett should be an adequate substitute for the scouting program.

When everyone woke up from naps, we decided to embark on another hike through the slot canyons.  It was a little ambitious with our young crew but surprisingly enough, they did great.

My boys sure love their cousins.  It's so cute to see.

Around this point in the hike, I decided I would turn around with Sam.  He was exhausted and I knew I would end up carrying him the entire way back.  Brett was unsure how far the slot canyons were and as luck would have it, they were just around the next bend.  Hank, Randy, and Max joined everyone else and had a fabulous time hiking through the narrows. I'm sad I missed it so I will have to go back.  Sarah took some great pictures for me.

Everyone was in great spirits as we returned to camp for our final night.

The little ones took a break in the burb and watched 101 Dalmatians while we made dinner.

The sunset was spectacular.

The tunes were blaring, the quesadillas were flowing, and the fire was blazing.

That is until the weather decided to turn on us.  From out of nowhere, gusty wind and rain surrounded our campsite.  Our tent was caving in on one side and the babies were freaking out.  We had to make a call, stay or go.  No one wanted to leave but we weren't sure how bad the storm would get.  At 10:30 when it showed no signs of stopping, we threw our gear in the truck and got out of there.  I cringed at the site of our wet, muddy camping stuff piled on top of our food, luggage, and garbage.  It was disgusting but we didn't have the luxury of packing everything up nicely.  The kids slept the entire way home and we rolled in around 2 in the morning.  It was a brutal end to a fabulous trip.  Although Randy and I spend the next day cleaning up all our stuff, I have to say the trip was 100% worth it.  It was just the break we needed and we managed to make some amazing memories with the Jones Family.  This won't be our last camping trip of the summer.  I can't wait to go again.

Mother's Day in Beverly Hills

When my mom asked me a few months ago if we wanted to go to Beverly Hill's for Joyce's 80th surprise birthday party I didn't hesitate to say YES!  The past few years in Zion's have given both Randy and I the opportunity to get to know Joyce better.  She has had such an amazing life and being around her makes me feel closer to Grandma Joanne.  Her birthday weekend  happened to fall on Mother's Day.  I got a little break from being a mom and was able to come home in time to celebrate with my kids.  It was perfect.  Not to mention we got to travel with two of my favorite people ever, my parents!  When we arrived in California we met Shellie and Jeff for a delicious lunch at a quaint Italian restaurant in LA.  I was really searching for celebrities, but didn't see one.  Our gorgeous hotel was located right on the Sunset Strip.  This was the view from our room.  Sharing a room with my parents is an experience all by itself!  I was so entertained.  We took our time getting all primped for the big party.  It was so exciting.  How often does this mother of 3 from Lehi get to jet set to California for the night to attend a swanky party in Beverly Hills?  The answer would be NEVER!

  

We arrived to a beautiful mansion and it was just how I had imagined it would be.  Delicious catered food, a DJ, white leather couches in the yard, and candles surrounding a beautiful pool.  It was pretty surreal.

My parents looked amazing.

I couldn't be more lucky to call this beautiful woman my mom.  She's simply the best.

Joyce was so surprised and shocked to see all of us there.  It was the perfect reaction.  I can only hope to have so many friends and family present at my 80th birthday party, if I live that long...

I will also be feeling pretty damn good about myself if I can rock shoes like Joyce when I'm 80, or 34!  Who wears shoes like this when they are 80?  I can't get over it.

Randy and I deserve all the credit for getting everyone out on the dance floor!  I can't pass up a chance to get my groove on.  Spending some quality time with my man isn't too bad either.

My mom even did the "grandma Jackie dance".

Here we are with the lady of the hour.  She couldn't have been more appreciative we were there.  I'm so glad we made the effort to be with her on her special day.  

The next morning we ate breakfast with the family and I got a chance to visit with Joyce for a good hour or more.  We didn't have much time before our flight but I'm happy we had a chance to talk.  I couldn't stop thinking about my Grandma Joanne.  She would've loved the party and loved that we were all there.  

When we got home, Jeri had a beautiful Mother's Day dinner waiting for us.  How's that for a sweet set-up?  She watched our kids and fed us the moment we stepped off the plane.  

Lennon and Sam cuddled in the chair while the rest of us ate dinner.

These gorgeous flowers from Randy were waiting for me when we got home later that night.

I'm so happy I was able to spend the rest of the day with the three boys who made me a mother.  They are my greatest accomplishment.  It's still crazy to me that these 3 are mine!  I don't know what I did to deserve them but I am grateful everyday for each one of them.  Being a mom is what I was meant to be.  My boys are my whole world.  I never knew I could have so much love in my life.  As fun as it was to spend the day in California, I wouldn't trade my life here for anything.

Another Year Older and Wiser

Happy  Birthday to ME!  I must be getting older because the years seems to pass like months.  I just can't believe I'm the big 3-4.  It seems unreal to me.  I honestly don't feel any older, yet I have a 9 year old, I've been graduated from high school for 16 years and college 12, I've been married for nearly 15 years, and some of my dearest friends became my friends over 25 years ago.  Time continues to march on despite any efforts I make to slow it down, so I've decided to embrace it rather than resist.  Getting older isn't all bad.  I wouldn't go back to my 20's if you made me.  The 30's are my decade. I feel like I'm becoming the person I am supposed to be.  I enjoy my life and the people in it much more now than I ever have.  There is nothing like a birthday to make you realize just how many incredible people love and support you.  I felt so much love all day and it felt amazing.  This upcoming year is going to be my best yet.  My biggest goal for my 34th year is to be more spontaneous.  Tomorrow isn't guaranteed to anyone so I'm going to live it up!

The amazing sweatshirt I'm wearing in the above picture was picked out and gifted to me by Griff.  There is no doubt I'm proud to be a Griffin.

My birthday began with a beautiful 6 mile run.  It set the tone for the rest of my day.  My mom and dad sent these absolutely gorgeous flowers.  It's one of the prettiest arrangements I've ever seen.

I checked Hank and Max out of school so we could have a little birthday lunch at Costa Vida with this crew.  Hank opted to take the picture rather than be in it.  Our lunch outings aren't for the faint of heart.  Jeri pretended she didn't know us, haha!  Let's just say the kids were EXCITED about my birthday.

I really wanted my birthday dinner to be at my favorite restaurant, however I was a little leery taking my kids to Pizzeria 712.  I decided it was my birthday and they could eat where I wanted to for a change.  That might have been a mistake.

 I kept Sam entertained by taking some selfies.

This is the best family picture we could get.  Pretty typical really.  Hank enjoyed his food but Max was less than impressed.  In fact, he took one look at his pizza and said, "I'm not eating this crap." and then proceeded to leave the restaurant and sit in the car.  I loved my food and that's all that matters!  There is a reason Randy and I frequent this joint without our kids.  Randy took me out to a delicious dinner in Salt Lake at Finca the weekend before my birthday so I got at least one peaceful birthday dinner.

Later that night, Randy organized a birthday party back at our house with all our family.

At least one of my kids would take a picture with the birthday girl.

Birthday Smooch!

Randy did a mighty fine job picking out the cake.

I had to make sure everyone was singing to me.

I'm not sure it was necessary to put 34 candles on my cake!

I had to bring in reinforcements to help me blow them all out.

Randy did a fabulous job of hosting.  I didn't lift a finger all night.  

I love these beautiful ladies.

Kate and Dan were kid-less since the girls had dance.  I missed my girls but I'm so glad my big sis and Dan were there.  My mom, Sarah, Kate and I enjoyed a birthday shopping trip a few days earlier.  They gave me so many darling things!  I hit the mother load.

So grateful these two decided to make me 34 years ago.  Best parents in the world for me.

And then Sarah and I decided to have a little photo shoot.

Let's just say one of us is stronger than the other.  

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

I think it's safe to say we kinda like each other.  What oh what would I do without her mug?  Man, I have an incredible life and so much to be grateful for.  Thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special.  I'm a lucky lady.