Hank Dominates!

Hank had his final soccer game last Saturday while I was out of town.  Luckily I had a guest photographer (Sarah) to capture the action...and there was plenty of that!  Sarah, Brett, Jack, Dyson, Kunz, Grandma Jackie, Grandma Jeri, Scott, Max and Randy were all there cheering  him on.  He was pumped!

He didn't stop running the entire game and kept focused on the prize.

The end result was a whooping 3 GOALS for Hank-man!

My little MVP. I am so sad I missed it.

He had such a darling little team this year.  They played all fall and spring together and only lost a couple games.  Although Hank excelled in soccer I think he'll hang up his cleats next season so he can play flag football instead.  I can't wait for baseball season to start next week.

I can't forget to mention Jack's slight obsession with his uncle Randy as of late.  He wanted nothing more than to be cuddled and held by him.  Finally when the game was over, he got his wish.  

 

Prior to his epic soccer game, Hank had another belt test.

He practiced so hard and definitely earned his new belt.  Not only did I miss his last soccer game and taekwondo test, but I missed the walk-a-thon at his school.  Randy was a good sport and volunteered to count the kids laps.  He told me Hank didn't stop running the entire time and got the most laps of anyone in his class.  He even had time to test his blood, drink some juice and keep running.  What a great kid!  My next post will be dedicated to Mino/ Leonardo/Nigel, who seems to be the forgotten child as of late on my blog.  He is such a good sport going to all of Hank's events.  It will be his turn soon! 

A Kid-less Weekend

I've been planning on going to my best friends wedding for almost 6 months now. We have had some life changing events in our family over the course of those months, so leaving has given me a tremendous amount of anxiety.  Hank has become extremely attached to me, not that I'm complaining, and I have become quite a control freak regarding his diabetes care.  My plane ticket was purchased and I knew I needed to detach myself and trust Randy to take over for 3 days.  This was the scene the day before I left... Hank was rocking a sweet hair style for his school's crazy hair day, and Max had the random idea to wear his buzzlightyear costume the entire day.

 I reluctantly left my boys Friday morning and kissed them good bye as they slept comfortably in their beds.  My heart ached the entire way to the airport but I was confident Randy would handle everything perfectly...which he did!

 Dara and her family live in Springfield, Missouri and even though we've been friends for nearly 13 years, I have yet to meet her mom, brother, and fiance.  We all got to know each other over a delicious Mexican feast.  Crusher and I needed some rest and relaxation after an extremely turbulent plane ride!

 Myself, Dara, and her dad Scott are on the left and her fiance Mark, and her mom Debbie are on the right.

 We never miss a beat no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other.  It's such a special friendship which I value so very much.  We stayed up most of the night chatting away about our crazy lives.  The next day was spent primping and preparing for the main event.  

 The wedding ceremony took place in a beautiful park and the weather most definitely cooperated.  Oh yes and the end of the world didn't happen!  This darling little girl, Greta, stole the show as the flower girl.

 Dara's brother Chad walked her down the aisle.  I think I need to adopt him as my honorary brother.

 The ceremony was beautiful.  This picture seems surreal to me.  I'm pregnant with my third child and Dara's in a wedding dress!  We've certainly come a long way from our carefree days in Hawaii!

After the wedding we had delicious food and lots of dancing.  I still got moves at 6 months pregnant...hahaha.  Debbie, Dara, Crusher and  I were all feeling the exhaustion when we took this picture at the end of the night. 

Even though it was a short trip, I am so glad I decided to cut the cord from my children and be with my best friend on her special day.  It was just what I needed.  I couldn't wait to get back to my little family Sunday night.  Not only did I dodge the end of the world, but I also just missed the devastating tornado that hit Missouri hours after my plane departed.  The trip was meant to be!  A HUGE thank you to Randy for holding down the fort while I was gone.  I didn't have to worry one second about the boys. Hank made me promise him I would never leave again though!

Weekend Perfection

The weather was nothing short of a dream this weekend.  My entire family has the sunburn to prove it.  After a never ending winter it felt amazing to bask in the sun and enjoy the most beautiful time of year.

  Rick was in town so Hank had extra motivation to score a goal at his soccer game on Saturday.  He wanted it so bad...and two minutes into the game he had already scored two goals.  When he puts his mind to something...watch out!

Randy motivated the team with a pregame cheer.

 Hank had one thing on his mind straight out of the gates!

 Parker and Hank

 Hank, #7, couldn't be touched on his way to making his 2nd goal.

 The boys LOVE to spend time with their Uncle Rick when he is in town.  He is a kid at heart and his nephews can't seem to get enough!

 Max loved chillin' on the deck with his dad, pretty much all day yesterday.  He ate about 10 popcicles.  

 We hosted a few parties over the weekend with the Griffin clan and kept ourselves entertained with a game of pickle, one on one basketball (I even played), croquet, and listening to classic tunes into the night.  

 Hank didn't slow down the entire weekend.  Thankfully his blood sugar cooperated with all our craziness.

It was everything a weekend should be.  The best part of the weekend was the Mexican crew that showed up Saturday morning to make our yard beautiful.  My lawn is perfectly edged and my bark is freshly replaced with not a weed in sight.  I love Randy's willingness to find these great men work!  I am so ready for school to be out and summer to begin.  Bring it on!!!

Taekwondo through the Years

 Feast your eyes on some truly awesome action shots of Hank. 

 This picture was taken in the spring of 2009.  Hank was barely 4 years old and just beginning his taekwondo journey.  Look at that sweet little face, so young, so pure.  My heart aches a bit when I look at this picture.

This is his latest picture and you can see his focus and concentration has reached a new level.  Not to mention his axe kick is getting higher by the day!  Look at those feet...I swear they are the same size as mine.  I'm pretty sure he is thinking of kicking diabetes' ass in this picture. 

I don't have the energy to blog about my birthday or mother's day and since I lost my camera, I have no pictures.  Just take my word for it, I was surrounded by so much love and support it overwhelmed me.  I am so blessed to be a mother to my amazing boys.  I have such a beautiful life and I am grateful every moment for the inspired people that help me along the way.  I am planning on getting a new camera today so I can better recap our lives!

An Easter to Remember!

 Our Easter weekend had an abundance of family, festivities, food and fun.  The kids were so excited this year to take part in all things Easter.   We began our celebration by coloring eggs on Saturday morning.  I gave the kids free reign to design their eggs anyway they wanted.

Max kept saying, "These eggs are like, beautiful."  He still prefers going shirtless anytime he can.

 They did a little jig while we were waiting for the eggs to dry.

 Max took great care painting each of his eggs.

 Hank decided to take his time and utilize all the different mediums I bought.  

 Here is the beautiful finished product.

 Later that day, we went to Chris and Missie's for the grandest Easter egg hunt in Utah County.  They always go over the top but this year seemed to be even more out of control.  The kids had a blast.

 They even indulged all of us with a picture in their bunny masks.

 Max was so excited to find CANDY at every turn.

 Hank was such a good sport about having to take it easy on the candy consumption this year.  It's really not an ideal holiday to have diabetes.

He woke up on Easter morning at 6 A.M. so excited to see if the Easter bunny came.  He patiently waited until 7:30 for Max to wake up.

 Not only did the Easter bunny come but he left several clues that lead the boys on a wild hunt around our house for their baskets.

 Hank was pumped to find surprises at every clue.

 Max took a minute to warm up to the idea.  

 Hank and Max wildly ran around our house and found their baskets hiding in my closet.  After we got dressed for the day, my mom and dad had us over for a delicious Easter lunch in their newly remodeled dining room.

 Here's a look at Crusher, growing and growing.  My darling little family.

 My sweet mom spoiled the kids with DVD's.

Hank and four beautiful ladies

 The highlight of the day for the kids was rolling their eggs down the mountainside.  I take full credit for giving them the idea.  It was always a tradition for us growing up.

 Hank was a little torn because he really loved his decorated eggs.  He soon parted with them and before long the kids were out of eggs.

 These two came to the rescue and colored more eggs the kids could chuck down the hill.

 Jack awoke from his slumber and was anxious to join his cousins.

 Max loved throwing the yoke at everyone.

 A little game of monkey in the middle.

 Hank and Isabel struck this pose without any prompting from me..so amazing.  You can't see very good but Hank is holding a football in his right hand ready to launch.

 Jack immediately starts pointing when he see's Randy.

 Max tried to take part in a game of football but got hot, hence the shirtless look, and decided to play swords with anyone who would hold a stick.

 Grandpa Curt was the first victim.

 Kate turned into a formidable opponent.

 When she teamed up with Grandma Jackie, they conquered.

 This face...it's too much!

Hank had a blast playing football with his cousins.  My parents backyard is the ultimate playground.  

It was a perfect day in every way.  The kids both fell asleep in the car on the way home and were out for the night at 6:30.  Thank you again, mom and dad, for creating such a relaxed, enjoyable day.

 I had to capture just how tough my little Hank-man is.  After a month of diabetes, I figure he has had at least 125 shots and close to 250 finger pokes.  He is doing so well with all of this.  I am so proud of him.