Hank The Ball Boy

A few weeks ago Hank and Jimmy's awesome dad's arranged for them to be ball boys at a BYU basketball game.  Randy and James might have been a little more excited than the boys.  They were living their ball boy dreams through their sons.  Hank was a little nervous but once he was on the court, he felt right at home.

 

They were given brief instruction and then the warm up duties began.

Hank was in heaven rebounding the ball for the players. 

He even got beaned on the head with a ball and acted like nothing even happened.

They sat under the basket the entire game and during every time-out they took turns mopping the floor.

  It's hard to believe Hank and Jimmy are old enough to hold their own as ball boys.  It was so fun to watch.  We stayed after the game so Hank could get autographs.  We'll make a BYU fan out of him yet!  When we got home we had to watch the game again on T.V. to see how many times we could see Hank.  I wonder how long the BYU vs.Cal State San Marcos game will be on my DVR.

Hank has a passion for sports, no doubt about it.  If there is a ball involved, he is there 100%.  I wish his passion for Taekwondo was still as strong.  We are coming to a cross roads as he is ready to end his journey with Master Augustine.  I don't want him to quit and I'm not totally convinced he really wants to.   He has had such a hard month with his diabetes.  The pump is way more of an adjustment and challenge than we ever thought.  Most days I want to chuck it in the garbage.  The poor kid needs a break.  I feel so bad for him.  The stress of the disease is wearing on all of us.  Perhaps I should ease off and let him take a break from the rigor of martial arts.  Or, I could stick to my guns and make him follow through on a commitment he made when he joined the Black Belt Club.  I don't know what to do.  Perhaps Max could be Master's new protege!  

4 months

 Sam is 4 months old today.  He is amazing in every way.  He just had a perfect check-up with Dr. Weipert, something I will never take for granted.  I am so lucky to have Sam in my life.  He is a dream.  I snuggle up to him and I just know everything is going to be o.k.  He does that for me in a way no one else can.  He was hand picked to come to me at this time.  I just love him so much.

 Here is the rundown:

Weight: 15.56 lbs (66%)

Length:  25 inches (55%)

I love his chubby little body.  My favorite thing he does is grab my face and attack me with his slobbery open mouth.  When he isn't making out with me, he has his hands in his mouth constantly.  He could be getting teeth soon.  He can't get enough of Hank and Max.

 They can't get enough Sammy-boy!  They are so sweet with him.

 Max held his hand for his shots this morning.  I think the shots hurt Max as much as they hurt Sam.  He hates to see his buddy crying.  He kept saying, "I'm so sorry little Sam".

What a trio these boys make!  I am one lucky mama, for sure.

Happy Birthday and Happy New Year

 Randy turned a year older on New Year's Eve.  I think we were both a little taken back by the fact he turned 34 this year!  I started dating him soon after his 18th birthday.  That means we've been together nearly 1/2 of his life.  This amazing man has accomplished quite a lot in his 34 years.  He is without a doubt one of the best father's I know.  He had some well deserved time off from work and spent every minute with his boys.

 Max couldn't get enough daddy time.  He told Randy, "In the morning, I'm making waffles" and he did.  We took the family out for an afternoon of Chick-Fil-A and bowling.

 Jeri, Scott, and Rick joined us.  Jeri played the role of me in this picture!  Sarah, Brett, and Jack got their bowl on with us as well.

 After some quality family time, Randy and I headed up to Sundance for a romantic dinner for two at the Foundry Grill.  Griff and Karen kindly agreed to stay with our boys and put them to bed.  They handled everything perfectly.  After a very stressful year it felt so great to relax and unwind.  Following a delicious dinner, Rick, Jenni, Lynn, and some other friends came up and rang in the new year with us to the sounds of an awesome Reggae band.  It was definitely a night to remember!  I may be recovering for the next week but it was worth it.

The next day, I hosted a little get together with our families to celebrate Randy.

 He got some hilarious cards this year.  Sarah humored us with some pictures of Randy back in the day.

 Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa decided to color coordinate for the party.

 Sam sort of stole the show in his amazing little sweater.

 You can't help but smile in his presence as demonstrated by Jenni and mom.

 So glad Grandma Griffin could make it.  Grandpa was sick, so he stayed home but made sure she brought a piece of cake home for him!

 Rick and his phone...inseparable.

 The Griffin's only table

 My beautiful sisters and mom

 Lucy and Sam loving on each other.

 This intense chess match between Hank and Dyson proved that my son might be the most competitive kid around.

The amount of family support that surrounds us always amazes me.  We absolutely adore Randy.  I had such a wonderful time with my best friend.  Here's to another year of excitement and happiness.  There is no one else I would want to spend it with.  I love you, dear!

Christmas 2011

 This year, Hank really wanted to give Santa a present because he is always giving gifts and never gets any.  What do you get Santa?  Hank thought of an extra large coat but decided he probably has lots of those, living at the north pole and all.  He decided to make him a Christmas house.  Hank and Max decorated it so cute.  He left it next to the cookies and milk.  Santa loved it so much he had to leave a note to say thank you.  He also left everything the kids asked for and more.

To: Sam

 Play mat, baby toys, and pajamas from Hank and Max

To: Hank

 Darren Sproles, Andre Johnson, and Jamaal Charles jersey's, a sledding tube, soccer goals and ball,

 an ipod nano, Madden 12, cars, basketball shoes, and clothes.  Max gave him a gold piggy bank.

To: Max

 A very cool car with a cape and a gun in it and a mailbox...just what he asked for.

His truck was stocked with 4 capes of various colors so he can change it up.

 He also got Lego Batman for the Wii, clothes from Hank, and clothes from Randy and I.

 Hank was so excited when he woke up.  Even after a few bouts with low blood sugar during the night, he was in good spirits.  He had to eat an orange before we went downstairs, and he said "this is my first Christmas with diabetes."

 It took Max a few minutes to wake up and realize he could drive his cool car.

 He was running into the wall and the couch in no time. 

 Hank jumped in for a ride while he jammed out to some tunes on his new ipod.

 Hank couldn't wait to wear his new jersey.

 He was so excited when he opened his new basketball shoes.

 Junior Jazz starts next week and he has all the gear to be the star of the team.

 Sam helped me open my presents.  Once again Randy didn't disappoint.  I got a massage, new running shoes, a darling new outfit (including jeans that actually fit), and an iphone 4S.  I'm going to miss my ghetto phone...haha.  What husband has the balls to buy his wife new jeans 3 months after she has given birth?  That is classic Randy. He somehow managed to picked out the right style and size.  I am amazed.  Hank and Max gave me a fun game as well.  Randy got new shoes and lots of new clothes.  Hank picked out some "jersey clothes" for him to wear to the gym.  We quickly got ready and headed up to my mom and dad's for breakfast.

 My parents new room is the perfect place for a party, however, I haven't figured out how to take a good picture with all the natural light coming in through the windows.  We were running late, as usual, so everyone was waiting on us to open presents.

 Sam looked quite dapper in his plaid shirt and skinny jeans.

 

 The Ross clan once again ripped Sam from my arms and tried to pretend he was in their family.

 I can't really blame them, he looked pretty scrumptious.

 Grandpa and Sam

 Sarah and Jack took time out from their picnic to pose for a sweet picture.

 Grandma and Grandpa gave Max a cool Toy Story 3 play set.  

Hank was thrilled with the Tony Hawk skateboard and helmet from Grandma and Grandpa;

He soon discovered that skateboarding is really hard.  He got the hang of it really quickly.

 The weather was abnormally warm.  It was perfect for a skating session.  Hank was getting a little frustrated with his skills on the skateboard so he needed me to show him how uncoordinated I am.  He felt much better after that.

My mom is grooming Jack to be her house keeper with the cleaning caddy she gave him.

After a delicious breakfast, the kids enjoyed playing with all their new toys.

Lucy got a cell phone from Santa and couldn't stop sending texts.  She looked like this pretty much all day.

Sarah brought Christmas Bingo for the kids.  Once a 1st grade teacher, always a first grade teacher.  The kids gave her their full attention.  There was candy on the line for the winner.

Sam decided to take a luxurious nap on Grandma's bed after all the excitement.

  Brett and Randy were getting advice from Hank and Isabel during their intense chess match. 

We stayed long enough to enjoy another tasty meal and then we headed home.  The kids really wanted to play with all their new stuff.

Randy and I were exhausted after a brief 3 hour night of sleep.  That's what happens when you are parents to 3 adorable little boys.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sam loves his new play mat.  He loves to gaze at himself in the mirror.

Rick came over for a little Michael Jackson dance off.  We were totally in sync!  I could watch Hank and Max dance for hours.  They got their moves from their mama for sure.

As you can see, the holidays were filled our families being together.  That is one of the biggest blessings in my life.  I can't imagine not being so close to everyone.  

Sam can't imagine not being so close to his mom.  He fell asleep in my arms like this for the most heavenly post Christmas nap possible.  A perfect ending to a perfect day.