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!

The Preschool Graduate

It's official, Max is no longer a preschooler.  His graduation took place a few days ago and I felt like I cried the entire week leading up to it.  Of course I don't want him to be in preschool forever but why must it go by so quickly?  It seems like just yesterday I dropped off a shy, reserved little boy.  He is leaving smart, independent, and grown up, totally ready for Kindergarten.  I can't believe how much Max has changed in the past 2 years.  I think I was most emotional about leaving Miss Molly.  She truly is incredible at what she does with these little kids.  It's a good thing I have one more round a preschool to go with Sam.  I'm not ready to say goodbye forever.

 

Max didn't miss a word or action during the entire program.  He did a fantastic job.  After every song, he made sure to look over at his cheering section for our approval.  Once the singing was finished, Miss Molly gave all the kids awards.  Max was awarded "Best Helper".  I couldn't agree more.  Max is the one I can always count on for help.  I'm so proud of him.  It's always a good feeling as a mom to know your kids aren't total jerks when they're at school!  Max is also incredibly smart.  He is reading so well already and his writing has improved so much.  He is my perfectionist.  He really works and works at things until it's just right. He has also really learned how to be a good friend.  I was worried for a little bit!  He has so many friends in preschool but also around our neighborhood.  Everyone loves Max.

Here is his awesome cheering section.  My kids are so lucky to have so much support around them.  It's the best thing ever!  I'm done crying now.  On to bigger and better things for my sweet Max and farewell Bear Hollow...for now!

Zoo Time With Max

Last week I had a serious field trip dilemma.  Hank and Max both had field trips scheduled for the same day and time.  Luckily for me, Hank's class had too many parents sign up to help so they didn't need me to go.  I felt horrible missing it.  It's the first field trip of Hank's I've ever missed.  Bear Hollow's trip to the zoo marked Max's last field trip ever as a preschooler. We ended up not needing to supervise any other kids so it was just me and Max running wild at the zoo.  It was one of the most enjoyable trips to the zoo I've ever had.  The animals were really putting on a show and Max kept me laughing all day with his antics.    

See what I mean?  It isn't very often I get to spend an entire day with just Max. He is so fun to hang out with. The gorillas were our favorite.  They were running around, pounding their chests, and playing tag with each other.  The grizzly bears and the polar bear were also really fun to see.

Towards the end of the day, we found some of Max's friends to ride the carousel with.  Max, T, and Cole sure don't look like little preschoolers anymore.  They are so ready for Kindergarten.

Max spotted a gorilla on the carousel and snagged it!  

My little buddy has grown up so much from our first field trip almost 2 years ago.  His transition lenses might be my favorite thing ever! It was a great day, one I'll always remember.  Love you Maxi!

The Latest and Greatest from Sam

Oh Sammy Boy, you hilarious little 20 monther!  So, he's got a bit of an electronics obsession.  He has the iphone pretty much figured out before age 2.  At this rate, he may have a future at NASA.  Just try and take that phone from him, I dare you.  The terrible 2's have begun early, hopefully that means they end early.

Thankfully the weather has been nice because this kid wants to be outside always.  He has one thing on his mind when he's outside......animals.  He knows where to find the nearest dog or horse and will do anything to get to them.

Good thing this random dog was a nice one because Sam had no problem sticking his entire arm through the fence to pet him.

Back to the electronic obsession...Sam found a sweet video on You Tube the other day.  It had all the boys attention.  Nice job Sam.  He loves hanging with the big boys.

He is my first kid to contract Pink Eye.  Such a lovely thing to have going around our house.  Poor Max was the only one he shared the germs with.

With the sports seasons in full swing, Lennon has been hanging out with us quite a bit so her parents can watch Colby and Dyson.  Sam shared his passion for books with her.

He also insists on getting in the tub with her while she's here.

How Randy can concentrate with this commotion going on in his back swing is beyond me.

Here is another picture illustrating Sam's love for books.  He also really loves his grandparents.  He's definitely my most affectionate child at this age.

We had a minor mishap earlier in the week.  I was frantically trying to get Hank ready for baseball pictures and Sam was playing in the garbage, not too uncommon.  He found a black bean can with the lid still partially attached and sliced open his finger.  With the amount of blood coming out, I decided to take him to the Instacare to make sure he didn't need stitches.  Luckily the cut wasn't deep enough to need stitches.  Phew.  Never a dull moment around here.

I was amazed the other day when I found Sam in his crib, post-nap, with this extreme case of bed head.  

He is doing some hard core sleeping and eating these days which means he is a healthy growing boy.  I can't believe how much he is starting to talk lately.  His little personality is coming out and I can already tell he's going to be the comedian in the family.  He will do anything for a laugh.  I have remind myself every day to be present and enjoy the stage he's in because if I don't, it will be over before I know it.