Back to Yuba with the Whole Fam

After owning our boat for nearly a year, it was about time I took my sisters and their families out for a day on the water.  Since we had such a great time at Yuba earlier this summer, that's where we went.  Dad was playing in the Mulligan and was really missed.  He would've gotten a kick out of mom, Sarah, Kate, and I on the tube.

We laughed until we cried, and peed!  It was such a fun time.

I'll tell you what, that tube got quite the workout!  The kids never wanted to get off.

Isabel is a little dare devil!

Even Sam got on the tube with me.  He squealed with delight and kept saying "so fun!".

He also kept us quite entertained dancing on the boat.

All the kids got the genius idea to hang off the back of the tube making it look like Jack was riding solo!

The scene on the boat during all this tubing was total PARTAY!!

Our studly captain drove the boat for hours, navigating the rough waters like a pro and keeping us safe.

The kids all had a turn snoozing as well.

Sam tried to get comfy on "bampa" but later found a more ideal location for his nap.

He literally crawled up on the bench and laid face down and went right to sleep.  He is such a good little boating baby.  You can tell it wasn't his first experience on a boat!

Max found a comfy spot of his own for a quick power nap.

After a quick rest, the kids all wanted to go back out on the lake.  I stayed back with Sam, mom, and Kate.

Sam and "Bampa", I love that he calls her that by the way.

Sarah took pictures of the boating while I was at the beach.

The kids finally tried the water ski trainer and loved it!

So proud of my sweet little Maxi.

Hank got up no problem.

One Hand!!

I had to capture this cute shot as we were packing up to leave.

Speaking of cute pictures...oh my, that is one darling little boy.  I know I'm biased but I don't care, he is adorable.  We didn't head home until nearly 8 o'clock that evening.  That's just how much fun we were having.  I loved sharing the boat and the experience with my awesome family.  Getting a boat was one of the best decisions we've ever made.  It is the perfect vessel for quality family bonding time.

Bruno Mars!

Five months ago, Randy and I gave Hank tickets to see Bruno Mars as a present for his 2 year anniversary with diabetes.  At the time, August 2nd seemed like an eternity away but it came faster than I could believe.  You can always count on Bruno Mars to be playing in my car.  We know every word to every song.  Those are always the best concerts to go to.  Max was pretty bummed he didn't get to come.  He is a huge fan as well.  I told him next time he comes to Utah it will be his turn.

I really cherish my one on one time with my kids.  It doesn't happen very often.  Hank has always been a little mama's boy.  He'll deny it to the grave but I know the truth.  He always has my back and I always have his.  I love our relationship and I'm so glad it was me who got to introduce him to the amazing world of concerts!

We settled on IHOP for dinner since everywhere else had a long wait and we were starving.

We forgot IHOP takes FOREVER!  Hank had a gallon of Diet Pepsi while we waited and I tried to get a good picture of my adorable son but he wasn't having it!

After our dinner we walked to the Maverick Center, grabbed some treats, and waited for Bruno!

Tell me who has a cooler mom?  He says I embarrass him but I think he secretly likes it!

Finally it started and boy were we entertained.  I've seen a lot of concerts in my day, but I dare say, this one might have been one of the best I've seen.  I can't believe how talented and entertaining he is.  I feel bad for Hank because the bar has been set really high for his future concert experiences.

Every song he played, Hank jumped with excitement.  He sang every word and danced in his cute little subdued way.  It was perfect.

Such a magical night and the perfect celebration for all Hank's diligence with his diabetes.  It's a night I will never forget!

A Weekend at the Cabin

The good times just keep coming for the Griffin family.  Jeri and Scott invited us up to the cabin last weekend and I'm so glad they did.  It is absolutely beautiful up there and the perfect place for some quality family bonding time.  We brought our 4-wheelers and that's pretty much all the boys wanted to do.

The kids quickly took time to eat some pizza and then it was out on the wheelers.

Hank is getting more confident on his little 4-wheeler.  I can't believe the difference from last year.  He was so sweet to take turns with Max and Colby all weekend.  I can't believe how well Max can drive it as well!  His driving usually ended quickly because he said his thumb was sore from pushing the gas.  I was fine with that because then he got to ride with me.

I love riding with Max.  He provides commentary the entire ride.

Lennon and Sam provided so much entertainment.  I could watch those two interact all day.  They are hilarious.

They loved to fight over the Kindle.

They got along as long as Lennon was holding it!

Jeri introduced us to a fun game called "Suspension".  Max was so good at it.

He came up with the most creative ways to hang his sticks.

Hank managed to get dirtier than everyone else while he was riding.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

While the boys were riding, Lennon and Sam were wrestling.

Sam had lots of time to cuddle with Grandma.

We also had a serious family arm wrestling tournament.

Kunz was so proud she could beat Dyson.

After all that arm wrestling, it was time for smores.

While we enjoyed smores, Sam enjoyed the dirt.

What mom?  Can't a boy play in the dirt?

Jeri snapped this cute picture of my family.

Then it was time for a sink tub for Sammy-boy.

I couldn't stop taking pictures of him.  His expressions are priceless.

Not to mention he looked way to big to be in that sink!

Later that evening, the boys were all playing the Wii downstairs and everyone else was upstairs watching a movie.  Suddenly I heard Max scream and start running up the stairs.  He had been running around like a mad man and fell off the air mattress and hit his head on the floor.  There was no blood so after a kiss I sent him back downstairs and told him to settle down.  Not 5 minutes later, I heard another scream from Max, this time louder and noticed a trail of blood behind him.  Oh crap, I am not very good in situations like this.  I could barely look, fearing the worst.  The blood was coming from his foot and after Scott, Randy and I looked at it we decided we better take a trip to the ER in Park City.  Poor Max, he was really hurting.  Randy and Scott loaded him in the car and I stayed back at the cabin with Hank and Sam.

Of course, Randy said Max was so tough and brave.  The ER doctor examined him and decided that since the cut was on his foot they would hold off on stitches.  Had it been anywhere else on his body it would've required stitches.  Max came back to the cabin in good spirits and out of pain.  He insisted I instagram his bloody towel.  I swear this kid always has me on my toes.  He is so accident prone.

Here's a look at the wound up close.

He slept in until 10 the next morning and was ready to get out on the 4 wheeler like nothing had happened.

I have to document Sam's obsession with the "gycles".  Every time he heard them start up, he ran to the door screaming "gycle!".  He rode for hours without a single complaint.  He fits in quite nicely with our family of wheeler riders!

Cousin Teamwork

This picture was taken before one of our last rides of the trip.

It ended up going a little longer than we planned.

Sam switched from from Randy's wheeler to mine half way through.

It must be the mothers touch.  He couldn't stay awake a minute more.  Driving with a sleeping toddler is a bit of a challenge but I loved having him snuggle up to me like that.

These boys are troopers.  They are always down for a good time and they love to go go go!

Other than Max's mishap it was such a great weekend.  I went on a little hike one afternoon by myself and I couldn't help but reflect on the last time we were at the cabin.  It was just weeks before Jeri's major surgery and breast cancer treatment.  It was on that trip we told Hank Grandma had cancer.  There was so much uncertainty and fear surrounding us.  I'm so happy to be here a year later with Jeri.  She is such an incredible woman and the way she handled everything she went through last year is so inspirational to me.  I'm so grateful to have her in my life and in my children's lives.