Max's First Jr. Jazz Experience

 

 

Max's first experience with Jr. Jazz has already come and gone.  That 8 game season sure went fast.  I mean have you ever seen a cuter little basketball player?  Max impressed us all with his ability to dribble, pass, and shoot.  He was the star of the team.  That's not to say there weren't some emotional moments throughout the season.  You never know what to expect with Max.  He can be playing his little heart out one moment, and in the next moment he is pissed off, taking himself out of the game, and refusing to return.  Perhaps he's even more competitive than his big brother.

 

 

Speaking of his big brother...Hank was the unofficial assistant coach for Randy this season.  I love how he weaseled himself into the team picture. 

 

Max had lots of fans cheering him on during his season.   Unfortunately he never seemed to be in the mood to take a picture with any of them after his games. 

 

All in all it was a good first experience with basketball.  It might even be his best sport.  If we can learn to manage his emotions a little better, we may have a real baller on our hands!

A Sledding Day to Remember

While Randy was home recovering from his surgery, I took the kids up to my mom and dad's for a sledding party.  It was one of those days I felt like I was a kid again.  I love days like this.

Sam was all bundled and ready to sled.  About half way down the hill he kept saying "boot, boot!" and I ignored him until I realized his boot had fallen off up the hill and his poor sock was covered with snow.  Oops!  He's a trooper and made it down the hill several more times, with both boots on.

Hank was a sledding fool!  I honestly think he went down that hill 40 times.

Max surprised me with his love of sledding this year.  My kids are at such fun ages.  They are so fun to hang out with except they wouldn't let me have a turn on the sled.

Max let Phil hop on for a trip down.

After Sam was done sledding, he wanted Grandma Jackie the rest of the afternoon.

My cute dad made a nice warm fire to sit around.

My darling mom, took Max and Sam up to the house and made a delicious lunch for us while Hank and I tore it up on the sledding hill a little longer.

Such a fun, fun, day with my family.  I feel like the luckiest mom in the world to have these boys to make memories with.  For the record...I won the furthest sledding contest! 

Let the festivities begin

December is here and the celebrating began early with a ride on the Polar Express.  Sam was in great spirits as you can see!

The Ross Fam, the Jones', and mom and dad all made it out for the train ride.

All aboard!

After a brief ride we made it to Santa's house.  This cute elf greeted us and Sam just had to sit on his lap.

My kids were a little panicked waiting to visit Santa.  They had no clue what to ask for.  

I suppose that's when you know your kids have everything.

Sam definitely prefers the elves over Santa!

We timed the train ride perfectly because the very next day, we had a huge snowstorm.

In years past, I would spend more time getting the kids all bundled up in their snow clothes than they spent outside in the snow.  Those days are gone!  This particular day, they braved the sub zero temps for hours.  I don't think I've ever seen them play together that long with no fighting.  An early Christmas present for me!

Another early Christmas present...Hank and I agreed on a new hairstyle.  I'm obsessed with his new look.

We've had some pretty intense winter storms already this season.  This particular night, Randy and I made the trek to Salt Lake to say farewell to our dear friends Michele and Elizabeth.

I'm so happy Michele and I reconnected but I'm so sad she's leaving.  Gina and Mindy also made it up to the party and I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.  We've been friends for 20 years, and those are the friendships I value most in my life.

Elizabeth and Randy recently bonded over a surgical procedure.  Let's just say Randy trusted her to operate on a very sensitive part of his body!  Needless to say, Elizabeth is an excellent surgeon and there will be no more children for the Griffin family.  She hooked him up with a huge ice pack at dinner.  I really hope we can make a trip to New Zealand in the next year to visit them.

Thanksgiving 2013

I have so much to be Thankful this year.  Randy and our incredible children top my list.  This picture just makes me swell up with pride.  This is my family.  How lucky am I?  The fact we all are in good health physically and mentally is also something I'm very thankful for.  My life revolves around these 4 boys and I am grateful every day for them.  I have a very beautiful life.  The days leading up to Thanksgiving and the days following Thanksgiving were full of family and craziness.

Rusty, Collette and Owen came to town almost a week before Thanksgiving.  Randy and I had a great dining experience with them at one of our favorite restaurants in Salt Lake, Pallet.  We had tickets to see John Legend later that night and couldn't convince them to join us.  I'm not sure they could have found tickets even if they wanted to go.  It was a sold out event and with good reason.  He is an incredible talent and never disappoints. 

Randy was feeling it!  Definitely a night to remember.

The following day, Hank and Max both had basketball games and with so much family around for the holiday, they had quite the cheering section.  

My kids love putting on a show for their fans.  It's so incredible to have so much support.  Another thing I am very thankful for.

Randy and Rusty's duck hunting adventure may be the most random event of Thanksgiving.  I'm so glad they had a chance to have some brotherly bonding time.  They don't get enough of that.

The last day of school for the kids before the break always includes the annual Snow Springs Turkey Trot.  Hank, unfortunately wasn't feeling well enough to run this year but Max did an awesome job.  I love watching my kids run!  May be I'll have a future cross country star one day.  

After the race, I got to help in Max's class with their Thanksgiving Feast. 

Not surprising..I had hardly any takers to be pilgrims.  Everyone wanted to be Indians.  

Max found a seat right next to the other Max in his class and enjoyed every last bite of his feast.  He's such a cute little Indian!

Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without pie night at Granny Griffin's the day before.  She never ceases to amaze me with her crazy shenanigans.  This woman is one in a million.

She had the boys act out a little skit.  Hank was a lawn mower Grandpa Griff was trying to start. 

The Griffin's were Indians and the Birds were Pilgrims in this skit.

I'm always entertained and amazed at her house.  She somehow fit what seemed like 40 people in her little house, entertained us all for hours, and home-made every single pie served that night.  

Our Thanksgiving feast was hosted by Jeri this year.  Scott made this little kid table right before we arrived and Sam was totally digging it!

Those teeth!!

Such a little punk!

Just as we sat down, I tested Hank's blood sugar as I always do before we eat.  506 was not the number I was hoping to see minutes before he was planning on inhaling a mound of carb laden foods.  I think diabetes needs to take a break on holidays.  That brings me to another thing I'm very thankful for...insulin!  It saves my boys life on a daily basis.  After my mini crisis management, we enjoyed a delicious meal.  I feel like everyone really stepped up their game this year.  I loved visiting with everyone for hours.  Our kids were so well behaved and I really had a pleasant afternoon.

Grandma Jeri somehow managed to find time in the middle of all her food preparation, clean up and hosting to read a few stories to Lennon and Sam.  I am so thankful to have Jeri in my life and so thankful she is cancer free.  She is such an incredible woman and such an incredible grandma to my kids.

No one had a burning desire to hit the Black Friday madness so we opted for a trip to Hang Time instead.  The kids had a blast.  I love watching Sam, Owen, and Lennon play together.  

I had to capture a few images of the "binkey brigade".

It was so nice to spend some quality time with Owen.  He is such a sweet, polite, and funny kid.  He really loves Max.  They spent hours playing upstairs with the toys.  There were many late nights spent at our house.  Lots of deep conversation, lots of laughter, and lots of bonding took place over the course of the week.  We loved having Rick and Anna stay at our house.  Somehow in the midst of all the chaos I missed snapping a picture of the two of them.  By the end of the week, taking pictures was the last thing on my mind.  My bed was the first thing on my mind and still is days later!  Ahhh, my bed...I am most definitely thankful for that!