Griffin is 5 !!!

I love this perfectly posed picture. His turn was over, but I told him to jump back on so I could get a picture . It looks like an end-of-the-year school party photo, doesn't it?

Griffin's birthday is July 20th and most years we are lucky enough to do everything ON his actual birthday. This year he woke up to pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse and the number 5. Griffin is not really into Mickey Mouse at all, he just knows it's a pretty fool-proof shape to make as a pancake. I've attempted others before, succeeded in making a turtle, came close to an elephant, but failed at many.

Jeff and I had been wanting to take the boys to Arizona Mills Mall for nothing else, but to see the animals at The Rainforest Cafe. We'll have to go back and eat there because they LOVED it. Griffin and Kai each got to pick out 4 jungle figurines. We are so lucky that Griffin is not a selfish birthday boy. Lunch was assumed correctly at McDonalds, however disappointment came when we discovered the Happy Meal toys were no longer Ice Age 3 characters as anticipated. All they carried were Teeny Beany Babies. Booorrinng.

Griffin wanted a Bolt cake. I was excited to make him one like this:

instead he wanted the one seen below which came with BOLT toys on top.

Ours (on the right) turned out cute but not quite as crisp as the picture because it's SO DANG HOT HERE and the heavy orange icing started sliding off. Oh well, I'm the only one who cared.

Our families met us at Jeepers that night.... Griffin's choice. We LOVE that place!!

Thanks everyone!

I hope Kindergarten is ready for him!!

Way to go Brian!!!

My brother, Brian, and his family, just found out he got into Medical School and will be moving to Henderson, NV. They've been hoping and praying for a long time and I'm happy for them.

Who will Kai have screaming contests with now that his cousin, Lukas, will be so far away.

I guess Treyson will step up to the plate soon enough.

Make sure you guys live somewhere big enough to fit us all when we come visit!!

Congrats!!

Showing Our Skills

The other day, I posted THIS LINK to a site I found instructing how to make magazine pages into these:

I think they turned out pretty cute. I used some old necklaces I hadn't worn in a while, but some simple ribbon would be darling as well. Ribbon would give it a more organic feel, which goes well with the "recycled" theme.

Griffin drew this a few weeks ago, before the BOLT stage he's in right now. The love for turtles has subsided for now, and is currently working on drawing his new favorite canine superhero.

Just a reminder: Griffin is almost five. I think he's a great artist!

THE BOARDS

Jeff took his AZ Physical Therapy boards yesterday and we found out today that.....HE PASSED!!!

It was a tough exam and there were some thoughts, on Jeff's part, that he might have to retake it. But -- we can all breathe a sigh of relief! I knew he could do it.

Thanks to everyone who fasted and prayed for us.

Also, thank you Jeff for being so dedicated. You work/study hard for our family and, amidst all my griping and nagging, I know you do it all for US.

Good job Hon! I Love you.

Crafty Crafts

I don't think I can begin to tell you all how much I love the Family Fun magazine.

It is my FAVORITE!!!

Months after months went by with wasted editions. Griffin and Kai had still been too little to appreciate the crafts and ideas given -- so the semi-monthly issues were put aside and lost in the move. The boys are getting older, but still too young for some things. So, now I have a fabulous plan to go through and tear out the pages I'd like to try someday and put them in a binder. Genious!! That way all the advertisements and unneeded bulk can be thrown away....... or made into one of THESE:

My new Summer issue came today and here is the craft we tried:

THE FOAMERATOR

It was awesome!! And totally worked just like the picture showed, which doesn't always happen.

Treyson wanted to get in on the action too, but was done as soon as he tried eating some of the foam snakes. Good times. I think if I had cut the water bottles shorter, Griffin and Kai wouldn't have had to blow so hard. Next time. Something else I'll remember for next time....... suggest that Jeff remove his ankle socks before putting on his flip flops. I'm not a big fan of the "ninja style". Love you hon!!

Raindrops and footprints

I. LOVE. RAIN.

Yesterday it drizzled just enough to leave a few wet spots on our sidewalk outside. The heat was so dominating which made the raindrops a little less enjoyable, but I always have to go outside when it's raining.

The boys came out with me yesterday and ran up and down our driveway making tons of these:

Which brought me to another conclusion...

I. LOVE. FOOTPRINTS.

Yesterday was my 29th birthday !!!

It was a good day.

I woke to the smell of hashbrowns.

Jeff had made breakfast while the boys drew pictures for me.

I was allowed to go shopping without guilt.

Later I took the boys swimming -- it was a hot, hot day.

During naptime, my mom and sisters came over to watch The Bachelorette.

Also during naptime, my brother-in-law and mother-in-law brought me lunch from Krazy Sub.

Being the last day of the month, of course I went visiting teaching.

My sister-in-law made me some amazing mini fruit pizzas -- YUM!

I attended the running group, I've grown to love, wearing my new skorts from this morning's purchases.

Then picked up some dinner from Joe's Farm Grill on the way home. (If it's your birthday, you get $10 off your order!!)

Thank you Hon for the great day -- you're the best!

Thank you everyone else for all the "Happy Birthday" song phone calls and Happy Birthday texts I received all day long.

You made me feel special and loved!!