Bike Ride - September 26

Today was the "Cattle Country Stampede" - the official name for our annual Dimmitt bike ride. Since Colter got to go on a special backpacking trip with Danny last month, it was Wyatt's turn for a little adventure. Danny asked him if he would like to ride in the 10 mile bike ride. This was very sacrificial on Danny's part because he would have loved to have done the 60 mile ride, but biking is Wyatt's favorite thing and Danny thought this would be a great chance for him to experience his first organized ride. Wyatt agreed without hesitation and started riding his bike everyday to get ready!

The kids and I made signs (Zane had one too but he was afraid it would blow away!) and found a spot early in the route to cheer them on. When the lead pack passed us the kids were cheering loudly and were disappointed when they didn't see Wyatt and Daddy. I assured them that they would be coming and sure enough, a couple minutes later we saw them down the road. Wyatt got really excited when he heard us cheering for him and saw the signs.

Wyatt was the youngest rider by about 12 years and certainly had the bike with the smallest wheels. It was cute watching him pedal so fast and Danny pedal so slowly as they tried to stay together.
Wyatt kept up a pace of about 10 minutes per mile and finished the ride with a huge smile on his face. It was such a good experience for him and one he certainly won't forget!

Football Time! - September 25

The kids have been anxious to go to a football game for many weeks. We live close enough to the field that they can hear the scoreboard buzz during the afternoon practices, so they are always asking if it is a game night. Tonight was the first home game we've been in town for, so we dressed in our Bobcat purple and headed to the football stadium. As cute as these little cheerleaders and football players look, my favorite thing about this picture is that they are all holding hands. I love that my kids love each other!

Learning - September 23

One of my favorite things about being at home with my kids all day is being able to see everything that they are learning. Here are their latest accomplishments...

Wyatt is learning to play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on the piano...

Sabrina is learning her numbers to 20...

Colter is learning to read...

Monique is learning to write her name...

and Zane is learning to pedal his tricycle (although it's still faster to just push with his feet!).

Toad Races - September 17

Our backyard has been full of toads lately and the boys (especially Colter) love catching them and playing with them. Today they ran inside to tell me about the toad races they were having on the back porch. So very funny...

On your mark...

get set...

go!

Just the girls... - September 11-12

Danny and the boys left Friday morning for a backpacking trip this weekend (check out his blog www.griffisfamilyoutdoors.blogspot.com for details on their trip). Mom drove up from Lubbock for a girls weekend. Here are just few of the fun things we did...

On Friday morning we made these super cute pillows from ribbons and fleece. The girls love the way they look on their beds!

We spent some time Friday afternoon scrapbooking. I've already trained the girls well - according to them it is not a "girls weekend" unless scrapbooking is involved!

Saturday morning we went to the fair parade. The girls had been asked to ride on a float and they had a great time throwing candy and waving!

It was a fun weekend and we were so glad that Noni was able to spend it with us!

Tractor Pull and Pet Show - September 10

Today was the first day of Castro County Fair, which is always marked by the pet show and tractor pull.

Colter has been catching toads in our backyard on a daily basis for the past several weeks. I asked him if he would like to catch one to take to the pet show and he excitedly agreed. His toad (which was a little on the small side) won the award for "Best Bait"!

Colter has been waiting for two years for his turn at the tractor pull. This year he was finally old enough and he made the most of it. He pedaled that tractor as far as his little legs would take him and all of that determination paid off...

when he won first place in the 4 year old division! He was so proud of his medal!

Sabrina also did the tractor pull and won a ribbon. She was a little upset that she didn't go as far as Colter (after all he is her younger brother!), but then she realized she had beaten one of the 5 year old boys and that made her feel better!

This was Wyatt's third year doing the tractor pull. He also won a ribbon and pedaled hard all the way to the end. He was so proud of himself!

Meeting Baby Grady - September 4

We went to Lubbock today to meet Grady Hubert Thomson, my brother and sister-in-law's newest addition. He was born two days ago and the kids have been very anxious to see him!

So sweet...

Wyatt's Roads - August 30

Wyatt has been fascinated with roads for the past several months. He is always watching when we go on trips to see how many lanes there are on the highways and where the roads connect to each other.

Since we returned from our trip to Idaho he has spent a great deal of time outside drawing large and rather detailed roads all over the driveway.

Overpasses, underpasses, lane merges, entrance ramps...this road has it all!

Our First Day of School - August 25

Today was the first official day of school at the Griffis Academy. The kids enjoyed our traditional pencil brownie cake for dessert. Here are some other highlights from the day...

Wyatt is in 1st grade this year. His day is a little more structured than last year, especially since Sabrina is doing school with us this year. He loved getting to do some of his lessons outside!
Sabrina is in kindergarten. She feels like such a big girl getting to do lessons with Wyatt and practiced writing her numbers today.

Colter is going to preschool at church five mornings a week and then doing a few lessons at home with Wyatt and Sabrina in the early afternoon. He loves the swings on the playground!

Monique is going to preschool three mornings a week. She loves her new teacher, Ms. 'Doza (her name for Mrs. Mendoza) and experiencing structure outside of our home is really good for her. She was very proud of the blue bouncy ball she got today!

Zane is also going to preschool two mornings each week. This gives me two mornings to just focus on Wyatt and Sabrina which is going to be very helpful as they get into the routine of school. He loves his big school backpack, even though it is as big as he is!

Visiting Grangeville - August 17-19

Just a few of the highlights from our time in Idaho...

playing in the Lochsa River...

picnics and playtime at both of the local parks...

visiting Daddy's new hospital and clinic...

picking (and eating!) huckleberries...

and stopping to visit an ancient cedar grove as we started on the drive back.

Danny vs. The Mule Deer - August 15

As you can tell from the pictures, our trip to Idaho started out with a bang - well actually it was a very loud bump! We were driving through downtown Colorado Springs at about 11:00 in the evening when Danny saw two large mule deer bucks in the middle of the interstate. He swerved slightly to avoid hitting one, which spooked the other who ran straight for our van. Monique, Zane and I were all sleeping so we missed the excitement. We pulled off at the next exit to check the damage and then continued on to Denver. The next day we were able to get a new headlight put in and will wait to get the rest of the damage fixed after we get back home. Hopefully the rest of our trip will be much less eventful!

Just the two of them... - August 11

Monique and Zane have had lots of fun this week being the only two at home...

They especially enjoyed their long playtime in the bathtub...

and eating yummy snacks!

Saying Goodbye - August 8

Buckled up and ready for some fun...

Zane was not please at all that he was being left behind. He had his backpack packed and was ready to go...

These three... - August 7

will be leaving tomorrow for a fun-filled week in Colorado with Gigi and G-pa. I'm sure going to miss them!

Baby's First Picture - August 3

Here it is - baby's first picture. We still aren't certain yet if it's a boy or a girl, but both Danny and my ob are thinking it MIGHT be a girl. We'll do another ultrasound at our hospital here (so the kids can see it) later this month.

80 Years Young - July 31-August 1

We celebrated my grandfather's 80th birthday with a family dinner and birthday reception. It was a fun weekend and a great chance to tell him thanks for all he means for our family.

Happy Birthday, Dedaddy!

Back Together - July 29

After spending some one-on-one time with Noni and Papa over the past couple of weeks, all of the kids are finally back together again. They certainly missed each other!

A Birthday Kiss - July 25

We celebrated Abi's 2nd birthday today and Zane couldn't leave without giving his cousin a birthday kiss!

What do you buy... - July 24

a little boy who really doesn't need any more toys...a snowcone machine!

Cute...and She Knows It! - July 21

Is she not just the cutest thing in the whole world? The problem is that she knows it...and she knows that we know it...and she especially knows that her daddy knows it!