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!

Zane's Choo Train Party - July 19

Zane had lots of fun at his "choo-choo train" party!

He couldn't stop looking at his "choo-choo train boon"!

That is until he saw the "choo-choo train" on his cupcakes and decided those were even better than the balloon!

We discovered that Zane is not a big icing fan, but he loves the cake. He turned his cupcake over, ate the bottom part and left the rest (or fed it to Papa!).

He's not crying - just being a little camera shy!

It was the perfect "choo-choo train" party for our little boy!

Paisano Mission Trip - July 12-15

We drove down to Paisano Baptist Camp near Alpine for a family mission trip with several other members from our church. We worked to clean up the camp and get things ready for their camp meetings later this month. Here are some of our favorite pictures from our family mission trip...

Colter enjoyed helping put the hymnals out in the tabernacle.

Danny and the kids slept outside one night. It was the first night sleeping outside for several of them!

We enjoyed some great music and worship together!

While we were there our family had the chance to meet up with Monica, my best friend from high school, and her family.

The kids loved playing card games during our work breaks.

There were great rocks to climb around the camp.

Sweeping out the tabernacle was a big job!

One night we took a trip to the McDonald Observatory. We saw some beautiful views of the nighttime sky!

It was a great trip with just the right balance of work and play to make the kids want to go back next year!

Zane at (almost) Two - July 10

I love this picture of Zane at "almost two". He is ready for church with Jay-Jay, his Bible, his backpack and of course that goofy grin! Here are some other interesting tidbits about Zane...

1. Whenever one of his siblings gets up to go to the bathroom at bedtime he sits on his potty, too - diaper, pjs and all!
2. He loves to draw circles on the magna-doodle.
3. He has the cutest little camera smile!
4. He is climbing and sliding on the playground like a big boy.
5. He likes to meow and pretend to be a kitty cat.
6. Danny taught him how to "box" his brothers. Now he "boxes" anyone whenever he can!
7. His favorite phrase is "Yeah, dude!" He learned it from Colter.
8. He loves to help with anything - folding laundry, fixing supper - he wants to "Hep Mama!"
9. He climbs on the bathroom counter so he can brush his teeth like the big kids.
10. When he can't find me he walks around the house saying "Where are you, Mama?"

Laundry Baskets - July 7

What is it about laundry baskets that make them such perfect playthings? : )

Big Sister - July 6

Sabrina had been outside playing this morning with Wyatt and Colter. She came in for a drink and was headed back outside when Zane said, "Nina! Nina!" It was very clear that he was asking her to stay inside and play with him. She stopped and turned around to come back inside and play with her baby brother. A few minutes later this is the scene I saw in the playroom - Zane playing dolls with his big sister. Sabrina is such a good big sister and Zane loves her so very much!

"Daddy said we could!" - July 4

It was nap time for Monique and Zane. Danny was working outside in the yard and the three oldest kids were outside with him. I walked out the back door and was greeted by this sight. Before I could even say anything they all said, "Daddy said we could!" Seeing my kids in the backyard, stripped down to their underwear splashing in a big tub of water has to be one of the funnier sights I have seen in a while!

Soapy Slide - July 2

Danny made the swimming pool extra fun for the kids this afternoon when he put it under our slide and poured some dish soap on the slide. The kids were sliding "super fast" and making huge splashes!

They were all smiles about their bubbly pool!

Swinging - June 30

One of the great thing about playing on the church playground is that there is a swing for everyone!

T-Ball Medals - June 29

Wyatt and Sabrina got their t-ball medals tonight. It was a fun season with lots of memories. I don't know if either of them will play baseball next year, but I can guarantee Colter will be playing t-ball! He can hardly wait!

Weekend Fun - June 27-29

Danny took Wyatt, Sabrina and Colter on a bike trip (more about that at www.griffisfamilyoutdoors.blogspot.com) this weekend, so Monique, Zane and I enjoyed some time at home.

We set up the giraffe tent inside and read lots of books,

the kids painted some pictures,

and enjoyed hot dogs for supper!

This was my favorite picture from the weekend - Zane climbing up to the sink to brush his teeth!

Watching the Game - June 23

We have all enjoyed having Noni and Papa come watch some of Sabrina and Wyatt's t-ball games this month.

Slip N Slide Fun - June 22

It was the perfect afternoon for some slip n slide fun!

The kids spent hours running,

sliding,

and crawling through the water!

Vacation Bible School - June 15-18

This week was VBS week at church. The kids enjoyed storytime...

cute crafts...

yummy snacks...

silly songs...

and super fun games. It was a great week!

Bye-Bye Crib! - June 13

Zane has made the move to a big boy bed this week. He was all smiles and giggles when he climbed into his bed for the night. He slept well and was still smiling when he climbed out of his bed the next morning!

Outdoor Watercolors - June 12

We took our art activity outside today and painted some flowers in the garden. The kids had a lot of fun and painted some wonderful flowers.

"Nina!" - June 6

This week Zane started calling Sabrina "Nina". He's had names for everyone else, but just hadn't created a name for her yet. Now we hear "Nina!" all the time. He loves his biggest sister so much! He knows that if I am ever busy and can't get something for him all he has to do is ask Sabrina and she will be right their ready to help.