T-ball begins... - June 17

Finally, after two weeks of wet, rainy weather and several cancelled games my two T-ball players had the chance to get out on the field and show their stuff.

Monique has quite the arm...

and Colter is very serious about hitting the ball off the tee!

They're both ready for a fun T-ball season!

Our Little Stairsteps - June 11

Our greatest blessings...each one a special gift from God...love these kiddos!

Laurel Swinging - June 9

Just in time for the warmer weather...Laurel is discovering the joys of swinging. Lucky for her there is no shortage of siblings to help push her!

Almost Six Months - June 7

At "almost" six months old Laurel is...

almost sitting up by herself

almost crawling

almost too big for her cradle

almost ready for rice cereal

almost too cute for words!

Plans for Mountaintown - June 5

Here are some of the kids most recent plans for Mountaintown...

• The residents are now called "Mountain Kids".


• Wyatt has been looking through seed and plant catalogs planning for Mountaintown's garden.


• They are planning a grocery store which they will stock with food from their garden and products made from that garden, such as ketchup and raisins. I was told that I am also allowed to shop in their grocery store. The best part...everything there is free. : )


• Colter is planning a museum and a library.


• The recent rains flattened the original Mountaintown, so the residents are talking to their landlord (aka Daddy) about purchasing wood for a more permanent structure.

Movin' On Up - June 5

We celebrated the end of our first "real" year of homeschooling with a "Movin' On Up" ceremony and program. As you can tell it was a casual affair...some of the participants even wore their pajamas! The kids picked some songs to sing, then each one of them recited a poem, a scripture and told us their favorite thing about school this year. I love the beginning of new traditions!

Rainy Day Rainbow - June 2

It was another rainy day up here in the inland Northwest. While we don't usually mind a little rain in our family, we're all getting anxious to see a little bit of sunshine. To help make our dreary day a little bit brighter the kids and I made some rainbow cupcakes. They loved mixing the food coloring into their cupcake batter (each kid had a different color) and the homemade frosting was delicious. They are already asking to make them again...next time we'll double the recipe!

Laurel - Spring 2010

Laurel's Top Five - Spring 2010

1. She is already learning to sleep through the chaos of five older siblings!

2. She loves having so many little people to play with her. If she feels ignored she just starts babbling because she knows someone will start talking to her!

3. She is already starting to scoot on her belly, even though she isn't quite sitting up yet.

4. She has slightly more hair that any of her brothers did at this age, but she's still pretty bald.

5. When she gets really mad she can let out the most ear-piercing cry you have ever heard!

Zane - Spring 2010

Zane's Top Five - Spring 2010

1. He loves to give hugs and kisses, usually accompanied by "I love you. You're my best friend."

2. His two favorite questions: "Where are _____ made?" and "What's inside of _____?". He asks these about any number of random objects throughout the day.

3. The only time he is still is when he is sleeping...seriously.

4. He strongly believes that he can do anything and everything that his older siblings can do.

5.He is becoming a great little hiker, much to his daddy's delight.

Monique - Spring 2010

Monique's Top Five - Spring 2010

1. She has learned to ride her bike, despite the rocky terrain and lack of sidewalks.

2. She loves to have her hair done, especially in ponytails and braids.

3. She will randomly tell me that she misses Rosas and wants a bean burrito.

4. Her favorite chore is folding laundry...and she does a great job!

5. She loves to play knight and princess...sometimes she's the princess and sometimes she's the knight!

Colter - Spring 2010

Colter's Top Five - Spring 2010

1. His obsession...reptiles. Both the prehistoric ones (like his play-dough dinosaur above) and the ones he finds on hikes with Daddy!

2. He loves a good physical challenge, especially if it involves riding his bike or climbing a mountain.

3. He can't wait to play T-ball next month!

4. He still sleeps with his kitty cat named "Princess".

5. His favorite thing about hiking...finding a good creek to play near.

Sabrina - Spring 2010

Sabrina's Top Five - Spring 2010

1. She has a passion for photography...on both sides of the camera!

2. She is really interested in sign language and is learning to sign some praise songs.

3. She is becoming a great reader and is looking forward to getting her first library card in the next few weeks.

4. She's a girly-girl who loves cute skirts and pretty bows, but also doesn't mind wading in the pond to catch tadpoles with her brothers.

5. She is my "mini-me"...always helping in the kitchen, taking care of Laurel and anything else that she sees that needs to be done.

Wyatt - Spring 2010

Wyatt's Top Five for Spring 2010

1. He LOVES being outside...the crazier the weather the better!

2. He has developed a serious obsession with roads and maps...he "reads" his atlas every morning, draws roads on paper, cardboard or anything else that isn't moving, and spends his free computer time on Google Earth.

3. He adores his baby sister.

4. He wants to live outside...seriously, he has a plan to make it happen.

5. He still loves to snuggle and read on the couch, only now he is the one doing most of the reading!

Idaho Bluebonnets - May 26

They may not be bluebonnets (they're actually camas flowers), but they sure are pretty...and I think the kids make them look even better! ;)

Zane and His Muscles - May 26

Some of my favorite "muscle" conversations with Zane...

Zane: "I want to ride my bike on this road."

Daddy: "This is a pretty steep road. It would be hard to ride your bike on it."

Zane: "But I have strong muscles, Daddy! I can do it!"

Zane: "I can carry it for you, Mama. I have strong muscles."

Me: "Thanks, Zane. You do have strong muscles."

Zane: "Do you want to feel my muscles?"

Me: (as I reach over to feel his "bicep") "Sure."

Zane: (as he points to his elbow) "No, they are right here!"

Zane: (trying to open the refrigerator): "Help me! Help me!"

Colter: "I can get it for you, Zane."

Zane: "Thanks, Colter. You have strong muscles."

"A boy in an orange raincoat..." - May 22

The rain is pouring outside when I hear a knock at the front door. I answer it and see one of our neighbors from up the road...

Me: Hi!

Neighbor: Hi! Um...there is a boy in an orange raincoat that was walking down the road in front of my house. Do you know anything about that?

Me: Yes, that's my oldest son.

Neighbor: OK, I just wanted to make sure he wasn't lost. It's been a while since we've had kids around here.

Me: He just likes to wander...especially in the rain. He was actually walking up to see what the creek was doing with all the rain. But thanks so much for checking on him.

So grateful for neighbors who are watching out for my kids and so grateful for my sweet boy who loves to be exploring outside...even when the weather is less than ideal and others might think it's a little strange! :)

Five Months Old - May 21

Laurel Joy @ five months old

Going to Africa - May 21

Sabrina: 'Bye Mom! I'm going to Africa!

Me: You are? Why are you going to Africa?

Sabrina: To tell people about Jesus.

Me: What are you going to tell them?

Sabrina: That Jesus was born and that He died on the cross for their sins. And they need to pray to Him and ask Him to live in their hearts and let Him be their boss. That's what missionaries tell people.

Me: What are you going to do if they want Jesus to live in their hearts?

Sabrina: I'll pray with them. That's what you and Daddy will do with me when I'm ready to ask Jesus to live in my heart.

Me: You're exactly right.

Sabrina: See you later, Mama. I'll be back in November.

Me: Wow! That's a long time!

Sabrina: Yes, but we'll come back to visit for your birthday!

Mountaintown - May 14

It all began when Wyatt declared, "We are going to move into a cardboard box!"

After several hours of work with duck tape, mailing tape, a pocket knife, some markers and several cardboard boxes...

Mountaintown was created!

Since then the kids have slept, eaten and even done their lessons in Mountaintown. Last night they even elected Colter as the mayor!

Mountaintown ~ established 5-12-2010 ~ population 5

Part of the Gang - May 10

Since training wheels don't really work on the uneven trails around the house, Danny went ahead and took off Monique's training wheels. It took a few days...and several big falls...but she is now riding around the flat part of the yard with ease. I still don't like her going downhill, since she hasn't completely mastered the art of using her breaks! I knew she was officially part of the "Griffis Bike Gang" when Colter said, "Mom, please don't make Monique go inside to take a nap. We want her to ride with us!"