That GOOD kind of busy...

(WARNING: its a long one, so that all people involved can snag the shots they want to keep)


Even though it has pretty much been the worst week ever to be enrolled in swim lessons (with it being cold and rainy every single day!) the girls had a blast, learned alot and Liv finally passed Level 1- hooray for Liv's we are so very proud of her, I guess third time really is the charm!!Abby's teacher said she was the best swimmer in her class! You go girl! Eva and I were doing a Mommy and Me class at the same time as the other two. While I missed watching how Liv and Abby were doing I fully enjoyed my one on one time with Eva. She was the top of her class mind you, I give all the credit to myself for being the most fabulous teacher!!! (it couldn't possibly be natural talent!) She will be a champion swimmer I am sure!!!!

Yesterday was a busy day traveling around the state visiting my very cute new Nephews born just five days apart. It is kind of dejavoo with last years birth of my two sweet nieces just one week apart in June!!
First we went north to visit Amber in the hospital.
Here is Trace and Amber's little Lincoln, not even one day old:(Eva had to warm up a bit to him declaring several times "I not like baby boys!", but she came around eventually!!!

After visiting with them in the hospital my in laws were just around the corner so we met up with them for lunch and had a great time. I love this picture not only because of the smiling faces but because I am totally in it even though I was taking it!!!After that we headed further north to see our next new baby.
Here is Kelly and Bethany's little Lief, six days old:This time Eva was a pro and jumped right up to hold him- see she isn't a boy hater after all :)
Seriously so cute, I think it was good that Paul was busy at work during this trip, I think he would be way too jealous of all the testosterone flowing!!! I am so happy both mothers are doing well, that the deliveries were easy and low key- but I am sure they will be posting the full story and stats soon!

Then to end our day we looked at more tile for the bathroom. I have been having a hard time finding some that I like in relation to the cabinet and counter top color- but I think I found the winner last night so we are a go to move forward- hooray!!

Attention all readers

I have just signed myself up for the Strawberry day's 5K and Abby for the half mile kids run! Saturday June 6th is the final day of early discount price registration so you had all better get your butts in gear and get yourselves signed up!!!! The race date just sneaked its way up on me, being two weeks away on June 20. This is a fun one steeped in Griffiths Family tradition! We will be several family members short due to baby arrivals and knee surgeries (I secretly wish I was one of the latter, no no, not the former) but it will be a good time and all you closet runners should come and join us (hint hint). Abby is so excited to run in her first race- I am happy she wants to join me in something that I love to do.

See you all at the starting line!!!

Heaven Help Us!

What started out as a "We will just replace the vanity in our bathroom" day has taken a drastic turn-- I hope quickly for the better!!

After Paul got started demoing, he just couldn't be stopped, now my bathroom looks like this:
He was correct in wanting to keep going, the bathroom was crap and it was leaky, and uncleanable- no matter how hard I tried it never "sparkled". As expected the floor is rotted out and we will soon be down to floor joist- holy moly people this is a little unnerving to me!!! In contrast, Paul is elated and overjoyed with the project- he can't wait to fix all it's problems and make it 100 times better than before- who am I to object to that!

Michelle and Dave- I think we are now in need of your new found expertise!!!!

Paul promises me that it will be done quickly- I have no reason to doubt him, he hasn't let me down before, but still, a woman can worry right? I do love the dark stain vanity we purchased this morning and now I get to shop for tile, and paint, and accessories...

School's out for Summer

As I was driving around this afternoon running some errands, I was noticing the electricity in the air- the definite vibe flowing around the town as I looked at teenagers driving around in their cars with the windows down, radios blaring, laughing, and just plain having a great time knowing that school was soon over for three whole months. The optimism of youth was palpable. I remember being that age once, some time ago, and the thought and anticipation of the late warm nights spend with friends up the canyon with a fire, down at the sand dunes camping for the weekend, going to clubs and meeting new people- it was a great time- and I can feel it in these young kids! I don't long to go back, but I fondly remember my time in their shoes and it was good!

I say all of this because this afternoon I also picked Abby and Asher up from their last day of school and they were overflowing with excitement as well- how, in Kindergarten, they could really even know the joy of summer break- but they could feel it to!They have spend nine months in this classroom, sitting at these desks, learning and growing and becoming better people.Abby has learned so much this year! She has really blossomed, a love for school and learning has been successfully instilled in her through a wonderful teacher! She has made great friends and opened up to others, she is so much more outgoing!She and Asher have become wonderful friends! I think this is the greatest part of all. My favorite thing is running carpool and listening to what they talk about in the back seat as they sing along to the songs on the radio with no regard to the fact that others can hear. I loved to look in the rear view mirror and see secrets being passed followed by relentless giggles.

Kindergarten- a fantastic stage of life, ever learning, always eager, so carefree of the world or the problems it holds. Abby went in a mere baby and came out a young lady! She thrived, she excelled and the teachers first words every time we met were "Abby, if only every student could be an Abby!"Congratulations Abby and Asher- here's to an even better year together in the big First Grade!! (oh, what am I going to do without her ALL day long...)

PS: Shamae has posted on her new blog!!! Go and check her out here

Getting back into it

Man- sorry I haven't been around lately, I really feel out of the loop!!! I mean, you go on a vacation, but it shouldn't shut you down for two weeks!!!! Speaking of vacations my retreat was FABULOUS!! Great classes, good food, no children, and wonderful company!!! Thanks ladies for a wonderful time! (no I don't have any pictures, because I left that up to my sister-in-law, but I will get them soon! Hint Hint!) Paul did survive the weekend, and I dare say he and the girls had a fun time together!

Liv graduated yesterday from preschool, well, not technically, she has another year- but she loved wearing her cap and receiving her diploma anyway with the other kids. They are a fun little bunch and she is going to miss her friends!
Sweet Mrs. Sherrie is going in for a hip replacement on Wednesday, so the school year was cut a little short. Everyone pray for her as she launches into recovery- we just love her and hope she bounces back quickly!!
This is Liv's final ride home on her bike- an activity that she has truly enjoyed this year, we may have to continue with the morning ride three days a week anyway!!

Last week was Shakespeare week at Abby's school. Oh how she enjoyed this week!!! Everyone dresses up in Shakespearean costumes each day, they learned about the life and times of Shakespeare in History, and they attended an act from the play "Comedy of Errors" performed by the 8th grade each afternoon. While she liked going to the play, her favorite part was being assigned an escort from the 5th grade class to take her there and sit with her. She LOVED her escort!
She was lucky each day to wear costumes that my mother had made (for my niece when she attended her school) which matched her own. Seriously- how great is my mother to make matching costumes for the grandkids? They would coordinate which color to wear each day and it was fun!On Friday they were honored to have Queen Elizabeth herself request the Kindergarten to perform the song they had been learning in Music. When she came home that afternoon I asked her about it and all she could say was "She was SO beautiful". I wish I had gone to take a picture of the meeting! My mother said the actress was amazing, in full costume and spoke in correct dialect and never broke character for a single moment. You know my little Princess was overjoyed!


Between working on the yard and getting it ready for an overhaul in the back (and getting attacked by biting ants!), and ramping up my training three days a week with my sister on our bikes to get us ready for our 100 mile bike race, I have been keeping pretty busy- fine by me, I like it that way and I will try to be better at posting!!!

Scraps on my mind

I am getting all packed up today for my Digital Scrapbooking Retreat- I am beyond excited, not only for the enjoyable classes, or my child free weekend, but because I get to join my fun mother and sister in law there!!! It will be two fun filled days of creativity!! Please wish Paul some luck, he is on solo kid duty through the weekend!!!

Here are some of my latest pages for Eva's book that you can enjoy while I am away:This one is a modified quickpage from Weeds&WildflowersHere is the last of Trace and Amber's wedding (I still just love her colors!)

Follow through

After being chastised by my sister last night for "leaving her hanging" here are some of your much anticipated updates on our crazy lives.

First off- the playroom. It has been 99% completed for awhile, I just haven't gotten around to taking a picture so here you go:It still needs a door, the trim on the lighting and as you can see we have a remnant piece of carpet from my father that doesn't quite fit but it is padded and works great for the time being!! The girls LOVE it- they are in there all day everyday and the neighbor kids think it is pretty fun also.

Next the potty training- things have been going smashingly well!!! She hasn't had a single accident since that first day!! She is even telling her nursery leaders at church when she needs to go. She is officially day time trained- wearing her "panties" all day- even on outings and I don't even worry about her. I am so proud. Once again I underestimated my child's ability- she is far smarter and grown up than I gave her credit for. Also- who new that by achieving this goal her personality would explode!! She is so much more interactive, talkative, opinionated and creative than she was just a week ago- love my big grown up girl!!!

Lastly and most sadly I must inform you all that we had a passing away in our house. Many sad faces and tears have been spilt upon the discovery yesterday afternoon that our dear and beloved fishies have moved on to a better place. A place where their mother doesn't kill them after cleaning their bowl!!!You will be missed beloved Goldie, sweet Chocolate, and we could never forget our dear dear Helmet!! You will be remembered fondly for years to come!

And just so you know it took longer than three weeks to kill them, so, technically Paul was wrong!!! Although I am completely stunned they went this quickly!!!