Love Notes

Valentine's Day was a lot of fun this year. I always love the goodies and crafts associated with the holiday. The Valentine boxes were especially fun this year. (Read more about them on my papercrafting blog.) The chocolate and the flowers were wonderful as well, but my favorite thing this year were the LOVE NOTES!

Throughout the day we wrote on little slips of paper: "I love Jack because . . . " and each made one for every family member. We didn't sign them and we collected them in a big jar. (Lily also helped me sort out just the red ones from my big collection of class beads to make the jar more festive--she is such a good helper!)

After dinner we took turns reading a slip from the jar. What a treat it was--and entertaining too-- to hear the nice things that my family loves and appreciates about each other. Here are a few favorites:

"I love Katelyn because she is creative and funny."
"I love Daddy because he loves me in his heart."
"I love Pie because it's good!"
"I love Jack because he's fun to play with."
"I love Julie because she makes all of our holidays so special and is such a great mother & wife."

It was fun to run across a funny one as we took turns reading and really, as a mom, does it get any better than to hear a love note like the last one? It sure made my day. We ended the evening with a 1999 Paul Hobbs Merlot and white chocolate macadamia lollipop cookies. Yum! See more of our loving holiday weekend here . . .

Double Digits

We celebrated Jack's Big One Oh with (of course) breakfast in bed, featuring chocolate chip pancakes and hot cocoa. There were also a few balloons scattered around on his floor and his bed. He had a funny story to tell us about those balloons in the morning. He said that the balloons were VERY attracted to the new fleece blanket he was using and he woke during the night to find balloons attacking him.

We opened presents before John headed for the airport to visit Busha, who is recovering from a stroke. She will celebrate her 91st birthday next month!

That evening three friends joined us for a rockin' birthday sleepover. We made Family Fun's Lava Lamps (recipe here) which contain oil and colored water and do a cool science effect when you sprinkle salt on top. We had a Boston Creme Cake, similar to the favorite donuts Poppy brings us when we are in NY and had pizza. No sleepover would be complete until you've stayed up very late. In fact, I think around here, we are changing the name to playover or some other name that does not contain the word sleep. Anyway, it was a ton of fun to celebrate Jack coming into double digits. He's such a big kid and a great kid too.

An Ordinary Morning

Yesterday was a great morning. A day filled with promise. It was sure to be filled with blessings, just like every day. On this morning, I was struck to just pick up my camera and capture a moment in the blur of a life with kiddos that are growing up so quick.

Jack had gotten up early to finish a writing assignment. Getting the ideas onto paper is not easy for him, but it's so fun to read his thoughts! He was not happy that I had laid out a button up shirt for him to wear (but doesn't he look SO handsome!) PS- the writing piece is called "How to Annoy Your Sister in Five Easy Steps."

Katelyn loves to break up the monotony of bought lunches and make her own sometimes. She decided to ask Jack if he wanted her to make him one too. He agreed, and offered to make their breakfast waffles. (Moments later the love fest was interrupted by a squabble. Sibling harmony is expected, but sibling rivalry is understood.)

Here's our cute girl in a funny hat. You never know what she will appear wearing (although some of the time it's nothing.) Every morning, Lily asks, "Mom, do I have school today?" On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the answer is, "Yes!"

Welcome to the Griffith Spa

Guests of Katelyn's first sleepover were treated to three of Kate's favorite "spa" treatments: a mud mask facial, foot soak and toe and finger nail polish. They also dined at our Spa Cafe, had a huge pillow fight, ice cream cake, made paper fashion outfits and wrote in their own personalized "All About Me" journal books. Kate and I hand made these spiral bound books with some of Katelyn's favorite personality quizzes and silly fill-in stories.

In the morning we had a big blueberry pancake breakfast (another Kate fave) and even fit in another mud mask. It was fun to celebrate with an event that was all about Kate and things she loves. To see more birthday pics, visit our online photo gallery!

What Made 2008 Great

We're traveling to New York to celebrate the holidays and are reflecting on a fun year. If you're seeing our blog for the first time, feel free to browse our events and stories from the last couple of years by looking through the archives listed in the lower left hand column.

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If you've been following our news, take a minute to reminisce and check out some of our top ten things that made 2008 great!
10. Lily Started School
9. We Survived Yellowstone
8. We Were in a Parade
7. Scouting is Awesome
6. Mexico: Fun in the Sun
5. A Wii Made Jack's #9 Feel Fine
4. Going on a Bear Hunt. Are You Afraid?
3. Tennis Anyone?
2. We live in a very fun neighborhood in a great town.
1. Our blessings are numerous and our hearts are full.

We hope your holidays are happy and your new year is filled to overflowing with happy times, good health and a heart full with gratitude.

'Tis the Season

It's officially here! We celebrated with our town on the day after Thanksgiving at the Mayor's annual tree lighting ceremony in old town Parker. It was so beautiful to see all the trees lit up and we even had some snow at the end of the evening to add even more sparkle to the event. That's a picture of Julie and the kids with the mayor. It's fun to live in a place with such a small-town feel.

Very Thankful

We enjoyed a simple, family Thanksgiving, beginning with watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in our pajamas. The kids helped with the cooking and were so excited that Uncle Tom could join us for dinner.

We are pondering many blessings this year, almost too numerous to list, but we thought you might enjoy seeing what the kids are thankful for this year:

Lily

• My School
• Bugs
• My [pretend] Dog Emily
• Green Beans
• My Family

Katelyn

• My Family
• My Spine
• My Grandma Who Passed On
• My Heart
• My Pets
• Food and Water

Jack (wrote a Thanksgiving family letter)

Dear Mom, Dad, Lily and Kate,

You are the best family in the world. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. There are many ways I am thankful for you.

Mom, you are the best mom in the world. I'm thankful for you cooking for me. Also thank you for being nice and for helping me. Mom, you're the best.

Dad, you're the best dad in the universe. I am very thankful for you for playing with me and for working to put food on the table. Also, thank you for helping clean. All in all, you are the best dad in the world.

Lily is the best. I'm thankful for you being nice. Also for giving me hugs. As you can see, Lily is awesome.

Kate is the coolest sister in the world. I'm thankful for you giving me favors, also for sharing. Obviously, she is cool.

You're the best family in the world. I'm so glad to have you. Thank you for being the best.

Your family member,
Jack