Letter to Griffin's on their mission in NJ

10/6/2003

Hello!  Sounds like your missions is going well so far.  They are keeping you very busy and you are getting to know the joy of NJ roadways.  I’m sure you are becoming all too familiar with toll roads too.  I hate those.  As a teenager I used to take all the back roads to avoid the tolls since I didn’t have any money!

Things are still hectic here but it seems like they aren't as bad as they were.  AJ's football has settled down to just 2 or 3 nights a week and it seems like his coach is not keeping him as long when they practice either so it's been much better.  They've won every game so far.  So has Dallas' team.  Pretty lucky to be on good teams this year.  

We took the cub scouts to Home Depot Saturday and made fire trucks for safety week.  It was a really good turn out.  All my boys came and they all had a parent.  Good thing because they were rather difficult projects and would have taken forever with just 1 adult and 8 kids!  We were there almost exactly an hour.  This week is pack meeting and then next week we took off for U.E.A. so I don't have to do another meeting until October 23.  Lucky me!!!

Our 15 year Anniversary was Saturday so after the Home Depot trip Andy and I went to the Claim Jumper Steak house - never ate there before.  It advertised real Texas BBQ - it didn't deliver so we won't be going back but it was decent food.  I know Andy told you we saw the whole Bahr clan after we ate.  Connie wanted you to have her email address so you could start writing to them.  It is: alconbahr@hotmail.com   Afterward we went to Staples and got new cordless phones for the house (our old one has been spastic lately and we had $80 in gift certificates there from our Discover Card) so it was basically free.  Then we walked to the Coldstone Creamery and got an ice cream to share.  We were probably gone 3 hours but it sure was nice!!!  Haven't been able to talk to Andy uninterrupted for what seems like months now!   We had hoped to go on a cruise or something really cool for our 15 year anniversary but being pregnant kind of put the kibosh on that!  Maybe 20...

Sunday we watched conference all day and after it was over took the kids to Red Cliffs and did a short hike.   Took about an hour.  Katie is such a little stud - she walked the whole way.  In fact all the way in she let us hold her hand and just walked with us...on the way back we had to pretty much chase after her - she was on high speed ahead.  Most of the path is pretty safe but there were a few edges that made me nervous.  She didn't want help though!  

Andy has his appointment with Dr. Fawson on Wed at 2 p.m. and I go in for my checkup Thurs at 8 a.m.  Lucky us (I hate Dr visits!!!!)  At least mine is the first of the day and I’m usually able to be in and out in 15 - 30 minutes tops.  Usually not much wait since there is no one ahead of me. Course going at that time means Andy doesn’t come with me but I think it’s worth the trade off.

Jared’s wedding is Saturday afternoon.  I hope that is a nice outing for us.  We haven’t gone anywhere for quite awhile - between Andy working and kids being hard in the car sometimes.

Well I know we’ve already told you lots of this but a letter now and again is nice too.  Take care of yourselves and let us know if you need anything.  We’re proud of you!  Keep up the good work.  Love Andy and Shelly

When I was Little, By Dallas Griffin 2003

Guessing on date, but about 2003 probably is accurate

Dallas published a book with pictures.  It is so cute!  Here is the text.

When I was Little…

By Dallas Griffin

Dedicated to my dad, Andy Griffin

When I was little I cried all the time,

Now I never cry.

When I was little I loved to hear my mom read stories to me,

I still do.

When I was little I used to spill snacks,

Now I eat them.

When I was little I used to put lipstick all over the counter,

Now I clean up.

When I was little I used to climb in my brother’s bed, drink his bottle, and fall asleep,

Now I climb in my own top bunk to sleep.

When I was little I used to play with tools,

Now I use them to fix my bike.

When I was little I was as big as my puzzle,

Now I’m bigger than my puzzle!

When I was little I used to bite every donut,

Now I eat just one.

When I was little I liked to get my hair cut,

Now I don’t like it.

When I was little I liked to relax and read the paper,

Now I like to relax and read the comics.

When I was little I liked to lick the beaters,

Now I like to lick the beaters AND the bowl!

When I was little I used to be nice,

Now I’m mean sometimes.

When I was little I could not go to school,

Now I do.

When I was little mom used to dress us up for family pictures,

She still does.