10/26/14 Busy girls and Lazy man iron man challenge begins

10/26/2014

Preparing for the Halloween Party
McKayla, Dallas, Holly, Katie

Another busy week here at the Griffin household.  The girls had Girl Scouts on Monday and our Cadettes made a movie that was kind of cheesy and stupid but they loved doing it and it was fun.  Silly girls!  

Monday's we've been going and doing interviews with dad everyweek and then eating "out" for our pizza somewhere or bringing it back home.  This past week we went to pizza hut (everytime the service is slow, the place is dirty...but the food is SO GOOD we just keep going back!)  We also played pickleball afterward with Katie and Holly.  

Tuesday the girls had piano lessons and then Katie had YW.  Holly and Dad went to a Volleyball game.  Holly is really growing up and starting to really blossom.  She is sounding so good on the piano and actually practicing without too much fight.  She goes and hangs out with Dad at games and seems to enjoy it.  She doesn't have stinky feet anymore because she bathes every day.  It's nice!

Wednesday we started volleyball.  So the girls have practice from 4:30 - 5:30 and 5:30 - 6:30 so our whole afternoon is wiped out with that.  I have piano at 4:30 - 5 or 5:30 ish.  The way they do practice for volleyball I am the coach but they don't use me at the practices usually.  

Thursday we ate dinner and went and played pickleball again.  The courts in town across from rec center had lights that weren't working when they should have.  So we got there and the place was packed.  But the lights didn't come on for about 1/2 hour and it was really hard to see.  So it cleared out nicely. The lights came on and we were able to play for quite awhile.  It was fun.

Friday dad had football games out in Hurricane and me and the girls went to the dollar store to prepare for Holly's class party.  We are doing a Halloween party next Friday with games and treats and stuff.  Should be fun.  

Saturday we had volleyball from 9-12:30 and then at 1 - 3 the girls had a birthday party for Emma Dickey at Laser Mania.  So we went and played pickle ball during the day.  HOT!  Still over 80 here and it was pretty warm playing!   They had a ward party chili cookoff 5-7 last night.  That was pretty fun.  Dad won for how many beans in the jar - bean guessing game AND the hottest chili.  So he got 2 big gourmet flavored popcorn bags as prizes.  Score!  Holly also scored one by being a dirty beggar...(She's like, I'll help you clean up by taking this popcorn off the table for you...sigh!) It worked!

Sad side note...Deloyd Bithell passed away Monday.  I guess he and his family went out deer hunting over the weekend and he had a massive heart attach and died. I just saw him last Thursday and he looked good and seemed fine.  Also he had major health issues many years ago (like 10 ish) and honestly expected him to die back then but he was like the energizer bunny...just kept ticking.  Till now.  He was 72.  Good guy.  I'll miss him.

Today we are on our own for dinner -- Grandma and pa are going to Wendy's house I think.  So we'll have a quiet evening at home tonight.

Dallas and McKayla seem pretty tight.  They aren't gross like he was before.  They don't hang on each other etc.  She is very sweet and helpful and nice.  I've never heard them even argue or fuss at each other. She wants to get married in the temple so hopefully they are behaving when they aren't here. He has been working hard at work and says he is in line for getting full time there and in some type of management position.  He went in and took some video classes Thursday on his day off to prepare.  I don't know how he's doing in school.  He says it is really hard and he doesn't like it...so...? I guess we'll find out in 6 weeks if he passed or not.

Marcus challenged the family to read the Book of Mormon from start to finish by Christmas (60 day challenge, started yesterday).  I told the girls about it and neither want to do that but they did say they will try to read every day (we were doing good for awhile but lately not so good).  I am going to try but I'm not sure I can do it.  Every time I pick up anything to read lately I fall asleep.  Seriously.  I haven't even been able to read my books that I usually buzz through.

I think the reason is all the pickleball and extra physical activity.  (AJ challenged me to a 30 day lazy iron man competition.  So I've been trying to get 2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles biking and 26 miles running in this month).  I've done 16 laps -- I can't remember how many I need; 45 miles biking and like 4 miles running.  I'm about 1/2 way through that 30 day challenge!)  If I'm really going to do it I probably need to NOT do my usual classes this week and run or swim instead.  And still do spin. I'm right on track to complete the bike section on time.  He gets a t-shirt from BYU if he completes.  He is doing well in the running section but not swimming or biking.

Well I think I've told you more than enough, huh?!

I hope you are doing great.  Your letters sound like you are really getting involved and enjoying things.  That is great!  

I finally got your package sent off Friday so it should be there Monday or Tuesday for you.  I'm so glad you are close so we can send you things.  It's kind of fun.  I have just set up a spot where I put a usps box and throw stuff in it that I think you'd enjoy.

Love you so much and so proud of you.  You are an inspiration to me.  I feel so blessed to call you my son.  

XOXO mom

10/19/14 Primary program, Pickleball & Zion

10/19/2014

Pretty nice week here.

Made it through the Primary program without embarrassing myself or the family, haha.  Seriously, it went really well.  Big sigh of relief.  I really felt like I had worked hard and prayed hard and between me and help from above we made it!  

I had off Monday for Columbus Day but the kids had school.  Got to spend some time on the yard and cleaning the house and stuff all by myself.  Dad went to basketball and we went to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa and Eldon and Diane around 1 p.m.  We went and did an interview with a pine view kid and had pizza Monday night.  We actually had to interview him 2x because there was a short in our microphone and every time dad put the mic to him it would mute.  So we went BEFORE and AFTER practice!  

Tuesday Katie went to Meet the Mormons.  She said the part about the missionary would probably make me cry if I went to see it.  (She's like, are you over Bryce leaving yet?!  Cause if you aren't you probably shouldn't go see this yet!)  Did you cry?!

Dad had a meeting at work with his bosses Tuesday and they want to change up how things are done. They don't feel like they are getting the hits on sports that they'd like and want dad to pull back on his coverage of h.s. sports and pickup a variety of this that and the other things. Not sure where things will go with that.  Dad loves h.s. sports and doesn't love marathon's etc so we'll see what happens.  I told him to decide what HE wants because financially we'll be ok with or without stgnews.  

Wednesday Maddie Dickie entered the MTC.  I guess Aaron was such a pill they didn't even really cry when they dropped her off.  He wouldn't hug her and was being a typical 3 year old tantrum thrower.  

The games were on Wednesday this week so Dad went to Katie and I took kids swimming Wednesday night.  We also played outdoor volleyball and stuff.  It was kinda fun.  

Thursday and Friday the girls were off. I went to work but on Thursday evening we got our anniversary gift in the mail (we got pickleball set for our anniversary -- 4 paddles, 4 balls).  So we went and tried it out.  The girls played each other and we played each other.  Then we played together.  It was pretty fun. We played out at Greensprings.  

Friday I took off work and we called Gma and Gpa and invited them to go to Zion for a hike with us.  We only have them less than 1 hour notice...but they accepted and we had a nice day together.  Zion was SO crowded.  The folks go all the time for elderhostel and they said they had never seen it so crowded!  WOW!  We got there and took the shuttle to the farthest stop on the shuttle route and did a 2 mile round trip hike. It is the hike that leads to the narrows.  We left at 11 a.m. from our house and were gone until 6 p.m.  It took us until almost 2 p.m. to even get to our hike!  We took lots of pictures and everyone was pleasant and nice. Grandma made the whole hike but I was worried about her!  She is a real trooper!  Never complained or fussed, just kept going!  Afterward we went to lunch at 5 p.m.  (We were thinking we'd be done our hike by 2 and never ate!)  Everyone was pretty ready to eat!  We went to Sonny Boy's BBQ in Hurricane. It was delicious!

Grandma and Grandpa still went and worked in the temple all night after that!

Saturday we had a nice lazy day -- housework, laundry etc.  I took the girls swimming while Dad went to state soccer playoffs. We went to Dickie's pool and it was not heated and it was dang cold.  Like polar bear swim cold.  We didn't stay long!

We got some pots at the DI for plants and painted them too.  They came out pretty cute.

Saturday evening we went and played pickleball again for like 1 1/2 hours.  I think we are going to try to do that 1 or 2 nights a week.  

Next week the girls start volleyball.  Goes for 5 weeks every Wednesday and Saturday.  I'm the team "coach" for both their teams -- the person that arranges the treats and sits with them during the games. They acutally have someone that runs all the practices.  Should be fun!

I think that about sums up this week.  BYU lost.  They have a ton of hurt players.  So, bummer.

I hope you are doing well there.  We love the pictures Nakita shares.  Tell her thank you.  Sounds like her sister is ok after getting hit by the car last week.  True?

Still working on your box.  Planning to get it to you by Halloween so if you think of anything else you need let me know.

Love you lots!  mom

10/04/14 Flu shots, interviews and piano lessons

10/4/2014

This week has been a good one.  Monday we got flu shots (fun?!).  After work dad had to interview a Desert Hills player so we all went together and I filmed while the girls hung out.  Afterward we went and tried a new restaurant Rigatti's Pizza.  Turns out it is just like little caesar's and not really a restaurant at all. So we took our pizza to the st george park and ate on a picnic table. The weather was great but we didn't have napkins or drinks so it was a wee bit uncomfortable! Oh well, the girls prefer to wipe their hands on their pants anyway so no harm no foul, right?!  

Afterward we went to costco.  Dad started feeling sick and was kind icky.  He thinks it was from the flu shot.  And he was better the next day so probably so.

Tuesday Katie got to go to a swim party for young women's.  I worked until 8:30.  An interesting trial involving our old neighbor's kid (randall's son David).  He lost but the trial lasted 1 1/2 hours.  Attorneys!!!!  At least it was entertaining and I got tons of work done and off early on Friday!!!

Wednesday I had piano lessons again (I'm loving it!) and we did yard work as a family.  The yard looks great.  The girls worked hard! Thanks to Dallas for mowing. We also had a book fair and hot dog/water and chips for dinner.  It was packed with people.  But we got a couple of good books.  Found some new authors I love so I'm enjoying reading with/to the girls again.  Holly has started reading a lot more because she found a series she loves.

Thursday Katie had volleyball.  They lost but the games were super close.  One of her teammates got injured on the play before the last play of the last game.  So bummer there.  I think she turned her ankle or something.

Friday Katie and Dad went and watched Pine View win against Cedar.  Holly and I went out to Sheron's house at Coral Canyon (the older lady).  We helped her with some computer questions she had. She is writing her life story.  Then Holly and I swam at her clubhouse.  Sheron left after awhile and we were the only ones left at the pool. The pool attendant came and asked us where our parent was.  I told him I was the parent.  Haha. Love that!

Dad and I are planning an overnight at Bryce Canyon tonight to celebrate our 26th anniversary.  Should be fun except poor dad had to work until 4:30 last night and has to be up at 10 a.m. to cover the marathon.  He is gonna be tired. Grandma and Grandpa will be up there for an elderhostel so we should get to see them tonight too.  They are on a 10 day trip right now.

I hope this email finds you well and happy.  The kids have been singing am I a muppet or a man -- said it had some funny meaning with you involved.  I don't remember what happended before you left but they sure enjoy singing that one and thinking of you!

Do you need anything? Is it cold and rainy up there yet -- how's the weather? Biking in the rain would be icky. Do you have to do that much? Do you have rain jackets?

Do you go to meeting house for conference or does everybody listen online or how does that work out there? I'm excited to turn in on and clean the garage in a little while.  I listen better if I am doing something -- not as likely to doze off!  

Love you!!!!  Can't wait to hear from you.  Love mom!