04/24/16 Family parties and fun

4/24/16

Holly on the soccer field

 Fun week.  

Sunday we had dinner with gma and gpa.  Cafe Rio pork burritos.  Yummy.  We thought Eldon and Diane were coming but I guess the dates were off and they weren't in town afterall.  

Monday we went to Wendy's place and had a picnic dinner (pizza, salad etc).  Some people swam. Some played pickleball.  We talked and hung out.  Just Ben and Laura, Gma and Gpa, Wendy and family, and Us and Marlee came. Dallas and McK were working so they couldn't make it.  Not sure where B&L's kids were.  Nick and Ann came over late. None of the others came. Wendy's place is a great gathering place.  Plenty of room and the kids are locked inside the gates. 

Dad's got games on Tuesday evening now so the girls did piano lessons and then hung out till I got home.  

Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday we played pickleball again with the McCallisters.  We are really enjoying that and it's a good little workout. We always end up sweaty and tired at the end of the evening!

Friday Dad went to work and Holly went to Riley's.  So me and Katie watched a movie together, Matilda.  Cute movie. 

Goalie Katie

Liz Grover and I are going to perform "His Hands" next Sunday in relief society so we've been practicing a lot.  The song is REALLY HARD to play and to sing. It's got a really low alto beginning and then a really high soprano part.  Liza is struggling with getting that. I'm working at getting all the notes right.  So we've been getting together a lot trying to iron it out!

Saturday morning the girls did their girls camp hikes and I went and did a 5K fun run for Valerie's daughter who needs a Kidney transplant.  Ended up winning a silent auction on a cabin up in Duck Creek so we booked 3 days, 2 nights the day after school gets out in May (the weekends we wanted later in the summer were booked).  So that's kind of fun and different!  The girls and Dad and I will go up.  Haven't talked to anyone else to see if they'll join us although there aren't any more beds...so...??!

I also bought some raffle tickets and won a really nice leather tote bag and $20 to Ahi's -- a restaurant we've never tried.  So that will be fun to try!

Ready for anything!

The girls played soccer and they won!  2-1.  Katie let one goal slip by her but it wasn't a big deal cause they were already ahead.  Last evening our neighborhood had a party and we all went to Harrison's house and had hot dogs and sloppy joes along with whatever everyone bought.  It was well attended and fun.  They have a nice set up with lots of room for everyone and ping pong in the garage. 

And Daryn Taylor  is giving his farewell that day and out of here on my birthday.

It was fun getting the pictures of you last night.  What a cool surprise!  I LOVE that!!!! Thank you!!!

We just had a nice dinner with Ben and Laura, Gma and Gpa, Randy and Kay, Dallas, (McK had to work) and the girls.  Then Nick and Ann came over a little late.  Tay and Kennedy arrived as we were leaving. It was a nice visit.  Got to skype with AJ who is currently in costa rica visiting his roommates family during break.  Cool trip for just the flight price.  Lucky guy!

Our home teacher, Brother Bunnell and his son Lars came over and gave us a lesson on the atonement tonight. One of the things he said is that by living right we are having the atonement work for us.  

Retro photo -- Aj & Bryce on Dallas
I love the personality I can see on their faces
Pure joy and happiness!

Obedience of the heart and soul embraces all of who we are: our behavior and our attitudes, our actions and our desires, our diligence and our love. That kind of willing obedience connects us to Christ in a powerful way and brings His Spirit, love, power, and joy into our lives. A casual, reluctant, surface kind of obedience will not do. The Lord requires of us obedience that is exact, willing, and deep. He wants obedience of the whole heart and soul.

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) beautifully described the difference between reluctant and heart-and-soul obedience this way: “When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.”3

Retro Photo...rub a dub dub, three men in a tub
Dallas, AJ & Bryce

He complimented our family on our willingness to serve and be active in our beliefs.  I am striving to be obedient and I love the joy it brings into my life. 

Chauntel Clark talked in church today and said that she has been dealing with anxiety issues and an older lady at the home she is a CNA at told her that if she will follow the lord with exactness that there is no reason to fear.  That the Lord will guide her and bring her peace and joy and happiness.   She said ever since she said that the anxiety lifted from her and she has felt at peace.  What a blessing!

(Update on Chauntel -- she graduates with her associate degree and high school diploma this month and is a CNA and working at a home.  Pretty cool, huh?!  I never see her anymore -- probably cause she's been at school for the past 2 years!  Haha)

So anyway, hope you are well and we look forward to skyping you soon!!!!  Take care!! xoxo

04/16/16 Pickleball, Pizza and Why I believe

Winning team!

Amazing Race YM/YW

04/16/16

Saturday night -- and it's been a good busy week!  

Dad has been doing TV/videos again so he went and did that this week.  Kinda keeps him super busy and a little stressed as he has to prepare all the content including video highlights and then go tape it and get all pretty for his recording and then he has to patiently wait while the guys produce the show.  And they are always late.  

Probably can't watch this but here is a link to this weeks show: 

 http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2016/04/12/spo-region-9-hardball-show-highlights-quotes-from-week-1-week-2-starts-tonight/#.VxMIgjArKhc

Katie's team

The girls did an activity for YM/YW this week...the amazing race.  They had a lot of fun with it.  Holly's team won and got a key chain.  Dad and I have been playing pickleball while they are at YW each week lately.  That has been a ton of fun.  The McAllister's come too and it's a fun match-up.

Grandpa's having so much fun he's glowing

Thursday night D&McK came over for dinner. Holly went to Tuacahn for a choir performance with the Riley's so it was just Katie and us and D&M.  We had yummy BBQ chicken and it was a nice visit. 

Holly is in donut heaven

Friday the girls had soccer practice and Dad and I went to Brick Oven with Gma and Gpa.  I'm still full from that!  It was yummy!!!  We got the buffet.  Friday night the girls and I went to the Why I believe series at the Tabernacle and listened to Paul Anderson (Loueen's son) talk about Why he believes and his success with the piano guys and how they use prayer in making their decisions in producing their amazing videos.  It was a good spiritual talk. 

Paul talked about some of the challenges they overcame in producing the video How Great thou art in Brazil. They are incredible artists.  Many of their songs are religious and probably mission approved.  Here is a link to the video.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHV6BjuQOZQ

Maybe they ain't pretty but they
sure were yummy!

Dad was at Baseball games  with Dallas while we were there. 

Saturday morning after spin class we went to Gma and Gpas and Gpa fried us some donuts.  (Just like the old days...Great Gpa G owned a bakery in American Fork and Gpa used to fry donuts for the bakery).  It was fun and delicious.  

The girls had soccer and they unfortunately lost 1-0.  Close game. 

She's ready!!!

We played pickleball again and then Dad and Dallas went to Zion Lions game while Holly and I hung out and painted.  Katie is off at a dance right now.  Holy smokes when did she get so old?!  She looked very grown up and beautiful when I sent her off. 

Anyway it's getting late and I've got to go get Katie soon so I'll put together some pictures and send this off soon. 

Holly and the twins at Tuacahn

Holly's all over the field as sweeper.  Katie is
an awesome defender.

Thought of the week: From Anderson's talk.

Katie and Holly working together.

If you learn to align your goals with what your heavenly father wants for you to accomplish you will find they are answered more often. He said he really had to pray and listen and learn what direction Heavenly Father wanted for him and as he did that he was guided and continues to be guided and sees miracles over and over again in his live.  He talked about praying always.  They pray together on the job and individually.  

Stake Dance

When did she grow up!?

So ponder and pray about where you should be going and then let heavenly father help you get there. 

Love you!!! MOM

Making bug stepping stones for the yard

4/14/16 My outdoor paradise

Salsa Garden
Tomatoes, Peppers, Onion and Jalepeno
Also cucumbers, squash, pumpkin
cantelope and strawberries

Side yard

Roses popping in the spring

Beautiful roses

Budding roses in the spring

Strawberry garden

04/10/16 Chase family visit

04/10/16
Just another normal week here at the Griffin home.  

Back row: Katie Griffin, Aspen Chase
Front Row: Sydni & Sam Chase and Holly Griffin (the triplets!)

Tuesday I went and met with a retirement counselor and it looks like I'm on target to retire at aage 56.  (I thought 57 so a little earlier than I thought).  He looked at our 401K and projected pension and he said I'm in a good spot.  He made a couple of suggestions but said really we're doing good. So that was nice. The thing I worry about is medical insurance.  I think we are pretty ok for everything else but that is the wild card. Fun to think about but gotta put it away now for about 9 years!

We played pickleball again this week.  The McAllister's have introduced us to two more couples so we have played a game or two with those other people now.  We saw them on Wednesday night and then again Saturday evening.  For the most part we are pretty good match ups so it's fun. 

Kevin and Becky came to visit with Sydni, Sam and Aspen.  They came Friday afternoon.  The adults went out to lunch and then Dad went to work while the rest of us went to the temple and did baptisms.  It took quite awhile.  We had ice cream at artic circle afterward and then it was already 10 p.m. when we got home!  Katie and Aspen stayed up late making posters cause Katie is trying to get on the student council.  Sydni and Holly stayed up late talking and hanging.  Sam hung out too.  

We had breakfast burritos and hash browns in the a.m. and then they headed home.  Super quick but really fun. 

The girls played soccer on Saturday in the rain.  Yucky!  Me and dad stayed in the car and worked on our lesson and stayed dry.  They didn't seem to mind.  They lost 0-1 so that was a bummer.  Katie was goalie and it slipped past her.  She beat herself up a little but she really did a good job.  Playing in the rain with a slippery ball is hard!

Last night was Hoppie's daughter Sydni's wedding.  It was over at the Dixie Alumni house and it was a nice event.  Seemed very well attended and fun.  They had a nacho bar and dancing. Katie and Holly even got up and danced a little.  

Today Holly is singing in church with Rycann, Jenna and Emma.  (It is our Easter program because on Easter it was fast Sunday).  I will accompany them.  They are singing He sent his son.

Thought of the week: President Uckdorf

The great enemy of charity is pride. Pride is one of the biggest reasons marriages and families struggle. Pride is short-tempered, unkind, and envious. Pride exaggerates its own strength and ignores the virtues of others. Pride is selfish and easily provoked. Pride assumes evil intent where there is none and hides its own weaknesses behind clever excuses. Pride is cynical, pessimistic, angry, and impatient. Indeed, if charity is the pure love of Christ, then pride is the defining characteristic of Satan.

Silly cousins!

Recapturing the moment of proposing!!!!

I have really thought about this quote this week as we have been preparing for our lesson on family unity and loyalty to spouse.  I have studied charity and the pure love of Christ and all attributes of a charitable person.  I have read about pride and that it was destructive.  I don't know that I've ever felt like pride was defined quite as well as it was this week.  He really puts out there in detail all the characteristics of a prideful person.  And I'm sure that when we analyze our own behaviors we can see where we've been guilty of pride and need to work. So take some time to think about Charity and Pride and work on bettering yourself by recognizing your short comings and trying to replace them with charitable behaviors. 

Kevin and Becky Chase, Shelly, McKayla and Dallas Griffin

Love you lots and so thankful for your example to our family. You are amazing and wonderful and I miss you!!!!  Love you!!! mom

Heading to the baptistry!

Grandma and Grandpa Griffin enjoying Artic Circle
treats after the temple

Beautiful St. George Temple

Enjoying treats with the Chase family.

D & McK enjoying Artic Circle treats

04/03/16 General Conference

4/2/16 

Holly, Lauren and Zie painting at Gparents house during priesthood session

I thought I'd try writing on Saturday night since Sunday morning has kinda been rough lately (course it's conference so I might actually have time, but whatever!)  It's quiet here for a minute!!!  (Except Katie won't stop talking, heehee!)

Monday we went to the Sharp's for dinner.  We haven't seen them in a long time because she's getting her master's degree and has been super busy.  And of course we are busy too.  They sold their old place and bought a really nice Salisbury home out in the fields.  We had a nice visit and some delish food.  She made lasagna and ice cream and we had garlic bread.  We hung out and talked and stuff for awhile afterward.  The weather was nasty that night.  Rainy, windy.  Their tramp kept flying across the yard.  Landon went out several times trying to secure the dang thing!

Tuesday night the girls went to camp kickoff at church.  I have officially been released and won't be going to camp with the girls this year. Holly will be fine though since Katie will be there to harass her.  I mean take care of her!  Hopefully they will be sweet to each other. 

Colorful Lady Bug stepping stones

Wednesday I got to go out to lunch with the ladies - Cristy, Marilyn and Carla.  It was fun.  We went to chili's.  It's fun to catch up with them and find out what is going on in their lives. They are such sweet ladies. 

Red lady bugs for gparents yard

After work we met the McAllister's and played pickleball.  They are such a nice and fun couple.  Nancy seems to have endless energy.  Her and dad are really good.  They put up with me and Russell.  

Thursday after work we played some games and then had brats and went to red barn for ice cream after dinner.  Dad's baseball season is just about to really get started so we wanted to have a little fun before he starts leaving us all the time again.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen...yummy cookies made
with a cookie gun by Katie!

This is why she had to stay in the kitchen.
Can't trust her with paint!

Friday was also a night off for dad.  We went to Red Robin for lunch with gma and gpa.  We had a nice visit and enjoyed our voodoo fries (super hot - jalepeno, nacho cheese concoction) and an oreo shake with our burger.  We were going to play pickleball again with the McA's but his mom died unexpectedly at 3 p.m. (we were supposed to meet them at 4 p.m.)  So they texted us at 3:50 and said...not gonna make it!  She was 92, but still hard to lose your momma no matter how old she is!  So we played singles.  Makes us run around more!  

Daddy daughter knowing look
Looks like they are up to something...

The girls had soccer practice late at 6:30 p.m. so dad and I went for a motorcycle ride for the hour they were in practice.  It's the first time I've been on the bike since the accident but only because we've been busy or the weather has been bad.  Another stupid person tried to pull out in front of us again.  What the heck?!  How can people not see us?!!!!  We aren't small!!!!  Oh well.  It's fun to ride but you have to be super aware around these parts.

Today we've spent the day doing Saturday chores and conference.  Great conference so far. This evening we went over to gma and gpas us girls and the twins and painted stepping stones and statues for the yard while the boy folk watched conference.  Dad had to work so he couldn't go to priesthood tonight. Katie made cookies.  We had a nice relaxed evening hanging out.  I watched a little of the conference (Gpa and Randy watched in the house - Randy recently had surgery and wasn't up to going to the church).  

Katie playing goalie.  They won 0-1.
No goals scored on her today!

Anyway it's been a good week and spring is in the air.  80 degree weather is in our future.  And sunshine.  Love it!

This is an excerpt from one of the conference talks I enjoyed:

 Sister Mary R. Durham, second counselor in the Primary General Presidency, instructed parents on how to help their children listen to the Spirit of God, or the Holy Ghost. “Feeling and recognizing the Spirit will bring spiritual capacity into our children’s lives, and the voice they come to know will become clearer and clearer to them,” she said.

Holly playing sweeper.

I thought it was interesting how she compared listening and feeling the spirit like learning a second language and that total immersion was the best/fastest way to learn to recognize the spirit.  We should strive to make our homes to always have the spirit. What a great message. 

I hope you have a wonderful week!  Love you lots!!! Mom