Griffin Time!

Our trip to the homeland offered loads of good times -- enjoying this beautiful Utah summer and the people we love and just can't get enough of.

Isaac and Brady enjoying S'more night

Henry's ridiculously huge jumbo-marshmallow-s'more

It was quite the task trying to eat it (and entertainment for the rest of us)

Luckily, he ended up with a mustache to match Grandpa Dave's.

Ellis almost rivaled the messiness.

And Milo . . . well, just watch out for Milo.

McCall is expecting Baby #1, so we made sure to give her lots of practice with babies.

I'm so excited to see Brady and McCall as parents. They are going to be the best!

Relaxing and watching the energetic ones play soccer

The pond is high this year with all the spring rain they got in Utah. I don't think I'll ever get over how much I love my parents' backyard and the view.

Isn't it a stunning place?

We decided our boys were long overdue for their first visit to Temple Square. This is where Ben and I were married, at the Salt Lake Temple. We discovered that Temple Square has changed a lot since we were last there, and it is a fabulous place for anyone to visit -- definitely the top tourist attraction in the Salt Lake area. We actually spent only half a day there, but felt like we could have spent another day or two!

Random "Vocal Point" sighting took us back to the good old days at BYU.

And, of course, Ellis loved our tour of the Conference Center. He got to see where the Tabernacle Choir sits, and we talked a lot about where the different general authorities would sit during Conference. I actually think it was a tiny bit of a letdown for Ellis, because as you can see, the regular G.A. seats are missing because they can change the set for an orchestra or theatrical stage or whatever they need for a given event. So the real President Monson spot wasn't there -- and worse -- the podium and "mikerphone" were missing! I guess they keep President Hinckley's famous "walnut tree" podium on an elevator shaft and they lower it underground when not in use. When we were walking into the Conference Center for our tour, Ellis was asking "Who's gonna conduct?" and I unfortunately had to break it to him that we weren't actually going to watch Conference. Still, I think he enjoyed the tour overall (an interesting thing to do, for sure), and then he was thrilled when we got to go to the Church History Museum and look at the portraits of all the Latter-day Prophets.

My dad recently started his really cool new job at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (he's working on the Family Search project).

We had lunch with Grandpa outside his building (check out my mom and Kati adoring cute baby Max - 2 1/2 months younger than Sam and definitely heavier!)

Touring Grandpa's office and enjoying his view (talk about taking a little break for inspiration!)

Lava Hot Springs - time with my dad's family and the two Ellises.

The boys posing like Grandpa Griffin!

Grandpa (Ellis) and Grandma Griffin - I love these people! We had such a good time visiting with them and many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins at their yearly traditional vacation spot. I have so many fond memories of this place! I wish I had taken more pictures there (especially of Ben jumping off the high dive with Brady!).

Here are my little book-worms in the car on the way to Lava. I have to give them credit for being GREAT little travelers. I think it's so cute to see them sharing a book -- they're reading Ellis' favorite presidents book. Luckily, Henry is interested in everything, so he's happy to enjoy a book with Ellis every once in a while.

Bear Lake with the Iversons

We just got back from our big summer trip to Utah. We got to go to Bear Lake with Ben's family for their bi-annual reunion -- and almost all of us were there (we missed you, Paul and Brooke!). Let me tell you, the Iversons sure know how to throw a party!

New babies - Sam and Michael are 2 months apart, but they're wearing the same size! By coincidence, they ended up wearing identical outfits 3 times!

Ellis was spoiled with his own king size bed. Look how he chose to use the extra space.

Minute to Win It - we were the yellow team.

You would think that between Ben, me, and our gene pool, we would be able to conjure up enough physical skill and coordination to get at least 4th place (out of 5). Well, you'd be wrong!

We had fun anyway.

Woo hoo! Waterskiing on scenic Bear Lake!

Is that David Hasselhoff, by chance?

And wave running!

Henry's first time tubing. He was fearless!

At many moments 90% of the children were mesmerized by the TV. I loved how all of them got into Just Dance, even when it wasn't their turn.

Highland Games! Dan braved the kilt and showed off his AMAZING Scottish accent for this fun activity and tribute to Mom & Dad Iverson's mission.

We thought it was appropriate that this purple thistle (Scotland's official flower for significant reasons) was growing on the grounds of our Highland Games.

Wow! Who is that lady with the impressive Caber Toss skills?

These darling girls (mostly Sierra) offered to hold Sam about 4,000 times over the course of the week. He loved it!

Check out the three babies born this year: Samuel, Michael, and Sadie. This is why we appreciated Sierra so much. There was a lot of baby-holding involved with these three around.

Here's the whole group! I feel so lucky to have been adopted into this family!

July 4th on Cape Ann

So. We think we found the loveliest place to spend the 4th of July weekend.

We went up to Gloucester (say "Glosta"), MA after church on Sunday. We were delighted to have the Cooks join us for the fireworks (which almost got rained out, but the show went on and we made it just in time), and then to stay overnight at a little oceanside inn that night. The kids had a lot of fun running around the balcony and eating treats!

Then, for the 4th, we did a little touring of Cape Ann. We have felt surprisingly homesick on July 4ths of past years, so this year we decided to try something completely different that still felt patriotic. What could be more patriotic than taking full advantage of the beautiful country we live in?

Eastern Point lighthouse in Gloucester (the boys lugging their rocks to throw in the water)

Family picture by Jamie

Jamie and Bryson (I was impressed with their whole family's adorable red, white, and blue ensembles)

Actually, I was the only member of my family not wearing the patriotic trio of colors (my "nursing body" wardrobe is still pretty limited)

Just try to call that scene non-patriotic.

Rockport, MA (sigh). A place that just brims over with beauty. Seriously. Everything about this place was charming and delightful.

This red building is the oft-photographed "Motif #1."

Lovely small beaches here and there. We weren't equipped for a beach day, but it made for a nice dipping of the toes after being out in the heat all day.

Wandering around Bear Skin Neck. This place is a perfect balance of little shops, ice cream and lemonade suppliers, and little alleyways that provided glimpses of gorgeous ocean/sailboat views.

A very conscientious mother allowed her son to eat an "elephant ear" for lunch (basically just pie crust and cinnamon sugar). It was really yummy. And my camera had a big smudge on it.

Reward at the end of the street for the reluctant shopper set.

This seagull posed for us, so I snapped a picture (notice his lunch of fresh lobster. jealous?).

This very nutritious boy topped off his lunch with a patriotic cupcake.

And a blueberry Gatorade. (patriotic tongues - almost competing with Jamie's cute outfits)

The quarry (filled with water) at Halibut Point State Park (see the tower in the background? We wanted to climb to the top for an ocean view, but we were too late).

The boys heroically scaled the slippery rocks to get to where they could throw their little rocks in the ocean (as promised earlier by Mom & Dad).

Posing with Mom so everyone can see how cute Sammy looked in his Red Sox hat and little kangaroo pouch all day. People wanted to talk to him everywhere we went! He loves this position, because he can not only suck on his fingers, but his toes as well (his toes looked like raisins by the end of the day).

And don't miss Henry's new classic - the flamingo pose!

We haven't made any promises, but on the way home, Ben and I couldn't help but make plans for how to make this an even more perfect 4th of July trip for next year. It seems like it would be a perfect tradition, especially if we could have stayed in Rockport for the parade that night.

Would anyone care to join us? If so, reserve your spot now!

A Really Cool Story (with lots of exclamation points)!!!

One amazing Saturday morning, two adorable little boys woke up to find a secret note on their fridge.

They ripped open the note and started on a treasure hunt!

Upon reading each note, they did their morning chores at Lightning speed, racing to find the next note!

The final note instructed them to "eat losers for breakfast." I . . . am . . . SPEED. They raced downstairs and found CARS 2 CEREAL IN THE CUPBOARD! Inside the box were three tickets to the movie Henry has been waiting YEARS to see! Cars 2! It was amazing. They got to go to the movie theater with the coolest dad ever!!!

And their mom got to go swimsuit shopping with only one baby.

And they all lived happily ever after.

THE END.

Joy School Graduation

Ah, Joy School.

The very thought of it, to be honest, just makes me feel very very tired. It's kind of wearing on a mom to plan and carry out 3+ hours of "joy" for six 5-year-olds, three days in a row. I really am feeling slightly lethargic sitting here recalling the late nights of cutting out pictures, making shapes on the floor with masking tape, cutting drinking straws and toothpicks into 1/2-inch segments, and practicing the actions for silly little songs. And then after the late nights, the long days of one joyful activity after another with six little ones each trying to talk louder than the others. And then, when they all go home and you're ready for your nap, you still have to be a mom for the rest of the day (and plan for tomorrow!).

Was it worth it?

To see how much Henry (and Ellis) thoroughly LOVED Joy School, I would have to answer with a resounding "definitely."

Henry never once complained about going to Joy School, and he never asked to stay home (which is saying something because he complains about going ANYWHERE else). I think he loved his friends and his teachers; he loved being in nurturing homes and learning fun and meaningful things.

Ellis loved being an honorary Joy School student every time it was at our house. He loved sitting on his special circle mat and singing the songs with all of the other kids. They all treated Ellis like he belonged at Joy School, which made him feel special.

The picture above is of Henry and Ellis singing their favorite Joy School song (Willie Winkie Went a Walkin') at the graduation ceremony.

Here is Henry with his diploma and report card! Never again will he be able to get good grades for learning about sharing, honesty, and trying new things!

Here is the joyful bunch!

And the silly pirate version . . .

Family photo time!

I will say that (despite my grumpiness at the top of this post) I really loved Joy School too and feel like it was the perfect thing for us. Once everything was prepared and the teaching was actually in motion, it was so much fun to see the kids in learning mode, be part of the action, and sort of act the part of the Super Mom who actually plans fun activities to do with her kids. I will miss lots of things about Joy School as my little boy enters Kindergarten next year. More on that later . . . (trying not to think about it just yet!).

4 Month Sammy

Doesn't this just look like the kind of guy you want to be friends with?

He's 4 months old

He's adorable

He's irresistibly kissable

He's content and happy most of the time

He's starting to laugh (the cutest, tiniest little sighs of laughs)

He makes friends everywhere he goes

He's making me want to rethink the phrase "I'm not a baby person."

Did I mention that I really really love him?