My Little Nephew

On December 9th 2010 I became an Aunt....again!
He looks just like his sister and brother, especially his brother Ryken! My kids were so excited to go and see him in the hospital. It was fun to be there seeing them go through what we just experienced a couple months earlier. I was sad that they had some of the same complications we had with Griffin, and an extra one, but they had a beautiful baby boy at the end of the day! They hadn't picked a name when we saw him, but they had a few options. All the way home my kids talked about how they hoped that Steve and Clerissa would pick the name Zachary (I admit,I liked that one best too.) His name was decided just before they left the hospital! Zachary Steven Lewis is my beautiful nephew. It is so fun that Griffin has a buddy just 2 months younger than him. They are going to love growing up together!

Griffin's Blessing

Griffin Michael Ward was blessed on December 5, 2010! It was a beautiful day! I am so very grateful for the priesthood. It is such an amazing blessing. It was absolutely wonderful to see my brother Jeff in the circle that day! I know the priesthood is the power of God and I am glad to see him respecting that and living worthy of that sacred responsibility. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost and the blessing it is in my life. I know the Holy Ghost is real!
That day made me thankful once again to live in Utah with all my family and Doug's family, which is my family too! We were surrounded by people we love and that was wonderful! Thank you to my family for always being there, I love you all!

The Many Interesting Habits of Baby Griffin

Griffin has got some funny habits. From the second he was born he liked to pucker up his lips quite frequently, watch out ladies! He also loves to have his hands up by his face almost all the time. They have to be over his head or resting on his cheek, I love it. I have already written about the ways his little leg will just start shaking, which is completely hilarious! Recently he has developed the lip curl which you can kind of see in the picture above. Sometimes he really curls his upper lip and I can't help but laugh and think, "Hello Elvis!" He is only 5 weeks old, I wonder what he will come up with next!

Mr Handsome!

The other day Brayden got ready for school and came in so excited.
"Mom, how do I look?" he asks. I told him he looked very handsome.
"That's what I thought," he says. "All the kids are going to think I look so awesome. They are all going to stare at me with their mouths open when I walk into the school, I just know it."
It was so cute how excited he was to wear this shirt and how dramatic he looked thinking of how everyone was sure to think he was so handsome.
After school I asked him how his day went.
"They all loved me in this shirt mom, but I hate the rain, because I had to wear my coat outside, so not everyone could see how great I looked."
He then went on to say how wonderful it was that Ella was in his class so that at least she got to see him in his fantastic shirt.
I seriously love being Brayden's mom!

Can I hold baby Griffin?

The question of every day for the last month has been "Can I hold baby Griffin?" As soon as they wake up it's, "Can I hold baby Griffin?" As soon as the kids get home from school it's again, "Can I hold baby Griffin?" It's fantastic that they love him so much. The next step is to get them not to fight over who gets to hold him. They are so funny. The second Griffin makes a peep they are all right by his side. A couple of times I have come in to see them all around his bassinet singing "I Am A Child of God." Brayden and Landon have each made up "Griffin songs." Brayden prays every night for the family to be safe, but for baby Griffin to be extra safe. I can't imagine life without my sweet little Griffin. I can't wait to see what he winds up looking like. Actually, I can wait, since I don't want him to grow up anytime soon. Cuddling with him is my favorite thing. Doug is just as bad as the kids, he can't get enough of him either. Aren't babies wonderful?

Halloween 2010

Let's just start with the newest member of our family. Cutest darn football I've ever seen.

Next we have the crazy Mad Hatter. He loved his costume and the fact that he didn't see anyone else dressed like the Mad Hatter. Can you believe I found that jacket at the D.I. for $5.00! Yeah baby!

It's a Gavin...er a Mario. Bless Gavin for choosing a costume that was 100% store bought. Although, his mustache fell off into his hot chocolate at the Hampton's house, so I did paint one on for the second half of Halloween night.


Rock on!!!! I had to post both the school picture and the Halloween picture because they were so different. They wouldn't let the kids color their hair or do face paint this year in addition to the no mask rule. She had fun anyway and was very happy with her costume! Plus she got to go trick or treat with her friends and had a great time!!!



And finally the crazy parents of these crazy kids. Yes, we always dress up too. This year what made our costumes great was our prop....er...uh...son! Faith originally suggested that I be a cheerleader when I told her Doug would be a football player and Griffin would be the football. Maybe if I hadn't just had my 5th child 3 weeks ago.....maybe!
I hope you all had as much fun as we did!

Thumper

Griffin has this funny little "habit". Every now and then his right leg will start shaking. It is the cutest thing and so funny. I decided that his nickname will be Thumper. Ironically my nickname in high school from my soccer team was "Thumper" thanks to a little pre-game dance I used to do. I had totally forgotten about it until I nicknamed my son the same thing.