The buzz around here.

The boys got buzzed today.  Generally when the barber (aka Dad) suggests a buzz, I get all defensive and say no and whine and hiss.  Today, I said do it!  Their hair is so thick and sticky-uppy, I decided a buzz was just what we needed.  And somehow even with a bathroom covered in extreme amounts of hair, we feel cleaner.  Even Leo got the buzz.

Other buzz-worthy events include:

Leo got two new molars and more on the way.  If that kid even touches his mouth, he bleeds.  And still he is happy as can be.
Leo has also started to take steps between furniture.  I think the most he has taken is five.  He also stands up in the middle of the room unassisted and then gives a look of extreme pride, like he is the Lion King or something.
Benson has a loose tooth.  Does that mean I am an old mom now?  I think so.
We have added a visit to the local library for story time to our weekly routine.  My kids are so cute there, I want to die.  And they are so extremely social, introducing themselves and their "really cute baby Leo" to everyone.
Griffin is four and no longer accepts the reference "cutie pie."  Apparently once you are four, you are no longer cute.
I am way past due for a cut/color and am finally going in tomorrow.  I am thinking red?  We shall see if I am brave or not.
Today I had several reminders that God does indeed love me and know who I am.  And for that I am grateful.
Benson's kindergarten registration is coming up oh so quickly.  We have been practicing letters and cutting and gluing like mad fools.  Most of the time when I ask him to accomplish a long task (like write all of the letters of the alphabet) he cries and says it is too hard, even though he can do it.  Oh firstborn, you are in for it.
My husband is so cool I can hardly stand it.  How did I ever get so lucky?

What I want to remember about my Griffin right now

I wanted to write down all the cute things I love about my little Griffin at his current age.  It is no secret that age 3 is my all time favorite age, and so I am pretty sad about that year being over for my second boy.  Luckily for me, it has been five days since he turned four and I still like him!  Hopefully that lasts.  Please indulge me in my list about Griffin Bishop.

• He has a hard exterior but a very soft core.  He may put up a tough guy front, but he is a baby inside.
• He is the best brother in the entire world.  He is so much fun and he forgives without question.  He does whatever Benson tells him to do (which works out well since Benson loves to be in charge) and he thinks Leo is the best baby in the world.  He hugs and kisses him all day and tells him how cute he is and how much he loves him.  Plus-Griffin shares.
• He literally almost has a nervous breakdown every time he puts on his seat belt because he is afraid he won't be able to do it and that someone might need to help him.  This same fear exhibits itself when putting on a coat, fearing that mom may zip it for him.  This is not my favorite trait if I am being honest.
• He has recently learned how to take breaths while swimming and is turning into a little fish.  He has started diving for sticks in the pool and jumps off the diving board with ease.
• When eating cereal in the morning, he makes sure to leave nothing in the bowl.  It is pretty common for him to ask for several bowls of cereal and he licks that bowl clean.
• His favorite treat is "wick-o-lish"  aka licorice.  We always let him get his own package of red vines at the movies and he will have them gone before the movie starts.  It is one of those adorable little things about him that I hope I will always remember.
• He loves salad and vegetables and fruit and hamburgers and . . . is in general a very good eater.  He will try most everything!
• He can write his name and knows all letters and most of their sounds.  When using scissors, he doesn't stop until the paper is shredded.  He has a fantastic imagination.
• He starts all sentences with "Hey mom, Es what?"  Es=guess.
• He ends most sentences with RIGHT?!!!?!?!
• Everything is the ___ ever!  This is the best day ever!  This is the best hot chocolate ever!  This is the scariest movie ever!
• He is built just like his dad.  Skinny on bottom-buff on top. :)  Plus, some say they look alike.
• His eyelashes are around 400 feet long.
• His skin is darker than Benson's or Leo's but you can almost always see his veins. 
• Griffin is easy to take places, as long as he is warned what to expect beforehand.  It does no one any favors to have him be surprised.
• He knows a lot of songs and sings non-stop.  
• He has the highest pitched voice ever.  Seriously sounds like he sucks helium balloons.
• We use a common phrase around here, "Griff has deep emotional problems."  Hahahaha, that is code for, Griffin's emotions sit right at the surface.
• He gives the best kisses.  Ever.  And will kiss every time you ask.  Which is a lot.
• He always asks if I will snuggle him before bed.
• "Hey Griffin, shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" is a very common phrase used at this house.
• He still takes a long afternoon nap when I ask him to.  On Sunday he laid down and slept through Sacrament meeting (our church meets at 1).  
• Sometimes he hugs complete strangers.  It's kind of a problem.
• He is very complimentary, "Mom, your hair looks so beautiful.  Mom, your lipstick is pretty.  Mom, I love your pants."  It is so cute.
• He dresses himself and takes care of himself in the bathroom.  It is AWESOME!
• He is a hard worker.  It is rare if he complains when you ask him to do a chore or help around the house.

Griffin, I love you so much!  You bring me so much joy and happiness.  For some reason, I always knew Benson would grow up, but I hoped you would stay little forever.  Thanks for bringing love and giggles into our home.  Thank you for your sweet prayers and sense of humor.  I am so blessed to raise you and am looking forward to what this year will bring.

Party on Wayne!

I still can hardly believe that my little Griff is four.  He has been weighing himself all year and asking if he weighs enough to be four.  How cute is that?  It turns out being 41 inches tall and weighing 33 lbs is enough to be four according to our pediatrician.

This is the first year we did a "friends party" for Griffin.  Keith offered to take our whole family to Chuck E. Cheese (which is saying a lot, because he has NEVER offered that before nor do I think he will again) or to let him choose a "friends party."  He originally chose both (haha) but ultimately decided on having a friend gathering.  We had 8 little people come and play (including Benson and Griffin) and had a great Superhero themed party.

Spiderman visited our house the night before Friday the 13th (my favorite day) and set up an obstacle couse for the party goers.

At the end of the obstacle course were balloons with prizes in them.  The kiddos had to pop them to play the next game.

Spiderman got caught on the window on his way out.  PS, do I not have the prettiest view out my front window?

All the kiddos ready for action (minus a few who were late).  I love Griffin's genuine smile in this picture.  He was SO excited.

And here they are in action!

Griffin made me go with him the first time because he was scared.

Inside their balloons, they found stickers to play our next game. . . pin the web on Spidey.  The kids LOVED this game.

Griffin was adorable times 10 opening his presents.  There were lots of "oh my goshes" and "for goodness sakes" while he ripped open the gifts.

And then he proceeded to hug everyone.

Spiderman aka Mom even made a cake.  It was my first attempt at Fondant and was pretty fun.  Although it tasted like puke.

Check out that huge spider!  I know, I am a rock star.

We played several games that involved popping balloons.  This was how Leo responded to it all.

Griffin's shirt reads "Best brother ever."  There has never been a truer statement.

I love being Griffin's mom and I love that he ripped a whole in his pants at his party. 

A big thanks to my sister Mari who helped so much with the party and took all of the pictures and listened to all of my Nazi orders while we prepped for it.  We also did a bean bag toss and played hot potato.  The prize for every game and their partying gift was red vines, Griffin's favorite treat.  It was such a fun little party.

Things on my mind lately...

Here are some things on my mind as of late . . .
1.  I honestly started to think that my little Leo would never walk, especially since he just passed the 14 month mark without ever taking an unassisted step of his own.  But alas, to prove me wrong, he took a few steps over the weekend.  Perhaps he will walk after all.
2.  Watching Leo push around a small truck whilst making an engine sound is the cutest thing I have ever seen.
3.  I generally like to pretend that I am in control of my children.  I will not even pretend with Leo, that kid owns me.  Oh yeah, and I FINALLY took his bottle away.  I guess he really isn't a baby anymore.
4.  Buying my kids iPod Touches for Christmas was the best and worst thing we have ever done.  Best = apps for keeping the Sabbath day holy (like one that plays church songs with a slideshow that my kids sing along to).  Worst= my children are obsessed.  Even Leo seems a tad perturbed that he didn't get one.
5  My parents are in Hawaii for the next two weeks and keep texting me pictures of paradise...and it's ticking me off.
6.  On Saturday, we did nothing but watch 5 Harry Potter movies and not shower.  I NEVER do this and it was awesome.  And gross at the same time.  We did eventually shower.
7.  FFD (Friday Fun Day) has become the complete highlight of my week and now I feel like all the other days of a week are just a means to an end to get to Friday.
8.  Teaching the Beehives (12-14 year old girls at church) is WAY harder than I thought it would be.  I am seriously struggling with this one.  Suggestions?  I love the girls but am having a hard time connecting with them as I only teach them at church and don't go to weekly activities.
9.  I want another baby, kind of.  Actually most days I think three is great and I should stop now.  I have always said I want lots of kids, but I am realizing more and more that three is a lot.  How do people have six? Mostly the thought of getting pregnant again makes me sick.
10.  My favorite hair blog is www.hdofblog.com.  It has changed my hair life.  For the first time in my life I am going days between washing my hair and it is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
11.  Griffin is turning four on Friday.  Just thinking about it makes me want to cry.  He is oozing with cuteness right now and I am afraid it will go away the day he turns four.
12.  Benson is old.  Some days I think he is ready for kindergarten and other days I think he is not.  Yesterday I looked at his elementary school's website and didn't cry or have a meltdown, so I think I am making progress.

Friday Fun Day almost always includes a playplace in the winter.  This is the boys' reward for enduring all the shopping.

We Playplace "hop" and try to try as many new ones around the valley as possible.  A field trip if you will.  This one had a huge Ronald and he was a big hit.  The boys spent at least 15 minutes playing with him.  This was our last FFD of 2011.

This was the last picture I took in 2011.  We are at a BYU basketball game.  We missed Jimmer.

My favorite almost four-year-old.

Also on Friday Fun Day, we let the kiddos ride the ridiculous rides at the entrance of stores.  The quarter was worth the smile.  Oh yeah, and my kids almost always match.  I know I have a problem.

They now ask if they can ride the "pig" at every store we go to.

There, 12 thoughts and a few pictures to start 2012.  Stay tuned for Griffin's birthday party coverage.

So long, farewell

Just like every year, it seems pretty unbelievable that another year has come and gone.  2011 was a great year and I am hoping 2012 will be too.  We feel so blessed all the time around here (or at least we try to) and love the idea of having a fresh start to a new year.

For the new year, I am attempting to make and keep my blog private.  I am hoping to post at least once a week, even though it seems blogging seems to be dying.  I love doing it (most of the time) and the record it keeps for our family.  We hope you enjoy it too.

And for a recap of 2011, I am going to post some of my favorite photos of the year.

Forcing Benson to eat his dinner, a goal of 2011.  He is doing so good, can't you tell?

I love corn mazes.

Me and my boy on my 29th birthday

The man who keeps me laughing.  Playing at the beach in San Diego.

A very cold Baby Leo at temple square.

I love this baby.

Monkey

Griffin is a now a few days shy of turning 4 and I am completely devastated about it.  2011 has been a great year for this guy.

Benson is the world's best big brother.

Benson on his fifth birthday.  He is my little buddy.

Yay for new friends.  Jordan is my nephew's birthmom and consequently has been adopted as my sister.  I love her.

There are no words for this.  Maybe there are, my husband loves to torment our children.

Cutest child ever perhaps?

Meeting my new nephew Oliver for the first time.

Griffin and Leo have a very very special bond.

My little ones.

Let the chaos begin.

For the first time in seven years of marriage, Keith allowed me to go to a BYU football game with him.

I have loved every second of Baby Leo growing up.

Haha.

This year my children discovered the joy that is food coloring.

Benson played two awesome soccer seasons.

Griffin fell asleep sitting up at the beach after eating a snakpak.

Keith and I each got more attractive.

We did have a rough go with Benson's appendix this year.  Luckily we won the battle.  And Benson wins the saddest face award.

I think I cried for a straight week, but learned so much from this experience.

We need a farm.

Thank you Keith, for always making me laugh.

We rang in the new year doing what we do best... eating an insanely large amount of delicious food, laughing and playing with family.  We even let the older boys stay up until 11:00.  And Keith and I barely made it to midnight, perhaps we are getting too old.  Maybe if I get really brave I will post some goals for 2012 on this thing.  Maybe not.  Happy 2012!