The Justin and Melanie Griffin Family

Halloween

2011-11-02T18:10:00.001-07:00

I LOVE Halloween! I am a firm believer that everyone should be scary! So you can imagine my excitement when Jaya gave me one more year of fear and wanted to be a vampire queen! I dread the year girlie choices win her heart. I just don't know if I can tag along with a princess to trick or treat. Cohen was her vampire king who HATED his cape! His feelings about it changed in the evening when he realized the reward of wearing it and using three simple words at peoples doorsteps.

And the night ended just as it should...perfect.

"Back" to School

2011-08-25T18:34:00.001-07:00

It's back to school again and Jaya is going to kindergarten!

Jaya's teacher is Mrs. Mueller and we are ready for a great year!

Kindergarten is exhausting!

Sunburn

2011-07-05T19:41:00.001-07:00

I guess I didn't rub in the sunscreen very well for Cohen.

He is being very tough about it.

Summer!

2011-06-12T10:14:00.001-07:00

Summer is here! We are loving it already! Due to snow make-up days our last day of school was Saturday!

Liesel decorated her classroom in red white and blue and served pancakes for breakfast.

Jaya and I helped decorate and eat a couple pancakes too. It was a dirty job but somebody had to do it.

Saturday night we went to Jackson Noftle's bike-a-thon/walk-a-thon to raise money for research about his disease Histiocytosis you can read about on his mom's blog here. We had a great time walking and talking. After we walked we ate dinner and watched my dad in the dunk tank.

What a great sport! He went in quite a few times! There were a lot of accurate throwing arms out.

Including a very cute granddaughter with a great arm like her mother!

They also got the Mayer, Jackson himself, the football coach from Connell, and one of Connell's greatest players who was responsible for a lot of football heartache around this town, Wiley Allred, Royal's coach, to take a turn. Great sports, all of them.

Here's Jackson taking his turn. This was the face he made when his dad moved his little cousin about three feet from the target.

This is Connell's coach.

Jaya's Five!

2011-04-05T21:54:00.001-07:00

Our precious little Jaya turned 5 on Sunday. We can't believe it! The last five years have been so wonderful! Time flies when you're having fun.

We celebrated with lots of Jaya's great friends at the bounce house Saturday night. We were so glad so many kids came and had a great time.

Well some of these pictures aren't the greatest but they can't all be winners can they...

Life after Christmas

2011-01-22T09:43:00.001-08:00

Jaya tried ice skating. She got to use this great glider to stay up! Where were those when we were kids?

Cohen is a really picky eater but lately has been trying all kinds of foods! Here is testing out pizza.

We went to Chucky Cheese for our Devin's birthday last Saturday. Of course there are no pictures of the birthday boy since he had a lot of work to do. Including mastering every game there and getting his hands on the cutest cake in the world made by his mom before I could get a picture. It was a great time.

The Miss America Pageant was on the other night. As soon as Jaya saw it was on she said to pause it and she ran to put on a dress up dress.

Naturally Cohen went with her and chose this "Cat in the Hat" hat and Cleopatra dress!

Justin was a good sport and laughed but took the dress off his man child soon after. I don't think he knows I took pictures to document the event or that they made it on the blog! I don't think Grandpa Jack will like it either. But sometimes you just gotta laugh!

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Nutcracker

2010-12-13T16:42:00.001-08:00

Jaya my mom and I went to see the nutcracker Saturday.

Jaya wanted a picture with as many of the characters we as we could find.

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Cohen vs Handcart

2010-11-06T23:04:00.001-07:00

Cohen fell on a handcart yesterday. Within minutes of falling he had a knot the size of a ping pong ball between his eyes. Liesel, Jaya and I immediately packed into the car and headed to the clinic in Moses Lake. That was the longest drive of my life despite Cohen laughing and talking the whole way. The doctor said everything looked good, but he did say to wake him and check his pupils every 2 hours through the night. So just another mishap behind us with a great bruise to remember it for a while. He doesn't have black eyes yet but we are expecting them to appear soon.

When they do I think I'll compare it with my great black eye of '99!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Halloween a week later

2010-11-06T22:49:00.001-07:00

We love Halloween and are firm believers in dressing scary. Even if it means Jaya was the only one dressed up scary at her preschool Halloween program.

And Cohen was a great Chuckie!

2010-11-06T21:17:00.001-07:00

Mischeif

2010-10-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

I caught Cohen doing this to Jaya this evening
after she fell asleep on the couch.

They love teasing and playing together.

He really does admire his big sister.
They are so lucky to have each other.

Although he is sure to only ever fall asleep in places he knows he cannot be reached by her ever growing arms.

Lookin' Good

2010-10-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

These kids made those clothes look great all summer...

Six Years

2010-08-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

Justin and I have been married 6 years today.

We were married on Friday the 13th simply because it was a day that our location had open, it has turned out to be lucky for us. Since today is Friday the 13th again, it's an extra special anniversary. There should be a name for an anniversary that falls on the same day of the week as the original. Maybe "The 6 Year Anniversary" and in another 6 it will be "The 12":)(Very original)

I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband and father to our children. Everyday I love him even more. Our love only grows stronger as time goes by.

It has been wonderful six years and we are excited to see what the next six will bring.

sErvINg Of FRuIt?

2010-07-21T20:27:00.001-07:00

Jaya's Swim Lessons

2010-07-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

Jaya started swim lessons this summer. Unfortunately this is the only picture I took, since I spent the rest of the lesson begging her to get in the water and participate. It was a long ways from her telling me how she was going to jump off the diving board by herself just like I had done fearlessly with no one to catch me at my first lesson. To think, I actually thought it was a bad idea for my mom to tell her about me doing that and being such a daredevil. Now, I just wanted her to trust her teacher and have confidance in herself. Although, she did perk right up, when Justin showed up unexpected. What a wonder husband and father to realize how important it was for Jaya, and want to be there with us. We love him so much!

Jaya's Playdate with Papa

2010-07-21T20:02:00.000-07:00

Jaya had a playdate with just my dad today since they haven't seen eachother much lately and he goes on vacation next week and back to work after that. She wanted to be fancy for her big day so we put these curlers in and she asked if I would take a picture of her sleeping with them in her hair. They worked pretty well.
(Maybe too well.)
I think Papa felt a little underdressed.

Caution: Not for a week stomach

2010-07-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

Is this what your morning looks like?

This is what I see when I come into Cohen's room at least twice a week. He pulls open his top two snaps in the night and shimmies out of his pajamas.

However, he doesn't usually take his diaper off, or make the mess with it he did on this particular morning. Please note: he was already on the "Not to be Trusted" list after the previous days nap leakage and slept without a sheet on his mattress. I couldn't decide if it was to my advantage to only have to sterilize and wipe the mattress as oppose to throwing away a sheet along with that blanket. There just isn't enough bleach in the world to make me keep that blanket.

Here is proof that those jammies fit snugly, and it is truly a mystery how he gets them off. The first time or two he was wearing a set that fit a little more comfortably and we thought a snugger one would be the solution.

Ironically enough, I took this picture the night before he made the bed mess, thinking I would share the story of him loving to wear a backpack of any sort. Of course all the backpacks around here are pink, but he doesn't care. The one on his back here, holds a baby in it and he likes to carry that baby around in it. Someday he's going to resent me for posting this, but someday he'll also be a teenager, so I'm just getting in my revenge early.

The Windy Day

2010-07-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

The wind blew so hard yesterday, that this huge branch broke off the top of the tree.

It's been a while...

2010-07-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a really long time, so I have a lot of catching up to do.

Someone told me once that when your kids do something that really upsets you, you should take a picture, because someday it will be funny. I like to think I have a pretty good sense of humor, but this one is really testing it. She said there was too much on her hands so she decided to wipe it off on the wall. Imagine that. I'm really getting worried about her, she's turning into such a premadonna.A normal person would explain this picture but I'm not normal, so I can't. She just did this one day when I got the camera out. I blame The Disney Channel.

My beautiful cousin Rachel, got married in June and Jaya got to be the lovely flowergirl.She did a great job and had a great time doing it. She is getting pretty good at these gigs. She told Rachel's bridesmaids she knew what she was doing she had done it before in Kjiristi and Andy's wedding two years ago. Here's a memory of Jaya's first gig.She also saved a dance for this hansome fellow.Of course Cohen never misses a party.

We went to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle the day after the wedding and had a really great experience. Although Jaya and I had our hearts set on sneaking home a real live meercat we had to settle for this picture and a stuffed version without teeth. Justin wanted to take home a comodo dragon...

I finally joined the wonderful world of technology and got an i-phone. These are the first two pictures I took with it from the backseat of my parents car.

Jaya and Cohen were blessed with another partner for crime in June, when Kjiristi had this new little bundle of joy. Pearce Jacob.

Summer days...

Cohen sometimes ditches his car seat to ride in the front of a basket in stores now.

Cohen turned 1 in May. The last year has flown by. Our sweet baby has grown into a funny little boy so fast and he has been a wonderful addition to our family. Of course Jaya is loving the perks of being a big sister; for example blowing out an extra birthday candle this year was truly momentous.

The anticipation...

This is what I found Jaya doing the morning after Cohen's birthday, I just followed the crumbs to find her.

Jaya got two new kittens this spring. And the great thing is that we still have one!Then Justin got a new puppy for Fathers Day! The puppy is black and the blond fuzz is Justin's beard.

Um...

We watched and played a lot of softball this spring.

We welcomed spring.

Can you guess what's in this box?

I discovered these yummy little beauties one lovely day and...Do they really need any more explanation?

Jaya turned 4 in April! We can't believe how fast the last four years have gone. She is such a joy and she brings so much sunshine into our lives. Somebody forgot to put batteries in the camera so this is the best picture. Fortunately, Liesel took some great shots to remember the day.

Jaya's first Barbie

2010-04-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

No matter what anyone says, I am still a first time mom. I am and will always be still learning. I really hope I don't miss anything I am supposed to learn along the way. I am sure I will though and I'll just have to learn it again in some other way it's presented to me. For example; the barbie knowledge I recently acquired. Jaya's 4th birthday is tomorrow and I have of course been shopping for age appropriate gifts. I skimmed over the barbies without even a real glance. Well, it's a good thing Jaya goes to daycare with some great kids with great, experienced parents, because wow was I wrong!Jaya got her first barbie at her daycare birthday party last Friday from her Friend Randi Kae. She loves it and rarely lets it out of her sight. It was the top pick. Of course it came with all kinds of great accessories which will now require more accessories and more clothes and more barbie friends and additions to the collection she started with that first Race Car Barbie. The first barbie is kind of a right of passage for a little girl. This was a big deal to me, to Justin not so much. Thanks again Randi.
I would like to give credit to myself that the barbie still looks as good as it did in the box. Thanks to my convincing argument that she did not need her pony tails taken out or an always famous and I'm sure, in time inevitable, haircut.

Jaya hosted another one of her lovely tea parties, and thankfully Makayla was available to attend. They had a wonderful time and shared some fine delicacies of store bought frosted sugar cookies and girl scout cookies with delicious chocolate milk.

My mind on my money and my money on my mind...

Blogworthy

2010-03-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

Oh blog...I've had good intentions of posting with detailed stories, yet here it is two months since my last post. Now where to start? So I'll share some condenced versions of the stories that go with these pictures.
I'm not sure if I wanted to always remember the sweet potatoes on the rug, or Cohen in the football suit with the helmet hat, or maybe it was the mad face which I have to brag we rarely see. He is such a happy 10 month old! We can't believe it either 10 whole months have come and gone so quickly!

This next one is almost a daily occurance. Cohen pushes all the bottles and toys into the tub and Jaya puts them back on the side for him to push again. They really enjoy each other.

This might have been the day I realized I was in over my head...Jaya would just hang out in the bouncer or her swing for a long time. We could get all kinds of things accomplished. This went on until she was at least a year and a half. Even now she will entertain herself and stays out of things she shouldn't get into pretty well. Cohen, however is a completely different person. He can't be bothered with things like swings or bouncers. He dives out of those. We rarely put him in the high chair for fear he will turn his bib around as if it were a cape and take flight. So we hold his feet in this bumbo to feed him we borrowed the bumbo from Apryl and it's a lifesaver. Thanks! Other than his playpen he cannot be "trapped" for lack of a better word.

Our little guy does look pretty cute in the highchair.

I came across this in my search for todays overdue post and of course it had to go in. Notice my glasses on the side didn't make the cut. Thank goodness for cropping pictures, or I might have never shared this little gem of a hair do!

Here is a great picture of Cohen's latest and greatest accomplishment! A TOOTH! Down there on his bottom left! It finally cut. It may not be so visible but I sure felt it yesterday morning when I stuck my finger in there to see if it had come through. And just in case I couldn't feel it he bit down hard to let me know it had arrived.

Yep, he's still wearing snowman pajamas. But they fit. He's wearing 0-3months and Jaya wears a 2T. I love my minis! We get a lot more wear and tear out of our clothes around here!

Update: Jaya's bike 2

2010-03-14T18:24:00.001-07:00

Sadly this story happened only a week after I blogged about Jaya and her bike, and it is just now appearing on the blog.

Ashlee and her two youngest daughters Jaylen and Maggie came over one afternoon while Kjiristi and Devin were over too. Jaya and Jaylen disappeared immediately into Jaya's room for a while. Suddenly we heard the bike come down the hall and when it rounded the corner Jaylen was on it and Jaya was trailing on foot! Looks like she finally met her match it only took three and a half years.

Is there anything funnier?

2010-01-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

We think it's really funny when Jaya gets out this trike and puts on her sparkly red shoes and terrorizes everyone in the house. I don't know why she wears the shoes too, but she does. Maybe because they match. Anyhow once she decides it's trike riding day in the house while we are cooped up for the winter, nobody is safe. She told me not to be where she needs to be and I wont be run over. Even Cohen is tormented while minding his own business in the playpen. Alright it's a cage but I've got to have some sanity.

And when the ride is over she parks it outside of her bedroom door.

Ugh...

2010-01-04T23:24:00.000-08:00

In my defense my tires were really bald (no I mean smooth like a babies bottom). The road was really icy and slushy. Justin said he slid in the same place just before I came through. I also managed to guide it away from the telephone pole directly in my path. That swerve I do have to credit to the wii! That is the best defence I can come up with for driving my baby through a stop sign and off a bank.

Fortunately the kids were already a Sheri's and I was alone and OK! Thank you a million times to the men working for Mark on Bergesons new house for pulling me out and finding my phone.

No thanks to the Sheriff who had the car towed before we could get Justin's truck to it without telling us. So when we went out to where the car should have been it was GONE!

Big day...Bad day:(

Tomorrow will be better.

Justin took the car pictures on his I-phone so when he uploaded the pictures on the computer these other cuties came with them.

Holiday Traditions

2009-12-20T18:54:00.001-08:00

One of our favorite family traditions that Justin and I started when we were just a family of two is building a gingerbread house together. Over the years we have found that as our family grows and life changes so does the holiday experience...For the better of course.

Here it is almost finished.

Oh no! That's never happened before...

Of course eating it would lead to this...

It's a good thing Hallmark had these great musical houses last year!

(Thanks mom for saving the gingerbread house of 2009. But where were you when our traditional mini Thanksgiving feast we have the night before Thanksgiving went so so badly?)

Crises averted!

Happy Holidays.

SNOW DAY

2009-12-20T18:26:00.000-08:00

Jaya finally got to play in the snow!

the apple cup lamp

2009-12-02T21:55:00.001-08:00

Come on Cougs...

My dad is really proud of this heirloom Cougar vs Husky lamp. My mom...not so much. It was my grandpas prize purchase years ago, now it's my dads prize inheritance. As in any American home he thinks he's in charge because he brought it home against my moms wishes, but note that it's hidden away in a corner in the basement that will soon be taken over by 3 Christmas trees and many gifts with my name on them(I will of course then shake rattle and roll each until I am certain of their contents, some I may even have to open and close to be sure. It's really an art.). There were discussions for years about where this lamp would actually end up. My dad versus my brother; over who would get it, and my mom versus my sister-in-law; over who wouldn't get it. My dad won and my mom lost.

Cohen was thankful for Jaya's trike last weekend...

Christmas came early

2009-11-22T20:15:00.000-08:00

Cohen gets to borrow this great toy from our friend Emma who borrowed it from our other good friends Mckenna and Mason. Kids are so thoughtful that way...Thanks so much Apryl and Jill! It's huge, its like having a new piece of furniture in the living room. It does everything! It has a piano to play with hands and brace yourself this is innovative kid play at its best, another piano to play with FEET! There's even a microphone so it's already been named the karaoke machine. The seat slides back and forth and spins around. I want one! I get really excited when my kids get new toys. I have a harder time sharing with them than they do with me and each other.

Since moms can read their children's minds, I'll share their thoughts about the new toy.

Jaya: Wow! That's huge and new. Everything huge and new around here is usually for Cohen but he's not awake to defend his territory so it's all mine for a while.

Cohen: If I could just get that in my mouth.

Cohen: Hey, Mom's watching you do that. And could you not do that around my new toy 'cuz it's really gross...Thanks.

Jaya: Who cares...

Cohen: If you're not going to stop, I'm not sharing anymore! Mom said I didn't have to!

I bet you didn't know...

2009-11-22T18:44:00.000-08:00

There was snow covering the ground and cars this morning at 4am. I knew, thanks to a little person who couldn't tolerate a leaky diaper any longer.It's exciting to know about snow before anybody else. It felt like a surprise just Justin and I shared together and were excited to pass on to Jaya. With hopeful hearts we went back to sleep to dream about the 2 feet of snow we anticipated. When we woke up there was barely a hint of the snow that once was. Jaya wouldn't have believed us if we had told her. I think it's more disappointing to watch it fall and melt in one day than to wake up to it only to have it melt before the day is gone.
I love snow. Doesn't everybody? I know it would be so much better if it would just stay off the roads but I love it anyway. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. I could never forget our families first winter in Royal when I was in second grade and there was a huge blizzard! There was a TON of snow on the ground and so much blowing in the wind. It took our family 30 minutes to drive 1/4 mile from the high school to our house.

Here's Jaya's first experience playing with snow 2 years agoz. She played just long enough for me to get the picture and then started crying because her hands were too cold. Which was a rare occurance, usually I get the camera after she stops something cute and beg her to do it again unsuccessfully of course. It's hard to be cute on call.
Here's some shots of Jaya last year in the snow. She had a great time trying to walk around in all that. It was even hard for Justin and I.

For You Jessica!

2009-11-20T14:28:00.000-08:00

Jessica put some Halloween treats and fun glasses in my cupboard at school for Jaya and Cohen. I forgot they were there, since I rarely use that cupboard. So you can imagine my surprise when I opened that cupboard today and found them among the mess that has accumulated. Then to make things worse I decided to eat a piece of the candy as I walked around the teachers room wearing the glasses...And who do I see? JESSICA! Now, can you imagine my embarrassment? So I brought the glasses home for Jaya today. I'm really sorry, I do appreciate your thoughtfulness Jessica, and so does Jaya. As you can see in the picture, the glasses were a hit. I guess while I am in the Thanking and Apologizing mood, I will post this beautiful pie that I so rudely teased Cynthia about and she kindly made for me. Justin and I both agreed this was the best apple or any flavor pie we had ever had or anyone had ever had. It even looks pretty.

Thank You Cynthia!

And this picture here...I don't know why it made the cut I guess it popped out at me today to remind me to thank my husband for being so wonderful and getting both our children ready in the mornings. Since beans have been done for a while now, I have finally gotten used to having him around to do so much in the mornings. He gets a husband award.

CEREAL!

2009-11-07T16:03:00.000-08:00

Cohen turned 6 months and tried cereal for the first time today!

Everybody wanted a turn to feed him.

Then he needed a bath!

Happy Four Months Cohen!

2009-09-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

Cohen turns 4 months today and has been inducted into the Hill Family Grandchild Hall of Fame! Thereby earning his song.

Cohen's dancing song;

En Vogue Featuring Salt n Pepper

"Whatta Man"

(If anyone is wondering, Jaya's song is "Mexican Hat Dance" and she is still the best dancer. Devin's is of course "You Can Dance of You Want To".)

I guess the video isn't that great but they can't all be winners now can they?

Of course I chose the short version because the whole song is really long and not to mention dirty, dirty. So, I took the poop out of the Cinnamon Roll and ate the rest. Anybody catch the John Bytheway reference?

Cohen has progressed in the last four months from being fed a bottle to holding it on his own.

(Computer savvy people would edit out my hand here and Jaya's stinky feet so the previous statement would be more believable. But embellishing is part of parenting isn't it, everybody thinks their kids are the best. At least I can admit Jaya's feet stink.)

He grabbed it today and it was just the cutest thing ever. Since I don't feed him bottles often, I was sure this was a major milestone that needed documentation.

He likes to lounge in Jaya's bed.

We are convinced he's going to be an Olympic swimmer. He looks so natural in the water. Just not the sun. Anybody see that movie Powder?

He has even been invited to one of Jaya's tea parties. Ok, so he wasn't invited and she ran away upset as soon as I slid his bouncer over. But at least we enjoyed it. He is a very polite guest and even shared his cake with me while Jaya glared from the couch.

Now days we know Cohen has woken from a nap when we hear the toys on the bouncer or swing rather than his grunts and snorts before he becomes upset that his tummy isn't filled to the brim. He's small, but a Mighty Good Man.

I can't post without a shot of Jaya and all her cuteness! Here she is in the playhouse at Ted and Jean's pools with her adorable pal Mollie. Ironic there are two awesome kiddie pools just outside and they opt for the playhouse. Sometimes I wonder if Jaya is really mine. Then I look at her cute little nose that she pulls off way better than I do, and I am sure.

Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

No more fun in the sun, Summers over and done.If it gets any colder it'll be nothin' but smolder,
No more fun in the sun.

Back to school

Back to volleyball

The US Open has begun

Proud Cougar Fridays followed by

Disappointed Sundays

And

Knight Football

Honestly, it hasn't been nearly as hard as I had feared. I guess I really needed to get out.

So when life leaves you feeling like a discarded Garden Gnome this winter, just remember the days of summer and know they will be back before you know it.

First Cold:(

2009-08-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

Cohen is suffering from his first cold. Our poor little man is so miserable. He just wants someone, anyone to cuddle him. Jaya and Justin have also come down with the sickness. So I'm sure it's only a matter of time until I post about my own misery.

(Before the cold.)

(During the cold.)

Is there anything better than a nice, long, warm soak when your sick?

(After the cold picture to come soon.)

Jaya seems to be tolerating it a little better.

3 mONthS AnD 3 yEaRS

2009-08-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

Cohen Timothy is 3 months old and Jaya Jacquelyn is 3 years and 4 months old. It's going so FAST!

Cohen celebrated his 3 month milestone by cuddling in every bodies bed.
Your eyes are not deceiving you. Those are Tinkerbell sheets on both beds. Justin has been a really good sport all these years being the only man in the house. I do believe our days of such things are numbered Cohen is getting pretty masculine.

Funny thing about kids...they always end up in somebody elses bed. Why is it that as a child your own bed is a dreadful place but later in life, it's the best place on earth...well, second only to the Disney Parks.
Jaya celebrated Cohen's big day by wearing her favorite princess dress and baking him a cake in her messy kitchen. Honestly I don't know how she finds anything in that pit. But the delicious cuisine that emerges from that mess is so amazing, that I've forbidden myself from complaining about the mess.

For Devin and Rachael

2009-07-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hey D,
It's your song,

This post if for you,

Get Well Soon!

We Love You!

We can dance if we want to

We can leave your friends behind

Cause your friends don't dance

And if they don't' dance

Well they're no friends of mine

Happy Birthday Rachael! Happy Golden year! You're the best sister-in-law ever. Great picture, that's all I have of you! Good thing I snapped it last week or I would've had to find a straight jacket somewhere and post that for your picture.

All Because Two People Fell In Love

2009-07-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

We celebrated my grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary, and my aunt Val's Birthday, they are on the same day.

Val decided after all these years of her parents making such a deal of her birthday and neglecting their anniversary, it was time to return the favor with this embarrassing display of recognition. I didn't even take a picture of what she did in the house and their bedroom. That girl just reeks of class, I love it.

Sixty Wonderful Years. It's funny when you think about the reason were alive, all because two people fell in love.

This is the birthday girl, my aunt Val. Self titled "Rock Star!"

I got the best seat in the house at dinner. Here's "Fanny" and my uncle Brent on my left and...

My cousin Amy and uncle Randy across the table. We had a lot of good laughs. The rule was nobody can sit next to immediate family, so I sent Jaya all the way across the room and I enjoyed myself.
(Open your eyes Amy, it's not so bad.)

My cousins Michelle and Rachel just looked so pretty I had to put them in too. Everybodies all grown up.

Jaya met my cousins kids and had a great time. This is Charity, Madelynn and her Margie whom she had to share for the first time.

This was the lunch scene, I had to take a picture and post it and remember when we all sat at this table. I even reminded everybody of the red kid table we had to sit at for years.

This is Jacob. He is Michelle and Brian's. Jacob and I didn't really hit it off. This is probably the best look he gave me all day. There was just something about me that he decided wasn't OK.

The girls colored for a long time while grandpa supervised. Not just any art is fridge worthy.

This is Michelle, her daughter Madelynn, Jaya and Sadie. These cuties were all born within 2 months of each other. (I think Michelle is a little older. Although her senior pictures would suggest otherwise. Heads up to any unpresent Hart grand kids your senior picture was made fun of without mercy. Sorry, you should have made an appearance. On second thought, it wouldn't have made a difference because even those present were teased.)

Umm...Sorry Grandpa.

We had a really great time with family. It was a curious experience to be with cousins and all our kids rather than being the kids ourselves. It's all come full circle.

I had to be brave

2009-07-19T10:03:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people don't post because they are too busy or there is nothing to post. The second, is the reason for the recent lull in my blog activity. We have been cooped up in our house for the last couple of days, because this dog you see below was hanging around. The picture of course, doesn't explain my reason for locking myself and my children in our house. Two words will though...

Pit bull. He was extremely persistent. Every time we opened the door, looked out the window or drove into our driveway, we would see him. He managed to escape our efforts to eliminate him for several days. So, the kids and I stayed in the house and enjoyed each others company. We were sad to miss Allred's pond on Wednesday, especially since I had picked up some great sand toys to surprise Jaya. (Of course she saw them in the trunk of the car yesterday and wouldn't catch the hint when I just didn't answer her questions about them.) We also missed the movies at the park and the theatre last week. (However I did not allow that dog to interfere with the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Justin came home just in time to make it, Cohen slept through it and Jaya got to have a sleep over with Honey and Papa (my parents). Sorry Lyndsey, Justin said he wouldn't go with me if I went dressed as Hagrid so there are no pictures or stories to tell.) We were actually really scared here the last couple of days. Jaya asked me several times if I was afraid and of course, I had to be brave when I didn't feel that way at all. It's a very new feeling to have to be the brave one for your children. Now I know how my parents felt at times like these and I must say they did a great job, hiding their fears from me. I know they were scared now. Secrets out!
This is the best picture I could get of him. Every time we would point a camera or any other "thing" you would point at an unwanted, dangerous dog, he would run. This made us wonder if we weren't the only ones trying to eliminate him.
Don't worry, our knight in shining armour, did get the upper hand on that dog. And our fear has been laid to rest somewhere in a field far away.
Cohen admired his daddy for a long time that night. It was as if he was saying, "Thank you for being such a wonderful daddy to me and my sister and a great husband to my mommy. You are what keeps us all together each day and the reason we are all so happy. I love you so much, Daddy." It's funny how kids can say exactly what you want to say with just their eyes. Justin admired him for just as long because he likes his "Minnie Me" a lot.

I would just like to impress upon anyone who doesn't see these dogs as dangerous, as the state recognizes them, how serious a problem they are. A recent study found that pit bulls, alone are responsible for 1/3 of dog bite related fatalities in the U.S. while these dogs make up only 2% of the dog population.
If you need more convincing just google pit bulls and you'll find so much more, and so many sad stories.

(She has started pretending to be asleep every time I get the camera. Why? Cohen is not pretending he only does that right before I begin something really important for everybodies well being, like waxing my eyebrows or painting my nails.)

Here are some pictures of our family enjoying each other and making the best of our time together in our house. I know these wonderful moments with our children will fly by and soon they will be avoiding each other like the plague. There is even the possibility that they might not even want Justin and myself around. I don't know why, I always hoped my parents would chaperon the prom. And what could have been better than having my dad watch my life and my friends lives unfold everyday, as the high school princi"pal". Heavy on the "pal". Now that I have grown and see how great my parents really are, I can say that. (I hope they're reading.) That's actually really funny. I wonder if he feels like he has a front row seat at a reality show taping everyday, in a small town high school.

Don't tell Jaya, but sometimes, even if we tell her, "Everybody is going to bed now," she is actually the only one going to bed. Someday we will do the same to Cohen too, but for now he's in on our little secret.

We love you Jaya, and that's why sometimes we send you to bed earlier so that we can still love YOU in the morning, instead of that grumpy girl that sometimes shows up.

Did you know?

2009-07-07T19:23:00.001-07:00

Did you know there are movies in McCosh Park on Friday nights? We went. It was really fun. I didn't get a picture of the screen before it was too dark to show up, but it was so great, Justin fell asleep. I couldn't resist this photo-op and I guess I went as far as putting it on the blog. The movie was Kung Fu Panda, I have seen this movie on a theatre screen for free three times now. I saw it for free Wednesday at the theatre, where they also have free movies at 10 a.m. And once last year for the first grade field trip when it was too cold for the aquatic center. It gets better every time.

People have been asking how we are all adjusting to our new addition. It has been two months today, and we couldn't be happier. Look at that face, he's delicious!
Even Jaya seems to have adjusted well. This morning I decided to see what she would do if I put him in her bed with her. She rolled over and put her sweet arm around him and went back to sleep.

We went to Camdyn's 1st birthday party on the Forth of July. Here is Makayla and Jaya's traditional greeting. Two girls used to being the only children and grandchildren who have recently been bombarded by brothers. These girls don't get to see each other often but they truly understand each other.

Jaya: "Makayla, push me." (She forgot the magic word. I think it's

implied.)

Makayla: "OK. Do you want to go high or higher?"

Jaya: "High."

They worked in the yard.

Here is my sweet boy Sunday morning after the Fourth of July. He got to sleep in his shirt partly because it is so cute. OK the real truth is, he was asleep and clean when we got home, so why would I wake him?

This is what woke me up in the night instead.

1:03 A.M.

A Week in Pictures

2009-06-24T06:22:00.000-07:00

Last week started out like any other summer week. Monday we played at home. Jaya brought out her favorite movie "Spirit" first thing in the morning. As she walked away to put it in, I heard her say,

"Favorite, favorite, favorite!"

She also said I could watch it with her if I could be very, very quiet.
Tuesday we went to pick strawberries with Liesel. While Liesel and I picked, Jaya played in the pool, sprayed everybody with the hose and ran threw the sprinklers.

Wednesday Cohen had a doctors appointment. Not pictured because nobody should have to go to the doctor as many times as they make these little guys.

Thursday we went to the Tri-Cities for some shopping. Jaya begged to go home before we were out of the driveway, so this is also not pictured because nobody had their picture face on. Also the highlight of the day was Jaya and myself devouring Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls. Not a pretty picture. Sorry to everybody in the mall. Those things are so yummy they should have their own reality show. Move over John and Kate. These treats are way more exciting than any divorce. Come on are you really surprised that nice guy didn't want to spend the rest of his life with that mean girl?

Friday Kjiristi and I took the Kids bowling. It was Jaya's first time and she had a great time. She even let me throw a ball once or twice.

Jaya's fan club. They can get pretty loud.

Of course Jaya got to use the "Prettiest ball there."

Everybody was tired after our big day.

On Saturday Apryl, Kjiristi and Amanda threw a baby shower for Cohen. He made a haul.

Of course there was cake.

What can I say...
I live my life for cake.

I love beautiful food.

I've decided a future blog will be all about beautiful food. So send me all your pictures of beautiful food a6_ex@hotmail.com. Wedding cakes, shower cakes, party cakes, beautiful delicacies, any beautiful food it doesn't have to be just cake. Any food you have ever thought was beautiful enough take a photo of before devouring.

He's growing so fast

2009-06-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

Cohen is growing and changing so fast I just can't believe it. He weighed 9 whole pounds on wednesday. I think Jaya was 3 months old before she weighed 9 pounds. This picture was taken on May 7th just after Cohen was born.This picture was taken about 20 minutes ago. Look how much he has changed. He is doing so many great things, even smiling at us. Of course only when the camera is out of reach. I am so in love with this little man. Move over Justin. Not all the way of course, you do have a one up on this little guy since the last time you woke me up in the night crying was...well...never. I am so lucky to have such a great husband!
Cheeks!

Hamsters

2009-06-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

Something's missing.Ahhh, that's better.

Don't they look satisfied?
We went for our first run since Cohen came. It felt so great, I decided to document it.

I run on a track...like a hamster.

Ode to Summer

2009-06-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

Summer is officially here. Although my summer began early this year, because Cohen came, it has now been made official. The kids are out of school and my dad goes home for lunch. The most telling sign of summers arrival: I counted 7 kids with popsicle stains on their shirts in the park Wednesday. (Begin tangent: Pull out the Tide Stick Kelly Ripa; of Regis and Kelly. Anybody see that commercial? Of course not, nobody watches commercials anymore, or previews before a movie. I understand commercials, but previews are what makes the world go-round. Seriously without previews how does anybody know what movies they want to see, and when they start? Apparently, I have to send those pricey Harry Potter music cards to everyone just to tell them to meet me at the theater at 12am July 15th. End tangent.) I love summer. I say that like it's never been said before, as if I'm the only one who loves summer. I know that everybody loves summer and I fall into the category of ordinary summer lovers, and I'm OK with that. We met my friend Andrea, her sister-in-law and her sister-in-laws' sister (Did you catch that?) at Ted and Jean's kiddie pools. Great fun! Kid sized pools in your backyard, so awesome. Amazing they can keep the lawn green and the water blue. I remember playing in these pools when Andrea and I were kids. (Not pictured because nobody needs to remember the children's swimwear of the 90's.) Big shout out to Ted and Jean for being so generous with these great pools and for keeping everything looking so nice for my photo-op. I'm sure they will see this, since they are for certain bloggers. With all those grand kids they have to keep up somehow. Jaya posed for one shot. Then she was all business. She had an agenda of various activities she listed on the ride over that she needed to accomplish. I think she got them all done. That kid is really a go-getter!

Those are Andrea's 2 adorable kids on the right; Megan and Jerald. they are officially famous because they are on so many blogs, but their own. (Andrea, I promise to stop making these jokes as soon as the novelty of my blog has worn off and it is also neglected.) Oh my goodness! Is that paparazzi?! Next thing you know they'll be getting punked, they're so famous! Watch out Fielding's!

Now for the sad part of summer. Yes, there is a sad part, and it's not the end of August. It's worse. Just part of growing up, I guess. (Don't grow up if you haven't already, it's overrated.) This is the beautiful dinner I made. (Yes, those are strawberries and kiwis with romaine lettuce. Strangely yum!) The sad part: I ate alone. Jaya ate at my parents, and Justin was working. I have to adjust every spring and summer to my wonderful husband working seemingly endless hours in the fields. We miss him here in our home and look forward to hearing his truck come bombing down the driveway (He does drive too fast.) no matter what the hour. We are so lucky to have such a great Man in our home.

It does give us great comfort to know we will have a man in our home all the time now.

Just look at him. He just gave that silky dog the one-two punch. So tough. So brave. He could take anybody.

I don't cry when he's in the shower.

2009-06-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

One of the many things I had forgotten in the last two and a half years since Jaya was a baby was the crying while I was in the shower. Since I had Cohen, I haven't had one shower that he didn't cry. It never fails. I can leave him in his cradle, swing or bouncer for hours and he's fine, but the second I turn on that shower, the fun is over. I can feed him right before I get in, he still cries. I can rock him to sleep right before I get in, he still cries. I can wait till he is in a deep, sweet sleep, he still cries. Why is this? Do all Babies do this? Or do my children specifically, want me to be dirty. I just can't understand what it is about my shower that makes babies cry. I don't cry when they shower.

The shower situation has brought back the memory of Jaya crying every time I sat down to eat. Cohen hasn't started that yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Again, I don't cry when they eat. Babies are such an interesting people, and I have loved and learned with both of mine every step of the way. Here is a shot of Cohen enjoying his bath and please note, nobody is crying.

Jaya's Tea Party

2009-06-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

Jaya had a Tea Party.

(The Boys were not thrilled.)

She sent her friends invitations.

And everybody was tired when it was over.

We all had a fun time with Jaya at her Tea Party despite the fact we all had at least one of the afternoons delicacies on our clothes by the end of the day. She was a very gracious host especially to pour all of our tea(chocolate milk) and fill our plates with lovely sandwiches and treats. Thanks Kjiristi, Devin and Liesel for coming and bringing such great treats you made Jaya's day!

Blog: Day 1

2009-06-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

We started a blog! After Cohen came and we became secondtime, seasoned and professional parents. We decided it was time to document this wonderful learning experience we call parenthood.

So here is Jaya meeting her brother Cohen Timothy for the first time. It was so fun to wait to learn the gender of our precious baby and Jaya was so excited to be the one to tell everyone she had a BROTHER!

Justin in scrubs! Just one of the many perks of C-Section, seeing my husband in scrubs. I was so sad when he changed. I thought they were so funny I tried to get him to take them home.

These are our 2 (yes count them 2) beautiful kids Jaya 3 years and Cohen 3 days. Cohen is now 3 1/2 weeks and we all seem to be adjusting well. Justin has gone back to work and Melanie, Jaya, and Cohen are enjoying the sunshine and of course The NCAA-WCWS! Translation-Womens College World Series! How our family welcomes summer each year. Glued to the T.V. Cheering on the Arizona, Wildcats along with any other PAC-10 team in it to win it. GO WILDCATS! Thanks to Dish Network DVR, I don't know who won yet. So nobody better ruin it for me! DAD! Thanks for ruining the super regionals!