Hawaiian Hula

So, it's been a little while since I've updated my blog (what's new). Thought I'd fill you in on the more exciting parts of the past couple of months. We're doing exceptionally well - I'm now 28 weeks along with my pregnancy and no major complications except for the fact that I have a two-vessle umbilical cord instead of a three-vessle. Since everything else from the ultrasound looks great, there is no need to worry I was told.

Steve has had a very busy Holiday season with late night concerts nearly every night. He is traveling quite a bit more due to his YouTube hit with Jon Schmidt. At the end of this month he will be performing in the Phillippines, and last month he flew to Hawaii, and.....I went with him. Who could pass up an opportunity like that?


Yes, it was fabulous! Eight full days without the kiddies. I sure missed them, but I feel a renewed energy as a mother now. Anyway, below are some highlights from the trip. Steve performed at BYU-Hawaii with Jon, and then we spent the next five days on the Big Island.

Whale Watching - saw nearly 50 whales within a two hour period. It was awe-inspiring!

A week of pure relaxation

Our view from the Hapuna Beach Resort where we stayed on the Big Island

7 months prego overlooking the sunset

One of the best parts of the vacation - kayaking to Captain Cook's monument where we had the best snorkeling of our lives!

Visiting the Kona Hawaii Temple. This is actually a very small temple in the middle of a busy Hawaiian town in Kona, but absolutely gorgeous!

Check out the Halema'uma'u Crater. How often to you get to see an active volcano?

Akaka Falls on the Big Island

Performing at BYU-Hawaii with Jon Schmidt - what a fantastic crowd! There's nothing like the fun loving Hawaiian people.

The Fun of the Holidays

Over the past month I have been collecting pictures that I need to post. I have completely missed Halloween, Lucy's Birthday, our first snow day, and Christmas fun, and a very special announcement. Enjoy some new pics below.

This picture is just to remind me that my kids DO love eachother and can get along!

My little ladybug staring at all her candy - she's never seen so much in her life! Our policy with Halloween is...2-3 pieces of candy can be eaten Halloween night, we throw away the taffys that can ruin their teeth, and about a week later they forget they ever had candy (I know it won't last though)!

Elias as a Knight in Shinning Armor ready to fight off the dragon and find his damsel in distress.

Halloween night we celebrate with our dear friends the Ashbys - oh how we love this family! We ate homemade chili, rootbeer (the kids loved watching the dry ice steam up the house), and homemade donuts. It was a night to never forget!

Lucy's 2nd year birthday - we celebrated as a family at the Mayan Restaurant. Great entertainment, OK food (can I say that?)

"Do I really get to eat this entire cupcake all by myself"

First snow day! There wasn't much snow, but the kids loved it!

Just put up the Christmas Tree and decorations.

If you can read their shirts, you're right...........we're expecting our third in May! I made these shirts to announce to our families the good news. Our ultrasound is scheduled for Christmas Eve - what a great present this will be. Eli is sure it's a boy, but when I ask Lucy, "Is the baby going to be a boy or girl," she says, "a girl." But when I ask, "Is the baby goign to be a girl or boy," she says, "a boy." Can't rely on her inspiration just yet!

Just in case this isn't readable, Eli's shirt says, "I'm going to be a big brother, again." And Lucy's says, "I'm going to be a big sister."

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! What a wonderful time of year this is...a time to deeply reflect what we are grateful for in our lives. This past year I have kept a gratitude journal where I list 5 things I am grateful for that day for 365 days. I thought this would be challenging, but it was in fact quite easy. I have listed me top 10 below...in no particular order:

* My devoted, talented, goofy, creative, charming, and nearly perfect husband Steve.
* Good health - 3 weeks ago I was diagnosed with H1N1 and couldn't get out of bed for an entire week. I couldn't take care of my kids, go anywhere, or get anything done.
* 2 adorable and healthy children, Eli and Lucy
* The Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
* Freedom
* Cucumbers and Vinegar
* The talents I have been given
* Good Music
* Grateful and Optimistic people and good friends such as yourselves - each of you have made a positive difference in my life and for that I am truly grateful!
* Belly Laughs

Below the church put out a short video on YouTube, asking random individuals off the streets of New York what they are grateful for. I thought this was lots of fun - check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuwid8_O8dk

Last weekend we enjoyed 4 days in sunny St. George. Wow, October is the perfect time to go! We actually had weather in the mid 80's. My family has a time share down there - Steve and I voted that this has been our favorite family vacation so far. Our kids couldn't have been happier as went went bike riding, swimming, playing tennis, eating out, hiking Snow Canyon, and visiting the temple. Below are a few highlights from the trip.

Playing in the Sand Dunes at Snow Canyon

Posing near the St. George Temple

Thumb Sucker

Okay, she looks super adorable sucking her thumb, but do I need to ween her off? Not sure how? Any thoughts? She's nearing two years old - can I wait another year?

I have been so inspired by this good friend and well-known musician. Paul Cardall was born with Congenital Heart Disease and never thought to have lived as long as he did. He recently received a heart transplant and his body received it miraculously. Below is his blog if you are interested in following his story. I hope it inspires you as it does me.

http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/

Back to it!

Back to it! What a slacker I am. I love reading your blogs, so it's not fair that I don't update mine, so I'm going at it again. Overall, it has been a very busy yet very fun summer. Some highlights....Bear Lake with the Nelson family, completely redoing our backyard, building a sandbox for the kiddies, cabin trips to Woodland and Sundance, Steve's concerts, birthday parties, book club, playing at weddings, volleyball, playgroup, Hawaii party with old BYU-H friends, staining our deck, Girls Camp with my Young Women....the list goes on. For now, a few pictures!

Hiking around Mill Hollow with Grandpa Griffiths - this turned out to be a longer hike than expected, but my kids sure loved it.

Posing with mom - um, my kids are both closing their eyes...too much happiness.

Eli's new favorite pastime, getting in Lucy's crib for playtime.

Four-wheeling at the Woodland cabin - Lucy's first ride. She has no fear.

Summer Updates

Lucy is finally starting to act like a girl - she loves necklaces and won't let me take this large beaded one away from her!
Taking the train ride at This is the Place Heritage Park.

The Bird Show at Hogle Zoo with Grandma Griffiths, Aunt Nancy, and cousin Brooks, Chandler, and London.

Our favorite place to go swimming is up at Snowbird. My kids love the warm 90 degree pool.

Lucy saw this picture at Home Depot on the soil bag. She kept pointing to it giggling and saying "Mama." She did that probably about 25 times. I guess I look like that lady.

The Price family is in town from Tallahassee, Florida. Eli doesn't get to see his cousins Cameron and Jessica (and Thomas) very often. While they were here, they tried on all my jewelry. Tricia, we love your family and are grateful for these fun memories we've created while you've been here.

Eli and Lucy Updates

SAD! Lucy's first day of nursery and she gets bit by a little boy on the cheek. We'll see if she ever wants to go back again.

Eli's last day at Challenger. He loves it there and will dearly miss his fabulous teacher Miss Shannon. We love you!

If your child loves playing in the water like Lucy, you need to get one of these. We bought this at Costco for $50.00. It seems like a lot, but it was worth every penny. Lucy can play with this all day. It is battery-powered and recycles the stream of water. Yeah for fun toys!

You Say It's Your Birthday!

I had such a wonderful and relaxing birthday and I owe it all to my husband. In fact, I had a relaxing and fun 12 days following my birthday. You see, Steve, being the creative and wonderful husband that he is, decided that my birthday should last longer than a day, so he posted letters around my room as the "Twelve Days of My Birthday." Every morning I got to peek under one of those letters and it told me the event of the day. Here are a few of them...

Dinner at The Orchid - (My favorite Thai Restaurant)

Dancing at the Murray Arts Center

Full body massage

Daddy-daughter date night (He planned this with my Dad)

A morning at the Sportsmall

Look under the bed - a gift was hiding

Grill night on our new BBQ

A morning to sleep in

A surprise lunch (with some of my friends)

And thanks to Daddy and Eli for this yummy cake - Eli even spelled out the word "mommy." Oh what a proud mom I am. Steve how I love you but certainly feel some pressure for your birthday coming up!

This is HILARIOUS! Steve and I love watching this whenever we need a good laugh. You might have to watch it a couple of times to see both of their reactions. Click on the link below the picture. It's a news blooper called "I've Got Gas"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIr8SUKsn6k

Jungle Jims

This is one of our favorite places to go. My kids even seem to like it better than Disneyland. I think because it's not as overwhelming and you can leave after an hour and still feel like you are getting your money's worth! I love this video below of Eli on the bumper cars. He loved this so much that he went on this ride over 15 times. He soon realized that number 7 was the fastest car of them all. Watch for the hard hit at the end :)

My little man!

This week I have been a little frustrated with my little three-year-old. When he wants something, it's gotta be now - I can't carry on a conversation with any adult and he follows me around the house wherever I go. Like most boys, he can't stop moving - he's my little Duracell battery - just keeps going and going and going. So, today I had to stop and take a breath and think about all the wonderful memories we've had together. Wow, there are lots. He is an amazing boy who is going places in life. Here are a few pictures of my little man whom I love more than life! All time favorite picture of Eli.

Out of the tub!

CHEESE!

Spiderman at Halloween - and yes, that's supposed to be a spiderweb behind him

Pudding Painting - gotta try it if you haven't!

2 thumbs us. Eli loves 4-wheeling up at the cabin - okay, we ride with him

Built all by himself - oh, can you see there?