Goodbye January, Hello February

To say that January was a bad month for us Griners was an understatement. We never really recovered from our Christmas sickness'. Instead we were overrun by "THE DOUBLE EAR INFECTION!" We did still manage to have a good new years. We got the kids really excited... Set all of our clocks ahead 4 hours so when "midnight" hit the kids went outside, banged pots and pans, sang the New Year song, danced, and had a speacial treat!!! Woot Woot to 2011!
Aubrey was excited to go back to school but with the upcoming PTC with the Principal, Teacher, Speech Therapist, Reading Therapist, and Psychologist I was less then excited. The meeting did go well, the correct interventions are put in place, and the next meeting is scheduled for the end of February! Aubrey started Cheerleading again, received her first trophy, and is group leader!!
Caleb went to his first pre-Kindergarten get together. For all the kindergartners for fall 2011! I was very excited and although he was a little overwhelmed at first he was glad to have his neighbor friend Nathan by his side!
Ainsley started up Preschool again. Adding another mom/child and house. After a long Christmas break getting Ainsley out of her footsie's just wasn't going to happen so I put a skirt over her footsies and called it a morning!!
Tater..has been sick but happy. His ear infections have not been able to heal or improve but his speach is incredible! Aubrey, KK, pee, Banana's, Go Bye, Ball..I hear him all day long! He loves to dance, and does really well with his breathing instrument as long as he gets to hold the piece that goes in his mouth! He loves to hug, hide, and he carries his pillow pet everywhere! We spent January going to the Johnson County Museum with friends and we were surprised with a big birthday party on the 28th along with a new painting! We have been without a main floor tv for 2 months now. I will say that I miss my morning Sesame Street and Syd the Science Kid! But is it so much more peaceful without it.

2 Snow Days and a "Too Cold" for school day...left me almost wishing that tv was back in the family room.The kids like the snow for about 30 minutes. The decision that sand is much more enjoyable was unanimous! Burrrrr!

After a week being stuck instead we decided to get out of the house and head into KC for the free Exhibit!

Tate was a little unsure about the uneven ground!

We are excited to have January gone. The snow is still here but it wont be much longer until Spring is here!!! Caleb and Ainsley both get to participate in preschool now and they are both signed up for swimming lessons!! Its going to be a fun February!!

Christmas Eve lost...Christmas day sick
For some reason all of the pictures from Christmas Eve are on a memory chip that is lost...But we sure did have fun! Andy worked Christmas Eve morning and then we headed down to Windsor for the usual Dinner, Christmas Nativity Program, and Presents!! The kids did pretty good this year as Mary, Jospeh, and the Angel...with Paul as the narrator!
The kids enjoyed the many presents from there Griner Grandparents and Aunt Judy and ate lots and lots of Black Berry Cheese Cake. On the drive home that night Aubrey was so excited...telling Caleb and Ainsley all about the excitement of Christmas Morning! 30 minutes from home excitement turned into the stomach flu for Tate. So for most of the night we rotated between holding him close and showers. Tate did not handle being sick very well and it was hard to get him to calm down. How could we not feel bad for poor Tater though!!!! We tried our best to set everything out and get everything ready!Our sad sad sad tree. Only the top half was decorated but it was a sad looking tree decorated or not.At midnight the fun began...Aubrey started throwing up...every 30 minutes all early morning!!By the time it was time to wake up, we finally got Tate to fall asleep. Ainsley was so excited (wearing the pj's she got from my parents and her tinker bell dress from Andy's parents)....down the stairs they went!!!
It might as well have been the best day of Ainsley's life! She loved everything, and was excited about everyone's gifts, and it was just wonderful to watch her!!

Aubrey was so very sick. Every 15 minutes she required the assistance of the ugly green trash can...she was pretty much out of it all morning.

Caleb was ready to destroy and the fact that Santa gave him Bakugans after Mom/Dad said no more made him very happy!

Tate woke up mid-present opening and was not happy. Still sick and NOT happy!

Not even Tate being sick and cranky could crash Ainsley magical excitement!!
Ainsley used her new Elmo doctor kit to try and make Tate feel better!

As soon as the presents were open Aubrey went to bed, waking up in the evening to be excited all over again!
Aubrey spent the rest of Christmas night cutting, drawing, and coloring...those scissors 10 minutes later were what she used to chop off the front of her hair!
Later on Christmas Night Ainsley got sick followed by Caleb. It wasn't exactly the Christmas we had imagined but it will definitely be one that we remember!!

2 days after Christmas everyone was all better and ready to play outside. Tate likes to sneak outside and jump/fall all over the trampoline!!

We have survived 2010...it was not a good year for scissors or stamps. We did have a lot of fun and as we grow older we get to experience new things like...swim lessons, sleepovers, and loose teeth. 2010 will be the year we made friends and lots of them!!! Caleb learned a little Hebrew, Ainsley finally started to go to Nursery, and Aubrey's cheer team made regionals!!
Ending with the flu was like ending with a big bang!!! GOOD BYE 2010!!!Hopefully, we wont be so cranky in 2011!!!

The Griner Family 2010

This year our yellow brick road has lead us through moments of stress, laughter, and messes. Along with our new discoveries, new milestones, and new priorities came obstacles and a party at every corner!! Sickness flooded our winter, therapy and evaluations challenged our spring, the pool overtook our summer, and the trampoline has been the highlight of our fall!

Andrew (31)- He loves going to work. He devotes himself to his patients and in September received the “Whatever It Takes Award” for going above and beyond to serve and take care of his patients! He has also enjoyed the occasional daddy/daughter date night!

Aubrey (6)- She loves kindergarten and she loves being 6! There is hardly a day that goes by without one of her friends coming over to play and she loves her weekly Cheerleading practice!! She spends her free time being a great big sister and drawing for hours! She loves swimming at the pool (in the deep end) and even went off the high dive!!! She especially loves her SHORT hair which she did herself! Aubrey loves going to church and at her school Thanksgiving program when she was asked what she was thankful for she said loud and clear “Jesus and Heavenly Father!” She is a wonderful example for her brothers and sister. Although, math seems to be hard for her we were excited to know that she was released from the IEP program.
Caleb (5)- Where do I start!!!! He never sleeps, eats non-stop, and learned how to whistle, really loud! He can count to 50, he remembers everything, and begs to do homework. His school teacher described him as kind and wonderful even though he had a tendency to tell jokes and make the class laugh! He loves to swim (even in the deep end) and the life guards were a little shocked to see a short little 4 year old jumping off the diving board!!! He like to do flips on the trampoline and enjoyed participating in karate and flag football!! When it came to football I do not think there was a single practice he didn’t get hurt and he even acquired his first bloody nose! Caleb has such a wonderful heart and in his mind “everyone” is his friend! I didn’t realize how true that was until 44 kids showed up at his birthday party!!! Caleb has made it very clear that he WILL BE a Tornado Chaser when he grows up!
Ainsley (3)- This year has been a big growing year for Ainsley! She has surpassed the 24 pound mark and is growing taller everyday! She loves Elmo, always wears dress up shoes, and she changes her clothes at least 3 times a day! She loves swimming and even swims underwater! In January Ainsley broke her elbow, she loved wearing a cast and was sad to have it taken off 6 weeks later! She loves having her own room, finally started to go to nursery alone, and she loves food. ALL FOOD! Along with attending nursery she also loves going to Preschool 2 times a week!! She has to do everything herself, she loves to build things, and she loves to play with the neighbors.

Tate (1)- Call him what you like…TD, Tater Tot, or Tater. He is a favorite among everyone. Friends from school, friends from church, neighbors, and even adults love to be around Tate! He is wonderful. He loves to clap, dance, jump, and give hi-fives! He weighs 27 pounds and I think it is mostly in his legs and rear end! He loves to say ball, go bye, mom, dad, santa, and hi-five!! He climbs on everything and seems to always have a black eye or bruised cheek but always with a smile! He loved spending time at the pool and goes down the kid slide. We thought he might grow up to be a chubby tackle but now that his obsession with clogging the toilet has started to cause problems (we have removed a mini batman, a domino, a dart, a my little pony, and the top of a toy speed boat all from just ONE clog) he might grow up to be a really chubby plumber! We love our Tater!

Sara (25)- This year I have learned that sometimes I am just right and as a mom I just know best. I have learned that preschool is wonderful and counting down the days until kindergarten 2011 probably isn’t good! I have learned that a $85 summer pool pass not only bought my sanity but a really great tan!! I have learned that craft time can end in cut hair, a broken elbow and cut hair can occur on the same day, and kid stamps are never really used on paper! I have learned that our trampolines can fly…right through our fence, that our pipes from the Washer can freeze, and that sometimes not even a plumbers snake can unclog the toilet! I have learned that every life, every moment, and every day matters. Every uh-oh!, oh no!, and I love you make the growing process that much more entertaining!! After all, our family is forever and there is truly “No Place Like Home!”

September, October, and November


It's been a little hard to find time to sneak to the basement and update the blog but with Tate asleep, Aubrey at Grandma's, and Caleb/Ainsley watching Back to the Future with Andy now is the perfect time!
Our adjustment into fall was slow going. We missed our daily trips to the pool and endless playgroups with friends. We looked forward to the after school parties, new homework, and cooler nights! Wearing shoes again wasn't as fun though!Tate weighs 30 pounds! He is a tank. He is also completely wonderful! He loves his blanket and Ainsley's blanket! He moves and moves and climbs and moves....endlessly!

Ainsley turned 3! Elmo was a must along with 20 of her closest friends, pizza, and the park!

Ainsley's best friend is Raegan (the neighbor). For Ainlsey's birthday Raegan came over to play with her!!!

Without our trips to the pool I wasn't able to justify shoeless children. Tate loves wearing shoes though!!! If he cant find his shoes he will put on any shoes he can find!!!

With cooler weather our after school neighbor visits became routine! Aubrey looked forward to Uncle Bud and Aunt MaryLou's visits!

The first weekend in October instead of going to Windor we participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer's. It was a family filled morning with games, food, and activities!

We were able to stay in the middle of the pack during the walk!

Aubrey's school carnival!!

Surprisingly Ainsley had to try everything that everyone else did!!! She did great!

Ainsley's first day all by herself with Grandma! She was s

Caleb misses going to Preschool and he loves having Nathan stop by! Ainsley loves it too!

Halloween!!!
Aubrey was Glenda.
Ainsley was Dorthy.
Tate was the Lion.
Caleb was a Ghost.
(as much as I begged he would not be a part of our family Wizard of Oz theme"

Aubrey got to dress up for cheerleading, school, and the ward Trunk or Treat!

It took a lot of convincing for Ainsley to be Dorthy instead of Elmo. She looked great though!

Squeezing Tate into his outfit was a crack up!!! We laughed and laughed and love him!

With Halloween out of the way family pictures were a must. Unfortunately Tate wouldn't sit still so I'll have to try again in a couple of weeks.

Aubrey (6)

Caleb (5)

Ainsley (3)

It just so happened that a couple of days after family pictures take walked into a bench and acquired a MAJOR BLACK EYE!

Tate's black eye didn't stop him from moving a chair over to the counter, climbing onto the chair, and reaching for some hot chocolate!

I tried to sneak a quick shower before our doctor's appointment....he finds food so easily!

We were so excited to go and see Aubrey's school Thanksgiving Program. We practiced her line "Smash them until they are Soft and Smooth" and we practiced all of the songs. A surprise came with the teacher had each child stand up and say something they are thankful for....Aubrey stood and said "Jesus and Heavenly Father!" We were shocked and proud!!!

After her program they had a feast!

Tate always seems to know when the child lock isn't on the fridge. He heads right to it to open and look through!

Tate's favorite seat in the house. If ever I feel a draft I know that he is sitting in the fridge!

Thanksgiving Pie time! Each child gets to make one pie and they were excited. Ainsley made a Candy Bar Pie, Aubrey helped make the Apple Pie, and Caleb helped make the fresh pumpkin pie and Cherry Cheesecake! They all turned out wonderful!

Ainsley was very proud and her pie required the most steps so it took the longest to make!

Tate can climb up the slide onto the trampoline! He loves jumping with the big kids and loves running and falling into the net!
With Thanksgiving over Tis' the Season.... hopefully, we can keep up and stay healthy!!

I started to post a new post the other day when I realized "Where are all the new pictures?" I went to get them off the memory card and I can not find the Camera that Andy had last....so in order for me to update Andy really needs to find the camera. Maybe someone should call him.
Love,
Kansas Mother of 4