Fall Into October......

October has been filled with many fun, fall activities!!! This is one big post with pictures from some of our favorite Griner events!

Here is a picture of Landon on a school morning in his robe. I was thinking "Rocky" all the way!!!


LANDON'S PUMPKIN PATCH FIELD TRIP

I was so happy to go with Landon on his class field trip to a pumpkin patch earlier this month. I love being able to spend time with him while at school! The weather was wonderful and we had a great time!









MIKE'S BIRTHDAY!!

October 14th was Mike's birthday!!! We had a family celebration at home complete with Addi serenading her daddy with her rendition of "Happy Birthday"!! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful daddy in our family!!








GRINER PUMPKIN PATCH TRIP

Our family took a trip to the pumpkin patch too this October. We had a beautiful day and had a great time!! We did everything from hayride to pick a pumpkin, jumping inflatable, barrel train, feeding the animals and pumpkin slingshot. It was so much fun and I treasure doing things all together as a family because it gets harder and harder to do as the kids get older!
















A TINKERBELL BALLERINA

Addi was so excited to be able to wear her costume to dance class last week. She is taking ballet once a week and it is so funny!! Her class is very sweet and Addi is quite entertaining!! What a cutie Tinkerbell!!



TRUNK-OR-TREATING

This year our church did Trunk or Treat for the first time and it was a lot of fun!!! All the little ones were precious and Landon and Addi loved showing off their costumes!! As you can see in these pictures they were very excited!! I loved showing them off :) Our cute Tinkerbell and Dash from the Incredibles!!! In case you didn't notice, Landon has been working out!!














HALLOWEEN CLASS PARTIES!!!

Class parties at school this year were as crazy and fun as always!!! All the kids were precious and Landon and Addi had a great time. I am the room mother for Addi's class this year so it was a busy day of helping with the costume parade and then her class party! While also trying to run across the hall to catch some of Landon's party. We were all pretty worn out afterwards!!








HALLOWEEN FOOTBALL GAME 2009

Each year the marching band dresses up and perfoms in costume for the Halloween game. It is always so entertaining and funny and this year was no exception!! John was one of the knights from Monty Python's Spamalot and Andi was "punk rock"! They had a lot of fun dressing up and looked really good!! It was also John's last time performing in a regular season game, so it was a little emotional too. There is a chance they may go to a play-off game but not certain the band will go. I can not believe his years in marching band on drumline are over. Highschool years have flown by!!!





















HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREATING!!Halloween

Trick or Treating was a success and we were so thankful it was not raining!!! It had rained all day so everything was wet, but we also got the pleasure of a rainbow while getting lots of yummy candy. It was really neat. Aunt Samantha, Uncle Dave and Kaori came over for dinner beforehand and then we all costumed up and went out for trick or treating fun!! I loved seeing all the kids excitement and am thankful I was able to share it with family.

And September Fun Continues.....

So September celebrations continued with a small family birthday party at our house for Aunt Samantha! It was so nice that she and Kaori were able to come over, especially since Dave is working in Atlanta now so there was no one at her house on her birthday except for her and Kaori. We love having them visit and are going to miss them being so close when they join Dave in Atlanta.

Then, we had a BIG family celebration for all September birthdays at the river house. The weather was beautiful and we had so much fun being together. Uncle Bryan brought his paddle board and Landon and Addi both could not wait to venture out on the lake with him. I must admit it was a little nerve racking, especially since Addi had never done it before, but Uncle Bryan is more than experienced!! Thank you to him for always showing attention to his nieces and nephews :)

Next, was a birthday celebration at our house for me. It was very nice and as usual the little kids get soooo excited about any kind of party! That always makes it more fun!! I got a new purse, pair of shoes and a movie. But most of all I loved having everyone there with me.

Addi has started taking ballet lessons one morning a week for the first time this fall. She absolutely LOVES it and it is really the highlight of my Mondays. She loves being a ballerina and I think is doing well for her first time. Meaning that she listens to the teacher, stays in her line, waits her turn and is following directions. Her plies are pretty good too! :) Actually, more funny than good at this point.....:) I am loving her taking dance too!! So fun!

I actually took a picture of our most recent monthly calendar that stays on the refrigerator. There are two additions to the calendar that are not pictured. Sometimes I feel like I am going a little crazy with trying to keep up with college apps, govenor school apps, when tuitions are due, my work schedule, Mike's call schedule, teaching two classes at church, etc.... and the list goes on. I know everyone's life is crazy, but when I looked at the picture of our calendar it made me realize.....no wonder I feel like I am losing my mind sometimes. It made me feel better anyway....sort of justification for the chaos. A good chaos though :)

My last pictures for this month are some I got of Andi performing with the colorguard this year. Andi is really blossoming and growing up this school year. She is so beautiful ( I know I may be a little biased), and is creating such a unique style for herself. She is also enjoying school and continues to challenge herself. She is such a special young woman and we are so blessed to have her!!!

So, until Fall pictures..... and I am really enjoying the cooler weather!!! Fall is here!!

JOHN and ANDI Are Another Year Older!!!!

We had quite the "birthday" weekend!! Friday night we celebrated Andi's 16th birthday with a party at our house! Andi had several of her friends over for dinner, ping pong, movie and yummy pizza, sushi, and cookie cake (what a combo!)! She had a really good time and although she is not officially 16 yet, not until the 15th, we had a great time pretending.

Then, Saturday night we went out to dinner at Wasabi's Japanese Steakhouse to celebrate John's birthday. It was just our family and John's girlfriend Katie who went. It was Landon and Addi's first time to a hibachi grill restaurant and they were hilarious. Although, they were not too crazy about the food, Addi did a great job eating her peanut butter sandwich with her new chopsticks! :) We came home from dinner and celebrated John's 18th birthday. Maybe you can tell from John's cake what he got for his birthday.....compliments of Mike's artistry skills. It was a fun night!!

Also, football season has officially begun and we are looking forward to all the fun that this time of the year brings!

August 2009 Happenings!!!

August was a fun month with band camp for the big kids as well as their first days of school. John having his first day of school as a senior and also recieving his first college acceptance letter all in the same month! John was accepted to Middle Tennessee State University in the Honors program yesterday. We are very proud of him. He is not certain where he will go yet, but it is nice to get the first letter. He continues to play on the drumline and has his first game tonight.

Andi began her sophmore year this month and is one of only 2 sophmores taking AP History this year. We are very proud of her for challenging herself academically. She continues to enjoy the colorguard and they have their first game tonight, if it doesn't rain out.

We also began some major remodeling of our house this month. Mike is putting in new wood floors on the middle floor and then we will get new carpet installed everywhere else. For now the 2nd floor is 2/3 of the way finished and Mike has done a beautiful job.

All the Griner kids got haircuts with Landon, Andi and Addi's being the most different. I also got my haircut and was able to donate my hair. It felt very nice to do that.

The Koppe Women had our 4th annual girl's weekend in Atlanta this month too. It was a fun weekend complete with the traditional Great American Cookie Company Cookie. This year we got a double doozie cookie and the store told us it weighed in at 24 lbs!!! Sinful!! But, oh soooo good! I am proud to say that we did NOT finish it :) Also, this weekend was really special because my mother became engaged!!! I am very excited for her and Doug and am looking forward to the many fun and new times we have ahead. Her engagement ring is beautiful and the wedding plans are already taking shape. Congratulations to Mom and Doug!!

Then, Landon and Addi had their first days at preschool!! They look so much older to me than even last year and were very excited about going back to school!! They did not hesitate at all and were not even ready to leave when school was over! I am so proud of them both!!

As always, September is one of our busiest months with 3 birthdays just in our immediate family and our anniversary, and weekly football games. John is having a big birthday this year with turning 18, and Andi is too with her Sweet Sixteen!!September here we come!!!

One day we had a Skittle mess when Addi pulled an entire bag of open Skittles onto the floor!! It was quite the mess and Addi was very surprised!!


Landon and Addi set up this makeshift "office" one day and it was so cute!! They played for at least an hour!



Some new Griner "dos"!






Here begins the new floors!! First Mike and the kids took out the fireplace hearth because it was breaking and sinking into the second floor. We were officially a construction zone.


Mike laying the first pieces of our new floors.



Landon and Addi always curious and eager to help. Mike would let them help for a little bit and then it was time for me to distract them with something else "fun", so Mike could get in a groove :)


New floors!!


The 24 lb Double Doozie Cookie Cake!! Man, those are the best cookies ever!!!!






First day of Preschool 2009! I did have to tell Addi to take off her "multiple accessories" before going into school! So funny!



What a pretty girl!


Landon really looks older to me this year! He was really looking forward to going back to school.


Landon and Addi showing off one of their "truck-Lego masterpieces"!

BEACH FUN 2009

And we're off.....

What can I say? We had a WONDERFUL vacation!! We went to Seaside / Seacrest Beach in Florida. Ryan and Bryan go every year and were looking forward to showing off their stomping ground. I can see why they love to go there and must admit I am sold. We loved it! We had a house right on the beach and it was wonderful to wake up each morning and walk right out onto the deck in front of the ocean. The week was complete with daily morning walks on the beach, plenty of fun in the sun building sand castles, playing with the kids in the water, lots of diving time for Mike, John, and Andi, Bryan teaching me to paddle board (lots of fun), evening bike rides to the playground and sometimes to my new favorite sweet shop called the Sugar Shak, a couple's night out provided by G-Mama and John and Andi, game playing, and most especially time together with family. I so enjoyed watching all the cousins interact. They are all so funny and have unique personalities!

We loved having G-Mama there with us and she spoiled us with a yummy Low Country Boil Party! It was a wonderful week and I am already looking forward to our next family beach trip!!!

Now, it is back to reality. John and Andi start school on 8/10 but are already at band camp everyday from 8-4. Landon and Addi start on 9/1, so they have a little longer vacation. I know everyone's lives will get much busier as Fall begins and school starts back.

Fall football and John's senior year here we come!!!!

Also, wanted to brag about John, he got a 4 on his AP English exam which means he already has college credit for English!! Gooooo John!

Enjoy some pics from the beach!!

July Begins....

Our July 2009 began with John and Andi returning home from their first mission trip to South Dakota. They had a great time and were very tired. Then, the next day Grandma Griner came for a visit.

We enjoyed Grandma Griner being here so much. We had some lazy times of just hanging out and visiting, got in some shopping, went to dinner and a movie and she even helped so much with watching the kids one day while Mike and I both had to work. She is such a fun person to have around and we had a great visit. We miss her already!

Then, on July 3rd, John and Andi left for a second mission trip to Missouri. They come home tomorrow. I am sure they will be worn out after two big trips nearly back to back. Their trip is going well.

July 4th began with the Kingston 4th of July parade and car show. Then, later that afternoon we went over to Sam and Dave's house to hang out and cook out. We had such a great afternoon decorating cupcakes, making yummy desserts, watching concert DVDs, playing in the sprinkler and on the swing and just enjoying being together. It was a really nice 4th of July! Also, Addi's cute 4th of July dress and Landon's shirt were both compliments of their great-aunt Trina. She was so sweet to surprise us with a package in the mail filled with festive 4th clothes. Thanks Aunt Trina!!

Then, Sunday afternoon we took Landon and Addi to Chuck E Cheese for the first time. They were a little overwhelmed at first from the utter "chaos" of that place, but soon warmed up to it. It was a fun experience and although I think they had fun, I don't think they'll be begging me to go back and that is ok with me :)

I tried to caption some of my pictures but Blogger was laying out my pictures very strangely, so it wouldn't work. It is putting my pictures side by side and captions everywhere...weird...don't know what's going on.

This weekend we are off to the beach and I am so excited!! I am sure there will lots of pics, so until then...

I just thought this picture was funny, because this is how much my Addi LOVES her sleep. I have been trying to cut down on nap times since next year in preschool she won't take them, but when she misses a nap she can get so tired that she can sleep anywhere. One minute I was holding her the next, she was out!

I wanted to dedicate a special post to my daddy Paul Koppe. It has been almost 4 years since daddy went to heaven and I can honestly say I am so happy for him to already be in "paradise". I know he is way better off than being here, even if being here means being with us. Saying that and even having peace with that, however, does not make me miss him any less. I miss him all the time and some days, like this one, are harder.

Even though he is gone, he is still a part of my life everyday. There are so many little things that happen that bring back a memory of him or make me think how much I would love for him to be here to share in a particular moment. Such as; seeing how much Landon loves cars and trucks and how he loves to learn how they work, seeing John and Andi's love of music and even musical taste, and knowing how loving and cuddly Addi would be with him. When I think of those things it makes me so sad.

But I try to focus on the awesomeness of where he is, the wonderful life he lead while here on earth and what I can learn from it, the fun memories I have of him and can share with my children, and the wonderful family I still have here with me as a result of his love with my wonderful mother. When I think of those things, it makes me so thankful to God. Then, when I really focus my heart and mind on the fact that as Christians we will all be together again one day and this time for ETERNITY, there is NO greater peace.

Thanks be to God for giving us that peace to live by that He knew we would need to get through this life that is sometimes so difficult. I love my life here on earth, but I must admit, the older I become the more I look forward to the time when all my loved ones are together in Paradise. Selfishly, I wish we could just all go at one time though, so we wouldn't have to bear the sadness of missing the ones who go before us.

In saying all this, I give tribute to my Dad's life here on earth with a thankful heart of being a part of it. He was a hard working, family loving and Christ following man who loved his life. I know he had no regrets in life and went to Heaven with a peaceful heart. I love my daddy and miss him so much! I also want to pay tribute to my family here on earth, especially mom, as we have all loved each other and encouraged each other through some pretty sad times full of change and difficult decisions. We rock! Here are some fun pictures of daddy as I think of who he was, and I know still is in Heaven, with a BIG smile!

Can't wait to see you Daddy!