Griner Family Picture Time!!!!

On Saturday, we went and had family pictures made. Having family pictures made is always an adventure with little ones. Everything went very well and we were able to get a lot of good pictures before "meltdown" time ensued!!! Of course, it helped having jelly beans on hand for a little "encouragement" (much nicer word than bribery!) I was very happy with how they turned out. So, this post is a "Mom's brag time" about her beautiful kids, so bear with all the pictures.

By the way, we went to Portrait Innovations. It was my first time going there, but I was pleased with the result. It is not a very fancy place, but it was very reasonably priced and the photographer was very good with the kids. Also, by purchasing a certain amount of pictures, you get all the pictures (for us 120) on CD to do with as you please. That is great for any reprints or additional pictures on your own. Hope everybody has a great week!!

My oldest handsome son!



My four awesome kids!!



Our pretty and grown up Andi!




This is actually one of the poses I bought of John.



Addi was so silly with her pictures and you can tell was totally relaxed!! By the way, she was supposed to be sitting like a lady with her ankles crossed!





This is the pose I bought of Andi.


Landon posing with a goofy grin.


Addi back to being silly. I know I posted a lot of her, but she was entertaining everyone!





Landon's eyes looked so cute here, I thought.


This is definately Landon's "what'z up" look!


I loved this pose of Landon!


Landon took a little bit longer to relax and was really glad when we were done.



I love to get pictures of the boys and girls together. Here are my boys!



Here are the girls. Once again Addi was a little wild and you can see Andi trying not to get wacked by Addi's crazy head in the last picture.

Roane County Highschool Prom 2008; Dancing in the Moonlight

John went to his first prom this past Saturday night. He had a really, really good time. John is only a sophmore but he was asked to go by a girl named Anna who goes to our church. She is a really sweet girl who is very accomplished and outgoing. Her family is really great and we were happy to let him go. They were going with a big group of friends, and I don't think any of the couples were anything more than friends, so it was "pressure free".

We had fun going to pick out John's tux over a month ago, and knew it was going to look great. We were not mistaken!! John looked so handsome and grown up. We all met at Anna's house for group pictures. It was so much fun taking pictures of all the kids and watching, what was for most of them, their first experience like this. It brought back my own "prom memories". :) Then Andi asked me about my proms, so I really tried to remember them then. It is fun to think about things that happened so long ago, that you now see your children doing, knowing they are creating some of the same kind of memories.

John's night began with dinner at a restaurant called the Chop House and then on to the prom. Our youth minister acted as the chauffeur for a Yukon full of kids. I loved that he was driving. After the prom, they went back to Anna's house to hang out for a while before Anna's mom brought John and Spencer home around 1:30 am. Mike and I were excitedly, although tiredly, waiting to hear all about it. He had a great time and said everyone did. It is tradition at our church for the kids to wear their prom clothes the next morning, so John and Spencer both wore their tuxes to church. It was fun that they got to wear them twice.

So, the prom was a great success and I am thankful everyone was safe and happy at the end of the night!!

Anna putting the boutineer on John, sometimes a little tricky.


John and a couple of his friends decided to wear converse with their tuxes. I thought it looked great!


John and his proud parents!


John and two of his younger siblings who had no idea what was going on. I love how Addi kept looking at John dressed up.


John and Andi giving me a smile.


John and Anna looking great. Anna looked so pretty in her blue dress!



John with some of his closest guy friends looking "studly"!


John and his good friend Spencer.


John giving Anna her corsage. It was a really pretty yellow rose.


John with Cody and Kirby, two guys from Exit 352.


All the sudden I hear John yelling, "MOM!!!", and I look over and their they are in a tree. They were actually pretty high up too. I just told him not to rip the tux.


John and Spencer having a great time.


Anna and John feeling like movie stars with the paparazzi all around them!



Andi posing with Elizabeth, another girl from our church.


John and Spencer yet again!


The whole "prom group" posing for a silly picture!


The prom group posing for a more formal picture.


A close up of John and Anna, along with Elizabeth laughing and already having a great time during the pictures.

**Kaori Amaya Harris Arrives!!!!**

Kaori Amaya Harris arrived in the states on Friday, April 4, 2008 and we were all able to be there and witness her arrival. It was brilliant and wonderful and so special!!! Luckily, we arrived at the airport by 3:00 because even though they were not even supposed to land until 3:30, they were already in the immigration line by this time. We were all so surprised that they were running early and so we rushed to get our signs ready. They called us to say that they would be coming up the escelator very soon, so we got ready. Ryan had made us all T-shirts and they turned out soooo cute!! We had signs and Aunt Trina even brought some balloons. GG made a new friend named George. He was from Russia and living in New York. He was travelling through on business and became part of the family for a couple of hours. My family even ended up eating dinner with him at the airport before coming back to TN that same day.

You'll notice I don't have any pictures with G-Mama, my camera batteries died before she made it up. She was held up by security because of her gift for me and Mike, a little Japanese plum wine. :) We were getting a little worried though, why it was taking her so long. Finally, she made it up and joined us!!

We had a great turnout of family and friends to welcome home our newest family member and it was really magical!!

Mike and John awaiting their arrival!!


GG and our new friend George!


When we first saw Sam and Dave Kaori was fast asleep!



My cousins Wes and Zach had the privilege of holding Landon, Addi and Mary Paul's Welcome Home sign!


Mary Paul and her daddy Uncle Bryan!


Addi showing off her shirt that Aunt Ryan made for us!


John and Dave catching up right after we first saw them!


Sam talking with Wes and Zach!


The proud mama with her new daughter!




You forget how little newborns are until you hold one again. The proud new aunt admiring my newest niece!


Aunt Trina, our cousin Mandi and Samantha catching up.


Samantha showing off her little girl to Mike and Addi.


Now Landon gets a look at his new cousin.


Mike congratulating the new mother and admiring his new niece.


GG loving her moments with her newest great granddaughter!


Kaori and her mom.


With all the excitement, Kaori worked up an appetite!! We loved it when she woke up!!


Bryan holding down the fort with the kids playing.


Landon got to keep the purple balloon. He was very happy because purple is his favorite color!!!