John's 17th Birthday and Other Random Moments!!

Last week was a pretty busy week! We celebrated John's 17th birthday!! It is hard to believe he is already 17 years old. For some reason, 17 sounds so much older than 16. He is a wonderful, talented and fun son and brother to everyone in the Griner home. We are so proud of the Christian man he is choosing to become each day by the choices he makes. We are also so ecxited for him as he gets closer to going out into the world more and more on his own!! Happy Birthday to our oldest baby!!

In addition to John's birthday, we had some random fun around the house and went to the football game on Friday night. Kingston won the game and the band did great!! Andi is singing the national anthem before football games now, so I will try to get some video of that soon. Landon and Addi had fun playing dress up last week too. I love the dress up pictures becasue Landon is in a skirt, yet flying an airplane all around. Sooo funny!! Also, one morning Addi was in a picture mood. I wanted to take some pictures because she had slept in braids the night before, so her hair was wavy. When I went to take her picture, she was all into it and just kept smiling and saying "cheese"! So funny!

I also got a funny video of how crazy dinner can often get. As you can probably guess, dinner was the craziest before I was finally able to get the camera on. I did get a good belly laugh from Landon on the video though, because that is what really cracks everyone up!! Nearly every night, Landon and Addi get a major after dinner "rush"! Many times it ends up like this one!!

I hope everone is having a great week!!

Addi realizing that I am taking her picture!



Addi and Landon giving me a few quick pictures before school on Thursday.



Addi was really into saying "cheese" and smiling for the camera!!




Entire family at John's birthday. If you look close you can even see Maggie under the table.


Our new 17 year old!!!


He had to blow twice to get them all blown out!


The cake all lit up and Mike trying not to get burned from the heat!!



John opening a card.


Addi licking off one of the candles.


John opening the gift from Addi and Landon, they were very excited!!


Landon enjoying his cake!


John opening his gift from Grandma Griner!


The proud mother and her new 17 year old!!


The very yummy oreo cake!


Landon flying his plane in a very pretty pink dress!



Addi dressed up too in pink, of course, and flying her pony all around.


Landon the plane pilot!!!


Music was on so they were dancing and running too!


Landon, with his plane!!


Addi looking down because her skirt kept slipping down causing her to trip!


Landon looks like he has the perfect ballet turnout here, don't you think???


Both having a great time!!!


Addi trying to catch up with Landon!


Mike and Addi enjoying eachother at the football game!!


Landon having a serious moment at the game!!


A string of three Griner fans!!


Andi preparing to sing the National Anthem!


Drumline RCHS 2008! Playing the cadence as the band marched on for pregame!


Addi laying down on the bleachers to get comfortable!!! She is a wiggle worm!!


A funny dinner night last week!!

Silly Griner Dinner Times from Elizabeth griner on Vimeo.

First Football Game 2008 and Andi Turns 15!!

Last week was the first football game and an early birthday party for Andi's 15th birthday!!!!

The first football game was a big hit! John and Andi both did wonderful and had a great time, and the football team won!! G-Mama sent some flowers and balloons and we gave the kids a special candy treat to celebrate their first game!! It was hard to get some really good pictures, because at the first games I am never sure where to stand in relation to where they are on the field. I did get a few though, once I found them. All the kids kind of look the same when out on the field in uniform. Landon and Addi had fun at the game, even though it was pretty hot! The second game is tonight, and it is the first home game, so that should be fun!!!

Last Friday night, Andi had a party for her 15th birthday. Her acutal birthday is not until the 15th, but all weekends were full except for this one! She had several friends over and had a great time!! I can not believe she is already "almost" 15 years old. She is asking about her learner's license, so we will be looking into that soon, I am sure. I can not believe I will have two kids driving!!! I am just now getting used to one kid driving! We are so proud of our Andi girl and the beautiful Christian woman she is becoming!! She has such a strong sense of self, which is hard to come by in kids today!! We love her so much and love watching her grow!! She looked beautiful at her first game!!!

Landon and Addi are loving preschool!! I have yet to have to leave either one of them crying! I am so thankful for that! I worked all last weekend at the hospital, and began my first week of clinic work this week while the kids were at preschool. It went very well, although it is an adjustment for me to be gone from the little ones and from home. I know it will take time to get into a routine.

Last night, we ordered John's senior ring. Wow!! He was excited about ordering it and I am happy for him to have it to commemorate his highschool career.

Below are some pictures from the first game and from Andi's 15th birthday party!! Hope everyone has had a great week!!

John with his first game celebration balloons!


Andi with her flowers and sugar free gun (she can chew it with her braces)


Andi and Felicia at the first game. Felicia is our neighbor who lives across the street.


John chilling out in the stands.


Andi with Landon at the game. Landon's eyes look kind of weird!


How beautiful!!


Andi spinning her flag for the first time at her first game!


John is always the 3rd snare from the Left! Our Drum Captain son!



Andi showing off some more flag action!




John busy concentrating!



Andi blowing out her candles!!


Mike bringing in the tie dye rainbow cookie cake!


Andi admiring her big candles!!


Andi giving us a silly smile in her princess hat!!


Andi with candle teeth!!


Allie showing us her candle fangs!


A group picture! You can see Landon and Addi really wanted to be a part of the party too!


The infamous Great American Cookie Co. cookie cake!! There are no other cookies in the world as good as these if you ask me!! This one was completely covered with icing!


Andi opening presents!!! Happy Birthday!!!