First Food

Santa brought Griffin some rice cereal for Christmas. He got his first taste of food during our Christmas lunch. He didn't really care too much about it. He was more interested in his feet.

He eventually did eat a few bites.

Again with the feet.

I just realized I don't even have a picture of me feeding him. Poor 4th child. Oh well, at least I documented the event.

Look Uncle B.J.

This is for you Uncle B.J. Gotta love the Mohawk! I love his shirt, it reminds us of you!

Griffin was ticked at having his picture taken (no surprises there).

Christmas with the Mikel Family

This is it...these are all the pictures I have. On the 19th we had a Christmas party at our house. Mom and Dad came, along with Josh and Jess. This is the new bike Lila got from Mimi and Bear. However, this is not her riding it that night. This is the next day before church, wearing the new outfit Mok got her and looking adorable.

She loves her bike. My favorite thing is when Sunny rides it and Lila climbs on the back and holds on tight. They ride circles around the house and have so much fun.

Sunny got an Easy Bake Oven. (Her dream has come true!!) It is actually pretty cute and the food is pretty good. She was making a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting in this picture.

Aunt Jess made adorable headbands for the girls. I couldn't resist trying Lila's on Griffin. He makes a pretty cute little girl...hahaha.

4 Months Old

I thought it would be cute to put Griffin under the tree for a picture. He was obviously not on board with that plan. I'll post more of this photo shoot later, but he never did cooperate. Good thing I think these are pretty cute anyway.

Today we took him to the Doctor for his 4 month old check up. He is actually 4 months and 3 weeks(ish). Here are his latest stats:

Weight: 15 lbs 3 oz -- 40th %
Height: 25 3/4 inches -- 65th %
Head: 16 inches -- 7th%

So, he is growing well (much bigger than Lila and Sunny, and about the same size as Jackson was). Still a peanut head, but I think his big ears make it look a little bigger :)

I posted some of his newest accomplishments the other day but here they are again:

rolling
sitting

laughing and smiling lots
great sleeping and eating
pretty darn adorable all around!

It is looking like poor Griffin has a milk protein allergy/intolerance like Lila. Hopefully he will outgrow it sooner rather than later, although Lila's is still going strong now :( He also has a cold right now. If he doesn't get better after the weekend he'll have to take some antibiotics which I'm not thrilled about, but I bet he'll get better on his own first.

The doctor just wants to be careful of RSV. He told me several times to be very careful and keep him away from crowds, church, and kids (other than our own b/c we can't really help that). He said that 4 months to around a year is dangerous b/c babies can put stuff in their mouths and chew on their hands and can get germs more easily than a newborn. He also said people are more vigilant with newborns and not older babies.

So, as if I wasn't paranoid enough about sickness he has made me even more nervous. If I could put my kids in a bubble all winter I would, but since I can't --anyone with germs better stay far, far, away.

Temple Square

Last night we went to Temple Square with Mimi and Bear to see all the Christmas lights. It was a good idea in theory, but in reality it didn't go so well.

#1. If your kids are all usually in bed by 6:00, you probably shouldn't leave your house to go somewhere at 5:30.

#2. If you make it up to Salt Lake in pretty good time, even with heavy traffic, don't think you are out of the woods. You will still have to park.

#3. Parking was HORRIFIC! We drove around for 30 minutes trying to park with 3 tired kids and a screaming baby.

#4. Don't bring a jogging stroller. It doesn't fit through most doorways and people are just plain rude and won't let you through a crowd on the sidewalk.

But, other than that it went well. The kids were most thrilled with the hot chocolate and cookies. Mimi says "Maybe we'll do it again in 5 years!" I'm with her on that one.

I think Lila actually enjoyed the whole experience the most. She is so adventurous and is always up for anything. She had a ball riding on Bear's shoulders.

Ryan took this and I think it is beautiful.

Breakfast With Santa 2009

Every year our old ward has a breakfast with Santa for their Christmas party. I have loved going to it for the past 4 years and am glad that we were able to go this year also. It is such a wonderful ward and neighborhood, and we love everyone there so much. It really felt like going home and I loved visiting with all my friends that I don't see too often anymore.

I have pictures of the kids with Santa every year (and if I was more organized I would find them all and post them) and I love to see how much the they have grown.

In 2006, Sunny was 2 and cried and I ended up on Santa's lap with her. In 2007, Jackson wanted nothing to do with Santa and it is quite possible they were both crying. In 2008 we added baby Lila to the picture and this year we have added baby Griffin. I love watching my family double in size. Santa is running out of room on his lap.

Jackson has asked Santa for a light-saber. (Check)
Sunny asked for a flute. (Check)
Lila wants something Dora (Check)
Griffin doesn't care (Check)

We can't wait until next years party, and who knows, maybe one day we'll add baby number 5 to the picture!!! (It definitely won't be next Christmas though)

p.s. Thanks for the pictures Julie :)

1st Grade Christmas Program

Horrible picture...I know! I don't know why they are so dark, I tried everything, must've been the lighting on the stage. Jax is on the top row in the middle. He has on a white shirt w/blue sleeves.

Mom and Sunny were there.

So were me and Griffin.

No pictures, but Daddy, Lila, and Nana came too!

We sat amongst about 1000 parents and kids. (This was only first grade and it was packed).

Video coming soon, but I'm warning you it is not good either. In any case, the program was adorable. They danced and sang and Jax had a ball. Can't wait for Sunny to do it next year!