The Grinaker's

I know, I know ... it has been a LONG time since I have updated the Grinaker blog. A lot has happened since Christmas, as I am sure you can imagine. I will spare you the millions of pics and ALL of the details ... here are just a few!

Merik thrilled to be wearing shorts for the first time this season ... oh, and we cannot leave home without the Twins hat (he does aspire to be the next Joe Mauer - no complaints here)!

Peek-A-Boo. Ryker playing after his bath (bath time is one of his favorite times of the day).

My new kitchen helper! I forgot how fast they move around and get into things!

Ryker trying to copy his brother doing sommersaults ... it was quite comical!

"Best Friends"

Yes, I was trying to contain them (well, at least Ryker) for at least 5 minutes so I could finish folding the clothes!

Merik and Daddy off to Monster Jam! TV ads worked on the little bugger ... he was determined to go!

Touring the Fire Station in Moorhead. Merik is fascinated by all things Fireman related ... we drive by the new Osgood Fire Station everyday and it never seems to get old for him. Oh, the simple pleasures!

Skating with Daddy.

"Ryker's First Haircut"

Before and during the haircut. He did pretty darn good, especially for being sick and plugged up! (We found out the next day that Ryker had RSV.) No crying or fussing ... really he was just extremely curious.

The end result! Turns out Ryker has a cow-lick (spelling?) which is why his hair always naturally goes to the right a little bit. The hairdresser put in some "kids" gel and made Ryker all stylish!

Well, that is us in a nutshell over the past few weeks. There are no signs of slowing down anytime soon with weekends booked through the next few months. Also, Merik turns 4 in May and Ryker has his 1st birthday in June (pics to follow). I will be traveling again as well ... back to LA for 4 days in May, Denver for 2 days in May, and Salt Lake City for 4 days in June. We are looking forward to this summer and hope to spend time with all of you, are great family and friends!

(P.S. I will post our Easter pics this weekend!)

This was the year of many Christmas celebrations for the Grinaker Family ... I think Merik really will believe there are 12 days of Christmas! Merik woke up each day asking if we got to have Christmas again. We started by having our own mini-family celebration on Thursday, December 17th. Then it was off to Detroit Lakes on Friday for the weekend (after eating supper with Nate and Hanna who both flew into Fargo that Friday night). We had Christmas in Detroit Lakes on Saturday, December 19th, followed up by the HUGE Brendemuhl Family Christmas on December 20th. Merik was sent to Beach on Monday with Uncle Nate and Auntie Kay-Kay to spend some extra time with my family ... he was happy he could beat us all there, since everything is a race these days! Then Jake, Ryker, and I braved the stormy weather and headed to Beach on Wednesday. We opened gifts with my family on Wednesday, December 23rd, in order to fit it all in before our big family gatherings. On Christmas Eve we went to my Aunt "Ria's" house ... Santa even happened to show up at 7:30 that night. Boy, the look on Merik's face was priceless! He talked Santa's ears off, but it sure was fun to watch the twinkle in his eye. Even Ryker enjoyed Santa! Christmas Day was held at my parent's house and my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. joined us for a FULL day of food, games, more food, and festivities. We had such a fun time!

Detroit Lakes Christmas!

Ryker definitely enjoyed the ribbons, bows, and paper the most!

Merik got a hockey set from his Uncle Jim & Aunt Rhonda. Of course he had to play ASAP, which I think made Grandpa and Daddy more excited and proud than anything!

"Boo-yah" G-O-A-L!

Grandpa had just as much fun!

Ryker wanted to play too!

Ryker and Grandma's "score" dance.

Merik & Auntie Hanna being silly.

Merik thought Ryker needed to at least try the Christmas ice-cream too. (Ended up not being the best idea ... Ryker's poor tummy!)

The two brothers playing trains.

Our attempt at a family pic in Detroit Lakes ... we never did get one with everyone looking and smiling. It was way past the boys' bedtimes, that is for sure!

Christmas in Beach!

The Boys and Mommy getting ready to open presents in Beach. (You can definitely tell I just got done traveling in the car from Fargo in terrible weather and didn't know we would be opening presents ... not in my best attire!)

Merik and his MOUND of presents.

Ryker and Uncle Nate.

Merik and Nana with Merik's new ENGINE SHED!

Merik hanging out with his cousins: Zaren, Ashelyn, and Tiandra.

Crazy Jake wearing the funky lights glasses!

Ryker and Ashelyn.

Family photo. Too bad I didn't think to do this before the boys changed out of their Christmas outfits and into their new jammies!

Ryker and cousin Brynnae ... both in their new pj's.

Merik's turn to try out the funky lights glasses. (These glasses make all lights turn into patterns ... for example, every light becomes a snowflake so the Christmas tree looks like a bunch of individual snowflakes.)