Aunt Julie and Baby Julie

On January 11 my sister Ruby had a baby girl and named her after me. Julie Franke. She is such a cute little baby. It's fun to have some body in the family named after you. It was so much fun to see her for the first time. She is such a doll.

I stole this picture from Ruby also.

Saturday Night Date

My sister Ruby has this same picture on her blog, and I stole it. Saturday was so fun. All my siblings came down, as well as one of Ellie's friend Jared. My parents watched the little kids so that we could all go on a date. There are 5 kids, so that made 10 of us. They are all so much fun when we get together.

Saunakirja

When Landon was on his mission in Finland he had this book called a "Saunakirja" it basically translates to "Sauna Book". The missionaries had some kind of a book like this so that when they had visitors come to their place or had other missionaries come visit they could sign their book. Its like a guest book and the guests can write why they where there. Landon had a lot of left over pages and so we have decided to use it for us as well. It sits by our front door and when we have visitors, friends, and family come over to hang out, say hi, or what ever we can have them sign our book and write a little something in it. So if you want to be in this famous "Finnish" book, then you have to come by our place and say hi (treats are always welcome as well :)

Happy Valentines Day

Valentines Day this year was a lot of fun. Landon and I woke up and made biscuits and gravy. We had his brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Amanda and their girl Gracie came over as well as Landons friend Jared. They all came over and we had such a fun time eating breakfast and talking. Later we played the game Yahtzee. That morning Landon had to run to the store to buy a few food items, while he was there he bought me Flowers, oh how sweet :) what he didn't realize is that we didn't have a vase and so we had to use the blender for our vase. The flowers are even prettier. Thanks Landon. Oh and Landon blew up some balloons we had and was making laugh really hard when he was acting like an older lady.
Later on that day Landon and I had to work, which was fine, I didn't mind it. We were making money and we where together. For dinner Jared and Ellie cooked chicken and brought it to us during out break, it was nice of them.





For those of you who where not at my Wedding Luncheon, my brother-in-law Kevin read the poem that Landon wrote to me while he was on his mission. Well, I didn't think about posting this until I saw Kevin posted the poem he wrote for Ruby. I don't like competition, I just think they are both really good poems.
So here is the poem Landon wrote for me 2 years ago for Valentines Day.

Julie's Poem
I needed a job, so I looked around.
I had my C.N.A, but no job could be found.
Finally in the paper, I saw an add.
"I'll apply there, it's not too bad"
One of a million applications was mine,
but by some miracle I made it on time.
My greedy thoughts began to show,
"I'll wipe some butts and make some dough."
But there was something different here, what could it be?
The residents, the food, or because it's so friendly?
I discovered the feeling and began to pursue.
It wasn't the food, that feeling was you!
A twelve - to - one ration with girls is high;
but of them all, only one caught my eye.
Julie's amazing, smart, funny, and grand!
I devised a plan just to hold your hand.
As our friendship grew, and now I look back;
It's like I found a needle in a hay-stack.
Four wheeling, the temple, and staying up late,
working was like getting payed to date!
We then stepped it up and began to give hugs,
unless we had something all over our scrubs.
Kisses came next, and oh what a thrill!
Each time I recall them, my spine gets a CHILL!
But finally the time came for us to depart; :(
but don't worry baby, you've still got my heart. :)
Half way across the world to serve,
the Lord that I love, and help his children return.
I feel near to you, though so far away;
with each letter of Love, and a prayer every day.
Julie I love You, and want you to know;
though this poem is real long, I hope it will show...
That you are my Princess and you're priceless to me.
Have a reat Valentines Day, I love you SWEETIE!
Love always and Forever, Landon Deru

More on "Sunny Dog"

I found more pictures of Sunny I wanted to add. And my dad says that Sunny is just like on of us (the Griffiths).....Blond and pretty!!!

A Tribute for Sunny Dog

Four years ago today "Sunny" our family dog passed away. She was such a good dog. My uncle Marks dog had a litter of puppies and gave Sunny to us. I even remember driving up to Idaho to get her. She was around for about 13 years and served the Griffiths family many great memories and happy times, as well as some sad times. One time I accidentally slammed her wagging tale in the door and made it bleed, then one time she was jumping on me and I couldn't get up, a neighbor saved my life (or so I thought). Sunny would let us sit on her back as she would run (only when we were real small). She would also be very good to baby's, if a baby had candy or food Sunny would not even think about taking it, if you where older she wouldn't care. She was a lot of fun to play with and have as our family pet. These are pictures of her and when we gave a funeral for her. She was just like one of us.



Those puppies belonged to Sunny.



We did the same thing we did at my Grandpas funeral. Each person got a chance to lay dirt down, and as we lay the dirt down we say one of the most memorable experiences where.

New Ward....New Calling

Now that Landon and I are married we attend Weber State University's Married Student Ward. A few things about it that are fun is, first, that my dad is in the bishopric, and everyone in the ward is going through the same thing. Most everyone is pretty much living in a basement apt., have been married less than a year and are poor. I just received a new calling a few weeks ago to serve on the Relief Society's cooking committee. I am way happy about that (Landon is too), hopefully I will be able to improve my cooking skills and share them with others.
Here are a few pictures of some things I have made. My mom helped me make pies to take to my in-laws.