HAPPY SWEET 16!!!

16 years ago on, AUGUST 18th, 1995 our family celebrated the birth of a little boy.

GRAHAM LYNN RICHARDS

Graham has been a great blessing to our family and we can't imagine life without him. Here are some interesting facts about him.

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Food: Slow Cooked Lemon Chicken

He is very literal.

He has a great sense of humor and is our comedian.

He can play every instrument that we own.

He is a meticulous organizer and cleaner.

He can spend more time mopping our wood floors than anyone I know.

He is anxiously waiting for his growth spurt.

Subsequently, his favorite phrase of scripture right now is:

"And... there were giants on the earth" Moses 8:18

( I think you can tell that Graham has high hopes for his future)

WE LOVE YOU GRAHAM!!!!

Every time someone in our family has a birthday they get to pick a theme or challenge for the day. We all try to come up with creative birthday cards that go along with the theme. It can get pretty challenging. We were going to do a Luau program at one of the local nursing homes that day and so Graham decided to stick to that theme. So he enjoyed a happy Hawaiian Birthday!

We also have the tradition that they can get any kind of cereal they want, a bag of candy, a bag of chips, and any drink or pop they want. Then the night before we get to wrap and hide their "presents".

He searched high...

...and low and was able to find all of them without using the usual hot and cold hints. Great going Graham!!!

This cake was made entirely out of mint chocolate chip, and chocolate caramel ice cream.
YUMMY!!!

That afternoon, we went to the Holdrege Memorial Homes, which is just a couple blocks from our house, and we performed a Hawaiian program. Katie and I learned a short hula dance and we found out that Poi was originally started in New Zealand and so we added a Poi routine to our program.

Here is a picture that John found and that I could not leave out...

We had a blast doing the Luau program at the Holdrege Homes. They had decorated the whole room Hawaiian style. We hope the residents enjoyed it too.

Don't you think that orange grass skirts make great wigs?

Ok, maybe they are not that great, but you must admit that it is "pretty" creative.

That evening we played some games that Dad invented.

Dad can make a game out of anything. In this picture the goal was to throw a lei over each person's head without missing. Isaac won that one.

What's going on here???

Its Octopus Garden!

It was the hit of the night. I think we must of played at least 20 rounds. It was really fun. Thank you Dad for the game ideas!

Graham had a great birthday and is excited to be 16. Have a great year Grahammy!!!

The next day, Covey, Melody, and Mack were returning from their vacation and stopped over for the night.

We enjoyed their visit. It is always so fun when we get to spend time with them. We enjoy the time we get to talk, laugh, and tell stories together.

MORE!?!?

Mack just discovered his new favorite food.

Vanilla pudding and crushed Oreos, a.k.a. "Dirt Pudding".

We love you Covey, Melody, and Mack!!!

“May our families and homes be filled with love: love of each other, love of the gospel, love of our fellowman, and love of our Savior. As a result, heaven will be a little closer here on earth.

“May we make of our homes sanctuaries to which our family members will ever want to return."

Pres. Monson