Daddy's Little Helper

Sean, being the great husband and grandson-in-law, takes care of my Grandpa Joe's yard. He cuts it, fertilizes it and even trims the bushes. I am the youngest grandchild so this was my job for many years, until I was pregnant with Killian and Sean would no longer let me mow. He does such a good job. And trust me it ain't easy, G-pa can be somewhat particular about his grass.

Killian decided last time he cut that he needed some help. She helped him push the mower and helped mom sweep the clippings.

Getting ready to go outside

Come on Dad, let's go!

Here we go!

Killian sweeping the grass, literally!

Now she is getting it.

Ewww, a bug!

All that is left of the bug, a guts mark on the drive way.

Hmmmm, this looks dirty.

A little music, a little throwing stones and a lot of guys in kilts!

This past weekend we were able to attend the Celtic Highland Games here in the Quad Cities. It is a really neat event with all sorts of stuff to keep Killian entertained. There was kids crafts and storytelling. Killian made herself a crown and a shield. There was lots of music for Killian to dance to. She really enjoyed the bagpipes, from a distance.

Decorating a crown with Daddy.

There were also animals to pet and watch. They had some Highland Cattle that she was able to touch. I believe this might have been the first time she was able to get really close to animal of this size. You can see that she really wanted to pet the cows but as soon as she would touch one she would quickly pull her hand back.

Killian petting the cow.

We also got to watch some sheep herding. Killian didn't quite understand what was going on. She kept calling for the dogs to come over to her. She enjoyed when the dog would bring the sheep over to where we were sitting. As soon as they would start to go away she would yell "Come here, come here".

The sheep preparing for the demonstration.

The dogs preparing.

Killian's favorite part would have to have been the athletic Games of Brawn or Heavy Athletics. These events include:

Clachneart (Stone of strength) & Braemar Stone
These ancient events are similar to the modern day shot-put, using a stone instead of a steel ball. The stone must be 'put' from the front of the shoulder using only one hand. A 16 to 22 pound stone is used for the Clachneart, which allows a seven-and-a-half foot run-up to a toe board. The Braemar is a standing throw using a 22 to 30 pound stone.

Weight Throws
Scottish Weight throws are the origin of the NCAA track weight throw. The weight throw was also contested in the Olympics until 1920 Games. A heavy (56 lbs) and light (28 lbs) metal implement is thrown for distance. The weight is thrown one-handed from behind the toe board with a nine-foot run up allowed. Any style may be used, but the most popular and efficient is to spin like a discus thrower. The weights are based on “stone” weights of the old imperial measuring system, often used in agriculture. The implements thrown developed from yard weights used to balance scales. A “stone” weighs 14-pounds, which means the athlete is throwing 2 and 4 stone weights.

Scottish Hammer
The Scottish hammer is the precursor to the Olympic wire hammer throw and most likely comes from throwing black smith hammers or “mells”, which were used to drive in fence posts. Today, the Scottish hammer is metal ball weighing 16 or 22 pounds (12 and 16 pounds for women) on a 50 inch long cane or PVC shaft and is thrown for distance. The hammer is thrown over the shoulder with the competitors back facing the field. The hammer is whirled in circles about the competitor’s body from over his head to down in front of his feet, each time picking up speed until the release. The competitor's feet may not move until after he releases the hammer over his shoulder.

Sheaf Toss
The Sheaf Toss uses a hay fork to toss a 16 to 20 pound sheaf (burlap bag full of twine) for height. This event has its roots in agricultural where farmers would throw wheat sheafs into the loft. Top competitors can launch the sheaf over 30 feet in the air. An unusual aspect of this event is that any competitor may use any other competitor’s fork.

Weight Toss

The 4 stone or 56 pound weight used for distance event is also tossed for height. Since this event is traditionally the last events of the day, it is a gut check for the competitor. This event is periodically used in the World Strongest Man Competition. With heights thrown over 15 feet, this event is akin to throwing a car battery onto a highway overpass.

Caber Toss
This event requires raw strength, balance, and coordination to pick up a 16-20 foot tall tapered pole weighing 90 to 140 pounds and flipping it end over end.

Killian enjoying some caber tossing!

(Can you see the giant tree like pole to the left of Killian's head?

That's is what they are throwing.)

Killian loved the Caber Toss! She would yell and clap for all the athletes. The athletes would turn around and smile and laugh when Killian would go crazy. Everyone around us was getting such a kick out of watching Killian react to the throws. She didn't care if they did good or bad they all got a round of applause from her! Killian really wanted to join in the games but she is just a bit too young. I think she would be old enough to start taking some Irish dance lessons though.

All in all the Celtic Highland games were very entertaining and educational. Sean and Killian both looked like they fit in quite well with the redhair and freckled folks. I believe next year Sean will be required to wear a kilt!

Campapalooza and then some

This last weekend we took Killian camping. For our first experience we stayed in our friend Stefanie's parents yard. LOL I know we really were roughing it. I think we packed enough stuff to last a week. Killian was the official greeter. She went around and said hello to everyone, more then once in fact. She loved playing in the tent. She sat in there for a good hour just walking from one window to the next. Killian was her normal cheese self, smiling at all the boys, talking and dancing with everyone, and smiling for all the pictures people could take. She even played some football, ladder ball and bags. I think she enjoyed bags the most! She really like sticking her head in the target to get the bean bags and then sliding down.

As it got dark we started to calm her down and get ready for bed. This is the point where we started to lose the camping battle. There were so many people there that she wanted to play with that she didn't want to go to bed. We tried having her sleep in the tent but it was too loud. We headed inside to Stefanie's room, but she has far too many things that Killian had to play with and explore. After an hour of solid crying and refusing to sleep Sean asked Killian if she wanted to go home and sleep in her crib. She responded with a sad pouty "yes, home". So we got to pack up and head back into town so our sleepy baby girl could sleep in her own bed.

Overall it was such a fun time. Hopefully, next time we can make it the whole night!

Smiling for Stefanie.

Smiling with Stefanie.

Killian checking out the tent!

Killian in the tent.

Killian hangin with the boys.

Killian playing football.

Brent, Sean and Sean playing various Campapalooza games.

Searching for the bean bags.

Time for some random pictures that are just too cute!

Killian being a cheese!

Killian playing with her St. Patricks Day pipe (5 months after the parade)

Here are a couple videos of Killian.

First Killian showing off her Graff Family Fun Run shirt.

Next Killian showing off her muscles and shaking. (when she gets really into shaking her whole body vibrates)

Epic Fail...

That is what my young adults here at the library would call my updating on the blog. And yes, I agree with them. I have once again fallen behind on the family blog.

So join me on a quick wrap-up of the California trip:

Sean and I have been married now for over 2 months. We celebrated a second reception here in Illinois with local friends and family. We definitely missed all the friends and family from California. For those of you who were not able to join us in California or you were there and did not know the back story of the wedding day. It was a beautiful day. This was a true Family Affair. Sean's mom along with help from his sisters, brother-in-laws and even my mom and step-dad decorated the reception hall and the outdoor gazebo. The place looked amazing! Kira was the hairstylist for the day. She made this bride look gorgeous. Sean and I realized just hours before the ceremony we forgot to get plates, silverware and napkins. So I called my dad who ran and got some of the items, I believe Katie went out for some items, the best man Danny went and got stuff to put the food in and I think I remember hearing that Stew might have also ran for serving utensils also. A BIG BIG thank you to all our wonderful family and friends who ran around like crazy people to help us. My newly acquired sisters and brother-in-laws helped to get the food together and out for the guests to eat. I have to say I was quite amazed by my new family. There are not words to describe how awesome they are!

We were able to get lots of pictures taken before the ceremony. We are still going through the 800+ pictures we have to print out and send to family members. Everyone looked gorgeous. All the little nieces and nephews had matching outfits. It was so cute! Sean's mom was able to find brown shoes with pink polka-dots for Killian. The best part about the shoes was that they squeaked as she walked. She loves those shoes. It was a big help throughout the day in keeping track of where she was at. The only down side was she was watching her feet quite a bit and fell right before the ceremony. Me not thinking picked her up. Well she had a cut on her knee and got blood on the wedding dress. I was very fortunate that at that secong Sean's Grandma Joni was walking by where we were all standing and was able to get it all out. YEAH GRANDMA JONI!!!

We said the I do's, we ate and we danced! Killian stole the show during the first dance. She decided that she needed to be out spinning on the dance floor next to her mom and dad. She did not want to dance with us, or with her cousin Adam. She had to be by herself stealing the show. Which was quite alright with us! The final dance was to "We are Family" and we were all in a big circle dancing together.

Now I am new to the balloon world and wondered what happens to all the balloons that we had??? I quickly found out. After the final song the balloon destruction began. Everyone left immediately began popping as many balloons as possible. It was quite fun. I did save balloon Sean and Paula, only to find out they did not fit in the van. Sean began to pop balloon Paula so I felt it necessary to quickly destroy balloon Sean.

After the reception, still fully decked out in our wedding attire we went to a local bar with some of Sean's friends. It was hilarious. Don't worry- Stew drove us (thanks again to Stew and Kira for making sure we were safe). There was a live band and Sean's friend Miguel got them to sing us a song so they cleared the dance floor and we danced for the second time. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day-with a couple hiccups thrown in there!

The next day we went to the beach finally! And it was cold and windy. The plan to surf quickly disappeared...for Sean and I. Stefanie and Sean got some wet suits and body boards and joined Miguel, Dan, Christa and her brother out surfing. My nephew was brave enough to swim in the ocean for the first time with NO wetsuit. Stefanie took him out and held him up while getting smacked with waves. He was so happy and loved every minute. Stefanie said she could feel his goosebumps through her wetsuit. After the beach we headed back to the house to change and head to a family diner. We were only able to stay for a little bit because Killian had yet to nap for the day.

Killian at the beach.

Sean and Stefanie out in the ocean.

The following day was Memorial Day, and boy was it memorable! We did a Graff family 5k! The running/walking part was okay but listening to Sean tell me all these stories about growing up on the ranch was more fun. After the half way part Sean ditched me and I got to walk with his cousin Tina and Aunt Becky. After the race we got prizes and food. Our plan was to go see the sea lions, which was one of the things I really wanted to do in California. Our daughter however, had another idea. We laid her down for a nap and thought her normal hour to two hour nap would take place. Nope, incorrect the girl slept for almost 5 hours. We for once hung out at the house and just relaxed. In the evening we invited all family members who were still in town over to the house. We ate as much of the remaining food as possible and just hung out talking and laughing.

Tuesday we had to leave for LA (boooooo we don't want to leave). Sean and I had boxes of presents to send back so we left after the rest of my family. We stopped by the ranch one last time, said our goodbyes and hit the road. We decided to take our time and stop to enjoy some California scenery. The rest of the trip was typical traveling enjoyment. Get up early, race to airport and wait. Get on plane, get off plane, get on new plane, get off plane and then drive 3 more hours home. Killian was once again fantastic through out the long day.

Killian walking around at a stop on the way to LA.

Our view from the hotel in LA.

PS-you can find California wedding pictures and pictures from the reception here at http://seanandpaula09.shutterfly.com/ the password is hitched052309