Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

I love Christmas! Definitely one of my favorite times of year. We spent a few days at my parents house to be able to spend as much time as possible with family throughout Scott's break. I love all of the traditions that we've continued through the years. We wake up Christmas morning and have a big breakfast filled with cream cheese roll, fruit and all the fixins. So relaxing to be able to wake up at my parents house and still feel like a kid again at Christmas.

Christmas with a two year old has to be one of the funnest thing ever! Griffen's first gift to open was a pair of crocs. It was the cutest thing ever! He immediately knew that he wanted to wear them asap. He stripped off his pajamas and put the shoes on as fast as he could.

Here he is playing basketball with his new goal after he had put on his shoes. As you can tell, he loved the goal too.

Precious and Uncle B

G loved crashing through the wrapping paper. The smile on his face didn't go away for days!

Me trying to teach G how to play baseball with his new tee on Christmas morning.

Checking out his new cash register. Remember these things? I had one when I was a kid and was so glad to see they had come out with them again. So fun to see Griffen playing with one of my favorite toys as a kid.

After breakfast and all the gifts, we headed to Scott's parents house to have Christmas #3. Here we are posing for our annual pic by their tree. It was a pretty low key holiday there this year with different family members at different celebrations. So good though to be able to spoil each other in a smaller setting.

Granny, Scott's grandmother, checking out her new blanket. Think she likes it?

Griffen and Emilee, my cousin, loved checking out the leaves (no snow this year) in my parents yard on Christmas night. Love seeing the smile on his face and the joy in his eyes!

Goofing off with cousin Emilee!

All in all it was a great Christmas. So very thankful for our loving families, a beautiful home to enjoy, and for Christ's love this season.

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011 was filled with so much love, laughter, tears and sweet memories. It was hard, don't get me wrong. All I had to do was look at our mantle and see what our family of four should have looked like this Christmas. But that wasn't our reality. I tried not to dwell on what "should have" been. Instead I looked around at my sweet 2 year old and loving husband and thanked God for the gifts we have been blessed with.

The weather was beautiful throughout the holiday season, so with Scott home we made lots of trips to the park.

Our family made a trip to the Gaylord Texan to see the train exhibit and to ride the indoor snow hillls. It was such a fun day. We were so blessed to have Brandon, aka Uncle B, come visit this Christmas so we had  filled our time with as many fun adventures as possible.

Our first Christmas celebration was at my aunt and uncle's house. We are so excited to have them back in the DFW area and not in Florida anymore. I loved looking around and seeing all my cousins, their families, and my family all enjoying the day and celebrating the gifts God has blessed us with. 

Before we headed to my parents for Christmas, Scott and I had our traditional gift exchange at our house. This was our fourth year to go to Target for our gifts. We set a $20 limit and a time limit and then see what all goodies we can give each other. Definitely have to get creative on the budget and time limit.

Griffen Jey---24 months---aka 2 years old!

Our little 7 pound 13 oz. baby is turning TWO today (December 14)!  How did he go from this...

To this so fast...??!!

24 Month Stats:

• 27 pounds 7 oz.
• 35 1/2 inches tall
• size 4 diaper
• 18-24 month clothes, 24 month shirts but 18-24 month pants
• 1 nap a day usually 2-3 hours
• sleeps 11-12 hours a night
• still sleeps with George and his sleep sac
• talking nonstop- added so many words in the last month. So exciting to hear him.
• loves trains, Elmo, and Mickey
• favorite show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• never really walks anywhere, loves to run
• eats like a champ!
• loves to eat Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches
• moved up into the Park class at church. LOVES it!
• enjoys being read to and still has a great love of books
• Has a contagious smile and laugh!

Dear Griffen-
We love you so much! You are growing up to be such a sweet and loving boy. You bring such joy to our lives everyday. Thank you your hugs and kisses everyday. We love seeing your personality come out each day as you explore everything around you. Happy birthday sweet boy! We love you.
Love Mom and Dad

Griffen's Snowman Party

A snowman adventure is waiting for you...because Griffen Jey is turning two!

For Griffen's second birthday, I wanted something fun and different. Before he has an opinion on what crazy character he wants his party to be based around, this momma wanted to have some fun! I really enjoyed creating all the details of his party this year. Thanks to Pinterest for some creative ideas too! Here's all the little details of the party....The "small" party we planned to have at our house quickly turned into about 25-30 people. I wouldn't have had it any other way though. I loved turning around every corner of our house and seeing friends and family. This is exactly why I wanted a house so much. So blessed!

The birthday boy

Greeting at the door

Sign in table...I do a scrapbook page each year for G's scrapbook for guests to write him a note on

The kids table...we had 5 two year olds. They loved having their own little table.

The food...loved coming up with as much snowman themed food as possible.

Another guest table for the "big kids"

The kids favors....peppermint scented homemade play-do

The "big kids" favors...white chocolate popcorn with red hots

Our worn out little man...he's all partied out!

Let the planning for next year begin! :-)

November 2011

November was a great month. We have so much to be thankful for and it's always such a good time to slow down and think on those things.

Griffen got a new sand box courtesy of a consignment sale. As you can tell from the pics, he loves it! Love seeing his face as he runs his feet through the sand for the first time. Such a joy to be able to stay home and see all of these new discoveries each day as he grows.

How did I get blessed with such a sweet boy?! I love him so much. He has such a sweet, happy heart that shows through everyday. Don't get me wrong he has his moments but overall he really is the happiest kid I know. Everything is so exciting to him that his joy is contagious.So blessed to be his mommy!

When did he get so big? Next month he will be 2 years old. I still feel like I should be cuddling him up in his swaddle blanket and watching him curl up in my arms as a tiny baby. Instead he's running around nonstop searching for his next adventure.

For the past four or five years, it's been a family tradition to go to Tyler, TX for Thanksgiving and to camp out. This was Griffen's first time to go. His little feet never stopped from the time we stopped till the time we left. He searched every square inch of that place for anything and everything. He was such a trooper and always on the go. Mom, Griffen and I stayed in the camper and Dad and Scott stayed in the tent. Griffen loved every minute of the trip. Can't wait for many more memories each year we go back.

 So proud of himself helping Daddy sweep out the tent.

 This is what we call "camping in style!"

 Loved having a playground near our camp so little man could run till his little heart out!



So thankful for my family and the blessings God has given us this year! Through the ups and the downs of the last 10 months, I know God is in control. How can I not be thankful when I look in this sweet boys' face?!