Christmas Partay(s)

Tis the season for holiday gatherings and gather we did this weekend. Ron and I had a fabulous night out with friends Friday night at the annual "Wisemen's Ball" in Fairhope.

Saturday night we gathered with neighbors for a "Dirty Santa" Chritmas Party. Grant made an early appearance and then gratefully spent the rest of the evening in the pack and play. Here Grant plays between the two "balls" hung by the chimney with care. He had the best time hitting and swinging these ornaments back and forth.
Trying unsuccessfully to get a picture of Grant and Luke in front of the Christmas Tree.

Before bedtime the boys enjoyed their bottles in front of the bon fire

Ron, Grant and I in front of our neighbor, Lindsay's fabulous tree

I was floored by the size and spectacularness (is that a word?) of this tree! I HAD to post pictures. I was and still am in awe of this tree, I've never seen anything like it, I told Lindsay it belongs in a magazine. The rest of her house is decorated to a "t" as well!

Close up

Yes, that is the Grinch that Stole Christmas at the top of the tree. The Cat in the Hat is on the other side...

Santa Hat Martinis

A few of the girls, Laurie, Jenna, Me, and Lindsay (the hostess with the mostess!) Dirty Santa was a blast, the best gifts were a snuggie, margarita kit with an half full bottle of tequila, my neighbor Tim was gifted a bottle of breastmilk and I took home hemroid cream and two latex gloves. Yes, this a very fun crowd.Sunday night we went to a Christmas bash at our friends Lindsay and Ross' house. We love getting together with these two and their two boys.

Everyone invited was asked to bring toys for all of the kids in attendance stockings, this is was the final result looked like:

This is Grant going through his stocking once we got home, check out all of the surprises!

Ron and I have said several times this Christmas season how blessed we feel to have such wonderful friends here in Alabama. We feel very "included" and are very lucky to have gotten to know so many great people in our short time down south. Much to our friends and families regret in North Carolina, it's starting to feel more and more like home here everyday and for that we thank our Alabama family! Merry Christmas Ya'll!

Dude, Where's My Car?

Grant and his buddy Luke have the most fun together. They are only four months a part and their age gap is fastly closing. They play very well "alongside" of eachother and are both "all boy." Here are some pics of our recent playdate.

Luke loved pushing Grant in his radio flyer wagon

"Come on, Dude! Let's Go!"

Grant ready to go for a drive in his car

"How many miles to the gallon do you get?"

"Honk honk! Mom, get out of the way!"

Beep, Beep!

Looks like someone is going to have to send Grant a Native North Carolinian bumper sticker...

Tew Much Fun!

I was all alone on Thanksgiving, but not for long... the Sunday after, Ron and Grant returned home and my Mother, Father and Sister drove down for a visit. We had a wonderful time together and the highlight of their trip was picking out the perfect Christmas tree for our home. We have not all decorated a tree together in ages, it was Tew much fun! ;)

Grant enjoying a story being read to him by his Granddaddy Tew, they also had on matching pants!

Grant really enjoyed playing with Sally and Riley. He woke up every morning saying, "DOG" and looking for them both.
Grant and his Grandmama Tew

The front door is all decorated, now it's time to shop for our tree, "Let's Go!"

This picture was actually my runner up for Christmas cards this year.

Let's Boogie!

The only unfortunate picture of Beverly and I and it's oh so bad...

Beverly and Dad at the Christmas tree farm

Grant and his Auntie Bev

"Mom, what's going on here?"

My parents shopping for our tree, they all ironically came from North Carolina as well!

This is the one!

The lights and ribbon are on, now time for the ornaments!

Merry Christmas!

Our 2010 Christmas Tree

We also did a little Christmas shopping in the rain

My sweet boy and I

Grant woke to Auntie Bev's Christmas presents under the tree and immediately ripped open his. At least, she was able to see his reaction to her sweet rudolph stuffed animal and book!

Of course, the few days they were here flew by. Thank you all for driving such a long distance to spend some quality time with us, we love you!

Thanksgiving

I've been a bad blogger again. Truth is, I haven't had anything to blog about. Ron took my baby boy to North Carolina for Thanksgiving and left me here all by myself. That sounds bad. Wait. I had to work. I was stuck here in pre-black Friday h-e-double-hockeysticks. I was glad that Ron was able to take Grant to see all of our family back home. They had a blast and of course, Grant had so much fun with his cousin George, he also loved meeting his cousin Betty for the first time. Lesley sent pictures out tonight from their time together so thank you so much for passing these along! I survived Black Friday and also being a part from my boys for five days. This was actually the first time I had EVER been away from Grant and it was extremely hard. In their absense, I decorated the house for Christmas, worked the entire time they were gone and enjoyed a lot of uninterrupted sofa and "Jena" time.

Mimi with her boys in their matching carhartt overalls.

Throwing rocks in the creek. Grant loves to throw everything...
Grant and Dada

Going down the slide

George will be three this month, Grant is 15 months.

Beautiful Betty

Matching pajamas

Swinging, sorry I don't have much narrative. I wasn't there!

Great Grandpa Wendt reading, "Go Dog Go!"

Cousins

Great Grandma and Grandpa Wendt with their three Great Grandchildren!

Great Grandma Yaeger she has a total of 13 Great Grandchildren, the other 10 reside in Illinois.

Grant also came back to Alabama with an expanded vocabulary. He now says, "Juice, no, shoes, stick and fish." My parents and sister, Beverly are now here for a visit and Beverly tried to take Grant from me today and he shook his head and said, "no!" :)