Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas everyone! (better late than never, I suppose)We had a wonderful Christmas here at the Graham house. Mom, Dave, Ed, and Diane were all here for Christmas eve and Christmas day which was wonderful. On Christmas eve, Zack, Dave, and Dalton all went out to Taco Mac for lunch and to watch some football. The girls (mom, Anna, and I) went to the Flying Biscuit for a delicious meal. That place never disappoints! Afterwards-we met up back at the house and Mom and I started getting everything together for our Christmas eve smorgasboard. We decided instead of having a big meal we would just put together a ton of snacks. Everything was soooo good! Here is mom in all her glory. :)
After our dinner the kids opened their Christmas eve PJ's. Here we all are in our jammies before reading our stories. (Minus Zack-next year I'm making him put his on, too!) Before we went to bed, Dalton and I set out some food for the reindeer and for Santa himself. Forgot to take a pic of that but he was so cute and excited doing it!Christmas morning pics are a little lacking but we certainly enjoyed every minute. Santa was so good to Dalton and Anna and most importantly we all just enjoyed being together. Dalton absolutely loved all of his stuff. In true 4 year old fashion-his most favorite things were a little plastic set of pirates and cowboys-both of which were less than $10 total!Christmas day was spent napping, eating, and just being together. I don't think we could have asked for a better Christmas. Hope you all enjoyed yours, and happy new year!!

Holidaze.

Need I say more?? Too tuckered out to even eat....

Traditions

One of my favorite things about the holidays has always been traditions. I always enjoyed them growing up and now I'm enjoying having our own traditions with our little family. Here is a little list of some of our Graham family traditions:
1) Making a gingerbread house...this was our second year doing this and little man absolutely loves it! We have a blast decorating and making a mess with all the icing! I can't wait for Anna to join in on this!2) Decorating the house together as a family
3) Picking out a live tree together (I need to start taking an annual pic of this)
4) Advent calendar-this was a new thing this year. I found felt Christmas tree shaped advent calendar and put little small "activities" in each pocket for each day. They weren't always elaborate-even things as simple as "Read Polar Express tonight" but we really had fun with it.
5) Elf on the Shelf-This was Alfie's (our elf) second year here. He flew many interesting places and Dalton had a great time searching for him each morning!
6) Opening Christmas PJ's on Christmas eve-first year for this but we will definitely continue this fun tradition. A great way to "kick start" the presents and just a fun tradition in general.
7) Reading 'Twas the Night before Christmas and the story of Jesus' birth from the book of Luke on Christmas eve. Important to remember the real reason for the season!
8) Annual best friend Christmas dinner/gift exchange-getting together with the Smathers and the Thaxtons is always a blast. This year everyone came to our house and Zack grilled some yummy steaks and we all exchanged gifts. It was so much fun as it always is. We weren't able to do professional pics this year but here is a pretty good one-it is quite the feat trying to get 5 kids to look at the camera and smile! Also-Dalton, Sadie, and Reese played together so well this year. It's truly like they're all family--they are very sweet to each other and do a very good job with sharing. Here's a little pic of Sadie and Dalton playing on the swing set.

Santa Baby

This year, we started a new thing that I hope will become a tradition...we went to downtown Lawrenceville for Santa on the Square. It was a really fun event and a great way for the children to get to see Santa. Santa on the Square is a Friday night 2 hour event that included crafts for the kids (cookie decorating, ornament making), hot cocoa and cookies, Christmas caroling, and an up close and personal visit with Santa--all at the historic Lawrenceville courthouse. It was beautiful and way better than waiting in line at the mall-which is what we have done in years past. I was able to get some really cute pics...Anna, of course, was far more interested in pulling Santa's beard than actually making any requests. :)Dalton requested only two things this year-Legos and books! It was nice that he didn't go too overboard with his requests, as I'm sure we have plenty of years for that. And in fact, when I asked him what else he wanted, that's all he could come up with. So sweet! I'm glad that he wanted somewhat educational things, too. Love that boy!

Soccer Superstar and a Christmas Card Preview

Last week week Dalton had his end of soccer season banquet. He had a great time with all of his soccer buddies at Pizza Cafe. He is so proud of his medal and trophy! We actually had the trophy on the mantle in the living room for a few days because he wanted it to be front and center in the house. It may be a while before we try organized sports again but this was definitely a memorable season. Like I told Dalton, no matter what I will always be proud of him as long as he tries his best! Go Blue Tornadoes!In other news, Anna continues to love to eat. Here is a sweet picture of her enjoying some delish rice cereal. Tonight we tried oatmeal cereal for the first time. I seriously don't think Dalton ever ate even one dish of oatmeal. He wasn't a huge fan of rice cereal but he absolutely hated the oatmeal. However, Anna-boo absolutely loves it. The other night when I was feeding her I dropped a little on her bumbo tray and when I got up to make a second bowl for her I turned around and she had her little head down trying to lick up the drop off of her tray! Tonight with the oatmeal she would just squeal like a little pig if it took longer than 1 second between bites and try to grab the bowl out of my hands with both of her hands. It is so funny to watch!Here are a couple of Christmas pictures from after church yesterday. It took about 30 minutes and 200 tries and afterwards I wanted to consume large amounts of wine but I FINALLY got a few really cute shots...

Have a great week everyone!

Happy Turkey Day

Happy (much belated) Thanksgiving everyone! We had a wonderful thanksgiving this year in North Carolina with our families. We got into town Wednesday night and had a delicious dinner with Zack's family. Thursday we went to Mom's house for some more turkey and the works! All the food was so good I think I gained 10 lbs in one weekend!
Friday morning Mom, Diane, and I hit Starbucks and were at the mall by 5:30. We got some awesome deals and above all else I had the best time shopping with my most fave shopping buddies! A great way to kick off the holiday season.
After shopping, we met up with Dad and Joanne and got to go see Diane and Josh's new house. It was so good to see Dad and Joanne although it never seems like long enough. Diane's new house is awesome! I was so impressed. I am so proud of my little sis and can't believe she is going to be a homeowner in 10 days! WOW! Seems like just yesterday she was sitting in the living room floor watching Barney. Now if that doesn't make you feel old I don't know what does.
Friday evening Aunt Judy and Lesley got to town. It was so great to see them both and I am so glad Anna finally got to meet her Aunts!
The rest of the weekend was spent having fun with all the fam and stuffing as much fudge in my face as humanly possible! All in all it was a wonderful Thanksgiving :)

P.S.-Here is one funny picture I had to include. For Dalton's November pen pal project he had to draw a picture of his family to send to his pen pal Kyle. HILARIOUS. This is his own work with NO prompting from me. Please take note of the fact that Anna is not with the rest of us. Pretty sweet how he has us all holding hands. Also--funny that he considers Kip a part of the family. I can't wait to show him this when he gets older!

Weekend Happenings

So how was everyone's weekend? We enjoyed our last "no plans" weekend until...get this...2012! That's right, we have something planned for every single weekend from now until 2012. Saturday morning Dalton had his last soccer game of the season. I honestly think he was glad for it to be over. This has definitely been an experience we will not soon forget! It was really cute to watch the little kids playing soccer but I will think again before I put a 3/newly 4 year old into organized sports. I truly believe they're just too young at this age. But--oh well, live and learn. He had a good time (for the most part!) and that's what counts for sure. After that we just chilled out at home and then grilled some steaks and had our neighbors over for dinner.
Sunday we went to church with the Thaxton family for Ryan and Reese's baptism. We were so honored to be a part of their special day. It was a beautiful service. Dalton also had his first experience with children's church (where they go to the front of the sanctuary). At our church, he always just goes to his class and never goes to the sanctuary. He looked so cute sitting up there like a big boy and I think he really enjoyed it too! I can't believe I didn't get any pictures before church but it is so hard just to get out the door on time that I didn't do it. I will try to do better!
After church we grabbed some lunch and went to the mall...Anna shopped with Mommy and Dalton played on the playground with Daddy...fun was had by all!
Sunday evening Dalton put on his apron and hit the kitchen with me--we had a great time making a new recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. He did so well with adding ingredients and stirring. And of course the cookies were delicious!To finish out the weekend....guess who enjoyed her first serving of rice cereal???? That's right, little Anna Banana. To say she hated it would be the understatement of the year. She tried to push herself backwards out of her Bumbo trying to get away from it. She gagged and carried on like no other, it was so hilarious! That being said-we tried again tonight and she actually really liked it! By the end of the bowl, she was actually opening her mouth to eat it and smacking her lips. I have a feeling she is going to be a good little eater...just like her mommy! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Halloween, shopping, trains, and other fun stuff...

I don't know about y'all, but we have really been enjoying the cooler outdoor weather! Sorry it has been so long since I posted...here are a few shots of what we have been up to. First off-Dalton thoroughly enjoyed trick-or-treating this year. He totally "got it" and had an absolute blast! Anna was the cutest little strawberry but unfortunately she did not last too long! We were able to go with big brother to about 5 houses and then she had to come home and take a little nap. Being so cute is exhausting...didn't you know?In other news, Anna has been LOVING her baby gym! She loves to lay in it and work out. You think I am kidding but I really am not. She lays on the floor and pulls and kicks her little toys with all her might. It is really too funny to watch!This past week Dalton and I had a really good time putting together his model train, a gift from cousins Logan, Jake, and Emma. I just love this age with him when he is so eager and anxious to learn new things and still sweet enough to want help from ol' Mommy.This weekend, the boys went to Tifton to "day farm." Dalton had literally been excited about this trip for 2 weeks. When I picked him up at school Friday, he ran screaming around his classroom yelling, "I'm going to day farm with my daddy to see my granddaddy!" I missed the boys so much but they had a great time!
Don't think us girls just sat around, either! Mom came to see us this weekend and we had an awesome girls weekend! We had not had a girls weekend in soooo long and it was much needed and also much enjoyed! We did miss Diane, though. :) Saturday we went to the North Ga Premium Outlets along with the rest of metro Atlanta. Good grief I have never seen so many people there and it's not even Thanksgiving yet! We did get a good start on some Christmas shopping and also had some time to hit up Hobby Lobby to look for some holiday decor! For dinner last night we went to The Diner in Buford. Kristen had recommended this restaurant and it was soooooooooooo yummy!
All in all we had a wonderful weekend and Anna and I already miss you, Mom!Have a great week everyone and I will try to be better about updating! I just don't know where the time goes...

Life lately

Happy fall, y'all!
Hope everyone is enjoying this cooler weather as much as we are. Like most, we are living for the weekends these days!
Last weekend I was on call. I was really dreading it but it was much better than I thought. I got up in the mornings both days and went to the hospital to round. I left at 1 on Saturday but was gone by 11 on Sunday. Not bad at all! And....then I was off on Monday!
Saturday night our friends Nate, Tia, and baby Colton came over. Colton is exactly 3 weeks older than Anna. They had a great time playing together!This weekend, Zack turned the big 3-5 today! Happy birthday Zack! :) His parents were here for a visit. The boys had fun yesterday going to the Bass Pro Shop. Zack's mom, Anna, and I all went to Mimi's Cafe for lunch and then Costco. Last night, his parents were nice enough to babysit and we went out for a night on the town. We had dinner at Ray's on the River. If you live here I highly recommend....I got the Ginger Soy Tuna and it did not disappoint! The food was awesome but the scenery was even better! Beautiful view of the river. Afterwards, we went to see The Rum Diary. Don't waste your money on this one. A long movie about ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

Today, Zack grilled some delish salmon for lunch and this afternoon we just hung out together and carved our pumpkin for tomorrow.
Happy Halloween everyone!!

Pen Pals

Dalton has a pen pal!
I signed him up for "Itty bitty pen pals" through another blog that I read. We had the most fun this month gathering some of his favorite items (a bag of snakes included) and writing a sweet card to his new pen pal, Kyle. Kyle lives in Montgomery, TX.
Dalton was soooo excited the day his letter and package arrived from Kyle. Here is a picture of some of the sweet art, letter, and game that Kyle sent him.
He also included some pictures of him and his family which was a great idea. We will do this next month. :)
Dalton is very excited to have a new friend in a different state. Thanks, Kyle!

Pumpkin Patchin'

This weekend we went to Burt's Pumpkin Patch in the north Georgia mountains. It was quite the drive but that's another story. The point is, we had a wonderful time! I think this will definitely be a tradition for our family. Dalton absolutely loved it! I have never seen so many pumpkins of so many shapes and sizes. We even got to do a hayride! Dad and Joanne were here to visit, and I think they enjoyed it too after we all recovered from the 2 hour car ride that we thought was going to take 30 minutes. I am currently enjoying some delicious homemade pumpkin bread that we picked up there...it's really like the best that I have ever had. We got 2 pumpkins that I can't wait to carve-be on the lookout for some pics of that coming soon! Enjoy the photos!