Grayson's First Christmas

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday growing up. I can say that the past few have been a little less special as we have hosted and it has seemed to fly by. I miss the days when I was a kid at Christmas and my Mom and Dad did all the work. Thankfully this year we have a new family member who helps make Christmas magical again. We had about a million presents and a house full of family. I guess it really can't get better than that.

Santa butt

Happy baby

So many presents

Half of the presents were for Grayson

Thank God Laurel got some cookies!

Aunt Laurel

Aunt Nee Nee and Uncle Bob

Nana and Papa

Nana and Pop

Papa and Great Grandma Barbara

Great Grandpa Wilbur

The Alexander Family

Four generations

Family

Meeting Great Grandma Barbara

My Grandma Barbara was supposed to visit us just after Grayson was born, but unfortunately took a tumble in her garage and was unable to come. Luckily it was just a small sprain that held her back, so she was able to visit us for Christmas. This is her first great grandchild, so it was really special for her to come and meet Grayson. I think she's in love...

Grayson and Great Grandma Barbara

Four generations

Brunch with Santa

Today Brookhaven Country Club, where Ryan and I are members, held a Brunch with Santa event. Although Grayson was a bit young to enjoy it, we wanted to take him to get his picture with Santa. Nana and Papa joined us for brunch, which was amazing. Luckily Grayson is such a good baby and so easily entertained, we were able to sit and brunch together for over two hours without a peep from the kiddo. I think we will have to make this an annual tradition.

Our Best Present Already Arrived

Although Christmas isn't quite here yet, Ryan and I both know that our best present already arrived this year.

We love you sweet Grayson!

Grayson: Three Months Old

Recipe: Chilled Cider Punch

Seriously, don't walk, run to the store to buy the ingredients for this punch. I have made many cocktails over the years, but this was the best one yet. I may or may not have had four or five of these on Thanksgiving. I promise you'll thank me after just one sip of this awesome punch.


SERVES 15-20

INGREDIENTS

8 cups apple cider
1 750 ml. bottle of dry hard cider (such as Farnum Hill's Dooryard)

3 12 oz. bottles of ginger beer (such as Reed's)

1 1/2 cups whiskey (such as Jameson)
Juice of one lemon
Several dashes orange bitters
1 orange sliced into rounds, for garnish
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine the ciders, ginger beer, whiskey, lemon juice, and bitters in a large punch bowl or pitcher. Stir to combine. Top with orange slices and cinnamon sticks. Ladle into ice-filled punch glasses.

Grayson's First Thanksgiving

I would argue that Thanksgiving is Ryan's favorite holiday. For most people who host a semi-large family Thanksgiving, I bet it doesn't top the list. Ryan, though, loves to cook. He could spend all day in the kitchen. Guess what? I don't mind. His food is all homemade and all amazing! This year we had Pioneer Herb Roasted Turkey with Sage Gravy, Southern Cornbread Stuffing, Bourbon Vanilla Cranberry Sauce, Sweet Potato Gratin, French Cut Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Honey Wheat Rolls (yes from scratch!), Classic Pumpkin Pie, and Apple Granola Pie with Homemade Bourbon Ice Cream.

For my part of helping with Thanksgiving, I always make cute place cards, a homemade wreath, handmade menus, and a signature cocktail. This year's cocktail was a Chilled Harvest Cider Punch. It was amazing. I will share the recipe in another post because you have to run the store and get the ingredients to make this. It was that good! I made turkey place cards and a turkey wreath this year. I went kinda cartoonish/kidlike to celebrate Grayson's first Thanksgiving.

Here are some pictures of the man of the hour, Grayson, and some of our family.

Grayson and Nana Jane

Grayson and Aunt Nee Nee

Pop showing off Grayson to Great Grandpa CW

It was a wonderful first Thanksgiving for our family and although it was a long day, we truly enjoyed having everyone over to our home and cooking for them.

Grayson Meets Great Grandpa CW

Great Grandpa CW was able to join us for Thanksgiving again this year and this time he was able to meet Grayson. While this isn't his first great grandchild, more like his eleventh I think, it is his first great grandchild from Ryan's mother's line of the family. He was very excited to meet and hold Grayson.

Grayson and Great Grandpa CW

Grayson Meets Pop

We are so excited that Pop got to come and visit from Colorado! I think Grayson and Pop were smitten with one another from the start.

We hope that Pop will visit us again really soon!

Grayson Meets Aunt Caitlyn and Uncle David

Today Grayson met long time friends of mine Caitlyn and David. Caitlyn and I have known each other for 9 years. I can't believe it has been that long, but it has! I actually was Caitlyn's Youth Minister when she was younger. Since she was only a couple years younger than me when I worked at the church, we became friends. Long after I worked at the church, Caitlyn and I have stayed in touch. She is a wonderful friend and I am excited for Grayson to grow up knowing her and her wonderful husband David. Since I have no brothers or sisters of my own, Caitlyn and David are as close as it gets. That is what makes them Aunt Caitlyn and Uncle David.

Aunt Caitlyn

Uncle David

Grayson: Two Months Old

Grayson's First Halloween

I love Halloween in our current neighborhood. First off, we have a ton of kids who come to visit. Usually over 75. Secondly, all of our neighbors make an event out of it and sit out in the lawn in chairs to hand out candy. This makes it a fun time to talk to your neighbors and not just a bunch of getting up and down to answer the door. Grayson is a bit young to really enjoy Halloween much less have much of a costume, but Shane who works with Ryan and his wife Alison got Grayson a Mike costume from the Disney store. I wore a Sulley scarf to compliment it. I can't wait until next Halloween when Grayson will be old enough to take around trick or treating.

As you can see from the picture of Grayson and Ryan, Halloween wore him completely out!

A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

Today was one of Grayson's first official outings. Although neither Ryan or I have ever been to a pumpkin patch, we decided it was was a tradition we wanted to start as a family. We chose to go to the Pumpkins on the Prairie patch in Frisco. Although Grayson couldn't participate in many of the cool things they offered (bounce house, hay bale maze, punkin chunkin, etc.) we still had a good time picking out pumpkins which we will carve with Aunt Laurel soon!

 

Grayson Meets Nana Puddin

There is a very long story as to why my mother-in-law's nickname is Puddin, so I won't go into it. But, needless to say that after Grayson was born, she obviously became Nana Puddin. I am so glad she got to visit from Colorado and meet her grandson for the first time. It is her first grandson, so that made it extra special!

Grayson Meets Cousin Nicole and Maude Scarlett

Today Nicole and Maude Scarlett came to visit. It was great to have some face time with another mom. I finally felt like a part of the club!

Grayson: One Month Old

Each month for Grayson's first year I will post a picture of him and a picture or two with him and his fox. Although I wanted to post pictures of me each month of my pregnancy, I was so sick I couldn't drag myself out of bed to even take a picture. But, this tradition is one I can certainly handle. Kids grow so much in the first year alone and this will be our only child, so I am going to do all of the traditional things. I'm so in love with this kid!

 

Grayson Meets Aunt Nee Nee and Grandpa Wilbur

Today we had a small get together at Nana and Papa's house. Grayson got to meet his Aunt Nee Nee and Great Grandpa Wilbur for the first time. What a special day! I love introducing Grayson to all of our family and friends!

Grayson and Aunt Nee Nee

Grayson and Great Grandpa Wilbur

First Tummy Time

Today was our first attempt at Tummy Time with Grayson. Although he looks calm enough in this picture. He lasted for about 10 seconds before he lost it. Not a fan.

Grayson's First Bath

Today was Grayson's first real bath. He wasn't so sure, but he didn't cry once. Until we took him out that is.

I Love Lists, Friday

 

1. Find me and I'll give you $1,000,000.
2. Naked Haunted House. I think not.
3. OMG I total need a Nix!
4. Mario 974.
5. It's stats like this that we really need to look into. Texas: worst in high school graduation rates.
6. Make a mental note to download the Star Wars Theme song.

After over a year of creating Friday lists, this will be the last I Love Lists post. I will move forward with a Friday post that is more baby/kid oriented now seeing as how Grayson has arrived and, of course, completely changed my life.  Stay tuned!

I Love Lists, Friday

 

1. The most awesome pop culture origami ever!
2. Four words. Hash brown wrapped eggs. I'm headed to the kitchen right now.
3. I think Grayson would enjoy a Super Mario toddler bedroom. Get on it Ryan!
4. Plumbing for beer? Sounds like a cool party trick that would grow old quickly.
5. Even Darcy thought this bride's idea was dumb. Stop it Pinterest. Stop it now.
6. I'm Snape.

I Love Lists, Friday

 

1. How much would I have to pay to get my own Scrap Metal Angler Fish Lamp.
2. Some people have too much time on their hands. Introducing Koopa Koopa Hippos.
3. Game of Bones. Now that's funny stuff.
4. I will strive to be this mom. I will probably fail. Little Nummies.
5. We just recently bought a membership to Costco, now that we are a huge family of three.