Pre-Christmas

I finally began Christmas shopping over the weekend. I've never waited this long, but I've also never felt so Scrooge-like either. Springfield was nuts, but the boys were good as gold for Tammy and I as we navigated the mall for hours. I should have taken a photo of the 2 of us, each pushing a little boy in a rented mall racecar stroller. It's so much easier than bringing our own. 

 
 As I was wrapping presents last night, I thought it might be a good idea to do a little catching up before all the madness of the Christmas gatherings happens.

The boys saw Santa. 

Cooper had the typical 1 year old response. Absolute fear. He doesn't know who Santa is yet and can't communicate well enough to be convinced that he is a nice guy. 

Griffin handled it like a champ. He told Santa he wanted a "big bed". We have known this is what he wanted. He thinks his toddler bed is too small, and that is the reason he needs to fall asleep with us at night now. By "big bed", he is upgrading to the full size that his original crib will transform into. The problem is, it's hard for Santa to drop off a big bed on Christmas morning. We can't decide whether we are going to give it to him somehow on Christmas Eve from us, then something else from Santa in the morning........or, make up some elaborate story about how Santa gave us the mattress and we need just a couple hours to get it all put together. 

He really melted my heart yesterday. Grandpa Bill and I were sitting with him talking about the big bed that he asked Santa for. Needing some ideas, I asked him what other gifts he would like from Santa. He shrugged his shoulders and said "Whatever he brings me". 

We have our first celebration this evening with Drew's parents. The end of the week will be very busy. I'm looking forward to a solid weekend with Shasta and family! Hopefully, the weather will stay nice and we can really do some fun things with our children that are growing up too fast. 
 ______________________

The city Christmas parade was last Saturday. Griffin was thrilled to get to ride in the fire truck again alongside his best buddy Chase. We waited with the Hensleys on Main St for the longest parade in history. 

there are our brothers!

 

______________________________
 
Finally, this year's Christmas card was quite a project. What do you do when you no longer have Duke around to be in the family photo and "sign" the inside of the card? Especially, when you still haven't had a non-crying day since his passing. The past 9 years of cards have had the exact same theme. I couldn't move on without some kind of closure, in hopes that next year I can turn a new leaf. So I created a sad, but fulfulling card to send out. It was fairly easy to gather all of the photos. Especially, since he provided me the perfect one for the back of the card the night BEFORE we said goodbye. Griffin and I were on the swing set and he came to sit in front of us and survey the land as he always did.

We drive by Duke's grave often, to talk to him and make ourselves feel better by thinking he can hear us. One night Griffin rolled his window down and yelled "Hi Bubba" followed by a long pause, then he turned back into the vehicle and said in the smallest voice, "I really miss Duke"........... we all do so much. 

Other fun in September.....

For Cabool's homecoming parade, Griffin got to ride in the fire truck! He was thrilled, especially because Chase was riding along too. 

We are almost finished with "soccerball" as Griffin calls it. FootBALL, baseBALL, basketBALL....it makes sense. He's really enjoyed it, but I'd say most kids that act like a chicken with their head cut off would. 

I also spent a fun afternoon with the 3 boys by myself. We took a load of supplies over to the local animal shelter and stopped at Walmart for some pumpkins and mums. 

When we went to pick up Briley, we found that he and Cooper were wearing the shirt that I bought all three of them a while back. So of course, I made Griffin wear it too. 

The shelter thanked the boys and took their picture

We stopped at Grandma Kathi & Grandpa Don's on the way home to see her puppies too.

And finally, a few pics from our lake excursions. Cooper likes the stroller, and Griffin likes to ride his bike and "accidentally" run off the road to overturn every time someone comes by us. He is hilarious. 

Happy belated Fourth of July!

We had a fun holiday weekend. Griffin is old enough to really enjoy the fireworks, so we tried to hit as many shows as possible. 

We caught Houston's event on Thursday night. Cooper was a little unsure but we were far enough away that they weren't too loud. 

family groupie

Thankfully, my office was closed on Friday so I enjoyed the holiday with my boys and somewhat with Drew when he wasn't working. We cooked lunch at his office and then watched the parade on Main Street. Aunt Nichole invited Griffin to ride in the fire truck and I'm pretty sure it was the highlight of his day. 

waiting for brother

here they come!

After the parade, we headed downtown to enjoy some water activities with Charlotte and Jordan thanks to Ashley who is on the Park Board now.

this captures their personalities perfectly

Saturday evening was a family & friend get together at the farm. Griffin was missing Briley (he was visiting his grandparents in Mississippi) but he enjoyed swimming with Bennet. He actually was very brave and didn't need an adult to cling to. I can tell a major difference since he's started going to the city pool 2 days a week with daycare. Bath time is all about sticking his head/face under water now. 

The fireworks were good, but Cooper was not enjoying the close proximity. We ended up watching from inside the farm house. He was ready for bed and fell asleep on our trip to town to see Cabool's show. 

making laps with a noodle under each arm

Cooper will be in on all the sparkler fun next year!