Merry Christmas!

Ho Ho Ho!  We hope Santa was as kind to your family as he was to ours...although Greyson wouldn't know it quite yet as he was a bit more interested in playing with the wrapping paper than Santa's gifts. 

We would like to sincerely thank Brad, Lacey, and Graham for hosting the holiday weekend at their home in Chicago...and to Tom and Sally for hosting the Duer family Christmas at their home the weekend before.  Christmas was so enjoyable spent with all of our family and even more so as a parent watching your child open gifts for the first time.  This Christmas season was filled with so much joy and we are filled with such gratitude for the gift of being Grey's parents.  He is a daily reminder of what our focus should center on.  And how the birth of a child truly does change lives.  Merry Christmas to you and your family...

I love to be tickled...

Go Bears!

Our very own Drummer Boy!

Thank you Santa!

December wagon ride!

It was a little warmer than usual today...so we thought it'd be a perfect day for a wagon ride.  Greyson sat there so excited...I couldn't resist snapping a photo.  And if any of you have some Christmas cards that need stuffed or addressed....Grey would love to help you with that.  We are wishing you a delightful start to this holiday season!

First Birthday!

Greyson turned 1!  We were so excited for this day....yet at the same time, just a teensy bit sad as it all went way too quickly.  Our family celebrated on his actual birth day and then he had a sock monkey themed party a few days later for grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins...and Katie and Jay!  I had so much fun planning and decorating...I am already excited for the next one...but I can wait.  I'm loving this stage...he's so curious about everything and is trying to get to all that's exciting.  He's babbling more, giggling more, signing more,  laughing with us, coughing with us, enjoying being read to, and is on the move with his army crawl and pulling himself up onto every couch, chair, person and toilet he can. And he's learning to smile for the camera...I've also included some pix of his one year photos and our family pictures.

Greyson, we love you to the moon and back and then some.  I'm humbled daily that God gave me you...and in awe of how much I thought I loved you one year ago compared to today.  Being your mom is hands down the hardest thing I've ever done...yet the most rewarding experience of my life.  Happy Birthday baby boy!

I'm 1!

Not sure I like sweets.....

but I love being sung to.

Presents are so much fun!

The kitchen drawers are not my friend....

Greyson was playing in the kitchen with me today...opening and shutting the drawers is his favorite thing to do while mom washes bottles.  All of a sudden, one slammed shut and screaming ensued which was followed by a big red welt...which turned to white...and then to purple.  It's his first official injury...with real tears. I think my heart fell into my stomach, but we snuggled for a good 5 minutes after that so we're all good right?  (Did I mention we have family photos on Sunday?)

Check out my bruise...can you see it?

Trick-or-treat....

We had so much fun trick-or-treating!  We stopped by Scott, Michelle, Adrian, and Ashley's...

And then we headed to visit Kirk, Lori, and Riley....

 And a final stop at Marilyn's, Grey's daycare mama.  Thank you Greyson for sharing your candy!
We love our little monkey...

Happy Halloween!

Can you guess what Greyson is for Halloween?  We will give you a couple of hints...he likes to try to climb things and he's starting to like bananas.  If it sounds like we're talking about a monkey...we've got our hands full of a really cute little one!  We had a little dress rehearsal tonight and he couldn't stop giggling...and that makes Halloween all that much more fun and exciting for us this year.  Greyson is in that phase where he sees where he wants to go and knows that he can get himself there...so he races you.  And he's talking so much more...from da-da to ma-ma to ba-ba to na-na to ga-ga...he can tell you some pretty good stories.  And he's been growling...especially when he's hungry or you don't feed him fast enough or he wants something he shouldn't have or get into.  He's got 4 top teeth and 3 bottom ones now and continues to grind them and chew and drool non-stop some days.  Lots of changes around our house...and we thought we'd capture just how much fun having a monkey in the house can be.  Happy Halloween to you...

Check out my tail...

My first Panther Homecoming

Grey had his first UNI homecoming today, and he LOVED it!  He got to see T.C. (Panther mascot), watch the cheerleaders dance, and even had his first visit to the Tank (Sharky's)....and a nap.  Thank you to Ben and Liz for hosting us at Sharky's and it was so fun to see all of our Cedar Falls friends...Greyson says especially Tate, Tyler, Drew, Elsie, Foster, Emersyn, Jack, and Sam.

Youngest Sharky's regular....

Go Panthers!

Tailgating

Greyson had his first ISU tailgate this past weekend.  His daddy could not wait for him to wake up from his nap and make the drive to Ames as a family.  Seems as though all of our favorite football teams are struggling this year from the Cyclones, to the Panthers, to those Nittany Lions....so it's a good thing to have a little one become the primary attraction on football Saturdays.   Grey manned the grill, had a snack, played a little football with Connor B., Bruce J., and Max J., had another snack, got kisses from Ruth Johnson, had even more snack, pulled Ashley's hair, and then ate dinner.  Grey had a blast at the tailgate and even got to witness some 'shotgunning' (not exactly the kind you hunt with) from a notorious Johnson brother.  No matter what happens this football season we still say "Go Cyclones", have a lot of Panther Pride, and we are (truly) Penn State.

I may look like a mini-me of my daddy...but I'm social like my mama!

Chillin'

Literally...it's been a little chilly in the mornings around here!  We like to bring Greyson into bed with us and snuggle in, talk and play.  We can't think of a better way to start our day.  We snapped a few photos to capture his snuggliness...and we're hoping his smile brings some warmth to your heart....

Cutest bear in Altoona....

Where's the snow?

My mama is so silly...

Crawlin'

Greyson is nearly 10 months old...and has finally figured out how to crawl...or should I say 'worm' his way around his home.  I think it's his new way to keep his mommy in shape!  He's also reached a lot of other milestones...4 top teeth, 2 bottom teeth, sitting up on his own in his crib, trying to climb everything in sight, signing 'fan' and 'light' and 'all done', and (saving the best for last) sleeping through the night fairly consistently.  I love all the stages of watching him grow up, but right now he is so much fun as he literally takes everything in, from the sound of the wind and rain to looking to find 'da-da' in the room.  He's a sponge....and listens to everything going on around him. 

John and I had our first weekend away...to Kansas City.  As I handed him over to Michelle, one of the best sis-in-law's you could ask for, I think I truly felt a little piece of my heart breaking.  I knew I was leaving him in the best possible care, but how do you hand the best little person you've ever known over and just walk away.  Michelle...you made that so much easier and I can't thank you enough for allowing John and I that weekend away.  Thank you!

Here's a glimpse into Greyson doin' the worm.

Brothers are the best...

Bradley, Lacey, and Graham were here visiting this weekend...and we love having them!  My parents came down to watch the Penn State game so it was wonderful to have all my family in one place..and those Nittany Lions won!  Bradley...I know I've said this before...I'm so proud to call you a brother but even more blessed to call you a best friend.  And Lace...you're not so bad either!

3 + 1....Graham will be a big brother in February!

Lacey loves her nephew and look!  She's got a little belly!

I can say 'ahhhhh' louder than you mom!

Nana loves her grandboys!

Pap-pap does too.

Grey loves to roll...he's gonna turn into a ball.

thinkin' about it....

I've got this down...now how do I move?

What kind of trouble can I get in?

Cheerios are the best thing ever!