Here Comes Santa Claus

We took Grant to see his first Santa Claus. The library was having a story time with Santa, and the kids got a chance to sit on his lap. It was very close to feeding time and Grant was not too interested in sitting on someone else's lap besides Mommy. The stereotypical first picture with Santa seems to always be of a baby screaming while Santa holds them, but Grant was unhappy for another reason. Needless to say, his first picture with Santa did not come out great. We were glad to have another chance with the picture. Besides, the Santa at the library was really terrible! You could totally see his pillow tummy and his hair was so matted that it covered most of his face! I don't think he once said "Ho, ho, ho!"

Grant got his second chance to sit on Santa's lap at the Allred's house. Our friend Brett was gracious enough to put on the incredibly hot Santa suit to surprise the kids at our Christmas party. Grant was quite taken by this Santa. He just stared and stared at him. He tried right away pulling off his beard. I don't think Grant is fooled by Santa at all. He already knows he's fake :) But Brett was a much better Santa Claus!

See Grant still looking at Santa...he wouldn't take his eyes off him :)

Opening his first present from Santa (the Allreds)

He was very excited about these blocks from the Millers (he probably liked the bag just as much, if not more than, the blocks at this point). It is going to be so much fun to see him opening presents this year for Christmas. We'll see if he gets the hang of it.

Enjoying the Season

Our family loves Christmas time, and we definitely stay busy. Grant has been a trooper, going with us to many friends' houses for dinner and parties. All the while he keeps a smile on his face.

Look at that cute smile!

He loves everything about the tree...lights...branches...ornaments...and presents (see below)

There's that great smile again!

Like I said...he loves the presents

He rolled around in the presents for about 15 minutes

He finally pulled a ribbon loose and played with that for awhile

Henry Luca Stone

Grant's newest cousin has arrived! My brother and his wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy on December 15th. They named him Henry Luca; Henry after my Grandpa who died in 2005. We are so excited for them and cannot wait to meet Henry when they come out in January. Grant and Henry will be great buddies!

O Christmas Tree

Our annual tradition has become going out and finding our Christmas tree in the woods with some of our good friends. Last year Grant went in Mommy's tummy, but this year he got to join us :)

Ready for the adventure

Checking it out

The Allreds

Happy Hunter

The Millers

The Allred's tree is always the biggest

Grant enjoyed his first encounter with snow

Even when he fell down :)

We found our tree!

Our family with our tree

Daddy cutting it down

Daddy hauling it away

Grant loves to look at and touch the tree

Our 2009 Christmas Tree

The Caswell Family

The whole Caswell family was together for Thanksgiving weekend, so we decided to take advantage of everyone being there and take Christmas pictures. The family has grown this year with the additions of Grant, Hailey, and Blake. Children are such a perfect blessing!

The whole crew

Dads and their sons

Grant and Blake will have so much fun growing up together.

The kiddos

Caswell Men (minus Grandpa)

Caswell Women (plus Blake)

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

Grant loves looking at himself in the mirror (what baby doesn't?). We were in Florence and he was having a great time with Gammy and the mirror. It was just too cute! He is growing up so fast. I can hardly believe that he is old enough to roll, sit, and stand (with help). He has started doing more verbalizing. Instead of the cooing he has always done, he is now making sounds like da and la. When he says da-da Paul is convinced that he is saying Dada, but I think it's a little too early for that! Plus, he says it all the time not just when Daddy is around :)

Thanksgiving

One of the things we are most thankful for is family. We had the chance to spend time with both of our families this Thanksgiving. Grant's first Thanksgiving was full of family, love, and food! We spent Thanksgiving Day in Florence with Mommy's family. Then we went to Tiller on Saturday to be with Daddy's family.

Mommy's cousins, Wendy and Ginger

Hanging out with GG

Grant has a fixation with his toes now that he has discovered them

Babies everywhere! Daddy's Aunt Carol holding Gracie, Daddy's cousins, Angie and Rachel holding Blake and Hailey, and Daddy's sister Sheila holding Grant

We were so glad that Auntie Sheila could come with her kids to celebrate in Tiller.

With Grandma and Grandpa Caswell

All of Daddy's cousins on his dad's side were there! Amazing!

All the Great-Grandkids in the Caswell family

Ready to go home