The Katzman's come to visit!

Our best friends who live in Baton Rouge came to visit over the Christmas holidays.  It was the first time we had seen them in over a year!  Mikey and Grayson got along so well- well as well as two toddlers can!  We loved having them around, and can't wait to see them again for our annual camping trip in April!

The boys playing with the hobby horses I made for them

Mikey :)

The boys tickling each other

Going for a walk on the Newton Greenway

Me and my little monkey

Christmas time!



Grayson in a ranger hat we found in Franklin

What a crazy past couple of weeks!  More to follow in the next post, I just want this one to focus on Christmas.

My mom, grandmother, sister, nephew, and brother-in-law all came to Franklin for Christmas.  It was the first time seeing my new nephew and I couldn't wait!  It had been since Summer since Gray and my mom were able to visit, so I was anxious for them to visit each other too.  We had a great time, but we had so much going on, and Steven wasn't able to come with, so after a few days it was time to head back home.



I am not so sure that Gray was nearly as excited to see Kaleb.  He was not too fond of sharing his toys or having another baby around.  Hmmmm, Gray this may be a problem if the stork brings you a brother or a sister!



Gray and Kaleb



Yummy Christmas Eve Dinner at the Dillard House in Georgia

Helping Mam-moo with the ornaments

Mam-moo, Gray and I

Baby Kaleb!

Playing in the freezing cold water at mill in Smokies NP

Christmas morning!



Christmas with the Hokie Pokies

So this year is our NC Christmas.  Today we celebrated with the Hoke's, a little early due to schedules and Dad Hoke's health.  We were glad to have this Christmas with him.  As I told Steven it is not the quantity of time that matters, it's just having time at all to be thankful for.
I can't completely understand what Steven is going through, and I hope I don't have to any time soon.  I know that Gray being so young, has really made this more difficult for him.  All I can do is be here for him and the family.
Gray- just so you know, Paw-Paw loves you.  He loves when you sit in his lap, he loves sharing his crackers with you, he loves that you are named after his Paw-Paw, he loves that you remind him of his youngest son, your daddy, he loves you and has asked for you so many times during all of this.  You bring a smile to his face.

Despite, we all had a good time, ate way more than we should, and celebrated Christmas and all the grace we are given.

Opening the first Christmas gift at Maw-maw and Paw-paw's

Oh, boy!  A sweeper set just my size!  Seriously- he LOVES sweeping!!!

Maw-maw stealing a kiss

My beautiful niece Caitlin and her beau Lee

Cousins Aaron and Zander

Cousin Sophie and Paw-paw

The whole gang (minus the kiddos)

Gray's favorite place to be- out at paw-paw's shed on the lawn mower

Me and the hubby :)

Sleep = curve balls for momma!

Being silly 

Growth spurts galore!  My little man is talking up a storm, running, singing (music to momma's ears only), attempting to jump, opening doors, "helping" me with everything, and being a master of keeping momma on her toes!
Here's a few pics from the past couple of weeks.

opening doors!

Helping momma rake the leaves- distracted by his favorite- a stick!

On the way home, facing front, just hanging out :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Outside playing with the cousins

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and/or family.  This year is our year slated for NC holidays, so to the Hoke's we went!  All twenty of us crammed into Steven's folks house, and enjoyed a yummy Thanksgiving meal. 
I know many people all over think that these are times of blessing. Well, those who know me well, know how much I hate that term.  That imply's almost a favoritism.  Like God chose me to be blessed.  It's not that---a bounty meal, and loved one's to hug on--that is Grace.  Grace because I have done nothing extraordinary.  Grace because I simply exist as God's child.  Grace because.  Grace because we had this time with Steven's folks, and nothing can take that away from us.  


I am thankful for Grace.

changes

Playing in the back yard

So I have worked my last day with NC state parks.  As much as I am looking forward to my new adventure, I of course was torn in my decision.  The past seven years with the division have really been an amazing opportunity for growth and adventure.  I have loved my job and all the awesome duties I was able to do because of it.  I worked in some beautiful places.

But motherhood was a stronger pull.

So Monday I begin my new job, working part-time, close to home, and no travel outside the county.  My new position will be with the county soil and water office as their admin/environmental educator.  The office is small- only three of us, and it is very laid back.  Jeans to work--really???  Did I dream this up?

I also found in-home part-time care for Grayson.  This will allow for my schedule to flexible, not to mention we love her!  She is the sweet grandma type, and can't wait to spoil and love on Grayson.  She only watches one other 4-year old little girl, so we liked that much better than a children's morning out program.  Everything is falling into place.

A little dirt. . .

I can peek in on naps. . .

I took the past week off, using up some of my vacation time.  It was nice to spend the time with my little man.  We went on walks, he ate a little dirt, chased each other around the house, learned new words (shoes, socks, box, cheese), learned where our belly button and head is, did some yoga (yo-gabba gabba according to Tika) and gave each other lots of hugs and kisses.  It was a pretty awesome week.
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Doughnuts to wash down the dirt

Dad had off Friday- so we headed to the greenway for a walk with the Pendells.

Grayism- On our way to an adoption fair we asked Grayson if he wanted a brother or a sister.  His response- he quickly shook his head no at either!  Sorry bud.  We promise you'll love each other when he or she gets here.

Happy Halloween!

Our cute little skeleton (pumpkin was mine when I was little :))

Would he be afraid of all the people out?  Would he be nervous to walk around at night?  Would he have a toddler moment and melt down at any given point?

We were not sure what to expect, but Gray as always, took to the new adventure with pure excitement!  This kid is so happy!  He LOVED trick or treating!  We only hit a few houses, to introduce the concept (well and who are we kidding, we get to score the candy afterwards).  He took to it like a champ.  We think we even heard a trick or treat before the night was over!  

Halloween Party

Saturday night we had a Halloween party for the kids.  I had so much fun planning for it, even though I had a ton on my plate this past week getting ready to leave my full-time job and transition to a part-time job.  Woo-hoo!  Can't wait for more time with that cute little man of mine!
I planned pumpkin bowling, with milk jugs and small pumpkins, a bean bag toss, and a ghost hunt, complete with ghost scat to track the ghost down!  The kids had a blast and so did we.  I love having people over, and I love happy kiddos running around even more!
Since we were calling it the Hoke Halloweenie Party, we had to serve some weenies.  So we roasted hot dogs, on a stick over the fire.  We roasted marshmallows (large ghost poops), and had swamp water (koo-aid and Sprite), Witch hats (cookies with kisses on top), chips, dip, veggies, and hot cocoa.  I broke down and bought disposable plates, cups and flatware.  Wow, clean up is really easy when you do that!  No worries, to my earth-loving friends, I haven't crossed over.  But sometimes even we need some give, right?

ghost poop!

One of the three blind mice

maw-maw getting in on the ghost hunt fun!  The kids loved it!