Santa Claus is coming to town

Speaking of first, we had another one this year. Grant sat in Santa's lap.
Well, kind of...

It's closer than he has ever gotten without wailing in terror. I asked him if he was going to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. He said, "Will you help me." Translation: "will you tell him for me?" Me, "Yes, I will."

This year will be the year of Cars from the Disney movie. He wants the Screamin' Banshee, Doc, Sally, Mater, and a Lightning McQueen car track. All of which he requested on his own.

Danny ended up there with him as I snapped the picture. He couldn't quite work up a smile, but I don't blame him. What other time is it okay for a child to sit in a strange, obese, bearded man's lap dressed in a ridiculous red fuzzy suit? Hmmmmmm. NEVER!

Turkey Day

This year was a first. We had family come to our house for Thanksgiving lunch. And not just a handful, but approximately 25 adults and kids. Tradition has us going to Danny's Aunt and Uncle's house, but after hearing that some of the family might be going to Chattanooga to visit their recently purchased bed and breakfast, we volunteer up our house for the rest of us to get together. Well, plans fell through and everybody ended up coming!

It actually turned out quite nice. Everybody brought dishes included fried turkey and dressing. YUM. All I had to do was get the house ready and prepare my carrot cake and famous hashbrown casserole. Watch out Martha Stewart. Here I come!



Everyone came over early to watch the Titans cream the Lions. And after lunch the kids got to enjoy the glorious day outside with a trip in Cousin Charles' truck to the park.

We finished the day with a trip to my Mom and Dad's house to visit with my family. We really didn't need to eat another meal, but WE DID.

Classic Halloween

This was the first year Grant decided on what he wanted to be for Halloween without any coaxing from me. And while many 3 & 1/2 year old boys are contemplating batman or spiderman, power ranger or ninja turtle, my sweet guy wanted to be a jack-o-lantern.

I decided to follow in his classic Halloween costume decision and dawn my pregnant witch ensemble. (I keep in the back of my closet.) The all black is very slimming, I might add.

We had a grand ole time as usual with our families coming over to enjoy the endless parade of trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood.

Grant even got to participate in handing out the candy this year. He said that was his favorite part.

Baby Boy

We found out last week we are having a HEALTHY baby boy. We cannot be more thrilled or relieved. A thorough fetal echocardiogram, lasting almost 45 minutes, proved to rule out any major heart defects. God has answered our prayers.

Here I am at 20 weeks. Oh dear... only halfway.



Later that night I showed Grant the ultrasound pics. I told him mommy went to the doctor and the doctor took some pictures of the baby through my belly. I pointed out the details to him of the baby's head, belly and arms. Here's how the conversation went:

Me, "The doctor told us that the baby is a boy and you're going to have a baby brother."

Grant said, "Awhhh, he's so cute." (And in the same breath) "Daddy will you play football with me?"