Christmas Day

We were up bright and early on Christmas morning. At first Grace wasn't sure. She didn't want to look into her stocking, she wanted Shane to turn the tv on which is part of their morning routine! But then she realized that there were fun things inside. :)

I'm going to be honest. Most of Gracie's gifts were from garage sales this past summer. She didn't get many but she also doesn't care at this time if they are new or slightly used. I'm pretty proud of the fact that her gifts were very affordable! She got a bowling ball set, a noah's ark, and then a little backpack with her name on it and the 40th anniversary dvds of sesame street. (she LOVES Elmo!)

This is her Christmas dress that I got on clearance at the end of last season. I love it.

Grandma Shirley gave her some great clothes! She did NOT like having this on though. At first I thought it was the turtleneck, but later I realized that I had put both her legs into one leg hole of the skirt! HA!

ok, this one isn't christmas day but it's her new "thing" :)

Christmas Part 2

We had a great Christmas celebration at Shane's brother's house. Grace was enthralled with her cousins. She followed them everywhere. And when she didn't, they made sure to come find her!

Rilee and Reese have a fun pet. A guinea pig. Grace loved touching it. Thankfully she was gentle!

We came home to snow! Our driveway was covered so Grace got busy. She worked hard and got it all finished by dark. Ha!

Then she came inside to make herself some hot chocolate in her new little kitchen. She LOVES this thing!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! We have had a wonderful day of family and fun. It's been great. We are so blessed and today I am so very thankful- I have a baby and thinking of our great God sending his son to us FOR us... is overwhelming. I am thankful for God's great mercy and the best gift ever.

Love,

Shannon (for Shane and Grace)

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for:

• Christmas! I finished making cookies and sweets for Shane's office and just have to make a pie tomorrow and then finish wrapping. Wrapping is one of my least favorite things but I'm THANKFUL that we are able to give little gifts of love to our family and friends
• My little parrot- Tonight she was repeating everything I said.. I said can you say Ella? (a friend) and she did. She also repeated Hank, Zoe, Sophie, Oliver, Hannah, and then when I got to Aaron and asked her to say his name she said "no" and kept saying Sophie. Cute! (sorry Aaron, your name is tricky!)

• Good friends. We are so blessed. Not only are they loving and there for us but they are giving. Gracie has been gifted with MANY gifts already. Thank you!

• Mail. Did you know I love to get mail? I do. :) We bundled up yesterday and made a quick run to the mail box. This time of year is a guarantee that there will be something fun in the box!

• Warm houses. We are warm, we have plenty of food, and lots of "extras" I'm thankful, no deserving, but thankful
• Hugs. I've been getting lots of hugs and kisses from Grace but each day when I get I. up from his nap, he snuggles his face into my neck. It doesn't last long but I love that little baby stage when they snuggle!

• Time away. I'm thankful that we're headed to spend time with family this weekend. And that next week I'll see my girlfriends and then have more family time!

Remembering..

Then.

Now.

18 Months

Yesterday Grace turned 18 months. She and her Grandpa shared a special day- Happy Birthday Grandpa H! Grace is so blessed to have amazing Grandparents. You're love for her is overflowing and we are so thankful for you!

Here are a few things she's doing at 18 months-

• she's loving opening and closing doors. Shane taught her how to knock. So many times during the day I'll hear a door shut then a minute later I'll hear her knocking to be let out!
• She's really into climbing right now. On top of her rocking horse, on the coach, on her stool. She likes to climb onto the kitchen chairs and also onto the coffee table!
• When I. (the little guy we watch) comes to our house each morning Grace runs to the door and says "hi buddy!" then she "helps" take his hat off. It's cute.
• When his mom comes to get him each day she runs to her for a hug or two!
• She has gotten a bit picky about eating.. she still loves eggs and bacon or sausage, but she does not care for sauces or things mixed together.

Left or Right?

You tell me. Is she left handed or right handed?

Christmas in Michigan

We went to Michigan last weekend to celebrate Christmas.

They had a pretty good snow before we came. Last we we never took Grace out into the snow really. This year was fun!

She liked walking around with Grandpa. She wasn't too fond of falling down!

Grandpa Wilson always dons a christmas had and then passes out the presents. This was one of the times she stopped and we could snap a picture of her.

opening her presents. She loves her cooking set- thanks Aunt Michelle and Uncle Adam and kids!

After teaching her how to unwrap gifts its a definite that I won't be putting our presents under the tree until Christmas eve!

Grandma W. wanted a picture of all three kids.... not the best but this may have to do Grandma!

Shirley came with us and on our way home we stopped by her brother's house. They actually live just off of the highway! We had a nice but short visit with them. Christmas #1- check!

Wordless Wednesday

Monday

When Gracie's grandma Shirley was visiting us last week she found a fun game to play with her. It was called THROWTHEBLOCKSOUTOFTHEBASKETASFASTASYOUCAN man, does she loves this game. She can play it over and over.

She also played the game called "CLIMBONEVERYTHING" Do you know that game? Those are two of Grace's new favorites

Just for Fun

playing with daddy

Thanksgiving

We spent thanksgiving in Muncie with Gracie's grandpa, grandma Diane, grandma Shirley, and Uncle Shawn. She wasn't feeling her best but she mangaged to pull through and shine throughout the day. :)

Grandma Diane and Grandpa Brad

right before they fell asleep!

Grace had fun playing with Grandpa Brad. We are thankful this year for our families, for our health, and for having such a great little munchkin running us in circles!

ok... after we saw Santa I went to wait in line to get her picture and Shane stayed with Grace. She never moved from her spot of seeing Santa. She was SO excited to see him she kept jumping up and down and waving her hands. Maybe it was relief that she didn't have to sit on his lap again but all those kids did and she was laughing at them?! She probably did this for 10 minutes or so until I got back. I got it on video.. too cute!

SANTA!

Guess who had her first visit with Santa? Gracie! (last year we went to the Mall but Santa was expensive there so we didn't have her sit on his lap). We went to the elementary school to visit him.

While we were there we had breakfast. Look all you teachers... she's already needing correction at the lunch table!

Here he is! The line wasn't too long but as we got closer she got a little clingy- like she knew something was going on. But she was great and didn't fuss at all! In fact when I went to pick her up she actually would have preferred to stay a bit longer. :)

The other great part was that I entered her name in a giveaway and she won! She won a little rake, shovel, and hoe. What a perfect gift for Grace.

Grace's log cabin

Shane was working outside with some wood and Gracie decided to make it her cabin.

It's not quite winterized yet....

She loved being inside with her daddy.

Also, here's her newest treat. The camp makes popcorn. Whenever she goes to visit daddy that's the first place she visits!

Thanks Grandma!

Grandma Wilson, Gracie LOVES wearing her new gloves. She loves the options of the different colors to match her outfits.

And really, gloves aren't just for outside. So many uses.... Thanks Grandma!