MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Here is a quick glimpse into our VERY Merry Christmas! We spent much of the day cozied around the tree, enjoying treats and opening gifts one at a time. Grahamy didn't care to open any presents himself after he saw the train Santa left, so he spent much of the day exploring the toys we opened for him and reading his books. Thanks to everyone for your generosity! We look forward to many days of fun!!!

Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore were waiting for Grahamy in his stocking...



Mid-day snacks!!!
And a Christmas day ride on the real Lynx!!!

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE...

These are Santa's cookies...
Easy slice-and-bake cookies, so Grahamy did most of the work. He's quite a little baker!
And finally, the countdown expires... Nana, Papa and Aunt Hannie arrive!!!

After all the excitement, Grahamy asked to go to bed early, so we ended up reading stories, rushing our Christmas Eve routine and bedding him down by 6:45. That's what happens when little boys stop taking naps!!!

Here are some pictures from when Daddy, Grahamy and Aunt Missy went downtown and watched the musical bears sing Christmas tunes.






Aunt Missy and Grahamy decorated gingerbread men while Daddy and Mommy went to a Christmas party a couple weeks ago. One had a little accident (DADDY!!!), so I had to snap a quick picture before any other body parts became dessert.
Graham is pointing out HIS gingerbread man!
New development! Graham has been sleeping in his big boy bed. We give him the option and he sometimes chooses his bed and sometimes chooses his crib. In 6 months or so, he won't really have a choice anymore, so let's hope it doesn't take him longer than that to adjust to the bed. So far, smooth sailing!
First night in his bed, I actually took a picture.
And here are pictures from Daddy's family Christmas party. Grahamy was a ham as usual!

It has been summer in December here for about a week, with an astonishing heatwave. Graham has not been complaining since the weather has allowed him to resume his continuous play, even as night falls.
I think this is a squinty-eyed smile...
Here is Graham with Baby Katherine. Our friends, Kayce and James, are the proud parents of Katherine Glenn Ford, born on December 7th. Graham visited her at the hospital and has made extensive house visits. He is sweet and patient around her, which will surely change as soon as she begins to resemble competition.
Graham loves giving Katherine pats on her head and watching her get a diaper change, since her diapers are still so tiny. He loves to talk about the differences between babies and big boys.
Grahamy has never liked this Word Whammer and refuses to turn it on. He likes his original version with the alphabet, but this one talks too much and gives too many instructions. He likes to be the boss! Plus, as you can see from the picture, he dislikes being limited by the three-letter word choices. He is just like his dad and can spell, spell, spell!!! He sits and spells words just to entertain himself...
Requesting a photo... what a ham!
Here is Graham being rocked before bed just like when he was a baby. At first, it was silly and he and Daddy were laughing...
But after a while, he started to look a little sleepy and yet, he wanted the rocking to continue. We think he remembered the song and the sensation.
Serious face watching Daddy write numbers...
He looks SO old and wise in this shot!!!
Back when we had some chilly weather and before our leaves were collected...
Grahamy is pretending to be a tornado and is blowing through the knee-deep leaves...

OH CHRISTMAS TREE

Here are a few early Christmas tree pictures. Graham was SO excited to pick out a tree and then bring it home!!! He is counting down the days (literally) until Christmas Day.
Grahamy touching the side of his nose just like Santa in "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Here is Grahamy hanging the very first ornament on the tree!!! He's already talking about the cardinal he gets to hang on Dec. 2.
December 1st is an elephant!
Perfect for an animal lover! Nana and Papa sent Graham a Christmas advent calendar with little animals tucked into the individual days. The animals open into little story books and are also ornaments for the tree. Graham has been naming and counting the animals since the calendar arrived.
First things first... Must check the water-level!!!

Charlotte is finally sporting a modern transit system. Our Light Rail is finally up and running, even though it only runs north to south right now. Daddy loves it and takes it to work and Graham loves it because he loves all trains. Here we are taking a trip downtown for lunch with Daddy...
Camera shy for some reason, but he couldn't stop talking about the ride, especially because the train is called The Lynx!!! Graham LOVES wild cats, so a train named the Lynx is top-notch in his book!!!
Snacking and checking out Daddy's view...
Daddy is demonstrating the power of a wheelie chair...Spinning in circles...
Graham is decorating the office...
An actual request for the camera...
Graham and Daddy built an enormous block castle for Gray Kitty Cat and Grahamy wanted to pose next to it. Who can find Gray Kitty Cat?
And one more... Now do you see Gray Kitty Cat?
And in this one, he wanted to demonstrate his builder's ability... Silly boy!!!