New Toy Room!

On Christmas Evening, Jamie and I decided to turn part of our loft area into a toy room. It was fun to create a special place for Griffin and he loves it! We hung up the beautiful quilt that my friend Christina made for Griffin-it looks perfect. I planned on putting it on his toddler bed when we made that leap, but now I don't know if I will be willing to take it off of the wall!

Playing Basketball with Great Grandma

Down the Slide

Wild Tractor Driving

Santa came to the farm and brought Griffin a tractor with a wagon. He loves to fill up the wagon with the building set that Uncle Chris gave him. Then he loves to tip it over! Griffin couldn't quite understand why he couldn't get in the tractor and drive it...check out the video!

Visiting Great Grandma

Griffin and I spent two nights in Sandstone after Christmas with my Grandma. Griffin loved entertaining her and gave her lots of "mus" (kisses) and big bear hugs! Great Grandma gave him a cool new basketball hoop! We talked to Nonna, Poppa and Uncle Chris on the phone and Griffin took the phone, laid down and chatted! It was pretty cute!

Christmas in Montevideo

Griffin had fun in Montevideo! He got a cool new slide and Aunt Julie and Uncle Kevin got him his favorite treat--a jar of pickles!

Griffin Driving his new ATV

Christmas at the Farm

On Christmas Eve we went to the candelight service at Grace Lutheran in Dawson, then spent the evening at the farm. Santa came and Griffin received his first motorized vehicle!

Wednesday Night Girls

I was able to get together with the Wendesday night girls (Sara, Cynthia, Molly and Ann) just before Christmas! We had a great time and talked for hours!

The Aftermath

We had Griffin open his gifts from Nonna, Poppa and Uncle Chris through video conferencing so that they could watch him. He was super excited about his new building set and musical instuments from Uncle Chris and his new wardrobe and toys from Nonna and Poppa. As you can see, he had fun putting everything to good use right away!!

Many Ways to Use a Hockey Stick

Griffin got a knee hockey set from Kari, Josh & Brandon Reuvers (they babysit him quite a bit). He loves his "Griffin-sized" hockey stick and has found several ways to use it! Griffin even says "hockey"!

Please and Thank You!

San Diego

Jamie and I were recently in San Diego (Jamie needed to go for a work conference). The weather was great and we really enjoyed our free time! We spent lots of time with another AD, John, and his wife Lori. I was also able to meet up with my good friend from college, Ann, who lives in LA. We missed Griffin a ton, but he sure had a good time at Grandma and Grandpa's house!

"Vintage Toys"

Look at what we found! My old toys....and Griffin loves them. It is so fun to watch him playing with the toys that I loved so much!

Saying Please!

Dancing...again!

Here is our little man dancing again!

Griffin Enjoying his First Monster Cookie

Mary Kaye taught Jennifer and me to make delicious monster cookies. Here is Griffin enjoying his first one!

Playing Pool Griffin Style

Griffin has a new method of playing pool. He always wins.

Visiting Santa

Griffin and his friend, Marin, went to go see Santa. Griffin discovered that Santa gave away candy canes, so decided he wasn't so bad. Marin decided that candy canes weren't all that great!

Football

Griffin has been watching Daddy "call out plays" and throw a football...as you can see, he is catching on!

Mommy's Little Helper

Griffin has been very helpful around the house lately. Here he is shown carrying around samples for blinds that we are going to install, taking out all of his PJs and towels just in case we needed them, helping me cook dinner (I finally had to contain him in his high chair and give him oven mitts for entertainment), and emptying out the laundry baskets so I'd have a head start on folding. I really appreciate all of his hard work!