Merry Christmas!

We began our Christmas celebration the Sunday before Christmas with dinner and presents at Pop & Chaz's house. Griffin got his own digital camera and a Lightning McQueen TV/DVD player (or, as Griffin says, a "T-teev").
On Christmas Eve, we went to church with my family and then had dinner with Pop & Chaz, Bebe, Lacy & Max, and Richard, Karen, Meredith, & Alex. Griffin got lots of presents including a bunch of movies that he can watch on his Lightning McQueen TV, a Lightning McQueen suitcase, pillow, and blankie that he can take with him when he spends the night away, and a Lightning McQueen dinner set.
On Christmas morning, Griffin went downstairs to find his presents from Santa. He had a stocking full of fun stuff and some new Thomas trains and tracks. Weezy came over with more presents including remote-controlled Lightning McQueen and Mater, a magnetic fishing rod set, and a little pair of cowboy boots!

Mimi, Papaw Al, Aunt Holly, Uncle Jason, Harper, and Aunt Heidi came over for brunch a little while later. After brunch, we all went to Mimi and Papaw Al's house for even more presents. Griffin got more Lightning McQueen stuff, some Thomas books and stickers, cute clothes, and all sorts of fun little boy things!
It was about 2:30--well into Griffin's nap time--when we got home,but he just wouldn't stop and settle down. He just wanted to keep playing with all of his new things. Since he wouldn't take a nap, we made our last stop of the day at Mamere and Grandad's late that afternoon. We didn't make it over there with the camera so, unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of Griffin with his great-grandparents.

When we got back home, Griffin opened his presents from us. He was most excited about the box full of Thomas track and trains. With all of the festivities and unwrapping behind us, he finally got to just enjoy being home and playing with all of his fun new toys.

Visiting Santa

We made a couple of visits to see Santa this year. We were invited to a Cookies with Santa party on December 14th at Ms. Sherri's house. I wasn't sure how Griffin would react to Santa this year. We had been warned last year that a lot of toddlers don't do well. Last year, he didn't cry but he was very hesistant about sitting on Santa's lap. At the party this year, he walked right up to Santa and then turned his back to him so that Santa could lift him up on his lap. When Santa asked him how old he was, he said "two," then he paused for a second and added, "two and a half." When Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas he said Lightning McQueen and Thomas.
Ms. Sherri had lots of toys set out for the kids to play with and even had a bounce house outside. And of course there were cookies since it was a Cookies with Santa party. It was such a cute, fun event for the kids!

On December 18th, we went to the same little portrait studio that we have used the last couple of years to get more pictures with Santa. Once again, Griffin went right up to Santa and let him lift him onto his lap. And when asked what he wanted for Christmas, Griffin's responses were the same (good thing!).