Birthday Boy

12.29.10
Greyson's first birthday!

After dinner we sang happy birthday to him.
He wasn't sure what was going on.
We helped him blow out his candle and then he did the rest.


He didn't really eat much of the cake.
He just played with it.
Then he ended up looking like this....



Greyson at ONE....
you wave bye-bye.
you don't really say any words yet. you just make the noises. (uh-oh, bye, yeah, nite-nite)
you cry when dad has to leave for work.
you are walking all over the place. you have good balance and can almost stand up in the middle of the floor without holding on.
you are strong. you push all kinds of things around the house. you really like to push around the kitchen chairs or the ottoman.
you pinch and pull hair. sometimes you think it is funny. but we don't!
you really do not know what the word "no" means.
you are fast and get into everyting.
i can't load the dishwasher when you are around. you stand on the door when it is open & try to take everything out of the top shelf.
you love your brothers. you really like carson. you light up when he gives you attention.
you know when we pull up to grandma and grandpa duke's house. you know where we are and you want to get out.
you are starting to climb.
you are very interested in stairs.
you are loud and scream. (we are in the hall a lot at church.)
you are always going to be our bubba.
we love you!!

Christmas with the Santiago family

This year we had our Christmas dinner at the church with the Santiago family.
Lots of aunts, uncles & cousins came.
It was really nice to see everyone. Plus we had lots of good food and yummy treats.
All the kids had fun playing in the gym all to themselves. Lots of running, soccer and basketball!

Chris and his family were able to come done this year too.
The girls are getting so big. And they are beautiful!!

And we got to meet Sam for the first time! He sure is a smiley little guy.

Christmas morning

Greyson in his cozy coupe car. He loves it! And he knows that it belongs to him.

Crew on his "motorcycle bike".

Carson got a paper jams guitar and amp from santa.

Tanner with his air soft pistol and target.

After we opened our gifts and took a little nap, we went over to dad & mom's for some breakfast.

We did our gift exchange and then went to play kickball.

It was fun....even though I only got to kick one time. Then the rest of the time I was pushing kids on the swing and going down the slide at the park. But I did get to watch the rest of the game. Everyone played good and we even had some muddy clothes and tears on our way home. (that's another story!)

Gingerbread houses

We had our 2nd annual gingerbread decorating party.
The kids had a blast. I think they just like when we all get together.
They have so much fun just playing with the cousins.
It doesn't matter what is planned.

Cherine was able to come over with us since they were in town for Christmas.
I think her kids were a little overwhelmed by all of us.


I think more candy was eaten out of the bowls then on the houses!
But that is the best part!

Where does the time go? And why do I always forget my camera?
These are some things we have been up to:

* Pie baking with grandma. She made cute aprons for all of them.
* Thanksgiving. 2 dinners. both yummy.
* Black friday shopping. Always a blast. I went out at 10pm this year. Came home and slept for a couple hours and then got back up to hit a couple more stores.
* Decorated great grandma's house for christmas with the kids.
* Decorated our house. Bought a 3ft tree this year instead of setting up the big one. I didn't feel like dealing with Greyson and the tree. Everything is up high this year. Even all my nativities. :)
* My computer crashed. Have another ordered and now just waiting for it's arrival.
* Cleaning our house and getting ready for our christmas guests.
* Both Tanner and Carson received awards for A/B honor roll. We celebrated at U-swirl.
* Had family pictures taken and a christmas card is ordered. Wasn't sure if it was going to happen this year. Thanks Heather!
* Ward Christmas party. Crew finally got to tell Santa what he wants for christmas. (a motorcycle bike.)