Christmas Parties Ended With A Bang

We are finally back home after celebrating Christmas with our families. We have tons of pictures but since I can not put them all on here I chose some pictures from each party. We had a blast with our family and the food was again outstanding and I ate way too much. The only bad thing about the trip was Griffen and I got that stomach bug that is going around which caused us to miss a family dinner. I had it for about a day and poor Griffen still has it as I write the blog. So as the title goes we ended with a bang. We are staying home for the new year and we hope everyone had a great time ringing in 2009. Enjoy the last pictures of 2008!

The first round of Christmas in 08

This past weekend we started the Christmas celebrations. Saturday we were at Nick's family watching all five kids dive into their gifts and the adults dive into the food. They are at the stage where everything is cool and neat. The Christmas paper flies and the screams of joy make you smile from ear to ear. This year Angie got her kids a Wii and let them open it at Grandma's. The kids had a good time and even Barrett who was one hand down got into the Wii. After the kids went to bed the adults got their turn and I must say we had a good time.


Barrett opening his lite bright

Griffen's first Christmas present and he goes for the bow

All five Grandkids before the gifts

Natalie in her dress up outfit

Anna holding Baby (Griffen)

Sunday night we headed out for our annual Christmas dinner with the Grigsby's. It amazing to see how each child has changed from year to year. The kids were not shy this year and they started playing as soon as we got there. It's great to catch up on events and happening since we last saw each other in July. It's always a blessing to spend time with family around the holidays.

Holding Reece

Holding Griffen while he opens a toy

Barrett opening his gifts

The Grigsby's great grandchildren

We want to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and we will post more pictures when we return from all our parties as Barrett calls them.

Surgery #7

The morning did not start off well when we had to pull Barrett out of a nice warm bed at 5:30 in the morning. All he wanted was to go back to bed, and if we had our way we would have turned around and gone home. However by the time we got to Kosair he was fine and calm as we walked into the hospital. He even got on the scale on his own and he let them take his temperature. Ms. Vicki the pre-op nurse was wonderful with him as she showered him with stickers and a snowman. Then he got the good stuff to relax him and this is how we knew it was working. I was sitting with him on the bed and he was getting the look in his eyes.

Me: Barrett are you okay

Barrett: Yes

Me: What are you doing? (He had his head tilted back and looking at the ceiling)

Barrett: Look mommy the sun is out!

The whole room burst into laughter, even the doctor had a smile on his face. As for the surgery it went good, however the Dr.Gupta only got to work on his palm because it was worse then what he thought, so when we go for the follow-up he will tell us when he will have to do the webbing and his fingers. Barrett bandage is now call the club because that is what it looks like and as always he is adjusting to only using one hand and his teeth to things.

Barrett making cookies

Right after recovery

Showing Grandma his new tractor

Talking to Nana on the phone

Hand over the cookies and no one will get hurt

Barrett's Christmas program

Today was Barrett's first Christmas program at his school. They got to sing one song and believe it or not Barrett did a pretty good job of singing. Grandma got to come up for the event and he told us that he was going back with her and so that is where he is at. We are leaving tomorrow to head down there because we have to be at the hospital at 6 on Friday.

Griffen during the program

We will try and keep everyone postedand let you how Barrett is doing. This is going to be his longest surgery yet. Dr.Gupta part will take about three hours and that doesn't include getting Barrett prepped and recovery. They also told us that he is going to be in more pain with this surgery do to the fact that they are not scraping his hand clean and the nerves will still be there. He will be getting discharged on Saturday and will head back to Grandma's house for that day before we head back to Columbus.

Gobble, Gobble, Duck,Duck

Ah the holidays have started. We finally made it home for Thanksgiving this year. It had been three years since I have been to a Thanksgiving and for Nick it has been seven years, so needless to say we soaked up the turkey, dressing and a duck cake. Yes you read correctly we also celebrated our niece Natalie's second birthday. She will be two on the 6th of December. We had a wonderful time eating, talking, and just having a great holiday together. It was so nice the kids even got to play outside.
So with Thanksgiving under our belts we are now in full Christmas mode. Since Barrett was being so adamant about putting up our tree, we managed to come home and tackle the project. Griffen loves the lights and I am thankful that he is not crawling yet because I don't think I would have a tree left.

We are also preparing for Barrett's upcoming surgery in two weeks. Please pray for us as we tackle that as well. We have started telling Barrett that we need to fix his hand again. We hope everyone enjoyed the feast of Thanksgiving and we can not wait to see everyone again at Christmas and the ones we did not see.

Calm before the holiday storms

It's been quite around the house and I think that is because the end of November is near. The boys are doing well they both have been with colds and Griffen just can not shake this ear infection however I think on our tenth follow up visit Dr.Gilmore said that it was starting to look much better. When Barrett went to see Dr. Gilmore he called him a "Good Man" ah leave it to Barrett to make you laugh.

Griffen is starting to do new tricks he is rolling very well these days and if he can stay on his stomach long enough he might be able to crawl. He does try and get those knees up and moves but the poor thing just rolls on his back. He is getting very verbal these days. His favorite is "gaaaaaa" and "baa" He can say "hi" when he wants too and he can even through out the"daaaaaaa"

This weekend we did make a short but fun trip down to Kentucky. We went to Jada's birthday party. This was my second time going and Nick finally made an appearance. There was a lot of food, kids having a good time, presents and cake. By the time the cake got around Barrett was demanding for a slice. I say it was a good birthday party. We did take the camera and managed a few pictures so everyone enjoy.

Halloween Weekend

Yes I know Halloween has come and gone and no pictures of the kids but things as usual have been hectic at the house. Since Barrett is off to Grandma's for a couple of days to spend time with John Thomas I have some time to post some pictures.
Reece(the cow) Griffen (the lion)

Barrett (monkey) Jada (Scarecrow)



Mommy and her lion

This year we made it to Tina's annual Halloween party. All the kids looked cute and Barrett got to go trick or treating for the first time. He really enjoyed getting candy along with mommy and daddy.
John Thomas, Barrett and Griffen


John Thomas and Griffen

The next day we had a nice evening with the Mudd's at Joe Huber's. We did take our camera but it never left the diaper bag. Hey give us credit at least we took the camera. We had a nice visit since we had not seen some of them since Christmas and this was their first time meeting Griffen.

Sunday we were off to my cousins first birthday party. Landon turned one the day before Halloween so the family had a big bash for him. The weather was awesome, the food was great and the company was even better. It was great to see a child go after his cake, he loved it. Also that say was the weigh in. I forgot to mention that on Halloween a few of us got the idea to start a weight lose challenge. I might say that it was a good idea, but now I am thinking what in the world have I got myself into, I guess there goes that Halloween candy. For those of you in the challenge your Pizza man should be at home any minute with your pizza :)

Yes he loved his cake!!! The kids playing outside
Me with the Birthday Boy

The six month check up

So we figured out that Griffen is going to be a full back for a football team. The kid weighs in at 18lbs and he is 27 inches long. He still has those lovable rolls on his legs and arms. The doctor said that he looked good, however he did have to dig some ear wax out which Griffen was all for. Come to find out the poor thing has a ear infection. He does something new each day and his favorite toy right now is a plastic hanger. Watch out though he can really swing it and as Barrett can tell you his aim is not good.

Enjoy the pictures and have a safe and happy Halloween