Griffin's First Christmas!

Take one look at our house, and you'll agree that Santa Claus came to town!  His first visit to the Tramel household was everything I had imagined and then some.  Without a doubt, our first Christmas with Griffin was a blast...and it's definitely more fun being Santa than getting gifts from Santa!

We started with a Christmas Eve breakfast at Cracker Barrel, decked out in PJ's, and our little Sock Monkey stole the show...and won the hearts of all the servers who walked by our table!  Griffin had a big time sitting in the high chair and playing with his toys and kid menus on the table.

After filling up on pancakes, we went home to start working on some gingerbread cookies for Santa.  Once they came out of the oven, we stripped Griffin down to his diaper and turned him loose with a  big tube of green icing!  He wasn't exactly sure what to do with it, but they turned out cute anyway!

Later that night, Daddy played in the Christmas Eve service at church, and Griffin and I went to watch and listen to the message from Pastor Andrew.

When church was over, we rushed home to eat dinner and get ready to open presents!  We were so excited to watch Griffin open the gifts we bought him...but I think he had more fun playing with the paper they were wrapped in!  He loved the blocks we bought him!  Their bright colors and fun sounds kept his attention longer than any other toy he opened.

 After everything was opened, Griffin sat down with Daddy on the couch and read The Night Before Christmas.  He loves turning the pages in his books, so he helped turn as Daddy read.

Before we tucked him in bed, we sat out the cookies he made for Santa under the tree.

Christmas morning couldn't come soon enough!  I couldn't wait for Griffin to wake up so we could take him in the living room and show him the presents from Santa Claus! One of our favorites was a sweet golf toy that gives a round of applause when he puts the ball in the hole!

Griffin's first Christmas has been full of fun, new traditions...and we've had so much fun visiting with family and watching him smile and enjoy his gifts.  I look forward to sharing the true meaning of Christmas with him as he gets older! :)  Merry Christmas!

Half Way To One!

It's hard to believe, but Griffin is half way to one today! Six months have flown by, and it seems like just yesterday when he was placed in my arms for the very first time. He continues to amaze me every day...and while I realize this is all part of growing up, I'd love to be able to press the pause button and continue everything in slow motion!
He loves chatting and singing along to Itsy Bitsy Spider and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and believe it or not, enjoys hearing Mommy sing You Are My Sunshine :). We're still trying out new foods, and he loves helping me cook. Maybe because I let him lick the spoon after each new batch of baby food?! He's been gearing up for his first Christmas, and he even got an early present this week! Since his favorite new past-time is "bouncing", I thought it was only fitting for him to have a big stuffed Tigger to bounce along with!
Something fun we've learned this month is Pattycake! He loves clapping my hand with one of his own to make the Pattycake noise! And now, he Pattycakes on everything :). He's also really digging his paci these days, and found a cute new way to hold it...with his thumb stuck inside! It never fails...if he's playing on the floor, it's only a matter of time before he's got a paci hooked on his shirt, one in his mouth, and one in each hand!
We're supposed to go for his six month check up at the beginning of the year, and I can't wait to see how he's grown! Happy six months, Griff! We love you!

Lunch With Kaz!

Our little men are growing up fast!

Griffin and Kaz got to hang out while Melissa and I had lunch at Applebee's today.  Since Melissa is off work this week for Christmas break, we decided to venture out with our little men and catch up on things.  As these guys get older, it gets harder to handle both of them at the same time!  With toys covering the table and drool in Mommy's food, they're always into something!  Kaz was all smiles today...even as Griffin tried pulling his hair!  They're both growing up right before our eyes, and we've been so blessed to have such happy, healthy boys!

Ohhh I like your hair!

Really?  You're just gonna let him do that?!

Haha!  Can't reach me now!

Opening his Christmas present from Kaz!

Santa Claus...And Cow!

A little elf told us that Santa Claus was coming to town, so we decided to take Griffin to meet the man in the big red suit, himself, for the very first time!  Griffin, of course, was fascinated by all the lights and shiny decorations that covered the entrance of Lexington Green.  His first encounter with Santa was a hit, but he was pretty tight lipped about his Christmas list this year!






Since Griffin's diet consisted of nothing but Chick-fil-A the entire time he was in my belly, it was only appropriate to introduce him to Santa Cow this year, as well!  Josh and I took him by the restaurant to visit our friends and Chick-fil-A owners, the Dennards.  They're always excited to see him, and see how much he's grown.  Griffin was ecstatic to see his buddy, the cow, and sat right in his lap for the picture!

Little Elf

 My little elf and I have been very busy over the past few weeks, trying to finish buying gifts for everyone on our list!  Griffin has been quite the helper when it comes to wrapping presents.  He's my official "Box Tester"....

This one looks good

Let me check this out over here...

Yep, it's perfect!