It's A Wonderful Life

We finally were able to celebrate Christmas with my parents on Sunday. Unfortunately my sisters and their families weren't able to be there. We miss you guys!

Griffin raked in again. He got more toys, books, clothes, money, etc. My question is what is up with the toys and all the difficult packaging? Every toy we opened this holiday took at least 10 minutes to get out of the packaging and required scissors, a knife or teeth. Jeesh! The kid would open a present, be totally jacked about it, but since it took 10 minutes (that's 10 years in kid time) to get it out of the box, he would grow bored and move on to other presents.

Exibit A: See above--Jason is trying (struggling) to get the mooing cow bowling ball out of the box. At least the milk bottles were easy to get out. By the way, thanks Aunt Beth & Uncle Jerri!! When we ask Griffin "what does a cow say?" he replies MMMMMMMMMM!! He can't quite say MOOOOO yet. We're still working on it!

Another example of the stupid packaging below---my dad is working as fast as he can to get the tractor out of the box. Surprisingly, Griffin is patiently waiting.

Ahhh, this didn't require any hard labor---clothes are wonderful! They don't make noise, they don't require batteries, they don't have any difficult packaging--and they can be fun!!

Cousin Laura gave Griffin a Cars book that makes lots of fun sounds. Griffin loves anything that makes noise. Jason & I love anything that doesn't make noise!

Griffin actually sat still for a good picture with Grandma & Grandpa E.
He's playing with a car he got from cousins Quinton & Landon.

.........still playing with the cars

Grandpa E. & Griff are watching some football. Grandpa is holding candy that came out of our stockings. The game of the day was 'name the candy'. Griffin would ask what each candy was and then take it to Grandpa.

Griffin:"Wus thaaa"
Grandpa: "M&Ms"
Griffin: "Wus thaaa"

Grandpa: "A sucker"

This went on and on. Jason & I got bored with the game, but Grandma & Grandpa loved it.

Another fun game--chase me up the stairs!

Griffin is getting ready to say goodbye to Grandpa...he even gave Grandpa a kiss!

My mom got a picture of Griff, Jason & I. Neither one of our cameras were cooperating, so this is the best picture we got.

We were so happy to see my parents--but very sad to see them go. Thanks for all the great stuff Mom & Dad--my favorite gift was the measuring cups (NOT FOR GRIFFIN TO PLAY WITH) and the pretty sweater (very impressed Mom & Dad). Jason's favorite gift was the Hawkeye shirt. I'm sure he'll be sporting it on Thursday---GO HAWKS. I think that Griffin's favorite present was the tractor---Griff has started his collection, just like Grandpa E.

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

We Are Blessed

Just to warn you, there are a LOT of pictures on this posting. We still have one important Christmas to go, but here are pictures from Griffin opening presents from Santa, Christmas at Great-Grandma & Grandpa Y's, and Christmas at Grandma & Grandpa B's. Due to an ice storm, we'll be celebrating Christmas with my family later.


Christmas Eve with Daddy. We had a nice dinner with Jason's parents & then went to the Christmas Eve service at Church.

Hard to sit still for a nice Christmas picture with Grandma & Grandpa B.

Santa DID come and bring presents for Griffin!!! Thankfully he made the "Nice" list this year.

Griffin eyeing the loot.

Griff was mostly interested in the bows. He thought Daddy needed to wear one. Pretty Daddy!

Santa brought Griffin some PJs, a puzzle, an Elmo guitar, Handy Manny toolbox, & a train set. I think he is a little spoiled!

Thank you Santa!!

In my Christmas sweater. I need some powder for my face...my cheeks are so shiny!

Cousin Drew spent a lot of time with Griffin playing with cars & tractors. Thanks Drew for entertaining Griffin so we could relax a little!

Grandma & Grandpa B. gave Griffin a Thomas the Train tunnel & tent. Good thing Daddy is finishing off a playroom for Griff, because that is NOT going in the living room!

I'm not sure who had more fun with the tunnel & tent---Grandpa or Griff?? Thanks for everything--we love you Family!!

We hope to see my family soon & celebrate Christmas. Stupid Iowa weather!!

Bad Santa!

Are you kidding me!!! We get to the mall early so we can be the first in line to see wonderful, magical Santa (who is supposed to be making an appearance at 6:00)--and we see this note. Santa is going to dinner??? What! "He'll be back at 6:15" says one of his elves. Don't get me wrong, I think Santa should be able to eat....but his shift didn't start until 6----what was he doing ALL day long??? Give me a break!

Griffin had even less patience for Santa's tardiness. He was pulling on the gate with all his might trying to get it open. G-man had no idea what we were waiting in line for, but the anticipation was killing him.

We were trying to get the kid to say "ho, ho, ho". He thought it was pretty funny. He also thought spilling his drink down his shirt and down Daddy's was funny too. We didn't care---we were just trying to keep him entertained while we waited over 20 minutes for Santa to arrive.

We snuck a quick family photo--Griff couldn't keep his eyes open. This is the best picture we could get--the others were too blurry. My camera sucks......oh Santa, you know what you can bring me for Christmas......

After much anticipation, Santa finally arrived. As he shook the crumbs out of his beard from the pretzel place in the mall, and finished up a large Orange Julius, Santa's lap was ready for bright eyed children to have a seat. I figured I would get a big "HO, HO, HO", or a "What do you want for Christmas little boy"--but much to my dismay, Santa didn't say a single word to me or Griffin. He just sat there. I was hoping for a little more enthusiasm from Santa. Thank goodness he put his hat on---when he walked in without it, he was quite scary looking. And what is with the elf photographers? There are two girls standing behind the camera--can't one entertain while the other takes the pictures--NO--they both were trying to get my kid to smile and neither one was ready with the camera when he did give a faint smile...or maybe he was just chewing the fruit snacks I was bribing him with, and it just looked like a little smile. Anyway, the kid didn't cry---or scream as I thought he would. I strongly suggest that Santa and the Elves head back to the North Pole for a little more training! I suppose I should give them a break--it is getting close to the big day, so maybe they were just conserving energy and didn't bring their "A" game tonight. None the less, we did get some good pictures. The picture that we paid top dollar for was actually a perfect picture of Griffin. I didn't pay the extra $12.99 for a CD, so if I get near a scanner, I'll upload the picture. Griffin looked like he was trying to run away from Santa--and his facial expression was priceless.

Hope you and your families have a Merry Christmas!

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Storytime at the Becker's...Pay Attention!

Naughty or Nice

Griffin is acting a little more naughty than nice these days. He's into everything, he likes to hit Mr. Becker & I, he's whiny, and rather than being frightened when we raise our voices, he laughs. Apparently yelling solves NOTHING. Duh!!! Here's a photo of the little "devil" in the tub. Bathing is one of his favorite things, so of course he is actually being an angel here. We plan to take Griff to see Santa either this weekend or next week before Christmas. Santa will be able to see the truth......is Griffin really naughty or nice???

Griffin the Intellect

So, I knew Griffin liked books, but he has moved on to current events. The kid loves to "read" the newspaper. I think he tries to learn by osmosis---I tried to tell him it didn't work, but he insisted on sitting & laying on the paper. Silly boy!

Rearranged the Xmas decor

I think I like it this way.....I'm sure it will change before Christmas. I wanted to put our stockings up, but I'm afraid G-man will be able to reach them and yank them down---those stocking hangers are deadly! I'm still working on the decor for the basement.

Holiday Spirit

Tonight I made some cookies for friends, watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (a favorite in our house), played with little man, finished up some holiday crafts & took some pictures of the decorations we have diplayed in our house. I really didn't do much this year---kinda kept it simple. Less is more, right? I'm also not really into the traditional holiday
stuff. To be honest, Santa Claus scares me!

It's a bird, it's a plane, NO IT'S GRIFFIN!!

I couldn't resist picking up these adorable PJs from Wal-Mart. Our little super hero sure likes to read!

We spent Thanksgiving in Ellsworth/Jewell this year. Grandma & Grandpa E. celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary!! Pretty amazing & special! The Eittreims from Cali were back for the shindig. It was a good time. G-man was a little show off--much more entertaining this year than last! I am thankful I was able to spend the holiday with my family.