Lutz Christmas

The weekend following Christmas, we traveled to the ranch for the Lutz Family Christmas. The entire family was there, so Amy and Barrett had a full house during their first time to host Christmas. They may reconsider volunteering in the future! We had a great time visiting, eating, opening presents, hunting and we even had our very own Minute to Win It competition.

Lilly and Hallie were so excited to get REAL bows, arrows and targets!

Wyatt was upset that Bryan wouldn't let him open his new 100-pack balls.

Crisis averted! He just need a few to make him happy.

So many presents!

Grandpa gave all the grandkids dump trucks that were his when he was a kid. I remember playing with these many summers in the "farms" we created in the garden.

Greyson's new wagon and riding buddy.

He didn't want to get out of the wagon so we took our picture with him in it.

Grandpa with all the kids and gradkids.

Nannie, Gary and Aunt Nancy with all the grandkids.

Our wonderful hosts.

Minute to Win It: Round 1 - Barrett vs. Krista. We had to dispense all the tissues out of the box one at a time (Barrett may have cheated!).

Round 2 - Amy vs. Blake trying to shake ping pong ball out of a Kleenex box strapped to their waists.  

Caitlin in her reading glasses.

Lilly completing one of her holiday reading assignments - reading to a cousin.

Annual Gingerbread House Decorating with Lilly and Hallie. We had a new helper this year who only wanted to eat the gingerbread men.

Greyson helping Daddy check the feeders.

Merry Christmas!

Greyson and I spent Christmas Eve baking and decorating cookies for Santa's visit later that night. While setting out the cookies before bedtime, Greyson decided to do a quick taste test. 

Santa visited us during the night and Greyson miraculously "slept in" til 7:30am. We ate some breakfast and then opened presents, which might be the last year we get to do that in that order. We enjoyed the day at home watching Elf, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Home Alone while Greyson played with his new toys.   

Sea World

On the Sunday before Christmas, we had a family day at Sea World. It was a little colder than expected and the daytime Shamu show was a bit of a disappointment (the evening shows are supposed to be more exciting), but we still had fun watching the Sesame Street show, playing on the playgrounds and seeing the other animals and Christmas displays.

Snapshots

Playing guitar with Daddy

Bath time mohawk 

Daddy and Greyson riding the train

Santa visited all the kids at daycare.

Over the summer we bought a more family and gas-friendly car, knowing that we would eventually sell the truck. I haven't been driving it lately because it is hard to get a squirming toddler in and out of a huge extended cab truck. The day finally came in December when Blake found a buyer who wanted to surprise his newly licensed 16 year old son with an awesome Christmas present. Greyson and I took it for one last spin to and from daycare and work (Blake got in one last ride too). You know a truck rides rough when your toddler says "Ahhhh hhhhh hhhhh" and laughs when his voice goes up and down. We are all going to miss the truck!

Our last ride in the truck :(  

Birthday Celebrations

We celebrated two birthdays on the Lutz side of the family the first weekend of December. Caitlin's first birthday was on December 2nd and Hallie's 7th birthday was on December 7th. We all traveled to my brother's house for the weekend and had beautiful sunshine for Caitlin's party. The kids played games outside, decorated cookies and helped Caitlin open her presents. Somehow I didn't get any pictures of Caitlin (I was chasing Greyson around trying to keep him from eating so many cookies!), but she was adorable in her frilly pink tutu to match her Pretty In Pink themed party. She went to town on her smash cake and was literally up to her elbows in cake and icing! 

Since most of the family was together visiting at Bryan's house, we took the opportunity to celebrate Hallie's birthday, too. Jennifer had a special cookie cake made for Hallie, and Greyson enjoyed more cookies and more icing!

Greyson loved drinking his milk out of a straw.

The Moores with the Birthday Girl

Uncle Blake completed Wyatt and Caitlin's Christmas present a little early so we could deliver it on the same trip. Blake did an awesome job on the kid-sized table and chairs and I think our first customers were pretty happy!

Butler Family Pictures

While the whole Butler family was together for Thanksgiving, we attempted family pictures. Nana just wanted a picture with all the grandkids, but that is easier said than done. Once everyone was ready, the kids were in the beginning stages of meltdown mode. Blake, Greyson and I managed a few shots, and Bonnie and her family were also able to get some in (it's much easier to photograph a 9 year old!). We managed to snap a few pictures of Nana, Papa and the grandkids, but there were more outtakes than not. 

Braylon was handing snacks to Greyson to get him to smile. What a sweetheart.

Luckily, we were only in Brad and Christi's backyard, so we went inside and make lunch. Within minutes of getting some honey baked ham in his belly, Greyson was a dancing, happy kiddo again. What a lil toot!

Thanksgiving with The Butlers

Since Blake had to work the day after Thanksgiving, we had a mini feast at home, complete with a "mini turkey" (aka roasted chicken). The next afternoon, we packed up and headed to Huntsville to celebrate Thanksgiving with with Butler side of the family at Brad and Christi's house. It was great to see the whole family. The kids had fun swinging, jumping on the trampoline, roasting marshmallows and playing outside. Greyson loved playing with his cousins! He woke up early Sunday morning, dragged Blake's shoes to him and wanted to go outside immediately. 

Having fun his first time on a trampoline.

This kid loves to swing!

He mastered the big slide...

...but wasn't quite brave enough to walk across the bridge.

Greyson saw Braylon riding his bike and thought he was big enough for it too! Maybe in a couple of years, kiddo.

Ready to play again bright and early on Sunday morning.

Headed home and passed out after only two minutes down the road.