Christmas Recap: Crafts & Gifts!

I definitely wanted to do a recap of this part of our Christmas since it was really the first one where Grayson "got it." I feel a little silly capturing all the gift pics but we took them and I know I'll want to look back someday. We look forward to incorporating more of Jesus' story next year when Gray is older. His school really did an excellent job of this (his nativity crafts hung on the tree and are already put away :( ) I'm excited to get some family traditions started as well. I've already made a list! :)

Christmas crafts sent home with him from school - I don't know where they found the time with all the Christmas program practices!

The top one says that he was going to give me a "brother" as my present and that he would give his brother presents as well. Too cute!

My favorite! We did this last year at Halloween but I love this Christmas theme! It's even on canvas and his feet are so much bigger than just last year!

His report from the last week before Christmas. These pictures show up so much bigger and better on my iPad.  :)

2012 Christmas Card

 We had Beau's side of the family over a couple of days before Christmas since everyone had to head in opposite directions on the actual day. Everyone brought a dish, Beau's mom made the most unbelievable pecan pie and the kids definitely had a Christmas to remember! We only buy for the kids on the Reynolds side of the family, which I LOVE! It's so much more relaxing not to buy for 6+ other adults and we can really have fun with the kid stuff. :)

Reynolds family tree

Beau's parents gave Baby Walker some cute clothes!

Grayson's new excavator - it moves!

He knows who has the pocket knife around here! :) Immediately took it to Dadgy.

Aunt Kara and Uncle Todd gave G this metal dump truck - perfect for all his outside work! 

Grayson's first scooter and helmet from Grammy and Dadgy :)

G and his cousin Payton eagerly awaiting the Santa sacks! They know those carry the BIG gifts. :)

A ride-on excavator - it is so cool!

He can operate the bucket and it swivels like a real one. :) He really loves it.

On Christmas Eve, my parents had a cocktail party so the Dallas Caldwells all came over and enjoyed quite a spread while Grayson ran around and entertained everyone. It was here that we realized he has absolutely come out of his shell and that he would be just fine walking down the aisle in front of all those people at Andrea's wedding! What a ham he has turned out to be!

On our way to Christmas Eve service!

Aunt Gayle and Uncle Jimmy gave him an adorable little backpack that is just his size. He loves carrying it!

Showing off to cousins Scott and Meredith

Christmas morning at our house was just really cool. Beau and I were looking more forward to it than Grayson was.  This was after we were up until well after 1am in panic over a broken piece of the train table. Fortunately, we worked through it and the Asels (our neighbors) came over and helped assemble everything. They are so good to us!

Tree on Christmas morning

First sight of the train table - he was running! :) A gift from Maw Caldwell

Ahh, love that bed head

He loves Daddy's leaf blower so now he has his own to help

Plenty of bath toys - bath time is fun again!

Stocking stuffers - yeah, so Mommy got all the candy she likes ;)

Weiner dog paper, y'all. I was so proud of this. They had antlers!

 "Grayson" activity book

On Christmas Day, we went over to my parents' house for lunch and to open gifts with my side of the family. We had a really small group since we were all leaving in a couple of days to be together in New Orleans. It just didn't make sense for everyone to hustle to Dallas just to turn around and re-pack for a week out of state. That said, the day was still really special and the food was delicious as always.

Mimi gave Grayson a special "Chef Grayson" apron for when he helps her in the kitchen! 

A big surprise and last minute gift from Mimi and Pop - the whole Longhorn football get-up including shoulder pads and football pants. He loved it! So much for discouraging the sport of football.

Ma Smith gave Grayson this PB Kids rolling backpack for our big trip to NOLA. It was a huge hit and he''ll have it
for a long time!

G helped Ma pass out Christmas envelopes :)

He loves squeezing our necks :)

He is the happiest boy we know!

This impromptu purchase made by Beau was a result of a father/son trip to Shepler's to get him his black boots for his wedding tux. And they came home with a Sheriff's set of TWO guns, ammo and handcuffs. This set now lives in my parents' attic. 2 is too young!

Christmas yoga is essential 

Relaxing is important too

And sleep, of course! 

Hoping everyone had a very Merry Christmas! We already miss our families so, so much!